Resources for Economics Students

Articles Index

Why Study Economics?
A reader asks: "Perhaps this is an unusual request. My daughter just completed first year of A levels. She will go for an Economics degree next year. She is required to make a write up and to answer interview questions on this write up as to why she wants to study Economics." In Why Study Economics? we discuss various reasons why someone would want to study economics.

Choosing a Graduate School in Economics
I am an MSc student in economics and I want to pursue a Ph.D. in economics in the United States. I want to follow a career in macroeconomics and econometrics. Can you recommend good pre-Ph.D. books and a good graduate college? How do I pick a graduate school in economics?

Microeconomics Student Resource Center
Help for students having trouble with Microeconomics. Microeconomics tips and tricks are available. http://economics.about.com/cs/studentresources/a/micro_help.htm

How to Understand and Calculate Cost Measures
This article explains how to calculate marginal cost, total cost, fixed cost, total variable cost, average total cost, average fixed cost, and average variable cost using simple examples.

More Books for Economics Graduate School
Advice for a student considering entering graduate school in economics. The main advice is on books that you may want read for entering graduate school in economics.

Books to Study Before Going to Graduate School in Economics
Advice for a student considering entering graduate school in economics. The main advice is on books that you may want read for entering graduate school in economics.

When Is It Okay to Borrow?
When Is It Okay to Borrow? Financial advice for the recently graduated student.

6 Things Your College Graduate Must Do
6 Things Your College Graduate Must Do. Financial advice for the recently graduated student.

Which Graduate Programs are Keynesian?
A question posed by a reader: I'm a junior in economics and I'm researching grad schools. From reading your page I get the impression that if I'm interested in studying macroeconomics and I like Friedman and don't like Keynes then I should apply to Chicago, Northwestern, Minnesota, Penn, and Rochester? Any others? Thanks!

The 2004 Moffatt Prize in Economic Writing
Are you interested in doing graduate work in economics or in getting a job after you graduate? Well now here’s your chance to prove yourself to prospective employers and graduate programs. You could be the winner of “The 2004 Moffatt Prize in Economic Writing” by submitting an article on economics to this site.

Factor Returns and Scale Returns
Article answers the question: Consider the production function Q = K[sup]a[/sup]L[sup]b[/sup].[p] Find conditions on a and b so that the function exhibits decreasing returns to each factor, but increasing returns to scale.[p]

A Public Good Through the Eyes of College Freshmen
A Public Good Through the Eyes of College Freshmen

How To Write Different Types of Economics Exams
How To Write Different Types of Economics Exams looks at three common types of economics exams and how you should approach writing them.

How To Study For Your Economics Exam
How To Study For Your Economics Exam. Tips on how to study for your economics exam that is a few weeks away as well as tips on how to cram the night before, if necessary.

Macroeconomics Student Resource Center
Help for students having trouble with Macroeconomics. Macroeconomics tips and tricks are available. http://economics.about.com/cs/studentresources/a/macro_help.htm

Increasing, Decreasing, and Constant Returns to Scale
Article answers the question "If I have a production function that has both labor and capital as factors, how can I tell if it is increasing returns to scale, constant returns to scale, or decreasing returns to scale?"

Where Can I Get Economics Department Rankings?
"Where Can I Get Economics Department Rankings" looks at different lists which ranks graduate schools in economics. http://economics.about.com/cs/studentresources/a/grad_rankings.htm

Short Run vs. Long Run
Article answers the question: I am undergoing an economics lecture at the undergraduate level and cannot understand the difference between "long run" and "short run". How long is the long run and how long is the short run?

Economics Graduate School Atmosphere
Consider when choosing an economics department how important relationships with professors and fellow graduate students can be. That is, don't just look at the straight academics when choosing a school. Find out (if possible) about the environment.