<p>intending to major in economics and poll sci/IR, with the possibility of going into banking later (as I currently have no idea what the "banking jobs" actually do, but I heard it's lucrative..). outgoing, sociable person (but definitely not one would consider a "partier", outgoing in the sense that I like to talk to people) who likes to ponder the "big questions" every once in a while (hence why I like the core at UChicago and Columbia, but am not sure if that might be too much work)</p>
<p>Can someone elaborate on the pros/cons of each?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot in advance.</p>
<p>p.s. I feel like I should've applied to wharton, but since i'm not sure about the whole finance thing and if that's right for me, is CAS a better choice for me?</p>
<p>Haha. I got in at UChicago, Wl’ed at Columbia, and denied at Wharton. As a fellow ibanking hopeful, I figured that going to Penn but being a CAS student as opposed to a Wharton student might put me at a disadvantage, despite having a somewhat higher likelihood of being accepted to Penn. For that reason alone, I would do Columbia or UChicago. I might be biased here since Uchicago was the one of your 3 schools that I got accepted at, but if you’re really into econ, think about Milton Friedman and laiseez-faire economics. You get to study at the mecca of economics as we know it. Polisci/IR are pretty solid there too I think.</p>
<p>Penn’s Economics Department is no slouch, either, and is usually ranked among the top 10 or so in the country. And Penn Econ majors do fairly well in banking, actually benefitting from the presence of Wharton, since there is only one career services office for Wharton Undergrad and CAS, and the firms that come to interview Wharton students are also available to CAS students. It’s fair to say that Penn CAS students are at least as competitive in banking as Chicago and Columbia students, if not more so. PLUS, as a CAS student, you can always take Wharton courses (and identifiy those on your resume :)).</p>
<p>The bottom line is that at this level, what’s most important is overall fit and preference. Your best bet is to pick the school at which you think you’d be happiest and thrive the most, both academically and socially. The rest will take care of itself. You really can’t go wrong with any of these three terrific options. Congratulations!</p>
<p>any take on uchicago vs columbia? similarities and differences?
which one is more undergrad focused? which one is more “prestigious”? (lol i know…but i cant help but wonder)</p>
<p>Chicago has a more flexible core than that of Columbia. Problems with Columbia’s core include that you can get stuck with an unqualified grad student TA teaching a course, and sometimes for a whole year. It is also purportedly difficult to get section changes in core courses at Columbia.</p>
<p>How do you feel about New York versus Chicago?</p>
<p>“It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing.” </p>
<p>being a new yorker, friedman’s post really cracked me up haha…</p>
<p>I guess there are more internships available in the finance industry in NY versus Chicago, but Chicago has ample amount of opportunities as well…but getting out of NY for college would be nice though I think.</p>
<p>Regarding to the faculty at Columbia vs Chicago, I’ve been reading that the Chicago faculty pays more attention to undergrad and treat them with more respect, as if they were grad students, whereas the columbia faculty could really care less about the undergrads. To what extent is that true? How accessible are the professors, and how often do you get TA’s at these schools?</p>
<p>And would the job opportunities be pretty much equal coming out of all three schools? </p>
<p>I would not recommend IB solely for the fact that it is lucrative. I’m sure you’ll find out whether or not it fits you well or not… but just throwing that out there. IB is not the field for people who are iffy on finance. You would be able to find many lucrative careers from the excellent schools you’ve listed.</p>
<p>@pat1120, that’s definitely a concern, which is why I didn’t apply ED to wharton.
as a high school student that gets most of his info. online (on forums like this one), I think I’m not all that exposed to the different “lucrative” careers out there. There seem to only be business (banking, consulting etc.), law (attorney), and med (doctor).
Could you inform me on some other potential careers for someone interested in political science, economics, and the social sciences in general? perhaps public relations?</p>
<p>MI6 00’s make good money in the UK. A lot of things in Washington like think tanks, government consultancies, and trade associations or even the foreign service are appropriate for a SS major.</p>
<p>Friedman’s comments about New York are quotes from the infamous rant of former baseball player John Rocker, a self described redneck. Rocker himself rejected his own words (if that’s even possible) and tried to apologize profusely. It’s laughable that you would attempt to give such a comical rant any credibility.</p>
<p>friedman’s post is actually very offensive. Not only is it inaccurate, it’s trying to generalize a lot of false stereotypes. “A queer with AIDS” - (1) We all know that that use of queer was supposed to be degenerative, so was it really necessary to post that quote? (2) Not all ‘queers’ have HIV/AIDS, nor is it a ‘queer disease’ as that quote is obviously purporting. </p>
<p>I doubt friedman has ever actually been to NYC.</p>
<p>“It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you’re [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing.” </p>
<p>This is quote from a guy who was known to be racist and homophobic and pathetic baseball player.</p>
<p>Check the homicide rates of both cities… Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the entire country. The are surrounding UCgicago is one of the most dangerous communities within Chicago.</p>