publicaffairsny Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 The Phd in public policy at Michigan is unqiue in that you select a social science discipline to specialize in (econ, poli sci, or sociology). The admissions website says you must gain acceptance to both the public policy department and the disciplinary department you apply for. Does anyone have any insight as to whether the candidates for the econ track in public policy are judged by the same standards as applicants to the straight econ phd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Yes they are. You have to complete the same exact core sequence as the standalone PhD program so you will need strong math preparation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicaffairsny Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 Sure but strong math prep is different than having the profile to get into Michigan's econ program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Econhead Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Sure but strong math prep is different than having the profile to get into Michigan's econ program. I think what public is saying is: is someone only going to be admitted if they would normally get admitted to the econ program (i.e. beating out the other candidates, not just being a qualified candidate). -OR, are the requirements still the same, and as long as you meet those requirements you will not be inherently turned down if you would have in the Econ, because of the stiff competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I'd argue that getting into Public Policy - Econ is marginally easier because the probably do not have as many applicants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicaffairsny Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 It seems like an interesting program and I feel competitive for most policy programs except Chicago and Harvard. I don't feel competitive for top 20 econ programs though. Since Michigan seems to be a combination of both I'm just not sure how to consider it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I'd argue that getting into Public Policy - Econ is marginally easier because the probably do not have as many applicants. Its a joint program which means that you have to be accepted to both departments. The econ department will not give your application any special treatment. Anything other than the usual assortment of A's in math and near perfect GREs will end up being rejected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Its a joint program which means that you have to be accepted to both departments. The econ department will not give your application any special treatment. Anything other than the usual assortment of A's in math and near perfect GREs will end up being rejected. Oh -- all that work and you come out with a public policy degree? That seems like cruel and unusual punishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Oh -- all that work and you come out with a public policy degree? That seems like cruel and unusual punishment. You'll earn a joint degree. How this benefits you I'm not quite sure. I suppose the main advantage is interacting with researchers across departments and being given a bit of leeway to do something less "economics-y". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Jeeze though -- it does seem strange. I'm sure people are familiar with the program, but usually joint degrees are frowned upon on the job market. Perhaps you are right -- this program is intended for people with very unique interests who need the two departments to get the right mix of advisors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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