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sam i am · 2009 October 30th, 03:05 AM

Hi all!

Many moons ago I was thinking of applying to some Econ programs. After receiving some (mostly good advice) here, I went off to do some test-taking and letter-finding. Now that I've managed to firm up my profile a bit, I'd like to ask your advice as to where to apply:

The good:

GRE: 7xx V / 800 Q / ?? AWA
Degree: Double major from top-5 US school. BS in math, and BS in not-math
A- in econometrics, taken on a whim.

The bad:

GPA: 3.25
No research experience whatsoever.
Lukewarm LORs from some professors - none are econ.
Out of school for a while.

As you can tell, I spent much of my undergraduate career in search of inebriation, fornication, and video games, with attendant results. I had little interest in economics during those years, and have neither the coursework nor the LORs for a traditional econ candidate. Economics, and a return to school itself, are recent interests of mine.

I was advised on this forum to target MS programs - they're easier to get in, a good place to prove that I have moved beyond (or at least better conceal) my youthful enthusiasm, and a good place for me to see if this is a good fit for me.

I've heard UNCG, Tufts, Miami in the US, and the Canadian big four, are good targets, as are a few of the European schools (but they are unlikely to fund us Yankees)

What sort of schools would you target in my position, and what advice might you have to give me? Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

oleador · 2009 October 30th, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam i am

as are a few of the European schools (but they are unlikely to fund us Yankees)

That's not true. I think with your kind of profile you have a good chance to be funded at UPF (and there are US guys who get funding here). For funded master's also look at places such as Tinbergen, Tilburg, Toulouse, CEMFI. I am sure there are more in Europe, maybe someone can add more names.

nat_resource · 2009 October 30th, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam i am

As you can tell, I spent much of my undergraduate career in search of inebriation, fornication, and video games, with attendant results.

Sounds more like an asset than liability to me. Except for the video games part.

moneyandcredit · 2009 October 30th, 07:43 PM

^Haha. I'm here to tell you that it's definitely a long-run liability!

Gecko · 2009 October 31st, 05:08 PM

with a 3.25 GPA it would pose some problems to obtain funding at good masters programs..

sam i am · 2009 October 31st, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gecko

with a 3.25 GPA it would pose some problems to obtain funding at good masters programs..

Given that, where would you target?

I figure with the GRE and the math degree from a top-5 school on one hand, and the decidedly mediocre GPA / letter of reference on the other hand, I'm best off targeting mid-ranked institutions?

What would these institutions be? There seems to be much less information and ranking as to these schools.

walt526 · 2009 October 31st, 09:27 PM

I believe that someone said that UCD's ARE MS offers funding via TAships. One of the regular posters (can't recall the user name off the top of my head) is currently enrolled in the program and might be able to shed some light. However, among ARE programs, UCD is considered among the best, so I'm not sure how competitive it would be.

Another poster here is currently enrolled in a MA Economics at NCSU and has spoken highly of it. I think that he/she is getting some sort of funding.

But there simply aren't very many Masters programs that appreciably enhance one's applicant profile much that offer funding. You'd have more options if you considered a MS Statistics or Math.

NB888 · 2009 October 31st, 09:32 PM

Questions for the OP. If you continue after the masters, and do a Ph.D., will you want it to be from a US department, or would you be just as content to have a Ph.D. from a Canadian, UK, French, Spanish or elsewhere department? Is there a level on the ranking charts you have as your goal? Some people post here stating they want their Ph.D. institution to be inside the top 40, 30, 20, or 10. Is there a subfield, topic or type of economics in which you are most interested? I think the answers to those questions can affect whether or not some courses and programs are a good idea.

AREStudentHopeful · 2009 October 31st, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walt526

I believe that someone said that UCD's ARE MS offers funding via TAships. One of the regular posters (can't recall the user name off the top of my head) is currently enrolled in the program and might be able to shed some light. However, among ARE programs, UCD is considered among the best, so I'm not sure how competitive it would be.

Another poster here is currently enrolled in a MA Economics at NCSU and has spoken highly of it. I think that he/she is getting some sort of funding.

But there simply aren't very many Masters programs that appreciably enhance one's applicant profile much that offer funding. You'd have more options if you considered a MS Statistics or Math.

UCD's ARE masters is typically very competitive and I think it would be a long shot with a 3.25 (though not totally impossible). As for NCSU's, from what I have understood, funding is rare there for masters students. I think there are some university-wide fellowship type things that are possible, but funding in the department is scarce for masters candidates from what I hear from a friend who goes there.

sam i am · 2009 November 1st, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NB888

Questions for the OP. If you continue after the masters, and do a Ph.D., will you want it to be from a US department, or would you be just as content to have a Ph.D. from a Canadian, UK, French, Spanish or elsewhere department? Is there a level on the ranking charts you have as your goal? Some people post here stating they want their Ph.D. institution to be inside the top 40, 30, 20, or 10. Is there a subfield, topic or type of economics in which you are most interested? I think the answers to those questions can affect whether or not some courses and programs are a good idea.

I think I'd prefer a North American department. In the short term going overseas for a few years would be fun, but I'm not too sure I'm cut out to live in Europe long-term. It's a long time to be that away from my social and familial network.

As to what specialization and ranking I'd want in a future department? I'm purposefully agnostic on that issue. I have little economics background, and I think it would be wise to explore the field at an MA program before I express any strong preferences.

I'm willing to commit for a year or two, but I think it would be wiser for both my future institutions and I to see the flop before we do any more betting.

2009 October 30th, 03:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
sam i am I JUST got here. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 14	Funded Masters eval? Hi all! Many moons ago I was thinking of applying to some Econ programs. After receiving some (mostly good advice) here, I went off to do some test-taking and letter-finding. Now that I've managed to firm up my profile a bit, I'd like to ask your advice as to where to apply: The good: GRE: 7xx V / 800 Q / ?? AWA Degree: Double major from top-5 US school. BS in math, and BS in not-math A- in econometrics, taken on a whim. The bad: GPA: 3.25 No research experience whatsoever. Lukewarm LORs from some professors - none are econ. Out of school for a while. As you can tell, I spent much of my undergraduate career in search of inebriation, fornication, and video games, with attendant results. I had little interest in economics during those years, and have neither the coursework nor the LORs for a traditional econ candidate. Economics, and a return to school itself, are recent interests of mine. I was advised on this forum to target MS programs - they're easier to get in, a good place to prove that I have moved beyond (or at least better conceal) my youthful enthusiasm, and a good place for me to see if this is a good fit for me. I've heard UNCG, Tufts, Miami in the US, and the Canadian big four, are good targets, as are a few of the European schools (but they are unlikely to fund us Yankees) What sort of schools would you target in my position, and what advice might you have to give me? Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

2009 October 30th, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
moneyandcredit Slumdog Quintillionaire! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 243	^Haha. I'm here to tell you that it's definitely a long-run liability! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Full Profile -- Attending: Cal State MA. Long-Term Goal: PhD Economics (+JD?), or Property/Casualty Actuary GRE 790Q / 720V / 5.0AWA -- Undergrad GPA 4.00 Econ / 3.77 Last 66 Units Overall (3.95 if you don't count one unauthorized withdrawal) / 3.27 Total Overall moneyandcredit: I don't know where the department comes off calling the microeconomic theory class "advanced"... I got a supplemental copy of Mas-Colell for kicks and giggles. SlowLearner38: That's because a lot of TM-smug has rubbed off on you.

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2009 October 31st, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gecko This user's posts are moderated. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,075	with a 3.25 GPA it would pose some problems to obtain funding at good masters programs..

2009 October 31st, 09:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
walt526 TestMagic Guru Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,308	I believe that someone said that UCD's ARE MS offers funding via TAships. One of the regular posters (can't recall the user name off the top of my head) is currently enrolled in the program and might be able to shed some light. However, among ARE programs, UCD is considered among the best, so I'm not sure how competitive it would be. Another poster here is currently enrolled in a MA Economics at NCSU and has spoken highly of it. I think that he/she is getting some sort of funding. But there simply aren't very many Masters programs that appreciably enhance one's applicant profile much that offer funding. You'd have more options if you considered a MS Statistics or Math.

2009 October 31st, 09:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
NB888 Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 108	Questions for the OP. If you continue after the masters, and do a Ph.D., will you want it to be from a US department, or would you be just as content to have a Ph.D. from a Canadian, UK, French, Spanish or elsewhere department? Is there a level on the ranking charts you have as your goal? Some people post here stating they want their Ph.D. institution to be inside the top 40, 30, 20, or 10. Is there a subfield, topic or type of economics in which you are most interested? I think the answers to those questions can affect whether or not some courses and programs are a good idea.

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