<p>I pretty much have a free ride into a masters program at both schools. I need to know which one has more international recognition/prestige, solid alumni connections and better academics. Thanks.</p>
<p>You need to research the reputation of your graduate program specifically.
Overall Rice will have slightly better reputation in academic circles while Vandy's name is more recognizable among "common folks". Vandy also wins for alumni connections.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt</p>
<p>as for academics, it depends on what u want to major in. Rice is amazing for engineering and the sciences.</p>
<p>what do you want to major in ? That is the deciding factor really, both schools are awsome.</p>
<p>I say Vanderbilt :D</p>
<p>I keep forgetting to mention that I am majoring in Econ. Sorry.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt. And if it's for econ, even more strongly Vanderbilt. </p>
<p>By the way, which econ program are looking at there? The "graduate program in economic development?" Or is there a different econ masters that i didn't see...</p>
<p>the economic development one. i talked to the people there and they said that your degree will be an MA in Economics not Economic Development. The program is just called that because its centered around taking trips to the World Bank, IMF and they mainly prepare international students in Econ, Finance, etc. for leadership positions in thier home country. Its an excellent program. </p>
<p>But I am not just looking for the graduate schools econ ranking but the schools overall ranking, prestige, recognition and solid alumni networking. I want to take the degree far and get my foot through the door at several places. I just need to know which school and degree will do that for me coupled with dedicated work. </p>
<p>Rice or Vandy?</p>
<p>P.S. Nauru I see that you are writing to us from Amsterdam. So they've heard of both schools in Europe I take it? Well you would be perfect for me to pose this question to because I want to take the degree and expierence abroad.</p>
<p>Suprisingly, Rice has actually less Southern culture than Vanderbilt (despite Rice being further south). Rice probably has more prestige due to its lower acceptance rate. By the way, definitely read the visit reports on this site - I mean, they're completely subjective, but I remember reading a really negative one for Vanderbilt. Check 'em out.</p>
<p>Where you feel more comfortable. Both are excellent schools. I'm currently a Rice undergrad and am completely satisfied with my choice to come here over Cornell and MIT because of the amazing attention paid to students by teachers--few, if any, undergrads get the same quality of education and attention compared to Rice.</p>
<p>I have been on the Rice Campus. It is beautiful. I have also been on Columbias and Harvard's Campus and I still think that Rice takes the cake. Its an amazing school that get little recognition. It has a very ivy like feel to it and the area around it does not look like TX at all. The people in Texas think highly of rice and believe it to be an ivy league school. </p>
<p>I have yet to visit Vandy but I hear it looks like a state park or something. Either way I know my choice will be a good one. Im pretty sure that the town relations are about the same as Rice is with Houston. Im sure people in Nashville have high regard for Vandy students.</p>
<p>Ruben- if I had known the Vandy masters program led to an MA in Economics and not an MA in economic development, I would have applied. That was the one thing about the program that forced me to look elsewhere. Oh well. :(</p>
<p>Truthfully, I don't think most people in Europe have heard of either school. But among the profs and people in the econ department here in Amsterdam Vanderbilt is known by some. I think Vandy sends people to our econ conferences; i've seen the name on the presentation agendas in elevators from time to time. I've never met anyone here who's heard of Rice. Even in my native Canada people know Vanderbilt, not Rice. Heck, I hadn't heard of it until I joined CC! And even now I know nothing about it. I'm sure it's very good though, as people around this site seem to have a lot of respect for it. </p>
<p>In Europe though, if you're coming from the US and you want foot-in-the-door factor you need to graduate from Harvard, Yale or Princeton. I mean, I go to the University of Amsterdam - how many people in the US have heard of that? It's well respected in Europe but I'd be surprised if Americans knew it. I bet coming from Europe I'd have to go to Oxford or Cambridge to get foot-in-the-door treatment in the US.</p>
<p>I see.</p>
<p>So far I have gotten from other boards that Rice has an ivy like intellectual vibe to it while Vandy has a Southern feel thats very noticeable. I can vouch for Rice but not Vandy. What schools compare in caliber to both Rice and Vandy?</p>
<p>Rice is an awesome school - I wish I would have been from a neighboring state, because Rice is ridiculously competitive for Texas residents to be accepted into. Practically every bright kid in Texas applies, so they have their pick of the best and brightest - and they typically only accept about 35% of their class from Texas applicants.</p>
<p>How does Vandy rank compared to like Duke, JHU and Cornell?</p>
<p>What is the purpose for getting the MA in Economics, job, Ph.D. program, self-edification...? At the graduate level, the program, and with whom one studies, is far more important than the University.</p>
<p>Umm... could you please explain that idad? As an MSc or MA in economics is a taught course rather than a research-based one, who you study under for your thesis is not as important as the overall (and possibly departmental) reputation of the school granting the degree.</p>
<p>For a job, the program and the school may be the most important. Often, at the MA level, the state flagship university is actually the best for landing a job if one is looking to work in-state. The local alumni network is often strongest for the flagship, particularly for the south and west. </p>
<p>If the goal is an academic position or further education, then a personal recommendation from a well known person carries the most weight regardless of the school. I have a friend who is at a third tier university (loves the location) who, because of his national reputation, places his MA students in the top Ph.D. programs in the nation. He has never failed to place a student he thought well of in the school of his or her choice.</p>
<p>Right, I agree with you. I assumed that people considering the Vanderbilt MA program would not be planning to go on to a ph.d, based on the content of the program.</p>