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Kajimero · 06-06-2008, 06:53 AM

I have been accepted for the MPhil in Econ at Cambridge and the MSc in Econ at LSE, and having a really tough time deciding (both are one-year progs in pure Econ, not Development studies). I’d appreciate advice from people who know these programs well. I need to make my decision within the next few days!

Background: I have a Bachelor’s in Economics from a top-ranked US college, and have been working in development organizations for the past couple of years.

Current interests: Labor, Industrial Org, Financial Ec, Development (yes, I know that’s quite a bit and won’t be able to pursue all in a one-year prog).

Future: 70% chances that I’ll continue with a PhD in Economics. If so, it’s most likely I’ll come back to working in the development field after the PhD. However, I’ve recently been considering joining the private sector after the Master’s and going for an MBA instead.

Issue: I’m slightly in favor of Cambridge because it’s slightly cheaper (I don’t have financial aid offers from either college) and because non-academic life’ll probably be better in CAM (historic college, sense of community, college-town, extra-curriculars etc.) I can’t imagine life as a poor student in London being all that fun. Another factor that tips the balance in favor of CAM is that I get two elective courses there (say Labor and IO or Development), whereas at LSE only 1 elective.

But I guess these considerations should only take precedence if both the programs, overall, are equally strong. Given their big names, one’d think at first that they are. But I’m not so sure. The LSE faculty seems to be better known than the CAM fac, and online course descriptions also look tighter for LSE. Would really appreciate insights from people who know these programs well. Are they equally strong/rigorous? Do PhD programs and employers regard them equally? What about their relative strengths in the specific fields of labor, IO and development?

Another consideration for me is the teaching quality. Given that this is a Master’s program and that I’m not fully certain I’ll continue to a PhD, I guess the research portfolio of faculty is slightly less important for me than stuff like importance professors attach to teaching, their accessibility, class-size etc. Am I right to be focussing less on the research aspect? Is teaching quality better at one than the other? Would appreciate comments from people on this topic too…

…and on anything else people consider important. Really could do with some help here and would greatly appreciate your ideas, suggestions and advice. Thanks!

reactor · 06-06-2008, 08:01 AM

Most, if not all, professors that I have discussed the subject seem to agree that, at least at the PhD level, LSE economics offer better chances for placement than Cambridge. No other info

.

Excellent choices anyway!

Kajimero · 06-06-2008, 12:37 PM

Reactor, thanks so much for responding. When you say placement, do you only mean in academia or in the private and public sectors as well? Thx.

reactor · 06-07-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajimero

Reactor, thanks so much for responding. When you say placement, do you only mean in academia or in the private and public sectors as well? Thx.

I think they mean both (but after the PhD).

06-06-2008, 06:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kajimero Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	URGENT: Master's in Economics, Cambridge vs. LSE I have been accepted for the MPhil in Econ at Cambridge and the MSc in Econ at LSE, and having a really tough time deciding (both are one-year progs in pure Econ, not Development studies). I’d appreciate advice from people who know these programs well. I need to make my decision within the next few days! Background: I have a Bachelor’s in Economics from a top-ranked US college, and have been working in development organizations for the past couple of years. Current interests: Labor, Industrial Org, Financial Ec, Development (yes, I know that’s quite a bit and won’t be able to pursue all in a one-year prog). Future: 70% chances that I’ll continue with a PhD in Economics. If so, it’s most likely I’ll come back to working in the development field after the PhD. However, I’ve recently been considering joining the private sector after the Master’s and going for an MBA instead. Issue: I’m slightly in favor of Cambridge because it’s slightly cheaper (I don’t have financial aid offers from either college) and because non-academic life’ll probably be better in CAM (historic college, sense of community, college-town, extra-curriculars etc.) I can’t imagine life as a poor student in London being all that fun. Another factor that tips the balance in favor of CAM is that I get two elective courses there (say Labor and IO or Development), whereas at LSE only 1 elective. But I guess these considerations should only take precedence if both the programs, overall, are equally strong. Given their big names, one’d think at first that they are. But I’m not so sure. The LSE faculty seems to be better known than the CAM fac, and online course descriptions also look tighter for LSE. Would really appreciate insights from people who know these programs well. Are they equally strong/rigorous? Do PhD programs and employers regard them equally? What about their relative strengths in the specific fields of labor, IO and development? Another consideration for me is the teaching quality. Given that this is a Master’s program and that I’m not fully certain I’ll continue to a PhD, I guess the research portfolio of faculty is slightly less important for me than stuff like importance professors attach to teaching, their accessibility, class-size etc. Am I right to be focussing less on the research aspect? Is teaching quality better at one than the other? Would appreciate comments from people on this topic too… …and on anything else people consider important. Really could do with some help here and would greatly appreciate your ideas, suggestions and advice. Thanks!

06-06-2008, 08:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
reactor only Loeb spaces! Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,072	Most, if not all, professors that I have discussed the subject seem to agree that, at least at the PhD level, LSE economics offer better chances for placement than Cambridge. No other info. Excellent choices anyway! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ "It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you've got to have is faith and discipline when you're not yet a winner." Vince Lombardi How to write a lazy proof Teaching yourself how to prove Since 2004 Reactor features (also) at: Econometric Analysis, 5th Edition ERRATA

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06-06-2008, 12:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kajimero Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Reactor, thanks so much for responding. When you say placement, do you only mean in academia or in the private and public sectors as well? Thx.

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