PhD development Economics

[tarakaram_g]

Hi frens,
I am from India, completed my BTech CSE from a reputed univ(Andhra University one of top 20 engineering colleges in India) , with aggregate 74%, and GRE Q800,V740 A 5.
I am pure techie, my under graduation project is on VoIP.
My research interest is in the area of "Development Economics", I want to focus primarily on Elimination of Primary poverty -- Underdeveloped countries.
I researched the school sites and I found that only MIT and Cambridge faculty currently focused on this part. But any way, i want to apply for more schools, and i am not ready to change my research area for the sake of admission.
My research topic is fixed and I want to apply for MIT, Northwester Univ, Oxford, Cambridge and Stanford.
I donno whether they are ready to entertain me.
What are my chances for admits and any safe schools from top 20 suitable for me.
Another query is, I am planning to take Maths Subject test, since, it will adds weight to my application, so that I will have better chances for fall 08.
But is it advisable to wait for one more year to take maths Subject test and reapply, or apply for safe univ like Newyork univ or Univ of Maryland and join in them
Thanks in advance

[Jhai]

Do you have a master's degree? If you only have a three-year Bachelor's most grad schools in the U.S. won't accept you.

What maths & econ classes do you have? This will matter a lot for acceptance. Also, what type of professors will be writing your recommendations?

There are a lot more schools than just MIT & Cambridge that have faculty studying develompent that in one way or another relates to the elimination of poverty. Check out: http://www.econphd.net/rank/rtrade.htm or http://www.econphd.net/rank/nrtrade.htm for two rankings of international/trade.

[tarakaram_g]

Thanks Jhai.
Maths ok, more over, my average marks are more then 96% in maths.
But regarding Economics, Propability , Stastics and queing theory in 1 sem, operations research and game theory in another sem thats it.
My degree is 4 years, so no problem regarding that.
Recos, yea they are ok, since my profs like me alot, due the changes I made in the dept. So, recos will be in favour of me.

But I like to have a graduate degree from MIT or Cambridge, since their research inspired me alot and my decesion to opt Economics is due to that only.
Thats why I prefer Cambridge and MIT, nothing else.

[Jhai]

What math have you studied exactly, though? To gain acceptance to higher level programs, such as MIT & Cambridge, you'll probably need at least calculus through multi-variables, linear algebra, differential equations, calc-based probability & statistics, and real analysis.

Most of the higher programs also prefer at least a basic understanding of economics gained through principles of micro and principles of macro classes, or intermediate micro and intermediate macro.

Your GRE score is very good, as are your grades, so that'll help. Have you done any economics research? Recs will be most helpful from economists with ph.ds from top programs.

If you're interested in enviromental engineering, you might consider Jeffrey Sach's program in sustainable development at Columbia: http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/academi...phd/index.html

[tarakaram_g]

Thanks Jhai,

Yes, I studied calculus through multi-variables, linear algebra, differential equations, calc-based probability & statistics, and real analysis.

And Economics, Only Operation Research, Statics n queing theory, and game theory.

Pretty weak at Economics study.

As I am from non Economics background, I cant get recos from Economists. Only my prof from COmputer Science.

[user_name]

I don't think recommendations from CS professors will have any value to econ adcoms.

[tarakaram_g]

thanks user_name,
But, how can I manage recos from non cs profs, since, I am from non Econ background and how can I get Econ recos, if they arent going to consider, i cant do any thing, since, they the adcoms allow non Econ ppl to apply, then they have to consider my recos.

[user_name]

Most applicants (if not all), even non-econ majors, have taken economics classes or have been research assistants to econ professors. You said you've taken game theory. Was that course taught by an economist, or does he do any economics research? If yes, then his recommendation would be valuable.

You should probably take some more econ classes anyhow.

[tarakaram_g]

But thats not possible in India, especially in my Univ, one Degree at a time, even no diplomas.
The one who taught us Game theory was a prof of Stat., well I can get one reco from one Economic professor.

Yea, I have to take some more economic classes, thats why Cambridge diploma in Economics may be helpful.
Once Thanks user_name for your valuable suggestions

[floplo]

having rec's from non-econ professors is fine, as long as the distance from Econ is not too far (so comparative medieval literature might be a little bit problematic). CS should be ok, as long as your recommenders are aware that they write for economists.

The academic systems outside of the US usually focus much more on the major than the american liberal arts system, so if you do a non-Econ degree, you simply don't have Econ courses. That's for example the case with Math or Stats degree's. Since most US Grad schools have international faculty members, they are aware of the systematic differences, and as along as you can credible show that and why you want to switch fields, you should be fine.