mpp2econPHD

Got it, thank you for replying. If you're at CU, sko buffs :) I hope the attic where the grad students live isn't too hot !

I guess my gripe is that what signal does that even send to a PhD program? Oh this person can clean data, so what?

Thank you :). I think all the chatter online about the value of RAships got to me and I never delved deeper into what an RAship consists of. I am ecstatic to have these opportunities to work so closely with my professors and see the research process. Once I got into it I didn't see the academic value other than becoming a master of string variables.

Hi Urch, long time lurker, first time poster.... I have been en route to finishing a MPP degree and am currently taking on summer RA positions for two economics professors at a top 15 econ program, unknown MPP program. While the RA positions are both with well know economists and will hopefully provide me two LoR writers, I can't help but find the RA work to be nothing more than data cleaning. I like helping and providing assistance to my professors, but I am largely scared that this position has no value to it other than a LoR that's void of any insight to my economic skills. Has anyone else done RA work? Are my worries totally overblown, is this normal? Should I say anything? Thanks for any advice, I largely appreciate it :).