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shuathmore

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Interested in a PhD program specialising in Development Economics. Regional focus on the Caribbean and Latin America (LAC). Additional fields of interest in International and Agricultural Economics. More inclined toward empirical - JPAL/IPA style work than theoretical/mathematical model heavy work.

 

Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics (major) History (minor) Black Studies (minor) - Top 3 liberal arts college USNW

Undergrad GPA (after 3rd year): 3.23/4.00 (Dismal sophomore fall semester. Upward trend since.)

GRE: Practice tests, 161 (80th percentile) Q, 167 V (97th percentile). Real thing scheduled for September.

Math Courses: Calculus I (Taken P/F), Calculus II (Taken P/F), Discrete Math (Taken P/F) Linear Algebra (B), Statistics I ©, Statistics II (B-)

Econ Courses: Econ I (Taken P/F), Economics of Poverty and Inequality (B-), Intermediate Micro (B-), Intermediate Macro (B-), Development Economics (A-), Behavioral Economics (B), Econometrics (C+),

Relevant Senior Courses: Multi-Variable Calculus (fall), Real Analysis (spring)

Other Courses: Ample coursework in the history and politics of the Caribbean and Latin Aamerica.

Research Experience: 2 summers as full time research assistant to chair of Department of Government at the Caribbean's flagship college. Out of which, one published paper in the British Journal of Psychology. 3 on the path to publication. Current summer in that role part time. Principal Investigator in funded research project examining food markets/food security in Jamaica and Cuba.

Teaching Experience: Private tutor in AP Economics, as well as history and english (3 years) - Chegg/Varsity Tutors/Local educational consultancy, Director of afterschool tutoring program, Let's Get Ready, linking my college with my old highschool.

 

GPA is low but my school is understood by most adcoms to have very little grade inflation. GRE Quant is also low but I'm confident I can get it in range by September. Funding is a must so more focused on putting together a list of strong targets, rather than reaches.

 

At present, applying to Temple University (Econ), Indiana University - SPEA (Public Policy), and UNC Chapel-Hill (Econ) as a reach. Are there any good fits I'm missing?

Edited by shuathmore
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You need three things to have any chance

 

1. An A in Calc 3

2. A B+ or better in Real Analysis.

3. A 164+ Q on the GRE.

 

Even JPAL-style work requires mastering theory and math so that you can properly frame and communicate your work to other economists. This isn't negotiable. Even if you do manage to achieve those three requirements, you might want to think about if an Econ PhD is right for you. There is no successful grad school path that avoids mastering the math.

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You need three things to have any chance

 

1. An A in Calc 3

2. A B+ or better in Real Analysis.

3. A 164+ Q on the GRE.

 

Even JPAL-style work requires mastering theory and math so that you can properly frame and communicate your work to other economists. This isn't negotiable. Even if you do manage to achieve those three requirements, you might want to think about if an Econ PhD is right for you. There is no successful grad school path that avoids mastering the math.

 

Really appreciate the insight.

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