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grackle · 2009 July 2nd, 07:30 PM

Hi all,

I'm going to be applying in another year or so, two years after graduating, and I'm wondering what my chances look like, as well as what I can do to bolster my application in the next year or so.

Type of Undergrad: Top 25 U.S. research university with a Top 20 econ PhD program. Majored in Economics.
Undergrad GPA: 3.82
Type of Grad: Same as above. MS in Public Policy, but took a number of economics courses.
Grad GPA: 3.75 - 3.8, depending on how you calculate it.
GRE: 770Q, 650V, 5.5 AWA(Note: Undergrad courses only have whole letter grades, grad courses have +/- as well)

Math Courses: Calc I (A), Intro to Discrete Math (B), Calc II (B), Calc III (multivariate + some linear algebra) (B), PhD Econ Math (Pass, only offered P/F)
Undergrad Econ Courses: Intro to Econ with Calc, Micro, Macro, Game Theory, Quantative Analysis, Econometrics, Industrial Org., Negotiation, Behavioral Econ, Growth, Honors Thesis (All A's)
Relevant Grad Courses: Operations Research (A), PhD Game Theory (Pass, took P/F), PhD Optimization (A), PhD Real Options (A), Health Econ (A), PhD Statistical Computing (A), PhD Micro (in the public policy school) (B+)
Other Courses: Probability & Stats with Calculus (A)

Letters of Recommendation: Haven't gotten them yet/see below.
Research Experience: Honors Thesis on game theory related to online auctions.
Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad/grad (MS) growth economics course for 2 semesters, TA'd undergrad pre-econometrics for a semester.
Research Interests: Micro, game theory, I/O.
statement of purpose: Haven't written it yet. Any suggestions?
Other:
I finished my BS in 2007 and by MS in 2008, and have been working at an economic consulting firm since then. I'm working with a decently well known economist (who was a professor in the past), I should be able to get a strong recommendation from him when I apply (which may not be until 2010). In terms of other recommendations, I can probably get recs from other professor-type folks here as well.

The slight twist is that I applied to schools in Fall 2007, and didn't get in anywhere I wanted to go (the Top 15). I think there were a number of factors involved here, including my choice of recommenders and the very specific interests in my statement of purpose (which I made way too specific). As a result, I'm not sure how receptive my school professors would be to writing recommendations again.

Obviously, my stated math background grades could be better, so I'm thinking to take a linear algebra course (I've already had most of it, it just wasn't called linear algebra) and possibly real analysis. I'm hoping the PhD econ math counts for something, though. I can also retake the GRE if need be.

In terms of my statement of purpose, it's going to be pretty standard, talking about my interests, past experience, and why working has made me sure I want to do a PhD. Not as specific this time, though.

The big question: How are my chances of getting into a Top 15 school, and what can I do to make said chances better?

2009 July 2nd, 07:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
grackle I JUST got here. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Profile Evaluation/Top 10 Hopeful Hi all, I'm going to be applying in another year or so, two years after graduating, and I'm wondering what my chances look like, as well as what I can do to bolster my application in the next year or so. Type of Undergrad: Top 25 U.S. research university with a Top 20 econ PhD program. Majored in Economics. Undergrad GPA: 3.82 Type of Grad: Same as above. MS in Public Policy, but took a number of economics courses. Grad GPA: 3.75 - 3.8, depending on how you calculate it. GRE: 770Q, 650V, 5.5 AWA(Note: Undergrad courses only have whole letter grades, grad courses have +/- as well) Math Courses: Calc I (A), Intro to Discrete Math (B), Calc II (B), Calc III (multivariate + some linear algebra) (B), PhD Econ Math (Pass, only offered P/F) Undergrad Econ Courses: Intro to Econ with Calc, Micro, Macro, Game Theory, Quantative Analysis, Econometrics, Industrial Org., Negotiation, Behavioral Econ, Growth, Honors Thesis (All A's) Relevant Grad Courses: Operations Research (A), PhD Game Theory (Pass, took P/F), PhD Optimization (A), PhD Real Options (A), Health Econ (A), PhD Statistical Computing (A), PhD Micro (in the public policy school) (B+) Other Courses: Probability & Stats with Calculus (A) Letters of Recommendation: Haven't gotten them yet/see below. Research Experience: Honors Thesis on game theory related to online auctions. Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad/grad (MS) growth economics course for 2 semesters, TA'd undergrad pre-econometrics for a semester. Research Interests: Micro, game theory, I/O. statement of purpose: Haven't written it yet. Any suggestions? Other: I finished my BS in 2007 and by MS in 2008, and have been working at an economic consulting firm since then. I'm working with a decently well known economist (who was a professor in the past), I should be able to get a strong recommendation from him when I apply (which may not be until 2010). In terms of other recommendations, I can probably get recs from other professor-type folks here as well. The slight twist is that I applied to schools in Fall 2007, and didn't get in anywhere I wanted to go (the Top 15). I think there were a number of factors involved here, including my choice of recommenders and the very specific interests in my statement of purpose (which I made way too specific). As a result, I'm not sure how receptive my school professors would be to writing recommendations again. Obviously, my stated math background grades could be better, so I'm thinking to take a linear algebra course (I've already had most of it, it just wasn't called linear algebra) and possibly real analysis. I'm hoping the PhD econ math counts for something, though. I can also retake the GRE if need be. In terms of my statement of purpose, it's going to be pretty standard, talking about my interests, past experience, and why working has made me sure I want to do a PhD. Not as specific this time, though. The big question: How are my chances of getting into a Top 15 school, and what can I do to make said chances better?