Evaluation Please

[slick09]

Type of Undergrad: BA Econ (3.6)and Math (3.9)major from a top 40 U.S. school (small liberal arts program with no graduate classes)
Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (magna cum laude)
GRE: 800Q, 380V 3.5 Analytical
Math Courses: Introduction to Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (-A), Real Analysis I (A), 1/2 Probability & Statistics (A), Abstract Algebra (A) Calc 1 (A) Calc III (A) 1/2 Regression(A) 1/2 Interest Theory (-A) 1/2 Financial Mathematics (A) Modeling with DE (A)

Econ Courses: Intro (A), Intermediate Micro (B+), Macro(B), Econometrics (-A), Public Finance (B+), Corporate Finance (B+), Money and Banking (A)

Letters of Recommendation: 3 math (very good) with whom I did collaborate research with, 2 econ 1 of whom is a master's thesis adviser

Research Experience: Two publications in abstract algebra from a REU program, currently writing a MS thesis in asset pricing
Research Interests: Finance, Asset pricing, mathematical economics, econometrics
Other: I am currently a first year student working on a MS in applied mathematics (applied portion in financial mathematics) at a top 50 math program. I am enrolled in real analysis, probability, numerical, microeconomics all PhD courses. I also received several awards upon graduation including top math and top econ senior as well as a fellowship for graduate school and distinction in mathematics.

I really have no idea where I have a chance of getting into. I graduated last year and at the time applied to a lot of top 10 and top 20 schools and got rejected everywhere accept for the math program I am currently in. I really want to be a professor/researcher in finance/economics.

[slick09]

Any suggestions on where I might want to apply would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[tm_guru]

Originally Posted by slick09

Any suggestions on where I might want to apply would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

There are hundreds of schools you could apply to. The way the forum generally works is that you ask about your chances at particular schools, or schools strong in 'field' in a particular geographic areas.

If you have identified schools you want to study at, then post them, and the forum members will be happy to give you their advice about those schools

[Gecko]

The intermediate micro and macro needs a bit of explaining in the statement of purpose. math grades are good. seems like too many math profs for your LORs.. maybe use 1 or 2 but not all 3 letters

asset pricing and finance - look at Kellogg, Chicago Booth for example.

[JohnMcClane]

Originally Posted by slick09

Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (magna cum laude)

3.52 is cum laude and not magna ... do you mean 3.92?

[slick09]

My school requires a comprehensive examination in your major field of study to graduate ( 6 hour written and a 1 hour oral); If you receive above a 90% then it essentially "bumps" you up from cum laude to magna or magna to summa. I was one of 11 students who did, hence I graduated magna rather then cum laude.

I clearly overshot the range of schools I should have applied to. I was wondering what range I should be looking at as in <100, or top 50.

Suggestions for schools in this range that have financial economics would also be helpful as well since I am unfamiliar with many of these programs and my professors had little suggestions on where I might apply.

I didnt explain the B's in the econ classes, I diffinitely will do that this time. Should I give some sort of explanation for the low verbal and analytic scores as well? I didn't think they really mattered but I guess anything might.

[Gecko]

The verbal could need some explaining~

[tm_guru]

I think programs that are strong in Financial Economics tend to be places with a good Finance PhD, I personally have no interest* in them though so you should look into Finance Programs.

It drives me nuts when people come to me incensed at 'the banks' and ask me to explain the financial crisis, I somehow manage to steer the conversation towards back towards micro-incentives, and tell them no one forced them to pay over the odds for their tiny apartment and no one forced them to take on debt that relied on their earnings increasing substantially before the introductory low rates ended. Blarf.

[Gerter]

Originally Posted by tm_guru

I think programs that are strong in Financial Economics tend to be places with a good Finance PhD, I personally have no interest* in them though so you should look into Finance Programs.

It drives me nuts when people come to me incensed at 'the banks' and ask me to explain the financial crisis, I somehow manage to steer the conversation towards back towards micro-incentives, and tell them no one forced them to pay over the odds for their tiny apartment and no one forced them to take on debt that relied on their earnings increasing substantially before the introductory low rates ended. Blarf.

What a delightfully informed view.