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oldprogrammer · 07-27-2008, 03:56 PM

tkkoh - You have offered a very interesting perspective, one that I had not considered. I have a BA in Economics, which is probably why I seem to frame all my IS questions in terms of economics. I've also been a professional software developer for the last 8 years, so combining that with my econ degree is what drives my curiosity in the IS field. The reason I was thinking a MS in IS was to obtain LORs from IS faculty. If I went for a MS in Economics, my LORs would likely be from Econ professors, which doesn't seem as ideal (but I could be mistaken on that). You have given me something to think long and hard about.

Prawler - I would love to apply directly to a PhD program, but there's no way for me to get quality LORs at this point. Eight years is a long time to be out of school, and while I did well (magna cum laude) I didn't really develop a connection with any professors at the time. If I had to come up with LORs right now, I would have a glowing letter from a sociology professor I did research for, a decent letter from a non-phd economics lecturer, and a glowing letter from my current CIO. Far from stellar. My plan was to start a Masters program, and to be upfront with my professors of my intentions to pursue a PhD and let them know that I want to be as involved in research as I can. My other situation is that, while working full-time, I'm taking math courses. I'm taking Calc III in the fall, but I still need to take linear algebra and a math-based statistics course (I have two business statistics courses under my belt but that was a long time ago).

Thanks for the feedback from both of you. Very appreciated.

tkkoh · 07-27-2008, 06:45 PM

For my cohort, one guy has a Master in Econs. Another guy has an MBA (IS focus). I only have a Bach. Was out of uni. for 7 years., and LOR was also a concern. What I did was to work on a research project for about a few months before application - got one LOR from the prof that I was working with. Another LOR was from my undergrad Econs prof. The last was from my ex-dean. (Btw, the program that I'm in is usually ranked among the top 3 or 5 in IS...)

Honestly, undergrad econs is not sufficient for IS PhD. What will boost your application is to have done microecons and perhaps game theory at PhD level (and done them well).

Doing a MS in IS is not a bad idea.... just that there are other (better?) options. If you prefer to do it, I suggest you first look at the IS faculty - see who you can work with and get strong LOR. In my opinion, the reputation of the 2 schools that you mentioned aren't significantly different. (Austin has a head-up though for IS.) But try to take some econs courses during the program (if possible).

All the best.

tkkoh · 07-27-2008, 06:51 PM

For my cohort, one guy has a Master in Econs. Another guy has an MBA (IS focus). I only have a Bach. Was out of uni. for 7 years., and LOR was also a concern. What I did was to work on a research project for about a few months before application - got one LOR from the prof that I was working with. Another LOR was from my undergrad Econs prof. The last was from my ex-dean. (Btw, the program that I'm in is usually ranked among the top 3 or 5 in IS...)

Honestly, undergrad econs is not sufficient for IS PhD. What will boost your application is to have done microecons and perhaps game theory at PhD level (and done them well).

Doing a MS in IS is not a bad idea.... just that there are other (better?) options. If you prefer to do it, I suggest you first look at the IS faculty - see who you can work with and get strong LOR. In my opinion, the reputation of the 2 schools that you mentioned aren't significantly different. (Austin has a head-up though for IS.) But try to take some econs courses during the program (if possible).

All the best.

oldprogrammer · 07-27-2008, 07:31 PM

So are you saying that I can try to do research with a professor even if I'm not currently enrolled in a degree program? If that's a possibility then a lot of my problems are solved. I think I would still like to take more math and at least graduate-level microeconomics (as you suggest) to boost my application.

Also, I didn't mean to suggest that my undergrad econ degree was sufficient for any kind of PhD work. It taught me to think like an economist, but most definitely did not equip me to do econ research.

Here's the UT-Dallas MS in Information Tech & Management program, which like you said about the Texas A&M program does little to prepare for a PhD:
The School of Management, Graduate Degree Programs, Degree Plan, E-Commerce

I have also considered UT-Arlington's MS in Quantitative Finance (with Econ track) because of its strongly quantitative focus rather than its Finance focus.
MS QUANTITATIVE FINANCE - PROGRAM OF WORK

tkkoh · 07-27-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldprogrammer

So are you saying that I can try to do research with a professor even if I'm not currently enrolled in a degree program?

That's what I did. I emailed a few profs. Two of them were interested. Eventually I work with one of them. I had my day-job and wasn't even an "official" student or RA. (e.g. no student ID, couldn't access the e-library - had to get the papers thru the prof, etc.) Eventually I got a LOR. Make it clear to the profs that you are thinking of doing a PhD, and like to be involved in some research. Look at what you have to offer (e.g. is there an IS project that you did that have some interesting research questions to address?)

UT-Dallas: Economics of Information Goods is something that we frequently discussed in the doctoral IS seminars. The other core and major courses - not directly relevant. (Note: some schools may require IS doctoral students to have some IT/IS background - so the required major courseworks might be useful. But given your IT background, I think you can easily pick up the needed knowledge...)

UT-Arlington: there are more relevant courses there. E.g. Microeconomics theory, and the economic/mathematic electives.

You may not get waiver during your PhD programs even it you take one of these Masters. But it will make your life much easier...

Btw, you may want to look thru the earliest posts in my blog - our circumstances seem quite similar.

oldprogrammer · 07-27-2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks, tkkoh! I just started browsing through the early entries in your blog, and we do have very similar circumstances: econ undergrad, out of school for a number of years, and old(!). Do you think your rather impressive GMAT score helped to make up for your age and time out of school? Personally, I'm just hoping for a 700. You've really given me a new perspective. I think I'll still start a Masters program on a part-time basis, but I'm not sure now if I'll need to finish it. I'm only getting older... But I'm definitely going to start looking for some profs that I can volunteer to work for. It's never too early to start developing a relationship. Thanks again!

07-27-2008, 06:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
tkkoh Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 120	For my cohort, one guy has a Master in Econs. Another guy has an MBA (IS focus). I only have a Bach. Was out of uni. for 7 years., and LOR was also a concern. What I did was to work on a research project for about a few months before application - got one LOR from the prof that I was working with. Another LOR was from my undergrad Econs prof. The last was from my ex-dean. (Btw, the program that I'm in is usually ranked among the top 3 or 5 in IS...) Honestly, undergrad econs is not sufficient for IS PhD. What will boost your application is to have done microecons and perhaps game theory at PhD level (and done them well). Doing a MS in IS is not a bad idea.... just that there are other (better?) options. If you prefer to do it, I suggest you first look at the IS faculty - see who you can work with and get strong LOR. In my opinion, the reputation of the 2 schools that you mentioned aren't significantly different. (Austin has a head-up though for IS.) But try to take some econs courses during the program (if possible). All the best. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ another phd aspirant's blog... http://phdmilestone.blogspot.com/

07-27-2008, 06:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
tkkoh Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 120	For my cohort, one guy has a Master in Econs. Another guy has an MBA (IS focus). I only have a Bach. Was out of uni. for 7 years., and LOR was also a concern. What I did was to work on a research project for about a few months before application - got one LOR from the prof that I was working with. Another LOR was from my undergrad Econs prof. The last was from my ex-dean. (Btw, the program that I'm in is usually ranked among the top 3 or 5 in IS...) Honestly, undergrad econs is not sufficient for IS PhD. What will boost your application is to have done microecons and perhaps game theory at PhD level (and done them well). Doing a MS in IS is not a bad idea.... just that there are other (better?) options. If you prefer to do it, I suggest you first look at the IS faculty - see who you can work with and get strong LOR. In my opinion, the reputation of the 2 schools that you mentioned aren't significantly different. (Austin has a head-up though for IS.) But try to take some econs courses during the program (if possible). All the best. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ another phd aspirant's blog... http://phdmilestone.blogspot.com/

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07-27-2008, 03:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
oldprogrammer Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas, USA Posts: 203	tkkoh - You have offered a very interesting perspective, one that I had not considered. I have a BA in Economics, which is probably why I seem to frame all my IS questions in terms of economics. I've also been a professional software developer for the last 8 years, so combining that with my econ degree is what drives my curiosity in the IS field. The reason I was thinking a MS in IS was to obtain LORs from IS faculty. If I went for a MS in Economics, my LORs would likely be from Econ professors, which doesn't seem as ideal (but I could be mistaken on that). You have given me something to think long and hard about. Prawler - I would love to apply directly to a PhD program, but there's no way for me to get quality LORs at this point. Eight years is a long time to be out of school, and while I did well (magna cum laude) I didn't really develop a connection with any professors at the time. If I had to come up with LORs right now, I would have a glowing letter from a sociology professor I did research for, a decent letter from a non-phd economics lecturer, and a glowing letter from my current CIO. Far from stellar. My plan was to start a Masters program, and to be upfront with my professors of my intentions to pursue a PhD and let them know that I want to be as involved in research as I can. My other situation is that, while working full-time, I'm taking math courses. I'm taking Calc III in the fall, but I still need to take linear algebra and a math-based statistics course (I have two business statistics courses under my belt but that was a long time ago). Thanks for the feedback from both of you. Very appreciated.

07-27-2008, 07:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
oldprogrammer Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas, USA Posts: 203	So are you saying that I can try to do research with a professor even if I'm not currently enrolled in a degree program? If that's a possibility then a lot of my problems are solved. I think I would still like to take more math and at least graduate-level microeconomics (as you suggest) to boost my application. Also, I didn't mean to suggest that my undergrad econ degree was sufficient for any kind of PhD work. It taught me to think like an economist, but most definitely did not equip me to do econ research. Here's the UT-Dallas MS in Information Tech & Management program, which like you said about the Texas A&M program does little to prepare for a PhD: The School of Management, Graduate Degree Programs, Degree Plan, E-Commerce I have also considered UT-Arlington's MS in Quantitative Finance (with Econ track) because of its strongly quantitative focus rather than its Finance focus. MS QUANTITATIVE FINANCE - PROGRAM OF WORK

07-27-2008, 10:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
oldprogrammer Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas, USA Posts: 203	Thanks, tkkoh! I just started browsing through the early entries in your blog, and we do have very similar circumstances: econ undergrad, out of school for a number of years, and old(!). Do you think your rather impressive GMAT score helped to make up for your age and time out of school? Personally, I'm just hoping for a 700. You've really given me a new perspective. I think I'll still start a Masters program on a part-time basis, but I'm not sure now if I'll need to finish it. I'm only getting older... But I'm definitely going to start looking for some profs that I can volunteer to work for. It's never too early to start developing a relationship. Thanks again!

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