<p>Northwestern has a big rep for having one of the strongest economics departments in the country, but Uchicago's rep is just as big. 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>
<p>I believe Northwestern is slightly easier to get a higher GPA as Chicago's Core Curriculum is very intense. On the other hand, Chicago has a slightly (just slightly) better quality of teaching due to smaller classes. Its economics department, particularly for Phds is world famous. Having said that both schools are generally very similar, arguably identical recruitment prospects, and just as respected for grad schools.</p>
<p>Most kids I know found the feel/personalities of the schools to be very different. If possible visit them, as Sam Lee says, you may find other factors the reason to chose one over another.</p>
<p>When it comes to econ, they're both excellent. At that point, it boils down to individual feel and individual preference for the NU atmosphere vs the U of C atmosphere. There have been umpteen threads on this, but it's basically a more "mainstream" / somewhat preprofessional feel versus the more "intellectual life of the mind" feel. Visit both and go with your gut at that point (assuming no other considerations such as aid $). Great accomplishment to get into both, you can't go wrong either way - congrats!</p>
<p>Actually NU/UChicago have about the same number of econ majors each year while NU has way more professors. So the student:faculty ratio at NU is actually lower, at least in the econ department. FYI, NU never lost to UChicago in College Fed Challenge (won 4 times in a row) and has won nat champ 3 times and was 3rd last year; how much stock you want to put into the results of collegiate competition like this is a matter of opinion, however.</p>