PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International student atbadly Ranked Canadian University - B.Sc Mathematical Economics. Highest average among all economics students in my university.
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 730Q/560V/4.5 ; 780Q/410V/4.0
Math Courses: Calc I-IV (A+, A+,A+, A+), Linear Algebra I-II (A+, A+), Intro Probability (A+, A+), Mathematical Stats I-II (A+, A+), Ordinary DEq (A+), Topology (A-), Mathematical Econ I-II (A+,A+), Stats for Econ (A+)
Econ Courses: (All A+) All micro and Marco Sequence, Econometrics I and II, Public Finance, Research Thesis, Research Methods for Economics.
Other Courses: Lots of Arts in first year, and some political Science
Letters of Recommendation: 3 really good ones from unknown profs
Research Experience: RA for my econometrics prof. CUrrently co-authoring a paper that will be sent to a not very highly ranked journal
Teaching Experience: TA, Marker, Tutor for Econ & Math
Research Interests: Labour Economics, Economics of Education
statement of purpose: Standard, nothing special.
Other: Undergraduate full scholarship throughout my 4 years, 3 other internal scholarships,4th best average in all university among graduating students
RESULTS:
Attending: UBC MA ($$$)
Acceptances: SFU MA ($$$$), LSE (MSc Econ)
Rejections: Queens (only accepted two int'l students
), Berkeley, Cornell, Michigan, UCSD, Chicago
Pending: UofT (MA)
What would you have done differently?
1) Taking Math earlier: Basically started taking math in 3rd year and overloaded to get my degree.
2!) Going to a better university: Couldn't get good references. But again, I have no money to pay for int'l tuition in Canada, and I was fully funded.
3) Not applying to LSE --- I don't know how I was expecting to be funded by them.
4) Not Applying to Queens: Horrible treatment towards intl' students
Overall, I am very happy with the outcome. UBC is a fantastic place for my MA and probably my PhD!