mosfro

its also very important to ask the current (3rd year +) graduate students what they think about univ Y and Z compared to X.

GWU is worth going to if they offer you funding - cuz chances of getting funding AFTER you get there is highly unlikely as far as the rankings go - true they show up low in econphd rankings, and around 50 in other rankings, but there are a lot of active faculty here I believe the reason for the low rankings is because not many people get positions at major research universities. Academic placement is rare - now we dont know if that is because job candidates prefer the other options, or that its hard to get academic appointments. It could also be that people want the academic jobs, but thre is no reputation for GWU phds out there. Many graduates end up at the WB and IMF. I counted at least 4 every year from 2002 onward. If those job placements were weighted as heavy as a top 50 academic placement, then GW would be ranked higher. disclaimer: current GW doctoral student who has a WB research appointment

keep in mind that riverside has heteredox faculty also keep in mind that irvine, at least in my opinion, is trying to develop some niche research areas (urban, transportation) , in addition to having atleast some faculty several fields (everything else +econ history) also be advised of the unwritten verbal requirement of most UCs (560-580)

is this a joke?? this guy can't be for real....SHEESH!

you may want to consider adding a couple of pennsylvania schools, as they would be able to judge your undergrad a little better than say california schools... it is something that i have indeed noticed in the past, that local schools recognize the talent and skill needed to get a 4.0 at a particular institution. so maybe throw in upitt, psu, or upenn(which would be a good sub for mit or stanford)

sounds like a really interesting case... the RA position might give you some real experience and open your eyes to something you could really see yourself doing, or what you really never ever want to do again...learning experience... having said that, i don't think you should delay the grad school any longer, you got that masters in math for a reason, and you dont wanna be in grad school throughout ALL of your 20s and since i think i know who you are, I think you should apply to all the top programs you want...because that one good LOR will help...a LOT as much as I would like to kick it with you for another 2 years, you need to get outta here and go to cambridge

i must add that there were losers like me who could not hold down the gpa requirement and were asked to leave before being able to attempt the prelims ... i must add, that I think I am the only one I've ever heard of this happening to...mainly because normally, if a student was strugglin in the first few weeks of the first semester because he was lacking multiv. calculus, he would probably have realized that he was underprepared and would have voluntarily left the program before wasting his time I also think that many phd students who leave before the Phd degree, or defense of a dissertation may be in programs that are lower on the rankings, mainly because if they were to land some corporate gig after the degree, the corps / private companies dont care too much about the dissertation. They sometimes only care that you have the tools necessary to do so.

if i may offer my 2 cents.... as mentioned by others....get only As from here on out, but more importantly, you must be sure that you are getting STELLAR letters, (looks like that shouldnt be a problem if you have been and currently are involved in research with them). Something else that I would like to point out: 1. Top 10 LACs are very well regarded...of course some more than others, but more than likely adcoms have heard of these schools, sent new phds to these schools, or would like their kids to go to one of these schools...I personally think that your school will only add to your application - especially if your school is located near the ones you are planning on applying to. 2. what schools do your faculty recommenders suggest you apply to? 3. I am surprised that nobody mentioned that fact that you are an American (i'm assuming by the LAC) and a female...a very underrepresented demographic among econ phd programs....by no means am i saying play it up in your SOP or in the app somewhere, but again, this can only help you so to answer your question - - - no, you're not crazy

i would rule out michigan state .... the macro faculty is really young and small (2 professors really) and unless there were some recent hires, the policy faculty is non existent, also several losing football seasons in a row I also second Michigan ... sounds like a good choice.... also, if you really wanted to go the policy route in an econ program....i would suggest maryland...strong academic program with proximity to DC and i also wouldn't rule out chicago - - you never know until you apply

I think your chances will be great coming out of georgetown - - reason being Georgetown is an incredibly difficult university to get in to right after high school, and it is well known by faculty members that as an undergraduate institution, it is top notch. Granted, their graduate economics program isn't a top 25, but new college freshman wouldn't know that if they decided to enroll in georgetown instead of uva or maryland for their undergraduate education....same goes for top LACs like say...willam and mary. Also, for the record, NOVA is no stony brook - true, but it's a community college, so i'm not sure why anyone was making a comparison....from what i understand, NOVA has a strong track record of placing people into find 4 year universities...its kind of like Santa Monica College, for those of you from the LA area. I echo the others' advice: georgetown would be a fine institution, but you have to make sure to get great letters of rec from professors who graduated from top places and still actively research, and take all of the necessary math, stat, and econ courses. I understand that you are 26, and really want to get started, but if meeting all graduation requirements and recommended math courses means taking a semester or 2 longer than you anticipated, it might be worth it. For the record, not sure if this matters, but if you haven't applied yet...and you can afford to and have nice SAT or ACT scores...apply to trasfer to some top schools....couldnt hurt anythign except your pocket and ego (an economists two prized posessions)

check your PM

Sorry to tell you, but it will be nearly impossible for you to find a 1br apt for 900-1000... Although, some of the graduate housing on campus is fairly new and nice, so really not that bad for the price....Just stock up on top ramen and mac 'n cheese

i want a phd so I can do info-mercials selling random products that are endorsed by expert "Dr. mosfro"...i need a doctorate in something and since I like econ, i might as well pursue that.... I'll be the economist wearing a lab-coat convincing you to take so-and-so weight loss drug.... *these claims have not been validated by the fda

how interesting that maryland, ohio state, michigan state, and berkeley are missing from the top 20, but hey, its rankings im applying to rhode island right away!

what do you consider a well paying job right out of undergrad? and why wouldnt you be able to get one coming from UCSD as a math/econ double major? Great combo for consulting work, actuarial work, and what industry calls "business intelligence" assuming you can program a little bit... i mean, ya probably not 6 figs, but decent i would think none the less...