Econ PhD Profile Evaluation

[econphd1995]

Hello everyone! I am an upcoming senior trying to apply Econ PhD programs this fall. I understand PhD programs are extremely competitive, so I am not sure what type of schools (top 10, top 20, etc.) I am qualified for. Please let me know where you guys think I should apply. Thank you so much for your help.

 

PROFILE:

Type of Undergrad: Top 10 US News Public University, Top 15 Econ department, Double Major in Econ and Math

Undergrad GPA: 3.88/4.00

GRE: Q 167, V 160, AWA 4.5 - didn't study for quant that much, so I'll be taking it again to get 170 on quant

 

Math Courses:

Lower Division Classes:

Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering (A)

Introduction to Differential Equation (A-)

Vector Calculus (Taking this upcoming year, not a prerequisite to any of my upper division courses, so I've been forgetting to take it)

Linear Algebra (A)

 

Upper Division Classes:

Mathematical Reasoning (A)

Applied Linear Algebra (A+)

Introduction to Analysis I-II (A, A)

Applicable Math and Computing (A)

Introduction to Probability (A)

Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (A+, A+)

Mathematical Statistics—Time Series (A-)

Mathematical Statistics—Nonparametric Statistics (Taking this upcoming year)

The Mathematics of Finance (Taking this upcoming year)

 

Econ Courses:

Lower Division Classes:

Principles of Microeconomics (A)

Principles of Macroeconomics (A-)

 

Upper Division Classes:

Intermediate Micro Sequence (A, A+, A)

Intermediate Macro Sequence (A, A)

Econometrics Sequence (A+, A+, A+)

Decisions Under Uncertainty (A)

Monetary Economics (A)

Labor Economics (A+)

Topics in Microeconomics (A)

Honors Micro (A)

Honors Macro (A)

Honors Thesis Sequence (A+ , A+)

Operational Research Sequence (Taking this upcoming year)

 

I am thinking of taking or at least aduiting the graduate micro sequence.

 

Letters of Recommendation:

1. Honors Thesis Teacher/Advisor; he is a well known economic theorist

2. Honors Thesis Advisor; he worked for the Federal Reserve Board

3. An economist at a Fed Banks that I've worked with

 

Research Experience:

2 Undergraduate Research Programs

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

RA for a PhD student

RA for Politic Science Professor (specialized in Political Economy)

Summer Econ Research Intern at a ThinkTank

Summer Econ Research Intern at a Fed Bank

 

Publication:

Published a research paper at an Ivy League undergraduate journal (I don't think it'll help with my application, but it certainly doesn't hurt)

 

Teaching Experience: TA for Econometrics, Tutored Econometrics, Will be TAing for Monetary Economics this fall

Research Interests: Financial Economics, Macroeconomics

Concerns: Got two A-'s in lower division courses because I didn't try in freshman year.

 

Please let me know what kind of schools you think I should be aiming for or got a shot at. Thank you!

[startz]

You are a plausible candidate for admission anywhere. But it is going to depend on what your letters say. You should ask your letter writers where to aim for.

[econphd1995]

Thanks! I’ll do that!