Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech

[mamoqilo]

TMers,

I am trying to decide between these two (and possibly a third UKy - I got interviewed and seem to like me) for a PhD in Finance.

• Their placement is quite simillar but the TTU people seem to produce lots of PhDs (and I don't know if this is good or bad)
• I am interested in volatility/asset pricing (empirical of course) and Cincinnati has one faculty from NYU via the fed but the faculty at TTU seem to be very sociable from the phone conversation
• the course work at Cincinnati is quite unique (page 6) and I am NOT loving it.
• Cincinnati is in the midwest and I like that area.

If you add Kentucky to the choice, the only problem I have is thier placement - it is far worse for its name than TTU. (click on placement on the left)

What do you all think?

[shootermcgavin7]

Are you sure that the listed course work at Cincinnati is the same for Finance?

At many schools, they will have some basic coursework for all Business PhDs along the same lines that you've listed...but the Finance PhDs will take a completely different set of core classes.


Just judging from the publication record of the faculty, and the (listed) placement record of the students; Cincinnati seems to be the better program.

[mamoqilo]

Originally Posted by shootermcgavin7

Are you sure that the listed course work at Cincinnati is the same for Finance?

At many schools, they will have some basic coursework for all Business PhDs along the same lines that you've listed...but the Finance PhDs will take a completely different set of core classes.


Just judging from the publication record of the faculty, and the (listed) placement record of the students; Cincinnati seems to be the better program.

You know what, I never thought that there is such possibility. I will contact the DGS for further inquiry on this topic.

Texas Tech is poducing lots of PhDs. Is it a plus?

What do you think about UK's program? I am about 75% sure that I will get in to UK but I won't have that much time to decide (til april 15th).

Thanks a lot!

[shootermcgavin7]

Originally Posted by mamoqilo

Texas Tech is poducing lots of PhDs. Is it a plus?

I don't know much about their program, so I can't give any specific pros or cons. I do know that, everything else being equal, the fewer PhD students, the more attention you get.

What do you think about UK's program? I am about 75% sure that I will get in to UK but I won't have that much time to decide (til april 15th).

I was including all three schools in my opinion. Not knowing a massive amount about any of three, I can only go by faculty and placement reputation, and Cincy seems to be the best.

Keep in mind that it is YOUR DECISION; and that how you feel that you "fit in" is a big part of things.

In other words, if you feel more comfortable with the faculty at Texas Tech (you seemed to allude to this), that should be big factor. Wherever you choose you have to spend almost every waking hour for 5 years. Make sure it is somewhere that you enjoy. Posturing for 8 spots in the rankings is worthless if it makes you miserable.



But definitely ask Cincy's PhD coordinator about the finance specific core...most Bschools have them.