icebear

As said, you need to define your goals more clearly. I think you should only pursue more school if an academic career is your goal (not a minor decision). If you're more interested in working, either in business or gov, finish your masters and get started; it should be sufficient for many "economist"/analyst type career tracks except the most specialized or competitive where a Phd my be required. A schools placement record is not a sufficient reason to attend for a *redundant* degree, in my opinion - it doesn't appear motivated, it appears aimless. Instead of 2 more years give yourself some time to apply and then collect real experience.

To expand on another's comment, US citizens are eligible for scholarships from CEMFI. Also, your described level of math should be adequate for most EU masters, especially if you also have a stats/prob class as well (I think this is a shortcoming among many *admitted* students).

Yes. And, specifically, that I wouldn't particularly fancy living 2 more years in SZ (having lived there one in the past). If the program has similar professional placements (and I presume reputation) as Guanghua that strikes me as pretty legitimate/good. Does GSM have english master programs now? I would have liked to go there, but when I looked a few years ago it seemed only the EMBA was...

Not to diminish the PKU program at all: - The program is new, with its first cohort having graduated in 2008 - this alone may be a reason to have lower admission requirements (i.e. to draw in students that are otherwise hesitant). - One thing to note is that the PKU program is actually located off the main PKU campus, by about 2000 kilometers. While they may have a great program, this kind of distance may send a signal that its a cash-cow program (keep in mind the relative value of that low tuition in China, its not uncommon in China for local private schools to borrow/rent the names of Tsinghua and Beida to attract parents, etc). - Being out of a business school, it is important to note how its business placements are. I ask because my main motivation in attending a fee-based program in China (I lived there previously) would be to obtain good connections that couldn't be developed in other programs; not for the necessarily for reputation outside of China (which will depend almost entirely on research connections of your professors). - Very important is to determine how international students perform on the market (academic, private sector) after graduating compared to Chinese students. Are all the programs mixed/international, or do the Chinese take a Chinese language track and internationals in English? But it looks like a pretty enticing program. IF it was on the main PKU campus I would have felt terrible for not applying to it a few years ago (due to my strong location preference towards Beijing and away from Shenzhen). As it is I feel a little foolish it didn't come on my radar :)

Ditto. I missed out too but know some that received it awhile ago. Better luck next year.

It is if you're not infinitely lived.

It may send a negative signal that you're willing to rationalize quitting. Or that you think only half a masters was sufficient preparation even for an outsider. But I'd mostly be concerned about LORs. If those will be fine you will too.

They may become dominant, but it's unlikely they'll ever reach the same level of success in per calita terms (or at least quickly); too many serious problems, the most obvious being pervasive environmental degradation.

I think you'd be better off with one of the mainland EU 2 year masters: good chances of funding, low costs if not, very rigorous, and excellent placement if you perform well (I think mores than most US masters; EU ones have an established tradition of feeding top students to top phds). In the US you'll drop a fortune for a degree that is probably better spent on a MBA, given that you'll likely go into the private sector. Of course that's the case for many students in the EU as well, but at least the tuition is free or low.

Barcelona. Especially if some tuition is covered.

Yes. Try CEMFI or UC3M; I received fully funded offers from both. Not sure if others have any history of funding Americans.

There are several 2 year MAs frequently discussed here that would suit your needs and could place you in the top 10 easily *if* you are the star of the class. If you perform better than average top 30-20 is within grasp. Major downside of ubc (given your goals) is a 1 year program, massive class size, and limited funding. Try some of the two years with funding and classes in the 20-40 range where you can be noticed.

If you're not averse to studying abroad, are unsure between academia and private sector, you might want to consider CEMFI. They have good placements in both routes, a very advantageous faculty to student ratio compared to every other master program on your list AFAIK, and frequently offer full funding for masters students.

I just wanted to add that in my experience, getting into the M2 isn't very difficult - I was shut out of PhDs scatter all throughout the 50s to top 5, but was accepted into M2.

Yes, so long as you meet the requirements (I think 4 years of undergrad coursework).

Categorical statements are rarely correct. This particular point is false. An MA in econ is common or adequate for entry into several careers with relatively high salaries - e.g. throughout the public sector, finance, or consulting.

Add CEMFI in Madrid.

The impression I had of each is primarily from discussions on TM as well - given the costs of both, I never seriously considered either program when applying, so I didn't do much further research on them. I think if the choice is between these two, without concern of money, LSE is better also for name-brand.

That's what I'd heard of before too. The logic is that its unfair for every grade (D, C, B) to have a + and - with corresponding pros and cons, but for an A+ to be worthless while an A- can ruin an otherwise perfect GPA. In some departments at my school they would just do A- = A = A+ to eliminate that type of complaint.

At most US schools an A and A+ are treated equally, as a 4.0. In some schools (few) a A+ is a 4.3.

From what little I read, its hard to beat LSE EME in terms of preparation and placement for a Econ PhD. Tufts can place well, but not consistently as well (AFAIK).

But wouldn't you immediately start taking 2nd year coursework, in effect joining that cohort?

This is the wrong forum. Long run - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Google

1. Valid concern - definitely follow up on it. Especially considering the costs involved. 2. I understand that they've placed graduates at the WTO before. My impression from wording in the results and a few exchanges with students was that they placed graduates into internships/trainee positions at the WTO, which is a very, very different situation than receiving a consultancy or staff contract (consultancy, i.e. salary without benefits, would be a normal starting position for a fresh graduate). Internships are one possible route into the big international organizations, but keep in mind they are also very costly (with limited or no salary) and very hard to convert into a full contract (requiring not just skill but a degree of luck). I say this having worked in Geneva for a year and knowing several current and former WTO interns and staff, and what their respective pay ranges and prospects for renewal are. BGSE should be ready and willing to go into details elaborating what degree of success their students have achieved, considering the program you're inquiring about is de-facto a professional degree (most reputable MBA programs will provide very detailed placement results to students). I understand if its their prerogative to keep some information confidential - so call or email them. If you're dead-set on the international organizations but lack any networking into them already you may be better off studying in Geneva, DC or New York where there is the stronger possibility of interning during your studies. 3. As I was ineligible for any scholarship (from a developed, non-European country) I can't really comment on this...

Ditto - I didn't really think about the timing of his post and its urgency in my response. Making a 2-3 year decision on a whim is a dicey move, particularly about what qualification to pursue and without consultation with those you respect. Talk with your professors, advisors, and parents. Make your decision yourself.