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Hi everyone, I know this seems like a stupid question, since they are strong in different things (macro vs micro). However, please hear me out About me: - I am from third world country and risk-averse. If academia does not work out I would like to stay in the US and want to find a job in the industry. From what it seems, IMF (UMN outside option) has better work/ life balance and benefits than economics consulting (Caltech outside option) - I am into game theory/ network theory/ formal theory (in political science). I did my thesis in that, and did many many courses in theory.. I enjoyed the only macro course I took however. However I must admit that I hate things like contract theory, taxation, general equilibrium,.... those topics at the boundary. - I prefer Micro theory to Macro and would choose Caltech under normal circumstances. However, I would like to stay in academia. And micro theory seems to be dying. I talked to a professor at Rochester during the visiting day and he said himself the market for theory is not good and they are not hiring any theorist anytime soon. So now Caltech vs UMN pros and cons: Caltech pros: - Obviously much stronger theory group - Very strong in formal theory as well - Strong in experimental economics, which I like - More prestige - Higher stipend (however I don't know if after accounted for cost of living it is still better than UMN) Things that are neither pro nor con: - CA will offer me better lifestyle. Better food (I am Asian), more health/ fitness culture - More things to do with Los Angeles nearby - Sunny throughout the year These things are nice but can be distraction Cons: - No macro at all - Placement is so so UMN pros: - Strong in macro theory - Fantastic placement - Friendly culture - Lower stipend - Probably more TA duties Things that are neither pro or con: - Cold and snowing all the time. I am less productive in winter in general Cons: - Micro theory group is small (1 person - Rahman, Rustichini does not do theory anymore and Werner is more financial theory) - While general placement is better, placement in theory is much worse than Caltech - Less prestige and hence maybe worse for private sector. However I have seen many UMN graduates at tech companies like Amazon, where Caltech is supposed to place better. Please help me with this decision as soon as possible! It is really important. Sometimes I wish I do not get admitted to one of them so I do not have to much such decision. Thank you all so much!

Hi everyone! I find it very difficult to choose between UCLA and Minnesota (ECON PhD); I wonder if you have any suggestions! Though Minnesota out-ranked UCLA in Macro, I am not sure about the situation in other fields (Metrics, IO, Trade, Micro Theory...). As people may change directions, I hope to get a more comprehensive overview. On the other hand, UCLA has a great FINA department. If I focus on macro-finance and asset pricing, will I be able to co-author with some FINA professors in UCLA? (In this sense I guess UCLA is superior). Also, UCLA has a larger department. So I am wondering if you would know something about the two departments, such as placement, research strength, performance in 5 years (any trend of declining or arising?), whether faculty members care about their students and etc. I really appreciate your advice! ******************************************************** some info about my research interest Currently I like asset pricing/markets, macro-finance, growth, and some metrics (but I may change my minds...) So UCLA has professors like Andrew Atkeson, Roger Farmer, and Pierre-Olivier Weill, and Ariel Burstein in international econ Minnesota has professors like José Víctor Ríos Rull, Fatih Guvenen and etc... Do you have more information/comments about the faulty in the two departments?

Hi, I would like to ask a couple of questions to some students there. Please send me a PM if you can help me. Thanks!

im an international student from korea living in Jordan. i was wait listed by umn today and was wondering if anyone has any advice at all in increasing my chances of getting accepted. I found that couple people actually wrote to the admissions office of their respective colleges and was wondering if any body did the same.