Here we go again.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:
B.Sc. Econ. (Honors), with maths and Political Science as minors. Large South Asian university. Has long history of placing students at decent U.S. universities. Used to be very reputed. Not so nowadays. Still fairly well known.
Undergrad GPA:
Waiting on that. Should be high second class, in the 3.2 to 3.7 range roughly after conversion. I know. I shouldn't convert percentages into gpa.
GRE:
1440. Quant: 790. verbal: 650.
AWA: 4.5
TOEFL:
111
. Got 24 in the speaking.
Econ courses:
Micro, Macro, Statistics and Econometrics, Development, International Trade, Public Finance, mathematical Economics, Indian Economic History and Economic Policy Analysis.
Math Courses:
Everything. Modern Algebra, Linear Algebra, Calculus, Linear programming, 2D and 3D geometry, vector analysis, numerical analysis, Stats.
Maths grades should be average.
Other Courses:
Political science: Indian constitution and politics, World constitutions (US, UK, China, Switzerland, France) and politics, Political Theories.
Research Experience:
Published papers in 2 national level conferences and at one prestigious international conference. Working papers in 2 more national conferences and one international conference.
Teaching Experience: none.
Research Interests:
Primary: political economy.
Secondary: development econ.
statement of purpose: Will start work in August.
Concerns: Endless. To be pithy,
1. Reputation of undergrad university.
2. (Potential) average GPA. International students especially from my country apply with much better GPAs.
3. Unknown
letter of reference writers.
4. And most importantly, I will be applying with only an undergrad degree. Almost all applicants from my country and I believe most international applicants apply with a graduate degree or they are already enrolled in a graduate program. But I will be in my final year of my undergrad program. I think this will be the biggest handicap to my profile and will heavily affect my chances.
Applying to: Haven't made final yet. Got a shortlist. Will be applying to several Canadian MA programs and few decent US ones to bolster my chances to get into a Top 40 program. Besides that, will be applying to places with strong Political Economy concentrations, rankings being all over the place. Will not apply to Top 10 schools as I have zero change of getting in.
I am also considering applying to Political Science departments as they offer Political Economy as research concentration as well.
Please give me suggestions on this matter.