Profile Evaluation for European Master

[badgre]

I am a graduating senior from a top 5 public school in the U.S, looking to do Master in Economics in Europe. Please also recommend schools that are likely to admit me.

GPA: 3.2
Major GPA: 3.7

Major: BA in Economics
Econ Courses:
Intermediate Micro (A-)
Intermediate Macro (A)
Econ Stats (A)
Econometrics (A)
IO (A)
Intl. Economics (A)
Investment Theory (A)
Adv. Macro (A)
Law and Economics (A-)

Math Courses:
Cal I, II, III (D, A-, A-)
Differential Eqns (A-)
Linear Algebra (A-)
ODE (A-)
Probability Theory (B-)
Discrete Mathematics (B)

Withdrawn from Real Analysis one year ago. (Wasn't planning to go to Grad Sch)
Other courses taken: Engineering Stats (A); Finance (C); Actuarial Math (C)

GRE: 750 Q; 620 V; AWA: ?? (Not planning to retake GRE cause (1.) really really expensive (2.) really boring test )
Talked with two Econ. professors and they are willing to write me good rec. letters.


I screwed up, so be gentle with me okay?

[z109620]

You might want to broadly mention your interests because that will allow people to better recommend schools which are good for you.

That being said, I think that I have good news for you, I got into UPF's econ masters last year with a similar profile to yours (my overall gpa was much better and my econ gpa was a bit better, however, I probably went to a sub top 75 public school) If you want to look at my profile it is in the profile and results for last year. I really think that the fact that you went to a good undergrad school will help alot. Also note, that I did not get funding at UPF, however, it is probably one of the best econ masters in europe, I mean they place one person at MIT every year, so I was not surprised with not funding.

I would recommend applying broadly to European masters depending on your interest and also look toward Canada: as UBC, Queens, U Toronto are great however, they might be reaches given you profile (I only got into UBC, never heard from Queens, and withdraw by offer from toronto after I did not get doctrol stream)

Also note, I am NOT at UPF right now. I am doing a masters at UC Davis ARE, so I cant answer many more questions about UPF however there are other TMers around that have been there or are there now.

[badgre]

Originally Posted by z109620

You might want to broadly mention your interests because that will allow people to better recommend schools which are good for you.

I am interested in IO and financial economics.

[badgre]

Originally Posted by z109620

I would recommend applying broadly to European masters depending on your interest and also look toward Canada: as UBC, Queens, U Toronto are great however, they might be reaches given you profile (I only got into UBC, never heard from Queens, and withdraw by offer from toronto after I did not get doctrol stream)

I knew about Canadian programs but I prefer to go to schools in other continent. And my plan is to come back to North America to do PhD.

[z109620]

Well those Cs finance classes don't look good if you are interested in Finance, however, CEMFI in spain is a school you might want to look at. It is great for finance and does a good job placing people in the US I think.

I forgot to say, getting into a masters program in Europe and getting funding at a masters in Europe is another thing all together. Getting funding at a good masters program in Europe being an American means that your profile was probably strong enough to get into a good PhD program. So if money is an issue then you better start saving. However, tuition is usually relatively cheap (UPF was 15k for the year).

[badgre]

I got all the Cs and Ds during my first 2 years in college. Since then, its almost all As. I hope the adcom understands.
Tuition fee is not a problem, but getting free education is definitely better.

[badgre]

Does anyone of you have other suggestions?

[badgre]

OK, so I have gathered some list of schools so far like UPF, CEMFI, Tinbergen, Toulouse and SSE. Are they good fit given my profile?
Besides, are they any schools that I have missed out?

[Gecko]

as a minor point for masters people the fit with research areas is not so critical, unlike the phd phase - so that could open up more schools for you

[slightlyconfused1]

GRE: 750 Q; 620 V; AWA: ?? (Not planning to retake GRE cause (1.) really really expensive (2.) really boring test )

You cannot be serious. You want to spend five years pursuing a Ph.D in economics -- presumably with the goal of becoming an academic economist -- and yet you can't cough up $150 and a few hours of your time to retake a test that is critical to your admissions prospects and hence your career? But you're willing to spend far, far more time and money on a European master's program that will do little for your candidacy to US Ph.D programs (which you say is your goal) without a better GRE score?

I didn't know people with such obscenely bad judgment existed...

Now, if you don't think you have any reasonable chance of improving on a retake, then I can understand your reluctance to sign up for another GRE session. Be aware, however, that in equilibrium your failure to retake the test will be a signal to Ph.D admissions committees of your private knowledge that you cannot do well on the test -- in other words, that your recorded score is a legitimate indication of your ability rather than a fluke. This is not good.