Which is better for economics?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Warning: these are drastically different schools!</p>

<p>I am deciding between Hamilton College and George Washington University. I need to know where I will get the best education and opportunities for economics. I plan on going to a graduate school (hopefully a prestigious one, too). These two schools both have strong economics programs, but extremely different environments. I am going to list some basic stats and personal opinions for both, and I would like to know your own opinions.</p>

<p>Hamilton College
--I got $33,100 from them.
--When I visited, I liked the nice comfy feel that is very similar to my own isolated home town.
--It is a much smaller school, so you get more 1-1 time with the professors.
--The weather is horrible, with many feets of snow very possible.
--Not very diverse. A lot of rich kids, too.
--Drinking is really big, something I'm not really into.
--The area surrounding the school is completely rural, which means more boringness but also cheaper areas to spend money.
--Good alumni network which helps students get internships and connections.</p>

<p>George Washington University
--I got $35,800 from them.
--When I visited, I loved the city feel. I often go to NYC, so I'm sort of used to it.
--The dorms were like hotel rooms. Really the best.
--A little more diverse than Hamilton, which I like.
--Very highly ranked economics faculty, with many professors who got PhD's from Ivy League schools.
--Not much 1-1 time with professors unless you really distinguish yourself, which is something I plan on doing.
--Very expensive city, but I don't plan on dining at the most expensive restaurants anyway.
--Mild weather, very acceptable.
--Lots of internships, the most of any school.</p>

<p>I am very foused on my studies, and I don't socialize much. I want a relatively small group of friends so that I can fall back on them on times when I have nothing to do and thus am extremely bored, but I don't want to go to that many parties to drink and have intercourse and such. As you can see, the financial aid is relatively even, considering GWU is slightly more expensive than Hamilton, and I got slightly more money from GWU as well. I just want to do very well in economics and go on to a prestigious graduate school. That's basically my only major goal.</p>

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<p>If by graduate school you mean Economics grad school, there are a few things to think about. GW will offer you the opportunity to take graduate courses when you're a junior and senior, and Hamilton doesn't. However, you're right that hamilton will probably offer you more time with professors. But, if you seek them out, you can get any professor to meet with you at some time. Also, with grad school, it's important (especially for the top schools) to have recommendations from well known professors. It's not essential, but definitely helpful. I feel like universities give aspiring researchers and professors a better environment than do LACs. Many would disagree. </p>

<p>That being said, one of the economics professors I'm closest to here at Hopkins went to Amherst as an undergrad and MIT for grad school--so it's possible to go from a small LAC to a top grad school. But in my opinion, it's an uphill battle. My professor did say that at times he felt behind because many of his classmates had already taken the core micro/macro graduate series. </p>

<p>But also important, to get into a good grad school for econ, are great math grades. And lots of math grades. Preferably up through analysis. </p>

<p>That being said, it boils down to where you can do best. It sounds like you prefer GW. I would too, but I like the university setting. If you show interest in pursuing graduate a degree, the professors will make time for you and help you succeed. </p>

<p>But take math. Lots of math. Lots and lots of math. </p>

<p>And while it is a noble goal to want to do well and go to a good grad school, you only get to go to college once, so have fun too. In grad school you'll do nothing but work, so why start now. If you're smart enough to get into a great grad school, you're smart enough to budget your time and have fun. Don't work all the time, you'll burn out.</p>

<p>But best of luck, as I am also on the path to grad school.</p>

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<p>^I really appreciate your input, it is helpful.</p>

<p>Overall, I am leaning more on the side of GWU because of the university setting, but I keep reading about the great sucess of economics majors from Hamilton, with some amazing alumni, like the VP of Merrill Lynch and the CEO of Proctor and Gamble; what's amazing is that such great success comes out of such a small school. So I am still very unsure. But I think that if I work hard enough, I should be able to do fine anywhere I go, so I might as fact go with the place that has a better environment...</p>