<p>For someone planning on going into law or business, which school is better? Right now, I feel as if SFS will be easier academically (not to belittle it or anything, but I'm just better at the practical stuff SFS teaches than the heavy math and theoretical things Chicago teaches), and I can have a higher GPA there. Georgetown is also clearly in a better location (and less than 1hr from home), and I feel like it will have better internship opportunities. I can also have 40 AP credits at Georgetown vs almost none at Chicago. I like SFS's more practical approach to economics, and I'm a bit scared by UChicago's very mathy/theoretical approach. (I think I could still succeed at Chicago. I would just have to work a lot harder.)</p>
<p>That being said, I felt more at home at UChicago than at Georgetown. And I liked Chicago's campus more.</p>
<p>(And UChicago is offering me $10k merit scholarship per year, while I would be paying full price at Georgetown.)</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice about choosing between these schools? And does anyone have any information about job opportunities &the alumni networks?</p>
<p>UChicago has the top Economics program, and yes, they are very very difficult over there. They have a shirt that says “If I wanted an A, I would have gone to Harvard.” While that may not be entirely true, it does show that they are probably pretty hard.</p>
<p>Both have good job opportunities and alumni networks. If it were me, I would go to UChicago because of the money, but I’m not sure if that’s a major concern for you. If you like Chicago’s campus more, you might be happier there (suffering from the hard work, yes, but happy nonetheless).</p>
<p>If you want to learn a lot about economics then go to Chicago. If you want to be in DC go to Georgetown. If you want to go law school, then buy an LSAT book.</p>
<p>“At UChicago the only thing that goes down on you is your gpa.”</p>
<p>You will be demolished by foreign students majoring in econ/math unless by some divine miracle you pull through with some serious effort - three times a year. But you will learn a lot more and UChicago is more respected than Gtown.</p>
<p>The number of credits you earn may mean nothing. Go look specifically at what your degree/school requirements are. I came in with 52 credits but chances are that like me, most of those credits will go under “electives” so you’re not really exempt from taking classes. It also doesn’t factor into your gpa since they count as transferred credits (makes sense, otherwise you’d have a super inflated gpa). Most schools do this, they are robbing you of your credits so you are forced to stay around longer.</p>
<p>D.C has good job opportunities. Since you live an hour away you can easily get internships when you’re back home for the summer. Sure the alumni networks are pretty good but they’re mostly for business students. I would imagine that UChicago has equally if not better ones considering they have top graduate business and law schools.</p>
<p>Go to UChicago if it’s a better fit. Plus you won’t be as saddled with debt.</p>
<p>Go to Gtown if you want the security of doing well and having fun at the same time.</p>
<p>Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either school. And graduate prospects are pretty similar. GPA isn’t everything, just make the most of your time in college.</p>
<p>this is actually pretty simple. if you want to enjoy you’re college years go to Georgetown. in my eyes, the 40k extra debt isn’t THAT much. and at UChicago you only have an option for business. but from SFS, you can go on to business on wall street, government, international relations, or law school. that would probably be better for you since you’re not completely decided on what you want to do. but thats just my two cents. good luck deciding!</p>
<p>$40k is a big amount to my family, but I would not have to go into debt for either school. (in case that’s relevant)</p>
<p>and @madhakar
what do you mean by at uchicago, you only have an option for business? I was under the impression that chicago people go into law school, the government, and int’l relations too. of course, georgetown is better for employment options for the latter two. but I’m pretty sure that uchicago people also have good prospects for those, no?</p>
<p>sorry lol. i guess i worded that wrong. they do have good prospects for that kiind of stuff (govt and int’l relations), but not as good as at georgetown. but on the other hand, the prospects after georgetown for business are just as good as at uchicago. uchicago might be ranked higher for economics, but you have to ask yourself if rankings really mean much if you can get just as good a job after either college. i would think not. so im just saying you have better options at georgetown. also, you’ll be working alot harder at uchicago. but im sure you know about that side of their reputation.</p>
<p>on the other hand, if you feel that and extra 40k for you (or your parents) is too much, then go to chicago. you’ll still have a great future</p>
<p>Let’s put it this way: a 4.0 at UChicago will be much more respected than a 4.0 at Georgetown. However, it is much much harder to get that GPA at UChicago and a 4.0 in Georgetown is much more impressive than a 3.5 at UChicago, though they probably equate to an equal amount of work (it might even be harder to get a 3.5 at UC than 4.0 at GU).</p>
<p>So, if you’re naturally very bright and can take the workload with a smile, go to University of Chicago. And remember, University of Chicago is on the quarter system so classes won’t wait to pile the work on until the second week.</p>
<p>Please don’t believe that I think Georgetown is all easy street. It is also a rigorous school, but this is University of Chicago we are talking about. Most universities pale in comparison.</p>
<p>I am interested the MA in economic and political development at SIPA. What are my chances if I have the following: I speak three languages, have more than 4 years of experience working for an NGO in another country. I am a dual citizen now and interned two summers with Deliotte in auditing and tax. I started college as an accounting major but decided to add international relations major so as to pursue a graduate school in this field. Due to my accounting classes, I have overall 3.4 GPA, however I will have 3.6 in the international relations major. So, please tell me what are my chances to being accepted in to schools like SIPA or Elliot…thanks!</p>
<p>I’m just curious since we are on the topic of economics as a major. I’m interested in getting an undergrad degree in international business with a minor in economics… is that possible with Georgetown in the MSB?</p>
<p>I’m a transfer student coming in as a junior (or hoping to once I get an acceptance/rejection letter) so I wonder if there is enough time to graduate in two years and still get in a major and minor degree? Any input would be great!</p>
<p>Oh, and sorry for going a little off topic in this thread… just seems alot of people responding know a thing or two about economics programs… :)</p>
<p>“Chicago is mainly known for its graduate school programs, not undergraduate…”</p>
<p>No, it’s just ranked in the top 10 and it’s considered to be HYPS’s academic peers. I’m a big Georgetown fan, but come on…UChicago is a world-renowned university, Georgetown–not so much. UChicago is also not pre-professional in nature at all like Georgetown (there is no business undergrad). Chicago’s graduate programs are also terrific and highly ranked. Georgetown seems to have a bunch of useless masters degrees that are advertised on the Metro Express. In academia, Chicago is way more respected than Georgetown. They’re both terrific schools, and for undergrad, Georgetown is more selective than Chicago. In sum, you’re very fortunate to have this choice, but for the money you’re getting I’d go to Chicago in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>and then kill yourself when you get the amount of work you do. job placement is just as good at both the schools. it might even be better for someone out of SFS. so ranking, prestige, respect in “academia” doesnt even matter. wouldnt you want to go to the school where you enjoy your life more? then go to georgetown.</p>
<p>Georgetown is the most rigorous school with 1400+ SATs in terms of pure workload since it requires five courses per term versus the standard four at comparable institutions.</p>
<p>the workload is obviously rigourous. but its not as intense from what i hear. my friends who attend tell me that rich legacy kids aren’t usually as smart as the rest of the kids who attend so the curve also tends to be a little more generous. but thats just what i heard</p>