Apply this fall or next?

[kevinp123]

I'm trying to decide on whether I should apply this fall or wait until the next and was hoping you all might have some suggestions. Below is my profile:


Type of Undergrad: BS Econ; Top 30 public, not highly ranked in econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.94
Type of Grad: MA Econ, same school as undergrad
Grad GPA: 3.85ish
GRE: not taken yet, but lets say 800
Math Courses: Multivar Calc (A), Math for Econ (A), Adv. Calc (Fall), Lin. Algebra (Fall), Probability (Fall)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro/Macro, Development, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Econometrics I,II, Game Theory (A), Corp. Finance (B)
Grad Econ Courses: Micro I,II, Public Finance (A), IO (B)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Chicacgo, 1 Princeton, 1 Stanford; 1 somewhat famous
Research Experience: Master's Thesis

My main concern is obviously my lack of math classes. I'm taking Adv calc, lin algebra, and probability in the fall, but don't know if it will be enough, plus I've heard it looks bad to take all of your math classes at the last minute. Should I apply in December when I get my grades? Or stick around for another semester and take more math in the spring then apply in fall 2011?

Also, what range of schools do you think I should be looking at? I am hoping to land somewhere in the top 20, but that might be a stretch.

[kevinp123]

bump...anybody?

I'd really like to apply this fall and start in 2011, but if I won't be able to get into any of my target schools I'd rather take more math in the spring and save the money from applications this year, although I might end up applying to several schools anyway.

[dsdoodle]

Well, if you are looking to get into the top ten, it will be to your benefit to take those math classes last minute anyway. I'm talking about RA, topology, and perhaps diff. eq if you haven't had it already in your calc. I think most schools in the top 20 also want to see a lot of math experience, although strong LORs can also get you into top 20 if they are strong enough. Make sure you do well in adv. calc and lin. alg in the fall too (although I'm sure that's a given). I would suggest waiting till next year, but that's just my personal opinion.

[Elliephant]

Why not apply this fall and, if not satisfied with outcomes, stick around and try again next year? The only real cost to doing this is application fees, which are peanuts in the grand scheme of things. You get the big advantage of no regrets and potentially a year saved. I'd say it is worth the fuss. On our side of the border (Canada) it is common practice to apply two cycles in a row if the first round doesn't go well.

[_nanashi]

3 math at once isn't that dis concerting. But that level of mathematics is going to be minimum preparation for any top 50 school. I certainly would continue to take math the second semester, and mention in the SOP, especially if you can take a stochastic processes courses, and a differential equations or anlaysis course you'll have a pretty solid background. Your GPA is good, and I'm assuming your GRE is good, but the fact your at a top 30 public without a good econ department (does it have a phD program?) may diminish your chances top 15 or better. I would cast a pretty wide net with your applications find schools that interest you by being strong in your particular areas of interest apply to them. Apply to some good ones. I'd probably apply to 15-20 or so places in top 10-50.

Also if your coming from a lower ranked university with unknown LORs, find the LORs that will write the most enthusiastic things about you over anything else. I would keep the famous guy in that list thoughfor sure

[Team3]

Concur w/Elliephant. Recommend approaching this year with the intent of applying in the fall. You can always bow out in November if things don't go according to plan.

Also, LORs are important. So seek those who know you well and who you think can enthusiastically recommend you (not just those from well regarded schools).

Good luck!

[kevinp123]

Thanks for the advice everybody. I think the reason I am worried about applying in the fall is that if I am accepted to a reasonable school, I will be in the difficult position of deciding whether to accept the offer or wait until next year in the hopes of getting accepted to a better school. Whereas if I simply wait until next semester, my profile will be as strong as it is going to get and I will not have to consider whether I might get accepted to a better school or not. But I also don't want to have the year off that I will have if I wait until next fall to apply. Maybe I should only apply to my reach schools this fall and if I get accepted to one of them, great, but if I don't I can apply to more schools next fall.

[Elliephant]

Maybe I should only apply to my reach schools this fall and if I get accepted to one of them, great, but if I don't I can apply to more schools next fall.

This is exactly what I am doing this fall, except that I'm just about to finish UG, so if no acceptances I will spend the extra year either doing an MA or RAing. The RA thing seems to be an amazing profile-booster for domestic applicants, so you might consider that as a fill-in for your year off.

[blockRed]

think Ellie's advice is great...otherwise just wait a year.

[_nanashi]

I probably would consider doing the M.A. thing, and not applying to PhD at all. If you can spare the cash. The Canadian M.A. for example are similar to instate tuition + living costs. Some of the european M.A.s have similar fees, (others can be very very expensive LSE for example). If you can get into one of the Big 3 Canadian M.A. (U of T, UBC, Queens, U of T Doctoral) it would diminish credibility concerns, and give you some top notch letters. Even the tier 2 M.A.s (SFU, Mcmaster) have value.

It will also let you know if you want to do PhD quick. I can't speak for the rest of them, but UBC's M.A. requires you to write a research paper at the end of it, and has a first semester sequence that is similar in difficulty to PhD at lower ranked schools.