Profile evaluation for recent European grad

[novemberman]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 1^st Class Honours B.A. in Economics from my country’s leading university.
Undergrad GPA: N/A Averaged a low first overall but quite high in final year.
GRE revised: 163Q 160V 5.5AW
Math Courses: Probability and Theoretical Statistics, Introduction to Analysis (quite basic), I’ve also taken courses offered by the Econ Dept which covered multivariable calculus, linear algebra, constrained optimization, calculus of varation, stochastic programming, differential and difference equations, Chiang and Wainwright type material
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):Intro to Econ, Intermediate Econ, Economic Theory( took theory courses at most advanced undergraduate level), Game Theory European Economy, Investment Analysis, Monetary Economics, Industrial Organisation, Econometrics, Intermediate Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Public Economics. Received first class honors or 2.1s in all of these.
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: PhD Berkley which should be pretty good, PhD LSE should be ok, PhD Chicago which will be very lukewarm
Research Experience: Currently working in a state research agency, will be here for 2 years, not exactly economics research but not completely unrelated either. I've also written a few undergrad papers, nothing exceptional.
Teaching Experience: 4 years tutoring economics and maths/stats for economics at undergraduate level
Research Interests: Broad at time of writing, Micro (Game Theory), Macro (Long run growth), Labour economics
SOP: Not written yet
Concerns: letter of recommendation’s, GRE quant score, lack of extensive Math
Other: I've taken ever hard-theory and maths course available through my department, sadly things weren't as flexible as in the US at my university. I did however get special permission to take 2 math courses outside the Econ dept and I did very well in both.

I wont be applying until next year, hope to start Sept 2013 at the earliest. My preference would be to do a masters at one of the top UK or Canadian universities before applying to PhDs in the US. What do you think my chances are at say LSE, UofT or UBC for masters and then maybe top 20 US for PhD?
Sorry about the lack of GPA and lousy course descriptions! We Europeans always have to make things difficult when it comes to international comparisons!

I'd really appreciate any advice folks here could give me.

Thanks

[Slippers]

'Country's leading university' grumble grumble. There is some advice which may help at the end of this thread: urch.com/forums/phd-economics/111815-irish-thread.html

[chiaki]

I think these profile threads are a little hard to read if it's all in bold...

I think you have stated the right concerns about your profile. A lukewarm letter might not help you much, despite coming from a PhD Chicago. Also, Math courses coming from an Econ department might not be perceived similarly to Math courses from a Math department. You should try a Master degree while testing it out with the PhD programs. If you really want to go to PhD right away, try broaden the range to top 30-ish.

[novemberman]

@Slippers
I can only go with what the rankings tell me I'm afraid, though we've both taken a severe hit recently it seems

@chiaki
Thanks for your comments. I'd agree about the Maths courses offered by the Econ dept with the exception of one which was also taken by 'proper' maths students too.

My aim at this stage is Msc first, I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to make the leap straight into a US PhD. What do you think my chances are at getting into say LSE, UBC or UofT's masters programmes with my profile so far?

[iEconomist]

@Slippers
I can only go with what the rankings tell me I'm afraid, though we've both taken a severe hit recently it seems

@chiaki
Thanks for your comments. I'd agree about the Maths courses offered by the Econ dept with the exception of one which was also taken by 'proper' maths students too.

My aim at this stage is Msc first, I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to make the leap straight into a US PhD. What do you think my chances are at getting into say LSE, UBC or UofT's masters programmes with my profile so far?

You have a better profile than you realise, beware that this forum tends to apply more to the US undergrad system and grading scale. LSE will be a walk in for you (especially with that Som******** writing a letter of recommendation for you) but is pure poor value for money. You should also bear in mind what Sca**** likely told you about the good reputation our alma mater has in the US, it is even more so in the UK. Had you applied direct from undergrad, you may not have needed to do an M.Sc. but after two years away from the ivory tower you will surely need one.

[novemberman]

You have a better profile than you realise, beware that this forum tends to apply more to the US undergrad system and grading scale. LSE will be a walk in for you (especially with that Som******** writing a letter of recommendation for you) but is pure poor value for money. You should also bear in mind what Sca**** likely told you about the good reputation our alma mater has in the US, it is even more so in the UK. Had you applied direct from undergrad, you may not have needed to do an M.Sc. but after two years away from the ivory tower you will surely need one.

Thanks for your very insightful comments! I suppose I have previously been attempting to create a valid comparison between myself and some of the other profiles on here, but I guess it's hard to do that coming from such a different undergrad experience. Given that the strong math background is so common now for applications from US students, do Europeans coming from heavily structured undergrads find it hard to get admitted without the likes of Real Analysis? I guess this is why so many with backgrounds such as ours end up doing a Masters first. Again, thanks for your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

[8675309]

Europeans, especially ones from UK style systems are not expected to have Real Analysis. They must signal their strength in otherways, and strong performance in masters helps their case significantly. The same is true of other europeans, australians, asians and too a much lesser extent Canadians. I would say that is is more difficult for an ambitious European to get admitted to a top program directly from undergraduate.