yayapants

Did anyone go? How was it? Was Weyburn mad decent? I couldn't make it so I'd appreciate some highlights.

And lets thank the abundance of water.

I'm one data point. Keep in mind that TM isn't close to being representative of the pool this year.

I disagree with this. Once I had PhD offers on the table, I took a hit to permanent income and reduced consumption. Most of the successful applicants (especially this round) could earn significantly more without a PhD and the likely career path in academia. If I had no offers, I'd probably take a private sector path, make more money but be less happy.

Add 1 more for Scrobles.

That was me.

Yeah it would be helpful before the hopeful deluge.

I like Math and arguing with people in seminars.

Good point. Though I would still just start with reading someone else's code so you learn where you need certain things like the dot operators and reshape.

I second the "dive into it without tutorials example". If you know linear algebra and basic programming things like loops, you'll pick it up in a few days. Just code up something simple like MLE to start with.

Read some philosophy. You're going to spend 5 years reading economics, so you should use the time to read something different. It will keep you human. I recommend John Rawls' Justice As Fairness or the Restatement.

You guys are tempting fate.

The book is good but a bit too intense for what you need. I suggest getting Dynare and reading the user guide. They go through a simple RBC model. They derive the equations and show how to solve models in general. If you want explicit RE solution code, there are plenty around. Dynare does this in MATLAB automatically though I always find coding things helps you understand things at a deeper level.

What is it that you are worried about regarding anonymity? Should I be worried as well?

The questions invite ridicule because you pose a question which has an obvious answer. Then you answer your own question after everyone else offers advice. If you already knew that your LORs were going to mention it, why ask? Do you really think that those reading your LORs are going to think your hotshot letter writers are lying? I use the word ridicule because I don't like boasters.