Upenn vs UMN-Twin Cities

[KTheoryKid]

For differential geometry and overall math??

[corkquark]

if u care, Philadelphia is probably quite a bit nicer to live in

[mathappfrombrazil]

From what I’ve heard, differential geometry at UPenn has somewhat few professors still active, and one seems to be retiring. I’ve also been told its analysis department is very strong, and its strongest is mathematical physics.

[Helpmepls]

I can't speak on your particular research focus; I think they're roughly equivalent schools. Do note though if you ever decide to go outside of academia a degree from Upenn will be viewed better by employers simply because it's Ivy. That's just my opinion. For academia though, you won't be hurting yourself either way.

[TheBlackMathGuy]

If you go by rankings (which you probably shouldn't), both UPenn & UMN are tied at 17th (with Duke & Wisconsin). Can't go wrong with either institution, frankly. I don't know much about Diff Geo at UPenn, but I can say we have a few profs at Minnesota who do work in that area. They seem to be pretty active, from what I can tell. Cost of living is close to similar at both places, though Philly is slightly more expensive than the Twin Cities. Minnesota does have colder winters than Pennsylvania, so keep that in mind. Both schools are located in places with a lot to do, so you shouldn't really get bored living in either place. Even in winter months, Minnesotans love to get out and do stuff.

While the UPenn degree may carry more cache due to the Ivy connection, a UMN degree isn't exactly lagging behind. There are lots of Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities and they love hiring UMN grads (especially in STEM). If you leave the area, the degree still seems to carry some weight, especially in the tech sector.

[xbq22]

If you're going by rankings it's best to use the NRC ones imo.

https://web.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_ ... rea31.html

[Boplicity]

If you're going by rankings it's best to use the NRC ones imo.

https://web.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_ ... rea31.html

Why do you say this ranking is more reliable than QS or USNWR? Not saying it isn't. I'm just not familiar with the methodology of any of them.

[wilslaw]

I would say the NRC ones probably aren't super accurate for today since the study they are based on is from 1995... That's almost 30 years ago at this point.

[xbq22]

Don't the do it every decade or so? maybe I was ill informed. What ranking should be used?

[xbq22]

If you're going by rankings it's best to use the NRC ones imo.

https://web.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_ ... rea31.html

Why do you say this ranking is more reliable than QS or USNWR? Not saying it isn't. I'm just not familiar with the methodology of any of them.

From my understanding USN is BS, and NCR was a study attempted to evaluate the quality of research, and the amount of funding at each program.

[Helpmepls]

If you go by rankings (which you probably shouldn't), both UPenn & UMN are tied at 17th (with Duke & Wisconsin). Can't go wrong with either institution, frankly. I don't know much about Diff Geo at UPenn, but I can say we have a few profs at Minnesota who do work in that area. They seem to be pretty active, from what I can tell. Cost of living is close to similar at both places, though Philly is slightly more expensive than the Twin Cities. Minnesota does have colder winters than Pennsylvania, so keep that in mind. Both schools are located in places with a lot to do, so you shouldn't really get bored living in either place. Even in winter months, Minnesotans love to get out and do stuff.

While the UPenn degree may carry more cache due to the Ivy connection, a UMN degree isn't exactly lagging behind. There are lots of Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities and they love hiring UMN grads (especially in STEM). If you leave the area, the degree still seems to carry some weight, especially in the tech sector.

Responding to the last paragraph. For the most part I agree with you. However, I looked pretty thoroughly into the finance field and unfortunately they really care a stupid amount about the name on the degree. I've heard a lot of stories about people being the only person at an investment firm not having graduated from specific target schools (surprise, they're all Ivy or big name privates, the rich eat the rich so on so forth). In general though, if you don't care about working in fields like that I see no difference between the degrees, barring the op's focus.