Why Stanford?
When you’re looking at top-notch grad schools, we all have a lot in common.
Prominent faculty. Prestigious institutions. Path-breaking research. Yes, you will acquire the background and skills necessary for careers as research economists, university teachers, and practitioners of economics. But how that happens is what makes Stanford stand out.
- How will you collaborate with peers and faculty?
- How will you transition from student to researcher?
- What will your daily experience be like?
We have spent the last several years refining our programs, listening, and iterating to focus on what will create the very best student experience. We eliminated Comprehensive Exams because they were causing more stress than success. We created a First Year Seminar Series to connect students with faculty from day one, and to give them constant exposure to current research instead of just tools and methods. We carefully cultivated a supportive and welcoming culture that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. And, in the spirit of Silicon Valley innovation, we never stop looking for ways to improve.
The Stanford Difference
The 5 "Cs" of Economics at Stanford
Culture
Open and encouraging, less stressful, and more cooperative. Your mental health and academic health are equally important here. And, whether you pursue an academic or industry career, you have our support—unconditionally.
Collaboration
Group work is highly encouraged—with peers and faculty alike. We make important decisions affecting our students only after consultation and discussion. We value student input. And there are no research fiefdoms – you can move freely between advisors and subfields.
Cross-Disciplinary
Economics is increasingly a cross-disciplinary field. The beauty of studying here is that you can take courses, collaborate, and research with faculty from equally top-notch departments across the university, including Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Psychology, and Political Science, as well as groups within the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Business, the School of Education, and the Law School.
Connections
Our program is intentionally designed to foster student connections—with each other, our faculty, and even tech firms in nearby Silicon Valley. Programs like the First Year Seminar Series, Second Year RA Match, and Third Year Seminars where students present their work-in-progress and papers to peers and faculty, can lead to co-authorships and lifelong collaborations.
California
Never underestimate the power of sunshine and fresh air. That’s what you’ll experience almost every day you’re here.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Bing Liu
"I’ve always been fascinated by the kinds of questions economists ask and by the rigorous methodologies they use to answer them. Starting graduate school felt like a natural next step, and Stanford has truly been the best place for it. I especially appreciate the cooperative environment here—everyone is genuinely invested in helping each other produce the best research possible."
Bing's favorite hobby: surfing!
"I started surfing after moving here (of course!). One of my favorite memories is the day I finished a presentation that I had been stressed about, had a series of very fun and intellectually stimulating discussions, then I drove to Santa Cruz and surfed until the stars came out. It was everything I could have hoped for in a grad school experience."
One of the hardest adjustments for me has been finding research questions that are not only interesting to me but also important to the field and to society. My advice to new students is not to worry about that too much at first. Focus on identifying phenomena or questions that genuinely interest you, and do your best to understand them—and to help others understand them too.
-- Bing Liu