FAQs about Graduate School in Economics and Links to Useful Threads

[AppliedEcon]

I used the Testmagic forum all through my undergraduate years to plan for graduate school and will start a PhD program in environmental economics at UMD this fall.

I recently started a blog to offer advice and answer questions for students interested in pursuing graduate economics. I will also give regular updates on life as a graduate student. Feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns and I will answer them to the best of my ability.
The Backyard Economist

[l_u_c_i_a]

Start writing please! I'm so interested in your posts!!

Greetings

Lucia

[dreck]

This is seriously a great thread, so I'm adding it here:

Q: I'm not published. Should I worry about that?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...lications.html

[thewhiterabbit]

Two recent threads I thought had really good information...

Q: What to ask on admit day? (especially asquare's contribution)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...what-look.html

Q: How to get good LORs?
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...r-letters.html

[italos]

Some programs invited me for an interview. What should I expect to be asked and how should I prepare better myself?


http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...eparation.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...interview.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-lausanne.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...d-program.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...interview.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...interview.html

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...ggestions.html

[chisquared]

Useful thread here, linking what looks to be something incredibly useful for cleaning up data sets.

[tm_member]

For newbies to the forum, the below (from Chevrox) should help with understanding the math requirements versus what is extraneous but a great signal.

"Well this is what I've gathered from reading posts on this forum (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):

Minimum Requirement: Differential and Integral Calculus, Linear Algebra, Intro Statistics.

Recommended: Multivariate Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equations, Real Analysis, Probability Theory

Sets you above the pack: Mathematical Statistics, Abstract Algebra, Topology, Partial Differential Equations

Fancy but not helpful: Complex Analysis, Discrete Math, Number Theory"

Note that Chevrox is not wrong.

[chisquared]

Should I take the GRE subject test in math?

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...necessary.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...test-math.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-all-faqs.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ject-test.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-sub-help.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ject-test.html

[applicant12]

if you apply to schools in English-speaking countries, all credentials (transcripts, LORs, etc.) must be translated into English. Here's a thread with the discussion on the translation of documents http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ation-lor.html

Here Office of International Services | International Admissions | Translation Services is a webpage I found from Maryland's Office of International Services. They suggest a few translation services that they accept. This may be useful for translation purposes

Also a link to Real Analysis video lectures using Baby Rudin http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...tml#post885201 and other math resources.

Hope this helps guys. Good luck on applications

[applicant12]

Some data on funding for most (not all schools)

The Chronicle: Facts & Figures: Endowments - Stipends for Graduate Assistants, 2008-9

Data is for 08-09 academic year.