Utilizing local resources in application prep

[publicaffairsstudent]

For more on my background read the previous thread "Econ phd with liberal arts major," but suffice it to say I'm a masters student with a liberal arts background and a few years prior to application in which i need to supplement math and econ courses. I'm already doing research for my graduate school, but there is a top 30 econ program in my current city and I'm wondering if I should reach out to them to develop my profile as an applicant. The school is my undergrad alma mater and I have immediate family members who are influential faculty, though not in the econ department.

I was wondering if it would be possible to reach out to a professor with similar research interests to puruse potential paid or unpaid research opportunities. I could attend lecture series and get to know people in the department. Additionally since I need intemediate micro and macro, would it be a successful strategy to take these in this econ department and would this open avenues to work as an RA for a professor there? There is a significant financial calculation, as it is a private top 30 university and 2 courses would cost more than half of what my entire masters cost at a state school. If I pursued these courses at the local state school or one of the less elite private schools in my city the courses would be 1000 each, at the elite private they are 5,000 each. Any advice is appreciated.

[Poli92]

I would say not to go into coursework at a new school and expect it to turn into an RA opportunity.

 

Firstly, I know at my school, which has a decent record of placing econ majors into grad programs, people who are working through UG level econ frankly aren't qualified to be much assistance with the kind of research that the faculty are doing. I mean, maybe data management or something, but nothing really sophisticated--YMMV.

 

Secondly, (and I mean nothing offensive by this) why should they pick a relative outsider over someone who comes from within their department? Particularly if you have econ grad students to compete with. There are too many incentives for profs to go with one of their own, groomed students to employ as an RA versus someone who is really just there to take a few courses as a stepping stone. 

 

You should still definitely take the coursework somewhere, and if it turns out to lead to more than that, great. I wouldn't hope for it though. If I were in your shoes, I would also save the money and take the state school route for these courses. I just can't imagine that the return is going to be commensurate with the amount you'll be paying for the classes at the private uni. 

[publicaffairsstudent]

Yeah, no biggie, I was just wondering if research opportunities would be possible. After talking with folks on urch, a good rec from a professor at a top school is probably not worth 6,000 to take his course. I research in my own program, but it would be good to get some econ research experience to prep for econ apps. If I do decide to go the econ route rather than policy, its looking like I will probably do a masters. I'm young, I have the money to do it, and the job market is not really that lucrative for me right now, so while I am working I'd feel more fulfilled studying things I love.

[Poli92]

If you're looking for personal fulfillment then research and write independently in your down time while you're waiting for the right time to apply. You may not be able to put it on your resume directly but you will certainly gain a greater familiarity with the literature. Also, I've learned more about applied methods from reading the lit and studying the things I don't understand in the methodology than I probably have from any class. It might not pay off immediately but in the long run it will help you talk the talk and walk the walk, which will be huge in your SOP for whenever you do apply. 

[publicaffairsstudent]

I'm not necessarily looking for personal fulfillment per se. But the idea that studying economics in an affordable master program might be more fulfilling that working in a tough economic climate is a consideration. I do a lot of self study. I'm working on a good RA project for my professor right now, and he's gonna supervise me in an independent study next semester that I get course credit for. I know what you're talking about though, one of the best parts of being enrolled as a student is the online library access. I understand why Aaron Swartz was so passionate about his cause.