<p>Since that came out UW has hired star econ profs from Michigan, Penn and Texas and is considered the most upwardly moving econ dept in the US.</p>
<p>Thanks for the rankings. Would the quality of the econ department or the university as a whole be me important for landing a better job?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know anything about Penn State? Is it as difficult to get into as Wisconsin?</p>
<p>If it’s computer science, University of Illinois is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>To find out how difficult a college is to gain admission look at their Common Data Set (google Common Data Set college name), section C. It shows how many students applied and were accepted, as well as the average scores, class rank, etc.</p>
<p><<thanks for=“” the=“” rankings.=“” would=“” quality=“” of=“” econ=“” department=“” or=“” university=“” as=“” a=“” whole=“” be=“” me=“” important=“” landing=“” better=“” job?=“”>></thanks></p>
<p>For a job right out of undergraduate, usually the university’s overall reputation is better than an individual department unless its something highly specialized (i.e. aerospace engineering). For admission to a Ph.D program, the department will probably be as, if not more, important.</p>
<p>Penn State and Ohio State admissions are virtually equal, which is to say slightly below Wiscy and Illinois.</p>
<p>Check Wiscy’s website. I think they have a very handy matrix showing what the admissions chances are for various test score/class rank combinations.</p>
<p>The common data set thing was really helpful. thanks.</p>
<p>I’m undecided on what I would do after my undergrad. Part of me wants to go to law school, part of me either wants to get a MBA or a master’s in econ, and part of me doesn’t know if I would rather get a job right after my undergrad. I guess with all those choices it would be best to go for the better university overall.</p>
<p>I’m interested in hearing anything about the social scene at any of the Big 10 universities. If anybody has any info, please share!</p>
<p>Interesting Article to share:</p>
<p>Link: [University</a> of Illinois is no longer a Big Ten bargain :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education](<a href=“http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/2727134,CST-NWS-public20.article]University”>http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/2727134,CST-NWS-public20.article)</p>
<p>^
</p>
<p>Common theme throughout the public university landscape.</p>
<p>Berkeley raised its OOS student enrollment from ~10% to ~20% this year.</p>
<p>As for this thread, I’m a public school “fanboy” so I admire all the Big Ten publics (and NU - even if I give my Mildcat friends a bad time…
)</p>
<p>I’m a UIUC grad, daughter is at Iowa, we just visited Indiana, and I know many people who attended other Big Ten schools. All love their schools. Frankly I do not think you can go wrong with any of them, but they are all different – campus feel/vibe, size, location, social scene, student body makeup, friendliness, etc. I suggest visiting as many as you can to see where you feel most comfortable. Based on your state, test scores and interests, I’d start w/UW, IU, Iowa, and maybe Minnesota. As someone suggested, also consider Kansas. </p>
<p>Apply early – with your ACT score you may get some modest merit aid. Would help to get your weighted GPA above 3.25. Look at total cost – UW, UIUC or UM vs Iowa or KU is a big difference.</p>
<p>“Since that came out UW has hired star econ profs from Michigan, Penn and Texas and is considered the most upwardly moving econ dept in the US.”</p>
<p>Source please?</p>
<p>^ rjk:</p>
<p>Source: [YouTube</a> - The All-New 2009 Corolla - Superbowl Commercial](<a href=“The All-New 2009 Corolla - Superbowl Commercial - YouTube”>The All-New 2009 Corolla - Superbowl Commercial - YouTube)</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>UW Recent hires Econ</p>
<p>From UM</p>
<p>[My</a> CV | Lones Smith](<a href=“http://lonessmith.com/content/my-cv]My”>http://lonessmith.com/content/my-cv)</p>
<p>From Penn</p>
<p>[Wisconsin</a> School of Business Faculty Directory](<a href=“http://www.bus.wisc.edu/faculty/facdetails.asp?id=523]Wisconsin”>http://www.bus.wisc.edu/faculty/facdetails.asp?id=523)
[Randy’s</a> Homepage](<a href=“http://www.ssc.upenn.edu/~rwright/]Randy’s”>http://www.ssc.upenn.edu/~rwright/)</p>
<p>From Northwestern</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~ctaber/vita.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~ctaber/vita.pdf</a></p>
<p>Kenneth Hendricks</p>
<p>Texas Austin–starts next Fall</p>
<p>[Powered</a> by Google Docs](<a href=“http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:WbxYfhfhpIwJ:www.utexas.edu/cola/files/407062+kenneth+hendricks&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi--QNPzDoTRQXllogNnDHsC6Fvom7F5aZcz_94Z5EEN1CPiNOu3t4l7QAYFTltOBUaUWGcHXRHyFzG_fdLghw3AdbUJxO7IWnBQtjGSMxBOW2cCpwTT3Up_GMz9tSSivRIwj2h&sig=AHIEtbSZb2ceKmTCqbs1m7IF1NAe4a2cnA]Powered”>http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:WbxYfhfhpIwJ:www.utexas.edu/cola/files/407062+kenneth+hendricks&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi--QNPzDoTRQXllogNnDHsC6Fvom7F5aZcz_94Z5EEN1CPiNOu3t4l7QAYFTltOBUaUWGcHXRHyFzG_fdLghw3AdbUJxO7IWnBQtjGSMxBOW2cCpwTT3Up_GMz9tSSivRIwj2h&sig=AHIEtbSZb2ceKmTCqbs1m7IF1NAe4a2cnA)</p>
<p>My favorite is Minnesota…but I go there, so I’m a bit biased. </p>
<p>But anyway, someone posted the Econ department rankings and I think that’s a great place to start. If I were your adviser, I’d pick UW and UMinn as your top two options because of their overall reputation, in-state tuition, and of course, their econ departmental strength. </p>
<p>A 32 ACT is good for either UW or UMinn, but that GPA will hurt your shot a little bit at both. I don’t know much about Wisconsin’s admissions, but this year’s incoming class at Minnesota had approximately 38,000 applicants which would likely make the acceptance rate between 45%-50%. So competition to get into the U has gone up a good deal in recent years. I believe Minnesota is among the top three in the Big Ten acceptance rates (with Michigan and Northwestern). </p>
<p>If you’re after “prestige,” I’d say rank them like this in terms of academic prestige:
- Northwestern
- Michigan
- Wisconsin/Illinois
- Minnesota/Ohio State
- Penn State/Purdue
- Iowa
- Nebraska</p>
<p>But either way, 1-5 are all fairly comparable, and 7-9 are all good and have pockets of strength (Nebraska’s a bit behind, in my opinion). </p>
<p>Long story short, go for UW and Minnesota. Set up some good safeties with strong econ departments and good finances. Go where has the best program, is a good value financially, and where you want to call home for the next several years. Good luck!</p>
<p>"If you’re after “prestige,” I’d say rank them like this in terms of academic prestige:
- Northwestern
- Michigan
- Wisconsin/Illinois
- Minnesota/Ohio State
- Penn State/Purdue
- Iowa
- Nebraska"</p>
<p>Where is MSU and Indiana?</p>
<p>They’re not worthy of the Big Ten. </p>
<p>…jusk kidding, I had a brain-lapse and forgot them. </p>
<ol>
<li>Northwestern</li>
<li>Michigan</li>
<li>Wisconsin/Illinois</li>
<li>Minnesota/Ohio State</li>
<li>Penn State/Purdue/Indiana</li>
<li>Iowa/Michigan State</li>
<li>Nebraska</li>
</ol>
<p>Michigan State grad here. (Attended as an OOS for both undergrad and masters degrees. An aside… accepted at UVa for grad school and decided on MSU for it’s superior program in my major).</p>
<p>Big 10 schools are great. The academics and social atmosphere were excellent. No regrets.
Some have better, well known reps (Wisc, UM, MW) but i think the rest are somewhat comparable, or at least not so different to hinder you to applying to any of them.</p>
<p>I’d advise my own kids to look for one with great college towns within walking distance from campus.</p>
<p>Wisc, Indiana and Penn State are popular with east coasters. </p>
<p>One of the drawbacks of going outside your state school is that there will be fewer OOS from your area. The majority of my college friends (undergrad) were from MI. Most remained. They get together frequently, especially for home games. I miss out!!</p>
<p>Indiana probably has the best weather!</p>
<p>Also, think about travel. How hard would it be to fly home?</p>