Feeling Burnt Out!

[EconMist]

Hi guys,

At the risk of this being a silly question: I am an undergrduate graduating in two months (at a very very low tier univeristy), but have high hopes for a PhD in econ. I am finishing my B.Sc in Econ (math minor) within a total of three years. The point is that even though I have a gpa > 3.9 (I only have one A-), I feel that I have worked harder than what other people would have had to to get that same gpa. I basically have given up my social life for a B.Sc and I feel very burnt out even as an undergraduate. And the school I go to is actually super easy going. Certainly, I will take a year off before pursuing a PhD in economics. Family and friends think I'm all smart and that I should go for a PhD at a top school (like top 10) - although I know that's not going to happen. Even if it does, I am not sure if I have what it takes. So my question for you guys is - is it normal to feel so burnt out as an undergraduate at an easy going school? Or is it a question mark on the whole PhD at a top school idea? Even if my profile got me in a top top school (which I'm certain it won't), one year of graduate school might just do it for me. I know that I am one of the toppest students at my school right now and I know I will do very well on the GRE quantitative part. Yet, I fear that that might trick me and I might overestimate my capability.

All thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Your fellow prospective economist - EconMist!

[Rob116]

Personally, I'd stop worrying about whether your grades are fooling you. If you have one of the top GPA's in your class, and this is really what you want, you should go for it. Besides, getting an MA in econ isn't going to hurt you, even if you do end up deciding that a PhD is not for you.

I think that it is fairly typical to feel some "pre-grad school" insecurity. I know that I was much more confident in my own abilities at the end of my third-year than I am now. As I've gained in experience, I've begun to realize that undergraduate education (at least in the social sciences/humanities) only exposes you to the very tip of the iceberg - the scope of graduate school study is vast and deep by comparison, and it's a bit daunting. However, while I'm a bit nervous, I'm too excited to let it bother me.

One final question: what do your prof's think about your chances?

[albertalla]

Some people wake up in high school, some at university. That is, some smart people study hard in high school, get into a top school, do well there and there they are, thinking that they're on top of the world. Others take a bit more time: they don't get the best grades in high school, get into a lesser college and start studying there. They do well there and they doubt themselves.
I've been to a few universities, and as long as the university is decent, doing well in one is just like doing well in another. If you're a top student at your school now, you've got it, so don't worry.

[EconMist]

Well, actually my professors are very supportive. However, I think that their experience and knowledge of grad school in econ (like most other professors at bachelor's and master's only granting institutions) is pretty outdated. Also, my professors are not from top schools themselves (top 100 - 150 to be exact).

Albertalla, thanks for the comment. I should, however, bring to your attention that I didn't need any waking up throughout life. I have always worked hard as far as I remember. The reason I ended up going to a low-tier school is because I am basically an international student. Where I came from (four years ago), I was a top student in high school, but because of political issues I had to come here as an international student and immediately enroll in school to maintain my status. Therefore, I had to go to a school that didn't even require SAT scores for international students. Just so you don't make wrong assumptions. My only serious doubt was if my school had prepared me for graduate school in Economics. And honestly, I don't think it has.

[HayakWasRight]

I expect that just about all of us will have a steep learning curve when we arrive at our various destinations in the late summer. I think the key will be seeing what happens in the first semester of grad studies. Just like freshman fall has been the toughest for me in both high school and college, I expect this coming fall to be the most challenging academic time in my life to this point. However, just like we coped with those hurdles in the past, we'll get over the bump. Unlike most majors, where people go to grad school because they don't know what else to do, econ majors are in it because we have some sort of goal or focus that allows us to push through.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I too feel a bit burnt out at the moment. I suspect that a large part of this is because of the stress related to the grad school application process. Since all of my applications were sent off by the middle of December, I've been playing the waiting game for nearly four months now (and am still in it to win it). I think if we had to wait until May, I'd snap. But once all of the decisions have been made, our diplomas are in our hands, and we can go our various directions for the summer, the burnt out feeling will pass. I know this, because I know why I want to go to grad school. I am confident that when the time comes, I will be able to step up to the plate just as I have before. My goal for the summer is to rebuild my motivation to work as hard as humanly possible.

I guess my advice would be to sit down and really think about why you want to go to grad school. If you can't thoroughly convince yourself that grad school is where you want to be, then a competative program isn't where you belong. None of us can afford to go into this half-hearted. So really consider what you want to get out of grad school. If you find a reason, then the burnt out feeling will pass. If not, make room for someone currently on a waiting list.

[Freakonomizer]

Econ Mist,

feeling burnt out at the end of undergraduate courses is totally normal, especially if you worked really hard, as it seems to be the case.

Take a year off before going for the PhD. I felt really tired by my senior year and enrolled straight in a master´s program. Couldn´t stand it and gave it up after two months.

It is better to wait and be certain about graduate school.

Good luck!

[one_for_fourteen]

I support the taking time off approach. I spent an extra semester in school after graduating to take more math classes (while applying at to grad school at the same time). It was incredibly stressful, but luckily I had already been planning to not be in school this semester while I was waiting to hear from schools. Take time off, but make sure you're doing something when you take that time off. Doing 'nothing' in the eyes of a top school could be very damaging. Also, remember this - a lot of people on this board will disagree with what I'm about to say, but that won't mean it isn't true. If economics is what you love, if doing research is what you want and you have confidence in yourself, then the only thing that going to a Harvard or a Princeton is good for is getting a job at those schools after getting your degree. If you're going to work hard and produce relevant research, then you're going to do that no matter where you go. I worked with a professor who went to the University of Wyoming who is now (ten years later) on the tenure track at UChicago.

[emory_ambition]

Also, remember this - a lot of people on this board will disagree with what I'm about to say, but that won't mean it isn't true. If economics is what you love, if doing research is what you want and you have confidence in yourself, then the only thing that going to a Harvard or a Princeton is good for is getting a job at those schools after getting your degree. If you're going to work hard and produce relevant research, then you're going to do that no matter where you go. I worked with a professor who went to the University of Wyoming who is now (ten years later) on the tenure track at UChicago.

I agree. This was also mentioned by ebtg:

http://www.urch.com/forums/graduate-...tml#post294742 ("Multiple-offer-holders" (Econ PhD mostly))

That makes three of us. We're multiplying. Haha.

I have a creeping feeling that most people on TM think these things are a matter of life and death! Hello. 8th & Ocean, that's life and death. Geezus. Some of the guys here can be in Beauty and the Geek.

[EconMist]

Thanks all for your advice. I have thought about things and decided that the best decision right now is to take the year off (during which I will also do my applications and GRE). I will be applying to "respectable" programs and hoping to get into one. Thank you all again.

[devecon]

EconMist
If you have the opportunity, I would serious recommend getting some research experience with a professor. This is probably the best indicator of whether you will enjoy doing a PhD (well after the quals are done). Good luck with the next year.