Finance PhD target schools with a quirk

[calchas]

I am looking at my PhD application process for Fall 2009 from two angles: First of course is the quality of the finance phD program. But another very important aspect for me is the weather and in particular, "golfability". I'm an avid golfer and while I have no intentions to pursue a professional golf career, I do want to play regularly and compete in amateur tournaments. And for me, it'll be the main hobby that will give me the balance between the academic hard work of the PhD and the personal life to get away from the studies and recharge myself.

With that said, I have the following target schools. let me know if you'd add or drop any of these schools (Finance PhD).. Interest areas will most likely be Corporate Finance, International Finance, and Investor activism/corporate governance ..

Top 4: UCLA, Stanford, Berkeley, USC

Next 4: Duke, UT-Austin, Emory, Insead-Singapore

Others: UNC-Chapel Hill, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Houston, Vanderbilt, Florida... Chicago, Kellogg and London Bus. Sch. are in my list as well.

Am I missing any good schools? Thanks.

[shootermcgavin7]

Originally Posted by calchas

I am looking at my PhD application process for Fall 2009 from two angles: First of course is the quality of the finance phD program. But another very important aspect for me is the weather and in particular, "golfability". I'm an avid golfer and while I have no intentions to pursue a professional golf career, I do want to play regularly and compete in amateur tournaments. And for me, it'll be the main hobby that will give me the balance between the academic hard work of the PhD and the personal life to get away from the studies and recharge myself.

With that said, I have the following target schools. let me know if you'd add or drop any of these schools (Finance PhD).. Interest areas will most likely be Corporate Finance, International Finance, and Investor activism/corporate governance ..

Top 4: UCLA, Stanford, Berkeley, USC

Next 4: Duke, UT-Austin, Emory, Insead-Singapore

Others: UNC-Chapel Hill, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Houston, Vanderbilt, Florida... Chicago, Kellogg and London Bus. Sch. are in my list as well.

Am I missing any good schools? Thanks.

Unless you have a stellar profile, I would recommend some safety schools as well. An "average" class size for an incoming Finance PhD program is about 2-3 students (some go up to 5, some accept 1).

That means that roughly 150 students enter Top50 programs each year.

[guan]

NYU, of course!

Don't know about golfability, though there can't be a lack of golf courses in the area.