masterfirm Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hello All!! So I graduated from a small liberal arts school in the northeast about a year ago... Here are my stats GPA 3.79 Math courses Calc 1 A 2 A 3 C Differential Equations C Linear Alegebra B Logic Set Theory and Proofs B+ GRE 160Q 160V 4AWA Here is a list graduate schools I plan to apply to. Let me know if i have a shot. [TABLE=width: 154] [TR] [TD]NYU[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UCSD[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Cornell[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brown[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Maryland College Park[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]University of Arizona[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Univeristy of Pitt[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Vanderbilt[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Santa Barbara[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]USC[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Boulder[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]University of Oregon[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]California Santa Cruz[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Souther Methodist[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgia State[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]University of Hawaii[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]University of Toronto[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StudentLoaner Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I think you can save some money by not applying to the first 6 on your list, as well as UofT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 I think you can save some money by not applying to the first 6 on your list, as well as UofT. thanks for the feedback mate! do you think it would help if i were to re-take the GRE? i had an off day on the math section and could probably score a 165+ Q if i were to re-take it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pch Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 It would help you with getting admitted to the other schools on your list. Have you taken any intermediate econ courses? Got any research experience? What about your letters of recommendation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chateauheart Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 What I can say with certainty is that this is not competitive for any top 50 program, unless you happen to have decent research experience and LORs, which is highly unlikely given that you come from a LAC. Where the precise range would be would depend on your answers to pch's questions above, as well as the selectivity/reputation of your LAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 What I can say with certainty is that this is not competitive for any top 50 program, unless you happen to have decent research experience and LORs, which is highly unlikely given that you come from a LAC. Where the precise range would be would depend on your answers to pch's questions above, as well as the selectivity/reputation of your LAC. Thanks for the feedback I have taken econometrics, intermediate micro/macro... in addition to a bunch of other econ courses that would be considered lower level than these. I have received A's in every econ course I have taken. No research exp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chateauheart Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 The optimal route right now would probably be either "not get a PhD" or "spend a few years working as an RA and taking more courses". Depends on why you wanted to get a PhD and what your opportunity cost is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 The optimal route right now would probably be either "not get a PhD" or "spend a few years working as an RA and taking more courses". Depends on why you wanted to get a PhD and what your opportunity cost is. Working as an RA is probably out of the question right now. I work full time and need some form of income in order to survive. What are the main problems with my resume? Do you think I will get into any of the schools on the list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 Do you believe that i have a shot at the other schools on my list if i don't re-take the gre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pch Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I think that even if you retake the GRE it will be very difficult (but not impossible) but to improve your chances retaking your GRE and scoring at least 165 in the quantitative section would be the first logical step. You could look for a paid research assistant job, perhaps at some think tank, ngo, maybe local government or private research institute if you can't get paid at your university. I don't know exactly the opportunities available where you live but it would make sense to search. You could also do it part-time which will probably be difficult but not impossible to do alongside your current job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 I think that even if you retake the GRE it will be very difficult (but not impossible) but to improve your chances retaking your GRE and scoring at least 165 in the quantitative section would be the first logical step. You could look for a paid research assistant job, perhaps at some think tank, ngo, maybe local government or private research institute if you can't get paid at your university. I don't know exactly the opportunities available where you live but it would make sense to search. You could also do it part-time which will probably be difficult but not impossible to do alongside your current job. Thanks, I will search around and see what type of RA positions are available. How do you know so much about economics phd admissions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chateauheart Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 How do you know so much about economics phd admissions? We actually don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
to2012 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 That quantitative GRE score isn't doing you any favors. IMO if you retake the GRE and get a better score and perhaps take real analysis and get a good grade then you will look better from a mathematical-preparation perspective than you do now. I guess it depends on what your career objectives are. If you are serious about getting admitted into a decent program, though, you have some work to do before applying. Retaking the GRE is a low-cost way to improve your profile. If you expend a little bit of effort into preparing for the test you should be able to earn a higher score. If you can't, then that suggests that phd-level coursework may be difficult for you. Of the schools you posted, here are the ones that I think wouldn't reject you without giving your application actual consideration: Oregon Georgia State SMU Hawaii. UCSC and Colorado are outside the top 50, slightly, but are selective because they are in desirable locations. They are both selective with respect to who they offer funding to, as well. UCSC actually doesn't offer funding to many applicants at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulebrahim Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Georgia state and hawaii and should be achievable right now. It's about whether you'll achieve your goals there. SMU seems to have a higher reputation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfirm Posted November 3, 2013 Author Share Posted November 3, 2013 thanks for the feedback everyone - I really appreciate all these posts.So i'm getting a general idea that i need to re-take the GRE and score above a 165. So assuming I do score above a 165 on the next GRE attempt, which schools out of the list do you think i might have a shot at? Also, could anyone provide some decent programs with strong development/environmental reputations that you think I would have a shot at after getting a 165? Thanks in advance everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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