future admission prospects post a diploma in eco

[applicant12]

Originally Posted by walt526

Aside from it being materially misrepresenting yourself to adcoms? Which it is: the instructions for every application that I've seen asks you to list ALL post-secondary institutions attended. But setting that consideration aside...

Is there a chance that you could get away with it? Possibly, perhaps even probably if you made a concerted effort to hide your tracks. But the consequence if you're ever caught could be quite dire: while in graduate school, they could kick you out at any point if it came to light. And down the road, it's a nasty bit of information that a rival might use to gain an edge on promotions/grants (research institutions are highly competitive and bring out the worst in otherwise non-petty people). And the reaction of most of your colleagues won't be "oh, he's done so much better since then" but rather "every CV's he's ever sent out has been a fraud."

It's not like you took a course at some random place via open university and did poorly. You were enrolled and completed a diploma/degree program. Truthfully and completely submit the application and then offer an explanation in your statement of purpose and hope that your letter of reference's talk about your potential for success in graduate school notwithstanding this poor performance.

very well said, walt. I like this piece

[tm_guru]

Originally Posted by applicant12

very well said, walt. I like this piece

yes, agreed, walt's advice and more particularly his tone is usually right on the nail... some reputation points are deserved!

[walt526]

Thanks guys!

[icemanDan]

Thanks tm guru and Walt. I agree with tm guru, in that not only is your advice good, but I also appreciate your tone; its engaging and encouraging, not attacking and dismissive.

Right so I get the point now. The idea to conceal was being considered because I thought there is no remedy now. I have time on my hand and am not in a desperate hurry to finish grad school. Can someone please suggest any ways to bolster my credentials so i could get into a higher ranked masters program.
1. I am really keen on taking up math courses and excelling on them as a signalling mechanism. Are there any good taught programs in mathematics, where they would accept non-math undergrads and allow one to take up calculus, liner algebra, probability, real analysis courses (unfortunately, non u.s. undergrads don't have the option of being flexible and taking up loads of math courses before going to grad school, unless one is in a b.a. math program. I'm essentially looking to circumvent this problem)?
2. If not, then are there any reputed distance math/eco programs that will be considered favourably by adcoms?
3.Or is economics summerschool a better option? if so, could you name some top programs?

[Gecko]

Do schools in europe allow you to enroll as a non-degree student, i.e., just pay for the course that you wish to take? that would solve problem 1.

2 is not advisable.. God knows who is beside you as you take those exams at your computer screen :P and the adcom will think of it too

3 summer school - hmm, UBC has a summer school. LSE too.

[tm_guru]

Originally Posted by Gecko

Do schools in europe allow you to enroll as a non-degree student, i.e., just pay for the course that you wish to take? that would solve problem 1.

This is one of the most annoying aspects of european education. Taking classes like this is rarely an option. This is largely due to the way education is funded. It would appear the governments funding the programs like to only fund those students completing a complete program. That is, they appear to value the signalling qualities of a degree over the underlying courses taken.

I know my master's university has no formal system for students wishing to take a single course, it's all about denominated degrees from day one. Grrrrr!

[tm_guru]

You can often take a class informally by contacting a professor, but forget about getting a transcript showing that course...