<p>I've gotten accepted into all three of these schools, and part of my indecision about where to go is a result of being undecided about the major and career path that I want to go on in. </p>
<p>UChicago's rigorous liberal arts education and intellectual focus appeals to me in terms of the type of undergraduate experience that I'd like to have. However, it also seems that the college is focused more on funneling it students into graduate school rather than on pre-professional tracks. Although graduate school might be of interest to me, I'm not really committed to going down that path at this point. I'd be primarily interested in majoring in economics if I were to attend Chicago, and I understand that such a degree is fairly marketable even at the undergraduate level. My only concern would be that the lack of a career-oriented focus and the school's reputation for hyper-competitiveness/grade deflation would result in a GPA that would put me at a disadvantage when applying for those types of jobs. I don't necessarily have my heart set on i-banking or anything, but I definitely would want a degree that would allow for more options other than graduate programs.</p>
<p>UIUC is also an option on the table for me at this point. I'd prefer a smaller institution, but UofI has numerous advantages not the least of which is cost. My family did not qualify for financial aid, and although my parents are definitely able and willing to pay without too much trouble, I'm still hesitant about saddling them with a 50k/yr burden. I applied as an engineering major, reasoning that I had sufficient quantitative skills to excel in such a field and due to the fact that I desired a major that had the aformentioned marketability at the undergrad level. Although engineering is still of some interest to me, I now realize I'm inherently more inclined to major in a field that's more theoretical in nature. If I went there, I could try out engineering and then switch into an economics major if I felt that it would be more suited for me. UIUC also has an actuarial science program, which would similarly play to my strengths and have strong levels of marketability.</p>
<p>What would be the relative advantages of pursuing an econ degree at UIUC versus UChicago? Would the relative amounts of prestige and opportunities available at Chicago give me a much greater advantage on the job market or for applying to grad school? The one advantage that I can see at UIUC would be that I would probably be able to obtain a higher GPA due to less competition from other students.</p>
<p>I was also admitted to Cornell. I never visited there and because I live in Chicago, I'd rather stay in-state and close to home at either UofC or UIUC. Still, it might be a nice compromise between the aformentioned schools. It has similar levels of prestige as UofC, but going there would also leave the option of switching into the engineering department. I don't think that I'll end up going here, however. It also has a reputation for extreme difficulty, although I'm not sure how comparable it's rigor is in relation to UofC. </p>
<p>In terms of my overall sensibilities and personality, I think I'd fit in more and prefer the social scene at UChicago rather than UIUC or Duke. However, I'd like to hear what some current students think would be the best fit for me given what I've said about myself.</p>
I was an engineeing major and took some econ classes for electives. I eventually went on to get an MBA. Engineering + MBA is a super marketable combination. UIUC’s actuarial science program sounds intriguing too. If UIUC is much cheaper than Chicago, I might choose it…then have a goal for an MBA from Chicago’s Booth School of Business.</p>
<p>Regardless of Chicago’s “grad school feeding” emphasis, Chicago is a TOP TOP school. I’m sure because of Chicago’s rigor and reputation, it will attract employers from all over the US to recruit students for employment, especially in a major like Economics.
If all companies wanted was that “pre-professional emphasis” they wouldn’t recruit at top schools like harvard or stanford or any top school with Econ programs. They would strictly stick to “business” majors, which tend to be more trade/“pre-professional”, which is not the case.
The difference, I think, of pursuing Econ at UiUC vs Chicago is the type of companies that each attracts. UIUC is not at the academic level of Chicago. Because of this, the level of companies recruiting will be different.</p>
<p>However, I will say that if money is an issue, as in your parents will have to adjust there life style or retirement plan just to have you attend Chicago, then it is not worth it. The difference, in what you’d save, could be money well put for an MBA or grad school at a top top school(assuming you choose the cheaper UIUC option).</p>
<p>In the physical sciences its rigor is comparable. Outside of the physical sciences, Cornell is less rigorous than Chicago, mostly because Chicago is on the trimester system. You learn the same, just in shorter bursts. There’s probably more grade deflation going on at Chicago than Cornelll.</p>
<p>If you get a chance, please try to visit Cornell for Cornell Days. Going a little bit further from home could be a benefit.</p>
<p>From what I can tell the opportunities are out there–you will have to take the initiative more than you would at, say, Wharton, but a Chicago econ degree is not going to be a liability. Far from it.</p>
<p>Cornell is the safest bet for undecided, unless you’re thinking government, philosophy, etc then u of chi. Bear in mind that the chicago common core is 2 years…a + and a - depending on how undecided you are…if you are leaning on truly undecided then it might be something you will benefit from to help with exploring your interests. Google the core and read up on what you will study. UIUC is sub par in terms of prestige and perhaps opportunities- I’m an asian international so culturally we are big on "name"s (sadly). For us, it is usually a buffer school for engineering.</p>