<p>^ If my post comes out as being too harsh for OP, I apologize. This was not my original intent. At least I have tried to put down some words (which may even make me a fool, like I have accused the adcoms racists, but my intent is to try to make OP feel better) that appear to be not so rough.</p>
<p>BTW, I believe some family member from both mini’s family and my family went to some top schools, albeit many years ago. It is not that we are totally clueless about “how to get there.” For my family, we have actually got through both the college application cycle and the graduate/professional school application cycle to these schools.</p>
I think UCB is one of the top Universities in the country for UG economics. At the grad level I think it’s ranked higher than some of the ivies you mentioned. </p>
<p>Whether it’s worth whatever extra expense for UG though, and whether it’s the best choice for you is a different question.</p>
<p>Berkeley is one of the top schools for economics. Rutgers is certainly a respectable school for economics and a good deal if you have a full ride.</p>
<p>WPI’s curriculum for economics appears to be significantly different from the usual approach to economics at places like Berkeley and Rutgers, so you will likely either much prefer it or dismiss it quickly based on that.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon, Berkeley, and UCLA are all highly respected universities, each in a very different environment. If you can manage to visit all three, I suspect that you’ll find that you have a preference, but none of them is a bad choice.</p>
<p>On the other hand, unless money is a major issue, I think you might be disappointed with Rutgers. You’re more academic than most Rutgers students. I think you might feel out of place.</p>
<p>It occurs to me that you really don’t understand how highly regarded CMU really is, maybe because you are on the other side of the country? But it is actually considered to be an incredibly special school. Truly. </p>
<p>It’s up there in anybody’s estimation as a tippy top school, imho.</p>
<p>Berkeley, too, is very highly regarded nationwide. it is considered to be one of the top three to five publics in the country. UCLA is a different thing, but really great, in it’s own way, too.</p>
<p>I think you willl find, now that the fog has cleared, that you will probably, money being no object, choose CMU, just based on your list of schools. But, don’t rule out any of them until you do a cost/benefit analysis and figure out if you will be able to afford it.</p>
<p>Again, good luck. I think you’ve handled yourself quite well here.</p>
<p>Congrats to the OP. It’s tough when you get those letters especially when you are used to succeeding at most everything thus far. I remember a friend of ours telling us that their daughter who got into some wonderful schools was crying her eyes out because she did not get into her first choice schools. So sulk, and pout and even cry for a while, but really, congratulations. Well done, You have some great choices.</p>
<p>I think it’s highly unnecessary to stress over not getting into an ivy league or second tier school. It’s just plain pathetic to even cry over something like that. There are millions of children around the world that will NEVER get a decent education. There are many children in the US that grow up in poor areas that probably will never make it to college because the education system is so bad.</p>
<p>Our generation needs to stop being so greedy and selfish and only thinking about “me” instead of “we”. If my kid ever cried about not getting into his dream school despite having a 3.9 and almost perfect SAT score, I would tell him/her to quit crying and do something about it. Move on. Stop stressing about it. You tried your best and you still have a fair shot at getting a decently FREE education that might not have a brand name such as the ivy leagues, but atleast it is A education that millions of kids are not receiving.</p>
<p>I adore UNC, and consider it to be one of the all time great university experiences in the US.</p>
<p>The Business school is excellent, there. I don’t know about Econ, but I can only assume it, too, is great, and if you are a guy, which I think you are, there are like 70% women to men there, these days. </p>
<p>But… You should check that out yourself. I am highly biased on this issue and do not trust myself to give a fair account. But, I will say, even OOS, dollar for dollar, you can’t beat the price. </p>
<p>All that said, based on your list and your way of looking at this, please visit CMU, if your parents can afford it. I think you will find it to be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>RKS-- don’t mistake this poster’s dissapointment and need to redirect to being spoiled. He had one vision for himself and now he is making a new vision. IN ONE DAY.</p>
<p>Your generation did not arrive here fully formed. You are the product of the way you have been parented and the country and environment where you grew up. First of all, they are babies and then they grow up with all of their hopes and dreams and I sure as heck hope you will not wind up the kind of “snap out of it” parent you just described.</p>
<p>there is nothing wrong with being disappointed for a day or so. It’s actually quite healthy.</p>
<p>I’ve been impressed with how well this poster has handled this whole thing, actually. I don’t see him as spoiled, in the slightest. I’m also glad to know you are so composed and willing to look at the big picture. I think you’re both quite mature, personally.</p>
<p>The CMU question, that one in particular, is exactly the question you should go post on the CMU board now. The kids will be able to tell you a lot more about it than any of us will.</p>