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The only thing you need to prepare for is having no life and hellishly long hours in the library.... good luck.

Word of advice... don't take the year off to do an RA. Most applicants don't have much research experience when they apply. If you are coming from a state school, you are better off taking the year and doing an accelerated Master's degree at the best school you can get into and simultaneously reading Chang/Simon & Blume inside and out. You aren't expected to know any CS in most programs and you wont really need it until later econometrics courses and the ABD stage but you can teach yourself whatever you need to know at that point. Strong math and stats foundation is key... a background in computer science and (sadly) economics are marginal useful in the first years courses.

I took the GRE again and did significantly better about a month before apps were due. I cant remember why but I had access to the unofficial scores but couldn't send the official ones by the deadline. I ended up sending the unofficial scores with a note saying the officials were coming. None of the schools seemed to have an issue with it but its obviously not the ideal scenario.

Yes they are luckily all federal with half subsidized and half unsubsidized.

I have about 50K from my undergrad and a MA. Should delaying repayment until the conclusion of my PhD be frightening me as much as it is or is this about average?

I am considering taking a research position outside of the university after my second year and finishing my last few courses a bit slower (5 courses left). I am at a program just outside top 50 so the wage premium to finishing quickly vs working and staying longer is not as large (in my opinion). I also have student loans from undergrad that I’d like to pay off. Any thoughts on cost/benefit from anyone who has done or considered doing this? Any recommendations on minimum salary thresholds considering loss of tuition waiver (about 15-20k) ect. ? It should also be noted that my long term goal is an academic post so eventually I think I would need to teach a few more adjunct courses to get more teaching experience before hitting the job market in 4/5 years.

No funding at American but DC has endless opportunities for employment. My goal is to go into Govt. or Research work so DC would be the preferable location. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of both schools? Placements? Programs?

Institution: UMKC Program: Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Institution: UConn Program: Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $$$ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Institution: Manitoba Program: Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $? Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments:

Anyone hear from UCONN???

Institution: University of Utah Program: Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $$ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: the funding is unexpected...

Institution : CSU Program : Economics PhD Decision : Accepted Notification date : 3/8/2011 Notified through : E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments : Niche program... excited.

Institution: University of New Hampshire Program: Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Unofficial offer and apparently funding details will follow next week.

Correction... waitlisted not rejected. AHHHH!

Institution: UMass Amherst Program: Phd Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: 5 years if accepted Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: Waitlisted at my top choice... Oh the horror and anxiety that will ensue over the course of next month!

Wait listed at UMass... Oh the horror!