Wadders

Hey, I'm starting the EME next month, are you ready to go? I think the best thing to do will be to ask professors and PhD students at LSE. The professors will have written references, and if the PhD students took the MSc at LSE then they will be able to tell you how successful people in their cohort were in applying to top 20 U.S. schools. I have emailed a few schools in the top 10 and all of them said they recognize the LSE program and have taken students from it in the past.

Thanks, much appreciated!!

Hey, I've posted on here before about deciding between an MSc Econ at UCambridge and MSc EME at LSE. I am most likely going to head to LSE but have a question about rankings. Recently UCam has been aggressively recruiting professors, including some from LSE, and this has led to UCam going up in the rankings and LSE heading the other way. Does this matter and should I consider it in my decision? My feeling is that this is probably not that important for the MSc but may be important if I stay at the school for the PhD. Here's a link to the RePEc rankings I'm talking about: Rankings at IDEAS: Economics Departments Thanks in advance!

email for me. Who thinks they'll go? I have to decide between Cam and LSE EME, and I feel exactly the same as the op!!

Thanks for this. Given what I'm looking for I think it's a toss up between Cambridge and LSE - but it's still a £10k decision. My partner is British and at law school in Chicago, she'll finish in 2013 and has a job offer in Chicago - if I work in the States then I'll need a visa, but I've a strong resume and have already had interviews in the States with the big 4. I'd prefer to take the MSc and PhD but need to factor other things in, it'd really be useful to get some more US opinions on the reputations of these schools. For instance, my partner went to UCL for undergrad but a few people in Chicago don't seem to have heard of it; I don't want to pay a premium rate to go a branded school if the brand won't do me any good. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I've posted on here before and have found the advice useful - I hope a few of you can help again. I'm from the UK and have been accepted to MSc programs at Cambridge (MPhil Econ Research), LSE (MSc EME) and UCL (MSc Econ). My aim is to progress to the best PhD program I can in as short a time as I can but this needs to be offset by the cost of the course and the private sector reputations of the schools - in case I don't make the PhD cut. Unfortunately I didn't apply to any US schools this round and don't think I would be prepared to apply in future rounds - I feel it would be better to progress to the PhD at whichever institution I attend for the MSc and so the MSc will not be a stepping stone to another program. In terms of academic ranking I know LSE dominates Cam and UCL, but I would like to know how the school reputations measure up in the US in industry? I have thee years experience as a professional economist and if I don't progress to the PhD then I will be looking for private sector work in the US (as my partner will be working there). For instance, have the majority of people at least heard of them, and which US schools are they comparable to. It will be a big investment and so any advice will be appreciated - as well as any general thoughts on the three schools. Thanks! P.S. It's been really exciting to read about other people's placements, going to grad school is really exciting!

Oh, that's fine then - you meet the requirements they stipulate (bar metrics). Do you have to take the GRE? I got in to LSE, Cam etc this year (didn't apply to Ox as it's 2 years), so I know a little about the process. My grades were really good, but I think the letters I got really helped me - I mean, all candidates are strong. You sound in a really strong position though, If you want to check, you could always email graduate admissions - I did and they were super helpful - they even recommended classes I could take to improve my chances of getting in. Good luck!!

Are you at a UK institution? If you are, then the second year grades are key - particularly the grades in core micro, macro and metrics. Maybe they'll offer you an unconditional if these marks are particularly strong, more likely, you'll be given an offer conditional on meeting a certain grade. But you are in a very strong position, the best thing you can do now is to form a relationship with professors, maybe from courses where you scored highly, and then, when you apply, ask them to write your letters of recommendation. Hope this helps.

I'm not so sure about this. I think many European Econ MSc courses will go beyond what is required to get into US grad schools - especially if you're not interested in attending a 'top' school. I believe European undergrads are also generally more advanced than US undergrads - although top US students do have the flexibility to take advance level courses. The modules you mention undoubtedly contain proofs, geometry and multi-variable calculus - and should be enough. Where you may suffer - and one reason why more Europeans don't head to the US post master's, is that you won't have your grades until you complete. Assuming you ace it, you will get an attractive, funded offer, from the school - and this may be preferable to waiting a year before entering the lottery of US PhD applications. Applying to the US whilst doing the program will be tough as you won't have evidence of math ability. I think there may still be other European Schools who's deadlines are yet to pass - UCL, LSE, Barcelona GSE - although a couple have rolling admissions. Finally, if in doubt, email the university - they will have more detailed information on what past graduates have done, and will know more about the program than most other people. Good luck!!

Thanks, Jodi, I've taken your advice.

What sort of things do US undergrads cover? Or rather, what is required to apply to PhD programs? Would it be possible to start a PhD at LSE and transfer to MIT, say?

As well as LSE, would any other European programs make it onto this list?

Thanks - excellent responses. It's all rather disappointing - you push to get on the best programs here only to find they're actually a whole level behind the US programs!

Assuming European master's are the first year of the PhD, that makes European programs 4 years long, one year less than US programs. But what are the major differences? Also, are any European programs comparable to the top US programs? Or are any even equivalent to second tier US programs? I've been accepted to a few European programs (at master's level) but am unsure whether to wait a year and apply directly to a US program. The best school I've been admitted to is LSE Msc EME, and, so long as I receive a distinction, I have been guaranteed a place on their PhD program - but the master's year is bloody expensive, and I'm not keen on accepting if I could just apply straight to a US school. Cheers.

Can no one offer any constructive advice? Or does no one have any strong opinions on this? If you're from the States, what is your opinion of the schools mentioned? Do any hold any more weight in the US?

Institution: LSE Program: MSc EME (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 02.15.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: UCL Program: MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 03.02.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: Barcelona GSE Program: MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 01.16.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: Cambridge Program: MPhil Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 02.15.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: York (UK) Program: MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 01.26.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: Manchester Program: MSc Economics and Econometrics Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 02.10.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Institution: Birkbeck, University of London Program: MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: (no decision) Notification date: 02.25.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments:

So is it all about placements? I guess if you apply to one of these schools then the best option is to stay on at the school - why go to the US to spend another two years covering the same material. Does anyone know if it's possible to skip the first two years of US PhD programmes if you've already covered the material in Europe?

Great answer! Does coming from the UK give me an irrational bias? Here Cambridge has a great reputation, and many people think a person would be a fool to turn it down. Maybe not so good for econ, but is it that far behind the other schools? A distinction in any of the courses mentioned must be a good step to a great PhD programme either at that school or elsewhere. In an ideal world I would do LSE's course in a Cambridge College, all set in Barcelona! Seriously though, Barcelona seems to advertise really aggressively, is this because it's a new school, still building a reputation? I wouldn't mind choosing BGSE if I didn't feel like an idiot for turning the other schools down.

So I posted before asking which master's to take, I've been offered places at Barcelona, Cambridge, LSE (MSc EME) and UCL, and I would like to progress to the PhD. Finance is important as little funding is available for MSc study and PhD funding isn't really enough to pay back the £20k+ debt. The costs involved probably make Cambridge and Barcelona the most attractive options, but why do people have such a downer on Cambridge? It has a smaller department than Barcelona, which accounts for the lower research ranking, but probably has a stronger reputation outside of academia - which may be important as coming in the top 10% will be tough. Also, is LSE EME really that good a course? Having been accepted, and given my goals, it seems odd to turn the place down, but with a high failure rate and huge fees, why does this course have such a good reputation? I mean, it's tough to get onto, but if a large proportion of really good candidates fail, why would one risk that? Any discussion/advice would be useful for me here - I'm really struggling to make a decision. Thanks ;-) P.S. If anyone has taken any of the MScs, then I'd really appreciate some feedback!!

I think they've got the MSc ones out as I've been accepted to the MSc EME (Research) - although I would think that theses would come out before the PhD offers as it's probably an easier decision for the dept to make - they will also have to consider funding offers for the PhD programs, and these should be made by the end of this month.

33 now, 34 for 2012 entry, and I've been admitted to the following courses: MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (Research) (LSE) MPhil Economic Research (Cambridge) MSc Economics (Barcelona Graduate School of Economics) MSc Economics and Econometrics (Manchester) MSc Economics (York) MSc Economics (Birkbeck) MSc Economics (UCL) I know these schools are not 'top US' grad schools, but I don't think I would have been admitted to my first choice programs - and perhaps not to a couple of the institutions - if age was such a factor. Obviously age will play a part, but admissions take applications as a whole - interesting people tend to have done interesting things. Good luck with applications!

Hey, I've been admitted too and called the department today. EME (research) offer holders are automatically considered for all LSE funding, including ESRC. There's also an online form for need based funding. Hope this helps.

Thanks. The only issue with that is that Barcelona want an answer by February 29th. I've read some really bad things about Cambridge - why is it such a bad school? My worry about Barcelona is that the school isn't that high profile in the UK outside of economics. To get to a top PhD program I would have to come high in the class ranking and that will be tough. If I am investing this much money then I need to consider all outcomes and not getting admitted to a great PhD program must be a possibility. Am I wrong to think that a degree from Cambridge would stand up better in the private sector than a degree from Barcelona GSE? (And what realistically is the difference between the two school when it comes to PhD applications?) Maybe it's my UK background, but who the hell turns down Cambridge???

Thanks for replying! I kind of like all areas, have a preference for macro (monetary and fiscal policy) but am significantly better at all areas of micro. I'm would like to wait to pick a direction to head in but whichever direction I head, it's essential that I carry out applied analysis and the master's would have to provide a solid training in both econometric theory and applied analysis. When submitting my applications I included proposed research on the effects of gender discrimination in education on economic growth, the economics of immigration in Europe and transparency in monetary and fiscal policy.

Hey everyone, I've been accepted to a few master's programs and really need some advice on which is the best option - I will really appreciate any comments. My aim is to take an economics PhD, I have a preference for the strong US programs but would consider a very strong UK program. Upon completion of the PhD, working in the US would have to be a realistic option. The programs I've been accepted to: LSE - MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (no funding decision , fees are £22,000, I have access to a £10,000 government loan) Cambridge - MPhil Economic Research (no funding decision, fees are £13,000, I have access to a £10,000 government loan) Barcelona GSE - MSc Economics (partial tuition waiver which makes the fees £7,500, no access to government loan) Birkbeck, University of London - MSc Economics (have been put forward for a full tuition waiver plus a £16,000 annual stipend for the MSc + PhD) Manchester - MSc Economics and Econometrics (have been put forward for a full tuition waiver plus a £16,000 annual stipend for the MSc + PhD) York - MSc Economics (no funding decision, fees are £5,000, I have access to a £5,000 government loan) In addition, I am still waiting to hear back from UCL about their MSc Economics program. I expect to be made an offer but am unsure about funding. As to my background, I graduated from a top ten British university with a good MA degree in Philosophy and Economics. I have supplemented this with a graduate diploma in economics at another good British university - where I received A grades in all the core courses and was in the top 2% for econometrics and Microeconomics. At the same time as taking the diploma, I worked as a professional economist and have three years experience. Funding is an issue, and it would probably not be feasible to attend LSE without some sort of funding (so if anyone has any tips...). Thanks for looking at this, any advice will be greatly appreciated!!