What tier of schools should I aim for? top 50 possible? Thanks!

[Andronicus]

Based on your background, you could probably get in somewhere in the 30-50 range. I think you might want to apply to fewer schools outside the top-50 and more in the 30-50 range. Given your interests, a good safety school to pick might be Wyoming, which is not highly ranked overall, but strong in environmental economics.

I'm also not sure Wisconsin is the best choice for a reach, because they let in a lot of people (often unfunded) who end up not passing prelims. So, the danger there is not so much that you might not get in, but that you might get in over your head.

[econtennis]

Thank Andronicus, much appreciated, I've been trying to research programs such as Wyoming, which might be not highly ranked overall but be strong in environmental economics. Anyone have any other suggestions of schools that would fall into this list?

Thanks again!

[AREStudentHopeful]

Take a look at the econphd.net rankings. They're not perfect by any means, but they'll give you a starting point for schools to take a look at. You can find the ag section here (you may have to try a few times, their website is sometimes irritable). Rankings: Resource & Agricultural Econ.

You may also want to ask your professors what their advise might be. They may have some connections at certain schools that are strong in env. econ.