Next Step Forward... Advice Appreciated

[ClosureinMoscow]

Here is my updated profile:

Type of Undergrad: Small, Midwestern LAC
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/4.0
GRE: 790Q, 650V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Stats I & II, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Reasoning, Probability Theory I, Game Theory (Spring), Probability Theory II (Spring). *** Might do an Ind. Study of Diff. Equations in Spring as well.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro & Macro, Labor, Public, Development, International, Econometrics
Other Courses: Two programming courses (Java, C++)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econ Profs: 1 Stanford (Chair of Econ department, will be very strong), 2 U of Illinois (should be strong)... I feel really good about these.
Research Experience: Beyond term a term paper and my senior thesis (spring), none.
Teaching Experience: TA for professor of Macro
Research Interests: Macro, Development
Concerns: No Real Analysis, no research experience

Here's my dillemma: I recently decided, due to personal reasons, to take at least one year off prior to applying to grad-school programs. I am currently applying to regional feds for RA positions (though I am worried I my app will be quickly discarded due to lack of research experience) and looking for universities at which I can enroll in math classes (I.E. real analysis, topology, etc..). Unfortunately, I cannot find ANY schools in the Chicago area that are offering any helpful Math classes this summer (U of I will most likely offer Complex Analysis).

Unless I find a decent RA position, I really do not want to wait more than a year (Admissions in Fall 2011 would be nice) to apply. BUT, unless I find math courses to take this summer (my undergrad doesn't offer any analysis courses this spring), my application will still be lacking in math come next December (If I enroll in real analysis in the fall 2010, my grade would not be included on my app for admissions in 2011).

What should I do?

[Gecko]

how about taking in a different state?

[Texcards]

Originally Posted by ClosureinMoscow

(If I enroll in real analysis in the fall 2010, my grade would not be included on my app for admissions in 2011).

I believe it's not uncommon to send an updated transcript with your fall grades even if it's after the admissions deadline. I did this with all of the schools I applied to last year.

[jeeves0923]

If you are intent on staying in the Chicago area, there are several faculty members at UChicago that regularly look for full-time RAs. They often start advertising in February or March. I think Jesse Shapiro and Matt Gentzkow have had one the last few years (with excellent placement records into PhD programs), the center for price theory usually has one, I believe Emily Oster has had them. Maybe try and get in touch with some of these people or have your professors get in touch with them on your behalf.

[ClosureinMoscow]

Jeeves,

With my profile, do you think I would have a chance landing an RA position with U of Chicago profs? I guess I just assumed they would be recruiting the best of the best from the top schools nearby (U of Chicago, Northwestern, etc...). Obviously, doing research with Chicago faculty would be something that I'd be interested in, I just didn't know the appropriate way to go about investigating such an opportunity.

I believe my recommenders would be more than willing to contact other professors if I were to ask them to...

[jeeves0923]

Originally Posted by ClosureinMoscow

Jeeves,

With my profile, do you think I would have a chance landing an RA position with U of Chicago profs? I guess I just assumed they would be recruiting the best of the best from the top schools nearby (U of Chicago, Northwestern, etc...). Obviously, doing research with Chicago faculty would be something that I'd be interested in, I just didn't know the appropriate way to go about investigating such an opportunity.

I believe my recommenders would be more than willing to contact other professors if I were to ask them to...

I know at least one of them has the purpose of trying to find students who otherwise might not be noticed (i.e. isn't just looking to hire UChicago undergrads). They have advertised on this forum before and just called for resumes, but if you have a recommender willing to contact them on your behalf (esp if your recommender has some sort of existing relationship with them), then you might be in good shape. It's worth a try, anyway- and I think it will be much more valuable to you than Real Analysis.