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Hi guys, I have offers from UCSC and UC-Irvine for Economics PhD. I am an international applicant and was not able to attend the visit days. My interests are in empirical monetary economics and international finance. While UCSC has faculty doing good work in both, UC-Irvine seems to have people who have been doing good work in metrics as well. I will really appreciate it if I could get some constructive inputs on this.

​Hello folks. I've been following Urch for a while, but this is my first post. Please allow me to introduce myself a bit. I'm an international applicant, I got a Bachelor in Corporate Finance (outside the U.S.) in 2007 and a masters in Finance (in the U.S) in 2012. After 8 year working experience, I want to change my career path to academic instead of industry. My academic goal is to pursue a PhD in Econ or Finance. Because I'm out of the academic field for quite a long time, I'm supposed to get a Master in Econ before doing a PhD. Recently, I've just got accepted into several Masters' programs including UT-Austin (M.A. Econ with $), Vanderbilt (GPED or Master in Econ Development, no info about funding), UC Santa Cruz (M.S.in Applied Econ and Finance, with fellowship $), and I'm still waiting for USC (M.A. Econ). May I ask for your opinion which program is suitable for me, who have a background in Finance (Assume I got accepted to USC). I'm open to both PhD in Econ and PhD in Finance, though I understand getting an admission into a good PhD Finance program is extremely difficult. My research interest would be Macro, Micro, Econometrics and Corporate Finance. Thank you in advance.

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!

Hey everybody! Let me begin by noting that this is my first post on urch so I apologize in advance for any lack of information on my part, double posts, or inappropriateness of this post in any way. As it is getting near the April 15 deadline to choose schools, I am faced with the dilemma of choosing between American University in DC or UCSC out west. I come from a physics background so my knowledge regarding economics programs is somewhat limited. Additionally, my fields of interest are probably more likely to change than someone who has had more exposure to the dismal science than I. Currently, however, I am most interested in International Finance, Macroeconomics, and possibly Macro-Development. From many of the rankings that I have seen, UCSC out ranks AU handily and is exceedingly strong in international economics as a whole. I have visited both schools and would not have a problem living in either city; although, I think that I would slightly prefer DC. On the other hand, the location, relative visibility, and internship opportunities of AU compared to UCSC would seem to be a huge bonus for AU. Given that my post-graduation plans as of now are to work in the private sector or for some type of policy organization (places like IMF/WB), does the location of AU more than make up for its ranking deficit? Also, I noticed that AU uses Klein for its math camp whereas UCSC uses Simon and Blume. From what I have gathered on these forums is that this would indicate that UCSC's program is more mathematically intense than AU's. Is there any way that I could make AU's program more mathematically intense based on my chosen fields and research track? My worry is that I will be stuck doing basic calculus (a bit of an exaggeration) if I attended AU's program. I appreciate any feedback you all could give me.

I am trying to decide between UCSC and CU Boulder. Neither school offered me funding in the first year. Both schools suggested I would be able to get it in years 2-5. CU Boulder said in their acceptance letter "After your first year in the program, if you maintain at least a 3.50 grade point average and make normal progress through the program, we guarantee you full funding in years two through five (in the form of a teaching or teaching assistantship that covers 9-18 tuition credits per semester plus a stipend)." UCSC said in their letter "After the first year of study, financial support (i.e. fellowships, teaching or research assistantships) is awarded based on academic achievement. Students making satisfactory progress are eligible to receive support from the Economics department. We have had a strong record of supporting continuing students through completion of their Ph.D. degree." When I emailed UCSC about this further they said "The TA salary for 2014-15 is $6244 per quarter, less taxes. The salary seems to increase each year." Any current PhD candidates at Boulder have an idea what the funding situation is like? I read in another thread that it is "very competitive" but could someone provide actual numbers? If no one responds here I will of course contact that department about it. In fact I'm likely to do this anyway, but I would love to get some input from current students if there are any out there.

Hello all, I am an undergraduate Econ major and I have a lot of interest in UC Santa Cruz's International Economics PhD Program. I am hoping to apply the next application year, but I want to get a notion or a feel of those students who are attending the school this upcoming Fall season. Can you tell me the following information: Accepted/Rejected Decision: Undergrad GPA: Graduate GPA, if applicable: GRE Math Score: Undergraduate/Graduate Math Courses: Research Experience, if any: Quality of Recommendation Letters: Any Suggestions? Thanks! I know it is kind of nerdy to ask so many questions, but I really would like some help. As always, I much appreciate your answers.[clap] If you also have any suggestions, that would also be amazingly helpful. Thanks all. Happy Spring Break!