Anyone going to Tufts MS Econ - Fall 2010?

[El Greco]

Anyone going to go to Tufts next year for the MS program? Why did you decide on going? Where else did u get into? What are your future goals? and anything you want to talk about. We can make this a little pre-orientation for students who are going to go from TM, if any.

I am not certain, but I'm about 99.9% sure I am going. I was waitlisted at Duke, haven't heard back from BU, Toronto MFE, and WUSTL MFIN yet, and I decided to not finish applying to CEMFI, BGSE, LSE, Columbia QMSS because of either costs, distance, or both (I got the 65% + TAship at Tufts). I don't know my future goals, the MS is to test whether I am interested in getting a PhD or going into the private sectore (prob consulting or finance sector since i have a BS in Finance).

Hope to hear if anyone else is going ...

[Biarien]

I'm in your same situation (applied to MS/MA programs), and am trying to decide between Tufts, UIUC, BU, and UC Davis (Ag. & Res. Econ.). Tufts offered me the same 65% + TA, but I'm trying to balance the costs of moving (for my wife) with the local option of UCD (and I am interested in environmental and natural resource economics -- just slightly concerned about "locking myself in" to that particular field).

[zigzag25]

Tufts sounds great on paper but there doesn't seem to be much info about placements for graduates. Like El Greco, I want to test the waters before going on to a PhD in econ but masters programs are all so darn expensive. Even with the tuition waiver and TA position, it's still quite pricey. Plus living in Boston doesn't seem to be all that cheap either...does any know anything about program placements for Tufts graduates???

[yes_no_maybe]

I guess you can try googling the people who graduated. List of theses written are here: Department of Economics: Tufts University
I googled four 2009 graduates:

- Research Fellow at Asia Competitiveness Institute, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
- Political Science PhD Student at Boston University

Couldn't find educational or organizational info on the other two but those ended up in a PhD program should come out of the search mostly.

[El Greco]

@yes_no_maybe
I believe the link you provided for the theses are from Seniors in Undergraduate school.. Why else would it describe them as "Senior Honors Theses"?

As far as placements there are examples of phd placements in recent years, altho not a exhaustive list of the placement of everyone who has gone thru the program. Here is what tufts says about PhD placements: "Upon receiving their degree, students pursue a variety of options. About one fifth of each class goes on to pursue a Ph.D. program in economics or related subjects, such as finance and accounting. The preparation received at Tufts provides students with an exceptional background for such study. In recent years, graduates of the Tufts M.A. program have been admitted to Ph.D. programs at European University Institute, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, MIT, Northwestern, UCLA, Boston University, and the University of Wisconsin."

It also goes on to describe some private/public sector placements: "An additional one third of the program graduates find employment in either consulting firms or government agencies, including DRI, Analysis Group, National Economic Research Associates, EPA, and the Department of Commerce." (Department of Economics: Tufts University)

@zigzag I agree that its still not cheap - but it can be cheaper than pretty much any masters program in the US, if u consider scholarships and TA positions. There are cheaper ones in Europe and Canada of course. Cost of living in Boston itself may be pretty high, but since the school is in the burbs and a lot of colleges are nearby, I have found rooms for rent at as low as $550 a month, just with a brief search. I know that isn't exactly a bargain, but, depending on what your used to, it can be cheap comparatively.

[yes_no_maybe]

There are Master's theses below the senior theses.

[El Greco]

HA! my bad! Thanks!

[Arinamay]

I'm only one data point, but I will be graduating from Tufts with an MA in economics this May and am likely heading to Duke for a PhD in public policy in the fall (still deciding, but heavily leaning that way).

Regarding living costs - my current rent is $600/month not including utilities for a nice room in a large 3 bedroom apartment that is a block from the economics building. My first room in a 3 bedroom apartment (small, dark, and far from campus) was $550 including all utilities.

[One on One]

I am 99% going. I got the 65% offer. I was also admitted to Washington's PhD, but I have decided I will most likely not pursue a PhD and Tufts will be my terminal degree. It's reputation is a major factor as I think the degree will be well respected in private industry.

[Matsya]

I am too gonna be taking up the Tufts offer. Decided against Warwick and not going to wait for the CEMFI decision.