michigan, unc, or wisconsin

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I was just accepted to transfer Fall 2009 at UNC, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan. I want to major in Latin American Studies and Sociology and hopefully go on to graduate school. I live in North Carolina but tuition cost isn't really a factor. </p>

<p>Wisconsin has the highest grad school rankings in Sociology and Latin American History and is also very highly ranked in Spanish. However, I am wondering if it is fair/accurate to judge the quality of undergraduate education on the basis of the presumed quality of the graduate program.</p>

<p>Which is the best (considering academics only)? PLEASE HELP!</p>

2

<p>I would opt for Wisconsin. It is strong in both fields (#2 nationally in sociology) and there are some stellar Latin Americanists there. UNC is not bad either in Latin American Studies as DUKE and UNC have invested in L.A.S.</p>

3

<p>Oh if you interested in Caribbean based LAS then Michigan might be the best choice.</p>

4

<p>[Latin</a> American History - History - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/his/latin_amer_his]Latin”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/his/latin_amer_his)</p>

<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Sociology](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area41.html]NRC”>http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area41.html)</p>

5

<p>Well, the department subfield rankings are based on the graduate programs. Sociology is pretty much equal at Wisconsin and Michigan. I would go with the school that offers the best overall fit for your needs. Have you visited all schools? Write down what you like/don’t like about each school. The answer becomes pretty obvious.</p>

6

<p>

I find it interesting that you picked the 16 year old NRC ranking for sociology instead of the much more recent USNWR sociology ranking – the one that puts UNC, Michigan, and Wisconsin all in the top 4. :rolleyes:</p>

7

<p>“I find it interesting that you picked the 16 year old NRC ranking for sociology instead of the much more recent USNWR sociology ranking – the one that puts UNC, Michigan, and Wisconsin all in the top 4”</p>

<p>No one in the academy respects USNWR.</p>

8

<p>Yes, it is fair to judge departments by the graduate rankings. The faculty and some of the courses are the same. As they are equally good pick the cheaper one or the one you like best for non-academic reasons.</p>

9

<p>As an undergraduate I was able to take Graduate level courses at WI with the Professor’s approval. Not sure if this is true everywhere. Really challenged me.</p>

10

<p>Stooge it’s generally true at most schools if you have a good GPA and get Dept and Professor permission. </p>

<p>As for the choice I would rank them Wisconsin, Michigan and UNC in that order. W and M has a longer tradition in LAS specifically, although you really can’t make a bad choice. Keep in mind at UNC you can take classes at Duke and there are some EXCELLENT LAS and LA Historians there.</p>