In at University of Texas at Austin for Phd in Economics

[trustmiller]

Hello everybody!
I have been accepted into a Phd in Economics at University of Texas at Austin. How is this Phd Economics programme? I have seen it is consistently ranked among the top 30 in US but actually I do not know anyone that could give me an advice!

Thanks a lot

trustmiller

[trustmiller]

Hi everybody,
I have been accepted at UT, Austin for a Phd in economics fall 2005 and at UCL(London) for a MSc in economics and I do not know what to do. I have asked to my professors and they all say that the level is almost the same. Here there's the problem. I think that I could possibly get into a top ten university with an MSc at UCL reapplying next year. It is worth redoing the application for the "dream" of the top ten? I am asking that cause I am an Italian student and I do not really know the level of a Phd at UT, Austin. I have heard that is really good but the placement is not that good. Can anybody give me some help? I am really getting crazy as this choice could change radically my life.

Cheers

trustmiller
P.s. I would like to specialize in Labour economics

[TriEcon]

I can't say if UT-Austin is better than UCL. Let's assume they are roughly equal. In that case, I think there is a strong case to be made for UCL. You will have more options next year by taking the MSc now. The UCL MSc will help you get better admits for next year. You could also stay at UCL for the PhD and in 5 years you will be just as well off if you had attended UT. If you decide econ is not for you, you will have a marketable MSc from UCL in only 12 months.

There are some other factors to consider that you haven't mentioned. Are you receiving funding at UT or UCL?
Where you want to work or teach after getting the PhD (US or Europe)?

Hope this helps.

[trustmiller]

First of all thanks for your help Triecon! UT is in all rankings better than UCL..that is what makes me doubt. It is a question of risk taking. Can I enter into a top ten for sure? In the case I won't, I have lost the possibility to study into a top 20. I am not receiving funds in either the universities but costs are almost the same..
I would rather prefer to work in Europe or getting back to Italy that at this time really need good economists!! I personally think that a US Phd is more appreciated internationally than any European one (not for long) and therefore a Phd from UT would give me better chances here in Europe. At the same time I do not know Austin while I have been many times in London and the environment is great (music, drama, girls). As you said it is also important to know whether economics is for me and thus UCL (with a one year programme) would be preferred. Moreover London is 1 h and a half from Milan, which is great!! As you can see it is really difficult to choose the right option. Every person I talked to says a different thing. the only thing that can really help me would be to know something about the UT programme..Is it good? is it difficult? Competitive?

Thank you again

[princetongre]

HI! I understand where you are coming from because I also had the same dillemma - except in my case I was deciding between UT, Austin PhD and an MA at the University of Toronto. I would say that UT Austin program is definitely competetive and good. As a top 20-25 US program...it is selective and will train you well. But again as you say, going to UCL will give you a shot at a top 10. And I think, personally, it definitely worth the risk going to UCL and reapplying next year. Although UT Austin is good...a top 10 program has its own unbeatable aura. And since a PhD is something you do once...and it clings on to you forever...I think going to UCL would be a step worth the risk. And it is very unlikely that UT similar US schools will not take you next year if they have this year. I hope this helps.

[Quas]

Originally Posted by trustmiller

Hi everybody,
I have been accepted at UT, Austin for a Phd in economics fall 2005 and at UCL(London) for a MSc in economics and I do not know what to do. I have asked to my professors and they all say that the level is almost the same. Here there's the problem. I think that I could possibly get into a top ten university with an MSc at UCL reapplying next year. It is worth redoing the application for the "dream" of the top ten?

Hi trustmiller. Yours is not an easy call. In fact, you are very right in what regards rankings, but differences between these programs are marginal. So, let's put it this way: both programs are at the same level, from an academic point of view. Now, UCL has gotten an impressive record last years, particularly in everything related to microeconomics. Now, UT Austin has a very reputed name but it has been losing some places last years. Anyway, UT Austin is a very good school but you might be looking at others, such as Cornell or northwestern...The advantage of taking the Msc at UCL is the movility you can gain. I am pretty sure that a good performance in the MSc will benefit you by making you look a more attractive canditate with good LOR!!! Aside from this, a MSc will enhance your chances of getting good funding...I donno what your plans are, so I concur with TriEcon in that your final decision should ponder things like where you want to work after your PhD....

[Klimano]

UT Austin is good at computational economics, macro theory, dynamic macro and time series analysis.

UCL is good at microeconometrics (panel data), consumer economics, behavioral micro, applied micro (including applied labor) and econometric theory.

So, they are at the both extreme ends in terms of their most popular research fields.

UCL's academic placement history is far better than that of Texas Austin.

Getting your MSc -next year- from UCL can be an advantage, but it is not a very "big" plus. Don't forget that you wont have any grades until July 2006. So, you will not be able to send even a single grade in your PhD application packages. Thus, dont expect "too much" from a UK masters program (I mean its effect on your PhD applications) before getting your degree and final marks.

[trustmiller]

Hey guys,
is it possible to change PHd the first year? Is is it forbidden in the US? How can they evaluate my marks of the MSc if I have to apply within January?
The problem is that many professors told me that the MSc has a little value when you are applying..the risk is to "lose" one year! I got another advice from my Labour Economics professor saying to go to UT and do not care about rankings! What you think?

[trustmiller]

Originally Posted by princetongre

HI! I understand where you are coming from because I also had the same dillemma - except in my case I was deciding between UT, Austin PhD and an MA at the University of Toronto. I would say that UT Austin program is definitely competetive and good. As a top 20-25 US program...it is selective and will train you well. But again as you say, going to UCL will give you a shot at a top 10. And I think, personally, it definitely worth the risk going to UCL and reapplying next year. Although UT Austin is good...a top 10 program has its own unbeatable aura. And since a PhD is something you do once...and it clings on to you forever...I think going to UCL would be a step worth the risk. And it is very unlikely that UT similar US schools will not take you next year if they have this year. I hope this helps.

Hey Princeton GRE! What have you finally chosen? The Toronto MA? Are you reapplying next year? Have you considered the costs of the reapplication?

[cridamour]

È difficile cambiare università dopo un anno, normalmente dovrai rifare tutto e perdi un anno, perché non accettano i voti che hai preso in un'altra università. (soprattutto no alle università del top 10) Penso che la miglior soluzione sia di prendere il MSc, lavorare un anno così che avrai tutti i risultati del MSc per provarci di nuovo per il PhD e inoltre avrai qualche esperienza in più. Certo dipende della tua età anche, non so se hai ancora voglia di metterci così tanto tempo, e tornare a studiare dopo aver lavorato per un anno è sempre difficile, ma credo proprio che sarà meno difficile se sai che smetti di lavorare per andare a Harvard o Yale, per esempio.
In bocca al lupo per questa decisione difficile!
Cristina