MSc Economics for Development at Oxford

**Jane Austin** · 01-06-2009, 06:03 AM

I am interested in applying for the MSc Economics for Development at Oxford and Mphil Development Studies at Cambridge but I am very worried about my weak GRE score (Q-740, V540, AW-4). I graduated with 3.7 GPA (economics major & math minor) from a not so well known Canadian university and have been working as a research analyst at The World Bank for more than 2 years now. I am more interested in the MSc Economics for Development course and would appreciate your comments on my admission prospect.

Many thanks in advance.
Jane

**Connemara Pony** · 01-06-2009, 07:00 AM

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the GRE score would hold you back a bit in terms of the oxford course.

As far as I'm aware the Cambridge course doesn't require a GRE(I'm nearly certain about this) or it didn't used to anyways.

**elcapitano** · 01-06-2009, 10:14 AM

I would have thought that Cambridge's MPhil in Economics has more in common with Oxford's MSc in Economics for Development than their MPhil in Development Studies which seems to be more sociology/anthropology based...

**Connemara Pony** · 01-06-2009, 01:15 PM

It probably does, but if it's development you're into do development not economics. Unless you specifically want to be an economist.

**elcapitano** · 01-06-2009, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Connemara Pony

It probably does, but if it's development you're into do development not economics. Unless you specifically want to be an economist.

I couldn't agree more. I only mentioned it because the OP hadn't mentioned any of the 3-4 less 'economicy' courses that Oxford's dept of development offer in development studies.

**Connemara Pony** · 01-06-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by elcapitano

I couldn't agree more. I only mentioned it because the OP hadn't mentioned any of the 3-4 less 'economicy' courses that Oxford's dept of development offer in development studies.

Yeah. I kinda half wish I had done development....although I was less into it when I first applied.

**Jane Austin** · 01-06-2009, 03:34 PM

Thank you Connemara Pony.

**deep.19** · 03-25-2009, 03:44 AM

PLEASE EVALUATE MY PROFILE FOR MSc. Economics for Development at Oxford

BA Hons economics from Indian University (University of Delhi) with 69% till second year (73% being highest in class).

Economics Courses: Principles of economics in first year. Intermediate level Micro and Macro economics, Economic history courses (2), International Economics optional course in third year along with one each in Development Economics and Economic Systems. Also have opted for Advanced Microeconomics and Public Economics in third year

Maths Courses: Mathematics for Economics (Including Multivariate calculas and other methods used in economics) and an optional course in Mulitvariate calculus and Linear Algebra. Scored 74% in first course but 50% in second course (which also saw a lower marks in overall university that year).

Statistics Courses: Probability, Sampling, Econometrics in third year along with application of statistical software packages

GRE Score: 730 Quantitative and 570 verbal (80th Percentile Each) and 4 in analytical sectio (37 percentile). I plan to retake GRE in august this year.

Publication: An Independent Undergraduate research paper in development economics (Growth theory). Thi paper is accpeted for publishing in an International economics journal "Issues in Political Economy" published by university of elon, US

Presentations: This paper has recently been selected for presentation at the Economics scholar's programme organized by Austin college and federal reserve bank for dallas in dallas-Texas, US. Apart from that i have presented papers in many Inter University Economics Conferences and was awarded best paper in many of them.

Research Experience (Prospective): I am accepted by a policy research organization in India, as an intern, to research on a project, for which i send them a proposal. This organization has not accpeted undergraduate students from india so far through their selection procedure, they only accpet either US undergraduates or Postgraduate students from top Economics school of India.

Recommendations: From my college profs (One from the head of the department of Economics), they have written very good about me, specially about my research interests and written works. along with my interest in development economics.

Along with it, I am appointed as the Chief Editor of the Economics Journal brought out by the Economics Society of my College.

Concerns: Low University score of 69%. Accpeted students from India generally have score in quite a bit access of 70%, say 72-75%. My other research credentials are good but i am not sure how much attention is given by admission committe on them, which can substitute my low university score.

Please evaluate my chances to get admitted in this course.

**Jane Austin** · 03-25-2009, 02:14 PM

Hey deep.19,

I cannot comment on your CGPA unless its on a 4.0 scale. Other than that your profile looks pretty strong to me. IMO, LORs carry a lot of weight so solid LORs may help taking the focus off your CGPA score. And you also get the opportunity to impress the adcom with two pieces of written work.

I know someone got in with 710/720Q. Retaking the GRE is a good decision only if one manages to do better. I didn't risk it as I was not very sure.

I applied to the MSc ED this year and will share the outcome of my application.

Jane

**deep.19** · 03-25-2009, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jane Austin

Hey deep.19,

I cannot comment on your CGPA unless its on a 4.0 scale. Other than that your profile looks pretty strong to me. IMO, LORs carry a lot of weight so solid LORs may help taking the focus off your CGPA score. And you also get the opportunity to impress the adcom with two pieces of written work.

I know someone got in with 710/720Q. Retaking the GRE is a good decision only if one manages to do better. I didn't risk it as I was not very sure.

I applied to the MSc ED this year and will share the outcome of my application.

Jane

Thanyou for your suggestions jane. I think i will improve in the quant section so i wont take the risk of getting rejected on grounds of GRE score. the CGPA thing is like from india students who are accpeted have their normal percentages in the range of 71-75%. I have 69%, but this year i will atleast try to maintain it or score better.....

Do you think the credentials like my paper and offer from a policy research organization will be able to substitute for a 4-5 percent short in my university marks??

Please suggest something