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This post is especially intended for new TM posters. Some questions about applying to or attending graduate programs in economics come up frequently on TM. You're welcome to ask questions even though they've been discussed in the past, but there is a lot of useful information in the old posts, and I'd urge you to read through some of those posts to see if they help you out. You can search using the search function in the menu at the top of your screen, just below and to the right of the box that says "Welcome [username]."

To get you started, here are some of the most commonly asked questions, and some threads that I think do a good job of addressing them. Please feel free to add more questions and links to other useful threads to this discussion! I'm only listing a few threads of the threads that come up when I search for these topics, and I'm sure there are other excellent threads that people can link to. I'm not trying to replace the search function, just trying to give new posters a sense of what information is already available on the forums

1) Here's my profile. Where should I apply?
Start with this year's Roll Call thread (Roll Call Fall 2009). Note that the Roll Call thread is for reference. Please post your profile there but save any discussion for separate threads.
Other useful threads include the "Profiles and Results" threads from previous years:
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ts-2008-a.html (Profiles and Results 2008)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ts-2007-a.html (Profiles and Results 2007)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ts-2005-a.html (Profiles and Results 2005)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-programs.html (Profiles and Results Part 2 (Non Top 50 Programs))
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...decisions.html (Post Complete Profile and Admissions Decisions)

2) Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation? Is it important to have LORs from famous professors? Should all of my letters be from economists?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...n-letters.html (Is this true about recommendation letters?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...conomists.html (Letters of Recommendation from Non-Economists?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...me-letter.html (Should I ask this professor to write me a letter?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...mendation.html (Drafting One's Own Letter of Recommendation)

3) What does a strong (or weak) letter of reference sound like?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...pplicants.html (A gift for future applicants)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ally-mean.html (What does a "lukewarm" letter of recom usually mean?)

4) How important is math to the application? Is real analysis necessary? What math classes are useful during first year?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...admission.html (How important is Real Analysis for admission?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...read-sigh.html (Yet another real analysis thread *sigh*)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...urses-phd.html (MUST MATH courses for phd)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...e-not-get.html (How much actual math in PhD programs - (once you're there, not to get in))
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-you-need.html (How much linear algebra do you need?)

5) Should I get an MA in economics (or math) before I apply to PhD programs?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...s-top-phd.html (Why exactly is the M.A. in Economics at NYU not a good step towards a top PhD ???)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...applicant.html (fallback options for well-qualified applicant)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-phd-prep.html (MS Math for econ phd prep?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-not-good.html (Why US Econ MA is not good?)

6) How important are GRE scores? Do I need an 800 on the quant section? Does the verbal score matter?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...d-schools.html (Gre Scores Required By Schools)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...l-300-ger.html (Verbal 300 in GER)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...point-gre.html (What's the point of the GRE?)

7) What matters most in admissions? letter of reference? GPA? GRE scores?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...dmittance.html (Weighing different factors for admittance)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-criteria.html (degree of importance among admission criteria)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-any-idea.html (How are the applications looked/analyzed in the first round by the adcoms? any idea?)

8) Can I transfer from a lower ranked school to a higher ranked school after my first year?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...gh-ranked.html (Is it common for students from low ranked Phd program transferring to high ranked?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-transfer.html (University Transfer)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...g-schools.html (Transferring schools)

9) What are placements like from different tiers of schools?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ace-class.html (Placements and place in class.)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-econ-phd.html (Tenure for sure after getting the econ phd?)
(there are tons of threads on this subject; search for "placement" and whatever school you are interested in, and you'll get lots of information)

10) What are attrition rates like? How common is it for students to fail prelims/quals?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ion-rates.html (Attrition Rates)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...eliminars.html (Preliminars)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ents-drop.html (Competitive culture at grad school? / Why do Econ students drop?)

11) How does funding work? What should I do if I'm not offered funding at my first choice school? How much does grad school cost?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...t-funding.html (FAQs about funding)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...pril-15-a.html (Help with the meaning of April 15)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...t-funding.html (Attending a school Without Funding)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...e-bargain.html (Current phds: how much can we bargain?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...g-numbers.html (Can current grad students give cost of living numbers?)

12) How should I choose between the schools that admit me?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...e-schools.html (Questions to ask current Graduate Students at Prospective Schools)