Name

Walter Graf

School

University of California at Berkeley

Degree Program

Second year PhD student in Agricultural and Resource Economics with a specialization in Environmental Economics

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Economics from University of Michigan, 2010; Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Michigan, 2010

Research Interests

Energy; residential electricity demand

Advisor

Severin Borenstein

Hobbies

Road and mountain biking, rock climbing

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose to go to University of California at Berkeley for my PhD program because it offers the top program in agricultural and resource economics in the nation. Its focus is strongly centered on environmental and developmental issues, which are important to me. Its program also includes applied work, not just theoretical musings.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I think that the most important thing that I did to prepare for graduate school was to start conducting research for professors when I was an undergraduate. In my last 2 years, I looked for professors who worked in the fields that interested me and I asked to help with their projects. Those research experiences introduced me to academic study and allowed me to develop closer relationships with those professors.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

University of California at Berkeley required me to take the general GRE. The quantitative section of the GRE was far more important than the verbal assessment for my program. Even though the type of math tested by the GRE was at a lower level, like algebra and geometry, the test is taken very seriously. You need to have a good score in the math portion of the general GRE to have a shot at decent graduate schools in my field.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I wrote about my academic background and why I am interested in economic study. I discussed why I wanted to pursue economics at the PhD level and what I thought I might be able to do with that advanced knowledge in the future.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I approached professors who I knew well from research experiences. Those professors had encouraged me to start thinking about economic graduate programs, so it made sense to ask them to recommend me. In general, you need to make sure that you start to build relationships with faculty so they know who you are. Make an effort to visit your professors during office hours and get them to take an interest in you.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

Most people take 5 years to finish this program. The first 2 years are devoted to coursework, and there is little expectation that you will conduct research outside of that. In the second year, you begin your own research, which culminates in a publishable research paper. In your third and fourth years, you spend the majority of your time researching for your dissertation. Then you make an oral defense of your dissertation in front of a committee. In the fifth year, you usually enter the job market.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor’s role in my education is to guide me in the research process and provide feedback for my ideas. He is a faculty member from the Haas Business School whose research interested me and aligned with mine.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, students in my PhD program are required to pass preliminary exams at the end of our first year. At the end of our second year, we have to pass a field exam, which is an exam that covers everything you did in your second year related to your major field.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

I don't know how much my PhD program would cost because everyone in my program is fully funded.

How are you funding your education?

I am paying for my education through funding from my university. I am a research assistant, so I am required to work 20 hours a week in exchange for my tuition waiver.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in agricultural and resource economics?

The time commitment of my PhD program varies each year. For example, in my first year, I probably spent at least 12 hours a day working. Now that I am in my second year, I spend about 10 hours a day, including weekends, working. As you go through the program, I believe the time commitment lessens somewhat since there is less structure.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has affected my life in that I am busier than I would like to be, but it is doable. I managed to get engaged during my first year and I got married last summer. I noticed there are 4 or 5 other students in my class who are also married, so it is possible to have a personal life and complete a PhD program if you can manage your priorities.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I would like to be researching environmental energy issues in developing countries. It is my hope that my research will help policymakers to more efficiently make informed decisions that are grounded in science and economics.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in agricultural and resource economics?

The best insight I can offer students is to connect with a professor and start conducting research as early as you can, because that will give you an idea of what an economist actually does. You should also talk to as many people who are in PhD programs as you can so that you know what you will be getting into. I found that professors and students are generally happy to talk about their experiences, so you shouldn’t be shy about approaching them.