What to pay attention to when doing campus visit? Econ Phd

[Lurunjing]

I have offers from two econ phd programs (UCSD and UWM). To decide which offer to take, I plan on doing campus visit next week and I am wondering what should I pay attention to and specifically look for to get as much info as possible during the campus visit? 

 

Any information is highly appreciated. 

Thanks a lot!!

 

[Sizzle]

For starters you should consider (in no particular order):

- their placement record

- the attrition rate

- the primary causes of attrition

- whether students feel supported by the program or fighting to simply prove themselves to the program

- whether students seem to be in competition with each other or whether they work well together

- any strategies students have acquired to succeed in each year

- average/median completion time

- any issues students have with progressing in a timely manner

- reasons students have taken additional time, if applicable

- any intradepartmental feuding

- what students feel is/are the program's strength(s)/weakness(es)

- what you could do between now and the start of the program to be best prepared

- how involved students are in faculty research and how involved faculty members are with student projects

- what responsibilities students have as TAs

- whether students find the stipend sufficient

- whether funding opportunities exist in the summer

 

This is just my opinion and a rough list of some topics that helped me decide between programs, but it is by no means exhaustive.

[thegirldetective]

All of Sizzle's recommendations are great. I would also add: Make sure you talk to as many current students in the program as possible, and make sure you talk to students at various stages of their degree - I have heard of programs (in other fields) who specifically only have first and second year students talk to prospective students, because the older students tend to be less happy with the program.

[Lurunjing]

All of Sizzle's recommendations are great. I would also add: Make sure you talk to as many current students in the program as possible, and make sure you talk to students at various stages of their degree - I have heard of programs (in other fields) who specifically only have first and second year students talk to prospective students, because the older students tend to be less happy with the program.

Thanks a lot for the helpful information!!!

[Lurunjing]

For starters you should consider (in no particular order):

- their placement record

- the attrition rate

- the primary causes of attrition

- whether students feel supported by the program or fighting to simply prove themselves to the program

- whether students seem to be in competition with each other or whether they work well together

- any strategies students have acquired to succeed in each year

- average/median completion time

- any issues students have with progressing in a timely manner

- reasons students have taken additional time, if applicable

- any intradepartmental feuding

- what students feel is/are the program's strength(s)/weakness(es)

- what you could do between now and the start of the program to be best prepared

- how involved students are in faculty research and how involved faculty members are with student projects

- what responsibilities students have as TAs

- whether students find the stipend sufficient

- whether funding opportunities exist in the summer

 

This is just my opinion and a rough list of some topics that helped me decide between programs, but it is by no means exhaustive.

Thank you so much for providing the list. It is really helpful!!!!