booksnlooks

booksnlooks described all of my interviews for similar positions perfectly! (Note: mostly undergraduate research assistant positions but the one graduate one I did was exactly the same).
To expand more on my experience with the "specific questions about past experience", I've usually been asked if I could do something or explain a simple concept. They are often clarification of something on my CV/resume. For example, one interviewer asked a question like "Do you know how to program a routine in C that would solve a matrix equation?". They didn't ask me to code it up on the spot though. It was a clarification on whether or not my computer science / linear algebra class covered that topic. Sometimes they would ask if I understood some fundamental concepts required for the project. A good way to say yes is to briefly explain your (basic) understanding of the concept. 
Finally, they will also often ask if you have questions and will usually expect you to ask questions! This is an important part as it shows you are interested and have been thinking about the project in mind. If you are interviewing for a specific project, be sure to read up on it and come up with some big picture and basic questions. If you don't know ahead of time, pay close attention during their description and ask thoughtful questions. Often times, the professor will end up deciding between many people who are all qualified for the position, so being interested/excited about the work can go a long way too!

I found out yesterday that my application was forwarded. So excited! Now the waiting game begins...

You'll need a strong background in math to succeed, but you'll also want some background understanding of economic concepts, models, and theories. Profs will assume you have both.
 
Differential equations are used a lot in macro, at least in my experience.

It does get better. There is an adjustment period that many students go through in the beginning of grad school. The kind of work, the amount and the level are very different from what many students are used to, and it takes time to re-calibrate. Next year and even next semester will seem easier, even though the work load will probably not decrease: you'll just learn to deal with it. It's a common thing you hear about from many students. 
 
Here are some practical tips: First, NO ONE does all of the reading. It's impossible. One skill you'll need to develop this semester is the ability to skim. You'll also need to learn to triage -- some things are more important than others. This goes for readings, assignments and any other responsibilities you have. For readings, you want to know enough to be able to follow the lecture, and you need to have a broad idea of the content and a more precise idea of the main point(s) in the text. Concentrate on that: look at the abstract and conclusion, skim for the structure, find the main argument. Make a note of any contributions you could make in class. If you're active when you know things, it's easier to be passive without getting noticed when you don't. 
 
Second, if you have homework, one useful way to get it done is to work with some of your peers in a group. Get them to explain whatever you are confused about, and explain to them what you understand. It is good for everyone. If you class has a TA, go to them early and have them help you out. It can be hard for the instructor to know if someone is struggling and sometimes if you let it last too long, it's hard to make your way back. 
 
Ask questions. If there is something you're confuse about but you think is so simple you're afraid to ask -- chances are there are five other people in the room thinking the exact same thought. 
 
If you don't understand an assignment -- ask an instructor or TA! You can't believe how often students waste time trying to interpret obscure wording and end up creating far more work for themselves than was ever intended. To help figure out your paper, since you seem like someone who likes to make plans, so why don't you schedule a meeting with either your advisor or the instructor of the class and work on creating a schedule for the next few weeks that will allow you to be done with the paper in time? It'll be a good opportunity to ask about whatever it is you're not sure about with regard to the paper, and it will help you begin to find a way to deal with the workload.

External hard drive to back up all your stuff! Seriously, back up your computer frequently. My laptop died on me last month but I had everything backed up on an external so I survived.
 
Also: heating pad (helps a sore back after a long day of sitting), sturdy bag/backpack, and shelf paper for your kitchen cabinets.

Another great tumblr: http://allmyfriendsareacademics.tumblr.com/

I think it's important to frame it by starting off saying that you're thrilled to receive an offer from them. Then move into discussing funding; Funding is an important issue affecting your decision to come to School ABC and you have received competitive offers from other schools. You are particularly interested in the XYZ program at ABC but financial constraints affect your decision. It's also important to ask not only if they are able to offer additional funding, but also if there is any additional funding to which you would be able to apply. This confirms your interest in them (beyond just asking for more money) and there may well be options for you to apply to.
 
Good luck, and congrats on your offers!

Yeah checking the results database has become a manic habit. But all that checking does allow me to see when people heard last year, so if anyone is applying to the same schools you might find this list helpful:
 
WHEN PEOPLE GOT NOTIFICATION LAST YEAR:
Duke: 2/9 (tomorrow!)
Texas LBJ: 2/16 to 2/19
Michigan Ford: 2/20
Cal Goldman: early March (dates were pretty varied)
CMU Heinz: 3/4 to 3/15
Chicago Harris: 3/10 to 3/13
Harvard: 3/12 (snail mail)
 
Sorry Rand folks, I didn't check that one...

I recently went to a campus visit at my top choice. I had been corresponding with the POI for months and when we met in person, he said he felt like he already knew me. Various happenings: tons of positive feedback on my recent publication, being introduced to the faculty as a "distinguished visitor", POI saying he is "extremely optimistic about the future", faculty member on admissions committee telling me I'm a good fit for the direction they are expanding the department in, a lot of wine and dining paid for by the school, one of the grad students saying she hopes the department's penchant for alcohol doesn't drive away an "extremely smart" applicant like myself, and an actual hug goodbye from POI and POI's wife.

I felt the need to itemize the details. I feel guardedly optimistic but I have told several friends about my impending acceptance and now I feel like I may have jinxed it.. So stressful. Just tell me if I'm in or not! Honestly, it seems cruel&unusual to put me through a 14-hour campus visit like that and not let me in....

1. Time management: block off time in your schedule for your life activities. These may include sports, meeting up with friends, hobbies, shopping/household chores, sleep -- whatever you feel like you're not getting to because grad school has taken over your life, just actively make it a priority. It's much easier to say you're too busy to do X or can't attend activity Y if your schedule says you're busy at that time.
 
2. Productivity: some days (weeks?) you get more done than other days. Measure your success not just by {how much time you were in the office / how much time you actively did research}. Off-time is crucial for letting ideas simmer and develop, and you shouldn't feel ashamed if some day(s) you do less. It's also very helpful (to me) to set small tangible goals for my day (=write a paragraph on X, work on subsection Y, finish analysis of Z, read up on W). I have a detailed to-do list and I like crossing things off it. If I get my goals for the day done early, I might keep going but I may also decide I've done enough to stop even if it's still early and I could do more. You can always do more. If you live by that rule, you'll always be frustrated with your performance.
 
3. Learn to say no!. It's a useful skill. Some things you don't have a choice but to do, but for other things make it a habit to never reply on the spot. Acknowledge the request and say "let me get back to you tomorrow" or "let me check something in my schedule and I'll have an answer for you then." Then look at your schedule; do you have time for this commitment? Do you want to do it? Is it beneficial for you? Don't take on more than you can handle.
 
4. Develop relationships with multiple professors and advanced students. You can use the advice and perspective they have, even if their research is not precisely in your area of expertise. The students will know all the little unwritten rules and secrets of the program. The professors, especially the more experienced ones, will be able to judge your progress compared to a broad range of people who graduated in the past.
 
5. Make friends with the staff. In some ways they have more power over your life than your advisor.

Don't let grad school consume you. Have lots of hobbies, play sports, and hang out with friends. Put in a good 40 hour work week, rather than a loose 60 hour work week, and never work from home to keep work and play separate. Just do the work and everything will be fine. Remember that everyone is going to seem more knowledgable than you because they are always going to know more about the topics that they study, and therefore talk about, than you do. 
 
Be product oriented and get in and get out. Be upfront with your boss what the expectations are to get your Ph.D. and just hammer out those products. An 8 year Ph.D. is excessive. 
 
Play to your lab's strengths. Your boss is likely a (world class?) expert in a specific field, so do what she/he is the best at, and you will produce the best products and receive the highest quality education. 

Try this Pinterest board! All of the outfits are from a fellow grad student. She also posts where she got everything and how much it cost--it's all very affordable.
 
http://pinterest.com/redheadblueheel/fashionista/

Woah, woah. You just hold up right there! There's an outside?
 

 
P.S.: Allie = hero.

You can't submit it to another journal until you hear from the one you've already submitted the article to. Be patient. It's likely that the reviewers were late submitting their reviews to the editor (holidays and everything in North America) and that you'll hear from the editor in the next few weeks.

Thanks, everybody. The semester turned out really well.

Stop stressing! If your applications are in, you need to let them go. I know, I know, it's absolutely harder than it sounds, but you can't let yourself get carried away. You've done your best and now it's out of your hands.

In the event you get rejected from all your programs, you take a deep breath and apply again the next year. It's not the end of the world! It gives you an extra year to work, gain experience, and make more money.

Hi there! I'm a current MA Econ student at one of the Canadian universities you're considering. I'm not sure what the application requirements are for math but I can tell you that you need to be extremely comfortable with math to be in this program. In undergrad, I took 1st year calc and linear algebra, 2nd year math for econ, and 4th year math for econ and I feel under-prepared for the level of math we use.

Your best bet is to contact the departments you're interested in to see if they will still consider you with your math background (after checking on their website for requirements). Regardless, be forewarned that econ programs at the top schools in Canada are very math-heavy and those of us who don't have strong math backgrounds are struggling.

As for grad-level courses, don't worry about it.

Based on the info you've provided and what I know about the Canadian programs you're interested in, I would say you have a good chance of getting into Queen's, UofT, and Western, and potentially UBC as well (although I don't actually know anyone who got in there so I can't say for sure).

Good luck with applications!

I signed up with a monthly 'beauty box' service that sends me 4-5 high end beauty samples each month. Great way to try new things and pamper myself with expensive products without breaking the bank!

I signed up with a monthly 'beauty box' service that sends me 4-5 high end beauty samples each month. Great way to try new things and pamper myself with expensive products without breaking the bank!

Imposter syndrome is very common in graduate school. The first semester/quarter is always the hardest; it is a transitional period for new students (new location, new culture, new university with its own policies and procedures, etc.). I am also positive that you are not the only person in your cohort who feels the same way. By the end of the first year, I believe you will have a better idea on whether you should continue in (or drop out of) the program. Don't give up yet!

Suck it up.

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's responses to the question I posted above. I'll post a link to my blog once I get everything set up.

Well, brokenrecord... You are in EXPOSURE science