memento22

I think the U of Maryland is a bit more prestigious. Both have great traditions in agriculture/rural development with their ag econ programs. But for policy, I'd think Maryland has the advantage due to being in/around DC.

Hello all, My current employer is pushing to have me stay with them in some capacity while I complete my PhD. Right now, I am leaning towards the Pardee RAND PhD in Policy Analysis, where I have been accepted. This program is truly a great fit for me with a pretty good financial package - however, the financial package includes needing to work as a researcher a select number of hours at the RAND think-tank in order to earn that package. I suppose that is similar to being a RA at a traditional university. The way they estimate it for me is that I would have around $26-$28k in stipend each year after taxes and tuition. That's great and I am extremely thankful. However, it is also in Santa Monica, a suburb of Los Angeles even more expensive than most of LA. Avg. rent there is around $4k!!! Of course, I am sure I can find something cheaper, maybe $2k a month with transit, but I don't want to live in a bad place and I really would prefer to live alone (not with a roommate). So continuing to work for my employer, even if in a limited capacity for just an extra $1k a month, would help considerably. Long story short - is working an outside job during my first years in PhD program feasible (I know that is when course load is highest)? Is it something school's tend to accept or have a problem with? Could the "type" of employment matter (for example, if I am a "consultant" for my current employer during the PhD program instead of an "employee")? Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance for any advice.

research, analysis and design. what about you?

I'm also waiting for IHEID with a lot of hope... Are they known for being generous with financial aid? I applied to the Master in International Economics, and am hoping to do the PhD fast track option once I get in.

I was fortunate enough to be accepted. PRGS is definitely one of my top choices, so I am planning on accepting, unless by some miracle I get into Harvard too... even then I might still go it will just be a very tough choice. In any case, I would imagine that spots will open up in mid-March when people start to get accepted to other programs. I hope it all works out for you and we meet each other in the incoming cohort!

I am also considering doing a PhD/JD program. I am interested in a Public Policy PhD, and with the close relationship to policy and law (policy often "manifest" itself as law) I feel it could be beneficial. However, it does seem to boost the time for completion up to 6+ years.

V: 168 Q: 164 W: 6.0 I was hoping to be competitive for the Harvard Kennedy School Public Policy PhD, but I would be applying for the economics methodology within that program. Saw somewhere online that avg. Quant scores for the HKS PP PhD are 162, but not sure how much truth there is to that, especially if I would be applying on the basis of doing more quant heavy stuff within the program. I had scored around 166 consistently on the practice exams for Quant, and was really hoping for that score, or better. Disappointed with 164, but really, really do not want to pay the $$$ and go through the stress of taking this thing again, unless I really need to. I have taken a lot of math classes (up to real analysis) with A's in all of them, so maybe that could compliment the lower Quant score... Any suggestions on if I should go through this again and pay the extra money? Thanks in advance.