Importance of UMichigan's Economics Ranking?

Hi fellow applicants, I'm considering applying to the University of Michigan for Economics. However, I'm somewhat conflicted about the university's economics program ranking. How important is the ranking? Should I let it heavily influence my decision?

It's understandable that you would consider rankings while making your college decision. While rankings can provide some information about a program's reputation, take them with a grain of salt for a few reasons.

Firstly, the methodologies behind these rankings vary drastically and can often be quite subjective or based on reputational surveys. For example, some rankings may weigh faculty publications or research funding more heavily, neither of which directly impacts the quality of undergraduate education.

Secondly, the difference in educational experience between programs that are closely ranked can be negligible. The curriculum, faculty, and opportunities at programs ranked 10 and 30, for example, can actually be quite similar, despite the gap in the numbers.

Moreover, fit is extremely important when choosing a college. Factors like the size of classes, availability of research or internships, interactions with professors, campus culture, location and cost all come into play. For instance, would you prefer a smaller, seminar style class where discussion with peers and faculty is encouraged or a large lecture hall with a world renowned professor?

Lastly, employers and graduate schools are usually more interested in the skills you developed and experiences gained during your undergraduate studies. An economics major graduating from the University of Michigan with relevant internships, solid research experiences, and a strong GPA will likely fare just as well, if not better, than a student graduating from a higher-ranked program without these experiences.

So, while UMichigan's economics ranking can provide some context to your decision, it should not be the primary factor. Make sure to keep an eye out for other aspects of the program and how well the overall environment suits your personal and academic preferences.