Ucsc

[encore]

Grad Housing Parking:
Yes, there is parking at grad housing. Also, you can get parking directly across the street from grad housing in the big parking complex. I am not sure which is cheaper... (i'd suspect they're the same price). If you don't want your car exposed to the elements, go with the parking complex.

Thanks TBK for the info. A few more questions:
1) By what you tell us, it seems grad students have to pay for parking. By any chance, would you happen to know how much?
2) Is the health insurance any good? I think we also get dental, is that so?

Thanks again!

[TheBrothersKaramazov]

Parking:
You can find rate information here: http://www2.ucsc.edu/taps/pdf/2008-09ParkingRates.pdf
(Expect the rates to rise). We fall into the B-permit category.

Health insurance: uhhh.... as a Canadian, i think that it is wretched. Apparently the dental benefits are good, but I haven't had the opportunity to use them. I've been to the health clinic a couple of times. The quality of the health care services on campus are excellent, but I don't feel like you get good coverage. We're covered under GSHIP, and you can find coverage information for health, dental, and vision here: UC Santa Cruz Student Health Center
I would opt out if I had better insurance, but since it is included in our TA/RAships, there is no point to abandoning it. (But if you have to pay for health insurance out of pocket, i'd try to find better plans).

[italos]

UCSC is becoming very popular on TM.....!

[mysorelboots]

Parking:
You can find rate information here: http://www2.ucsc.edu/taps/pdf/2008-09ParkingRates.pdf
(Expect the rates to rise). We fall into the B-permit category.

Which lot is closest to the Econ department? Do we even have a choice? What about office space? Is it 2-3 per office? Any windows in those offices?

[encore]

Parking: You can find rate information here: http://www2.ucsc.edu/taps/pdf/2008-09ParkingRates.pdf
(Expect the rates to rise). We fall into the B-permit category.

TBK, many thanks again for the info. Parking is more expensive than I had thought. For the academic year, a "B" PERMIT is currently $660.00. That comes to about $73/month. I'm forecasting $75-$78 for next year.

Do Econ grad students living on a TAship actually have cars? I mean, insurance plus parking and some gas is going to take a big tall in our stipend. I guess I thought rates would be reduced for those actually living on graduate housing. Also, what is a "B" CARPOOL permit? It is significantly cheaper!

Again, many thanks for all the info!

[sir_ceterus]

MSB: The shared office spaces for incoming grads are without windows. I would say that there is space for about 6-8 grad students in each room. I think only 3rd years and above are allowed access to offices with a window view, but those offices do exist. The economics facilities are some of the newest on campus--you'll be pleased.


TBK: You are a blessing. And I thank you! I am lost in an abyss of confusion, and you are a brilliant, shining light. The staff and other grad students I've attempted to contact were not particularly helpful.

Some questions: How is privacy/noise in grad student housing? Are there any reasons that a first year should look for other housing options other than price (no family or pets in my possession)?

Are most of the students as laid back and chill as the city/undergrad? I felt like there was a strong sense of 'community' within the department. What say you? How about between students of different graduate disciplines?

Do you do any experimental macro/monetary research, or just micro? If such a thing exists, could you recommend a paper?

Do you recommend any particular textbooks as good preparation for the micro sequence?

I have a SAS background. In your opinion, should I attempt to learn STATA or MATLAB now or during/after my first year?


<3


I owe you a lunch (if I ever figure out your name). Feel free to PM me, although I don't really have anything to offer you, well, other than free food.

[TheBrothersKaramazov]

Hi all,
No need for the thanks! I like answering questions, and as you can tell, have been a long time TM user. UCSC was high on my list of preferred schools, so my major concerns coming here were (a) the placement record and (b) expenses/funding. I learned that the placements are often better than what is listed on the website, but students simply don't accept certain offers (for whatever reasons). Funding seems to work out.

Italos: Hell yeah! That UCSC website that you posted says enough!
MySorelBoots: There is a lot behind the E2 building and one right across the street from it. If you come late to campus, you'll end up having to park in the car park across campus. Both have spots for B-permits. But you can also park near the S&E library, or closer to your classes, or near the gym.

Offices: Sir Ceterus is right. If there is any justice in the world, first years will get our office (without a window), and we'll get bumped up to a window. Our class has gone stir crazy without a window! You'll have 3 computers in this office and two medium sized whiteboards. Each of you will have your own desk space with drawers. And some shelves above. (Well, that is if there are less than 16 of you!). You may find some dents in the walls... we played frisbee from time to time.

Encore: Parking IS expensive!! No, i don't think rates will be reduced for those living in graduate housing. You will probably pay the same rate. If you live in FSH, however, you get your parking spot included in rent. But then require a "partner"...
Let's see. there are 9 of us in my year. Of the 7 guys in our class, 6 have cars now. (I wonder if they think it'll help them with the ladies! ). My fellow female classmate and I are the sensible ones! Everyone is on a TA fellowship. Two people carpool in together. Others live on campus, or take the bus to campus. It definitely is expensive. For the ones with "less fancy cars", they have the sheer minimum in car insurance.

Sir Ceterus: Graduate Housing -- well, i lived there, and while it was ok, it wasn't great. Some people complain of frisky neighbors above/below them... Other than that, you have to share a living space with 3 other people.. who may or may not suit you. You can't possibly live closer to the econ dept. You will hear the bus go by, but you'll learn to tune it out. Do anything possible to avoid the 1st floor apartments, as there are claims of rodent problems. (Say that you have a terrible fear of breaking and entering... this happened to one of my classmates earlier this year). the rooms are somewhat small... but the storage space in the apartments are EXCELLENT! (i really miss all that storage space). And you are in a prime location for the "First rain run". (that's something worth watching!)

grad students are not nearly as chill as the city and undergrads. I think grad students are a bit more serious. We tried to mingle with the politics people. That had mixed results. Computer science and engineering people are quite fun. Actually, most people in engineering are quite nice. But you'll find that your workload is much greater than that of most graduate students. They gasp when they hear you're taking 3-4 classes! The department is very warm and friendly with the students. Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of socialization between grad students and faculty. But the grad students hang out alot together. The Red Room has become and increasingly popular location to have drinks.

I am working on experimental trade at the moment... and will be trying to do some experimental macro soon. (i've worked on an experimental labor project in the past comparing different efficiency wage theories in the lab). I also attended a past summer school in barcelona: Leex: Laboratori d'economia experimental
(The literature is growing in experimental macro).

Learn Matlab first! you're going to get MATLAB assignments from Carl in second quarter and wonder how to even run an mfile. Jim teaches you a bit in the math camp, but it is hardly enough to get the program started.... I will can't work with matlab decently. STATA can be learned by your grandmother!

Micro - read Varian for producer and consumer theory; Mas Colell for game theory, mechanism design, moral hazard and adverse selection.

Thanks SirC, but that's not necessary! We will have a good drink at some point! It'll be a pleasure to meet all of you in September, or earlier if you should be visiting the campus! So is anyone still on the fence??

Speaking of housing, you may want to sublet a place before you arrive and start looking when you're here.

Ok, my flight is boarding. Back to santa cruz and work. :-(

[TheBrothersKaramazov]

Some more things:
1. If you are planning to take courses in the AMS department after the intro math stats class (eg. AMS 206, AMS 207), you should learn R. While the dept will accept hwk done in matlab, all the assignment solutions will be given to you in R. Plus, R has nicer plots/graphics.
2. Possibility of TAship: today is the 2nd day of the spring quarter. The grad students just received an email asking if anyone could TA two classes. While first priority goes to someone TAing a course (that can be reassigned), there is the possibility to grab a TAships in W-courses (writing intensive econ classes) if you have strong English skills.

[encore]

So of those of you guys planning to attend UCSC this Fall, what are you doing/thinking of doing in terms of housing? It seems like there is a very high variance in terms of both price and quality for anything not on campus.

[constrainedoptimizer]

So of those of you guys planning to attend UCSC this Fall, what are you doing/thinking of doing in terms of housing? It seems like there is a very high variance in terms of both price and quality for anything not on campus.

I think I'm going to be looking for something on campus. I'll be there tomorrow to see about straightening out my housing situation.