UC Economics

[econphilomath]

Talk about derailing a topic...

[Mr.Keen]

Originally Posted by econphilomath

Talk about derailing a topic...

Lol, I absolutely agree.

[the_asker]

Originally Posted by nancy_dream

I do not why I love you, I just want to tell you, I really love you.

This is often the case, isn't it?

Does Chicago's reputation repel applicants worried about being outshone, or does it actually attract more applicants who feel they stand a better chance of admission here then elsewhere in the top 5?

[Chicunomics]

For me it wasn't a case of worrying about being outshone, but more a impression (and not just from random hearsay - from numerous, independent academics who had visited Chicago or who personally knew grad students there) that it was a cold and competitive environment. This was before I discovered these forums, and I must say, seeing the same thing being discussed here doesn't exactly lead one to believe it's all just exaggeration.

[econphilomath]

So many people have mentioned the "cold and competive " reputation of economics at UC. But as I mentioned in an earlier post it has been rumored that this might be changing, for better or worse. So my question remains open to those at UC.

I might add that generating a competitive enviorment has costs and benefit's as others have discused above (building up-tearing down etc); but I can say that the few people I know who went to Chicago speak of what its like to study there with incredible enthusiasum. So some good is going on in Mordor.

Maybe the competitive enviorment makes for unequal experiences as only some get attention from professors or feel the glory of acing problem sets while the others wallow in there supposed infierority (for not being able to prove uniqueness).
Its like Chicago has a high gini coefficient of "PhD satisfation"... This could be an explicit strategy and a corallary of the idea that inequality is necesary for efficiency... didn't someone from Chicago write about that...?


I've had a lot of coffee this morning, sorry for the rambling!

[zsla]

We were told last year that Chicago's reputation had been changing. But it is not the case at all. Looking at the last year's core results, I can comfortably say that Chicago is still Chicago. No mercy for weaks. It will never change.

[jlist]

Dear ZSLA: Similar to my response to you last year (see the earlier part of this thread), I respect your opinion, and given that you are on campus how about if you stop by sometime soon and we chat about economics? Or, if you would like you are welcome to let your real identity be known on this chat room and we can continue the discussion here. Your call; I am fine either way.

Now, for the essence of this link. As I noted back then, since no one knew, I planned to have Julie Less put together some statistics on our attrition rates, etc. I have made those public, and they are on our website.

Here is where I am on all of this discussion. I have been at Chicago for 2.5 years. I have no idea what our program was like before I arrived--recall that I received my undergrad degree from the U. Wisconsin at Stevens Point, phd from the U. Wyoming, and spent my first 9 years post phd at UCF, U. Arizona, and U. Maryland (one year at the CEA).

What I heard about Chicago was probably the same as most of you. Yes, even at the type of schools I attended we heard and discussed the upper echelon schools!

Therefore, you can probably guess that I was shocked when I looked over the statistics from 1994-present. Either Chicago is moving in the direction of more people completing the phd, the stories that we all have heard were vastly overblown, or likely a little of each.

In any event, the main thing I tell all prospects is take a deep look around at each place you are interested in and make the correct match for yourself. This is all about the best match for YOU.

We offer some distinct features here at UC, as do other places. No doubt we have strengths and weaknesses. I just think that our weaknesses have been broadly overblown, but what else would you expect from the co-director of admissions and aid!

Best,
John

[polkaparty]

Dr. List,

On the Chicago website it says "In recent years, about 80% of the entering students passed the core requirement on the first or second try."

Any chance of finding out how many pass on the first try?

I'm applying regardless of the answer, but I'm curious nonetheless. (By the way, I think Chicago has the best application of all schools, mostly because it tries to get the most information from applicants, and I hope they don't go to a common application service provider in the future)

[econchick06]

I've only been here for one quarter but I wanted to add my thoughts on the idea that Chicago is "competitive" - I assume you are referring to the fact that the students are competitive w/ each other (i.e. don't share resources, etc..).

I can tell you that that doesn't appear to be the case at all. At least w/in my cohort we all share resources. We have well delineated study groups, but the study groups often talk amongst each other to share ideas and help when other groups are stuck. Overall I have felt a great sense of camaraderie and a true desire for everyone in our cohort to do well by everyone else (as cliche as it sounds, this is true!).

I get the impression from my discussions with members of upper classes that this was true for them as well, they all appear to get along well and I don't sense a "cold and competitive" nature. Zsla may or may not agree....

So that's my ! PM me if you have any specific questions!

[zsla]

Originally Posted by jlist

Dear ZSLA: Similar to my response to you last year (see the earlier part of this thread), I respect your opinion, and given that you are on campus how about if you stop by sometime soon and we chat about economics? Or, if you would like you are welcome to let your real identity be known on this chat room and we can continue the discussion here. Your call; I am fine either way.

Now, for the essence of this link. As I noted back then, since no one knew, I planned to have Julie Less put together some statistics on our attrition rates, etc. I have made those public, and they are on our website.

Here is where I am on all of this discussion. I have been at Chicago for 2.5 years. I have no idea what our program was like before I arrived--recall that I received my undergrad degree from the U. Wisconsin at Stevens Point, phd from the U. Wyoming, and spent my first 9 years post phd at UCF, U. Arizona, and U. Maryland (one year at the CEA).

What I heard about Chicago was probably the same as most of you. Yes, even at the type of schools I attended we heard and discussed the upper echelon schools!

Therefore, you can probably guess that I was shocked when I looked over the statistics from 1994-present. Either Chicago is moving in the direction of more people completing the phd, the stories that we all have heard were vastly overblown, or likely a little of each.

In any event, the main thing I tell all prospects is take a deep look around at each place you are interested in and make the correct match for yourself. This is all about the best match for YOU.

We offer some distinct features here at UC, as do other places. No doubt we have strengths and weaknesses. I just think that our weaknesses have been broadly overblown, but what else would you expect from the co-director of admissions and aid!

Best,
John

I am sorry Professor List, maybe we have had a chat about economics, but I certainly don't want to do it with my identity in this forum.

As a side note, I didn't talk about any weaknesses of my department. I love it as it is.