<p>I'm looking to study either Economics or Public Policy at Duke or Northwestern. (AFAIK, Northwestern doesn't offer Public Policy at WCAS).</p>
<p>Factors important to me,</p>
<p>Strength of the Economics program. (I am more keen on pursuing non-quantitative aspects of Economics.)</p>
<p>Career opportunities and job placement. As with everyone else, I am looking to enter the banking/finance/consultancy industry.</p>
<p>Academics. I'd prefer if the school did not practice grade deflation, where it is possible for most students to do well without spending all their time studying.</p>
<p>Students. I understand that competition exists in every school. However, I'd prefer collaborative, compete-with-myself competition rather than cutthroat competition. I'd also like to be around students who know how to play and enjoy themselves.</p>
<p>Mobility. I want to have the choice to work and be employed in different parts of the US.</p>
<p>I can clearly only speak for Duke econ (my minor), but I can assure you it's quite strong and I have all-in-all enjoyed the curriculum, especially once you get through the intro macro/micro material (Econ 51 and 55). However, it is true that Duke econ is indeed quantitative. You'll need to at least take through multivariable calculus (Math 102 or Math 103), which is somewhat of a rarity for undergraduate econ programs. But, I would also claim that 1) even multivar isn't too difficult for a serious student to master (which it sounds like you are) and 2) a higher level of math knowledge will surely give you fuller insight and a deeper understanding of the material if you really want to consider yourself a true economist. It may be a "social science", but that doesn't mean it's not intrinsically quantitative. Econ without heavy math would be like physics without math, and that's really not too much of an exaggeration when you're talking about advanced levels of the respective subjects.</p>
<p>"I am looking to enter the banking/finance/consultancy industry."</p>
<p>Come to Duke, hands down, though I'd say NU and Duke are very similar socially. Also, if you do choose NU over Duke, don't worry - its also a great school for finance and consulting. I did a banking internship and am working in consulting, so I have experience in both fields (Duke student) and definitely saw Duke's placement magic first hand. At the same time, I have an east coast bias and have only worked on major cities in the mid-atlantic/new england area.</p>
<p>You're right. I keep reading of the wonderful recruitment going on at Duke's campus and that the numbers it sends to the major firms rival that of many ivies. </p>
<p>However, do most students end up getting jobs on the east coast or all over the states?</p>
<p>I was actually down to these two choices as well, and speaking as an Econ major, you'll have plenty of opportunities coming out of school for both of these institutions. At Duke, the classes that I've taken so far are all engaging and interesting, and the breadth of classes is awesome because it is the largest major. One caution I've heard from others (I didnt take it) is that ECON 51 (the intro class) is a major weed-out class, but you can avoid that if you have both AP credit or just study hard. </p>
<p>The main reason why I picked Duke is that, for some or no reason, Northwestern costs significantly more than Duke, and I'm double-majoring in BME (which Duke is amazing at). </p>
<p>Again, you really can't go wrong with either choice, so don't fret too much. :)</p>