<p>So here's the question: I'm transferring from Rutgers to either go to NYU, Emory or U Mich. Already been accepted to all three. All have very different pros and cons. I'm a double major in Philosophy/Political Science and intend on pursuing a law degree from one of the top 14 law schools after graduation - NYU, Columbia, Harvard, U Chicago, U Mich, U Virgina, Gtown, GW. My major questions are (1) Which school holds the best academic reputation? (2) Which school is most well-known for it's academic reputation? (3) What school would people suggest and why? Any alumni have any insight as to these schools and their reputations among the academias or employers? Any current students have anything to say?</p>
<p>First of all, congrats. In general, I think Emory has a tiny bit more undergraduate prestige than Michigan and NYU, but at the graduate level, the latter two trump the former. NYU’s philosophy department is considered the best in the country, and Michigan’s Poli Sci department is considered outstanding as well; however, the difference among the three schools is honestly not big enough to make a fuss about. All are fine schools. However, they have very different feels. If your goal is law school, go wherever you think you will perform the best academically and be happiest, regardless of which school might have greater marginal prestige. I would recommend visiting all of them before you make your decision. Good luck.</p>
<p>My last point of concern is that I live in NJ - thus rutgers - and would like to remain in the NYC area for work. Are all three schools equally known and reputable in this area? I ask because I want to know if one school over another will affect my ability to get internships?</p>
<p>bump…</p>
<p>All of them are very reputable, and all of them are very strong in the fields that you are looking for. I’d think that the main difference between them is the environment. They’re all wildly different in the college environment so I’d probably take that as my main consideration, given that all 3 of those schools are very good schools for your double major.</p>
<p>As someone who recently graduated from Emory as a philosophy major, I think you need to consider what kind of philosophy you want to study. Emory is one of the few major continental schools while NYU and UM are more analytic. As I’m sure you know, this makes a big difference in the environment of the departments. That being said, I loved the program and the professors are all top-notch. </p>
<p>Also, there’s a large population of NY/NJ students at Emory. You should have no problem trying to work in NYC. Your law school will also be a larger factor when it comes to working in different cities so I don’t think undergrad location will matter as much.</p>
<p>One word; Fit! Those are three excellent but vastly different schools. I would do as much research on the three universities and choose the one that most closely matches your needs/interests. Once you know what you want and what each university has to offer, deciding between those schools will be easy.</p>
<p>OP, of those 3 schools you mentioned, UMich has the most representation at t-14 law schools (from Yale/Harvard/Stanford law down to Duke/Cornell law). Whether that has any bearing to your queries is up to you.</p>
<p>These are the graduate school rankings for philosophy and political science by the NRC. </p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Philosophy](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area9.html]NRC”>http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area9.html)</p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Political Science](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area39.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Political Science)</p>
<p>Only Michigan is ranked in the top ten in both disciplines. There has to be some correlation between undergraduate and graduate quality.</p>
<p>^ For me, those rankings are irrelevant. The OP wants to get into a top law school and he made mentioned of the t-14, or the very elite law schools in America. I would focus the discussion on that area. </p>
<p>Personally, UMich has a very clear lead over NYU and Emory. I think the gap is even conspicuous.</p>
<p>^I agree with you that the OP is looking to attend a T-14 law school first and foremost. The departmental rankings that are shown go to the academic reputation questions posted above.</p>
<p>UM is bigger than both NYU and Emory. To base the reputation off of the total number of students at T14 from each UG seems to be a miscorrelation. Proportionally, UM should have the largest representation at these schools. UM has 26,208 UGs as compared to NYU’s 21,638 and Emory’s (extremely small in comparison) 6,980. To measure reputation by representation at T14 this way would of course give the bonus to UM as they graduate the greatest number of students. I think a better way of addressing the individual reputation of each UG college in question may be better approached looking at proportionally how many are represented?</p>
<p>I don’t think Law school admissions differentiate significantly between tier one schools, and Emory, Michigan and NYU are all tier one schools.</p>
<p>bump…</p>
<p>OP, it’s true that UMich is bigger than either NYU or Emory. However, not everyone at UMich pursue law studies. And those who do mostly get into top law schools. Even if you would measure this by admission rate, UMich would still come out on top of the other two. </p>
<p>You mentioned Emory has roughly 7k undergrad student population. That’s still bigger than Dartmouth or Columbia yet there are many more Dartmouth or Columbia grads at t14 than there are Emory grads. Aside from that, UMich has a top law school, solid top 10 in the nation. Emory hasn’t, so their students cross schools to get into a top-rated law school. UMich undergrads account the most represented at UMich law school, so that is a plus factor for those UMich undergrads who want to get into a t-14 law school. </p>
<p>Again, I don’t know how this would help you, but it is crystal clear for me that UMich is superior to either Emory or NYU as a feeder school to t14.</p>
<p>*All have very different pros and cons. I’m a double major in Philosophy/Political Science and intend on pursuing a law degree from one of the top 14 law schools after graduation *</p>
<p>What do you consider the pros and cons for each. That’s important for YOU. :)</p>
<p>Have you gotten your financial aid packages from each school? If you need FA, then that might end up being a major consideration. </p>
<p>If you need FA, then likely Emory is going to be the only school that gives you decent aid.</p>
<p>If you don’t need any FA, then just go with the school that gives you the best feeling. Any of those schools are fine for someone who wants to go to a top law school.</p>
<p>I think these are all very strong schools with NYU being weaker than the other two. Its a fit decision at the end of the day. Personally I think transferring to NYU would be a difficult experience, UMich and Emory seem a lot more fun.</p>
<p>Why would you say NYU would be a difficult experience?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>probably because NYU doesn’t have a traditional campus so you wouldn’t get the “full campus experience” like you would at the other schools.</p>
<p>The campus at NYU is actually something I like. I have no preference for atmosphere. IF I do, I would actually lean towards being in NYC.</p>