<p>So I got into Brandeis and Oberlin, but got waitlisted at Emory. Which of these three would be better for someone wanting to major in economics? What about the college as a whole?ANY input would be great. I'm suffering from major indecision, and the decision deadline is coming up! By the way, Brandeis's aid package is marginally better (by about 2500) better than Oberlin's, if that helps any.</p>
<p>PLEASE HELP! =(</p>
<p>I only know about Brandeis so I can’t compare to the other two, but you should now that econ is the most popular major at Brandeis. You can take classes in the econ dept. as well as at the top-ranked international business school. ([Brandeis</a> University International Business School: Business, Economics and Finance for Global Leadership](<a href=“Global Brandeis | Brandeis University”>Brandeis International Business School)) piggybacking off the strength of the econ dept., the school is offering a business major for the first time next year. you need to have more detail about preferences in terms of geography and social life so we can best help you. do you like rural, urban or suburban. i like Brandeis’ location because it’s a really nice suburban campus but you can get in to Boston easily…hope this info helps…</p>
<p>Mmazumdar, in addition to having a first-rate economics department and its International Business School graduate program, as sulsk mentioned, this coming year, Brandeis is launching an innovative undergrad Business major in conjunction with IBS in which economics will of course play a key role. The international focus of the grad business school–incredibly appropriate for the international economy in which we live–undoubtedly will add international flavor to the new undergrad Business major. That major will have a liberal arts focus unlike a lot of undergrad Business programs. Here’s a link to an article discussing it:</p>
<p>[Brandeis</a> Business is practical, unique - Op-Ed](<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/03/OpEd/Brandeis.Business.Is.Practical.Unique-3656072.shtml]Brandeis”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/03/OpEd/Brandeis.Business.Is.Practical.Unique-3656072.shtml)</p>
<p>As far as location is concerned, if you’re interested in being near a big city, it’s Brandeis hands down. As an alum, its proximity to Boston was one of the reasons I originally selected Brandeis. I live in Atlanta now, and can tell you that Atlanta is a sunbelt city without a thriving downtown; it’s not a cultural and student mecca with the feel of almost a European downtown like Boston. Although the climate is much warmer in Atlanta, I’d suggest living there at later stage of life, not the student years. Just my opinion. With respect to Oberlin, I only know that it’s somewhere in Ohio–I believe.</p>
<p>In addition to its location in Boston, and its the EconomicsBusiness resources, I prefer Brandeis because it’s a special combination of small liberal arts college and world-class research university-with the smallest student body I believe (less than 800 in a class) of any top tier natinal research university matched with high-powered professors who actually teach in small classes. So, the research opportunities are tremendous. </p>
<p>Brandeis has an exciting intellectual environment that I would compare to its UAA sister school, U of Chicago (FYI its President is a Brandeis alum) only Brandeis’ is more relaxed and more undergraduate-oriented. Despite their intellectual bent, Brandeis students are down-to-earth, friendly and non-competitive with one another. </p>
<p>As you may know, in a recent Forbes national college rankings survey, Brandeis was ranked 15th among research universities and 30th overall among all private univerities and LAC’s–a testament to its focus on undergraduate education. Larger schools, including some Ivies, were ranked much lower. </p>
<p>Despite its small size and relative youth, Brandeis alumni are very distinguished–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Medal winning physicist Edward Witten (often called “Einstein’s successor”), 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Friedman of the NY Times, The Earth is Flat etc; Mitch Albom of Tuesday’s with Morrie (about his Brandeis professor), the Creators/Producers of Friends; actress Debra Messing; Robert FX Sillerman (billionaire businessman–currently owner of American Idol and Graceland) and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). I understand she may teach at IBS in the near future, just as Tom Friedman returned to teach undergrads. Also, if you’re into social justice, Brandeis is a very exciting place to be (Angela Davis, Abbie Hoffman, I could go on, are alums as well) and the theater/music/arts scene is tremendous.</p>
<p>Forgive my enthusiasm, but as an alum, I think Brandeis is great.</p>
<p>Brandeis and Oberlin are very different. Very different locations, students, etc. etc. You have to go with where you think you’ll be happiest. Both will offer you lots of opportunity, the real question is where are you the better fit.</p>