<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I have an offer from USC, UC Davis, and UCSB for MA in economics (1year).
Anyway from what I have heard UCSB sounds like a great place to spend a year at.
However just wanted to get people opinion on how "bad" / "easy"the graduate econ program at UCSB is viewed. Might try to go back to investment banking after graduating or work at NGO/government type economist role.</p>
<p>In terms of my background, have an undergrad from cambridge in the UK and have been working at a top bank for last 3 years. Basically want come to the US to study but also enjoy the experience. I have an offer from NYU and Michigan ann arbor, but if im coming over to the US, prefer it to be Cali)</p>
<p>So
1} is UCSB's academic standing really that bad?
2}as a graduate student living in graduate housing, is there still interaction with undergrads, or is the undergrad social life totally seperate to grad students?
3} Is UC Davis a good compromise?</p>
<p>appreciate any replies..
thanks</p>
<p>UCSB is by no means a “bad” school. I am not sure where you got that impression. </p>
<p>That said, Michigan is the best of the lot. If you are so concerned with academics, then go to Michigan, but on one hand you are worried about UCSB being a bad school and on the other you won’t take your best option to be in Cali. Make up your mind as to what you want. Personally, my choice would have been Michigan in a heartbeat it is by far the superior institution.</p>
<p>
I don’t think what you’re planning is the best route for either option. The standard credential for IB is an MBA, not an MA. As for economist, the trade card you need is a PhD.</p>
<p>Sorry I could have phrased that a lot better. Didn’t mean “bad”, just meant relative to the others, I got the impression it wasn’t as good. In any case was hoping to be told I was wrong.</p>
<p>As for IB route, didnt mean corp finance, meant back to trading.
And I guees your right regarding economist role, generally tend to be more for phds. However hoping to find an organisation that would find my previous work experience as a sufficient substitute.</p>
<p>Mikemac, Investment bankers do not care so much about MBA anymore. They care about the best of the best, however that expresses itself – and it’s often out of a physics or math department :). Many IBers don’t go back for an MBA after their two year associate run… they simply get promoted and keep going.</p>
<p>UCSB is a top 50 economics program – So it’s not bad, just not dripping with prestige as Chicago, Harvard, even Berkeley or UCLA would be.</p>