v:410 q:790 -- so disappointed and need some advices to apply to PhD Econ

[chor_eh]

I think I need a short break. However, since time flies so fast, I should prepare for other stuff such as updating my resume and writing SOP.

A little background to my profile:
Nationality: Thai, so English is not my native language (but should not be the excuse for having low verbal score)

2001: v-290 q-770 AWA-4.0
today: v-410 q-790 AWA-guess will arrive next month due to the slow like snail mailing service in Thailand.

I need to retake TOEFL b/c the old one is expired. The score was 256 (twe-5.5)

MS-Econ with 3.87 (UIUC, graduated in Dec 2002) but fair BA econ undergrad grade in the last 90-hour credit (~3.20) in Thailand.

Work at a domestic commercial bank for one and a half year (but I guess it's not relevant).

I plan to apply for the Fall 2006

I have some questions that I cannot answer myself:

1. Should I retake the GRE? I am afraid of getting lower than 790 on quant. part.

2. Where should I apply? I have no idea about the ones below the rank of 30th.

3. Or should I go to Europe rather than going to the US? (but I have no exposure on econ education in Europe)

It seems to me that I could only be a farmer rather than an economist.

I cannot think about what kind of info should I put here. My brain is dead. If anyone could answer those questions, that would be appreciated.

Thank you very very very much for any responses here.

[cridamour]

No reason to go out in the fields and become a farmer (however much a respectable profession job it might be)! I think your GRE score is fine. And your GPA will compensate for the relatively low verbal score. One question though, by UIUC do you mean University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Or a Thai university which happens to have the same abbreviation? If you did study in the US, the verbal score might become a bit more troublesome, otherwise, I don't think it will keep you out of grad school. A good way to show that your English is good enough to study in the US, is to get an excellent TOEFL score, it will also compensate a lesser verbal score on the GRE.
So, my general advice is not to give up, and first to think about whether it is really necessary to retake the GRE, before you do it. Your Q score was great, so I don't think it 'll be worth risking it...
Above all, try to stay positive, GRE scores are not everything! And especially not verbal scores for someone aiming to get into an econ program!

[chor_eh]

Originally Posted by cridamour

One question though, by UIUC do you mean University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

yes.... that's right.

thank you very much for your response.

[awhig]

chor_eh : No need to give the MAD exam again.Luckily your score is OK.Work on your SOP and resume.