vmar

I just accepted BGSE's offer. The macro is way more than that of CEMFI. I also like the fact that I can take a taste from experimental and behavioural economics, while CEMFI demands Labor and Industrial, for instance. Quite similar programs, though. Success to anyone still waiting on CEMFI or UC3M, there is one more place free now!

First of all, I was considered for the "la Caixa" since I am from a developing country - Bulgaria, and I have no personal funds. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Econ, Utrecht University, the Netherlands Undergrad GPA: 4/4 ----------- 8.4/10 in the Dutch system, but everything above 8 is considered GPA of 4/4. GRE: Q:170 V:160 AWA:5 Math Courses: Math for Econ 1 (9,5/10), Math for Econ 2(9,5/10), Statistics (8.5/10), PhD course in WashU St. Louis of Real Analysis (B+, 8/10). Econ Courses: regular Other Courses: Social Sciences minor, Political Science course in WashU Letters of Recommendation: 1 well known prof from WashU, 1 unkown private sector senior expert who supervised me during my internships Other: Exchange during final year in Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA; internship at Ministry of Finance, Bulgaria. There I was dealing with a DSGE growth modelling; internship at Ecorys International --- Monte Carlo simulations for risk analysis; Both placements were short but heavy on math Again, I am interested in Macro and doing a PhD in the UK (or UPF, since it's so good). Therefore, I really need help deciding between CEMFI and BGSE, considering my interests. I feel like I will be missing something no matter which one I choose. Insider opinions are much appreciated!

Hi again, just a little update - today I was awarded the la Caixa scholarship at BGSE, so now I am fully funded. That pretty much changes my choice towards BGSE instead of CEMFI, because besides placement and good relations with profs, BGSE carries much higher prestige, doesn't it? Any thoughts on it? :) Also, is anybody familiar with the second year of studies - the MRes, in Barcelona (admission, financial support)?

I applied at CEMFI on April 12th; decision came out on April 20th applied at UC3M on April 20th; decision came out on May 3rd (I pressed them to answer me by saying that the deadlines for my choice between CEMFI and BGSE are approaching). Success with your application!

I am almost certainly going to CEMFI. Probably I will give Barcelona a shot for PhD along with the UK. Any final thoughts would of use, since tomorrow (Friday) I am making the final decision. Thanks to everyone! Oh, I got full funding at UC3M as well, but I guess CEMFI dominates it. Right?

zillux, I will have to disappoint you. They admit students only for the MSc; only then some of them qualify for the MRes, where funding (if any) is in the form of TA or RAship; Afterwards, given again good performance, you are allowed to the PhD research years. It is quite similar to the US way. I don't know if that helps you, but is all I've got. I still don't know which route to choose. Is Barcelona worth living off some debt?

OK folks, the situation is getting ever more complex :D BGSE just announced their offer - full tuition waiver (11 400eur) + 3000eur scholarship for 2012/2013 CEMFI are still - full tuition waiver + 10 000eur for 2012/2014. I talked to prof. Ciccone from BGSE again and he said it is possible to enter UPF's PhD after 2 years in CEMFI However, when asked whether the course work of BGSE's MSc and MRes may be substituted by that of 2 years in CEMFI, he replied: So I am a little confused if one can enter directly the 3 years of research at UPF with the MA from CEMFI?? I am digging into eventual UPF PhD admission, since this may be the only thing that justifies going to BGSE right now. What do you all think? Please, bear in mind that I have absolutely no personal funds...

Do you have a general idea of the class sizes in BGSE? I forgot to mention that I am primarily interested in Macro. As far as I know, both CEMFI and BGSE are great in Macro. Finally, what do you think are the prospects of a future UK PhD (Oxford, LSE, Cam, etc.) and is it possible to enter directly the research phase with the coursework of either of the two Spanish?

Hi everyone, I have read a lot of opinions on those uni's, yet I am unsure where to go. I am fully funded at CEMFI; full tuition waiver and an yet-unkown scholarship in BGSE. UC3M are expected to answer me in the coming days, so I leave them just as a final comparison. All programs are in Economics. Funding is absolutely crucial to me! BGSE is immensely respected and if I judge by the rankings, they are the best option. Yet, the program is huge and only 1 long year - hence the problem with the LORs; I talked to one of the professors there and he told me there is a MRes second year where students get funding as TA or RA-ships based on MSc performance and follow PhD coursework. This may be a solution, but also provides quite some insecurity and fragmentation of the whole program. I wouldn't like to be denied funding in the MRs due to Spain's poor economic situation, for instance. On the other hand, CEMFI is small and secure (two years of guaranteed funding). One can build great relations with professors and small class implies better and deeper learning. I talked to a friend who graduated and he told me the program is great, but is largely underestimated due to its small size and low total number of publications; per capita, however, it should be a blast :encouragement: My goal, as of now, is a PhD in the UK (I got a taste of the US and wouldn't like to spend 5 years there). I hope it is possible to spend only 3 years of PhD in the top UK institutions when you have such a Master from Spain... However, UPF (BGSE) also seems as a respectable PhD alternative. I would highly appreciate any thoughts on the issue. For the moment, I am leaning towards CEMFI, due to its funding (BGSE haven't stated a precise amount of scholarship yet) and devotion to progress. BGSE feels a little too commercial to me and I am afraid it may be an overrated money machine, but is it?

I was in a similar situation as you - accepted MRes Tilburg (partially funded), at CEMFI (fully funded) and MSc BGSE(full waiver + yet unknown scholarship), all economics. I have been wondering a long time about those and I eventually turned Tilburg down. Today I emailed Antonio Ciccone from BGSE about some further details and here is what he replied about a prospective second year of studies in BGSE: I also asked him whether one can leave after the first year of PhD towards some other program: I hope that gives you some clue, but indeed I think a MSc in Tilburg does not provide any bright chances of a future top US PhD.

Hi folks, I just took my GRE yesterday and scored exactly what I needed, yet I have another problem. The deadline for application to the schools I chose is April 1st, thus I am concerned that the estimated 10-15 days from ETS may actually go over this deadline, moreover, given that both I and the uni's are in Europe. The schools are happy to consider my unofficial score, but how do I send them a prove of what I saw on the computer screen in the test center?! Is there anyway I (or they for that matter) can call the ETS and verify my scores? I really hope you, guys, have some experience with that kind of issues! Cheers, Viktor