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Thread: Worried about prospects for admission, thinking about applying to MA programs

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    Eager! FreeMarkets just joined TestMagic.
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    Worried about prospects for admission, thinking about applying to MA programs

    The title says it all. I've become very dubious about my prospects for admission to a phd program and have been thinking about applying for a terminal masters. I know very little about MA or MS programs. What do you guys think are the best programs for phd preparation that I could still apply to?

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    TestMagic KanGuru economics radiates success. economics's Avatar
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    from which kind of university are you applying? if US, what tier? what's your UG major? what are your weaknesses?

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    Eager! FreeMarkets just joined TestMagic.
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    Sorry for leaving out relevant information - I'm an economics and math double major (both BA's) at a top 20 econ phd program. 800 Q GRE, 3.46 gpa. I applied mostly to third and fourth level tier schools - UVA, OSU, Georgetown, etc. I've been rejected from PSU and Duke. My weaknesses are low grades in calc 1 and 2 and an overall low GPA.

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    UVA entering class 09 Zmoney 's dreams are becoming reality. Zmoney's Avatar
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    it seems you should be ok. I would have confidence that youll get an offer somewhere
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    with stay fresh seal bigleaguechew 's dreams are becoming reality. bigleaguechew's Avatar
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    I agree. If you've still got several apps out there for schools ranked below top 30, then I'd just sit tight because you're bound to get in somewhere.


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    TestMagic KanGuru economics radiates success. economics's Avatar
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    it seems that if grades are the problem and if your LoRs are fine, an MDegree would help.

    honestly, no one of us has a clue what the real problem was with duke and upenn - it would be sad if you come from a top20 school and have to go to a 4th-tier school for your phd.

    since you're from a top20 school, i wouldn't rely on our advice, as we don't know much about your case, and rather get in touch with your advisers/rec writers at your college. they'll certainly give personalized and more powerful advice than we could.

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    Eager! FreeMarkets just joined TestMagic.
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    I guess what I really want to know is are there top masters programs that are still accepting applications?

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    TestMagic KanGuru economics radiates success. economics's Avatar
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    LSE

    oxford, though not top, should be accepting apps, too, but without funding, in some econish programs

    continental european ones?

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    the long and winding road breakz is almost a TestMagic guru.
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    Quote Originally Posted by economics View Post
    it seems that if grades are the problem and if your LoRs are fine, an MDegree would help.

    honestly, no one of us has a clue what the real problem was with duke and upenn - it would be sad if you come from a top20 school and have to go to a 4th-tier school for your phd.

    since you're from a top20 school, i wouldn't rely on our advice, as we don't know much about your case, and rather get in touch with your advisers/rec writers at your college. they'll certainly give personalized and more powerful advice than we could.
    econ's got it right: a MEcon could help a lot with your grades, but you won't gain much in the way of LORs if you're hailing from a top 20.

    He's also right in that you should go talk to a professor who supports you. Did you take any graduate courses before applying?
    Quote Originally Posted by 99luftballoons View Post
    For those that have not applied this year, next year don't send 13 different applications, but send 13 applications to your #1 choice.
    Quote Originally Posted by uhokay View Post
    You're absolutely correct YoungEconomist. However, I've been spoiled over the past several years by living in some of the hottest cities in the world. I have been SPOILED.

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    wanna have a happy life averageaverage just joined TestMagic. averageaverage's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FreeMarkets View Post
    The title says it all. I've become very dubious about my prospects for admission to a phd program and have been thinking about applying for a terminal masters. I know very little about MA or MS programs. What do you guys think are the best programs for phd preparation that I could still apply to?
    Uni of British Columbia is still accepting. I guess that they are really competitive but you can give it a try.
    M.A. Program in Economics
    Heading to Rutgers University

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