veryconfused06

How do you guys know the co-author opportunities/the willingness of the economist to write good LOR when you make the decision? I understand these greatly depend on the person I work with and the nature of the economist's research. I mean, at the interview they only tell you great things and it does seem like a great leverage for future re-application. How do you know before you actually start the job? What if you only find out maybe the experience is not as expected after you start? Or is this the risk that I will need to consider?

Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all the advice. :)

Thanks guys, I am from a LAC with no prior RA experience, that's why I thought RAship might add sth to my profile and the experience will help when I start my own research paper in Phd program. I'm just wondering because I was recently rejected off the funding wait list of a slightly better school (where the program fits my interests much better than my school), I don't know if this is due to the lack of RA experience in my profile. You guys have the point that I totally agree to though, that I don't know the chance of getting into better programs or even the same one right now in 2-3 years.

Hi everyone, Will you consider the opportunity to work as an RA at the Fed for 2-3 years if you're already admitted to a top 20 school with funding? I might be in that situation. Should I be considering the opportunity at all or just go straight to PhD first? I understand the benefits of working experience at the Fed, but also some people told me it's better to go to PhD fresh from undergrad. Besides, will working improve the chance of getting into a better program?

i actually visited both schools and talked to the top 30 school about the wait list at the other school. the weird thing is, the person whom I've been in touch with at this school said in an email with me that they made me an offer and I should receive a letter from the grad school very soon. it's been over 3 weeks but I received nothing. every time I asked about it, he kept saying it should arrive soon. when I emailed the grad school directly they said the department had not made a decision on my file yet. I don't know what this means, it just seems to me that although they said it was an offer, it is still a pending offer. That's why I'm afraid when they move to the wait list they will cross me out if I don't make a decision soon. The school I'm wait listed at does not seem to move to the wait list anytime soon.

Can anyone give me an advice on my situation? I have been accepted to 1 school in top 20 (no $ for first year), 1 in top 30 (with $$, well this is not an official offer). I'm also wait listed for first year funding at a top 15-20 school. This school has a much better program for my research interests and I really like the department from my visit there. The top 30 school has been contacting me about the offer, but they have not yet extended an official offer to me until (I guess) I give them a definite answer that I will go there. I want to keep an option and wait for the wait list decision, but time is running out for the top 30 school. They have been accepting people from their wait list even, and I'm afraid that I risk losing this offer if I get back to them too late. I really appreciate any help, I'm just so stressed out at this time.