AspiringEconomist

Previous posters addressed many of the salient points. I would add that from what I have heard, Michigan has a lower rate of failure at prelims and a few more labor faculty. It also may be more open to collaboration with other schools/departments (i.e., interdisciplinary). Penn seems to have more available funding though and is streamlining its graduate program to make sure people graduate on time. Just some more info for your decision.

In short, yes, it is rather far from a science. It is a social science, and especially macroeconomics seems to be rather tightly connected to one's ideological preferences.

No. it's not a joke--I mean it. Not everyone here is libertarian, you know. And something needn't be a subject of consensus to be a good idea nonetheless. Just because Tom Coburn or Edward Prescott does not like it for ideological reasons does not mean we should sit there and wait for them to see the light.

Stimulus is great and the only problem with the Democratic majority is that it falls short of 60 votes in the Senate. Read Paul Krugman for details...

Why is there a McCain ad on this page? That's crazy.

The guy must have "learned" his macro from some true RBC believers... Even Ben Bernanke would not agree with such a view.

I don't know what factors you are considering, but not applying to Penn because it is "not safe" should not be one of them. It is a in a vibrant, nice neighborhood, and with some prudence, you'll do just fine. The really sketchy parts of West Philly are pretty removed from the campus, and security presence is ubiquitous (perhaps overly so).

I said it somewhat in jest; don't rely on my nonexistent expertise in GMU strengths :)

Isn't George Mason basically a PhD in libertarian ideology?

Out of Penn's last year class, 6 out of 25 people will leave the program. The historic average for failing prelims is given at about 25 percent.

This isa great quote!

Going to Penn.

It's very confusing--I am trying to reach a judgment on Cornell and instead I am reading a personal back and forth.

Asquare, as you know, I am also seriously considering Michigan. One thing I was curious about is the trend in recent placements. You mentioned previously that you believed that last year's very strong outcomes were not completely representative. Could you elaborate on that? In particular, do you think it was a peak in a definitely stochastic process, or just a better than average year although Michigan is generally on the upswing? If Michigan is in fact on an upward trajectory with regard to its placements (as appears to be the case to someone relatively removed from the school as myself), what factors have to do with this trend: better students, better faculty, or stronger support? Any comments you have would be appreciated although I understand that it is hard to disentangle factors in such a complex and unpredictable process. Thanks so much!

I'd worry that masters in sociology might be quite fluffy. That's just my biased perspective though.