Profile evaluation for non-econ major

[tsingywentsien]

PROFILE:

Current Status: Research associate at a university-affiliated research institute; 2 years out of school.

Type of Undergrad: BA in Political Science and History, top 30 US liberal arts college

Undergrad GPA: 3.83 (Major GPA 3.86)

Type of Grad: Quantitative master’s program in public policy at a top 15 US University

Grad GPA: 3.74

GRE: Verbal 165, Math 167, AW 5.0

Math Courses: Calculus I (A), Calculus II (A+), Calculus III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (B), Data Analysis and Statistics (A), Advanced Regression Models (A-), Probability (taking in fall as part-time student), Intro to Math Stat (take in fall); Multivariate Analysis (take in fall).

Undergrad Econ Courses: Intro to economics (A-), International economics (A-),

Graduate Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro I (A), Intermediate Micro II (A-); Intermediate Macro (A-), Advanced macro and micro (A); Advanced Econometrics (B+); Global Economics (A); Labor Economics (A); Complexity Economics (A).

Research Experience: 2 years as an associate in research at a university-affiliated think tank. Published 2 papers in health economics; one more paper to come. Additionally, half a year internship in a top-3 think tank in DC prior to graduation.

Teaching Experience: Teaching associate for a graduate-level macro class.

Letters of Recommendation: One from a very renowned economist and professor who knows me well. Another from the professor whom I served as her TA (who can speak of me highly). The third one is a famous public policy professor.

Research Interest: political economy; economic history; economic policy.

Question:

1. What tier of school should I focus on? Which schools are potential reaches?

2. Is my mathematical background insufficient? This is something I am really concerned about. Will a B in real analysis send negative signals? Will a bunch of A-'s for my econ classes become a concern?

3. Other issues and red flags I need to pay attention to?

 

Thanks in advance and all suggestions and feedbacks will be highly appreciated!

Edited August 9, 2017 by tsingywentsien

[tsingywentsien]

Bump Bump Bump

[tsingywentsien]

Any comments? Thanks!

[richardsorge]

I don't exactly know the difference between lac and university in US system in terms of their difficulty levels, but your math seems ok to me. Maybe you can take a differential equations course instead of the math stat this fall. Considering your preferred fields which don't require too much theoretical math, your profile is probably enough for top20, i.e. if I were you I would definitely shoot for top20.

[tsingywentsien]

Thanks! Another question I would have, considering my math background and interests, would a PhD in public policy/political more suitable for me? Thanks!