Question regarding finance PhD

[Tangent]

Hi Guys,

I was just curious if the admissions committee will look at my majors and think my school is too easy. I am currently a senior and majoring in Math, Economics, and Finance. I have had to take over 22 credits a semester to fit this in (7-8 classes each term) and it has been very challenging and fun. My GPA is decent and test scores are fine, but I was chatting with a professor today who said I might as well not even bother applying to Finance PhD programs since the adcoms will look at my degrees and automatically assume my school is far too easy, thus not preparing me for the rigors of doctoral study. Is there any merit to this? Have I screwed myself over trying to separate myself from the rest of the students at my school? I go to a second tier LAC in pacific northwest, so it's not the best school, but I tried to make the most out of it. Thanks for the help!!!

-Tangent

[longshot]

That's crap. You'll be a great candidate given you can swing decent letters of recommendation. Post the rest of your profile if you want a more detailed evaluation.

[Tangent]

Ah for sure,

Lets see
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Pure Mathematics, B.S. Economics, B.A. Finance (I will have taken all of the classes for the financial engineering degree, but the math department will only give me one degree, so I chose pure math by tossing a coin) Second Tier LAC in Pacific NW
Undergrad GPA: 3.81/4.00 cumulative (3.9+/4.0 major gpa's)
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 790Q, 570V, 5.5AWA
GMAT: Taking tomorrow :-(
Math Courses: Calc I,II,III (A, B+, A) , Linear Algebra (B+), Statistics (A), Probability Theory (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Mathematical Analysis (A), Proofs in Mathematics (A-)
Econ Courses: Micro & Macro theory, I/O, Econometrics, Math Econ- All A's
Finance Courses: Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Investments, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 Minnesota PhD, 1 UW PhD) 1 Finance professor (PhD Ivey School of Business, UCLA MBA, total baller imho)
Research Experience: Except for term papers and thesis, none.
Teaching Experience: TA for business statistics lab
Research Interests: Corporate finance seems pretty cool, and derivatives are fascinating
statement of purpose: Standard format - background ---> strengths ---> research ----> school specific part.
Concerns: Unknown school, all the stupid LAC requirements made my GPA plummet, no diff eq, bad grades in calc 2 and linear algebra, no research experience, no masters. Biggest concern, my freshman year was at a terrible state school where I was playing Division 1 tennis. GPA was bad but quickly realized I didn't want to play tennis so I transferred. I'm scared my poor performance there will make getting into PhD programs impossible.
Other: Had some internships ranging from big banks to tiny community banks, government research internship, but no real work experience.
Applying to: Everywhere? over 22 apps so far...

There is my profile :-P

-Tangent

[longshot]

I think you'll be fine. Really it just depends on the diversity of schools you applied to. Make sure you cover the distribution.

[Tangent]

k cool, I did a few really good schools and know there is virtually no shot there, but also threw in Arizona, UC-Boulder, UW, some big state schools in the mid-west so hopefully it works out somewhere. I'm pulling for MPhil at Cambridge though, that one would be fun.

[phdhope]

I really wouldn't worry about being from a no-name school. While it could prejudice people against you, it is not like adcoms would reject an 800 GMAT applicant simply because of their school. That being said the lack of research, coursework, work experience, masters, and high gre verbal are all areas that you can still change and try and improve. I also personally think the committee will be more concerned about those factors than simply your undegrad school.