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TheWoodenStone · 2009 October 26th, 05:05 AM

Looking to get some additional input for what to do. I'm looking into getting a PhD Finance from a decent school on the West or East Coast. And by decent I mean good but not top 10 (I'm not that crazy about my odds)

Age: young
Grades : 3.3 from UC Berkeley; economics major graduated in 3 years (kids don't do this.....trust me); graduated top 1/3 if you want a scale
GMAT: 710, 88%Q, 6 AWA; took once right out of college. can be raised by maybe 30-40 points if needed.

math classes: engineering calc I (B) and II (B); two semester of statistics (B+, B)

econ classes: intro econ (B-), intermediate macro (B) inter. micro (B), corporate finance (A-), econometrics (B), economic history (A), eastern European economic theory (B) amongst others

work experience: ~2 years post-undergrad work as economic research analyst for large u.s. government division; additional 1 year doing financial/accounting administration at major ngo; 3 years internships doing biology research

research: co-authored several publications in top journals....problem is they are all biology journals (original major); maybe I can still use this some how to show people I can write, think, and do research

So I'm looking towards getting a PhD in Finance long term. I've got a few options:

(1) Go to Cal State _(insert name here)_ and get a master's in economics, statistics, operations, etc. Obviously this will give me the chance to study more math, get good grades, etc. Can easily afford this and wouldn't have to work while I study. Worry is long-term result should I not get into a good phd program. Also not a very high-quaility program; would mean I can't apply for phd for 2 years

(2) MBA from top 40 school. Much more expensive, potentially better long-term result if I don't get into good phd program. Negative: Not going to be doing research with this degree long-term; not going to be able to take math classes; means I can't apply for phd for 2 years

(3) Work for another year, take retake calculus at community college as it's been a 5+ years since I took it and hopefully take linear algebra math class or 2 at night from local regional college; apply in a year from now

(4) Apply right away and hope for the best

(5) Other master's degree programs or ideas that you guys suggest.....

recommendation letters: going to be tricky. can easily get top recommendations from employers; would get basic generic letter from a famous Berkeley economics or business professor that I took classes from at best. It's highly possible I don't get anything from these professors

Had to graduate early for financial reasons. Completed my major in essentially 2 years but my grades suffered a bit. As a result, however, I could easily now afford a year or two (possibly 3) without financial aid/support from a phd program. Not really sure if that matters at all. I've looked over other profiles and am assuming I can't get into a decent program right away. Let me know what I need to do....i'm not offended by harsh criticism

Any advice on what to do is highly appreciated. I am in awe of most of your profiles so I turn to you guys. Thanks!

phdhope · 2009 October 26th, 08:41 AM

Take what I say with a grain of salt since I am an accountant. I would say I am probably overly harsh.

Your grades are going to hurt you. Anything below a 3.6 is usually an area for concern.

Your GMAT is good but as you probably note, it is not going to distinguish you terribly well from other applicants.

Research/classes- Definitely would help to have more business school classes. Research from biology helps but really isn't applicable.

LORs- Also an area that sounds like it is going to not help you.

Recommendation: If you are solidly set on a phd (there appears some doubt) I would most definitely recommend getting a masters. You need more time to improve your application. I like options 1 or 5.

imran626 · 2009 October 26th, 08:30 PM

I would recommend you getting a graduate degree in Economics or say Mathematical Finance/Finance....Some programs let you graduate in 12-18 months so that you can be ready for the next app cycle...

You should get an admit in some good schools but getting into top 10(maybe even top 15) looks a lil tough now...So, if you are willing to goto schools beyond the top 20 or so, I think you stand a decent chance....

longshot · 2009 October 26th, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imran626

...So, if you are willing to go to schools beyond the top 20 or so, I think you stand a decent chance....

I second, and recommend, this. Lots of decent schools out there would love to have Berkeley econ grad with a 3.3 and a 700+ GMAT. Get your letters together quickly and start applying.

TheWoodenStone · 2009 October 27th, 02:20 AM

Thanks a lot for your help. More opinions always appreciated.

I guess my worry was how much value to my application does 2 years at a mediocre college really add. Takes 2 years of work and some considerable financial costs, and still wouldn't guarantee me into a top 15 school (then again, who is guaranteed into a top 15 school these days

). Looks like I got the info I was looking for.

Again, thanks a bunch to all who replied.

2009 October 26th, 05:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheWoodenStone I JUST got here. Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 7	Profile Evaluation; apply Finance phd 2011 intake; bad grades need advice Looking to get some additional input for what to do. I'm looking into getting a PhD Finance from a decent school on the West or East Coast. And by decent I mean good but not top 10 (I'm not that crazy about my odds) Age: young Grades : 3.3 from UC Berkeley; economics major graduated in 3 years (kids don't do this.....trust me); graduated top 1/3 if you want a scale GMAT: 710, 88%Q, 6 AWA; took once right out of college. can be raised by maybe 30-40 points if needed. math classes: engineering calc I (B) and II (B); two semester of statistics (B+, B) econ classes: intro econ (B-), intermediate macro (B) inter. micro (B), corporate finance (A-), econometrics (B), economic history (A), eastern European economic theory (B) amongst others work experience: ~2 years post-undergrad work as economic research analyst for large u.s. government division; additional 1 year doing financial/accounting administration at major ngo; 3 years internships doing biology research research: co-authored several publications in top journals....problem is they are all biology journals (original major); maybe I can still use this some how to show people I can write, think, and do research So I'm looking towards getting a PhD in Finance long term. I've got a few options: (1) Go to Cal State _(insert name here)_ and get a master's in economics, statistics, operations, etc. Obviously this will give me the chance to study more math, get good grades, etc. Can easily afford this and wouldn't have to work while I study. Worry is long-term result should I not get into a good phd program. Also not a very high-quaility program; would mean I can't apply for phd for 2 years (2) MBA from top 40 school. Much more expensive, potentially better long-term result if I don't get into good phd program. Negative: Not going to be doing research with this degree long-term; not going to be able to take math classes; means I can't apply for phd for 2 years (3) Work for another year, take retake calculus at community college as it's been a 5+ years since I took it and hopefully take linear algebra math class or 2 at night from local regional college; apply in a year from now (4) Apply right away and hope for the best (5) Other master's degree programs or ideas that you guys suggest..... recommendation letters: going to be tricky. can easily get top recommendations from employers; would get basic generic letter from a famous Berkeley economics or business professor that I took classes from at best. It's highly possible I don't get anything from these professors Had to graduate early for financial reasons. Completed my major in essentially 2 years but my grades suffered a bit. As a result, however, I could easily now afford a year or two (possibly 3) without financial aid/support from a phd program. Not really sure if that matters at all. I've looked over other profiles and am assuming I can't get into a decent program right away. Let me know what I need to do....i'm not offended by harsh criticism Any advice on what to do is highly appreciated. I am in awe of most of your profiles so I turn to you guys. Thanks!

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2009 October 26th, 08:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
phdhope Eager! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 99	Take what I say with a grain of salt since I am an accountant. I would say I am probably overly harsh. Your grades are going to hurt you. Anything below a 3.6 is usually an area for concern. Your GMAT is good but as you probably note, it is not going to distinguish you terribly well from other applicants. Research/classes- Definitely would help to have more business school classes. Research from biology helps but really isn't applicable. LORs- Also an area that sounds like it is going to not help you. Recommendation: If you are solidly set on a phd (there appears some doubt) I would most definitely recommend getting a masters. You need more time to improve your application. I like options 1 or 5.

2009 October 26th, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
imran626 I JUST got here. Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 21	I would recommend you getting a graduate degree in Economics or say Mathematical Finance/Finance....Some programs let you graduate in 12-18 months so that you can be ready for the next app cycle... You should get an admit in some good schools but getting into top 10(maybe even top 15) looks a lil tough now...So, if you are willing to goto schools beyond the top 20 or so, I think you stand a decent chance....

2009 October 27th, 02:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheWoodenStone I JUST got here. Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 7	Thanks a lot for your help. More opinions always appreciated. I guess my worry was how much value to my application does 2 years at a mediocre college really add. Takes 2 years of work and some considerable financial costs, and still wouldn't guarantee me into a top 15 school (then again, who is guaranteed into a top 15 school these days ). Looks like I got the info I was looking for. Again, thanks a bunch to all who replied.

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