mogelsworth

Hmm...Bojangles, food stuffs? You may recall someone in our class became a tad ill after consuming discount Indian food from Amazon...

just a little update- the incoming class is 27 people And, UVA just hired another prof, that makes 4 new professors starting this fall!

Skip it

I was talking about my math background with a few professors at UVA a couple weeks ago and they said I should be fine if I've had analysis. One professor commented that when he entered his program 30 years ago, all he had had was multivariable calculus. As competition to get into good programs is much more fierce than it was 30 years ago, math courses have become a higher priority for most applicants. I think more math is better, especially the math you'll be using (such as the courses you mention). However I do not think it's impossible to learn some math once you're in a program. I don't mean taking extra courses, but rather picking up the math that you'll actually be using during math camp and the first-year courses, and hopefully from your fellow students.

Have you considered taking an extra year of math courses as opposed to doing the MA? Also, it might be worthwhile to talk with your recommenders (or if you're still in Charlottesville and have access to the professors in the UVA econ department) about your profile.

That's a good point. I was thinking more along the line that if you don't have a very strong reason for being in the program, struggling through the first year may not be worth it. If there's not a light at the end of the tunnel...

What do you want to do with your phd? I worry that if the only reason you enter a phd program is to show off or impress people, you may not be willing to stick it out during the first year. I would hate for anyone to ruin their chances of doing something they really love (a field other than economics), because they dropped out of econ grad the first year. By about my junior year as an undergrad I realized I wanted to get a phd, but I decided to enter the "real world" for a few years because I'd been in school since I was 5 and thought it may build some character to try something else, especially since I knew I'd be back in school at some point.

I'm with pevdoki1. After working in the "real world" for 3 years (for a consulting firm mainly in litigation support), I'm certain I'd like to work at a university teaching and conducting my own research, which requires a phd. I think this is the most effective way for me to make a difference in the world, and I think it's the best use of my time. I find consulting for litigation purposes to be a waste of my time and education, regardless of the high pay. Also, I truly love economics and my undergrad courses were relatively superficial, I'd like to thoroughly know the subject.

It really depends on what year we're discussing. My impression is that you really do not have time for a social life during the first year, although you have to take mental health breaks occasionally- whether that be working out, going out with friends, hobbies etc. But for the most part, you are going to classes, studying, and probably eating a lot with your fellow first-year classmates, so often people do become close friends. I think after the first year, while you are busy, you can have a social life. I'm sure you could also easily let the program suck up all of your time, there's always more reading and puzzling to be done. But this is the case at any point in your education, I'm sure we can all recall undergrads who did very little socializing. I think after the first year you have a little more control.

She was still working on it last week so I think we should get it soon.

UVA is 24

Math camp is about 2.5 weeks, from August 7-25. Classes start on Aug. 26th. UVA's math camp is a class we get credit for and apparently it's pretty tough- we cover an entire book and then some in 2.5 wks. I don't think the material is terribly difficult if you have adequate math preparation, but it's a lot to cover in such a short time. I just came back from visiting C-ville and UVA last week. It's a really cute little town, the department seems great, I'm very excited! Chris Otrok said the incoming class is about 24 students, 60% American and 40% female- higher than usual for both. Also- I suggest everyone secures housing asap. The rental market in C-Ville is pretty absurd, prices are high (higher than I'm paying in a much larger city on the west coast) and apparently people routinely secure housing for the next year in October. The housing market is my only complaint about the town.

Yes, I look forward to that list as well. Yay UVA!

Congrats! That's what you were waiting for right? I'm sure if you work hard you'll be fine.

My Dell laptop screen died about a month ago. I'm a little surprised because it's only a couple of years old and I don't use it that heavily.