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EconMist · 03-30-2006, 06:23 PM

Is there anybody out there who got accepted to the NYU or Duke master's program in Economics with funding?

~EconMist

kmhickey · 03-30-2006, 06:35 PM

I got into both programs and am deciding between them.

They don't offer funding as they are revenue generators for the department. It's also more of a professional degree than a stepping stone to phd programs for most. NYU does however have a "tuition incentive program" where they'll possibly match outside awards over $13k I think.

What are you planning to do with your degree if you attended one of these schools?

EconMist · 03-30-2006, 06:38 PM

Well, in case I don't get into a decent PhD program, I want to be able to get a higher degree than BSC in economics from a top school and perhaps work in the private sector consulting or even try to join the World bank. Does that seem reasonable?

kmhickey · 03-30-2006, 07:04 PM

you'll definitely be competitive in consulting - this is one of the fields that I am looking at quite closely.

I don't know enough about the WB to make an accurate assessment there. My guess, however, is that it might be a tougher match with a less technical degree like the those from Duke and NYU. The more econometrics you include in your course selection, the better off you will probably be. My guess would be that you will find a decent job at a policy or research organization, but phd's are valued much more highly so you may hit a glass ceiling. Poke around on the WB site and see what you find.

Hopefully someone else will be able to offer more insightful comments or set me straight if I've made mistakes.

Marco30 · 03-30-2006, 09:11 PM

Hi, I saw you guys thinkins about the MA program at Duke. I am finishing my master in economics at Duke and so far I can tell you that the programm here is not that good. Most of the classes you should take are undergraduate classes. So far there are only two specific master classes. I know the MA program at NYU and it is way better than Duke's in preparing you for a professional carrier.

PCG · 03-30-2006, 10:07 PM

If you want a job in consulting, then get an MBA

devecon · 03-30-2006, 10:19 PM

I am finishing my MA at NYU. If you're looking for a placement at a consulting firm, get involved with Stern (NYU business school) as soon as possible. Stern has much stronger connections to the professional world than the economics department. If you're looking at the World Bank - you might want to try to get involved with the Wagner school (the public policy school at NYU), as they will also probably have better connections.

I think an MBA is a much stronger signal to potential employers than an MA is, if you are considering consulting. The problem with an MA in economics is that many employers don't know how what to make of you; you're better qualified than undergrads, but definately not of the PhD level. I think there also a far number of MBAs already in consulting and hence you have a much stronger network effect.

I think if you are interested in WB operational jobs - the public policy schools are a better bet: Kennedy School, Woodrow Wilson, Columbia's SPIC (sp?), etc . . WB research positions probalby require a PhD.

notacolour · 03-31-2006, 12:36 AM

I know I say the same thing all the time, but really, there are very few useful MA econ programs in the U.S. Seconding the above comments about the Duke program, I've known people there, and they all know it's just a way to make money for the department. It's not really taken very seriously. They or NYU or BU or the other similar schools will never fund anyone for an MA, but you should know that by now. Most people outside the programs know enough not to take them seriously, because they're not at all comparable to the PhD programs at those schools. This isn't to say that an MA from one of these places is not useful, just that it's almost certainly less useful than you'd expect.

There are a few programs in the U.S. and Canada that provide a very good grounding in econometrics and applied econ., the kind of stuff that is actually useful. I know my program places people very well, since they come out with a LOT of econometric knowledge, and know SAS, Stata, and Matlab. These are skills you should be picking up in any reputable MA program.

The European master's programs are of course very different, but you're not getting any funding there, and they're definitely not cheap, either.

billmydland · 03-31-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devecon

I am finishing my MA at NYU.

Hi devecon,

May I ask your impression of the faculty/grad students/general atmosphere of NYU's economics department? I got into the PhD program and I'm considering going there next year.

Cheers,
Bill

devecon · 03-31-2006, 03:26 AM

Bill,
I've had limited experiences with the PhD students and the faculty. There really is a separation between the MA students and Phd students.

Based on 2nd hand comments, it seems like NYU's program the first year is pretty rigorious, especially the math series that you go through. The first semester I hear is managable, but the 2nd semester can be tough. I've heard some students complain about the numerous problem sets that they are always doing.

The seminars that I've been to have been great. I've heard that NYU gets some strong participants in their seminars. Last year I saw Acemoglou and Gleaser discuss the determinants of growth.

Overall, I think it's a good department. Note that physically the economics department is up on 16th street and 5th avenue (I don't know when they will move back to the main campus), so you're a bit far from the library and other NYU resources.

Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

03-30-2006, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
EconMist Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 217	MA Economics (NYU & Duke) Is there anybody out there who got accepted to the NYU or Duke master's program in Economics with funding? ~EconMist

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03-30-2006, 06:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
kmhickey Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 18	I got into both programs and am deciding between them. They don't offer funding as they are revenue generators for the department. It's also more of a professional degree than a stepping stone to phd programs for most. NYU does however have a "tuition incentive program" where they'll possibly match outside awards over $13k I think. What are you planning to do with your degree if you attended one of these schools?

03-30-2006, 06:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
EconMist Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 217	Well, in case I don't get into a decent PhD program, I want to be able to get a higher degree than BSC in economics from a top school and perhaps work in the private sector consulting or even try to join the World bank. Does that seem reasonable?

03-30-2006, 07:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
kmhickey Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 18	you'll definitely be competitive in consulting - this is one of the fields that I am looking at quite closely. I don't know enough about the WB to make an accurate assessment there. My guess, however, is that it might be a tougher match with a less technical degree like the those from Duke and NYU. The more econometrics you include in your course selection, the better off you will probably be. My guess would be that you will find a decent job at a policy or research organization, but phd's are valued much more highly so you may hit a glass ceiling. Poke around on the WB site and see what you find. Hopefully someone else will be able to offer more insightful comments or set me straight if I've made mistakes.

03-30-2006, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Marco30 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Durham Posts: 24	Hi, I saw you guys thinkins about the MA program at Duke. I am finishing my master in economics at Duke and so far I can tell you that the programm here is not that good. Most of the classes you should take are undergraduate classes. So far there are only two specific master classes. I know the MA program at NYU and it is way better than Duke's in preparing you for a professional carrier.

03-30-2006, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
PCG Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UCLA Posts: 369	If you want a job in consulting, then get an MBA

03-30-2006, 10:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
devecon Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 21	I am finishing my MA at NYU. If you're looking for a placement at a consulting firm, get involved with Stern (NYU business school) as soon as possible. Stern has much stronger connections to the professional world than the economics department. If you're looking at the World Bank - you might want to try to get involved with the Wagner school (the public policy school at NYU), as they will also probably have better connections. I think an MBA is a much stronger signal to potential employers than an MA is, if you are considering consulting. The problem with an MA in economics is that many employers don't know how what to make of you; you're better qualified than undergrads, but definately not of the PhD level. I think there also a far number of MBAs already in consulting and hence you have a much stronger network effect. I think if you are interested in WB operational jobs - the public policy schools are a better bet: Kennedy School, Woodrow Wilson, Columbia's SPIC (sp?), etc . . WB research positions probalby require a PhD.

03-31-2006, 12:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
notacolour TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 581	I know I say the same thing all the time, but really, there are very few useful MA econ programs in the U.S. Seconding the above comments about the Duke program, I've known people there, and they all know it's just a way to make money for the department. It's not really taken very seriously. They or NYU or BU or the other similar schools will never fund anyone for an MA, but you should know that by now. Most people outside the programs know enough not to take them seriously, because they're not at all comparable to the PhD programs at those schools. This isn't to say that an MA from one of these places is not useful, just that it's almost certainly less useful than you'd expect. There are a few programs in the U.S. and Canada that provide a very good grounding in econometrics and applied econ., the kind of stuff that is actually useful. I know my program places people very well, since they come out with a LOT of econometric knowledge, and know SAS, Stata, and Matlab. These are skills you should be picking up in any reputable MA program. The European master's programs are of course very different, but you're not getting any funding there, and they're definitely not cheap, either.

03-31-2006, 03:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
devecon Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 21	Bill, I've had limited experiences with the PhD students and the faculty. There really is a separation between the MA students and Phd students. Based on 2nd hand comments, it seems like NYU's program the first year is pretty rigorious, especially the math series that you go through. The first semester I hear is managable, but the 2nd semester can be tough. I've heard some students complain about the numerous problem sets that they are always doing. The seminars that I've been to have been great. I've heard that NYU gets some strong participants in their seminars. Last year I saw Acemoglou and Gleaser discuss the determinants of growth. Overall, I think it's a good department. Note that physically the economics department is up on 16th street and 5th avenue (I don't know when they will move back to the main campus), so you're a bit far from the library and other NYU resources. Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

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