<p>I have a very tough decision to make - I recently visited both Wake Forest and Richmond for accepted students days and am having a lot more trouble deciding between the 2 than I though I would. I was hoping I could get some insight on comparisons between the two undergrad economics programs. I was really impressed by both heads of the economics departments at each school (Croushore and Whaples), but was hoping someone could comment maybe on job opportunities, academic rigor, and perhaps some sort of comparison as to how each program would look on a job resume. Unfortunately, there's no really legitimate rankings of undergrad econ programs, so I hope you can help me out. Also, if you want to compare any other key aspects of the schools, please do. I'll take any help I can get comparing the 2 schools.</p>
<p>Economics is a bread and butter major–it will be fine everywhere. FWIW Wake Forest has a great econ major (the #1 major I believe in terms of people). Choose on what school is a better fit.</p>
<p>I agree with willmingtonwave. TONS of people here are econ majors, and a lot of people love what Wake has to offer in that respect. Many people take econ as a divisional here since it’s such a popular major anyway. I’m in econ right now and I’m enjoying it. Whaples is awesome – he teaches some intro classes and I’ve heard good things. There are other really popular teachers for intro to econ and upper level econ. I’ve learned a lot thusfar. </p>
<p>I also agree with willmingtonwave that econ seems to be a major that is good everywhere. Which school did you like better in terms of the campus, students, etc? I think a lot of people here also apply to Richmond, but I actually know nothing about it.</p>
<p>The main complaint I have heard from Econ majors at Wake is the lack of personal contact. I know senior Econ majors whose advisors still don’t know their names. There are many departments at Wake that pride themselves on close contact with students and from what I’ve heard I don’t think the Econ department is one of these.</p>
<p>I would concur with scarletleavy. I am an Economics/Political Science double major and difference between the two departments is substantial. Not to deter you from Wake, but Econ tends to attract many business-school reject, so most people in the major do not have a ‘passion’ for Economics per-se – it’s just the closest thing to a business major in the College.</p>
<p>My friend, who is a senior, also agrees. She is a Economics and Philosophy double major and has a 4.0 – her professor still has not read her Honors Thesis, and it’s due tomorrow to the committee. It’s not that the Economics department is horrible and non-personal but comparatively, it is one of the more distant departments on campus. Most of the professors are great, but they aren’t as dedicated to their students as other departments, and I have gotten that vibe myself along with several Economics double majors. They all agreed that they preferred their other major much over Economics.</p>
<p>Sorry if I am being too negative, but this is what it seems like the concensus is on campus from the Juniors/Seniors I know.</p>
<p>interesting…does anybody know if the mathematical economics major is more desirable than economics major? perhaps less “distant”?</p>
<p>skibum- at orientation the prof mentioned that the mathematical business degree grads had lots of high salary job offers. Don’t know about mathematical econ.</p>