What are the the best masters programs in terms of placements into the T20 programmes currently? Are the usual European ones still performing strong or have there been any dropoffs to be noted? Also, are the smaller institutes like CEMFI and ROME Masters still good? And have there been any newer ones like these that are under the radar?
Best Masters Programs in terms of PhD Placement in 2022
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Is there a specific reason?
PreDoc. Bocconi ESS will soon lose value.
Most PreDoc will get you the opportunity to take at least one class each semester. So, here’s what you get with a PreDoc:
1. Opportunity to take rigorous classes at M/HRMs and do well to build a transcript that creates a valuable signal to the admission committee.
2. Bolster that signal with recommendation letters from people who are expert enough to get the grant money or have the research budget that they use to hire you. These recommendation letters are likely to be better than the ones you get from the prof with whom you had a class.
3. Somewhat of a guided training on how good economics research works.
Now, you do the calculation against what a mere master’s degree offers.
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^the only thing is that it’s often hard to get a PreDoc. I saw some guy complaining super hard on Twitter about how hopeless the process is, since there’s no committee making decisions and the requirements are esoteric - based on the project the PI is hiring for. You may have taught yourself Stata, but the ones requiring only Stata are super competitive. So, you would have to teach yourself more skills to stand out in the market and meet somebody’s specific needs.
Otoh, thousands of PreDoc jobs are posted each year - at least 50s during good months. So, there’s demand, and each one is hiring at least one person. That person will have a better claim at a PhD seat at any school than someone with a master’s.
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Why do I have to be an insider? I’m not from Bocconi ESS, but I am very integrated in the PreDoc process, and I couldn’t have illustrated the core points for you more. How would you expect a terminal master’s degree to stand out against what a PreDoc offers? In fact, most people who want a PhD and got a terminal master’s are now doing PreDoc for 2 more years. Finally, there’s also enough predocs graduating each year now to fill up every seat in the top 20, and the demand keeps on growing.
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Why do I have to be an insider? I’m not from Bocconi ESS, but I am very integrated in the PreDoc process, and I couldn’t have illustrated the core points for you more. How would you expect a terminal master’s degree to stand out against what a PreDoc offers? In fact, most people who want a PhD and got a terminal master’s are now doing PreDoc for 2 more years. Finally, there’s also enough predocs graduating each year now to fill up every seat in the top 20, and the demand keeps on growing.
I see, thanks for your inputs.
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An average vacancy at BFI gets 500+ applications. You’ll be at an advantage though if you’re an US citizen or a permanent resident since some strictly require that and thus reduce completion from international candidates.
where did you get the info about bfi from?