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nevadagrl · 07-10-2008, 07:15 PM

I just learned about this forum and it seems like a great source for info. I am hoping people might be able to suggest some programs:

here is some profile information:

American female at Big State University in the West. Overall GPA is 3.4. Economics, however, is all A's except for a B- in Comparative Economic Systems, and a B+ in International Finance. A's in Calc I-III, A in real Analysis, and an A- in an elective on Differential Equations. My school does not award A+s.

GREs are 800 in math, 5.0 in analytical, and a 600 in verbal.

Two LORs should be strong. A young prof for Macro told me his will be glowing. A full professor from Econometrics will be very good as well. The third will be far less personal ("she received an A but I didn't know her too well personally").

No teaching or research experience. None. Zilch. Nada.

I am 99% sure that I want to do macro. Right now, my preference is for theory, but I am fine if I end up doing some/all empirical work. I am looking for programs that are more New Keynesian with lots of policy implications, and I am trying to avoid Chicago type programs because I personally do not find that type of macro to be as interesting.

My goal is to end up in an academic place with a mix of teaching and research. I would rather go to a quiet LAC than an elite research department. I am trying to find respectable but unspectacular programs that are good at placing their macro students into academic jobs. I have a strong bias for the West, but that it one factor among many. Funding is a must. I hate large cities but would do it for the right fit. My current list is:

1. UC Davis. I don't know if I can get funding but I like the faculty and the location.

2. UW- I am worried that the program is too empirical but I think its overall reputation is in the right range.

3. Oregon- My advisor suggests this one as being unusually strong in macro theory for a program of its overall rank. It seems to place its people very well, especially in macro, and I love the location. I think that I could get in.

4. Colorado- I like everthing except macro doesn't seem to be its strong suit.

My safety was going to be Oregon State, but they just eliminated their program. I will be applying this fall.

Thanks in advance for any additional suggestions!

unitroot · 07-10-2008, 09:16 PM

Some suggestions: ASU, University of Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan. I don't know whether these schools teach macroeconomics that you're interested in though. Indiana University has several senior macroeconomists and is considered a good department to study macro and monetary economics of various flavors. UCSC is supposedly good for international macroeconomics. Colorado's strongest field is international trade, but I don't know if they also do international finance. UCSB had prof Mehra on the macro side (but he seems to work mostly in macro-finance topics).

Tex Jansen · 07-10-2008, 09:55 PM

The restrictions that you mention (location, type of macro, level of program) leave you a fairly small set of schools to choose from. I think you hit some of them in your list, although why would youc onsider Boulder if you are so sure of your preference for macro?

ASU and Minnesota are to be avoided given your preferences. If you are willing to do open economy, I agree that you should think of UCSC. Indiana is a good choice if you will go that far east.

You might want to look at a couple of other UC's. Irvine and Riverside have some pretty good macro people and could be good options if you do not get funding from the first three on your list. Washington State has been good in macro in the past but I do not know who they have now. They might be worth investigating. UCSB is good, but is probably the wrong kind of macro.

Given your profile, a place like Davis is not out of the question. I think a Berkley or Stanford would be very unlikely, but you shouldn't hold back from adding a few more schools of that quality. Davis

UW is a fine program, but I don't know how many New Keynesians they have.

UO does seem like a nice fit

argmax · 07-10-2008, 10:02 PM

Maybe you should add WUSTL and i agree in minnesota, Iowa and Texas. And although you prefer the west and do not want to apply to large schools, if you are interested in macro policy and new keynesian you should Columbia because of its recent hires, it looks that it will move up in the future.

Thesus · 07-10-2008, 11:51 PM

Dang, I thought I had a chance to recommend Rochester, but it's probably not exactly what you're looking for in terms of flavour - way more theoretical than empirical, but hardly New Keynesian. Otherwise, it's a good fit for you.

07-10-2008, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
nevadagrl Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Looking for Macro Places I just learned about this forum and it seems like a great source for info. I am hoping people might be able to suggest some programs: here is some profile information: American female at Big State University in the West. Overall GPA is 3.4. Economics, however, is all A's except for a B- in Comparative Economic Systems, and a B+ in International Finance. A's in Calc I-III, A in real Analysis, and an A- in an elective on Differential Equations. My school does not award A+s. GREs are 800 in math, 5.0 in analytical, and a 600 in verbal. Two LORs should be strong. A young prof for Macro told me his will be glowing. A full professor from Econometrics will be very good as well. The third will be far less personal ("she received an A but I didn't know her too well personally"). No teaching or research experience. None. Zilch. Nada. I am 99% sure that I want to do macro. Right now, my preference is for theory, but I am fine if I end up doing some/all empirical work. I am looking for programs that are more New Keynesian with lots of policy implications, and I am trying to avoid Chicago type programs because I personally do not find that type of macro to be as interesting. My goal is to end up in an academic place with a mix of teaching and research. I would rather go to a quiet LAC than an elite research department. I am trying to find respectable but unspectacular programs that are good at placing their macro students into academic jobs. I have a strong bias for the West, but that it one factor among many. Funding is a must. I hate large cities but would do it for the right fit. My current list is: 1. UC Davis. I don't know if I can get funding but I like the faculty and the location. 2. UW- I am worried that the program is too empirical but I think its overall reputation is in the right range. 3. Oregon- My advisor suggests this one as being unusually strong in macro theory for a program of its overall rank. It seems to place its people very well, especially in macro, and I love the location. I think that I could get in. 4. Colorado- I like everthing except macro doesn't seem to be its strong suit. My safety was going to be Oregon State, but they just eliminated their program. I will be applying this fall. Thanks in advance for any additional suggestions!

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07-10-2008, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
unitroot Eager! Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 73	Some suggestions: ASU, University of Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan. I don't know whether these schools teach macroeconomics that you're interested in though. Indiana University has several senior macroeconomists and is considered a good department to study macro and monetary economics of various flavors. UCSC is supposedly good for international macroeconomics. Colorado's strongest field is international trade, but I don't know if they also do international finance. UCSB had prof Mehra on the macro side (but he seems to work mostly in macro-finance topics).

07-10-2008, 09:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tex Jansen Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 149	The restrictions that you mention (location, type of macro, level of program) leave you a fairly small set of schools to choose from. I think you hit some of them in your list, although why would youc onsider Boulder if you are so sure of your preference for macro? ASU and Minnesota are to be avoided given your preferences. If you are willing to do open economy, I agree that you should think of UCSC. Indiana is a good choice if you will go that far east. You might want to look at a couple of other UC's. Irvine and Riverside have some pretty good macro people and could be good options if you do not get funding from the first three on your list. Washington State has been good in macro in the past but I do not know who they have now. They might be worth investigating. UCSB is good, but is probably the wrong kind of macro. Given your profile, a place like Davis is not out of the question. I think a Berkley or Stanford would be very unlikely, but you shouldn't hold back from adding a few more schools of that quality. Davis UW is a fine program, but I don't know how many New Keynesians they have. UO does seem like a nice fit

07-10-2008, 10:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
argmax Eager! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 31	Maybe you should add WUSTL and i agree in minnesota, Iowa and Texas. And although you prefer the west and do not want to apply to large schools, if you are interested in macro policy and new keynesian you should Columbia because of its recent hires, it looks that it will move up in the future.

07-10-2008, 11:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thesus Attending Rochester. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Posts: 257	Dang, I thought I had a chance to recommend Rochester, but it's probably not exactly what you're looking for in terms of flavour - way more theoretical than empirical, but hardly New Keynesian. Otherwise, it's a good fit for you.

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