The Best in Economics

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>I know that Chicago has a big rep for having one of the strongest economics departments in the country, but I think Northwestern is right the same league. These two are among the schools I have to choose between in the coming month, so I want to know a few more details about the programs because they seem very similar.</p>

<p>Specifically regarding the undergraduate programs:</p>

<p>1) which school gives more focus to undergraduates, ie professor accessibility, quality of teaching?
2) which school offers a better selection of courses?
3) which school are recognized by graduate schools?
4) which school's undergraduates (assuming they reflect the school's economics program quality) have a greater potential to be recruited by firms in the financial sector?
5) at which school is it easier to get good grades while pursuing an economics major?</p>

<p>I know that the differences may be minuscule, but my decision will come down to these small differences. Anything anyone knows would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I may not have much business posting on this thread because I don't know anything about Northwestern's economics program. That being said, I am an economics major at University of Chicago. </p>

<p>As far as professors, I was lucky enough to be in Roger Myerson's class last fall when he won the Nobel Prize. Undergrads can also take classes under Gary Becker and other big names in the Economics world. It is truly inspiring to be taught by these people, and they are very friendly. While the program is challenging, if you have the talent and the drive you can get good grades. </p>

<p>I think University of Chicago's economics program is ideal if you intend to go to grad school in econ. I'm not sure I think any other place could prepare you so well. That being said, if your goal is not grad school, University of Chicago doesn't really teach finance. There is a financial accounting course and most of my friends here have managed to secure internships with big name i banking firms but they will have to do a little training before they start. </p>

<p>But, like I said, I know next to nothing about Northwestern's economics program.</p>

3

<p>How big are economics courses? And since everyone takes economics, do you have to fight to get professor attention?</p>

4

<p>The economics courses are usually not bigger than about 30 unless you are taking Sanderson's introductory courses which are not part of the major (those are usually about 100). The professors always know everybody's name and are very friendly. You don't have to fight for professor's attention although most of the courses are lecture format so if you want to discuss things with the professor you need to attend their weekly office hours which are typically not crowded or they will happily set up an appointment with you.</p>

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<p>This is from an old post (on more or less the same subject) from a website that is censored on this board (not my own):</p>

<p>"GPA matters a lot for I-Banks, and you are correct in thinking this is primarily why Chicago does not do as well vis-</p>

6

<p>Would Chicago still get more finance recruits than say an econ major at carnegie mellon?</p>

7

<p>Yes, Chicago will do better. While CMU does send large numbers into finance, most are for quant positions, with the students coming out of CS or Engineering. For just about every other major (including Tepper), you are going to need to have much stronger performance at CMU than you would at Chicago.</p>

8

<p>This is a difficult question. Both schools have awesome economics programs. Chicago has the best financial economics program, but it doesn't necessarily do well on Wall Street (I would assume it's more about the person). Northwestern has these pre-professional programs to supplement a background in math or economics (or whatever else one is interested in). </p>

<p>Personally, I think it's wrong to say Chicago is more math intense. Chicago requires more math, but Northwestern definitely encourages its students to take math. They have the MENU program and the MMSS program and the Kellogg Certificate requires math pre-requisites to get into the program. </p>

<p>Both schools have great business schools (graduate) too. I would think your decision would be more about fit.</p>

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<p>The Math major with Specialization in economics is probably more intense than all of these.</p>

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<p>So is the economics major more work-intensive at Chicago than at Northwestern? I ask because I want to minor in (possibly double major) biology as well, so my schedule could be pretty tight.</p>

11

<p>Doubling in Bio and Econ is hard at Chicago. Most people who do both are just fufilling pre-med requirements in conjunction with Econ. You can also minor in Bio now I believe.</p>