Profiles and Results 2011

[killpueino]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc. Economics in a Economics and Business Scholl of the University of Chile (n° 1 -2 depends on ranking of country)
Undergrad GPA: 3.1 (Equivalent) (Historically, the max of each cohort isn't over 3,5)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q780 V510 E3 (In E I made a mistake and didn't sent one essay even when I have finished like 15 min before the deadline ¬¬)
Math Courses: Calculus (B), Algebra (A), Analysis (Grad level) (B+), Optimization (A), Analysis (Undergrad level) (A+).
Econ Courses: Macroeconomics I (A+), Macroeconomics II (A), Introd. Macroeconomics Economics (A), Intro. Economics (B+), Intro Microeconomics (B+), Microeconomics I(C), Microeconomics II (B+), Industrial Organization (B), Labor Economics (B), International Finance (B+), Economic Policy (B+), International Economics (C+), Econometrics I (B), Econometrics II (B), Finance I (B+), Finance II (A), Applied Macroeconomics with Matlab (B+), Mathematics for Economics (A+), Economic Development (A), Economic History (C+), Public Finance (B+), Welfare Economics (B), Research Topics (B+)
Other Courses: Bussiness courses, average (B)
Letters of Recommendation: Two great LoRs (one a very known professor in the Economic Theory Field, and another one of a MIT PhD.)
Research Experience: R.A. in Macroeconomic Consultant Agency, with one of my letter of recommendation, R.A. twice as intern in the Central Bank of my country, one of them at the Financial Research Area.
Teaching Experience: I was Teaching Assistant and Head Teaching Asssitant of all Macroeconomics lectures of the School.
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, Financial Macroeconomics, Finance and Bubbles.
SOP: I talked lots of my experience and how I get into this field, Why I'm Applying, what do I expect and things I had to do to learn more about of economics (Like I travelled more than 130km for a 2 hours seminar from my city to the Central Bank each friday)
Other: I was encouraged to apply sooner than I was planning to, but I really wanted to start the PhD path before 26 (I have 25) to finish my PhD before 32).

RESULTS:

Acceptances: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (MSc), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (MPhill) (60% reduction of tuition, attending to)
Waitlists: N/A
Rejections: Bonn (MSc)
Pending: N/A

What would you have done differently? I would started my path in Economics before (I was in Engineering first). I would put some extra effort on the lectures I didn't liked and I would try to improve more my statistical basis, I also would liked to realize more Teaching Assistanships in different areas (like micro) also.

[huxleyms]

Type of Undergrad: Economics + Applied Math, top15 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.77/4.00
GRE: 800Q 620V 4.0AW
Math Courses: Calc(B+,A-,A+), Vector Calc (A+), Linear Algebra(A), Applied Linear Algebra(B), ODE(B+), PDE(B), Complex Analysis(B), Probability(B), Math Reasoning(A), Real Analysis(B+,A-), Numerical Analysis(A,A,A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Microeconomics(A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Environmental Economics(A, different uni), Intro Microeconomics (A+), Intro Macroeconomics(A), Intermediate Microeconomics (A,A-,B+), Intermediate Macroeconomics(A,A-), Enterprise Finance(A), Financial Markets(A), Econometrics(A,A), Economic Growth(A), Decisions Under Uncertainty(A+)
Other Courses: C/C++(A), Java(A-), honors sections(all A's)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 MIT PhD (took small classes, honors section), 1 Yale PhD (comp. econometrics project), 1 UCLA math PhD (ODE/LA tutor, took classes w/projects )
Research Experience: nothing formal, just independent work in honors sections
Teaching Experience: matlab tutor, mock trial captain?
Research Interests: everything
SOP: long
Concerns: Lots of B's in math, wondering how many an A in grad micro can outweigh, low AWA score. Lack of research experience.
Other: Expect high variance

Results:
Rejected: Chicago, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Johns Hopkins
Accepted: UCSD, Carnegie Mellon, UTexas, UVA
Would do differently: I would have taken fewer math classes and tried to do more economic research. Also, I should have gotten better grades. Overall, I am very happy with my outcome.

[mutatismutandis]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Political Science/Economics with Honors from a regional university in the US without a graduate economics program
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 540V/750Q/4.0 AWA
Math Courses: almost none; Calc I (AP), Statistics I/II (A/A); currently registered for Calc II and Linear Algebra
Econ Courses (grad-level): none
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Macro (A), Intro to Micro (A), Intro to Geographical Information Systems (A), Intermediate Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (A), International Trade (A), International Finance (A)
Other Courses: Many international relations / political science courses, notably a course in political economy (A)
Letters of Recommendation: One political science professor, one economics professor, and one from the honors program director
Research Experience: Wrote a political economy thesis entitled "The Mystery of Social Capital: Microfinance, Civil Society, and Long Run Development" which I will be presenting at the NYSPSA conference in April
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Political economy, development, some theory
SOP: Strong
Concerns: Lack of proper math preparation, GRE, LoRs are strong but not the best simply due to my school's reputation, and also I am quite late to the application game
Applying to: NYU (MA), Tufts (MS), BU (MA), Fordham (MA), GWU (MA)

Results:
Accepted: Tufts ($$), BU
Rejected: NYU

NB: Stopped applying after receiving Tufts' offer. It was too good to refuse. Also updated grades (not relevant to this cycle's profile, but for the future when I apply for PhD programs): Linear Algebra (A), Calc II (A-)

[fj217]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BBA Applied Economics/Applied Mathematics (minor) from a mid-sized university in Hong Kong
Undergrad GPA: 3.76/4.00 (#1 in the program)
Type of Grad: -
Grad GPA: -
GRE: Q800 V530 AW4.0
Math Courses: Calculus & Linear Algebra (A); Mathematical Analysis I (A); Mathematical Analysis II (B+); Linear Algebra (A); Statistical Methods & Theory I (A-); Differential Equations (A-); Real Analysis (B); Numerical Methods I (A-); Mathematical & Statistical Modeling (A)
Econ Courses: Principles of Microeconomics (A); Principles of Macroeconomics (A); Intermediate Microeconomics (B+); Intermediate Macroeconomics (A); Mathematical Economics I (B+); Applied Econometrics (A); Money & Banking (A-); International Economics (A); Industrial Organization (A); Aisa-Pacific Economies (A-); Public Finance (A); Money & Finance in China (A)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: One professor from another local university (Stanford PhD); one regionally well-known professor (UW Madison PhD); one statistics professor with a PhD from Germany. At least the latter two letters are very strong.
Research Experience: Summer research at another local university; honors degree project
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, International Economics
SOP: I put much effort into writing it; mainly explaining my interest in economics and my past learning experience
Other:

RESULTS:
Acceptances: IUB PhD ($$, attending), Albany PhD ($$), Simon Fraser MA ($$)
Waitlists:
Rejections: Cornell PhD, PSU PhD, UPitt PhD, USC PhD, Notre Dame PhD, etc.
Pending: CUHK MPhil

What would you have done differently?
I think I’d have done better had I picked Mathematics as my major and Economics as minor. That way not only could I have taken more math courses, but I also could have taken them systematically. Now I often had to taken advanced math courses early on without the basic courses. If I could have taken them systematically I would have better math grades.

[mallikagarg]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from top Indian University
Undergrad GPA: N/A
Major GPA: N/A
Type of Grad: MA Economics from mid ranked Indian University
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q 790 V 640 A 3.5;
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Math for economists, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Statistical methods and probability, Differential Equations, Advanced multi-variable calculus.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Micro, Advanced Macro, Econometrics, Game Theory, International Trade, Industrial economics and investment analysis, International Banking and Finance, Development Economics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I & II, Macro, Public Finance, Money and Baning, Economic History, Comparitive economic development, Development Economics, Economic Systems
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from grad quant prof, 1 from grad econometric prof, 1 from a well known economist i've RAd with.
Research Experience: one year's experience as an RA
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied Microeconomics, Industrial Organisation
SOP: Nothing out of the world
Concerns: Inadequate research experience, no publications, inadequate math courses, unknown Graduate university, unknown recommenders.
Applied to: MIT, stanford GSB, Chicago, Texas (Austin), Texas A&M, UIUC, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, MSU, UCR, UVA, Clemson, Colorado at Boulder

RESULTS:
Acceptances: Clemson ($$); Colorado (Without funding)
Rejections: MIT, stanford GSB, Chicago, Texas (Austin), Texas A&M, UIUC, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, MSU, UCR, UVA
Attending: Clemson

What would you have done differently?
With my kind of background, I am happy to have made it to where I did. Though, I guess I should not have targeted so high. I could have got better results had I applied to more schools in the 30-60 range and completely skipped the top 15.

[qwerty123456789]

Just to provide another data point.

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Bus with first class Hons with majors in Fin and Econ – (mid range) Australian Uni
Undergrad GPA: 5.5/7 in Bachelor, 6.9/7 in Honours year
Type of Grad: M.App Econometrics – (one of the better) Aust Uni
Grad GPA: 6.8/7 – Ranked 1st in graduating class
Type of Grad: M.Sc Econ (decent) German Uni
Grad GPA: approx 1.5 for first year on 5 point scale (1 best, 5 worst). Ranked highly in most classes.
GRE: 800Q 580V 5W
Math Courses: Non-US student and don’t have much here. Graduate Math for Econ (A), Stats (B) and a bunch of econometrics.
Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD Macro II (A), PhD Econometrics I (A), Macro (A), Micro (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Labour Macro (A), Financial Econ (A). Will take Micro I, Micro II, Macro II, Metrics II at a PhD level before finishing Masters. Have taken a bunch of theoretical and applied econometrics courses at a Masters level (all A’s).
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Econ (B,B), Intermediate Micro and Macro (A,A), Econometrics (A), and a couple of others (A’s).
Other Courses: A bunch of finance courses at undergrad and grad level
Letters of Recommendation: All publish well, one Harvard PhD who has some name recognition. Should all be strong (one can talk about a thesis I have done).
Research Experience: Honours thesis on empirical asset pricing. Masters thesis on estimation with weak instruments (paper in progress but not submitted). Currently working on another paper with a Post-doc based on an idea I came up with on volatility forecasting. Don’t have anything published but there is a bit for my LORs and I to talk about.
Teaching Experience: 2nd year Finance tutorials.
Research Interests: Econometrics and macroeconometrics.
SOP: Usual stuff, try and highlight the good stuff and defend the bad.
Concerns: Don’t have any stellar maths classes to establish technical skills. There are some weaker grades in there. While the Aust A’s are mostly High Dist’s a couple of the German A’s sound a little less impressive (eg – do the 2.0’s actually look like A’s).
Other: Worked for a few years in finance but realise that has no value beyond me simply making a well informed decision.
Applied to: PhD Programs
Accepted
Cambridge (??), UCL($)

Rejected
Oxford, LSE, Queen Mary

Attending
Cambridge

Notes:
- Delayed in being allocated a supervisor at Cambridge which meant that I wasn't considered for funding (I was only eligible for the various overseas trusts), so I dont know how I could have gone here.
- UCL offered some funding first year with teaching afterwards but not enough to cover international student fees + living expenses
- I was also considered for both the Oxford and LSE master programs after being rejected for the PhDs but was also turned down from those.
- All in all a mixed bag that resulted in me getting my first choice but no funding. I will find a way to make it work though.

[RonSwanson]

Kinda late to do this buuuut this was my profile when I applied to masters programs

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top rated Regional in the Northeast
Undergrad GPA: 3.26 overal/3.3 in Major (Poli-Sci/ Philosophy Double Major/Minor in Economics) Also took classes after graduation at other schools
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 790Q/700V/4.5A
Math Courses: Calc I-II (A, at local community college) Calc III (A at local large research university)
Econ Courses: Principles of Micro (B+) Principles of Macro (A-) Natural Resource Economics (B) International Economics (A-) Intermediate Micro (A-) Intermediate Macro (A)
Other Courses: Applied Logic (B+)
Letters of Recommendation: One from the guy who ran the Econ department at my school, one from the guy who ran the poli-sci department at my school, and one from a supervisor at work
Research Experience: Minimal academic, although I did have some "minor" research experience while working for FEMA
Teaching Experience: Nothing other than instructing some courses on social media for FEMA
Research Interests: Macro, Labor, Natural Resources/Environmental, Regional Growth
SOP:
Other: Applied to only Masters programs in state because I wanted to boost my profile

RESULTS:
Acceptances: Bowling Green MA (with Funding); University of Cincinnati MA (with Funding), and Wright State University MS (with funding/that's where I went)
Waitlists:
Rejections: Miami University (mostly because I hadn't completed Intermediate Macro at the time applications were due)
Pending:

I choose WSU because it was an MS and because the funding was 100% while UC and BG only offered partial funding.

[mar412]

delete

[Pho]

Deleted

[LUDuckling]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 30 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 4.0 Economics/Maths/International Relations
GRE: Q 800 V 730 AW 4.0
Math Courses: Calculus, Linear Algebra, ODE, Probability, Math Stat, Real Analysis
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, IO, Economic Thought, Development, Money Banking
Letters of Recommendation:professor of grad micro class; econ prof; math thesis advisor - all mentioned my originality & ability to abstract from real world happenings. One talked about I am "one of the most impressive students during his 40+ years of teaching at Harvard & xx university."
Research Experience: RIPS student industrial math research@IPAM; RA; math thesis in game theory
Teaching Experience: TA math & econ for 2 years
Research Interests: micro, behavioral, not really set
Other Experience: Co-founded a company and initiated an int'l summer school; various volunteering experiences, mainly has to do with (re)building houses for poor people(write about in diversity statement)

RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale, Columbia, NYU, UCB, Chicago, etc.
Waitlists: MIT, UCLA, CMU
Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Brown, Caltech, etc.
What would you have done differently?
Applying straight from a non-top liberal arts college and with no significant grad course work/ research job, I am very content with my result. I think I really put everything I could reach together. I have no regrets.