TestMagic Forums - View Single Post - Evaluate profile for phD in Finance or Economics

mzafar · 10-21-2006, 09:14 PM

Hello, I am trying to realistically asses my chances of getting admitted to the top 20 phD program in Economics or Finance:

Here are my credentials:
BS Computer Engineering 1997, GPA 3.9, good public school.
A's in Calc I, II, Vector Calculus, Probability and Stats; No Linear Algebra, though.
1 semester of research experience.
Professional work in programming (C++) since then.
Decent recommendation from professors - its been a while since I was at school!
GRE: 800Q, 550V
The big negative is that I have been out of school for almost 10 years. Is this too bad?

Now here are my options:
1. Apply to top-20 Econ programs.
2. Apply to top-20 Business Econ or Finance programs.
3. Apply to Masters in Maths/Economics/Finance programs and then later apply for phD.

Questions:
1. Is my work experience detrimental to my application. What about my age? I heard programs give importance to age since it affects placement after graduation.
2. Given my experience, are business Econ/Finance program easier to get into than pure Econ programs?
3. Which option makes sense for me? The last thing I want is to waste another year doing nothing.

Thanks a lot for your comments!

10-21-2006, 09:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
mzafar Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	Evaluate profile for phD in Finance or Economics Hello, I am trying to realistically asses my chances of getting admitted to the top 20 phD program in Economics or Finance: Here are my credentials: BS Computer Engineering 1997, GPA 3.9, good public school. A's in Calc I, II, Vector Calculus, Probability and Stats; No Linear Algebra, though. 1 semester of research experience. Professional work in programming (C++) since then. Decent recommendation from professors - its been a while since I was at school! GRE: 800Q, 550V The big negative is that I have been out of school for almost 10 years. Is this too bad? Now here are my options: 1. Apply to top-20 Econ programs. 2. Apply to top-20 Business Econ or Finance programs. 3. Apply to Masters in Maths/Economics/Finance programs and then later apply for phD. Questions: 1. Is my work experience detrimental to my application. What about my age? I heard programs give importance to age since it affects placement after graduation. 2. Given my experience, are business Econ/Finance program easier to get into than pure Econ programs? 3. Which option makes sense for me? The last thing I want is to waste another year doing nothing. Thanks a lot for your comments!