BluWander

Hi everyone! I have a difficult time deciding between these two great programs. Any comment is appreciated! Both offers are funded, and NYU's stipend is about 21% higher than that of Wharton's Applied Econ. I have read both good and bad things about Wharton's program, since it is new and there is limited data on its placement record. On the other hand, NYU's department is great, and I really like the environment there when I visited. In terms of research interest, I did some applied work in development economics for my undergrad honors thesis (I am currently a senior). As compared to others who have substantial RA experience, I would say my research exposure is rather limited, so my interests might change. I think I will do applied micro: development, experiment/behavioral economics and/or financial economics. Wharton's program has very little requirement on RA/TA work, so one could focus on one's own research more. Also, the small class size (4-6 people) would mean more attention from faculty (I hope). I heard that this year NYU gave too many offers than its target class size. So the qualify might be harsher than previous years. Wharton's AE only has micro and metrics quals. --- not sure if this is a pro or a con. Any comment is greatly appreciated!!!

I think you should also consider public policy phd programs. Econ grad program is math heavy so if you have not tried any of the hardcore math courses you cannot even convince yourself that you can do well, let alone convince the adcoms.

Did anyone see this on Gradcafe? [TABLE=class: results, width: 1197] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #CAC8CA] [TD=class: instcol]Northwestern[/TD] [TD]Economics, PhD (F15)[/TD] [TD]Other via Other on 23 Feb 2015[/TD] [TD]O[/TD] [TD=class: datecol]23 Feb 2015[/TD] [TD] report spam @ below: Northwestern has a history of offering different levels of funding. As far as I know, offers so far were all for full funding. So at least some offers with less funding should still come. + " you will receive an official offer letter in the next couple of days" so grad school hasn't sent those yet anyway. Feel free to delete this entry. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I bet this is from a faculty member...

Just got my first rejection. Good luck to all of us!!!

I just got an email from Cornell AEM this morning. I am waitlisted by their PhD program, and they strongly encourage me to attend the open house. Anyone who is also waitlisted? This is my first result, hopefully there will be offers later..

Thank you so much! It's really helpful.

Thank you for the advice! I actually prefer getting into a great (T15) program over master's/RA. So I guess I will also broaden my search to master's and RA now. Thank you again!

Thank you for your comment! I will try to talk to more professors and add more programs.

Thank you for your advice! I was considering retaking the GRE because of the low verbal. But time seems to be a big problem. So I may not retake it. My school's econ phd program is ranked top 30 by US News. The research grant is a college-wide award to undergraduates. It has an application process, but not so vigorous. So I wouldn't think of it as prestigious as "only giving to undergrads with the most promising research". My thesis advisor is an Economics professor. I feel the same about the lack of economics RA experience. Some RA positions also have early deadlines (or some are on a rolling basis), so I guess I have a lot of applications to complete this fall. Thank you for the advice again! Especially the ones about LoRs and back-up plans. Thanks! I thought Cornell is at the lower end of T20? If I can get into UMich, it would be great too. I should probably add that to my list.

Thank you for the advice! I haven't looked into any good master's programs yet. I will keep these ones in mind when I do. Thanks again!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad:Top 15 US Undergrad Undergrad GPA:3.88/4.00 Type of Grad:N/A Grad GPA:N/A GRE:170Q/157V/5AWA Math Courses:Calc III (A+), Intro to Intermediate Statistics(A), Matrix Algebra(A), Multivariable Calculus(A), Intro Higher Maths(A), now taking Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Probability Theory. Econ Courses (grad-level):taking PhD first year core Microeconomic Theory (MWG) now Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro(A), Macro(A), Intro to Econometrics(A+), Labor Economics(A), Capital Market Imperfections(A), Game Theory(A-), some Other Courses:Business School classes such as Investments(A), Financial Accounting(A), Gateway to Development (from International Studies department) (A) Letters of Recommendation: 1.Thesis supervisor, also my professor for capital market class. though thesis is still on the way. He is director of undergrad studies, Harvard PhD, knows me pretty well. 2. a young AP of Game Theory class, though I get an A- in that class, I become good "friends" with the professor. He knows me very well, but probably will not say that I am the best of his students. He got his PhD from Princeton. Then will choose one from the two below: 3. Professor of the MWG class I am taking now. Still developing relationship. Trying to make an impression that I am an undergrad girl who has keen interest in studying economics. He is a PhD from MIT. 4.Maths professor, knows me well, taught Intro to Higher Maths and teaching Real Analysis now. Research Experience: I was on a University research grant to do research on honors thesis this past summer. Now working on the thesis itself. It's about development and access to credit market. Junior year : one year RA experience for a Political Science research team, I guess that does not count. Teaching Experience: TA for an accounting class for one semester. Research Interests: Development, Micro theory. SOP: should be okay. Concerns: Not enough RA experience, no working paper, maths background not strong enough, GRE V is low. Applying to: 6 PhD programs (MIT, Princeton, Yale, Chicago, Northwestern, Cornell) and a couple of master of mathematics Other: I am not sure if I will get into any of the six programs I applied. My major changed at the start of my junior year, so I only started preparing my maths background then. So my backup plan is to get a masters before I reapply next year. Or if I can get an RA position it would be a great option to take a gap too. Any suggestions on types of master programs that are great for boosting up profile for a phd applicant? Thank you!