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Hi guys! I wanted to get feedback on whether I have a strong application for ESS. My application has been rejected in the 2nd round. But I am planning to apply again in the 4th round. Wanted to understand what I can improve and whether ESS takes applications till the 4th round. GRE - 166 - Q and 155 - V Bachelor's Grade - 9.08/10 I had not given the video interviews

Yeah, it's one of those threads again ;) It looks like I won't get anything better this year and will need to opt for a Master's program and try again in 2 years, as some part of me anticipated. I have been already accepted by BGSE (with half-tuition fee waiver). I am waiting for Bocconi and even though I cannot know if I will be accepted or not, I need to take the risk and decide ex ante which school I'd like to attend. Given having been accepted by BGSE and Duke, I guess there is a reasonable chance of me getting in although funding may be an issue. I would appreciate help in helping me decide which school to pick. I don't have a location preference unless one of the libraries is much nicer then the other and provides a 24/h spa. I came up with this: Barcelona GSE Pros - Cheaper city - More international program - Possibility to continue to PhD at Pompeu Fabra - Administration seems very efficient and well organized, at least so far (reply to e-mails on the same day!!) - More rigorous coursework (?) Cons - Inflexible curriculum for PhD track - only a 1 year program which requires takes a year off before reapplying - Less time to make connections with Profs (trimester system vs. semester system at Bocconi) - No RA opportunity Bocconi ESS Pros - Seemingly better placements at PhD programs - 2 year program - more time to get to know profs - possibility to RA with profs - more flexible curriculum - tiny chance of spending a year at Yale PhD program Cons - some unnecessary burden like language courses and 'social sciences" courses obligatory - more expensive city - not such an international program - more money to be spent because of a 2 year program - many people continuing from Bocconi bachelor's program may have an some advantage in terms of being better acquainted with regulations, way of teaching, style of exams, etc., which will make it a bit harder to stand out Both universities have professors in whose research I am really interested. Bocconi: Alberto Alesina, Guido Tabellini, Eliana La-Ferrara, Roberto Perotti BGSE: Jose Garcia-Montalvo, Xavier Sala-i-Martin, Marta Reynal-Querol, Antonio Ciccone Both allow taking PhD courses. Any suggestions/comments/hints would be much appreciated.