The paper provides some empirical data that allows for better understanding of the process that shapes economists. It presents information gathered from questionnaires distributed to graduate students at six top ranking graduate economics programs, exploring who current graduate students are and what they think about economics, the economy, and graduate school. The information is presented in four sections: profile of students, interests of students, differences between graduate students and the profession, and distinctive characteristics of graduate programs. Concludes that graduate students’ interest in economics is driven by interest in policy. However, there is tension between the emphasis on techniques and the desire to do policy-oriented work.
