Search the Community

So I have just finished my first year of my Ph.D. program and have hit a stuck point. I initially expressed interest in studying macroeconomics but have found that I am more interested in political economics (particularly voter behavior and the formation of public opinion). I especially like the idea of looking at the overlap between politically economy and poverty in the United States (especially Appalachia). There is a professor in my department whose specialty is political economics and has also spent time on the Joint Center for Poverty Research at University of Chicago. Unfortunately, he is also the department chair. I believe he has advised Ph.D. students before, but I am concerned I will not get as much advising and I would from other professors in the department. I do not mean that as any slight to him, but simply from a pragmatic standpoint. The other faculty members I am considering are in macroeconomics (which is the department's strength). I know one professor who is very invested in the student's success and whose research has a more theoretical bent, which I prefer. Another (who's relatively new) who has an especially strong overall research track record (regarding number of publications, journals they are published in, and other institutions he is affiliated with. This second professor is also the sole author of an article on political polarization that was published in a Fed Journal (though most of his research in in real estate macroeconomics). My question is would I be better off going with the department chair and make best of the fact that I will probably not get as much attention as I would otherwise, or should I go with one of the macro professors? Also, it there a way to overlap political economy and macroeconomics (even if I leave poverty out - since that's not my only interest and I can come back to that later on in my career).

I've read a lot that people experience grad macro to be extremely conceptual and very foreign looking. I'm in undergrad currently and have taken macro and it also seems really conceptual. Where are the differences found in undergrad v. grad macro? We use Macroeconomics by Mankiw and have gotten to the point of just seeing the possibilities of DSGE models. Wondering how much more it could go into the weeds.

I am wondering if there are many intersections in research between urban economics and macroeconomics. Can you provide papers/ resources? Thanks!

Hi all, as in the title, I will soon start applying for a PhD. My intended area of research is Macroeconomics, more specifically themes like the links between Finance and Macroeconomic performance and Macroprudential policies. Would you be able to suggest me some schools with strong research in Macroeconomics and possibly in those specific areas? I am not interested in US universities. I am looking for something in Europe. Thanks in advance for any help.

I'm most interested in Macro. Most people have told me that Minnesota is stronger in Macro, but Wisconsin is stronger in anything empirical, and both places are very cold. I hear people without strong empirical skills have a hard time on the job market. Both have given me similar financial packages. I just... don't know.

New to this forum, a little bit nervous. (lol) I am an undergraduate student in a state university (out of top 100), I like macroeconomics, monetary policy and time series, I want to go to IMF and help countries recover from crisis in the future. I am double major on Econ/Math and take some grad. courses. Any suggestion on how to choose school and professors? Thanks~ PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: out of top 100 Undergrad GPA: 3.71 Econ: 3.89 Math: 3.80 Type of Grad: - Grad GPA: - GRE: haven't done Math Courses (UG): calculus 1-3 (A), linear algebra (A-), ODE (A), probability (A), probabilistic modeling A-, Real analysis 1 (A-) Numerical analysis (B); intro stats (taking), regression analysis (fall), math proof (A) Math courses (G): applied linear algebra (taking), statistical consulting lab (taking) applied analysis (hope in fall), Advanced stats (hope in fall) intro Bayesian stats( next spring) Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics 1,2 (next year) microeconomics(next fall) macroeconomics (next spring) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): principle micro (A-), principle macro (A), inter micro (A), inter macro (A), international finance (A), Econometrics (A), Econ forecasting (A-), econ stats (A-), Money & banking (taking), international trade (taking), SAS (A), math econ (A-) Other Courses:- Letters of Recommendation: probably can get it from most of professors I known in our school Research Experience: apply ARIMA with swithcing model to detect stock marker bubble (not done yet) Teaching Experience: 2 years tutoring Econ + Math Research Interests: macroeconomics, monetary policy, crisis, time series Since I didn't study hard in freshman and sophomore year, I think my GPA will keep rising in the fifth year of my college eventhough I will take all grad course. Are there anything I can do in summer that can help me with application? I really want to go to UCSD (sigh)

I got admitted to Rochester with tuition scholarship and 20000 USD stipend. I also got admitted to UT with tuition scholarship and 15000 USD TA/Stippend package. Background: I do not hold a masters degree, I have 2 years of research experience and was top 5% of my class. My research interests are macroeconomics, monetary policy and labor. My spouse is going to come with me to the PhD and I hate cold, although I could live with that. I have several questions and any help would be greatly appreciated: 1.- Which University has a better macro department? From what I heard, Rochester is better and in the past, Texas macro department has been weak although its micro department is very good. I want to know if this is still the case or I am completely wrong. 2.- Which university is likely to have a higher atrittion rate? 3.- Which university has better job placement? 4.- Which university supports better its students and is aligned more to my research interests? 5.- And finally, which university is going to be better for my significant one? (She studied animation and digital arts). Thank you!

Hey everybody, I posted a similar topic a few weeks ago regarding two other schools, but I was recently accepted off the waitlist from UCSB so things have changed a little bit. My interests as of know lie in international finance and macroeconomics. My immediate career goal following my doctoral education (assuming I finish of course) is to work in the IMF. As my background is in physics, I have had light exposure to economics (intermediates, metrics, & intl fin) so my interests may change. As I said though, I loved my international finance course. I know that UCSC specializes in international stuff, but UCSB is ranked within the top 50 and I have been told to just go to the highest rank you get accepted to. This is the same reason why I am not considering American as much anymore despite its close ties to the IMF/WB/think tanks. To complicate things even more, my significant other will be moving with me I decide to go and will need to obtain employment as well (she's an econ undergrad). I was just hoping to get all of your thoughts and suggestions on which program is best suited for both my interests, career goals, and my girlfriend. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi you all people! First of all, Merry Christmas! Second, I am EU Undergrad currently doing a Bachelor in Economics. I want to do a Master, a PhD and then go on and work in Academia. Moreover, I am a huge fan of the UK so I definitely want to go there for the second part of my education. I am interested in Macro, Monetary Economics and Economic History and I am basically a Keynesian (even if, you know, I take from Keynes the big staples, apart from that I've always been very flexible towards Smith, Friedman so on and so forth). Considering that LSE is too expensive and funding is close to 0 (and that I like much more small cities than some 15-million people metropolis), I've narrowed down my choice to Oxbridge. Now, for what I've learned so far, it seems like the majority of people here love Oxford much more than what they love Cambridge because of this "decline" in Cam Econ Dept. 1) Is this general trend applicable to the three areas I mentioned? 2) If you were to choose between the Ox MPhil and Cam Adv Dipl+MPhil in Econ Research, which one would you choose? Either case, try to put down the reasons for the choice as good as possible :encouragement: 3) I am good at Maths (I got the highest score available in my Maths course covering Functions & Limits, Derivatives & Integrals, Linear Algebra & Multivariable Calculus) even if I fancy it only when it's useful. How difficult is the Maths in these programs? 4) Which department is more on the Keynes side (considering I don't want to get taught for years that an Invisible Hand will solve all problems, if you know what I mean ;)) 5) How hard is getting into these programs but, most of all, SUCCEED? Thanks a bunch for your time and I am looking forward to hearing from you! Bye!

Hi All, I am planning to apply for Fall 2015 PhD Eco; inclined towards programs in the US. I don't think I have credentials for top 30, and guess they are the better ones for macroeconomics related specialisation. It would be extremely helpful if you can advise, from your experience/knowledge, names good for macro/public eco related specialisation in rank 25-60 maybe. Appreciate each and every response. Lastly, my GRE quant score is 161, I don't have time to retake as I am currently working for an I-bank and spend considerable amount of time in office. :upset: So, in case someone feels 161 is a completely unacceptable score for a particular univ., please mention that name separately. Thanks!

The average monthly flow out of unemployment pool of 7.0 million people each month is 3.1 million. Put another way, the proportion of unemployed leaving unemployment equals 3.1/7.0 or about 44% each month. Put yet another way, the average duration of unemployment -the average length of time people spend unemployed - is between 2 and 3 months. Now, I can't understand how the duration of unemployment is derived and claimed to be 2−3 months. (This question is from Blanchard's Macroeconomics, 4th ed.)

Country: India Background: BA Economics Hons. from a top ranked college at University of Delhi - Gold Medal and Topper in the college MA Economics: from one of the top ranked Economics Department in the country - First class. Among top 5 students; Took all mathematical and hardcore theory courses: Apart from standard courses, following courses - General Equilibrium Theory, Social Choice Theory, Game Theory, Auction Theory, Law and Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics Mostly A(-), B(+) in some course. Work Experience: Economist in the country's central bank (more than 2 years). Working in the area of international finance and linkages. No fancy publication but a couple of working papers are due to be published. Looking to apply: For the Fall session in the US. May apply to some European Univs as well. Planning application: 1-2 in top 10, 5-6 in 11-30 ranked. Preferred Area: Monetary, International Macro (Planning to write SOP focusing on one of the two) Suggestions Required: Universities to target where full funding seems likely keeping in view my preferred area. Universities where I may have bright/ realistic chances. Thanks

Hey Guys, I am will be applying for 2014 PhD admissions at US schools. My main interests lies in Macroeconomics, specifically Monetary Economics and business cycle. My target is to get into one of the top-30 programs. However I will be applying to lower ranked schools which are particularly strong in my field of interests. I am quite sure most of the departments in top 10 (specially Minnesota and NYU I heard) are quite good at Macro. However, I would like to know what other schools in the range of 10-60 in US rankings are strong in that field. I would appreciate naming some programs. My plan is to apply to 10 schools at least. Thanks !

Hello everyone, I am collecting all the information I can (placements, relationship between grad students and faculty, realtionship between grad students, life on campus, the city, etc.) about the PhD. in Economics program at Princeton, Chicago, NYU, NW and Minnesota. I am macro-finance so it would be great if you can rank those departments in that field. Any suggestion is more than welcome! Thanks.

Profile: Degrees: Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from a top university in India, graduated 2004. MBA in 2006. GPA: Equates to 3.5/4. Courses: Lots of quantitative courses during the engineering program such as probability, Complex analysis, linear algebra. Micro, Macro eco, statistics, data analysis, finance courses in MBA program. Publications: Two international papers during undergrad and one research paper during MBA. GRE: 170 Quant, 160 Verbal, 5.5 on AWA Work-EX: Two years of derivatives trading at Lehman in New York. Four years as a director at a top Global Macro hedge fund (I still currently work here) involved in macro-economic research and portfolio risk management. My work over the last 4 years has involved substantial research, interaction with professional economists from Asia, Europe and US. My boss has a phd in economics from MIT and another colleague has one from Harvard. Given my exposure through my work in the last four years, research and analysis through the US-financial crisis and the current European crisis and applications of this in finance and capital markets; I realize my passion lies in research dealing in macro-economics, monetary systems and its applications in finance. Over a period of time, various people have suggested that I should consider a Phd as a step towards serious research/ teaching given my interests and personality. Reasons for Phd at this juncture: Further my understanding and depth of research that I undertake. Expand the scope of career paths to include teaching. Questions: 1. I understand my age (turning 30 soon) and background is different to most who are admitted to a phd programs in economics. (Most students being directly out of school) Should I still consider applying to phd in economics programs? Are there any programs that do not like applicants with significant work ex. 2. Would applying to a business school for a business economics program be a better idea? How many courses in the econ department is one allowed to purse under this program? Im not looking forward to courses and research in business or micro economics; Monetary policy and macroeconomics and its applications are my primary fields of interest. Suggestions/ pointers are most welcome.

Hi, I have just been admitted to a PhD in Economics in both Columbia U and Northwestern U. My main fields of interest would be fiscal and monetary policy, monetary union... I do not know which one to choose. Both have excellent professors working on these subjects. Northwestern is supposed to realize better placements (that's what I've heard). Evanston should be a nice place to work... Still Columbia is in New York which is more attractive - but I don't want to choose only on location of course. If you could give me any advice, about the faculties, the campus, the student life, the placements... This would be very helpful. Thank you very much !

Hello Guys! I have been accepted into the MSc Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets program of the Barcelona GSE with a partial tuition waiver. I was wondering whether anyone has been through this program or has any information as to its quality and how rigorous it is? I have heard that its a solid and strong program but I am keen to get some more advice and information. Its really very difficult judging by just looking at syllabuses. I eventually love to get into a top 20 PhD program but I dont know how much this could help me. Thanks.

Please, take this as a public service announcement. Yeah, you only have one life and one wrong decision can make it a living hell.