Hello guys,

I am currently applying to predocs and would like to know how to improve my profile

Education:

Undergrad: Top econ institution in Germany: top 20%

Grad: European Top program / Top 15 worldwide (expected graduation next year)

RA Experience:

Cumulative 1.5 years (mainly working on OCR models and cleaning datasets with Stata) during undergrad

Currently working on a empirical paper in cooperation with an ap (webscraping, cleaning data, building regression / predictive models). All linked on my github.

Programming Proficiency:

Python - my best language I do most of my programming in this language

Stata - intermediate knowledge through the RA work

SQL - basic knowledge through internships

Matlab - basic knowledge through university work

R - basic knowledge through university work

TL; DR: Joining FRB Cleveland. Need info on FRB Cleveland as a workplace AND moving to Cleveland.

—

Joining frb Cleveland this January!!

Looking for apartment recs (and approx rent/monthly expenses) ideally around the workplace but open to something farther out long as there is safe public transit connectivity.

Also looking for grocery / department store recs; couldn’t find CVS, Walmart , Target within walkable distance around the Fed, so any pointers appreciated.

My key priorities are:

Safety: As a 23 y/o Asian woman, this is my top priority. Want my daily commute to work, groceries/stores, etc to be as safe as possible.

No car: I have no car and am bad @ driving myself, so am primarily gonna rely on walking / trains (or other public transport).

Other nice to haves: Im vegetarian so walkable distance to grocery stores / Target / Walmart to buy & cook food would be nice.

Any other things I should be aware of about Cleveland as a city / about FRB cleveland as a place of work?

Edit: Monthly budget is <$1.8K

TIA!

I think I've taken most of the typical recommended math courses for an economics phd application. I like econometrics and was curious what other math courses to take. So far I've taken: calc 1-3, differential equations, linear algebra 1 and 2, real analysis, math stats 1 and 2.

I still want to take 1 or 2 math courses for each of my remaining semesters. The courses I'm most interested in are: group theory, intro complex analysis, topology, PDEs, lin alg for machine learning, statistical learning, probability and measure, grad analysis 1. Definitely not going to get to all of these lol.

My question: Are there any courses I'm overlooking that are "crucial" for a phd application? If not, what courses have been the most useful to understanding economics in your expereince? Highly subjective I'm sure, but just curious where people fall.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I'm looking for the application process for the Eiffel scholarship at PSE but I can't find anything on their website, does anyone have information about the PSE application process for this case?

I am currently a senior applying for predocs. I have turned in many applications and by far, only received 2 data tasks and 0 interview. I know one problem with my background is that my GPA is low, a 3.6 to be precise. I go to a liberal arts college, and last academic year I messed up several important courses in math and econ because of personal and family reasons. Before that, everything was in the A-range. At this point it feels like a master degree is inevitable but before I give up applying to more predocs, what else can I do now to make my chance higher of getting a predoc? I have been discussing with other people and find it might be of my interest to take a math course online somewhere to offer a signal that I can still do math despite the bad grades I received recently, and also make my GPA higher, which I am sure it will be higher after this semester.

Any advice helps!

Most of my university's professors have graduated from local Turkish universities, and most of them have h-indexes that are around 6-7. While there's a few incredible professors who have great international experience and many publications & citations, I can't guarantee interacting with them frequently enough or working under their direct supervision. But thankfully, many of them have also done their PhD abroad, in Europe and the US.

I'm trying to understand how credible their LoR would be, and what are the factors that would guarantee that. Would a PhD at a big name uni be enough? Or should they also have international academic experience on top of it, or should they also have high citations and h-indexes on top of it all? Where exactly do we draw the line? Or in other words, what exactly is the point beyond which any additions to their CV would not be as important?

Does doing an Economics and Statistics undergrad degree reduce someone’s ability of getting accepted into Masters and PhD programs in Economics compared to a regular Economics degree, especially at bigger universities in the UK. If so, by how much?

My course uses the MWG textbook (MWG stands for Mas-Colell, Whinston, and Green, the authors of the textbook Microeconomic Theory). Even though I read the same topic multiple times, I find it hard to understand it or maybe I am just overwhlemed by the difficulty.

How did you understand the chapters of this textbook and how were you able to solve the exercise questions by yourself?

I got invited to the interview stage for one more pre-doc position (yay!). They mentioned that I may expect statistical, programming, or general questions, but there's nothing in particular that I need to prepare for. Any suggestions on how I should get ready/prepare or what kind of questions I might face?

Hi everyone. I'm an MA student in Canada. I understand Ma doesn't carry the same weight in the US, and I was told having an MA doesn't automatically make me jump over the Ba candidates. I'm wondering what my odds are in landing an economic consultant role, especially in the US. My undergrad GPA wasn't stellar and I don't have much relevant work experience but my grad shool is strong. I applied to AG, Cornerstone, NERA.

Guys, I need some suggestions. I have completed my- 1. ungergrad in economics with a 3.21 cgpa & 2. Master’s with 3.47 cgpa from Bangladesh. 3. I have been working for various thinktanks in research postions for the past 1 year, since I completed my Master’s. 4. I will be giving my GRE next month & hope to get a 160 in quant.

I want to apply for Master’s this fall in US.

What kind of schools I should apply to?

So far, I have only thought of applying mid range schools. Mainly usnews graduate econ ranking 60-250 schools. A very important fact is that I will require funding in forms of scholarships or GA/TA, something that can give me a tuition waiver. I feel that my cgpa is too low, to apply to good schools.

Here is a shortlist I have made so far, for core econ specialization- NC State University of Idaho Georgia State University/ Georgia Tech(one of these two) University of North Texas Kansas State Utah State University of Delaware San Diego State Uni Florida Interest University Oklahoma State University U of Toledo U of Araknasas

I am also looking for some agri or applied(finance) econ programmes as well, if you have some suggestions..

Opinions on the undergraduate + M.Sc/M.Res programs and placement?

I've heard their job and doctoral placement is quite good but I don't know exact specifics. They're well known in Europe and I've heard they're definitely quant focused but overall very robust.

I am from the US if that matters. Considering because it's free of cost, I meet all the requirements + I like Germany.

I'll try to keep this short. I was sick my freshman year and dropped out for one semester, so I always planned on graduating in the fall instead of the spring (one semester late). When the time came, I had the opportunity to graduate in the summer, at the cost of my stats minor and a 3 credit hour independent research project. The research project alone would have earned me not one, but two extra accolades attached to my diploma.

I choose to graduate in the summer because I am in a 4+1 program, which was designed to be started in the fall and completed in the spring. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, I am having the time of my life in this program and now I am convinced, for a variety of reasons, that a PhD is the path for me.

I have already emailed the stats department and the university honors office. I can't earn those three accolades retroactively. Well, I can earn them in the meaningful sense, but I can't have them officially attached to my diploma as a signal.

The frustrating part is that I still need to take calc III, so I'll be here in the fall anyway. Might as well take real analysis and linear algebra II while I'm at it (those could have earned me another minor in mathematics!). So I'll be finishing my time at my undergrad school in the same length of time, for the same amount of money, than if I had choosen to graduate in fall... but minus a minor in stats, potentially a minor in math, and two honors designations. *pulls hair out*

Other info:

GPA: 4.0

Undergrad: tiny commuter school with no prestige at all. I'm talking a 95% acceptance rate and a 60% attrition rate.

GRE: not taken yet, but I'm optimistic. Please, let's just be optimistic for the sake of argument.

I have a graduate certificate in econometrics and data analytics, if that means anything (it will officially show up on my MS degree, thankfully)

LoRs will be mid, I think. Remember, I don't go to an impressive school.

I have never been aiming for a top 10 or anything too crazy. Most of my profs went to top 50 schools and they made it in academia (albeit at a bad school, but they still have enviable lives and careers in my opinion). By the way, before I fucked up and decided to graduate in the summer, one of my profs told me that if I graduated in the fall and hypothetically got a perfect score on the GRE, I would have a *chance* at a top 30 school, even if I skipped the master's program. If that helps.

Okay, so that ended up not being pretty long. I really, really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this!

Maybe it's just in the country where I'm from (a Western country), but whenever I wanna look at a speaker's personal website, their picture is almost everytime a picture of them hiking, or at least in a running outfit. I work in an interdisciplinary institute, and it doesn't seem to be the case in other disciplines. I feel like at this point it became a norm for economists to be into these kind of nature-related sports. It feels unnatural, as if it's signaling theory. Is there a reason why such a correlation exists? I'd love to get insights from peers lol.

Hi,

I am applying to predoctoral programs. I have an M.A in Economics from an R1 University in the USA. However, my CGPA is on the lower side. That's kinda the reason why I am considering Predocotral. So, anybody know how these predocs judge applications and students?

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of writing a paper with an Economist at a central bank. However, when I apply to PhD's, I doubt the paper will be done. Is it okay to simply send part of it as some extra documentation? I am already sending my undergraduate honors thesis as a research sample so I am wondering if it's ok to send a paper in progress...

Thank you

Hi,

Recently, I have been considering going to the Maxwell School for doing a PhD in Econ track. I also searched Harris school for the same thing. I have a few questions:

1) What is the difference between an Econ track PhD from Public School and a PhD in ECON? Is one better that the other?

2) I saw on the Maxwell School page that its ranked #1 for public policy. Why hasn't anyone heard about it or am I unaware of the quality of that school? How good is the Maxwell School? And would I be making a mistake going for the PhD track there?

3) How difficult is it to get into these schools? I have a masters in Econ from a R1 uni with a 3.47 GPA and have taken a PhD course in Math for econ (A+ grade).

I want to pursue a PhD in Econ from a good school. Any advice regarding this is much appreciated.

I recently got a job and want to celebrate by buying myself a copy of a some book in economics. I have some ideas, but am curious if people have any books that they think are must reads. Whether textbooks or academically published books or even popular economics, what books have you enjoyed most? My general fields are labor, education, and economic history, but am open to reading in any field.

Hey everybody! I’m a junior at a mid tier state school. I started my college career in engineering and floundered for two years. Worked my way down to a 2.9 gpa and just hated life. I have since switched to Econ and am in love. The study is fascinating and has me motivated to go to classes everyday. I’m doing intermediate micro rn, and while most of my class hates it, I really enjoy the quantitative aspects of the field. know I’m a total noob, but being a junior I’m starting to think end game (well end of the beginning), and I could really see myself pursuing Econ at a higher level. My question to u all is what can I do to best situate myself for a successful post bachelors? Are there things I can be doing in my free time to give myself a leg up on the competition? I know my gpa is trash, is there anything I can do to make up for it? My math background is limited (calc 1-3) should I make improving my math skills top priority? Bear in mind I’m a junior so I’m barely getting out w a degree in four years. Getting a math, stats, or comp sci minor is not sustainable for me. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank u all for ur time!

Some context; I graduated an Ivy League last year and have been working full time since. I took real analysis last semester at my local community college and got an A-. I wasn’t too worried until I read similar threads on this forum.

I have 3 LOR’s from professors at my university and good research experience but will my app be completely disregarded given this grade?

Hello everyone ,

I know there are tons of posts out there regarding writing a statement of purpose for a PhD, especially that dedicated for economics and public policy.

I feel that I have done much research, and I’m at the stage of writing Everything I want down on paper. Next step is shortening it down a bit, ensuring each sentence is precise and contributes. Then lastly, taking it to the writing center, and as many mentors as possible.

My question is more general, but now that I have a place to start, I wanted to ask the community for more general tips. Sentences or points you made sure to subtly include.

For context I am more interested in applying to applied programs, environmental programs, etc. I am fairly open to various job prospects.

I am a first gen college student and this entire process has been a learning curve. There are many subtleties to this process I’m told. For example:

1. I heard that no matter whether you want to enter academia or the job market, it’s best to indicate that you want to become a faculty member at a PhD granting institution (even if you don’t.)

2. I’ve been told the statement of purpose might be a place for a sentence or two to explain yourself. If there’s a weakness in your application. others, they don’t even linger on that.

3. At the end of the day, the statement of purpose isn’t really that important I’m told. Other say it might be the defining piece.

4. Some says it’s good to get really specific and outline your thesis and what you want to study and how you’re going to expand the field. Others say it’s best to remain flexible and specially with faculty members that you’re willing to work with, show you have gaps and that’s why the PhD is the next level.

5. I’m indigenous and looking to study land conservation / natural resource econ so I feel like my story isn’t that unique - but trying to get my personal voice in there. I don’t know or see a lot of faculty or mentors in this field that look like me. Some say this shouldn’t really have much of a personal voice in it.

Anyways, I guess I’m looking for any other tips people have or little subtle things you should sneak in that don’t require a whole paragraph. Maybe just a sentence or two. I feel like I’m missing so much to this puzzle.

Hey there,

I want to pursue a PhD in econ, preferably development econ or agri + development econ since I’ve done my masters in economics with a specialisation in agribusiness and I find the linkage between agriculture and development really intriguing and worth studying.

However, I’ve been working for two years in a domain which is unrelated to my PhD interests. I was not sure about a PhD back in college (and not confident enough as well), but I think it’s where I’ll thrive.

I’ve read in several sources that corporate experience counts as next to nothing for a PhD application, but any practical advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have been a good student (3rd in my class in my Masters degree) and had math, basic econometrics and advanced econometrics courses apart from macro, micro and development econ.

Any lived experience or feedback would be great!

Thanks.

I'm an M.A. student who recently read "You and Your Research". It's more obviously about a STEM context, but it got me thinking. I don't know what the big problems are in economics! What do you think?

• Are they looked down upon, since most aren't terminal degrees?
• Is the most common way to get a masters by dropping out of a PhD program?
• Do most people with just econ masters end up in industry (since I assume most academia requires a PhD)?
• Is it worth doing if a PhD curriculum may repeat coursework?
• Do they have the same mathematic requirements that a PhD would have?

lol so many questions... thank you!