[Advise] PhD application

[3rd world]

Hi guys,

I come from a 3rd world nation (don't be too harsh on me kay... ) and I intend to get a PhD in economics from abroad.

Let's start with my qualification:

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Bachelor in Economics from the best University in my nation
Undergrad GPA: 3.36 / 4.0
Math Courses: Mathematical Economics (A-), Advanced Mathematical Economics (A), Multivariate Calculus (B - I failed once with a D), Statistics for Economics and Business 1 & 2 (A & B).
Econ Courses: Intro Micro (B+), Intro Macro (B+ after a second take, my first take is C+), Intermediate Micro/Macro (B,B+), Econometrics 1 & 2 (B+, B), Advanced Micro (A after a second take, previously B-), Advanced Macro (B) Undergraduate Thesis (A).
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Quantitative 94%, Verbal 39%, and AW 11% (new GRE)
Letters of Recommendation: All from economist
1. My current research supervisor and also my teacher back in undergrad, he get his PhD from University of Tokyo.
2. A young Faculty in Harvard, he get his Econ PhD from Yale.
3. A Research fellow in Harvard, he is around 60 years old and get his PhD from Harvard.
Teaching Experience: 2 years teaching intermediate micro & macro, mathematical economics, and statistics for economics and business
Research Experience: 2 years with several professors in my university and half a year with Harvard.
Research Interests: economic growth and development with focus on South East Asia (Area Studies) and Industrial Development.
SOP: So far so good...
Concerns:
- Lack of formal math background, I try to solve this problem by doing some self study in mathematical statistics, linear algebra, and real analysis. I know it is not enough but it's better than doing nothing. Moreover, in my university I don't have the luxury to freely take classes outside the faculty of economics; I need my department head approval that involve long bureaucracy. It is the system and unpleasant, but there is nothing I can do than bear with it.
- My English, my last iBT score is 94 and the score for each section is greater than 20.
- My econ grade is mediocre, but I have 2 years TA experience and plenty RA experience. So, I believe that I need not worry too much about this.
- Funding! (My main concern)


Schools:
I have did some research before, and my favorite programs are:
1. Econ PhD, Harvard.
2. Econ PhD, Berkeley.
3. Econ PhD, Yale.
4. MSc Econ History, LSE.
5. MA/MS Econ, University of Tokyo.
6... ???

Any advice is appreciated

[mathemagician]

My econ grade is mediocre, but I have 2 years TA experience and plenty RA experience. So, I believe that I need not worry too much about this.

I actually think this is your biggest issue.

Your #2 and #3 recommendations look very good. However, I don't think you have a chance at Harvard, Berkeley, or Yale. You need to have a stellar masters performance to make up for your undergrad deficiencies to get into those schools.

[TomRod]

I agree with mathemagician's assessment. Your GPA is awfully low. Unless your recommenders are pulling strings or on the admissions committee, I see top 25 being difficult.

[Catrina]

I agree that the GPA seems low. However, some countries do not have the rampant grade inflation that is found in the United States and perhaps the admissions committee would take that into consideration?

[tm_member]

Unless you have past students from your home university who have gone to good schools directly from undergrad you need an MA. There is just no way around it. You don't have the math or good econ grades. Hopefully being from a 3rd world country will give you some funding opportunities...

[3rd world]

@others: thank you for your advice! Before looking at other master programs, I will patiently wait for the result of my scholarship application

Unless you have past students from your home university who have gone to good schools directly from undergrad you need an MA. There is just no way around it. You don't have the math or good econ grades. Hopefully being from a 3rd world country will give you some funding opportunities...

Yes, we have! 1 to Brown, 2 to Minnesota, and 1 to Chicago in errrr... in the last 10 or 15 years maybe I don't know the exact number

Btw, do any of you have information about Econ MA/MS at The New School of Social Research? It seems interesting, IMO...

[3rd world]

One thing I forget to mention is that the reason I have mediocre grades is my poor English. My university uses English textbook, so I have a lot of hard time reading those textbooks and understand the basic concepts.

Proof: I got C+ in my first English class and a B in my English writing class one year later. Do not expect too much from English class in 3rd world nation, I went through all the English trouble by doing some self study and it takes years! I am one of the few lucky person who can improve his/her English from a big no-no to an unexpectedly good (if not better) English user.

Today, it is different

I think I will write it in my SOP

[anonecon]

The reality is that textbooks, classes, and journals will all be in English if you want to attend any of the schools you mentioned. Adcoms are going to want to know that you will be successful, and being pretty fluent in English is helpful (if not necessary) in this regard---if nothing else to eloquently sell your ideas on paper.

[3rd world]

Thank you anonecon

I will work harder to become a better English user

[anonecon]

Good luck. While your English is far from great, it's still 100000x better than anything I could produce in any other language. So, at the very least, I'm impressed.