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ibanez · 2009 April 23rd, 05:06 AM

I also had to choose between BU and GWU, except for PhD (wow I wonder why these two schools attract the same types of applicants and why getting accepted to both schools is a trend).

I recommend BU (I am biased since I am attending), because the ranking is so much stronger. The US News and World report puts BU at 24 while GWU at "unranked."

It seems that BU has many more academic placements than GWU. But GWU I think has good placements at policy institutes and maybe the WB or IMF.

But I am sure you could get the same or better placements from BU, so BU seems like a better choice.

Wow, sunshine, a JD and a PhD, and a MA, when do you plan on actually working? Lol

Do PhD and MA students take the same courses?

sunshine88 · 2009 April 23rd, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez

Wow, sunshine, a JD and a PhD, and a MA, when do you plan on actually working? Lol

haha yeah people think I'm degree crazy. But ideally I'll do a joint JD/PhD to cut down on the time. I honestly think I'll end up being a professional student my whole life though

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez

Do PhD and MA students take the same courses?

Nope, MA courses are 500s and PhD are 700s. I wonder if there is a lot of interaction between MA and PhD students though? I'm definitely looking forward to meeting new people.

freecon · 2009 April 23rd, 07:36 AM

hi!

I will be attending phd program. As you mention before, the university has limited accomadation opportunities. I have got an offer from BU to rent one of the apartments in a new on-campus student apartment building. However, rents begin at $1210 per month and the apartments are unfurnished.

It seems expensive. But my family wants me to stay there, at least for the first year or the first semester to get used to Boston. But I can still consider more advantageous housing options.

We should contact...

pddxm · 2009 April 23rd, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine88

haha yeah people think I'm degree crazy. But ideally I'll do a joint JD/PhD to cut down on the time. I honestly think I'll end up being a professional student my whole life though

Nope, MA courses are 500s and PhD are 700s. I wonder if there is a lot of interaction between MA and PhD students though? I'm definitely looking forward to meeting new people.

I　want have a joint degree too, and I will attend some phd program after two master if I can get sholarship. By the way how about the MA econ program in
NCSU, I got the AD today.
Thank you

sunshine88 · 2009 April 23rd, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freecon

hi!

I will be attending phd program. As you mention before, the university has limited accomadation opportunities. I have got an offer from BU to rent one of the apartments in a new on-campus student apartment building. However, rents begin at $1210 per month and the apartments are unfurnished.

It seems expensive. But my family wants me to stay there, at least for the first year or the first semester to get used to Boston. But I can still consider more advantageous housing options.

We should contact...

Yeah that building is EXPENSIVE. They have another grad student residence that is more like dorms, but a lot cheaper like $7000 for 9 months and it's furnished. The downside is that they are dorms and not apartments so there is a floor bathroom and stuff. I would live at the new apartments you were talking about, but you have to lease for 12 months and I only need 9-10 months. I'm going to try my hardest to find a roommate somehow and look for a 2-bedroom apartment off-campus, but if I can't find a roommate, I may just live in the grad dorms. The grad dorms don't sound too pleasant, but I figure I'll only be there a short time so I don't think it'd be too unbearable if I was stuck there for 9 months.

Are y'all taking a car? I wasn't going to, but my uncle who used to live in Boston said I should take my car in case I want to travel outside of Boston and MA. It just seems expensive to house a car in Boston and I'm afraid it'll end up being a burden and a hassle more so than being convenient.

ibanez · 2009 April 23rd, 03:50 PM

I have heard two things regarding the car.

1. Don't bring a car because you will pay $200 a month for it and everything is accessible by walking or by public transport.

2. Take a car! Boston is very drivable and you will want to check out other places in the North East.

Lol so who knows. I think if I can find street parking or free (or near free) building parking, I am going to bring it. If not, I guess its 5 years without a car, which won't be so bad!

sunshine88 · 2009 April 23rd, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez

I have heard two things regarding the car.

1. Don't bring a car because you will pay $200 a month for it and everything is accessible by walking or by public transport.

2. Take a car! Boston is very drivable and you will want to check out other places in the North East.

Lol so who knows. I think if I can find street parking or free (or near free) building parking, I am going to bring it. If not, I guess its 5 years without a car, which won't be so bad!

haha I've heard EXACTLY the same thing! I'm like "...oh ok???" I think not having a car would certainly cut costs, but I like knowing I can just drive wherever I want around the NE. I'm not quite sure what I'll do yet.

pddxm · 2009 April 23rd, 06:08 PM

The BU ma econ program is a nonthesis program, is there any disadvantages comparing with the thesis program.
thank you

sahimal2009 · 2009 April 24th, 11:35 AM

MA econ at BU seems like where il be heading too! Still await Columbia QMSS though.

Does anyone have an idea on how the job placements went for the MA students this year? Its not encouraging when they show Phd pursuits on the webpage and only provide a list of the MA profiles.

I was thinking of getting in touch with someone and asking how the job market was treating the batch.

tmdruie · 2009 April 24th, 03:57 PM

I'll be attending BU for a PhD in the fall.

I have a slight advantage on housing, since my partner is currently a law student there so I've been to the BU area a lot. (I also dated someone who was a physics grad student there, so I've been visiting since 2004.)

There is on campus housing, the grad student housing I have visited is close to campus and quite nice, but expensive. If you are not interested dealing with the hassle of finding other housing I'd take it, as it is nicer in many ways then housing you could find on your own (but more expensive). Personally, I'm hoping to find a place with my partner and maybe another roommate.

These link look useful: Boston University Economics Department Peer Advising and Graduate Survival Guide (join the google group!).

The claim that "Boston is very drivable" strikes me as quite funny. My take is: it might be drivable compared to New Delhi but it isn't drivable compared to LA, DC, or New York, and if you are from the middle of the US... it will be a new experience. I'd say don't bring a car, and just use zip car when you want one / want to explore other parts of New England (I when to high school in rural MA, and I think they are well worth exploring.)

Anyways, if anyone has questions about housing that I might be able answer I'd be happy to try to help. Otherwise I'll go back to freaking out about what I'm about to get myself into.

2009 April 23rd, 05:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
ibanez Ready.... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 156	I also had to choose between BU and GWU, except for PhD (wow I wonder why these two schools attract the same types of applicants and why getting accepted to both schools is a trend). I recommend BU (I am biased since I am attending), because the ranking is so much stronger. The US News and World report puts BU at 24 while GWU at "unranked." It seems that BU has many more academic placements than GWU. But GWU I think has good placements at policy institutes and maybe the WB or IMF. But I am sure you could get the same or better placements from BU, so BU seems like a better choice. Wow, sunshine, a JD and a PhD, and a MA, when do you plan on actually working? Lol Do PhD and MA students take the same courses? _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Heading to Georgetown's PhD Economics.

2009 April 23rd, 07:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
freecon everything will be good!! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 38	hi! I will be attending phd program. As you mention before, the university has limited accomadation opportunities. I have got an offer from BU to rent one of the apartments in a new on-campus student apartment building. However, rents begin at $1210 per month and the apartments are unfurnished. It seems expensive. But my family wants me to stay there, at least for the first year or the first semester to get used to Boston. But I can still consider more advantageous housing options. We should contact... _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Attending: BU($$$) Declined:UPF($$),LSE,JHU($$),UMD($$),Brown Rejections:many...Waiting:UWM

2009 April 23rd, 03:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
ibanez Ready.... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 156	I have heard two things regarding the car. 1. Don't bring a car because you will pay $200 a month for it and everything is accessible by walking or by public transport. 2. Take a car! Boston is very drivable and you will want to check out other places in the North East. Lol so who knows. I think if I can find street parking or free (or near free) building parking, I am going to bring it. If not, I guess its 5 years without a car, which won't be so bad! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Heading to Georgetown's PhD Economics.

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2009 April 23rd, 06:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
pddxm I JUST got here. Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	The BU ma econ program is a nonthesis program, is there any disadvantages comparing with the thesis program. thank you

2009 April 24th, 11:35 AM	#19 (permalink)
sahimal2009 I JUST got here. Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 11	MA econ at BU seems like where il be heading too! Still await Columbia QMSS though. Does anyone have an idea on how the job placements went for the MA students this year? Its not encouraging when they show Phd pursuits on the webpage and only provide a list of the MA profiles. I was thinking of getting in touch with someone and asking how the job market was treating the batch.

2009 April 24th, 03:57 PM	#20 (permalink)
tmdruie Rock! Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	I'll be attending BU for a PhD in the fall. I have a slight advantage on housing, since my partner is currently a law student there so I've been to the BU area a lot. (I also dated someone who was a physics grad student there, so I've been visiting since 2004.) There is on campus housing, the grad student housing I have visited is close to campus and quite nice, but expensive. If you are not interested dealing with the hassle of finding other housing I'd take it, as it is nicer in many ways then housing you could find on your own (but more expensive). Personally, I'm hoping to find a place with my partner and maybe another roommate. These link look useful: Boston University Economics Department Peer Advising and Graduate Survival Guide (join the google group!). The claim that "Boston is very drivable" strikes me as quite funny. My take is: it might be drivable compared to New Delhi but it isn't drivable compared to LA, DC, or New York, and if you are from the middle of the US... it will be a new experience. I'd say don't bring a car, and just use zip car when you want one / want to explore other parts of New England (I when to high school in rural MA, and I think they are well worth exploring.) Anyways, if anyone has questions about housing that I might be able answer I'd be happy to try to help. Otherwise I'll go back to freaking out about what I'm about to get myself into.

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