Need help in narrowing list (econ/int'l finance)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OK, I am very interested in both economics and finance, and I would like to someday work either in international banking/markets or at some sort of multinational company, so my plan is either:</p>

<p>A. Go to a school w/an undergrad business program and go through an Econ. and International Finance (International Business w/Finance concentration, whatever) double major</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>B. Go to a school w/out an undergrad business program and major in Econ. only (maybe double major in something like a language or an area study if I feel like it), obtaining some type of "finance" specialization if possible</p>

<p>Hopefully, I will work for a few years out of undergrad. and then go back and get either an MBA or a Master's in Econ. I know that at some schools, undergrad econ is math-heavy, and at some it is more "theory" or "policy" heavy I guess; I'm really not sure which is better, or even which one I would be better suited for (I am strong at math, but the policy part looks interesting too). All I know is that I would like the approach to be relatively laissez-faire, "Neo-Classical," whatever, or at the very least NOT Keynesian. So...having gotten that out of the way, my "stats" are 2340 new SAT (800W 780M 760CR), should definitely be National Merit qualifier next fall (226 PSAT in Texas), graduating a year early (after I take one last community college course, in econ. coincidentally) in a few weeks in order to be an exchange student for a year in Chile through Rotary Club (but still will enter college in Fall 2006), top 2% of my class at large, good-but-not-great public H.S. (I would be top 1% if not for graduating early). I got a 5 on AP World Hist. last year, sat 6 APs this year (predictions - BC Calc - 4/5, Chem - 4, Eng. - 5, Spanish - 3/4, Psych. - 5, APUSH - 5). </p>

<p>Anyway, here are some of the schools I am (tentatively) looking at(in order of current preference, which has NOT been well-thought through). If you have any more suggestions, feel free to make them. Also, I'm U.S. citizen, from Texas, but I just like to think internationally I guess so I'm considering European schools too (any other global suggestions welcome as well). I probably won't qualify for any need-based financial aid (might get a few grand from some of the more generous), so merit-based is always a plus lol.</p>

<p>University of Texas-Austin McCombs Business Honors Program (in-state)
NYU-Stern (I guess CAS for the econ degree)
UChicago (the workload seems pretty intense, though)
London School of Economics (freaking expensive, though; no chance for ANY fin. aid really, plus London cost-of-living)
Central European University (Soros' school) - Bocconi University Int'l Econ/Business dual degree - an EU-recognized degree and a US-recognized degree
Helsinki School of Economics - BSc/MSc Economics program
UPenn-Wharton (might try to make Huntsman, I guess)
Northwestern
George Mason (mostly because of their awesome econ. professors and the ardent free-market perspective)
Columbia</p>

<p>So...any comments on those schools (always need more info lol) or suggestions? </p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>If you do pick NYU, i'd suggest you consider finance at Stern instead of econ at CAS.</p>

3

<p>Well I would double-major.
Sorry if I didn't specify that; any college w/an undergrad. business school, I would double major in int'l finance AND econ.</p>

4

<p>The workload is not as bad at Chicago as as people who have never been there make it out to be. You'll be fine. You are not going to find a better economics program with smaller classes, nobel prize winning profs, and firm recruitement program anywhere in my highly biased opinion.</p>

5

<p>Thanks very much chicagograd. I have to basically know which schools I am applying to before I go to Chile (1st week of August), so I'll probably be making a trip to check out UChicago and Northwestern sometime soon. The econ. program at Chicago does look tremendous; however, I have heard from a few different people that it has dropped (a bit) in the past 10-15 years (of course, this would be from an elevated plateau above all others to about the same level as MIT, Harvard, etc., as I hear it at least).</p>

6

<p>You should definitely check out the campus, preferably when school is in session. Considering almost all of the same professors are there, I am not sure how it has dropped (the business school is actualy better than it used to be - #1 in the economist and #2 in business week). Sloan and Harvard are obviously great schools but when one thinks economics, the Chicago School always comes to mind. But go check it out and see for yourself.</p>

7

<p>For anything banking, your chances of recruitment generally increase if you're from a prestigious school. Therefore, throw out George Mason and McCombs, which though by all accounts is awesome, doesn't compare with the others you have mentioned.</p>

8

<p>NYU should be at the top of your list, along with the rest of the top 10 schools, which all have great econ programs</p>

<p>plus, its always good to learn economics from different perspectives. especially because in the real world, the government follows a mixed economy that uses keynesian ideas as well as liberal ideas. uchicago would be good for you if you really wanted a laissez-faire appraoch.</p>

9

<p>Actually, I've met graduating McCombs seniors that say that it has a pretty good reputation, at least as far as the NY banks are concerned (that's where both the guys I met have jobs now). Probably not as good as Stern, but a lot cheaper tuition-wise for in-state. Anyway, thanks for all the input so far.</p>

10

<p>Just seeing if there are any more comments/recommendations. (bump)</p>

11

<p>Bump...and got my SAT II scores: 800 Math IIC, 800 US History, 730 Lit (blech).</p>

<p>So, here are my "stats" in an easy-to-read format:</p>

<p>SAT I:
800 W
780 M
760 CR</p>

<p>SAT II:
800 IIC
800 US Hist
730 Lit</p>

<p>Top 2% of large (~550) class. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

12

<p>What about Georgetown? It has some programs that might fit you nicely.</p>

<p>Also, I agree with throwing out George Mason. Econ there might be good at the graduate level, but the undergraduate experience there wouldn't be anywhere near as enlightening as it would at a school like Chicago.</p>

13

<p>As far as Georgetown goes, my sentiments would match those of a UPenn admissions officer (or some sort of higher-up there, not exactly sure her exact position), who told me last summer: "Georgetown is where the people who know they can't get into Wharton go. Donald Trump's son couldn't get into Wharton, so he went to Georgetown." Its b-school is second-tier, as is the econ. department. The only redeeming factor would be the high quality of the School of Foreign Service, but I don't think that would adequately compensate for the aforementioned weaknesses.</p>

14

<p>a lot of brilliant peopld don't get into wharton. georgetown may make a nice match/safe-match for you.</p>