Colourful possible PhD Economics candidate...

[Railroadme]

I was a social work major at a middle road state university (not the best, not the worst school). I am now obtaining a B.I.S. with Public Administration, Social Work, and Math as my disciplines. I have been taking my math courses online through a community college in NY that is a part of the SUNY system. I will have taken Pre-Cal, Cal I, Cal II, Social Stats, Intro Stats, and Stats I. I would like to apply for a Ph.D. however I need to be realistic. What are my chances? More details:

GPA: 3.11 Overall, 3.6 on core courses.
GRE: 700 (first try--I will be retaking it), and 720 Verbal
50% service connected veteran (this gives me a huge advantage when applying for government jobs)
I'm twenty-four and will still have a year of my GI Bill available.
LORs would be from a Political Science PhD, and two Social Work PhDs

I am not expecting to get into the top schools---but I've also heard that there is no point in getting a PhD in Economics unless you go to a top school. I am looking at applying to Syracuse University, SUNY Albany, Georgetown, Fordham, Temple, Utah State University and University of Utah. I am most interested in Public Finance.

[wind up bird]

Where would your letters be coming from?

[tangsiuje]

What economics courses have you taken?

[GymShorts]

I don't see you getting into Georgetown. Even though it's not highly ranked, they get a lot of high quality applicants, because 1) the undergrad program is prestigious, and 2.) Washington D.C. is a great place to study if you're interested in a job at the IMF, World Bank, or the Federal Reserve, and 3.) Washington is just a fun place to live in general.

[Railroadme]

I have taken Econ 203---Micro---an A. Thats it. However, I have had an interest in Economics since I was ten or so. I read the economist weekly (not to say that makes me super knowledgeable). Put it this way---I like economics as a means to evaluate social programs and needs.

[fp3690]

However, I have had an interest in Economics since I was ten or so. I read the economist weekly (not to say that makes me super knowledgeable). Put it this way---I like economics as a means to evaluate social programs and needs.

Not sugar coating it in the least, they don't care. It is common knowledge that your SOP (where you could address that stuff) is the least important part of your application. But given your last sentence, maybe public policy would suit your needs more.

BTW, alarmingly often, the Economist is premium recycling material.

[Railroadme]

I actually wouldnt even say that in my SOP. Its just the fact that I have bounced around a bit.

I guess I am being not too bright...what do you mean by "the Economist is premium recycling material"?

[fp3690]

I actually wouldnt even say that in my SOP. Its just the fact that I have bounced around a bit.

I guess I am being not too bright...what do you mean by "the Economist is premium recycling material"?

I am obviously exaggerating. It's just that I, personally, find the Economist sometimes too partisan to be sensible. There's nothing wrong to sticking to your opinions, but they have a Talibanistic approach to the issues they treat, in the sense of being too biased.

[scrobles]

I've heard that LORs from non-econ people are much less convincing. Perhaps an MPA where you take econ courses and cultivate relationships with econ professors would help you get into a PhD program. At this stage in the road I would say your chances don't look stellar. You're still young, and you have 1 year of your GI bill, why not use it to improve your profile?

[Railroadme]

Thats what I thought you were meaning just making sure. I try and balance it out with Mother Jones so I should be covered LMAO