Hi everyone,

I have just finished my first year at my state university, but am considering transferring. The school I am currently at is in the 50-100 undergrad rankings. Its graduate econ program is in the top 50 in the U.S., according to US News. I was admitted to Northwestern as a transfer student and am now trying to decide.

At my current institution I am doing very well grade wise (I have earned an A+ grade in over half of the courses I have taken), and am most likely in the 99 percentile for my class. I am in the honors program and am working towards a B.S in math and a B.A. in econ. It is a very large school, but is also in a rather rural area.

I am aware that Northwestern's econ is very strong, and with the financial aid given to me, my family and I will have to stretch significantly, but it can be done without loans, I think. However, I will probably just earn a major in econ and a minor in math. My GPA will probably not be as high if I am at Northwestern.

With this information, what do you think is best for someone who desires to go to a top graduate school in economics.

P.S. After earning my degrees, I do not want to work in academia, but in policy, such as the Fed, if that makes any difference.

Thank you.