Evaluation of profile for MA programs for either this or next cycle.

**metaserve** · 08-27-2010, 02:09 AM

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Economics, minor mathematics
Undergrad GPA: 3.3 Cumulative, 3.6 in major
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: Will take soon. Practice tests indicate ~780Q
Math Courses: Calc I-III (C, C, B), Statistics I and II (B, A) ,Formal Proofs I (A), Linear Algebra (A), Diff Eq (in progress), Topology (Spring)
Econ Courses:Intro Micro (B), Intro Macro (A), Inter Micro (A), Inter Macro (B), Hist. Econ Thought (A), Int'l Econ (B), Monetary (A), Econ of Euro. Union (A), Econ of EU Enlargement (B)
Other Courses: Will take 1-2 Finance courses spring semester.
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econ professors (2 top-20 PhD). 2 will be great, the other one "good"
Research Experience: Will finish only research paper in Spring. Subject: Invisible Bond Vigilantes
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Financial economics, Heterodox.
SOP: Not finished. I write about how I have learned to enjoy math - using it as an aid to organize economic thinking, and made solid progress from calculus III, onwards. I also speak about my industry goals.

Concerns: I think it's obvious enough: Cumulative GPA and early math grades. I've tried to explain how I have become a new man, academically, after these slip ups. There are 2 C grades in courses unrelated to math or economics, but from what I have read, those shouldn't count against me too much.

Will be applying to:
UBC
BU
New School (MS, Heterodox)
UCL

Other people who know my profile have mentioned NYU and LSE. These seen like stretches, but I don't know for sure. Frankly, BU also sounds unlikely. Any input about these schools in particular will be helpful, as well.

My goals are non-academic, private sector.

Also, as the title reads, I am considering applying for either the coming cycle or the next.

Thank you for any advice.

**Olm** · 08-27-2010, 05:40 AM

Only to UBC and not to Queen's, UWO, or Toronto? If you're going to apply to any of those four, there is no reason not to apply to all of them. They are all about on the same level in terms of training, placement and so on. All four schools also offer funding to MA candidates in some limited capacity (UWO treats you like a PhD student and gives you $20,000 plus tuition).

Like you said it will be difficult to explain your poor performance in those mathematics classes. Taking topology in the spring will not help for the next round of admissions because schools will not wait for those grades to come in.

LSE is very difficult to get into, and they put very strong emphasis on GRE scores. Unfortunately with your record I do not think that you have a shot of getting into LSE; besides, they rarely fund students.

If you can only get two good letters, do not submit the third one to programs that do not require it. A letter that is not completely enthusiastic will kill you at a lot of good schools.

**metaserve** · 08-27-2010, 07:23 PM

Thanks, Olm. When people suggested LSE to me, my immediate reaction was "Yeah, right." (at least for this cycle). Are you saying that UBC and U-Toronto have similar levels of admissions? I will consider sending in only the "great" LORs where possible.

**moneyandcredit** · 08-27-2010, 07:52 PM

For MA programs, I say reach for the stars with that profile. It's not that bad, and I sometimes wish I had aimed for some stretches (even though they wouldn't be free like the one I'm in). NYU or LSE are not unrealistic.

Consider adding USC and Duke to that list. USC's MA would give you a lot of opportunity to network with private sector employers in the LA area... but LA isn't for everyone. I hear more about Duke as a place people go as a huge boost on the way to a well-ranked PhD, but they state that's not the purpose of their program. Getting a good private-sector gig should not be hard with a Duke MA.