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neo1001 · 04-02-2008, 04:08 PM

Hi guys, I guess my application is close to an end pretty soon. Although I am still waiting for some schools, I guess the chance is slim...Also, I don't wanna keep other people waiting (if they are WL on the above 3 schools).

So right now I have these 3 offers: U Wisconsin - Madison, U Washington - Seattle, BC. Which one is better for me?

Personally I like bigger schools...and I want to do theoretical corp. finance (although it is not easy, still I wanna have a try.)

Madison: 29k stipend, and they just got 85m donation last year, Toni Whited is there as the director and it seems she is really trying to push up the ranking of the program, she also raised the stipend to 29k from 14k last year. Recent placement is not that good though - I just know they they place one student to U New Hampshire this year. Another good thing is that they have a very solid econ dept., which is good for me if I want to do theory.

Seattle: 18k stipend, good location. Other than that, I dont know much about them really...

BC: 25k stipend, good location too. But the school is focused on empirical research, although Chemmanur is there and he is very good at theoretical research. But I heard that there is some office political issues btw him and other faculty in the dept. so I don't expect that he would stay in the next 5 years. Besides, it seems they are losing people in recent years. Wayne Ferson left and they replaced with somebody who is much less famous. Also, their econ dept. is just so-so (no offense).

That is it. Could you guys give me some suggestions? Any comment is welcome. Thanks!

Prawler · 04-02-2008, 06:04 PM

Well, as a Finance PhD applicant just like you, I should say that you should reconsider your priorities. While making a decision, you must take your research interests into account. Madison is good for you, for theoritical opportunities and with a good stipend, but you say that placement is not that good...

Well, gauge advantages and disadvantages of schools and make your shot.

Only you can know the best for yourself.

Good luck,

anmolghatak · 04-02-2008, 06:15 PM

How much did u score on GMAT

neo1001 · 04-02-2008, 06:19 PM

Prawler, thanks for the input! I know research interest should come first. But it is a 5-year commitment and a lifelong thing, I don't want to make the wrong decision...if Madison's placement could improve in the coming years with their higher commitment to the doctoral program, then Madison could be a nice place. But..you never know...

neo1001 · 04-02-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anmolghatak

How much did u score on GMAT

760/5.5

doubtful · 04-02-2008, 06:50 PM

I think you are wrong when referring to the BC econ department (anyway were you at BC for the interview? did we meet?)

BC econ department is ranked top50 but is in fact a top30 in terms of placements.. and then don't forget that you can take classes at BU economics.. so you have 2 departments covering all the broad spectrum of economics... plus.. NBER and maybe even Harvard and MIT.. during the interview I was told that it's rare but not impossible for a student in finance at BC to take classes at MIT or Harvard.

desimba · 04-03-2008, 12:54 AM

The final choice can only be made by you and it is presumptous for me to suggest which school you should choose. Having said that there are other aspects you need to consider-
1) research interest match with the faculty members & 2) location
I would suggest that you look more closely at the faculty members and the kind of research that they do, potentially taking some time to read their papers as well. Also the 3 places-Madison, Seattle and Boston are significantly different from each other and I can't believe anyone can be indifferent to these 3 locations. Finally try to insist on making a campus visit to these 3 schools and then seeing where you have the best chemistry. There is lot to be said about that.

neo1001 · 04-03-2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubtful

I think you are wrong when referring to the BC econ department (anyway were you at BC for the interview? did we meet?)

BC econ department is ranked top50 but is in fact a top30 in terms of placements.. and then don't forget that you can take classes at BU economics.. so you have 2 departments covering all the broad spectrum of economics... plus.. NBER and maybe even Harvard and MIT.. during the interview I was told that it's rare but not impossible for a student in finance at BC to take classes at MIT or Harvard.

thanks, doubtful! I just looked at the econphd ranking for micro, UWM is way above BC and Washington.

Also, BC mainly does empirical corp., (if Chemmanur stays there for 5 years, then it is another story...)

So Seattle is not comparable to BC and UWM? Just talked to some prof. and students there, they basically did no theory things...although they promised to give me additional 2k if I go there (I didn't ask for it - they just offer this when they know the $ from BC and UWM.)

Yeah, probably we met at BC's interview...you got Austin, right? I remember talking to 2 guys that day and they both got Austin.

neo1001 · 04-03-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desimba

The final choice can only be made by you and it is presumptous for me to suggest which school you should choose. Having said that there are other aspects you need to consider-
1) research interest match with the faculty members & 2) location
I would suggest that you look more closely at the faculty members and the kind of research that they do, potentially taking some time to read their papers as well. Also the 3 places-Madison, Seattle and Boston are significantly different from each other and I can't believe anyone can be indifferent to these 3 locations. Finally try to insist on making a campus visit to these 3 schools and then seeing where you have the best chemistry. There is lot to be said about that.

thanks desimba, actually, I did went to all these schools for a visit. Frankly, Seattle is probably out of my list now - they do little theory things. About the location, true that they are totally different. But research comes first, so I could sacrifice for a less comfortable place if it is worthwhile...

KingOfConvenience · 04-08-2008, 03:20 AM

I think you should inquire about BC's hiring plan for the next few years. I'm sure they are making some hires this year and the next. If you haven't, you should email grad students in the department.

04-02-2008, 04:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
neo1001 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	Finance Offers: Seattle vs Madison vs BC? Hi guys, I guess my application is close to an end pretty soon. Although I am still waiting for some schools, I guess the chance is slim...Also, I don't wanna keep other people waiting (if they are WL on the above 3 schools). So right now I have these 3 offers: U Wisconsin - Madison, U Washington - Seattle, BC. Which one is better for me? Personally I like bigger schools...and I want to do theoretical corp. finance (although it is not easy, still I wanna have a try.) Madison: 29k stipend, and they just got 85m donation last year, Toni Whited is there as the director and it seems she is really trying to push up the ranking of the program, she also raised the stipend to 29k from 14k last year. Recent placement is not that good though - I just know they they place one student to U New Hampshire this year. Another good thing is that they have a very solid econ dept., which is good for me if I want to do theory. Seattle: 18k stipend, good location. Other than that, I dont know much about them really... BC: 25k stipend, good location too. But the school is focused on empirical research, although Chemmanur is there and he is very good at theoretical research. But I heard that there is some office political issues btw him and other faculty in the dept. so I don't expect that he would stay in the next 5 years. Besides, it seems they are losing people in recent years. Wayne Ferson left and they replaced with somebody who is much less famous. Also, their econ dept. is just so-so (no offense). That is it. Could you guys give me some suggestions? Any comment is welcome. Thanks!

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04-02-2008, 06:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Prawler Within my grasp! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 328	Well, as a Finance PhD applicant just like you, I should say that you should reconsider your priorities. While making a decision, you must take your research interests into account. Madison is good for you, for theoritical opportunities and with a good stipend, but you say that placement is not that good... Well, gauge advantages and disadvantages of schools and make your shot. Only you can know the best for yourself. Good luck,

04-02-2008, 06:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
anmolghatak Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5	How much did u score on GMAT

04-02-2008, 06:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
neo1001 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12	Prawler, thanks for the input! I know research interest should come first. But it is a 5-year commitment and a lifelong thing, I don't want to make the wrong decision...if Madison's placement could improve in the coming years with their higher commitment to the doctoral program, then Madison could be a nice place. But..you never know...

04-02-2008, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
doubtful Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 406	I think you are wrong when referring to the BC econ department (anyway were you at BC for the interview? did we meet?) BC econ department is ranked top50 but is in fact a top30 in terms of placements.. and then don't forget that you can take classes at BU economics.. so you have 2 departments covering all the broad spectrum of economics... plus.. NBER and maybe even Harvard and MIT.. during the interview I was told that it's rare but not impossible for a student in finance at BC to take classes at MIT or Harvard.

04-03-2008, 12:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
desimba Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 248	The final choice can only be made by you and it is presumptous for me to suggest which school you should choose. Having said that there are other aspects you need to consider- 1) research interest match with the faculty members & 2) location I would suggest that you look more closely at the faculty members and the kind of research that they do, potentially taking some time to read their papers as well. Also the 3 places-Madison, Seattle and Boston are significantly different from each other and I can't believe anyone can be indifferent to these 3 locations. Finally try to insist on making a campus visit to these 3 schools and then seeing where you have the best chemistry. There is lot to be said about that.

04-08-2008, 03:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
KingOfConvenience Within my grasp! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 159	I think you should inquire about BC's hiring plan for the next few years. I'm sure they are making some hires this year and the next. If you haven't, you should email grad students in the department.

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