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I am interested in pursuing a PhD in Political Economy, Institutional Analysis, and Political Economy of Development. Originally, I was convinced that Economics schools were the best route to study these fields coming from a Bachelor's degree in Econ, but the more research I've done, the more schools outside of Econ departments I've found that specialize in Political Economy. Several Economics schools like George Mason, Florida State, Clemson, and West Virginia were suggested to me for my research interests, and they certainly do have scholars interested in those fields at each of those schools. But I've come to find that several Public Policy (UChicago) schools and many Political Science (MIT, Duke, Columbia, etc.) schools offer Political Economy as concentrations. If this is what I want to study, which route would offer me the best opportunities after graduation, going into an Econ, Public Policy, or Political Science PhD? Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BA Math, Economics, at a top 30 private US university Undergrad GPA: 3.7 (3.8 Econ, 3.6 Math) Type of Grad: n/a Grad GPA: n/a GRE: n/a (Will take in September) Math Courses: Calculus I-III(A,A,B+), Linear Algebra (A), ODE (A-), Theory of Probability (A), Honors Real Analysis (B), Honors Real Analysis II (??B+), Mathematical Statistics (A), Honors Fourier Analysis (Fall 2017) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro micro and macro (placed out), Intermediate Macro (rigorous track) (A), Intermediate Micro (rigorous track) (A), Econometrics I (A-), Econometrics II (A-), Econometrics III (A-), Advanced Financial Economics (A-) , Advanced Micro Theory (A-), Game Theory (rigorous track) (Fall 2017) Other Courses:B+ in Computer Science (as part of math major) Letters of Recommendation: One from a well known microeconomics and one from RA. The last I am unsure of. Research Experience: Will be doing a Regional Fed summer research internship Research Interests: Development, Political Economy (& Game Theory), Econometrics Applying to: (Top) NYU, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Stanford, Chicago, UC San Diego, UCLA (Masters) U Toronto (doctoral) , UBC, LSE, Oxford (Other schools of Interest) UW-Seattle, U Rochester, USC, UC Irvine, ... I had a few speed bumps to put it lightly and a streak of A- that I would rather like to take back but can do nothing about. I worked exceptionally hard on my honors analysis course. Analysis II grade has not been released but I am guessing average or better (did get an A- on the midterm). The course is very difficult and the second course in the sequence is at the level of my institution's graduate analysis (Used Royden). And in my statement of purpose I believe I can make a good case that I rushed the math due to the fact that I switched from business major where I never completed more than single variable calculus. With this largely mediocre profile I am unsure of the range of schools to apply to. I have some masters listed because I believe now I am "competitive" with my peers and so will be able to do well when given a chance to just focus on new content and thus will have a better chance at top schools. Irregardless, can anyone recommend a range of schools to apply or a particular school which would be a good fit. Also, for the masters programs, what are my chances? Thanks

I am interested in a PhD in Political Economics or Political Economy. I searched the forum and a lot of the information is stale, being dated from 2004 -2009. Perhaps it is time for an update for the benefit of all. Could wise forum members share their knowledge on the various PhD programs in Political Economics or Political Economy. What are the top programs? What are the unique research interests of the various programs? Any comments comparing the programs would be very helpful. I am trying to get a sense of the research approach and philosophy of the various programs. I assume there is a great heterogeneity in the approach of the programs and would like information to help understand these differences. Who are the top professors in this area? What is the profile of the typical admitted student? Any tips for applying to these programs? What do these programs look for in applicants? Should one apply to a dedicated political economy program or apply to an economics or political science program instead. Pros and cons of applying to a dedicated political economy program versus a economics or political science program? Could a public policy PhD be an alternative to a political economy program? I apologize for all the questions, but hopefully the answers would be helpful not just to me but many others lurking on the forum. Thank you.

Dear all, I would like to do a PhD in the US and am most interested in International Political Economy, Comparative Political Economy, and topics in development. After one week of research, my impression is that (judging among others from courses, current graduates, and faculty) both MIT and Harvard are generally strong in International and Comparative Political Economy, and Harvard also in Political Economy of Development. Though I have some vague ideas myself, are there people who have some insight into how the Political Science PhDs in Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Berkeley compare in the subject area of IPE, and also CPE, or whether there are other schools/programmes I have missed out? Which programs are less advisable if one is not particularly fond of too much formal modeling? I would be very thankful for any advice!

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. Here's my situation. Please bear with me. Background: BA (Honors) in Philosophy & Logic UGrad math courses(& grades): Calculus I (A); Set Theory (A); Adv Set Theory (A); Mathematical Logic (A); Adv Mathematical Logic (A); Probability Theory (A). MA in Economics (in progress) Math courses (& grades): Maths for Econ (A); Statistical Analysis (A); Econometrics I (A); Econometrics II (taking this semester, expect an A). I don't have any publication to date. And no math course proper. I guess some linear algebra and real analysis would have helped me a lot, but I am close to graduating and there is no time left. The profs I've talked to say they are willing to write very strong LORs. I'm hoping they will. As for GRE, I aim for close to 800 in Q and around 650 in V. Aim: I want to get a PhD International Macroeconomics/Political economics/International Political Economy. I don't know what title fits my research interests best. It should be covered by these tags, I assume. Anyway, based on some research I've done about which schools suit me best, I'm planning to apply to these, in decreasing order of preference: * New School for Social Research * Claremont Graduate University * Uni of Missouri, Kansas City * Uni of Mass, Amherst * Uni of California, Riverside. While I think it is a waste of $100, everyone says I should apply to Harvard KSG too. I'm not very hopeful. But I have time to think about it. Maybe I will. Please comment on my background and what, in your opinion, should I concentrate on, so as to prepare the best possible application. Do you have in mind any other school in the US (I don't want to move out of the states) that would be worth applying to, in addition to the ones I have listed? Your opinions greatly appreciated.

Hey all! I would like to get some views before I could make an informed decision about which course I should pursue. I have been admitted to both LSE International Political Economy (MSc) and for Oxford's Development Studies (MPhil). And, I am unsure where to go. My academic interests lie in the political economy of oil-rich countries and hence both courses are suitable in their own manners. I am attracted to the programme at Oxford much more, since it would give me training in other fields of study (such as anthropology and history), and has a focus on development (which is really my thing). At the moment, I am not very interested in pursuing a PhD later on, but it is an option I do not discard. My dilemma is the following. Although I feel very interested in working within the field of development, perhaps wiithin international organisations or NGOs, I am daunted by the job/salary prospects of a worker of this industry. It is often an exploitative and insuffciently-payed industry. Hence, I am not sure whether a development-oriented course would restrict my career options in the future. How truly "defining" is my choice of a Masters? Although I really love the programme at Oxford, I am not sure whether I should go for it and go to the "more-flexible" LSE instead (which would perhaps enable me to work in development at first with the possibility of switching industries if I want to in the future... e.g. business and govt.) Is the choice of a masters as defining as I think it is? Having studied Development Studies at Oxford, would it be very difficult to switch industries, say a job in business in the UK? Or would I have it better going to LSE? Thank you! :rolleyes:

Dear all, Need some help related to graduate admissions. I want to get a PhD, but cant decide on the graduate degree. My research interests are eclectic, very wide and related to poverty, development economics, political systems and higher education. I have an undergrad. in economics and good scores on most economics papers. I have taken little maths papers (primarily because they were not offered in the univ. I graduated from). I did take the GRE and scored 800 in the quant. section? Will that cover up for the lack of maths papers? (I am certain I can handle the maths, but just that I dont have many papers to back up my application - I have one maths paper and 3 stats papers to show for). As for LOR, I can get one from a political science prof and an economics prof. They know me well and should write me good reccos (or so I think :p) I am confused between a PhD in political economy, economics/applied economics, public policy and political science. I would like to ideally work on something like political economy or public policy - something more applied and not strictly formal. Any suggestions?