batmanisafatman

you're fine, don't worry... you appear to have a ridiculously good profile

yeah... got an email like a minute after I posted. Maybe I was on the waitlist (or maybe that's just wishful thinking). Weren't there like 2 spots for international students or something anyways... By the way I'm considering Toulouse and am a US undergrad...

Amazon.com: Economics: Marxian versus Neoclassical: Richard D. Wolff, Stephen A. Resnick: Books Try this... :D

Yes... I am worried about about not speaking French at PSE (As I am not French, and it seems to be the least international of the departments). Do you have any evidence of why it would be a problem? That being said, PSE seems to be trying to become more international. So TSE and UPF are both good in public economics (hmmm... I was also told that PSE was good in this field) . I think it would be helpful if people mentioned one or two names at the departments to clarify this and illustrate the approaches of the department. Public economics seems to be a rather large field with different approaches (macro/micro, and freshwater/saltwater) so... this also means that naming profs (or in general being more specific) is more useful to me. Oh... I've been doing this :grad:. In part this is why I asked for a little specification (I wanted to compare). Thanks so far everyone!:tup:

I have a question. Could you specify which of the UPF faculty do you feel are good in public economics? You are correct, while my interests are specific, I am open and aware I might like more general things springing from public economics and political economy (I've never quite figured out why there is a need to differentiate between the two subjects)... but I feel like perhaps I may be interested in growth/development type stuff on the macro-side or labour/I-O/production-side stuff on the micro.

hahaha, this was completely rational. You got the minus for class-participation :p.

Yeah... but why does most of the class feel as though they "deserve" 90% :rolleyes: One big factor is how the tests are designed. I know from talking with my math professors, that they know roughly how many students (and what level of students) will succeed on certain questions on the test (down to what specific parts of each question will be correct). This comes from previous years tests/experience. A good professor can take this into account when designing a test. A bad professor may or may not take this into account, and then will irregardless-ly scale the test so the students get a satisfactory grade. I've had math professors who write tests that they intend on scaling (in their design) via take home re-takes (allowing for students to learn the answers to hard questions). This is fine. But it doesn't make sense to just scale the class/test because the material is "hard" and you don't want to write a test that on which everyone will do well on. In final: a good professor should be able to write a test that both tests the material and creates a fair grade distribution throughout the class, without a "need" for scaling. Large spreads are fine if that is how the test is written (with the scale roughly assumed prior to the writing of the test), but when an entire class is scoring below 50% there IS NOT A LARGE SPREAD. Either the students were poor or the teacher did a poor job testing/teaching the material at the appropriate level.

haha, good question... I'm not sure. I've heard from friends that some of the schools they were at were shutdown during strikes. But this strikes me as both a free holiday and evidence of a vigorous labor movement... neither being something that bothers me.

They have the option to continue to a Masters of Advanced Studies Degree, after the Msc Econ at Barcelona Graduate School of Economics

Well, I'm at the point where I need to make a final decision concerning where to go for a two year masters... The goal will be to apply to U.S. Ph.D. programs in the second year, but I may end up staying at the institution for a Ph.D. if things work out that way. The title of the thread is somewhat comical, due to the fact that I will likely make a decision based on my own feelings... that being said I'm definitely interested to hear all of yours (especially if you have some first hand type info). Feel free to post in the thread or send a PM. The finalists are: Toulouse School of Economics +ranks the highest based on publications +cheap +reasonably international faculty -not as aligned with my interests (labor and political econ type stuff) as the other departments, but does have a few profs working on areas of interest (Gilles Saint-Paul, Helmuth Cremer) -rumors: competitive program (possibly difficult to continue to second year) Paris School of Economics (APE) +has more people working on my interests (including Thomas Piketty and Andrew Clark) +cheap +perhaps the best place to stay for a Ph.D., both in terms of post Ph.D. placement and interests -French faculty might be harder to access -similarly the faculty is less international (do they have fewer connections?) Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (followed by UPF MAS in the second year) +international student body/faculty +/- medium aligned with my interests (including Thijs van Rens and a decent amount of others who are perhaps a bit more macro-ey) -expensive

This is why letters of recommendation are so important. Grades are useless measures when professors behave in this way. (And perhaps still useless when they don't) At my large state undergrad, the math professors were very uncompromising. A B- was the class average for the upperlevel maths. One professor told me the "median" grade was a B- and I have the feeling that this was in part because the distribution was significantly skewed toward the bottom, and many had dropped the course entirely. Meanwhile, there are many programs at higher-ranked private schools that would scale all the grades to bring the mean to a minimum of a B, because students would cry themselves to sleep if it wasn't so (i.e. they are not mature and have not experienced serious consequences in life). What I find confusing is when class averages are in the 40s and people still get Bs and As.... I fell like something is wrong with the teaching/students if this occurs in the U.S. grading system. I'm not against scaling in a very limited sense, but it seems like sometimes it occurs to the point where the initial grades and level of comprehension (and the differences between them) are rendered mute by an exessive scale. but hey, its ok:hmm:??? my philosophy is there is nothing I can do about my grades but work in class, so why worry about other's scores.

I sort of agree... Your GRE scores could use improvement, but they are not a true "weak" signal. I had trouble with the math portion of the GRE, and only scored 10 points higher than the OPs score. This is not because I am a terrible math student, rather I am a slow one. Math just doesn't come quick to me (probably the fact I didn't take a single math course for a couple years in college has something to do with this). Also, the reasoning aspect of math simply takes a bit longer to be translated in my head, however when it comes to getting the solution I can do it, it just takes a little longer. This is not a problem on final exams, as I'm not ridiculously slow, it is merely a problem on exams that only test for speed (on very simple problems that anyone with high-school math should be able to solve through), not comprehension, such as the GRE. This being said, I got into BGSE (UPF) with my GRE scores... however, the common opinion on this forum is that your scores will need to be higher for the dutch programs.

... Me Neither. In fact I haven't received anything from Queens at all. All it says is "Application Complete". What does this mean? Toronto, I am waiting on you as well. Oh well, the Canadian programs have proved themselves unusually slow in this process.

I believe what is meant is make sure you're ok with their ideological bent :) ... If you are not or are unsure go to a better option.

haha, great question. But relative to what? I think the market for used (or new) cars has been suffering everywhere. People aren't making large purchases these days, due to justifiable uncertainty about future-income levels. I can't give you price advice for Boston without knowing the type of car. And I can't compare it to Virginia, because I don't know anything about the market there. I think it would be easier to try to take care of it now, rather then have to worry about it around school time. I doubt any additional $$ (maybe 1 or 2k, I dunno...) is going to be worth the stress, and then you'd have to find parking for it, ect... You might as well get some $$ now, and spend it over vacation.

Yup... I agree with whats been posted: Boston is hard to drive in if you are not familiar with it (lots of oneway streets, and the city layout itself can be confusing). Additionally public transportation is ok, but is not open late-night. You may want a car... if you are leaving the city (depends for what purposes I guess). However, there are buses to other states/cities out of south station. And you can get to the metropolitan suburbs via public transportation. So for most a car is not worth the trouble.

I read Part 5/6... Pure and utter garbage... If the content was reworked into less dogmatic terms, then maybe it would be slightly interesting. with gems such as: "The events in Jamaica in late 1865 and in America on 11 September suggest what the hierarchicalists are willing to avow to avert such an end." The piece also seems to think that its own libertarian representation of the opposing viewpoints, is what they are in actuality. Thereby conducting a "staw mans" version of revisionist history. My only comment is: This piece is not worth your time... unless you already know all the answers (and they all start with "in a perfect market")

Poor Chappelle... the network crushed his soul. And he was forced to stand up for what he believed was right... for that I have much respect.

Not quite as much as you might think... Boston's reasonably diverse... And by that stage most other Europeans/Nationals had chosen one of the two team to root for...so it certainly broke a few hearts here.

No problem... you're certainly right in what you say here. It wasn't as simple as I made it out to be... I just wanted to illustrate the general position they held... I'm more amazed they timed it so accurately. (I don't know how they reached proper the time-frame, as it was a lecture in an undergraduate class, plus I'm foggy even on the details that were provided) Also... I too have learned arguing on Testmagic is a largely useless endeavor. Have a good weekend.

Bills do not have a bad reputation around here. They are a fine team... Belichick has even expressed a liking for them. Around here he is a god of sorts: "In Belichick We Trust". One note though... do not bring up the "cheating" scandal in an argument with a football fan. As someone who enjoys the Patriots, I can say you will only bring negativity to the discussion and it may get nasty quickly. Besides... everyone does it... that's why they knew he was doing it (the Patriots allege the Jets were also doing it)... figuring out the other teams playbook is part of football. And that should not sully his reputation as one of the best coaches/team developers ever!@!!! You'll also notice that Eric Mangilli is a little rat, who was the defensive coordinator for the Patriots until he became head coach for the Jets (that's how he knew what was happening... he was part of it) and then promptly stabbed Belichick in the back. You'll notice Belicheck's excellence as a coach not only effects his players placement, but also the assistant coaches. Both of which are able to move on to good jobs on other teams if they wish. Kinda like the ivy-league team of football.

Well, it depends. Probably most students in the program are not from Boston, so they won't care. As for the Locals: I do know that when I see someone wearing a Yankees hat in Boston, I think "wow... you suck" Why? Its cause the Yankees suck, and wearing a Yankees hat in Boston is kind of like wearing that "Make 7-up yours" T-shirt... its just kinda insulting and unnecessary. The Giants are still an open wound (one that will never heal) so I'd avoid them too (although its a less common site). So avoid these teams if possible... no one will bother you, but it won't make a great impression. That being said non-New York sports teams are fine. And if you wear Jets or Mets T-shirts people will either think you are being ironic (some sort of hipster perhaps... :rolleyes:) or just not take you seriously. :D One very important note. DO NOT RIDE THE GREENLINE BEFORE OR AFTER A REDSOX GAME. It is terribly crowded, a total pain, and it makes me hate Red Sox fans (there too many, and to be honest many of them get on my nerves in such close quarters!!!)

Well Golden Rule... just because your "critical" of these claims doesn't mean that they are not true. I have better things to do than make up lies on an semi-annomous internet forum...moving on. Regarding household debt and real wages... well I was worried about throwing that part in because I knew as soon as did someone would try to find fault with that claim (blah blah securitization blah blah de-regulation blah blah, yes I know the economy is complicated:)). Also, I didn't want to misrepresent what was said (it was a while ago) and there were certainly more parts than just that to the discussion, including aspects of financialization of wealth/credit markets. However (in my opinion now) if you say "how much of the crisis was caused by household debt and declining real wages" you confuse me. The financial market is tied to the real world (albeit possibly quite loosely at times), and household debt includes mortgages, credit cards, student loans, ect... The first of which is the most significant source of both debt and wealth for U.S. households (I would take a gander to say, don't know exactly where the statistic is from). So clearly when shit hits the housing market because of the causal/affected cyclical relationship between real wages and borrowing/debt levels/repayment, well then the real world shits on the financial world... ect... Trouble happens. My economic model is a bit crude but you get the idea. Problems in the real world regarding debt-levels and wage-levels will and did effect the securitization of mortgages and other financial markets. I don't mean to sound disrepectful, as your posts are often spot on, and even here you haven't said anything I disagree with... I guess I'm just confused... what are actually finding fault with?

Hey Guys... Don't know if this is useful or not but figured I'd start a thread and see if there was any response. I'm a longtime resident of the Boston area and figured I (and any other residents) could help answer some questions for people moving to the Boston/Massachusetts area for Grad School. Its really a quite nice place, and I'd be glad to give some information on the area if needed. Things like neighborhoods, where to live/how to get to campus, rent, school's reputation, things to do, bars, restaurants, things not to do, culture, transportation.... any questions really. I'll try to field them the best I can, and invite others to chime in. Let me know if you have any questions, (If not... that's cool too :D less work for me i guess) B-man

I too am getting fed up with the Canadian programs!!!! :yuck: They had the earliest application deadlines, and have taken the longest to respond. Its kinda insulting to the applicants. I'd like to make a decision before I only have 2 months left to get visas/figure out relocation. :crazy: That being said, if you're late you loose out. So I'm going to make a decision in early May irregardless of who has gotten back to me. Its too bad, they are loosing lots of decent applicants with this behavior, and I can't help but think it reflects on the organization of their programs and treatment of their masters students. (Note: at least Canuckeconomist has given us an explanation for Queens... Toronto... I dunno bout you, seriously there haven't been any updates)