Can I get into a top Canadian MA Economics Program?

[stupidkid]

Dear all,

Okay, just as my screen name, I screwed up and ended up with some really horrible grades during my freshman & sophomore year. Do you think I have a shot at top Canadian MA Economics Program? So below is my grades.

Graduating soon, from a top U.S. public school.

Major GPA: 3.7
CGPA: 3.3
GRE: Quant 780; Verbal 690
No research experience. I am fairly confident to land 2 to 3 good LORs.
Economics major.


My school uses the following grading scale: A(4), AB(3.5), B(3), BC(2.5), C(2), D(1), and


Math Courses:
Calculus I : AB
Calculus II: D
Calculus III: AB
Financial Math: C
Discrete Mathematics: B
Linear Algebra: AB
Ordinary Differential Equations: AB
Probability Theory: BC


Econ Courses:
Transferred Principle of Micro & Macro so no grades for them.
Introductory Finance: C
Intermediate Micro (Honors): AB
Intermediate Macro: A
Investment Theory: A
Statistics I: A
Statistics II: A
Econometrics: A
Growth Economics: A
International Finance: A
Industrial Organizations: A
Health Care Economics: AB

So what do you guys think? Chip in constructive comments and advices please.

[walt526]

I think that you have a shot with strong LORs. Obviously the D in Calculus II is your weakest grade, although that's partially offset by the ABs in Calculus III, Linear Algebra, and ODEs.

For MA admissions, the B in Discrete and BC in Probability Theory is nothing to worry about given your strong performance in Econometrics and Econ Statistics. The C's in Financial Math and Intro Finance probably aren't a problem so long as you earned them early in your undergrad career.

Just briefly discuss in your statement of purpose why you underperformed early on and discuss how that won't be how you approach graduate studies.

[Winnie_Econ]

Oh yes. You will get in atleast in one of the top canadian programs. I would say great chance at UBC and Toronto and probably limited chance at Queens and UWO because they admit a limited number of international students. Good chance in other top canadian programs as well.

You have excellent marks in econ. If you guys have math economics, do one and get an A. That way you will be a top applicant for those programs.

I wonder if you are competitive for a top 50 or a top 30 US phd??

[Winnie_Econ]

I would listen to walt526 advice. He gives great advice!

[stupidkid]

My goal is to attend U of T's Doctoral Stream MA Economics and do PhD eventually. Is it harder to get in or should I apply for regular stream to maximize my chances?

[NB888]

I have a question that's related to this thread, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread for it.

How much priority, if any, do graduate programs in Canada give, for admissions and funding, to people who are Canadian citizens, but who have not lived in Canada within the past 5 years? Is there a pro-Canadian advantage based on citizenship, residency, or both? I ask because I fit that description (Canadian citizen, hasn't lived there in the past few years). If anyone knows the answer, please type it below. I'm sure the answer would be useful to people other than me, perhaps even to the original poster in this thread.

[NB888]

I'm not 100% sure, but based on their website I think UWO now has something that is comparable to UofT's doctoral stream, and UWO is not offering the lite masters anymore. If that is true, then UofT and UWO would have masters in econ programs to which some of the standard arguments against a masters in econ before a Ph.D. in econ will no longer apply. Some people like UWO better than UofT, so UWO might also be worth a consideration.

[Winnie_Econ]

Oh yes. UWO has a super reputation! But I heard it's extremely tough to get in. Tougher than to get into Toronto.

[Canuckonomist]

Originally Posted by stupidkid

My goal is to attend U of T's Doctoral Stream MA Economics and do PhD eventually. Is it harder to get in or should I apply for regular stream to maximize my chances?

Unfortunately, the DS MA at Toronto is not particularly "easy" to get into. It's not impossible, but with those math grades, you may not exactly be a sure-bet. I'd apply for both DS and regular if you're really interested in going to Toronto. UWO seems to be moving more toward the pure math and physics kids in terms of it's Master's, so I worry that again, your math grades may not be a good signal there. I'm not trying to discourage you from applying, I'm just saying cast a wide net. Us students with shaky profiles need to. If I were you, I'd make the following applications:

If you're applying to 3-4: Take a shot at Toronto (Both streams) as well as 1-2 from: McGill, McMaster, Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta,.

If you're applying to 5-6: Take a shot at Toronto (Both streams) as well as 2 from {McGill, McMaster, University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University} and 2 from {Queen's, UBC, UWO}

If you're applying to 7-8: Take a shot at Toronto (Both streams) and Queen's, UBC and UWO (all the big ones), as well as 2 from: McGill, McMaster, University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University.

Notes:
1. There are good schools in the UK, but they can be expensive, so I wouldn't really consider them.
2. Queen's was a difficult shot this year for non-Canadians. I can't speak for this year, but if you're a Canadian, it's more likely you'll get funding from them if you get in over a place like UBC.
3. On that note, UBC is terrible with funding.
4. UWO may be much more math intensive, so think about that, given you performance in math -it may not be the easiest program to get through.
5. McGill, McMaster, Alberta and SFU are good schools, especially as a safety. If I had to pick one, it would definitely be SFU. Their students come out quite prepared. In fact, one just passed all his comps at Queen's and has advanced to candidacy, and the one in the program here at Toronto seems to be fairing well too.

Plenty to think about, I know.

Best of Luck,

Canuck

[Canuckonomist]

Originally Posted by NB888

I have a question that's related to this thread, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread for it.

How much priority, if any, do graduate programs in Canada give, for admissions and funding, to people who are Canadian citizens, but who have not lived in Canada within the past 5 years? Is there a pro-Canadian advantage based on citizenship, residency, or both? I ask because I fit that description (Canadian citizen, hasn't lived there in the past few years). If anyone knows the answer, please type it below. I'm sure the answer would be useful to people other than me, perhaps even to the original poster in this thread.

I believe you only need to be a citizen/permanent resident.