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Hi all, I found an (aptly titled) Public Goods website that compiles/aggregates a bunch of free resources online that's relevant to budding/current PhD students, compiled by Christine Cai, a fourth year PhD student at Princeton.

Let me begin by introducing myself: I’m a sell-side analyst on Wall Street and partner at an investment bank, despite an academic background outside of finance (not uncommon on WS). I am far, far too old to do a PhD, but there is quite clearly a topic that demands research because it is exploited and misunderstood both by journalists and politicians of various political viewpoints despite rather clear understanding of the issue in finance (albeit significant confusion and disagreement in academic economics). The issue is namely the relevance of national assets both publicly and privately held to analyzing the sustainability and economic impact of public debt. While the Laffer curve is not taken seriously anymore except by the most partisan and biased people, concerns over debt sustainability have a central point in policymaking--to the point that Biden’s cabinet is fretting that “the pantry is going to be bare” when they take office, implying that too high public debt will limit the ability to produce more coronavirus-relief stimulus. The MMT response that debt can be created in infinity because of sovereign money printing abilities is not a cogent answer, since the experiences of many nations demonstrates that government debt DOES matter sometimes and will result in inflation during the right conditions. What those conditions are, how they come about, and how they can be quantified is shockingly glossed over by debt hawks, who often take a moralistic tone about debt (even academic economists--John Cochrane and Bryan Caplan, for instance). Meanwhile the dovish side, particularly the MMT crowd, simply dismiss a need to understand those conditions.There is a research opportunity here, and a very simple one: determine the conditions in which government debt produces inflation and establishing a limit to how much debt a country can manage. This is nothing new, and it is customarily measured via the debt-to-GDP ratio. However, any first-year analyst at a bank will tell you this is a bad measurement; specifically, it is mixing up stocks versus flows.While such a comparison is important to gauging debt serviceability in some instances, the much more important gauge for establishing the creditworthiness of an entity is always analyzing debt to assets. The debt:asset ratio question is central to all fundamental analysis in credit and equity markets, but it is almost unheard of on the very important question of the natoinal debt.Few researchers have tackled this issue. Elizabeth Holmquist and Susan McIntosh, when they were at the Federal Reserve, did a cursory study (FRB: FEDS Notes: U.S. Net Wealth in the Financial Accounts of the United States). To my knowledge, there has been little analysis of the issue since, yet it is a very simple and effective way to cut through the unproductive discourse on the left (“deficits don’t matter print forever”) and the right (“we’re going to be Zimbabwe soon”) with a rational, data-driven, and empirical assertion: America can have X amount of debt because it has Y amount of assets and we know from this analysis that when that ratio hits Z we get higher inflation. This is an obvious PhD topic, and if I were younger or in a position to get another PhD it is something I would pursue, as I think the power of this research to improve public policy AND public discourse in America is overwhelming. That is why I’m posting this here, in the hopes that someone sees this and is at the very least inspired to pursue this kind of reasoning if they don’t outright run with this idea entirely (which I very much hope someone will do).

Seems like I have the opposite problem of a lot of those in this thread. Mathematical stats undergrad (real analysis, probability, linear algebra, proofs, etc.) who took micro and macro (beginner) and corporate finance as part of a business minor. Currently conduct research in R in another social science, public policy-ish. Also do consulting work through the dept. Feels like some building blocks are here to pivot to econ, but unfortunately, I'm a senior. Looking at master's with a thesis programs (as an attempt for a stepping stone for research analyst roles and/or phds) and the decent ones all require at least a minor's worth of econ. Have always wanted to pursue a graduate degree and have always been told by profs that I'd be a good fit personality wise for research-type roles. I held off because I wasn't passionate enough about other topics to warrant the pursuit, until doing research in public policy and dipping my toes in econ. Unlike other disciplines where my background could get me there (biostats, CS, etc) seems like econ has no pathway, DESPITE being wildly related. Stuck and sad. Looking for ideas or confirmation to move on and stay in my corporate gig or look into business phds or or MPPs or something.

Context: I’m a non-traditional prospective applicant – 15+ yrs of industry experience. I’ve gone back and forth over the past 10 yrs on whether to apply for PhD programs, and which programs to apply to (Public policy, Econ, Business, Urban PlannIng). I recently decided that I would like to take the leap and transition to a career in research / academia. There are professors across various departments that fit my research interests (in public policy, business, economics, and urban planning departments). At the end of the day, I want to get into the program that fits me best AND positions me for TT roles. My strong preference is to stay in ATL, though I will likely apply to a few reaches away from here. Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): TBD – goal is 90th percentile which I think is feasible based on my past GRE score Undegrad GPA: 3.7 in top 100 public university, honors college (2002) Graduate GPA: MPP - 3.8 in top 10 public policy school (2004); MPhil from Judge at Cambridge (dissertation received high marks) (2005) Research Experience: RA in undergrad (NSF funded, primary author published in peer reviewed journal); GRA in grad (thesis was funded and published by university research center); dissertation at Cambridge was also funded Teaching Experience: NA Work Experience: 4 yrs in mngt consulting to start career (Deloitte); 10 yrs in national non-profit leadership roles (VP and C-level); now back in strategy consulting as associate partner at MBB firm (2 yrs) Schools: Business Emory (O&M macro) Georgia Tech (Strategy & Innovation) Erasmus RSM part-time (Business and Society) One from top 5 Public policy Harris UofC Oxford DPhil (part-time) Urban economics LSE Cambridge Oxford (part-time) Questions Given my educational and professional background (and very old math from undergrad and grad), I think that I’d be most competitive for B-Schools. But I’d love any feedback from the forum on what range of schools to target. I need to prioritize where to put my time against my goal of getting into these programs. My hypothesis is GRE prep, personal statement / research interests, then potentially enrolling in a course in fall (to further narrow interests and potentially get a LOR). I am also working on a white paper through work, but don’t think that would published in time. Thoughts on if this is the right prioritization? (As a side, I was originally thinking of Econ programs - but would need to take 5+ math courses over the next few years to be competitive which doesn't seem like the right prioritization.)

Hi there, hope 2020 has been good to everyone so far. New aspiring "economist" (hopefully) here looking for some general guidance. Here is my profile(expected as I still have two semeters and a summer ahead of me before the application season): [TABLE=width: 600] [TR] [TD]Type of Undergrad[/TD] [TD]B.S. MathB.A. Japanese [/TD] [TD]Top-30 public university in California[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Undergrad GPA[/TD] [TD]Overall 3.12/4[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Type of Grad[/TD] [TD]M.A. East Asian Studies (Finished)M.A. International Relations (Expected 2021) [/TD] [TD]Top-100 public university (full funding)Top-3 IR school in the U.S. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Grad GPA[/TD] [TD]EAS 3.8/4IR 3.7/4 (as of now) [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]GRE[/TD] [TD]151V, 167Q, 3.5W[/TD] [TD]Went into the exam blind without one minute of studying in 2016, will probably retake and do expect better score[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Math Courses[/TD] [TD]Calculus I,II,III B Intro grp theory B+ Intro linear alg A+ Intro complex variab C- Intro Discrete Math B Adv Linear alg C Methods of analysis A Intro to abstr algb C Intro real analysis C+ Mod eucl & noneucl I,II A- Intro real analysis C+ Intro diff geometry B+ Abstract algebra C+ [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Econ Courses(Grad-level)[/TD] [TD]Statistical Method A Microeconomics A- (Taking now, expecting A-to A) Macroeconomics International Trade Econometrics Game Theory (Taking in Fall) International Monetary Environmental Economics Adv International Trade Public Finance [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Letters of Recommendation[/TD] [TD]Academic Dean/Former State Dept economist (Strong) Researcher at a DC-based think tank whom I worked for during internship(Mediocre) (Still looking for one more)[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Research Experience[/TD] [TD]Two Chinese local EPA Internships DC-based think tank Internship [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Teaching Experience[/TD] [TD]GTA at first M.A. school (EAS courses)[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Research Interests[/TD] [TD]Public Finance, International Monetary, Environmental Economics[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Concerns: My undergrad credential is simply abysmal--too many bad decisions made due to my naivete. How much would my undergrad grades hurt my chances? How much would my MA grades help? Should I reuse my old GRE scores? Comments: What I want from this post is to get a general sense of where I would most likely be admitted to. Right now my mind says somewhere around Penn State (~top 30), but my body says Cornell/Brown/Rochester(top-15 to top-20) :distracted:. Nevertheless, these are just my unrealistic, irrational guesses. I would really like to get my foot planted so I can plan my application strategy accordingly. Thanks in advance, cheers!

Hey friends, What is the difference between incoming student profiles for public policy PhDs, compared to econ? I'm slightly hamstrung by a poor freshman year, and while I have basically all of my econ and math in ahead of me, best case scenario is I walk away with a 3.8 GPA or so. My school is really good at placement for PhD programs as well. Despite this, I think I can rule out a top 20 econ program, at least straight out of undergrad. Are similarly ranked public policy programs just as competitive? I haven't found too much information regarding admissions data. If anyone knows any good resources and/or has firsthand knowledge, that would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I'm hoping someone can give my profile a quick look over and let me know how competitive I'd be for PhD Economics or Public Policy admissions. Please let me know what you think: All at Arizona State University (has pretty highly ranked MPP) Undergrad: BA Economics (3.85 GPA), minor Political Science Economics: Macro Principles (A), Micro Principles (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Immigration & Econ (A+), Intermediate Macro (A), Money & Banking (A+), Labor Economics (A), Game Theory (B), Econometrics (A+), Capstone (A+), International Economics (A) Math: Calc 1 (A), Calc 2 ©, Statistics (A), Calc 3 (B), Proofs (A-), Linear Algebra (B+), Real Analysis (B+), Differential Equations (A) Grad (Master of Public Policy): GPA 3.97 Public Service Research I (basically applied econometrics) (A), Microecon of Public Policy I (A+), Public Service Research II (A+), Program Evaluation (A+), Public Policy Analysis (A), Microecon of Public Policy II (B), Applied Econometrics (A-), Public Budgeting and Finance (A), Advanced Policy Analysis (A), Capstone (A) GRE: 165 Q, 160 V, 4 AW My letter of recommendations would come from professors in the School of Public Affairs, not the Econ department (although I could probably get one if I really tried from the Econ department, but it probably wouldn't be as good as my MPP recommenders). I could also get one from a research fellowship I am currently doing at George Mason University in Political Economy. I have a paper published in a lower-tier Public Policy journal of which I am the sole author and will have some experience with research with my fellowship at George Mason. What tier of Econ schools do you think I could get into? Would I be better off trying for a top-tier Public Policy school, or is my profile not even suited for that? I'm definitely interested in Political Economy, Public Choice, Behavioral Economics, and Macro, as well as the applied side of Econ that Public Policy brings. I should also mention I have 2 years of work experience, some research experience at a think tank and 1.5 years in state government as an Analyst.

I'm taking math classes now my senior year, should I delay my application till I complete them or try applying.

Hi, Does anyone know where this field is going? I thought I wanted to structural IO when writing applications but during visits, and talking to bunch of professors who do structural stuff, I realized that my interest was in structural methodology (which is as vague as microeconomics) especially applied to the field of public economics. Unfortunately, I did not get admission outside of top 10 and wondering which school might be the best to do structural public econ. Thanks in advance!

Hi folks, I am not sure if it is worth attending LSU's phd program in business, as I am recently admitted to this program. Most of its graduates ended up going to teaching schools. I wonder if I should try to apply to better schools like u of maryland after I finish a master program. I am an international applicant and don't hold a master degree. I also applied to some master programs in public policy/administration, because this kind of program has a few courses related to quant analysis and I think that might help with my PhD application ( I want to focus on macro organizational behavior). I might be able to get the admissions of U of Chicago/indianna u (top 10 programs in public affairs). If so, would that make my application more competitive, if my targets are 2nd tier schools like emory/umn? However, my concern is that even for school like this, some of the graduates's placements might not be as good as I expected, so is it wise to do the master and then reapply ?My GMAT score is just a bit over 700 but I am not gonna retake it. Would it be good enough for 2nd tier schools? The emory's average GMAT score is around 730. If not, how much should I get on GRE? I feel like taking GRE is also a torture, thinking about the vocabulary. Any thoughts on this? I 'd really appreciate your advice!

Please check this profile and suggest me some Universities (Accounting PhD Rank 60 to 100) in USA for PhD in Accounting (Archival Research). GMAT : 670 IELTS: 7.00 Degree: MBA in Accounting; CGPA: 3.75/4 (From Public University, Bangladesh) (WES Evaluation) BBA CGPA: 3.65/4 (From Public University, Bangladesh) (WES Evaluation) Professional Certification: CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE, USA) Crtificate Course: Applied Calculas, Linear Regression Job Experience: 5 years (As a Teacher at Public University in Bangladesh) Publications: 5 articles (ABDC listed Journal- B and C category) Research Interest: Earning Management; Financial Accounting; Environmetal Accounting Is this profile good fit for rank 60 to 100 Universities? Also evaluate my weak area. Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions!

I am currently seriously considering master of public policy. I know the programs in this field is mostly on practical, job oriented But I just wonder if there is any student got into econ phd for the next step. Cause I got low grades in math so I have very little chance to get directly into econ phd ..or econ master probably. It was more than 10yrs ago for bad grades but still wondering how i could make it up to study econ. Overall gpa is not bad, and I have job experience related to the public policy. Thanks in advance

Hi there, I was wondering if some people could distinguish between several very similar sounding subfields within Economics? They are: - Economic policy - Public economics - Political economics - Public policy I've seen all of them used as areas of specialization for economists working in academia. The nuances I'm supposing are palpable and distinct, but I'm not quite positive.

Hello everyone. Last year I was finishing my degree in Economics (in a normal university of Spain, not Madrid or Barcelona) and I applied to Barcelona GSE, in Economics Program (1st choice), and I was admitted, I declined because I wasn't sure at all and I wanted think it better. Now after thinking in my interests (public economics, topics like taxes, inequality, welfare state and that kind of things) I believe that Economics of Public Policy Program it would be better for me, I think is easier than Economics and I've seen the placements https://www.barcelonagse.eu/sites/default/files/placement-public-policy.pdf and they seem good, in institutions where I would like to work, I think. Moreover some people does a PHD after, even it's not the economics program, so if doing it I realise that I want to do a PHD I still could. So, do you think it is worth? Are there other similar masters in Europe? Better ones? Money is not a problem, but of course I don't want to spend 16.000 € if I don't see a profit in the long term or if there are better options and cheaper.. Thank you all.

Hello forum, I'm not the strongest applicant, but a year on the job hunt has me convinced finding a good position with only an Econ BA is tough. I'm looking to apply to an Econ PhD program, because of the potential for funding and a love of research. I would consider calling it quits after getting the complimentary Masters, but that's another conversation, maybe. My profile has flaws, but I am optimistic I have a shot at lowly ranked programs. 165Q, 161V no letter grades, moderate performance in Econ classes, Lin Alg, Diff EQ, calc 1&2, Real Analysis 1 wrote a decent senior honors thesis using SAS have worked non-Econ research assistant jobs since graduating undergrad inst. has moderate rep but good grad-placement (small, public liberal arts college in US, top 50) so, I am interested in the economic demography/labor/human resources and see myself working in the public/nonprofit sector, likely outside of academia. Can anyone recommend programs ranked, say, 50th or lower that have strengths in those fields? I'd be tremendously grateful. cheers, RC