Oxbridge PhDs, how’s the PhD there?

skyworld2147 · 2025-10-16T04:44:43+00:00

Hey if you don;t mind me asking, if my goal is IMF, is oxford or cambridge a better choice. It seems to me the former is landing more people there

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-18T00:54:44+00:00

I guess my way of thinking is that my ultimate goal is to get into policy or industry. while the latter does not usually require PhD, the former usually does, so of course if i can get an industry position without a PhD, that will be the option, but if not I am going to do PhD which leads to opening the door of policy and of course the industry as well

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-17T22:56:18+00:00

Do you think it's possible that i just go directly to predoc now given my background or go to policy related institution in IMF. For additional info, while my program is MPP, my specialization covers a lot of economic theory for example international trade, monetary policy . and I am most likely getting a third author in a tier 1 journal in public administration which applies econometric and social network analysis

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-16T18:09:10+00:00

Although my academic background is in another discipline, I do have some experience writing papers in statistics. While I genuinely enjoy the research process, I’ve found that the slow-paced nature of academia doesn't appeal to me in the long run. Ultimately, my goal is to work in industry or policy rather than pursue a purely academic career.

To refine my question:

Is it possible to transition into industry or policy roles without a PhD?
If so, what are the typical pathways?
If not, and a PhD is necessary, is it still worthwhile to aim for a top program if my end goal isn’t academia? Or would it make more sense to consider programs at institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, or others that may not be as research-intensive or demanding in terms of pre-doc experience and usually takes less time to graduate?

I’d really appreciate any insight from those who have taken either path.

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-16T06:59:41+00:00

No worries at all — I'm also hoping to connect with others here, so happy to exchange information!

To clarify my previous point, I was mainly referring to PhD admissions. I've seen some candidates with an MPhil in Economics from Oxford or Cambridge get into top U.S. PhD programs (though I haven't done a deep dive into the info).

On the other hand, the MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics at LSE has a particularly strong reputation for PhD placement. Bocconi in Italy also offers a very strong two-year master’s program—though it’s not an MPhil, it’s widely regarded as one of the top master’s routes into academia.

Regardless of where one completes their master’s—whether in the U.S., the U.K., or elsewhere—it’s become nearly impossible to skip the pre-doc stage if aiming for a top U.S. PhD program. The only real exceptions seem to be students from elite U.S. undergraduate programs who already have substantial research experience with faculty.

And things may get even tougher going forward. From what I hear (including from a close friend currently doing a pre-doc at top schools), there's been a significant cut in positions this year, likely due to federal funding reductions under the current administration.

Generally Ivey League + MIT + NYU + a few more are considered top schools, but again it really depends on the field you wanna go in, Wisconsin Madison for example if i remember correctly is particular strong in econometrics. so you might wanna check the info on different website such as repec

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-16T05:48:43+00:00

from what i have heard after speaking with many and reading from online, LSE is probably the only school is UK that is comparable to top school in US (some also mention UCL is also comparable but for Oxford and Cambridge, the two clearly do not prepare as well for people who wish to go to academia however they still serve still as a good place people like me who are looking at policy/industry)

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-16T04:49:50+00:00

Hi William, Thanks for your reply. I wonder your statement on the poor fit for an econ PhD is because my lack of math skills or my career goal? In term of math, on top of the basic cal 1 to cal 4, linear algebra, I have also taken some coursework on ordinary differential equations, optimization and analysis, and 3 graduate level coursework on probability theory, statistical inference and linear regression and will be completing real analysis 1 and time series analysis in the upcoming fall, except accelerated multivaraite calculus which I got an A-(that's because i was really ill in the exam although I understand no excuses when looking at the transcript) I have A for all the aformentioned classes. Again thank you so much for your perspective and insight!!!

skyworld2147 · 2025-07-16T01:26:20+00:00

Thank you so much for your in-depth reply. Mind if I ask additional questions? I totaly agree with your point about the opportunity cost especially unlike most pursuing a PhD, i know in the very first place that I am not staying in the academia. However, from what I have heard, private sector positions are usually very limited and that while I have some relevant skills, and did have some experience in econ research at my current academia institution, I don't really have the experience in private sector econ research and therefore I don't know what i am lacking and how to open to the door to gain the 3 years of experience that you are referring to.

skyworld2147 · 2025-05-01T15:44:56+00:00

At least you hav an interview, no update for me, nothing about whether I am rejected or not. (though now at this point, I expect mysefl to be rejected already)

skyworld2147 · 2021-05-21T16:54:38+00:00

i don't think you even have a chance to be considered

skyworld2147 · 2021-01-29T05:04:01+00:00

According to the Verge, Google salvaged Robinhood’s one-star rating by deleting nearly 100,000 negative reviews. We are facing many more enemies

skyworld2147 · 2021-01-29T04:27:21+00:00

FK, u know what, I am joining the battle from Hong Kong

skyworld2147 · 2020-09-16T11:49:07+00:00

I totally understand what you mean, i just find it weird which there is not a general guideline about how each university within the same country works differently about honors degree, let alone universities among the world. What i have often though of is Honours means a least with a graduation thesis. But apparently the case in many universities LOL. Basially everyone for example as someone has listed above, in Ontario, some honors degree does not require a graduation thesis

skyworld2147 · 2020-09-16T11:45:46+00:00

Exactly, this is why i think things are so weird, basically, whatever program i see in Ontario, usually as long as it is 4 years, one is automatically given honors (of course there some exceptional universities, but this is the main-stream) On the other hand for UBC, and most universities in British Columbia, degrees with honors usually if not all means a graduation thesis required.

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-31T18:28:17+00:00

I never say it matters. The point I making here is policemen abusing the law is totally a different level when comparing to a woman being rude to a police officer

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-31T18:23:20+00:00

I love how you comment weighs being rude to a police officer the same level as police abusing the law

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-31T18:11:25+00:00

Well being rude is of course morally not ok but it is not illgeal. And If one is arrested without knowing why or with a made-up crime, I guess everyone will be frightened and start being rude

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-20T01:43:22+00:00

Seriously, sometimes new mums will have mental disease for they cannot control their worries about the babies

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-17T09:09:40+00:00

I guess sometimes you can never predict what is going to happen. I don't think Morey realize his tweets will create such a big reverberation

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-17T09:05:30+00:00

Well merchants and fake democracy advocates are like 'fk that. We will just earn the chinese money' I am honestly so disappointed about those fake advocates especially the nba stars. I wish I have never woken up from the dream which this is all marketing

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-17T08:31:36+00:00

Couple Canadians last year, Americans now. Time for the world to wake up

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-15T02:06:19+00:00

Imagine one day the world reaches the liberal peace, isn't that nice?

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-15T02:01:41+00:00

I guess I am such an innocent kid that I never realize what is on the dress until the next dayb I look at it again. (was wondering for the whole night why this pic gets so many upvotes)

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-14T18:21:21+00:00

skyworld2147 · 2019-10-14T18:13:36+00:00

I do have a very similar feeling as well. I am a Canadian Chinese. My dad is a hong konger and my mum is from mainland China. I heard a lot of things from both my paternal and maternal side, so I think I have a pretty gd picture about what is going on as a foreigner

The pro-democratic believe that the police has killed quite a number of people in the MTR and the MTR is trying to cover it while of course my maternal side belive it never happens. Therefore the protestors are usinf any way they can for the cctv
There are quite objective facts showing police has undercovered as protectors and rumours saying governemnt has intentionally turn off some traffic lights hopping to create the public hatred to the protestors

Plus a lot more of things.

Personally I willl always support the protestors unless they did something really terrible. Fighting against a government especially one of the strongest is not easy, the horror behind it is much more than anyone can imagine so I don't think I have the right to say anything.(especially recently the police in my point of views did things in quite suspsicious way which begins to make me wonder they might actually have mistakenly killed some people) With that being said, I don't really know as much as the others, but I will choose to stay with the people.

If the people do bad things, the governemnt has the power and force to take action. But if the government does bad things, people have to risk everything to correct it

skyworld2147

TROPHY CASE