What would be some good MA programs I should look at to get into top 20 PhD?

[iloveeconomics]

as mentioned in title, I am wondering if any of you could give me some advices on what MA econ programs I should be looking into regarding my background to go to a top 20-30 PhD programs eventually? Does working experience help?

Here is my profile:
I am a senior from a non-top 10 LAC
Double major in Math and ECON
Econ GPA: 3.1, Math GPA: 3.8, Overall:3.0

I did not have good gpa for my sophomore yr 2nd semester and junior yr 1st semester because I was having a hard time for some personal issues, also i was young. I am also an international student studying here is us, so trying to adapt myself in the culture and study environment might affect my gpa a little bit until i learned from my experience. however, since i did not think abt phd until the recent past semester, i only have calc 1(A), calc2(A), and differential(B) so far, and I am taking real analysis, linear algebra, math modeling and general physics now and i think i have the chance to still keep my math gpa high.

micro A-
macro C
econometrics B+
intl trade & finance B+
intro to finance B
money & banking B+
senior sem C
quant mthds econ & mgmt C
( as i stated above, i did not take my grades too sersly earlier and i already finished my econ major now, so i don't know what else to do with it)

I took gre and get quant part for 790.

i wrote an article last semester and it would be published in a book in 2 years( i wrote it with my professor)
I have done my senior thesis already, but only got a C since the seminar is about econ history while i am more interested in mathematical econ. I don't know if i should mention my research experience about this paper.
I am also doing a research using econometrics with a department of my college.
Also i did a special project about mathematical econ and i got A

i am worked on another research project with a prof and might work on something new for next semester.
I also have had experience as a marketing research intern in the past as my summer internship. I am also a calculus TA.

I am wondering if i still have a chance to apply for phd regarding that my gpa is really low and i could not go if i don't get any funding. If so, what range of the rankings of the school should i consider? what range of the schools are considered "safe school" for my condition? so I figured I probably need a ms in econ to give me more chances to get into a good phd program but haven't figure out which program would be a good fit for me

please feel free to give me any advice regarding my profile and the questions i have. Thanks a lot!

[Gecko]

kinda tricky, with the C in undergrad macro. the good masters are in europe - LSE, etc. go search the threads in this forum

[One on One]

Tufts is pretty good if you want to stay in the States.

[oldprogrammer]

I've noticed that Texas A&M admits MS students (even with a thesis option). Depending on how well you used your time during that program, you could probably climb into the 10-25 range. Particularly, doing well in graduate econ classes should remove concerns over your undergrad econ grades.

Or, as an alternative, stay at your undergrad institution for one more year. Take more economics courses to boost your econ gpa, and take anything related to economics from the math department (like mathematical game theory or topology). Use the time to shore up the LORs and research experience you already have a solid base in.