2011applicant

I'm currently doing such a joint program at University of Chicago, and I looked closely at what it would be like to do one at Stanford and Michigan. Why don't you PM me if you want to know more about how it works at Chicago. Generally you need to get admission to each program separately. What I have heard from academics is that the best thing to do is to go to the best economics program you can get into and then go to the best law program you can get into (I met someone in Michigan's Economics program who was doing that with Yale Law), but there are substantial time saving and funding opportunities if you can do both at the same institution. I'm currently doing my first year of law school, and for someone looking for a job in academia, I think this education path makes the most sense for someone who is looking for a joint appointment in a law school and economics department or if you want to teach in an Economics department only but are a legal nerd and don't mind taking about 1 year of law classes that won't have very much impact at all on your economic research. Good luck!

Do you have Stata experience? My company, which is an economic consulting company, is looking for someone who is good at Stata to start immediately. Send me a private message if you would like me to pass on your resume.

Exodus and mmhosen, I'll be joining you guys too. We should get an email chain going at some point over the summer so we can start preparing together!

So excited to start at Chicago!

Having pushed this issue at both Stanford and Chicago, my understanding is that the school you need completely on board is the law school. They have the power to reduce your law school coursework to just 2 years. You may be able to count a few law school classes for electives in the Economics department, but that will not necessarily be the case. I would work with the law school as much as possible-- if they want you there, they will give you an attractive option for a joint degree. I think this academic path makes more sense if you would like to teach at a law school in addition to an Economics program and are looking for a joint appointment. All of the joint JD/PhD grads that I know about who teach teach in law schools, and some have courtesy appointments with the Economics program at that institution. Another option to consider is that you can do the law degree at a different school. Getting into a top law school is much easier than doing so with a top Economics program, and there are quite a few who do a JD/PhD through two different institutions (in fact, I would say this is the norm). If you go that route, you may want to look into Stanford Law-- they seem to be very good about helping you cut down your JD coursework even when you are getting your PhD at another institution.

I think the fact that they just hired E. Glen Weyl shows that they are trying to grow this area, and while the above comments about working with young advisors are true, he is definitely a rising star, so getting to work with him could have its benefits. I just got an email from Chicago asking me if I received a tuition waiver, whether that would make me choose Chicago (with the promising of funding after comps if I pass them), and they cited my IO interests as one reason why they are adjusting their offer. I'm also more interested in antitrust specifically, so the chance to work with Dennis Carlton in the business school helps. The other schools I am considering at this point are Michigan and Stanford GSB (Political Economics track), both with more generous funding (at Stanford, I would pay more for the law degree than at Chicago, but Stanford is still a better deal because of the ridiculous GSB funding). I think Chicago IO is stronger than Michigan IO, and Stanford GSB would be stronger than Chicago for IO theory if I were doing the EAP track, but that is not what I am accepted to (I'm also very interested in Federalism issues and public finance, which is why I applied for the Political Economics track).

Definitely leaning toward this conclusion. I can imagine going without a stipend for years 1 and 2 in a heartbeat for a chance at Chicago. However, since I want to do a JD/PhD, I'm ineligible for most of the good external aid out there for PhD programs, and I'm very worried about going $100K into debt at the beginning of an 8 year dual degree program. A previous thread alluded to opportunities to negotiate a fee waiver. One current student I spoke with was skeptical about this. Does anyone else know whether there is any reason to be optimistic?

(redundant)

I'm wondering if anyone on the board has taken an only 3rd year and after funded offer at Chicago and is happy with their choice to do so.

Institution: LSE Program: MSc EME (Res) Decision: Acceptance Funding: None mentioned. Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified through: Official e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Great program, but since it was only a backup in case I was rejected by PhDs, I will be declining.

Institution: Northwestern Program: PhD Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: response to email requiring about status Posted on GC: No Comments: Was told to email a professor in the department as April 15th gets closer. This is still probably my top choice school, but I like my other options so I am not stressing.

You are right nat_resource -- it is March 30th for the econ department too. "We hope that you will be able to attend our Department’s Admitted Students Day on Wednesday, March 30th. This will be a good opportunity to meet some of our faculty and current graduate students and to see the campus and the surrounding Washington, DC area. We will pay up to $400 of your air fare or train fare to attend this event. We would also be glad to try to arrange for you to stay with one of our current graduate students while you are here. We will be sending you more information very soon about Admitted Students Day." (no new information yet)

Does this mean we pay tuition in addition to not having a stipend?

Institution : Chicago Program : Economics PhD Decision : Acceptance Funding : Only for 3rd year forward Notification date : 3/8/2011 Notified through : E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments : Surprised I got in. Not surprised about the lack of funding.

@ mamisakura I haven't either. I'm supposed to be studying for a math midterm right now, but the constant email checking on my part is not helping.