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denny888 · 09-22-2006, 04:51 PM

It's been over a year now since I finished my undergraduate degree (05 graduate). How harmful is it to delay PhD applications? I have personal reasons--in particular, I've got a significant other that I am not ready to leave yet. As such, I intend on waiting another year. I'll be taking classes during that extra year and continue teaching math. A member of the admission's committee at Maryland told me that the marginal benefit (in getting admitted to an economics program) to taking math classes beyond analysis decreases. I do acknowledge this but does it have an adverse effect. Will I get penalized for waiting another year and taking random math classes(measure theory, functional analysis, algebraic topology, etc...)? Here's my current profile:

GPA 3.85
GRE: 780Q/650V/5.5AW
MATH (GPA. 4.0) : CALC I-III, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, DFQ, Real Analysis, Math Stat, Advanced Math Stat (Bickel and Docksum), Stochastic Process I, Stochastic Process II. Currently taking: General Topology I, Advanced Matrix Analysis, and Bayesian Analysis.

Advance Econ(GPA4.0): Micro (Varian), Game Theory (Gibbons and MGW), Math Econ (Optimal Control, difference of equation, basic analysis).

Research: None really. I did an applied thesis where I used FIML method on estimating a probit model with an endogenous regressor. It just so happens that the endogenous regressor is truncated and I'm still working on doing another ML estimation that takes into account this truncation.

TA Experience: Teaching two math courses.
RA Experience: I did research for the University's Economic Research Center.

Concerns: I came from a low-tier school. I also got an F on one class when I forgot to drop over the summer. I'm also 23, which is relatively old. I imagine most adcoms want fresh meat who may have better "creative potential". I got a B- on my introductory micro class.

Thanks, in advance, for all your help!

09-22-2006, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
denny888 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 22	Should I wait another year? It's been over a year now since I finished my undergraduate degree (05 graduate). How harmful is it to delay PhD applications? I have personal reasons--in particular, I've got a significant other that I am not ready to leave yet. As such, I intend on waiting another year. I'll be taking classes during that extra year and continue teaching math. A member of the admission's committee at Maryland told me that the marginal benefit (in getting admitted to an economics program) to taking math classes beyond analysis decreases. I do acknowledge this but does it have an adverse effect. Will I get penalized for waiting another year and taking random math classes(measure theory, functional analysis, algebraic topology, etc...)? Here's my current profile: GPA 3.85 GRE: 780Q/650V/5.5AW MATH (GPA. 4.0) : CALC I-III, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, DFQ, Real Analysis, Math Stat, Advanced Math Stat (Bickel and Docksum), Stochastic Process I, Stochastic Process II. Currently taking: General Topology I, Advanced Matrix Analysis, and Bayesian Analysis. Advance Econ(GPA4.0): Micro (Varian), Game Theory (Gibbons and MGW), Math Econ (Optimal Control, difference of equation, basic analysis). Research: None really. I did an applied thesis where I used FIML method on estimating a probit model with an endogenous regressor. It just so happens that the endogenous regressor is truncated and I'm still working on doing another ML estimation that takes into account this truncation. TA Experience: Teaching two math courses. RA Experience: I did research for the University's Economic Research Center. Concerns: I came from a low-tier school. I also got an F on one class when I forgot to drop over the summer. I'm also 23, which is relatively old. I imagine most adcoms want fresh meat who may have better "creative potential". I got a B- on my introductory micro class. Thanks, in advance, for all your help!