MPhil in Oxford

[Melvink]

Hi guys, I wonder if there is anyone here who's familiar with the MPhil program of Oxford. In particular, I will like to ask:

- how does the program compare (in terms of say rigor, placement to PhD, prestige, etc) to the usual master program that we often mention (for eg, the 4 big 4 Canadian uni, LSE, Tilburg, Toulouse, etc.)
- how likely (or how many percent) of the people in MPhil manage to move on the DPhil program (usually)?
- (MOST IMPORTANTLY) how difficult it is to get into the program (preferably funded)?

I have posted my profile before, but here's it again... and I'm hoping someone can evaluate my chance of getting into the MPhil program.


Type of Undergrad: B.A in Econ in a very big University in Southeast Asia.
Undergrad GPA: 4.75/5 (first class honours)
Type of Grad: N.A
Grad GPA: Currently doing (hence no GPA to report yet)
GRE: 780Q, 600V, 5.0AWA
Econ Courses: 3 sequences of Micro (last course used Varian's Micro Analysis), 3 sequences of Macro (last course used Romer's Advanced Macro), 3 sequences of Econometrics (last course used Greene)... All "A"s or "A+"s.
Other econ courses include: game theory (A+), math econ (A+), international econ (A+), monetary econ I (A) & II (B+), labour econ (B+), IO (graduate level) (A).
Currently doing grad courses in micro (MWG), macro, econometrics (Hayashi) and game theory.
Math Courses: Calculus (B+), Multivariate Calculus (B+), Linear Algebra (B), Advanced Linear Algebra (A-), Nonlinear programming (B-), ODE (B-), Math modelling (B), Real Analysis I (A+), Real Analysis II (A-), Complex Analysis (A-), Probability (A+), Mathematical Statistics (A+)
Letters of Recommendation: Not too sure yet. I don't know what is the definition of a good letter of reference, but I have at least 2 profs who think rather highly of me
Research Experience: Only honors thesis and some term paper. Did a theoretical paper on IO and an empirical one on econometrics.
Teaching Experience: Nil
Research Interests: IO, Micro theory
statement of purpose: ...
Other: Was top 3 graduates of my cohort, and was top student for econometrics.
Concerns: My math grades!
I have got quite a number of Bs for math, but from what I gathered to be the "important" math courses, I seem to have done decently for them. So how will the adcom view my math abililty?


Any comments or advices will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Gecko]

The grades for analysis, complex analysis, linear algebra will assuage any concerns that the adcom might have

I do wonder though, as IO and micro doesn't seem to be a strength of oxford.

[Melvink]

Originally Posted by Gecko

The grades for analysis, complex analysis, linear algebra will assuage any concerns that the adcom might have

I do wonder though, as IO and micro doesn't seem to be a strength of oxford.

My professors told me that oxford is pretty good in IO actually.
But in any case, I wouldn't say im 100% sure of my interest as yet, so I'm actually more concerned about getting into a master program that can place me at a good phd program (that match my interest later) eventually. So, apart from not being overly worried by my math grades, what do you think of my overall profile as a candidate to apply for the MPhil at oxford?

[Gecko]

very competitive I once emailed Oxford to ask them about the proportion of MPhil international students that got full funding and they skirted the question

I would think that you should try for phd programs in the states if you have strong letters since your coursework is good

[Melvink]

Isn't it even more difficult to actually apply straight to a PhD program in US? Which range of school should I be looking at?

Anyway, im hoping if there is anybody who can perhaps tell me more about MPhil program in Oxford? No TMers went there before???

[Gecko]

are you from singapore? there are chevening scholarships for the UK..

[Gecko]

20th - 30th for US

[Lombardo]

Oxford is actually good in micro theory and IO, there are guys like John Quah and Paul Klemperer who are, I suppose, well known in their areas.

Funding is very tough, and it depends mostly on your college and not the department for MPhil students. So if you get in at a college like Nuffield or StJohns, you might get some scholarship which will cover most of your expenses (I think). Funding for masters students is really a big problem in any British institution I think, at least in economics...

Good luck in applications