TestMagic

Olm · 11-21-2007, 03:19 AM

Well now that this thread has been officially derailed, I just want to point out that my support of the thread was also another way of saying BUMP.

notacolour · 11-21-2007, 03:29 AM

Thanks for your well-intentioned attempt, Olm.

If anyone actually has any questions, I'll be around, checking in whenever I need time away from my relatives...

dyiwang · 11-22-2007, 07:39 AM

Notacolor, I greatly appreciate your post. I think it adds a tinge of personal touch to this place. Not to mention that you have been around for as long as I can remember and I think we might have exchanged greetings in other posts (although you might not remember me). Good luck with everything....

imagine · 11-22-2007, 08:48 AM

Hi notacolour, nice name!

How did you discover your passion for the social sciences and then econs?

notacolour · 11-22-2007, 03:16 PM

imagine: I realized that in my free time during undergrad, I was reading social-science-y stuff, mostly urban planning-related. And while I enjoyed science, I just couldn't see myself doing it for the rest of my life, so it seemed like a good idea to go with the field I enjoyed learning about more.

I considered going into urban planning, but econ's quantitative emphasis really appealed to me. At first I figured that even if I decided that I really didn't want to go into economics, the MA would be useful in other social sciences if I wanted to switch. And now I'm still not entirely sure if I may end up doing this, but I could always do more urban-flavored econ. But other parts of applied micro are catching my attention these days.

imagine · 11-23-2007, 03:04 PM

That's great!　

I've taken introductory micro and maco, the Econ way of thought appeals to me, but my real analysis is really not up to par, having attempted to read the MGW Microeconomic Theory..

Olm · 11-23-2007, 07:12 PM

Hi, my name is Olm, and I attend a small, non-prestigious program.

SORRY, I'm just practicing for next year

notacolour · 11-23-2007, 09:22 PM

Olm: My main point is that that's not the end of the world! If you can find a smaller, less prestigious program that is a great fit for you, it can turn out really well. Certainly, when you take a broader view, it can turn out much better than going to a "better" program that isn't a good fit.

YoungEconomist · 11-23-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notacolour

Olm: My main point is that that's not the end of the world! If you can find a smaller, less prestigious program that is a great fit for you, it can turn out really well. Certainly, when you take a broader view, it can turn out much better than going to a "better" program that isn't a good fit.

On this note, I heard from a PhD student at my school (PhD program ranked approx. 30) that once you get into a program, you no longer care about their ranking. In fact, he didn't even know what we were ranked anymore, because as a 6th year student he said he could care less. Along similar lines, read a recent post of mine about FSU, where one guy went to JHU and then transferred to FSU. Although FSU is much lower ranked, he said he was so much happier at FSU.

Me personally, sometimes I really care about the rankings and obsess about what I need to do in order to go to a solid program (which for me would be in the 25 - 35 range). Other times I could care less, and just want to go somewhere I enjoy living and study econ. I know a lot of you people on this forum want to become a top notch academic at a top 30 program, so I definitely understand why you want (more like need) to go to a top 5 program. Me on the other hand, I just want to be knowledgeable about economics and plan on hitting the private sector once I get my degree. So in my case the differences between my top programs (25 - 35) and my lower ranked programs (50 - 70) is not going to be as dramatic in my career options. Maybe I am wrong here, but this is my impression.

Olm · 11-23-2007, 10:42 PM

You are right, YE. If you are going into the private sector, your skillset matters most. Sure, the brand name will help you land the interview, but there are tons of people with fancy degrees who don't know their *** from their elbow.

I want to be an academic/professor, so rank is important for me, at least initially.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-21-2007, 03:19 AM	#11 (permalink)
Olm Requiem for a Dream Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 841	Well now that this thread has been officially derailed, I just want to point out that my support of the thread was also another way of saying BUMP.

11-21-2007, 03:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
notacolour TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 630	Thanks for your well-intentioned attempt, Olm. If anyone actually has any questions, I'll be around, checking in whenever I need time away from my relatives...

11-22-2007, 07:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
dyiwang Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 183	Notacolor, I greatly appreciate your post. I think it adds a tinge of personal touch to this place. Not to mention that you have been around for as long as I can remember and I think we might have exchanged greetings in other posts (although you might not remember me). Good luck with everything....

11-22-2007, 08:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
imagine Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6	Hi notacolour, nice name! How did you discover your passion for the social sciences and then econs?

11-22-2007, 03:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
notacolour TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 630	imagine: I realized that in my free time during undergrad, I was reading social-science-y stuff, mostly urban planning-related. And while I enjoyed science, I just couldn't see myself doing it for the rest of my life, so it seemed like a good idea to go with the field I enjoyed learning about more. I considered going into urban planning, but econ's quantitative emphasis really appealed to me. At first I figured that even if I decided that I really didn't want to go into economics, the MA would be useful in other social sciences if I wanted to switch. And now I'm still not entirely sure if I may end up doing this, but I could always do more urban-flavored econ. But other parts of applied micro are catching my attention these days.

11-23-2007, 03:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
imagine Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6	That's great!　 I've taken introductory micro and maco, the Econ way of thought appeals to me, but my real analysis is really not up to par, having attempted to read the MGW Microeconomic Theory..

11-23-2007, 07:12 PM	#17 (permalink)
Olm Requiem for a Dream Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 841	Hi, my name is Olm, and I attend a small, non-prestigious program. SORRY, I'm just practicing for next year

11-23-2007, 09:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
notacolour TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 630	Olm: My main point is that that's not the end of the world! If you can find a smaller, less prestigious program that is a great fit for you, it can turn out really well. Certainly, when you take a broader view, it can turn out much better than going to a "better" program that isn't a good fit.

11-23-2007, 10:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
Olm Requiem for a Dream Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 841	You are right, YE. If you are going into the private sector, your skillset matters most. Sure, the brand name will help you land the interview, but there are tons of people with fancy degrees who don't know their *** from their elbow. I want to be an academic/professor, so rank is important for me, at least initially.

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests