MadMan

Thanks for the info, Ram. That spreadsheet confirms what I have heard about BU econ: they have a very large starting class (almost too large) which becomes smaller after the qualifying exams. Has anyone else heard this as well? Also, would a large class be problematic to those writing there dissertations due to a high student to faculty ratio?

freelix is right but if you want to get in to an econ program you need to be taking a ton of math now (with good grades). I've read in multiple places that a bachelor's in math is valued over a bachelor's in economics to econ Ph.D. adcoms.

IvyBoy, You are going to get extremely biased results on this poll because this forum is predominantly pre-Econ Ph.D.'s. This is probably the reason I voted how I did although I do believe it to be true.

Is BU or Maryland better overall? Who is better for international finance/open economy macro? Who is better for game theory and information economics? What about econometrics? Does anyone know whose job placements are better? I would really appreciate any knowledge or opinion.

Out of curiousity, I was wondering which is generally considered to be a better school for an econ Ph.D., BU or UMD? I have seen conflicting results in the ratings.

Looks like the Columbia letters are sweeping across the country. Us Midwest and Westerners should probably be hearing Monday or Tuesday...

Thanks for the advice OneMoreEcon.

Sure, stats: GRE: 800/600/6.0 Majors: Economics and Mathematics from a top 40 Econ dept. (from a pretty good public school) GPA: 3.85 overall, 4.0 economics, 3.86 math Researching and writing undergrad. honors thesis, couple of academic awards

I am applying to PhD, not MS programs. So far I've gotten into some pretty good schools with funding and have not heard back from my top four. I have a gut feeling that if I get into one of them, I will not receive a fellowship.

Does anyone know if you can be accepted to a school without funding and earn the funding but doing well in the program? Is there no chance of acquiring a fellowship after the school's initial decision? I am afraid of getting in to a very good school without funding.