Where Should I Apply?

[jdcasey9]

Hello,

School: Texas A&M
Major: Math and Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.1, Economics: 3.4, Math: 3.132, Statistics: 3.25
Grad GPA: 4.0
Math Classes: Cal 1 - D (Retaken for B , Cal 2 - A, Cal 3 - D (Retaken for A), Discrete Mathematics - B, Linear Algebra - C, Math Probability - B, Advanced Calculus 1 - C, Differential Equations - A, Modern Algebra - A, Linear Algebra 2 - A, Basic Analysis - A, Advanced Analysis - A, Topology -A, Numerical Analysis - A
Economics Classes: Macro - C, Micro - A, I. Macro - C, I. Micro - A, Money and Banking - B, Contemporary Issues - B, Financial Econ - A, International Trade Policy - A, Econometrics - A, Math Economics - A, Econometrics (Graduate Level) - A
Statistics Classes: Stat 1 - B, Stat 2 - C, Math Statistics 1 - A, Math Statistics 2 - A
Gre: Math - 800, Verbal 720, Analytical - 5
Teaching: Privately tutored Cal 1-3
letter of recommendation: I have 2 economics professors, one from my Math Economics class and the other from my Graduate Econometrics class(both A's), who really like me and have encouraged me to go to graduate school. My 3rd letter is from my Advanced Analysis professor (A) who was happy to write it.
Goals: Masters in Economics on the way to a PhD. I'm not sure in what field, I would just like to get into the best school possible.

I feel like I have a mixed application of very goods and very bads. Undergrad started off very poorly, but I have made substantial progress over the last several years. If this was your resume where would you all apply?

[assgf3]

Mixed application indeed. Very solid performance overall on the GRE will help but probably won't be enough to make up for really spotty grades in key courses (Real Analysis, Linear Algenbra, Stats...)
When you say that your grad gpa = 4.0, I'm assuming you're referring to your A in the sole graduate course you've listed and that you don't have a separate graduate degree. Is that correct?

Do you have any research experience? IMO, given your profile you'll probably need some (meaningful) experience as an RA to stand a chance even in the top 50.

[OneMoreEcon]

Your biggest problem is that many universities (not the department, but the university) have a minimum undergrad GPA requirement for admission that you may not meet. Unfortunately, a masters degree won't help that aspect, since it won't change your undergrad GPA. The first thing you should do is make sure you meet the minimum GPA, or else you'll likely end up in the auto-reject pile.

Math grades are a bit of a concern, but the A's in high-level math courses (analysis, topology) will be a big plus and at least partially offset the weak Calc grades. If the bad math grades are from freshman year and good ones from senior year, you're even better off.

My guess - and it's a total guess - is that your target is the 30-50 range. Still really good schools with fantastic advisers, but they have to accept less-than-perfect profiles. You'll be better prepared than many students in that range, but your bad grades and GPA will drop you down into that range of schools. Analysis and topology - and those A's in the courses - will help you tremendously here. I'd be a bit surprised if you made it into top 30 or below top 50, but you should apply in both regions, too, just to diversify enough... and possibly be pleasantly surprised if (and when) I'm wrong.

[UGAorBUST]

Hey there, I put my profile up a little while ago and got some advice so I'll try to pass what little I can. Your GRE and math classes are solid, but like others said your GPA is low and you got some mixed grades. Considering I haven't even applied yet myself, I won't try to recommend any range of schools. Many on this forum have iterated that most schools below 50 cannot place well into research academia schools. If that's not important to you, then applying to low ranked is your best bet. Also, try looking at all the profiles and results threads on this forum, they go back all the way to 2005, that's what I did to get a good idea. I've seen many people on those threads with profiles like yours, so check into where they applied and where they got accepted into, that might give you a better idea.

[kimbanator]

any on this forum have iterated that most schools below 50 cannot place well into research academia schools.

It's hard to place into a tenure-track academic research position from a top 10 school, even...

[Gecko]

This forum is a little obsessed with R1 placements, which is unrealistic given the applicants-to-vacancy ratio.

[Kaysa]

Many on this forum have iterated that most schools below 50 cannot place well into research academia schools.

Heck, even Harvard placed poorly in research academia schools this year

[_nanashi]

Below the top 50 its very hard to place into schools that focus on research. In the last quartile 90-120 its hard to place in to the best government institutions like a Central Bank/IMF/World Bank. CBO ect. is possible, but they'll take masters candidates. Also the job market now isn't good.

However in the top 10-50 range generally schools consistently place a few students into academic positions in their fields of strengths. Its just as you venture out of the top 25 or 30 schools begin to narrow in specialization, it is generally the student in the specialization of the school that gets the best jobs. Provided that they are genuinely good.


Texas A&M is a solid school (top 40ish), and I believe its strength is particular in Micro oriented fields. What that means for you is that there are definitely a number of people at that school who are known by other people. What will probably affect you the most is going to be letters from somewhat well known professors. Given that its Texas I'd make a bet that anyone tenured has some connections and well known. Those letters should also be from professors who are quite enthusiastic about you, and confident in your ability to do PhD. It would be very helpful if they know your situation and can say that you have improved over time are a solid candidate.

You also need to figure out what interests you generally, as top 30-50 range schools are narrow. Then apply to schools that specialize in your interest. A good SOP that emphasizes your strengths, and that your interested in what the school does well probably get schools to accept you on the margins.

For M.A. programs I'd try 2nd tier Canada like SFU, and Mcmaster. The programs are funded generally, and the preperation is close to PhD level. The flipside is that you will want to more than likely get a good chunk of your letters from A&M. I'm unsure if your application would be competitive for tier one M.A. programs. For canadian students economics grades count way more than mathematics and you may meet the GPA cut off. UBC Econ M.A. for example requires a 3.3 and rarely takes anyone with less than a 3.50

[jdcasey9]

My grades have steadily improved. I had a 4.0 through the last 3 semesters and I was getting A's and B's almost exclusively for the 2 before. My problem was entirely in my first several semesters and I feel like I've proven that I am capable of performing at the next level.

No, I have not had research experience. I asked one of my letter of recommendation professors about it and he said that the experience would be superfulous.

[dsdoodle]

As above posters have noted, what you should be most concerned about is your GPA because most of the schools I know have a minimum of 3.3-3.5 that you need for them to not screen you out.