Newsletters

• Fall 2007 Advising Newsletter 
• Spring S007 Advising Newsletter
• Spring 2006 Advising Newsletter

Fall 2007 Advising Newsletter 

1. This year, I will hold one-hour class meetings each term. During the fall meeting, I will hand out to you a copy of your official academic audit. This audit represents what the Program and University believe you have accomplished with respect to earning a major in Economics. It is important that this audit be correct so that there are now surprises down the road. Please review it carefully and let me know if you believe there are any errors. I will also discuss with you study abroad, job market, BOC, TOC, graduate school applications, and more. Let me know if there are additional topics that you would like me to prepare for these meetings.
   1. 1st Year Class Meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 5th at 4:30 p.m. in Mellon Auditorium.
   2. Sophomore Class Meeting:  Monday, Sept. 10th at 4:30 p.m. in Mellon Auditorium .
   3. Junior Class Meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 12th 4:30 p.m. in Mellon      Auditorium
   4. Senior Class Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 11th 4:30 p.m. in Mellon      Auditorium.
2. The Undergraduate Economics Program will host five faculty/student social events this term. These are opportunities for you to spend time with faculty outside of the classroom.
   1. Annual Faculty/Student Ice Cream Social:  Thursday, Sept. 6th (4:30 - 6:00 p.m.) in the Tepper Courtyard. Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday the 6th at 9 a.m.
   2. Faculty/Student Coffee: Tuesday, Sept. 25th (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.) in the Ph.D. Lounge (2nd floor Posner Tepper Connector). No need to R.S.V.P.  
   3. Faculty/Student Coffee: Tuesday, Oct.. 23rd (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.) in the Ph.D. Lounge. No need to R.S.V.P.
   4.  Faculty/Student Coffee: Tuesday, Dec. 4th (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.) in the Ph.D. Lounge. No need to R.S.V.P.  
   5. Annual Bowling Tournament: Friday, Nov. 16th at 6 p.m. at Squirrel Hill's Forward Lanes. Please R.S.V.P.
3. There are two new websites that you should pay attention to. By now, you have most likely discovered the new Tepper website. Please be certain to follow the information on the calendar page of the Econ Students' Current students section (http://www.tepper.cmu.edu/current-students/current-economics-undergraduates/calendar/index.aspx). As you know, I update this site as new events are created. The second website that I am pleased to announce is an H&SS General Education website. I have been very active in the design of this website and I believe that it will greatly enhance the quality of your lives. This site will go live on Sept. 10th and I will send out an announcement. You can expect to find information about courses, what general education categories they fulfill, the likelihood of getting into courses, interviews with faculty, and more.
4. The Undergraduate Economics Program will launch a mentoring program in which juniors and seniors are paired up with faculty. I will tell you more about this program as soon as I have set up the pairs. This mentoring program is an opportunity for you to discuss with a faculty member your interests, course selection (actually, topic selection), graduate school, careers, etc. This program is not mandatory, but I strongly encourage all of you to participate.
5. Last month you received an e-mail from me announcing changes in the Career Center; i.e., Jennifer Frick is now the Career Consultant for Undergraduate Business and Undergraduate Economics Students. I encourage all of you to set up an appointment with her. Jennifer recommends that you phone (8-2064) the Career Center to set up an appointment. The Career Center has published "Career Guide 2007-2008: A Comprehensive Guide to Career Services."  I encourage you to  stop by the Career Center and pick up a copy. There is quite a lot of information presented; e.g., resumes, follow-up letters, phone interviews, etc. Additionally, you can find the schedule for Fall events. The first event "Planning Your Job Search" will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6th (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.) in Rangos 3 (U.C.).
6. Academic Development has posted their Fall 2007 Schedule. Peer tutors are offered for 76-101, 21-111, 21-120, 21-122, 21-256, 21-259, 15-100, 76-100, and more. Please consult Academic Development's web page for locations and times (http://www.cmu.edu/academic-development/peer-tutoring/index.shtml).
7. For your peace of mind, let me remind you what courses you would be in this term in order to stay on schedule to graduate within four years. Remember, that in addition to the requirements for the Economics major, you need to pass 360 units and fulfill all of your General Education requirements. All courses that count towards a degree (major, minor, additional major, dual degree) must be taken for a letter grade. Remember that 360 units breaks down to 45 units per term.
   1. 1st Years: You should be enrolled in 36-201 and 73-100 (if you are enrolled in 21-120) or 36-201 and 21-111.
   2. Sophomores: You should be enrolled in (73-150 or 73-200) and statistics (36-207 or 36-217 or 36-225 or 70-207). The statistics preparation will allow you to take 73-226 next term. Some of you  may wait until Junior year to take QEA. That's fine. However, be certain that you are in either Micro or Macro this term.
   3. Juniors: In order to graduate on time, you must enroll in 73-226 next Spring. If you have already taken QEA, then you are in good  shape. If you haven't, you should be in a statistics course right now (e.g., 36-207 or 36-217 or 36-225 or 70-207).
   4. Seniors: In order to graduate on time, you must be enrolled in Senior Project or Tepper Senior Honors in Economics. Additionally, if you have not yet taken 73-261, you should enroll in it. If you plan to substitute two upper level electives for the Senior Project course, please submit the appropriate paperwork (http://www.tepper.cmu.edu/current-students/current-economics-undergraduates/forms/index.aspx).
8. Please consult the calendar for other planned events: a presentation on the Tepper MBA 3-2 Program, Spring 2008 Economics Electives presentation, NSF Workshops, and more.
9. The Economics Society and Economics-Student Advisory Committee (E-SAC)have begun planning 2007-2008 events. The first Peer Mentoring Network event (E-SAC sponsored will take place on Thursday, Sept. 13th at 4:30 p.m . in Mellon Auditorium. The first Economics Society General Meeting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 27th at 4:30 p.m. in Tepper 130. Everyone is invited to attend both events.
10.  Many of you have returned to campus from traveling abroad for work and studies. If there is interest, I will happily organize a room in which we can all get together (over pizza) and share travel slides, information, and impressions. Let me know if you are interested in participating in or attending such an event.

I'm looking forward to working with all of you.    I am here to help you make your time at Carnegie Mellon as productive and as intellectually stimulating and fulfilling as possible. I have an open door policy and am always in my office (except for MWF 9:30 - 10:20 a.m. when I teach). Feel free to drop in or to set up an appointment (e-mail is the best way to contact me).

Have a fabulous term. Cheers, Carol

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Spring 2007 Advising Newsletter

Dear Economics Students,

I hope everyone is settled into their classes. There is some timely news, information, and advising concerns that I would like to share with you. Please read through this entire message.

1. There are quite a few upcoming events this month that will be tailored specifically for the undergraduate economics student. Log in regularly to our web pages to find out about upcoming events.
   1. Study Abroad Information Session. Tuesday, Febr. 20th. 4:30 p.m. in Mellon Auditorium. Any student considering studying abroad or working abroad at some point during their undergraduate career should attend this information session with Eva Mergner (OIE) and Prof. Goldburg.
   2. Junior Class Meeting.  Wednesday, Febr. 21st. 4:30 p.m. in Mellon Auditorium. Prof. Goldburg with discuss a) Tepper College Honors Program and  b) Thinking about Graduate School.
   3. Omicron Delta Epsilon. Thursday 22nd. 4:30 p.m. in Tepper 131. Prof. Goodfriend will discuss his research.
   4. Economics Student Advisory Council General Meeting. Wednesday, Febr. 28th at 4:30 p.m. in Posner 259. All Economics students are encouraged to attend and provide input.
2. It is time to nominate and elect new board members for both the Economics Student Advisory Council and for the Economic Society. If you are interested in helping to run either of these student organizations, please e-mail the current chair of E-SAC Ryan Chin (rchin@andrew.cmu.edu) or the current chair of the Economics Society Dmitry Nulman (dnulman@andrew.cmu.edu) by February 28th.
3. Juniors:
   1. You need to have completed 73-226 by the end of this term. If for some reason, you will not have done so, please come see me.
   2. The Fifth Year Scholars program is accepting applications for 2008-2009 participants. The due date for applications is Febr. 13th.
   3.  I look forward to seeing you at your class meeting on Wednesday, Febr. 21st where I will discuss a) Tepper College Honors Program and  b) Thinking about Graduate School.
4. Seniors: Believe it or not, you will graduate in less than four months. In order to have a frenzy-free Spring Term, please do the following:
   1. Visit Carnegie Mellon's Commencement website .
   2. Visit Graduation On-Line Website (GOL)  to be certain that your diploma accurately lists your name and degrees earned. See me a.s.a.p. if you have any questions or concerns.
   3. Pay attention to e-mail from commence@cmu.edu. The HUB sends information from this account which is relevant to a smooth and happy departure from Carnegie Mellon.
   4. Senior Socials are scheduled for the following Fridays: March 2nd, April 6th, and May 4th. More information will follow in e-mails.
5. Sophomores:  Feel free to attend the Junior Class Meeting on Febr. 21st if you are interested in planning ahead.
6. Everyone:
   1. Academic Development's Supplemental Instruction and Peer Tutoring schedule has been posted.   Please take advantage of these subject-specific review session.
   2. Be certain to attend the University Lecture Series. The details of the 2nd Annual Pirates Baseball Outing will be announced in the near future.
   3. The 2nd Annual Bowling Competition is scheduled for Friday, February 23rd at Forward Lanes.
   4. If you have conflicts in your final exam schedule, please contact your faculty members a.s.a.p.

I wish you productive and well-balanced academic terms. Don't forget to take advantage of the extra-curricular events on campus. Cheers, Carol

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Spring 2006 Advising Newsletter

Dear Economics Students,

Welcome back to school. I hope you are well rested, and had interesting summers.

There are some important changes and news that you need to know. So, please read through the entire e-mail message.

1. Changes to our website. The website has been redesigned. Hopefully, you will find it easier to navigate it and to find relevant information. Please familiarize yourself with the Current Students: Advising, Forms, and Information page. You will find lots of useful information there.
2. Upcoming Events. I have added a calendar page to our website. This site is updated regularly. You will find the following program and career center events on it:
   1. Thursday, 8/31 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social (Faculty and Students), Posner 382
   2. Thursday, 9/1 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Dean's Lists Dessert (Faculty and Students who made the Dean's Lists during Spring 2006), Rachel Mellon Walton Room.
   3. Tuesday, 9/12 4:30 - 5:30 p.m."Resume Review and Getting the Most from a Job Fair", Simon Auditorium
   4. Tuesday, 9/12 5:30 - 6:20 p.m. Peer Mentoring Network, Simon Auditorium
   5. Saturday, 9/16 Sophomore Symposium
   6. Sunday, 9/17 Tech Sunday
   7. Tuesday 9/19 TOC
   8. Wednesday 9/20 BOC 9
   9. Thursday 9/28 4:30-5:30 p.m. ODE presentation by Prof. Frame, Tepper 131.
3. New Economics Degrees Offered. We now offer a B.S.in Economics, a B.A. in Economics, and a B.S. in Quantitative Economics. You can find information about these degrees on our curriculum webpages. During the month of September, I will hold an information session about these degrees.
4. New Course Offered. There is a course entitled "Technology and Economic Growth" (88-763A) offered by the Heinz School, MW, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in Hamburg Hall 237. Anyone who has taken 73-251 and received a "C" or better is eligible to enroll. This course may count as an upper level economics elective.
5. New Minor Offered: The Minor in Global Systems and Management is being offered by the Information Systems Program. For those interested, please contact Prof. Stephen Pajewski.
6. If you had an internship this summer and hope to receive credit for it, you need to participate in the Sophomore Symposium. The Econ. program is hosting a round table discussion about how to obtain and succeed at an internship.
7. Information for Seniors: Please remember that 73-261 and 73-497 are offered only in the Fall term. If you are pursuing a Senior Honors Thesis, I will enroll you in the course by the end of next week. RESUMES: I need a copy of your resume a.s.a.p.
8. Information for Juniors: Please remember that 73-226 is offered only in the Spring term Be certain that you will have completed the pre-reqs by then. Also, you should be enrolled in 73-270 (or an acceptable substitute) this year. RESUMES: I need a copy of your resume a.s.a.p.
9. Information for Sophomores: Be certain that you have completed the pre-reqs for 73-251 by the end of this term. If you are pursuing the B.A. in economics, you should let me know so that we can have a discussion about your course choices. (upper level humanities electives and statistics) RESUMES: I need a copy of your resume a.s.a.p.
10. Information for Everyone: A full-time student has a load of 36 units. 45-49 units is the typical full load. If you are on a waiting list, be certain that you have enough available units so that when you can be placed into the course when available.

If you have any questions, please contact me. I wish you all a successful and productive year. If you have a moment, stop by my office and let me know how you spent your summer. --Carol

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