<p>I know what you guys are thinking: Oh god, not another versus thread, use the search function, etc.</p>
<p>But hear me out. I'm interested in Economics and both of those schools have excellent undergrad economics programs. The problem is that I don't really know if I want to get into Finance after undergrad or go to graduate school in Economics and possibly get a Ph.D. Currently I'm leaning towards Finance, but that could very easily change during college if I find out that I'd rather study economics my whole life than work in finance. A lot depends on what I feel like doing once I'm already in college, so I value flexibility.</p>
<p>If I go to Michigan I'll probably try to get into the Ross BBA program and get a minor/major in economics as well. At Northwestern I'd probably just major in Economics. The advantage would be that I'd have more options available after undergrad without putting in substantially more work (I.E. a dual major). While studying business in undergrad sounds interesting I'd rather just study Economics as an undergrad and get an MBA later (this also would mean I wouldn't have to deal with any overlap in getting both a BBA and an MBA). </p>
<p>In both colleges I really have only have freshman year to decide what I want to do after I graduate (i.e. for finance I'll have to start looking for internships and for the Econ Ph.D I'll have to start loading up on math classes). </p>
<p>I guess it now sounds like I'm rambling, but if you were in my shoes what would you do? Bear in mind that I'm eligible for instate tuition at Michigan. So I guess what I'm really asking is if the Northwestern name is really worth the extra $$$. From what Alexandre has said Michigan and Northwestern have virtually similar reputations in the academic world and the corporate world, and that it's only high school students who think Northwestern is a lot more "prestigious" (if that's the right word). </p>
<p>I know that this is the Michigan forums and it'll be a bit biased but just tell me what you guys think. Thanks.</p>
<p>For an in-state student, there are only a couple of instances where it’s really worth considering whether or not Michigan is worth it. NU is def. not one of those.</p>
<p>If you can afford it, Northwestern. Northwestern was my dream school for engineering but I got rejected Early Decision but I have been accepted into Michigan which is one of my top choices but not one like with NU where if I got in, I would go there right away without any consideration of other schools.</p>
<p>Like you said, these are the Michigan forums so you will hear some bias but for my case (as an OOS student either school), I believe Northwestern is a stronger school and has more reputation</p>
<p>FWIW, one of my friends brought his best friend out to Michigan for the Big Chill from Northwestern (which was relatively mild compared to most football Saturdays) and he was blown away at the amount of school spirit and partying that went on compared to Northwestern. He didn’t apply to Michigan but most certainly would’ve gotten into Ross, I’d say. And if you’re good enough to get into Northwestern then you can probaaaaably get in to Ross as a preferred admit.</p>
<p>Easy choice if you’re in-state (which you are), but even OOS I’d take Ross over Northwestern.</p>
<p>e5, that’s too bad that you didn’t get into Northwestern ED. Before I decided on Michigan, I looked into Northwestern and seriously considered Columbia and Chicago - esp. Chicago. I will admit that as an in-state student I have been exposed to Michigan more-so than other uni’s; however, like you, I applied to Engineering knowing that Michigan has one of the best programs in the country - certainly better than McCormick. In the op’s case, it seems like a no-brainer because: (1) in-state tuition, (2) =/better job placement if he does Ross (3) ~= grad placement if he does Economics. Location is more of a preferential thing: Evanston is quite scenic w/ its proximity to the lake ; Ann Arbor is just sort of the quintessential college town. For an in-state student it seems like a no-brainer; it gets more blurry if you’re oos - not sure how the fin. aid is - but I would still choose Michigan over NU any day.</p>
<p>“Like you said, these are the Michigan forums so you will hear some bias but for my case (as an OOS student either school), I believe Northwestern is a stronger school and has more reputation.”</p>
<p>Your case is not the poster of this thread’s case. I would recommend Michigan over NU in almost any circumstance because the student is instate. Btw e5volcano, Evanston overall is not as safe as Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>e5volcano, like you, I am not from Michigan and therefore am neutral…or was until I spent four of my best years ever at the University of Michigan. I chose Michigan over Northwestern back then, primarily because I preferred the campus and general environment at Michigan. As an Engineer, I think you will eventually be thankful that Northwestern rejected you. Although NU is excellent in Engineering, it is not quite as strong as Michigan and the opportunities availlable to Michigan Engineers are awesome.</p>
<p>Infinit, for an Economics major, the decision is much tougher. Northwestern and Michigan are both excellent in Econ, but NU has the edge. However, your decision is not as easy. When it comes to IB, I would say Ross > NU Econ > Michigan Econ. If you wish to pursue a PhD in Economics, I would say NU Econ > Michigan Econ. Either way, NU Econ > Michigan Econ. That cannot be denied. </p>
<p>With regards to “prestige”, among the majority of highly educated adults over the age of 30, Michigan = NU. To most 15-25 year olds, NU > Michigan. </p>
<p>In all cases, the inequalities above are very minor, and the cost difference between Michigan and NU makes the former the clear winner. Unless NU matches the cost of Michigan, I would say this is not a difficult decision to make.</p>
<p>seancarpenter, yours is a tough question to answer. </p>
<p>Personally, I would recomend MIT and Stanford over Michigan for Engineers. </p>
<p>I would add Caltech if a student is well suited for that sort of environment. </p>
<p>Princeton, though not as good as Michigan in Engineering, is one of the very few universities out there that is better than Michigan overall and therefore worth going to over Michigan. </p>
<p>Other than those four schools, I cannot think of an Engineering program worth going to over Michigan. Cal, although slightly better in Engineering, would not constitute a “no-brainer”. Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Georgia Tech and UIUC are peer programs.</p>
<p>^^Were you an instate resident when you applied as an undergraduate tenisghs? I certainly would consider attending NU where NU would cost less than U-M.</p>
<p>I’m not going to get into the comparative reputations of the Economics departments of these two schools. While there may be some differences at the undergrad level I suspect they are minor when compared to the graduate level.</p>
<p>Ignoring, for the moment, the net cost differences between UM and Northwestern I think your decision is one about flexibility. You can pursue a degree in Economics at either school. While there is a certificate program for Financial Economics at Northwestern you cannot get a BBA. On that level you need to decide if a) you can get into Ross? b) Can get into the Financial Economics program at NU? and c) How likely is it that you’re going to want to go onto grad school?</p>
<p>If you seriously plan on going to grad school then I’d advise you to fully understand the cost differences between the schools. While it’s true that NU is twice as expensive the net financial aid may even things out. However, if one package leaves you burdened with a substantial amount of debt, that could severely limit your financial options when it comes time to apply/attend grad school.</p>
<p>Both schools are great. Michigan seems like the most flexible/cheapest option given the info we have so far but I’d wait for fin aid packages and do some research into the certificate program at NU before making any strong decisions.</p>
<p>tbh, Ross isn’t that difficult to get into as a freshman ; if you think you can / plan on landing a good Wall St. type position, chances are you’re the type that can get into Ross without much difficulty.</p>
<p>I like Berkeley and I think it has a superb engineering school, but I honestly don’t think it’s worth it over Michigan In-State tuition. Maybe Stanford is, but not Berkeley. Caltech over Michigan In-State is debatable, too. </p>
<p>On Topic: Northwestern is superb for a career in banking, consulting, etc, etc… but so is Michigan Econ, and more so, Michgan Ross. I would put those 3 departments in the same group (only Harvard and Wharton are better). At the end of the day, those programs will get you an interview. It’s just up to you how you’d stand out in the process. Thus, I suggest that when choosing schools that fall in the same group, the best good things to consider are: cost, fit, location, whether, ambiance, school spirit, school amenities/facilities and curriculum. No one can decide on those criteria but you.</p>