UNC--What is important to ask?

[FilleNouvelle]

For all prospective UNC students, just so you know, UNC does not have an official admit day. I've been e-mailing Helen Tauchen, and she said that she's more than willing to answer any questions and that individuals can arrange to visit anytime (but again, there's no official day).

So basically, I'd love to ask her some questions, but I'm a bit stuck. I've been thinking attrition rates is a good thing to ask about, but what else is important for students to know (and not just UNC, but it general)? Any ideas?

[unitroot]

Which professors are leaving or joining program this year. Which professors are close to retirement or on the job market.


What are the TA/RA duties in the first 2 years?

[3ohto4oh]

what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

[mathy backpack]

African or European swallow?

[DesperateEconomist]

Go to the the FAQs (a sticky thread), click on the link under the item #12 and enjoy yourself!

[treblekicker]

If we will receive any extra information about housing and living accommodations? I know grad students live off campus, but I would like to know whether they have a directory of places to live, landlords to use, etc.

When will Math Camp be (they have one, right)?

Any news about recent job market candidates?

When we should get official notice about funding (and whether any package includes health insurance)?

[asquare]

There are many suggestions on this thread: http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...e-schools.html (Questions to ask current Graduate Students at Prospective Schools)

Good luck!

[MathMathMath]

What are the placements of the middle-of-the-pack (not just the best) people in the program? Does the dept care about/put resources into everyone, or only the best students there?

What are some reasons that people who do especially well there do well, and some reasons that the people who do poorly/leave do not do well there?

For grad students - What is the general "mood" of the students in the program? Are they happy/excited about their work/glad to be there or stessed/anxious/lost/unhappy?

For grad students - Did anything surprise you about the program? Was there anything you wish you'd known before coming here?

[treblekicker]

Fille, are you going to visit UNC then. I guess it is quite a haul from UK. I might make a visit sometime in April (still a ~6 hour drive for me).

[FilleNouvelle]

Fille, are you going to visit UNC then. I guess it is quite a haul from UK. I might make a visit sometime in April (still a ~6 hour drive for me).

Unfortunately, I won't be able to visit any schools before making my decision, so I gotta try and be as informed as possible!