mainine

Thanks resource. I'm definitely excited. Congrats on UMD; I really liked some of the professors there, and the location ain't bad either.

Now that you've got your school picked out, start really looking at all the opportunities that await you. Look into all the professors, and I'm sure you going to find a few that fit your interests. The more you read their stuff the more excited you're going to be. Email them and introduce yourself, and ask them about the possibility of working with them. Talk to the department chair and ask any lingering questions you might have. Talk to other students who go there right now or who will be part of your cohort. Everything happens for a reason. Believe it or not, you made the choice that is going to work out somehow in the end. By the way, they wouldn't have accepted you if they didn't think you could do it. I heard at one school that the people who failed or dropped out -- it was hard to say what the cause was, because in some ways those students gave up. If you want it and work hard enough you can pass those prelims.

Hi blr, I decided on Wisconsin. It was a hard choice for me, but I'm satisfied. It will be cold, though :(

I've had some good chats with some folks at Davis. However, some of the more popular faculty to work with, while I think they're very nice, just seem really stretched out. Overall, definitely Wisconsin. I felt like a rock star during my visit there.

Hi Lily, I feel similarly about the flyout at UC Davis vs my visit to Wisconsin. I agree that you should email some professors afterwards, since I'm sure it's really hard for students to get the face time they like without being a little bit more aggressive about it. Sometimes professors are really busy even during the flyout. That said, sometimes you just have to go with your gut. But do your research -- Keep talking to people at both places because this is a big choice. Your advisor/potential advisor(s) will be very important, so read their work, ask them questions, and in the end, go with the place you feel better about. One thing Davis told me is that once you get through the first difficult two years, you can choose who you want to work with, or at least who your advisor is. I'm sure this would apply to OSU as well. Just throwing that out there for what it's worth.

I am sure people in D.C. know, but the Graduate School usda offers night classes. However, they only have a summer offering (starting June through late August), not spring. I checked UDC, nothing. I would love an online option if there was one...

Ew! I submitted my app at the very end of the deadline; in fact, it might have been late- so if they haven't reviewed some yet I guess I am at the btm of the pile :( Edit: writing on my phone, which is difficult. This post is re: Maryland, and my ”ew!!” is re: April 3 rejections last year..

Not I! I am out. Boo! :p i knew I shouldn't have submitted that ninety dollar application! It was ok though, Wisconsin later emailed me e news of how they love me and would never hurt me (ie gave me fellowship info)

Sort of going all these lines, I heard that the econ classes are called the econ classes "on the hill" and there's definitely a division b/t econ and AAE students. I wonder if it's like that at every school, though. Is there a thread on living in Wisconsin? I'd be interested in that, too... I'm definitely interested in the school for a lot of reasons, except for the weather, and also I wish its ranking was a bit higher...

Wow, Greenrebelette, that's amazing! You are much loved (and much envied). Everyone else -- it sounds like a lot of us survived the first round of Cornell rejections? If so, high fives all around! (I like to take pleasure in the little things.)

So, is anyone else going crazy over Maryland? ... I saw there was another acceptance last week :,(. Wahh...

So, I went to this as well over the weekend, and yes, I was accepted. I ended up emailing the coordinator to be sure, and she told me I could expect to be accepted. I was handed my acceptance letter during my interviews. It ended up being a little intense - I was shuffled around several professors in the department - but most of it was informal. I brought my CV just to give myself a boost (I hadn't prepared as much as I would have liked to). Yes, I was flown in, and we all felt pretty special. Congrats and ask them if you're feeling unsure and it will drive you crazy, but I'm sure you can also expect to also be admitted!

I occassionally think about what you mention above, but more recently (just because I like to worry about everything), I wonder about the prospects of getting a job afterwards. I have a feeling that I can get a research job, but as for academia -- it seems very difficult, not only because of the job market in general, but because we would also be competing with Econ PhDs. Does anyone else have dreams of going into a research university? How do you intend on preparing yourself to be competitive in the job market? I'm glad this thread was started! I have more 'worries' in my mind to air but I'll start with this one :)

I got a 3.5, and I got into a UC school. Believe me, I was kicking myself. I think it might have been because I was so focused on worrying about the math section...

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Med-sized liberal arts, did not study economics Undergrad GPA: 3.5 Type of Grad: currently studying Applied Economics Grad GPA: 3.4-3.5 GRE: 770Q, 590 V, 3.5 AWA (ugh!) Math Courses: Calc 2, Linear Algebra, Math Methods for Economists Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro (A-), Macro (B), currently taking Game Theory and Statistics Econ Courses (undergrad-level): micro, macro, environmental economics Other Courses: Lots in my major. Minored in Environmental Studies. Letters of Recommendation: None from economists. One from my major advisor, one from a current math professor, and one from a professor who oversaw my undergrad scholarship program. I ALSO have three additional letters for funsies. Sent hard copies to all schools, not sure if they were looked at or not. One from VP at my college, one from work supervisor, one from someone from my old environmental NGO. Research Experience: International research on social issues, environmental, and trade issues all four years of college. Fulbright Fellowship after graduation, published a paper in web journal on findings. Teaching Experience: n/a Research Interests: Development economics, environmental economics. Asia. Africa. Agriculture. SOP: Pretty good. As academic as I could make it, but started it out with a cool vignette. Concerns: Not an econ major. Haven't worked in econ except for one brief job. No econ references. Other: Applying to: ARE programs. UC Davis, Michigan State, Maryland, Cornell, Wisconsin-Madison, Virginia Tech.