Wellesley vs U Chicago for Economics?

[Anonymous]

DC into both. I know that UChicago has a super stellar rep for economics. But, attention to undergrads is reportedly poor. Wellesley OTOH seems very strong in its pedagogy. Anyone with kids/experience in these schools able to offer any insight?

[Anonymous]

UChicago 100%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UChicago 100%.

Reasons?

[Anonymous]

These are so different in feel, it’s way more important to pick the one where the student is more comfortable than to have a department with professors who publish more. Both will provide good undergraduate economics courses.

[Anonymous]

Both are great for economics
Completely different environments, have you visited?

[Anonymous]

Not sure how you turn down Chicago for Wellesley

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how you turn down Chicago for Wellesley

Some students thrive in smaller school environments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both are great for economics
Completely different environments, have you visited?

Not yet. Will do in the coming days/weeks.

[Anonymous]

What would they like to do with the degree?
Chicago's grad programs would be top 5 but as an undergrad school, it just doesn't have the same reputation even with all the policies to maximize USNWR rankings over the last 20 years.
Also, this is one of the first times I've seen someone who has Chicago and other options. Congratulations on getting in RD! They wait-list and pressure to commit and encourage ED about as much as any other place. Are you still waiting on other schools too?

[Anonymous]

I'm not as familiar with Wellesley but would tend to recommend it over Chicago for undergrad. Chicago isn't as great for kids who really know what they want curriculum wise given the requirements and the Q system is a tough way to learn IMO.

[Anonymous]

For a self-starter who can deal with U Chicago aggression from the get-go and manage to optimally use available resources, Chicago will prove to be a better environment, especially for getting on the fast track to high level research/Ph.D. programs, etc. For many others, Wellelesley (like Williams, Swarthmore and other such schools) will offer a kinder gentler path. FWIW, top Wellesley students routinely place into top phd programs and NY economics jobs etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both are great for economics
Completely different environments, have you visited?

X10000

Very, very different schools, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would they like to do with the degree?
Chicago's grad programs would be top 5 but as an undergrad school, it just doesn't have the same reputation even with all the policies to maximize USNWR rankings over the last 20 years.
Also, this is one of the first times I've seen someone who has Chicago and other options. Congratulations on getting in RD! They wait-list and pressure to commit and encourage ED about as much as any other place. Are you still waiting on other schools too?

This is false. I really don’t get the UChicago hate on this board.

[Anonymous]

Chicago for sure. More fun place to go to college - actually!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would they like to do with the degree?
Chicago's grad programs would be top 5 but as an undergrad school, it just doesn't have the same reputation even with all the policies to maximize USNWR rankings over the last 20 years.
Also, this is one of the first times I've seen someone who has Chicago and other options. Congratulations on getting in RD! They wait-list and pressure to commit and encourage ED about as much as any other place. Are you still waiting on other schools too?

Yes, Chicago RD and waiting on other options. Was tempted ED/ED2 but finally decided not to.