Prospective Phd student...some questions

**Ibid** · 05-04-2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by inknit

Would not having a Bachelor of Science degree hurt my chances? I mean I would take a lot of quantitative courses (as much as I can).

No, you will be fine. Ad-coms know that universities are quaint old things when it comes to degree titles. My alma mater gives BAs to its physics students, for example. Ad-coms will look almost exclusively at the modules you took, not the specific college rules governing commencement.

**wind up bird** · 05-04-2010, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by inknit

I have another question. I"m going with the most quantitative econ concentration UVA offers, but it's a BA and not a BS. Same goes for math - Mathematics with a concentration in statitistics is a BA.

Would not having a Bachelor of Science degree hurt my chances? I mean I would take a lot of quantitative courses (as much as I can).

Don't overthink this. If you do everything that's already been suggested here, you should be a solid candidate for top schools.

We are similar; I knew I wanted to go to graduate school in economics from a pretty early age and I can be a little obsessive about planning ahead. But really, once I knew the general arc that my undergrad career should take, I did not sweat the details. You don't want to look back in 4 years obsessing over every decision you made just because you're at a top 10 or 15 instead of a top 5 (or at a top 5 instead of a top 2). Overthinking stuff like a BA vs BS is going to drive you crazy. It doesn't even really matter if you officially have a math major as long as you have good grades in key courses. Relax. You're on track and you'll be fine.

Have fun in undergrad, and I don't just mean outside of class. It's a perfect time to explore your interests in a pressure-free environment, but it won't be that way if you add too much pressure yourself.

**dsdoodle** · 05-05-2010, 07:16 AM

Kid, I really think it's amazing you have your goals set so early. If I had known as a high school senior I wanted to do a PhD in Economics, I would have done a lot of things different... so you definitely have a great advantage over anyone applying in 4 years.

With that said, in my humble opinion, I think that going to UVA will lower your chances of getting into the top 5 by a bit. How much? Who knows... all things held equal in 4 years, I'd say 6% (random guess). The reason I say this is because since you already know what you want to do, you'll be able to start taking graduate level classes by the time you are a junior. I would try to complete the first year courses before you apply for schools. If you take the first year courses and did very well at NYU, you'd probably get into any of the top 5 schools (with enough research experience and with good LORs). At UVA, if you finish the first year classes and do very well, you'd probably be a lock for most top 20 places but top 5 will be a stretch. Again, this is my own opinion, and this is saying that you will take grad level classes as soon as you can and are ready for them. It's just that taking graduate classes from a top 12 program and a top 30 program makes quite a bit of difference, I would think.

I also disagree with posters who are saying you are a kid and should 'have fun' during college instead of worry about these things. You will have fun in college unless you are a hermit and study all day. Your focus should not be to have fun, but to work hard to keep this goal of yours to get into a top 5 a realistic one. I'm rooting for you!

**wind up bird** · 05-05-2010, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by dsdoodle

I also disagree with posters who are saying you are a kid and should 'have fun' during college instead of worry about these things. You will have fun in college unless you are a hermit and study all day. Your focus should not be to have fun, but to work hard to keep this goal of yours to get into a top 5 a realistic one. I'm rooting for you!

Some worrying is good, but beyond a certain point it's unproductive. And I suspect that a high school student who is already trying to decide on safeties is more likely to forget to have fun and relax than forget to study.

So how's this for a compromise: OP, have fun and work hard in undergrad. If you learn to balance the two, graduate school will be a lot more enjoyable anyway.

**Ibid** · 05-05-2010, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by wind up bird

So how's this for a compromise: OP, have fun and work hard in undergrad.

So the Caltech guy says you have to compromise to let MU_{fun} = MU_{study}

Originally Posted by dsdoodle

You will have fun in college unless you are a hermit and study all day.

And the Minnesota guy says equilibrium will be found, ceteris paribus.

Gentlemen, the admissions process seems to work.

**tm_member** · 05-05-2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ibid

So the Caltech guy says you have to compromise to let MU_{fun} = MU_{study}

And the Minnesota guy says equilibrium will be found, ceteris paribus.

Gentlemen, the admissions process seems to work.

Hilarious!

**Pedxz** · 05-05-2010, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by inknit

How realistic is it of me to make it into UC Berkeley, MIT, UChicago, Princeton, or for that matter NYU given that I will take difficult/advanced math classes (stochastic processes, multivariate statistics, time series) and garner outstanding LORs from the department's most renowned professors?

Given that I will accomplish all of the above, what are some safety schools I should apply to?

I think that it is quite realistic. Just give it your best. If you can 1) do research with a famous faculty and 2) graduate at maybe the 3 of the your economics department, you have a good shot at top 5 schools.

At the same time, I don't think you should be too serious. Who knows, you might not even like economics a few years from now.

Between you have a huge advantage in that you already have a goal in your life (although it can change). Be sure to let the Professors know of this goal, and they will be much more interested in your development than the typical student.

**Ibid** · 05-06-2010, 10:54 AM

OP: it's quite possible to go Top 5 from UVA. Proof.

**inknit** · 05-06-2010, 03:52 PM

^^^Is that you? My goal isn't necessarily top 5. I'd be happy to go to NYU or Columbia...I'm sure that would be extremely difficult as well.

**inknit** · 05-07-2010, 01:07 AM

So I understand top 5 would be a huge stretch, but how hard would it be to get into NYU? If I went to NYU, NYU grad econ would've pretty much been guaranteed, right?