Wellesley vs U Chicago for Economics?

[Anonymous]

U Chicago 100 percent
My son is a sophomore and I am very impressed with the quality of education .
Quarter system moves very fast though.
His sister went to Vanderbilt, u Chicago ‘s undergraduate is very top in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

If DD absolutely needs to be in a nurturing environment, then pick Wellesley. Otherwise, I would have her suck it up and attend the best Econ Dept. in the world, outside of the LSE. (studied @ both)

[Anonymous]

Undergraduate economics is an easy major at any university, so other aspects should determine which college to go. My kid turned down sports recruit offers from liberal arts schools that are better than or on par with Wellesley to go to UChicago, unlikely to major in Econ.

[Anonymous]

I would visit both. Personally I would choose Wellesley over Chicago for economics, but I know that’s controversial. Wellesley has very loyal alums, and it’s probably the most pre-professional women’s college. I would imagine she would have lots of alumnae who would be willing to help as she navigates a career in Business.

[Anonymous]

U of Chicago is where fun goes to die. Everyone I know who went there for undergrad was v intense and humorless. Also Hyde Park isn’t a great area.

[Anonymous]

Have you been to u Chicago in the last few years? Kids are having lots of fun and parties at night.
I think it will be much more fun than Wellesley.
Obviously you can not compare the fun to schools like uva, Michigan, Clemson….

[Anonymous]

If you’re interested in business economics, I would lean toward Chicago as Wellesley doesn’t have business. You could probably take something at MIT or Babson, but it won’t be as integrated.

If you are interested in a women’s college, then Wellesley is the best. That is a big part of the curriculum and experience, you cannot escape it. It’s also more suburban. I wouldn’t go there unless it’s your top choice.

Chicago is not a huge undergrad school, so the size difference is less of a factor to me.

[Anonymous]

I think U Chicago produces more Nobel prize winners. Wellesley can be easily confused with Wesleyan; their names sound similar.

[Anonymous]

Given UChicago's status as THE DCUM SAFETY SCHOOL, you will get a lot of well-informed opinions on it. If your child goes to private school around here, they'll likely know several other people at Chicago too!
Does anyone have good knowledge of Wellesley? I'd be interested in hearing more too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given UChicago's status as THE DCUM SAFETY SCHOOL, you will get a lot of well-informed opinions on it. If your child goes to private school around here, they'll likely know several other people at Chicago too!
Does anyone have good knowledge of Wellesley? I'd be interested in hearing more too.

This status being more widespread is part of why UChicago's undergrad culture has changed in the last decade. There is way more partying and far more kids who really wanted to go to Harvard, Yale, and Stanford but were rejected or deferred. That has increased #s and is a positive for a lot of people who don't want an overly intense experience. It isn't the UChicago we would have applied to for those of us who are 30+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think U Chicago produces more Nobel prize winners. Wellesley can be easily confused with Wesleyan; their names sound similar.

UChicago does produce Nobel Prize winners but most of them associated with the university didn't go there. Of those who did, many went for grad school rather than undergrad: https://www.uchicago.edu/en/who-we-are/global-impact/accolades/nobel-laureates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think U Chicago produces more Nobel prize winners. Wellesley can be easily confused with Wesleyan; their names sound similar.

C'mon now. That's like saying don't go to Harvard because it can be confused with Haverford.

[Anonymous]

How is this even a question? Isn’t University of Chicago the birthplace of economics?

[Anonymous]

Read up on stories about Heckman and Steve Levitt to get a sense of the Econ department vibe. Some funny stuff there.

More of the Wellesley Econ faculty are women. That might be attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would visit both. Personally I would choose Wellesley over Chicago for economics, but I know that’s controversial. Wellesley has very loyal alums, and it’s probably the most pre-professional women’s college. I would imagine she would have lots of alumnae who would be willing to help as she navigates a career in Business.

+1
Wellesley all the way. Almost 1/3 students at Chicago major in Econ. She will be a mere number in a constant rat race for recommendations, internships etc. The curated career options she will get at Wellesley are not to be missed.