<p>Obviously I’m young and I can still change my mind, but for now my current interest is getting a PhD in the economics of developing nations; I feel it’s the perfect intersection between a rewarding job (I can make a difference in people’s lives who are less privileged than me) and a decent salary, with the fact that I can truly make a difference holding a lot more weight than the money. I feel that with UW being so huge it will be an advantage for me if I decide to change majors or what not and it will allow me to take a wide range of classes</p>
<p>Post #21:“…but for now my current interest is getting a PhD in the economics of developing nations…I feel that with UW being so huge it will be an advantage for me if I decide to change majors or what not and it will allow me to take a wide range of classes.”</p>
<p>OP, you can hardly pick a better place than Wisconsin for the interests you mentioned. Wisconsin is quite strong in that area. In addition, you’ll have access to courses on international ag ec, area studies/languages, high numbers of international students, etc. Really, UW’s resources and opportunities in those areas are matched by very few other American universities. I have a family member who did a PhD in development economics at UW along with area studies for his region of interest and a JD. He works overseas, teaches at a foreign university, consults with foreign governments, has worked for USAID, etc. — a very interesting and rewarding career. In that type of work, the competition for consulting work, etc. is not only from other Americans with equal qualifications, but also from Aussies, Germans, Brits, et al. His education at UW has allowed to more than hold his own, even with this global level of competition for key professional positions. I’ve commented previously on this Forum about the large numbers of ambassador wannabes who want to major in IR, who in all likelihood will not even come close to their goals. However, your plan to concentrate on a traditional discipline like economics; combined with the international resources of a university like UW, will serve you very well.</p>
<p>Post #15: “Yes, a Northwestern degree will be viewed in higher regard than a Wisconsin degree anywhere outside the Badger State. Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves.”</p>
<p>Well, I have a Northwestern degree, and, yes, it does carry some prestige in some circles, though mostly I think it impresses Asian exchange students who slavishly follow USNWR rankings. Past your first couple of jobs, it’s your job performance and professional accomplishments that make the real difference, not where you went to school. It rarely comes up that I attended NU, and most people wouldn’t care anyway. Now, my graduate degree from a lower tier university does open doors in my professional field, but that’s because of the reputation and accomplishments of the particular department for which I attended that university.</p>
<p>“Well, I have a Northwestern degree, and, yes, it does carry some prestige in some circles, though mostly I think it impresses Asian exchange students who slavishly follow USNWR rankings.”</p>
<p>
Did I suggest that work experience and individual effort to come up well in life didn’t matter? When examining the two degrees just on their own merit however, the Northwestern one will open many more doors in a variety of different sectors, at least initially.</p>
<p>It seems that you are the “ra-tard” here.</p>
<p>Any more opinions?</p>