SouthAfrican&Proud

Hi All, I am currently pursuing graduate Economics study and am trying to come up with a list of personal reading material that can help provide a balanced and well-rounded understanding of the discipline of Economics. What would you say are the top 10 books that every aspiring economist should read irrespective of their intended specific field? I welcome any thoughts or suggestions that you might have.

Hi all, I just wanted a forum to gripe and grime about the 'trials and tribulations' of being on a F1 student visa. If you are inspired to share your biggest pet peeve (or as many as you like because that list can be endless) on the supposed coveted joys of reaching F1 platinum student status, feel free to share your diamond starred experiences here. Personally, my top 3 pet peeves are in order of smallest to biggest: 1. Limited to working 20 hours/week during school semesters. Sometimes 20 hours just isn't enough to cover the bills and as a student (particularly in a recovering job market) it isn't always easy to find part time employment that lines up perfectly with your academic major. At times putting in some extra hours at McDee's is needed for supplemental income but your options are limited and then your stuck competing for on campus jobs that are quickly gobbled up by perm. residents and citizens getting first dibs. 2. OPT limited to 1 year. Finding a company that's willing to hire and sponsor you on an H1B within 12 months of graduating is easier said than done (particularly when the odds are stacked against you and the company can easily bypass this hassle and simply hire a perm resident/citizen). Which brings me to my 3rd point... 3. Having to pursue another degree to remain in the country because points 1 and 2 didn't work out and your options back home are less than stellar to put it politely. So the cycle invariably continues with one going to school, coming out with a highly qualified set of credentials, skills and experiences only to struggle to find permanent employment. Sigh, shake head, contemplate leaving the country and/or marrying an American citizen and then repeat steps 1, 2 and 3. At some point along this journey you might even earn 3 masters and 1 or 2 PhD's before you finally strike gold or simply agree to call it quits. Thankfully I have not reached that point yet, and I mean I know it's a student visa, but at some point people something's gotta give. However it would be interesting to see some statistical sampling study of the average number of advanced degrees per current or previous F1 students relative to those in the population with at least a bachelor's degree. My guess is it would be slightly larger with the former group. At any rate, those are my top 3. What has your experience been like?

I wish I hadn't read this - now I'm in the same boat....

Hi there, So I've already submitted my applications for MA Programs in International Affairs/Development for the Fall but completely bombed the GRE Quant section. I didn't do too bad on the verbal and I'm generally strong quantitatively (I've worked in finance & risk management capacities for the past 1.5 years) but overall I think I just don't do standardized tests well. A lot of the programs have a heavy economics/quantitative component and I'm afraid that my quantitative performance will count me out of the admissions process. I do have a previous BA in Economics (although a 3.0 overall GPA). To increase my chances I'm currently taking graduate level economics classes in Econometrics, Micro-economics & Calculus. Do you think it would be wise to send these schools the course list I am taking now to be added to my applicant profile while they are still reviewing applications before March final decision time? Could this possibly boost my chances and demonstrate my quantitative potential? I welcome any advice or suggestions

Hi there, So I've already submitted my applications for MA Programs in International Affairs/Development for the Fall but completely bombed the GRE Quant section. I didn't do too bad on the verbal and I'm generally strong quantitatively (I've worked in finance & risk management capacities for the past 1.5 years) but overall I think I just don't do standardized tests well. A lot of the programs have a heavy economics/quantitative component and I'm afraid that my quantitative performance will count me out of the admissions process. I do have a previous BA in Economics (although a 3.0 overall GPA). To increase my chances I'm currently taking graduate level economics classes in Econometrics, Micro-economics & Calculus. Do you think it would be wise to send these schools the course list I am taking now to be added to my applicant profile while they are still reviewing applications before March final decision time? Could this possibly boost my chances and demonstrate my quantitative potential? I welcome any advice or suggestions