BlaineRick

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Mathematics-Economics from a large public research university with top 40 econ program (USNWR) Undergrad GPA: 3.986/4.0 Type of Grad: 3 classes taken at undergrad institution Grad GPA: 3.875/4.0 GRE: 165Q, 163V, 4.5 AWA Math Courses: Calculus I/II/III (A+, A, A), Undergrad Analysis I/II (A, A+), Abstract Algebra (A+), Linear Algebra (A), Probability (A), Mathematical Statistics (A) Econ Courses: Principles Micro (AP), Principles Macro (A), Intermediate Micro (A+), Intermediate Macro (A+), Law and Economics (A-), Game Theory (A), Econometrics (A+), Senior Writing Seminar (A) Grad Econ: Math Camp (Pass, only taught pass/fail here), Math Methods (A), Micro I (A-) Other Courses: Physics I/II (A, A), Intermediate Programming w/ Java (A) Now taking: ODE, Grad Micro II (Game theory portion), Public Economics, Economic Development Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ profs from my institution. PhD Yale, taught me in Math Camp and Grad Micro. Tenured. PhD Tel Aviv, taught me in Math Methods, teaching Grad Micro II. Not tenured. PhD NYU, taught me in undergrad Game Theory, was my faculty mentor for an independent summer research project, allowed me to work as an RA and assist with his laboratory experiments. Not tenured. PhD WVU (from a long time ago), runs a research center in which I have worked for more than a year (I’m technically an RA, but there are plenty of non-research related duties). Taught me in senior writing seminar. Tenured. Research Experience: Independent summer research project and RA under letter writer 3, pseudo-RA position in letter writer 4’s research center. Teaching Experience: TA for Intermediate Micro Research Interests: Behavioral/experimental, micro theory, applied micro SOP: Enumerated academic accomplishments, highlighted research experience and interests, “I ultimately desire to become a university professor”. For schools that required a separate diversity statement or personal statement, I wrote about my experience commuting to a largely residential school and its associated challenges. I think both essays are okay. RESULTS: Acceptances: UCSD ($), Maryland ($), Ohio State ($), UCSB ($), Arizona ($) Waitlists: Brown (Unfunded MA) Rejections: Princeton, NYU, Caltech, Michigan, Cornell, Duke Attending: UCSD!!! Comments: Very happy to be going to UCSD. I was about ready to go to Maryland before getting the UCSD acceptance at the last minute. I got lucky and was able to visit, meet students, communicate with faculty over email, and gain a lot of info about the program in a very short time. It's a fantastic program with great faculty in my fields of interest. Also, I'm glad I get to live in La Jolla instead of College Park. What would you have done differently? I would have definitely started research earlier. Not only would it have helped in the admissions process, but it would probably better prepare me for the PhD. I have a little bit of research experience, but more is always better. Maybe I would have taken more math and done a full math major instead of the joint major, but I think my math preparation is good enough. Also, I would have applied to a few different schools. For example, I wouldn't have applied to Caltech - what a waste of $100. Finally, I would have applied to the NSF. It's kind of a no brainer now that I look back on it.

I have officially accepted my offer at UC San Diego and declined offers at Ohio State, Maryland, and UC Santa Barbara. Hopefully those offers find good homes.

Hey all, So, I just got in to UC San Diego and I'm kinda freaking out because Monday is decision day. It's definitely the highest ranking place to which I have been accepted. They have a few people doing experiments, and they seem to be good in applied micro and econometrics, but other than that I don't know much about the program. The placement section on their website isn't very informative. Luckily, I'll be able to go to see the campus and meet some grad students tomorrow and hopefully I can talk with some faculty if they're there on the weekend, but any more info would be great. Did anyone attend the visit (I assume there must have been one in the last few weeks) that has any opinions to share? Are there current or former students on this board that similar have opinions to share? What's it like living in La Jolla? Is the program as difficult as I hear? Thanks in advance, guys.

Institution: University of California, San Diego Program: Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Some complicated formula that outputs about $21k/yr Notification date: 4/12/2013 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Flipping out! Only three days before the deadline. Luckily, I'm in Santa Barbara right now and can hop on over to San Diego before heading home on Sunday. Still don't know if it's enough time for me to make a properly informed decision on the school.

I havent. When I last spoke to Jennifer (this was 2 or 3 weeks ago, I think), she said the reimbursement would take anywhere between 3 weeks and 2 months...

TM, I need some help. I'm trying to decide right now between Maryland and Ohio State (I'm also still considering UCSB, where I'll visit in a few days, but I just want to compare these two right now) and I'm having a lot of trouble. My current interests are behavioral and experimental economics as well as micro theory, in all of which Ohio State is clearly superior. However, my interests are still in the formative stage and it's possible if not likely that I'll change my mind at some point. Maryland does have a lab, though, and some good people (the Ozbays, Cramton, etc.) if I do end up doing experimental, is usually ranked higher, and places people better. Both places have offered me a fellowship. Ohio State's offer is better (23k vs. 19.5k) and cost of living is much lower in Columbus. I much preferred Ohio State's campus and (immediate) surrounding area. Columbus is actually a very nice city (very similar to Pittsburgh, actually), while College Park is pretty meh. The proximity to DC, though, gives Maryland the locational advantage for me. DC is a really cool city. Plus, the location seems to play a big role in job placement, as many students get summer jobs in government and make connections that eventually help them get placed (well) in government upon finishing Both departments are rather large with faculty working in a variety of fields, which is important to me in case I do change my mind about my research interests. The first-year class tends to be large at both schools, but neither school has a specific quota for failing prelims. At both places they want everyone to pass and neither seems to have an attrition rate higher than the norm. I think I have two really good options here, each with specific pros and cons. It's just hard to weigh all of these things. I would appreciate your comments.

I'm in the same boat. I sent the department an email and this is what they told me:

Institution: New York University Program: Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/29/2013 Notified through: Emailed secretary. Posted on GC: no Comments: Season's pretty much over, now. Just waiting on UCSD.

I don't really have much to add, but I do want to say that the department seems to be strong in a number of fields. They have a great behavioral/experimental group, as well as a lot of good people in micro theory, labor, econometrics, and macro. If you are unsure about exactly what you want to study, this might be a good place for you. There are a ton of options. Also, the campus is incredible and the facilities are top notch. The econ department was unfortunately in one of the less impressive buildings, but it was nice enough. There seems to be a lot going on in Columbus, despite it being a smaller city. Overall, I got the impression that I would be very happy living/going to school there. While I haven't yet made a decision, I will say that the flyout really made me want to go to Ohio State. It'll be hard for my other visits to top this one.

I have also not heard from there. I'm not really getting my hopes up.

I have just declined my offer at Arizona. I hope this goes to help someone who may receive admission later.

Institution: Cornell University Program: Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/22/2013 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: ​Don't care.

So, is anyone going to Ohio State tomorrow?

At least there are still admits and waitlists to go around.

I haven't heard from them. It's possible that you and I are on the waitlist, although I have not tried calling the department to confirm this.