HELP!!! UIUC or Boston U?( Ma programs)

[econphd23]

Hello, dear all!

I have got 2 admissions(UIUC and Boston U) this year, and there are still 3 programs( UBC, oxford, Michigan) haven't replied to me.

I do have not too much information about these 2 programs, could you give me some suggestions about choosing which program? Ｉ　am planning to apply for a top PHD program after MA, and I still don't know which PHD　program that I might probably get. Thank you so so much in advance for any help!!!

Righ now, I will prefer to UIUC, anyone especially who is in these 2 programs please give me some detailed information, thank you so much

Here is my profile

Bachelor degree of Economics in China
GPA:3.3/3.7
TOEFL: 98 (29/21/23/25)
GRE:800+390, 3.5
some research assistant experience
some international student organization working experience (australia, india)
an internship in UNDP China
1st class prize of National Olympic Math competition in High School

and I got rejections from Duke,LSE, NYU, Queens,Lehigh.... so sad....
I think maybe I just send my profile too late, coz I got my TOEFL score in Jan this year, and the GRE score really sucks....

[asianeconomist]

Is cost a consideration ?

The MA is Boston is probably one of the few academic Econ MA programs in USA. I am not entirely sure, but the degree at UIUC seems to have a more terminal tendency.

[econphd23]

thank you, aisianeconomist! you are always very helpful.
BTW, here is my consideration

BU: one year program(a little short,), tuiition fee(32900$, expensive), in boston( maybe i get some chances to learn from top professors in the top schools, and so if i apply for the phd in boston I dont need to move), strong faculty(top school phd), courses level seems to be much lower than phd level,
BU | Economics

UIUC: 2 year program( can be 1 or 1.5), remedial english and math classes ( maybe I need to take, since my gre is so bad), policy eonomics (it is not economics, i dont know whether it will matter), strong faculty( top shcool phd), high level phd courses seem to be available to MS, courses design discussion with the faculty for each student
Enrichment, MSPE, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

So, why BU is one of the few acdemic programs? so they have good placement for MA students？what schools do they get phd?

Thanks again for your help

[econphd23]

Anyone else, to give some advice?
Thank you!!!!!!!!

[asianeconomist]

Originally Posted by econphd23

thank you, aisianeconomist! you are always very helpful.
BTW, here is my consideration

BU: one year program(a little short,), tuiition fee(32900$, expensive), in boston( maybe i get some chances to learn from top professors in the top schools, and so if i apply for the phd in boston I dont need to move), strong faculty(top school phd), courses level seems to be much lower than phd level,
BU | Economics

UIUC: 2 year program( can be 1 or 1.5), remedial english and math classes ( maybe I need to take, since my gre is so bad), policy eonomics (it is not economics, i dont know whether it will matter), strong faculty( top shcool phd), high level phd courses seem to be available to MS, courses design discussion with the faculty for each student
Enrichment, MSPE, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

So, why BU is one of the few acdemic programs? so they have good placement for MA students？what schools do they get phd?

Thanks again for your help

As a starting point, you should check out that whether you'll be taking the classes with PhD/UGrad/MA students. Then see that who'll be teaching these courses - core faculty or lecturers ? In the latter case, the benefit of having a great faculty will not be present.

The MA program at Boston is one of the few academic programs that intends to sends it's graduates to PhD Econ. Other similar programs are Duke etc. On the other hand, most US MA Econ programs (NU, Michigan MAE) are terminal programs and usually do not encourage students to continue to PhD.

The PhD placement of Boston is good for it's ranking but I am not sure that extends to its MA program. Write to the grad administrator, requesting information on recent placements.

[zwicker]

I believe UIUC uses the same book for IO in the masters program that I used as an undergrad. If that tells you anything.

[reactor]

Originally Posted by zwicker

I believe UIUC uses the same book for IO in the masters program that I used as an undergrad. If that tells you anything.

....that your undergrad is advanced?

My impression is that from the information we can get both programs look equally good. Both schools ae well-respected so I cannot see how you can go wrong. Well done!

[econphd23]

dear all, thank you so much for you information!

yep, I have seen the courses in UIUC, the micro is the same with my school.

And I mailed my friend who is in Duke. He strongly recommended Boston U, he said bu is one of the top ten us economics department, and he asked me to extend it to 1.5 years.

I am thinking about to mail to BU, to ask them about their placement, thank you all.

If you get other info, dont hestitate to share

Thank you again!

[econphd23]

thank you, asianeconomist!!
your advise is so helpful.
BTW, which program do you go to?

[asianeconomist]

Boston - Top 10, I don't think that is entirely true. BU is good in a few fields any might claim to be top 10, but UIUC is also a very good school. In fact, my guess is that most rankings would show UIUC to be ranked higher than BU.

Surely, a few extra courses would be quite helpful in improving your profile. That would entails that you'll have grades for courses till Fall 2009, when you apply for 2010 session.

I'd be attending CentER @ Tilburg University from August 2008, Insh'Allah.