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Hi everyone, I know this seems like a stupid question, since they are strong in different things (macro vs micro). However, please hear me out About me: - I am from third world country and risk-averse. If academia does not work out I would like to stay in the US and want to find a job in the industry. From what it seems, IMF (UMN outside option) has better work/ life balance and benefits than economics consulting (Caltech outside option) - I am into game theory/ network theory/ formal theory (in political science). I did my thesis in that, and did many many courses in theory.. I enjoyed the only macro course I took however. However I must admit that I hate things like contract theory, taxation, general equilibrium,.... those topics at the boundary. - I prefer Micro theory to Macro and would choose Caltech under normal circumstances. However, I would like to stay in academia. And micro theory seems to be dying. I talked to a professor at Rochester during the visiting day and he said himself the market for theory is not good and they are not hiring any theorist anytime soon. So now Caltech vs UMN pros and cons: Caltech pros: - Obviously much stronger theory group - Very strong in formal theory as well - Strong in experimental economics, which I like - More prestige - Higher stipend (however I don't know if after accounted for cost of living it is still better than UMN) Things that are neither pro nor con: - CA will offer me better lifestyle. Better food (I am Asian), more health/ fitness culture - More things to do with Los Angeles nearby - Sunny throughout the year These things are nice but can be distraction Cons: - No macro at all - Placement is so so UMN pros: - Strong in macro theory - Fantastic placement - Friendly culture - Lower stipend - Probably more TA duties Things that are neither pro or con: - Cold and snowing all the time. I am less productive in winter in general Cons: - Micro theory group is small (1 person - Rahman, Rustichini does not do theory anymore and Werner is more financial theory) - While general placement is better, placement in theory is much worse than Caltech - Less prestige and hence maybe worse for private sector. However I have seen many UMN graduates at tech companies like Amazon, where Caltech is supposed to place better. Please help me with this decision as soon as possible! It is really important. Sometimes I wish I do not get admitted to one of them so I do not have to much such decision. Thank you all so much!

Hi there, this is my first post here on Urch. I'm curious as to whether any of you may have insight into the Econ PhD programs at Caltech and Brown University, and how they stack up against each other? I for one tend to prefer the culture at Brown better than that of California in general, but would like opinions as to how Caltech as a school stands. Caltech's website on Economics is fairly meager from what I could find, and I think it was a Social Sciences page rather than an Economics one. Brown University seems very selective, more so than Caltech. What are your thoughts about these schools?

I am hoping to borrow some of your knowledge about various programs. My options are: Accepted: Caltech, University of Arizona Wait List: UChicago, UCLA, Boston College I like micro theory but if I were to do empirical work I'd prefer randomized controlled trials/field experiments. My main question is if my preference ordering is wrong: UChicago > Caltech >= UCLA > Boston College > UArizona From what I understand UCLA is similarly ranked with Caltech but I doubt I will get the funding to go to UCLA. I also debating whether I should tell BC to take me off the waitlist. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I have received offers for Phd in Social Sciences from Caltech and Phd in Economics from New York University. I am pretty sure I would like to work in Economic Theory. I would appreciate if you guys could provide your opinions about these 2 places that could help me make the decision. Thank you.

Any comments, corrections or sugestions are very welcome. I like Mathematical economics, game theory, mathematics, decision and choice theory, probability theory,behavioral economics(theory), logic. I dont like Macroeconomics, Econometrics or even the microeconomic part which has to do with prices, general equilibrium, supply and demand. I have to apply for a phd. I know that a phd is mainly not about courses and more about the research, but i dont feel like i should be taking courses that i dislike and that i wont use in my further academic career when i could be taking courses that i really enjoy. On the other hand applying to a standard economics phd has much more prestige, some times bigger and better faculty and most probably better students to work with. I have the following options: 1.- Programs where i would mainly have courses in what i want: Duke Social and Decision scienc in Fuqua UC Irvine, mathematical behavioral science 2.- Programs that have probably more prestige and are a bit less different than my real interests but still you dont get macro: Northwestern at Kellog(1st year: 3 quarters in standar microeconomics, 2 optimization + 1game theory, 2 econometrics +1decision theory) Caltech(microeconmics, econometrics, political theory, foundations of rationality) Carnegie mellon decision science??? it doesnt say more and it seems to be much more experimental. 3.- The last posibility is to go to a standard very prestigous program in economics with a big economic theory group and swallow most of the courses which i wouldnt like: Standford GSB Princeton Yale NYU Harvard??? What do you think? do you have any comments, any programs i missed? any advices on what i should i choose supposing i had the choice?? Some aditional information on all of this can be found in posts like the following: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/123133-mathematical-behavioral-economics-decision-science.html Thanks!!!!

Any thoughts, corrections and comments in the following are very much appreciated. I want to do a phd and further research and believe that have good qualifications. My interests are Mathematical Economics, Game Theory, Decision Theory, logic, mathematics, foundations of rationality, behavioral economics(theory). I dont like Macro or econometrics or even the micro part that is not the above(supply-demand, general equilibrium...) What Phd and which university would be the best to go to? 1.- There are few programs which seem to concentrarte very closely in ONLY what i want: Duke, Decision Science program in Fuqua UC Irvine, Mathematical Behavioral Science The problem is they are not as prestigious as the top universities. 2.- There are a few programs which seem to be more prestigious and a bit more far to what i want but still close: Caltech, Social Sciences Phd(first year courses: micro, econometrics, political theory, foundations of rationality) Nortwestern MEDS in Kellog(first year: 3quarters micro, 2 econometrics + decision theory, 2 optimization. A lot of faculty in microeconomics) Carnegie Mellon Social and Decision Sciences(doesnt give much info, seems to be flexible but seems to be more experimental) London School of Economics but in the philosophy or mathematics departments???? 3.- There are the top universities in Economics which are very good in economic theory but you get other courses such as macro or other buisness related: Stanford GSB Berkeley Economics NYU Yale Harvard?? Princeton Basically my courses would be things i dont like too much: Macro, econometrics and micro On the other hand i know phd is much more about research and i would be working with someone in what I like afterwards(after all you have to take this courses only for a year), but I feel like this is my phd and its not worthy to study very hard for things i know i dont even like and will never be studying when i could be taking courses that i would really enjoy... What do you think about what i should decide? what do you think about the assesment i made?? am i missing a program? is there any similar program at the top top universities? I feel like i prefer duke or ucirvine but i am very tempted to choose(assuming i was already accepted and had the choice) Northwestern, Caltech, standford or berkeley instead for the prestige... Thank you for any comments for another thread in similar things: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/123133-mathematical-behavioral-economics-decision-science.html