peterB

I know of a Professor at a top-ten school that went from a school ranked 50-100 to a top 5 program. I imagine there was something he was researching that intrigued a professor there, but this is only a guess. Also, I know of someone who transferred to Columbia from a program outside of the US, also becuase of what he was researching. Perhaps this is a more viable means of getting recommendations as well as getting accepted to another school. ie People at your current school might be understanding if you want to transfer in order to research something another department is much stronger in.

"It's not very much due to their public status, either, but to a cataclysmic split in the department. One group of true-believers blocks every appointment that the other group wants to make and vice versa." Does anyone know anything more about what the 'true-believers' v. 'the other group' refers to?

Not too much good news in there. I wonder how much all of those issues affect the graduate students. Thanks for the link.

Huh, makes sense, but Currie is chair of the department over there. Must be a long leave she's planning...

What's the 'kind of' departure for Vegh and Currie? I thought Currie was just at Columbia for good.

good pick up, thanks for the information.

Plus a first round pick, and cash.

Heh, well then, go longhorns.

I actually switched from a mac to a PC, and my next computer will still be a PC. I agree however, that the mac is a superior machine, but I also think you get more for your money in terms of hardware, processor speed etc with a PC. The tradeoff is that you have to put in more time to maintain it in terms of virus protection, spyware, crashes... So, I'd say it go with what your comfortable with, but if you're looking for something for a bargain go for a PC.

Wow you think UT is that high, and above NYU? Any particular reason? I was considering their program for a while and I got the impression that while it's an excellent school, it wasn't cracking the top 15.

hmm.. think that would work at NYU?

I'd be interested ti know this as well since I've been a year out of school. I'm most concerned about preparing for microeconomics, and I don't think they use MWG at UCLA. So far my plan is just to go over various parts of my analysis book (any ideas which parts I should focus on most?) and review linear algebra a bit to make sure I haven't forgotten anything (any ideas where I should focus in this subject would be welcome as well). Thanks to anyone who responds.

Hi, yes I did turn it down. Actually Vivian wrote me a funny reply: Dear Peter, Well, couldn't blame us for trying, could you? Best, Congratulations on UT and good luck on funding!

Ha, I read that same article. I had little familiarity with names to describe particular ideologies of economics, so reading that article as an introduction to austrian economics made it sound cult like.

I recall reading some of his papers about East Asia and Japan's liquidity trap, where if I recall correctly, he pretty accurately predicted the trouble on both counts. I know he's made other contributions to international trade but I'm not directly familiar with them. He also worked for the Council of Economic Advisors some time in the early 80s. I would say he's certainly a good economist, whether it's in spite of, because of, or unrelated to his vocal political leanings.