<p>Okay, I plan to major in Economics as an undergrad. and I've searched CC for top econ. schools but ALL I see are students listing rankings and not actually advice. I just want forthright advice -- your subjective opinions. What schools with VERY strong econ. programs would be good for me? I rank 3/600, pretty high SAT scores, hard courseload (12 APs by graduation), good ECs (2 prez, 2 vice-prez). I do not like intense competition, so no MIT or CIT pour moi. I don't mind a little competing though. I don't care about city size. I want small-average school size. No superlarge UT-Austin.... again, VERY STRONG econ. program. I might apply to Harvard just because of Mankiw (econ. professor; I love reading his econ. books)... Yeah he might be the only reason why... but then, there's like a 1/100 chance I'll make it so I'm not taking that seriously... um... preferably no "jock" schools like Notre Dame (I went there and everywhere I saw were jocks... I don't mind but in excess is too much for me)... I want to be in a mature environment.... good funding and small class size (no Berkeley please...) yeah. Thanks lol.</p>
<p>Think Princeton</p>
<p>claremont mckenna is probably the best LAC for econ.</p>
<p>University of Chicago is well known as a top Econ school</p>
<p>If you're looking for a safety compared to some of the above, you might have a look at Brandeis--would meet you non-Jock , small size criteria, has a good but maybe not top department. Professor Coiner, who does their intro courses in econ, is one of the most popular and well thought of on campus.</p>
<p>U Chicago is ranked first in the country for their economics, and an econ degree from there is extremely well regarded. </p>
<p>Of course, if you attend and pursue economics, there will be many, many like you also pursuing it, and their will be fierce competition and little time to sleep. But, if one is interested in economics, the U Chicago is the school to attend. </p>
<p>That was my plug for the U. of C. I'm attending the school now, but, despite the great reputation in economics, I am thinking math as my major... I know many econ undergrads and grad students, though, who praise the department.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/subj/ECON/_Fall2006.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/subj/ECON/_Fall2006.html</a>
This is a list of Economics classes at Columbia (W) and Barnard (BC) so you can see the class sizes. My D is taking two of them currently and finds them very manageable. That of course may change when she gets into the upper level classes.</p>
<p>Chicago -- without a doubt.</p>
<p>I guess there is a reason why I also think of Chicago when economics is mentioned. Must be that Freakenomics guy!</p>
<p>Okay, any schools except for U of C? Any good Ivies good at econ.? Or does U of C top all, even the Ivies?</p>
<p>With your stats and desire for a smaller college with a top Economics programs U of Chicago is absolutely the best school for you. Small class size, but it is intense, with no grade inflation. It is a tough college academically- all U.G. students take the core regardless of major, which can eat up 2 of your 4 years there, so be sure to do some research before applying. It is a college for serious students who are passionate about learning.</p>
<p>Chicago is just as intense as MIT in competition. WASP and other top LACs may be for you. Any good school is good at econ. Think about it. MIT is engineering oriented, yet has a top econ program. Harvard is good at everything and has a top econ program. Just find a school you like and go there. It will be good enough in econ for you.</p>
<p>Edit: I reread your initial post, and Swarthmore may be best for you.</p>
<p>Pyewacket, Brandeis is no "safety". My daughter who was accepted at Barnard & Chicago was waitlisted at Brandeis. Brandeis obviously is less selective than the Ivies; statistically it is very close to Chicago in terms of percent admitted and stats of admitted students.</p>
<p>So why do want to study economics? You are already practicing 'economics' which is about choices and their outcomes (after the fact).</p>
<p>I have mentioned before that my older bro does professional economics. Not a happy bone in him. He is also very, very tight.</p>
<p>I'm personally somewhat a tightwad and I've read economics ever since I was a sophomore. I'm VERY interested in microecon. and the first true economics book that I read was by Mankiw, the professor at Harvard. I also have teach12's audio economics and just after listening to two lessons, I was like BEYOND hooked. I know this is perfect for me. I love it with a passion. If the comments above (that U of C is as competitive as MIT) are true, then I don't think I'll want to go there. I would love to study econ. but a break would also be nice once in awhile and it doesn't seem like U of C offers that. (And I mentioned in my first post that I didn't want competition.) And core classes are required 2 of the 4 years? Wow.... I would like more flexibility and not take what everyone else is taking. Also, don't get the idea that I'm looking for a small LAC or college. I don't mind a large one, but class size is crucial (no more than 20,30). Thanks for ALL THE SUGGESTIONS. Really. You guys helped me a lot. I'm researching Columbia and Princeton right now.</p>
<p>And don't forget your safety! It's wonderful to have only the top programs, but you need reaches, matches and safeties.</p>
<p>Here's one from out of left field, how much do you know about the London School of Economics? They certainly have an amazing reputation, and what better place for the dismal science than London in winter?</p>
<p>Are you male or female? If female, consider Wellesley which has always had a top Econ program (I haven't checked lately so am just guessing that it still is).</p>
<p>Take alook at the newly revamped Economics Dept at Wash U in St Louis.Fits your other criteria..ie non jock,smaller size.Not sure about the merit aid possibilities though.</p>
<p>Dartmouth.</p>