Tufts vs. UBC vs. McGill - Masters in Economics

[awitana]

Hey guys I need help!

I got into 6/10 of programs I applied to for a Masters in Economics and these are my top choices

* Tufts - 65% Tuition Waiver and RA/Grader position - My Expense $13,000 Tuition + Fees

* UBC - Partial Tuition Scholarship - My Expense $4,189.30 Tuition + Fees

* McGill - $13,443.90 Tuition + Fees

I'm looking to graduate in one year and get a job in Economic Consulting/Economic Analyst at a think-tank. What would be my best choice?

I have heard the Econ department at McGill is not strong but it has a good reputation worldwide, whereas UBC has a very strong Econ department but is less well known.

I'm currently in NY so Tufts would be the most convenient for me, but I'm also an international student and I'm not sure I want to go through the whole H1/green card process.

$$ is also an issue which is making me lean towards UBC.

Any thoughts?

[origin415]

The reputation of the department is important, the reputation of the school as a whole is not. You are being hired by economists, so they will know that UBC has a stronger department than McGill despite McGill's name.

With the stuff you've listed, UBC is the clear winner, but I don't know anything about economics departments.

[fuzzylogician]

Based on the numbers alone UBC is the clear winner.

Re: reputations, contrary to what you write, I don't really think there's any large difference between McGill and UBC on the university level. Outside of North America I'd doubt how informed people are about the status and reputation of all three of your options; within the Econ field people will be likelier to know, but then they'll care about the department's reputation more so than the school's. Within North America, I'm sure that potential employers will have heard (good things) about all three, but again will care more about the specific department than the school. If you say that UBC has the stronger Econ department, then it's clearly in the lead in the reputation/recognition category as well.

The question to ask yourself is really where you would like to work after you graduate, or what options you would like to have available. Then find out if it makes a difference if you have a Canadian degree and try to obtain a job in the US or elsewhere, and vice versa.