UPenn (CAS) or UChicago

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I have recently been admitted to a number of schools, but wanted to break down my choices here. </p>

<p>I want to study economics, epecially the math-based theoretical side of it, as well as possibly minor in physics. I have a passion for these two subject areas and hope to use Econ for work in private, and, hopefully in the long run, public policy. I know based on my major, UChicago is the perfect acadmic fit for me, but attending Penn would be easier geographically and I kinda like the social atmosphere better at Penn. </p>

<p>My question is regarding the grad school and job opportunities at Penn vs those at uchicago. </p>

<p>I think that at Penn CAS, I would have a better shot at graduating higher in my class, hopefully top 10%. I figured if I study ECON here I'd be able to feel if I have a real passion for it, and if so, head onto a great PhD program at a top notch school, or, if I want to go to the financial world, head onto an MBA programs, hopefully, again, at a top-notch school. </p>

<p>Although a uchicago education would most likely be better for my intended major, I hear that the Ivy prestige of a Penn CAS might outweigh the fact that Chig is much better in ECON and physics (a corporate exec told me recruiters like to see an IVY on someone's resume, whether it be undergrad or grad). Doing great at Uchig would give me a shot at some awesome Grad schools, butthe grade deflation there seems so intense, IDK if I could do well enough to get an IVY grad school for business or PhD. Don't forget, I also like the Penn atmosphere more...so idk what to do.</p>

<p>What do ya'll think?<br>
1. Would Penn (CAS, not wharton), being an IVY and having a very good, yet not superb ECON and PHYS program give me the same opportunities as an ECON-PHYS from Chicago? </p>

<ol>
<li>Does Wharton take so much attenion and recruiting opportunities that Penn CAS-ers get the bad end of the stick?
I think Chicago is a roll of the dice, b/c its so much harder and IDK if I could keep up with its phys and econ and CORE curriculum.<br></li>
</ol>

<p>3.Would graduating top 10-30% from Penn CAS give me great grad school and/or job opportunities as graduating lower from UCHIG? </p>

<p>**Students, employers, alumni of both schools, all welcome to comment. I'd really appreciate feedback. This dilema is giving me headaches. Thank you!!!</p>

2

<p>Chicago. Go to chicago imo. It’s gaining WAY MORE RESPECT by recruiters every year from what I hear.</p>

3

<p>I think the choice is Penn. 1) For finance/ job placement its going to edge Chicago. 2) You like the social scene better. It probably won’t make any difference in the end, if you have the same GPA at either the doors they open will be the same. </p>

<p>Given Penn is the better social fit its a no brainer.</p>

4

<p>You have no idea what your rank will be at either school. Don’t make your decision based on predicting your rank. Assume 50th %ile at both schools and then see how you feel about them.</p>

5

<p>“I want to study economics, epecially the math-based theoretical side of it, as well as possibly minor in physics. I have a passion for these two subject areas and hope to use Econ for work in private, and, hopefully in the long run, public policy. I know based on my major, UChicago is the perfect acadmic fit for me.”<br>
And it would be. Trust me, graduating with a degree in Econ from Chicago will open doors anywhere for you.</p>

6

<p>^ok, but would I have to graduate high up in my class at chicago with an Econ degree inorder to have these doors opened or simply having that Econ degree there would do that? Maybe I’m wrong, but I also think graduating high up in Chicagos class would be harder than doing so at Penn. Right?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

7

<p>My son made the Penn v. Chicago choice twice (once as a transfer option) and chose Penn both times. He felt that, perhaps, Chicago would have provided a more intellectual environment, but he enjoyed a lot of things about Penn and stuck with it.</p>

8

<p>^Yeah, I seem to share that sentiment: that Chicago is more intellectually engaging and Penn has more social diversity … </p>

<p>…But, did your son ultimately find that the job and/or grad school opportunities were plentiful at Penn? Or did he wish he went to Chicago in that regard?</p>

9

<p>Given comparable undergraduate academic performance, job and grad school opportunities at Penn CAS generally will be at least as good as those at Chicago. That should not be the deciding factor when comparing schools at this level. Fit and personal preference should really be dispositive.</p>

<p>And Penn’s Econ Department, while perhaps not as vaunted as Chicago’s, is still generally ranked among the top 10 in the country. Again, at the undergraduate level with these two schools, it’s really a question of fit, and not academic reputation.</p>

10

<p>My son did get a good job, but he didn’t find it through Penn. What he DID find at Penn, though, were some really excellent and high-level off-campus jobs.</p>

<p>I agree with 45 Percenter- don’t worry about the jobs as between those two schools. Both will serve you well. (My law degree is from Chicago, and I would pick Penn for undergrad)</p>

11

<p>Grade deflation at Chicago is highly overstated, so don’t worry about where you’ll rank within either school. Besides, Penn <em>is</em> still an Ivy and it’s not going to be easy to get straight A’s there either. Don’t assume anything about college performance.</p>

<p>The same with professional opportunities. Goldman recruits at Chicago and Chicago Econ headhunts at Penn. The difference is negligible.</p>

<p>That being said, if you truly feel that the culture at Penn is a better fit for you, that you feel more comfortable and at home there, then <em>do</em> use that to select. Happy people are successful people, plain and simple.</p>

<p>Oh, and congratulations on getting into two very fine institutions! :)</p>

12

<p>Chicago alum here.</p>

<p>You are over-thinking this. They are both great schools with strong programs. They both want you. You are now allowed to follow your heart.</p>

<p>You said, “Penn would be easier geographically … I also like the Penn atmosphere more”</p>

<p>So take control of the decision and your life. If you like Penn better, go to Penn.</p>

13

<p>

Plenty of the Ivies hand out A’s like candy. The Ivies are not known for their academic rigor relative to similarly ranked colleges. -.-</p>

14

<p>I was in a similar position, in which Chicago is arguably the best undergrad for my intended major (Lock them in a cage with Brown and maybe Hopkins and let them duke it out, but probably Chicago is best). But I went to Dartmouth, because it was a better fit socially. I visited Chicago and actually ended up switching onto an earlier flight home because I hated it. It was ideal on paper, but I couldn’t see myself being happy for four years. I visited Dartmouth and had a blast. Fit is so important: you will spend most of your time at school not in class. Go somewhere you can be happy.</p>

15

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<p>Apparently you’re not familiar with the Ivy League’s love affair with grade inflation :D</p>

16

<p>^momofwildchild,
I’m confused by what you said…What do you mean your son found a great job at Penn, but not through Penn? Do you mean he didn’t get a job from a recruiter at Penn, but got a good job b/c of Penn’s name/ prestige?</p>

<p>BTW, Thank you everyone. All of your responses have been helpful.</p>

17

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<p>Apparently you’re not familiar with the University of Chicago’s love affair with hypocrisy :).</p>