Columbia Finance vs Chicago Econ

[blueman9909]

I got offers from both Columbia Finance and Chicago Econ.

 

I would prefer finance department but there is a joint program of Financial Economics in Chicago where the PhD degree is awarded jointly from both Econ and Booth. I need to apply in the first year and there no guarantee.

 

I am not sure whether I will go to academia or industry after graduation.

 

Any suggestion which school I should go?

 

Thanks in advance

[gradder]

Chicago econ is way more prestigious if you want to stay in academia. 

And if you want to go to industry, having a phd in econ or finance will not matter much.

Plus, you can always take classes accordingly and choose your professors accordingly. And you will be able to work with finance professors as an econ student. 

I can also say that the selection process for that joint program is not that tough. If you are good enough to stay in the econ program, and if you show enough interests, you can always get in. You will have more serious problems in the first year. 

 

So all in all, I would say pick chicago econ.