ColonelForbin

I agree with the poster above. I think the first thing you should answer (at least to yourself) is: Why do you want to do a Ph.D. in economics? The only reason I say this is that it is a rare case that an individual in their late teen years actually knows what they want to do for a living. Conditional on the answer to your question, I think I could give you more useful advice.

Magoosh + Manhattan for practice tests is the way to go.

Reading widely is probably better than any one agglomeration of economic news, but I'd be interested if other people have found things that are worth while. Definitely read the world this week in The Economist weekly -- that'll keep you up to speed on most things. Plus, their newspaper is the best for good, solid reporting. I like BBC for more general news. Wall Street Journal is OK for market-y news. I think Economist's View by Mark Thoma at University of Oregon is probably the best agglomeration of "economic news" out there. If you're not already using RSS, I'd suggest you use check out Feedly. RSS lets you read. more. news.

Why wouldn't they adjust by letting in a few smaller classes in later years?

tm_member. You've killed it with that answer.

Ask your potential boss where previous interns have gone. That's all that you need to know.

Does this apply to Harvard-wide? or specific for Harvard PP students?

Yes -- do not underestimate the effect of large cohorts. These people will be your coauthors of the future!

Duke masters students can take the first year Ph.D. sequence. It is unlikely that many of the Ph.D. students at Duke come from their masters.

Institution: NSF Program: GRFP Decision: Honorable Mention Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/31/15 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Man the competition must be steep for these things -- I got VG/Excellent reviews across the board and each reviewer said something very positive about the idea and my potential. It feels good to get great feedback, but the fellowship would have been nice!

I'm not sure about UCLA, but UCSD is very good in Micro theory. Both cities are very expensive -- but I think San Diego is a bit nicer than UCLA climate and scenery wise. Can you visit both programs? That'd be best case scenario.

It is possible. I'd do you best to get on the phone with the person who emailed you so your passion for Pitt will stand out. It's unlikely they'll give it away just because you didn't say 100% yes -- they must want you to enroll, so if there is a chance you will they will likely extend the offer. Again - this is a much easier conversation to have on the phone so that you can let them know (a) you love their program and (b) that you're still considering other programs, but that they are only waitlist offers currently.

Just tell them what you wrote here.

Post-docs aren't a bad gig depending on what you want in life. They pay quite well and you get two years to focus on research and network, without any teaching/lecturing time. Especially if you get a post-doc at an institution that is better than where could get a TT position. That being said -- regarding industry/gov't/int'l org placements... the top-100 place may place well into industry/gov't/int'l orgs because they place like **** into academia. OTOH, the top-50 place may focus on academic placements. The placement record of a school is heavily dependent on the inputs -- lots of people at NYC schools and DC schools place into industry, because they may have chosen those location on purpose for graduate school. There is a simultaneity problem here. I would be nebulous about your desire to not be in academia Some professor aren't too fond of this mindset, since the goal of most Econ programs is to train research professors. Ask about placements into industry, but don't go gun-a-blazing saying "academia is my last choice".

Making decisions is hard -- I hope visit days help.