2017applicant

Bump. Also how does Warwick compare to other European PhD programmes? Am I right in assuming that it's UK top5/6? Behind LSE, UCL, Oxbridge, maybe even LBS? What about non UK programmes like UPF, Zurich, CEMFI, Bonn, TSE, EHESS (PSE), Tinbergen, Tillburg?

Congrats on your admits. Both schools seem to have quite a good reputation in this forum. I agree that while CEMFI is more narrowly focused and has a smaller faculty that Tinbergen, I think the faculty at CEMFI has better connections than Tinbergen, and I think this would matter once you're in the job market for academic positions. Also Arellano is a legend. Another factor is that they have a very good record of sending Masters student into top20 US. I think it's nice to have that option. The tricky thing for you I guess is whether your research interests fit in with the department or not. I think you should maybe send them an email about this. Finally, I don't think the number of Asian students should matter, should it? Good luck with the decisions.

Haha I like the term "Chinese-light". Seems like you've got a good collection of acceptances. Good luck!

I think it's better to apply to RA positions than doing a one year MA in the UK or anywhere else for that matter. You wouldn't get most of your grades in time for applying next year and I'm not sure how much it could add to your profile. I think the best bet is to work as an RA and also ask your letter writers for their advice on what range of schools you should be looking to apply to. Aside from that, don't take the rejections too much to heart. Sometimes I think folks just get unlucky. Grad admissions can be a bit uncertain sometimes I think.

From what I have heard the EME at LSE is very rigorous and pretty challenging. But I remember reading in some old posts that (if you were specifically worried about grades) you could pick easier modules and inflate your grades so to speak. Don't know how credible this info is though. But the EME is a really good programme and I think as long as you manage to do reasonably well (even if you don't get a distinction), it would still be better than the MA at Duke. Just in terms of overall reputation the EME is leagues ahead of the Duke MA. Hope this is helpful.

I don't think it matters that BGSE's focus is macro since there's quite a lot of people doing behavioural as well as game theory. I think it strictly dominates Maastricht and Tillburg in terms of reputation. From what I have heard, however, it can be pretty competitive. What you should think about though is how you might rank amongst your classmates at these places. I don't think being in the bottom half of the class at BGSE would be too impressive. Regardless, BGSE is a great school and I think personally I'd pick BGSE.

Has anyone heard back from Warwick? There seems to be a some acceptances on Gradcafe. Should I take no reply as an implicit reject?