econ phd profile evaluation

[Maypagasa]

Hi, like most of us here, I have big dreams of studying econ phd in the U.S. or in top universities abroad. I would really appreciate your suggestions.

 

Program: BSc in Applied Economics and MSc in Economics (5-year ladderized program) in a top university in the Philippines

 

Cumulative GPA: 3.622/4.

 

Graduate Math+Statistics Courses:

Set Theory and Advanced Calculus (4.0/4.0);

Linear Algebra and Difference and Diffential Equations (3.5/4.0);

Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics (2.5/4.0);

Matrix Differential Calculus (3.5/4.0);

Real Analysis with Economic Applications (4.0/4.0);

Static Optimization Theory and Applications (4.0/4.0);

Dynamic Optimization: Theory and Applications (4.0/4.0);

Econometric Theory (4.0/4.0).

 

Graduate Economics Courses:

Advanced Microeconomics 1 (MWG level-4.0/4.0);

Advanced Macroeconomics 1 (4.0/4.0);

Advanced Microeconomics 2 (Game Theory at Fudenberg level-4.0/4.0);

Advanced Macroeconomics 2 (4.0/4.0);

Microeconometrics (Cameron+Trivedi/Greenwood level-4.0/4.0);

Macroeconometrics (Enders/Diebold level-4.0/4.0);

International Finance (4.0/4.0)

 

Undergraduate Economics+Statistics+Econometrics Courses:

Mathematical Economics 1-2 (both 4.0/4.0);

Economic Statistics (3.5/4/0);

Microeconomics 1-2 (both 4.0/4.0);

Macroeconomics 1-2 (3.0/4.0; 4.0/4.0);

Econometrics 1-2 (2.0/4.0; 3.0/4.0);

Economic Development (4.0/4.0);

International Economics (3.0/4.0);

Project Analysis (3.0/4.0);

Special Topics in Economics 1-3 (4.0/4.0; 4.0/4.0; 2.5/4.0);

Economics of Industrial Organizations (4.0/4.0);

Operations Research (3.5/4.0).

 

Research Experience: been RAing with a UIUC econ phd professor for two years now, research is mostly macroeconomics and time-series (DSGE modeling, global projection models, VARs, etc.); doing an internship with the IMF Resident Representative Office in the Philippines, project mainly involves construction+simulation of DSGE model for the Philippines); MSc thesis on a DSGE model with financial-real linkages; a policy brief published in ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia).

 

Teaching Experience: TAing under the same UIUC prof; applying for other professors too.

Research Interests: Macroeconomics, Macroeconometric modeling (DSGE), Time-series analysis and forecasting.

LORs: One from the UIUC econ phd alum (not extensively published yet but expert in DSGE modeling), one from Kyoto University econ phd alum (well published and an econometrics expert), both of them I work with under the DSGE team (so I think I have good chances of getting decent LORs from them), and maybe one from my intermediate micro prof alum of econ phd from Alberta University

 

Concerns:Given this profile, what schools should I target? If I am aiming for top 10-20 universities in the U.S., what further steps should I take to improve my profile? Should I get a masters in econ from European universities? Should I take more math courses?

 

Thank you very much, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Maypagasa

[applicant12]

Where's the part you talk about your LORs? Or am I missing it? I've gone through your profile a couple times lolz

[Maypagasa]

edited the post, thank u very much! kinda new here :D Edited May 5, 2015 by Maypagasa

[Catrina]

What programs have previous applicants from your school gotten into?

[Maypagasa]

What programs have previous applicants from your school gotten into?

 

One (our summa cum laude but about 2 batches ahead of me) is now at University of Minnesota taking PhD Econ. There is also one in University of Oxford. Others are in Paris sorbonne and in top universities in Germany.

[Maypagasa]

Do i have a shot in top 15-20?

[chateauheart]

Seems possible. Apply to a wide range.

[Maypagasa]

Seems possible. Apply to a wide range.

 

Thanks, really appreciate it. Do u think the list below is realistic/practical given my application profile and research interests? Thanks, much appreciate any advice.

 

[TABLE=width: 845]

[TR]

[TD=class: s0][/TD]

[TD=class: s1] University[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Application Period/Deadline[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Requirements[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Notable Faculty in Macroeconomics[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 1[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Columbia University[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] October-December 15, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 2[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] New York University[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Fall/December 18, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 3[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Princeton University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 1, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 4[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Northwestern University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 15, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 5[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Barcelona Graduate School of Economics[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 15, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 6[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] University of Pennsylvania[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 15, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 7[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Carnegie Mellon University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 15, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 8[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Boston University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 5, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 9[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Oxford University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 23, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 10[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] London School of Economics[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 15, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 11[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] University of California Los Angeles[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 1, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 12[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Boston College[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 2, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 13[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] University of Wisconsin Madison[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 5, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 14[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] CEMFI[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] 24 October 2015-15 February 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 15[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Universite Paris 1 Patheone-Sorbonne[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] March 16-29, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 16[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] University of Rochester[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 2, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 17[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Tinbergen Institute[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] February 1, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 18[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] European University Institute[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] January 31, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 19[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Brown University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] December 15, 2015[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: s2, align: right] 20[/TD]

[TD=class: s1] Stockholm University[/TD]

[TD=class: s3] February 1, 2016[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[chateauheart]

That's too many, and those are all very good schools. A wider range is more optimal for an international student because of asymmetric information about how your profile might be perceived. I'd say take out 6-7 schools, then put in 3-4 schools truly in the #40-#70 range.