Just Finished GRE --> Profile Evaluation, Help Please!

[Dunny]

So I just finished the GRE with 770Q, 510V.

Undergrad Major: Math
GPA: 3.74
Major GPA: 3.80
Courses Taken: Matrix Algebra, Calc I-III, Linear Modeling, Discrete Math, Continuous Probability, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Directed Study in Macroeconomics and Monetary Policy
Other: Directed Study includes a thesis paper due in November. I'll be taking Linear Algebra and Math Stats in the spring to finish my major, along with a couple econ/math electives

If anyone could give me some schools to look at, or something I may want to focus my apps/remaining undergrad career, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks all.

[OneMoreEcon]

Research interests? Level of undergrad institution (Ivy? crappy state school? LAC?)? Grades in math courses?

[Dunny]

Originally Posted by OneMoreEcon

Research interests? Level of undergrad institution (Ivy? crappy state school? LAC?)? Grades in math courses?

Sorry- hurried post. Interested in Macro and Monetary. I attended a small business school in the northeast, where the math department is primarily used as a road to actuary jobs. The school is reasonably well known, top 30 undergrad business school, but not really one to send students off to econ phds.

LORS:
1) Econ Chair who graduated from Rutgers, taught Intermediate Micro
2) Professor who I took Intermediate Macro and the directed study (from Oregon)
3) Calc III prof. who will be my advisor for the spring real analysis directed study.

They should all be good, especially the two from the economics professors, who I've gotten to know very well over the last couple years.

Grades for math/econ:
Matrix Algebra- 4.0
Linear Modeling- 3.3
Calc I-II - AP Credit, Calc III- 4.0
Continuous Probability- 4.0
Discrete Math- 3.7
Intermediate Macro- 4.0
Intermediate Micro- 4.0
Directed Study Monetary and Macro- taking now, will get a 4.0
Business Stats (forgot to mention it)- 3.7

Also, I know the verbal score isn't that great, but I'm from the US and I'm pretty confident my AWA will counteract my lack of vocabulary.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time.

[OneMoreEcon]

GRE is fine. Better schools don't care about the Verbal at all. As you move below probably top 30, they might take it into account.

I'm guessing you're at Bentley, which I never heard of until I looked up some undergrad b-school rankings and saw it's in the northeast and that the chair graduated from Rutgers. Then again, I met someone who got into Princeton econ this year who went to a LAC that I'd never heard of (but which happens to be a top LAC). So, I can't guess how much it will help/hurt that you went there.

Math background is good, but not great. If your Discrete Math course was heavily proof-based, you may want to get a LOR from the professor that describes your ability to handle rigorous mathematics.

I'm not the best to give advice about macro/monetary, since it's not really my interest. Others may disagree, but I'll go ahead and guess you'll probably be competitive in the top 30 range, but top 20 is much less likely. Not sure if others think this is too high or low, so lets see.

[KingOfConvenience]

i would say too high, but maybe that's because i'm a little bitter! but seriously, i would apply to two or three schools in the 40 - 50 range. just in case...

[Dunny]

Thanks for the help. I started to put together a list, and I'd greatly appreciate some feedback on the schools.


Boston College
Georgetown
Rutgers
UNC Chapel Hill
George Washington
Pittsburg
Oregon (hopefully a safety)
SUNY Buffalo (Safety- I'm originally from the area)

Am I aiming too high? If I am, I'd like to bridge the gap between the top schools on the list and my safeties. I'm hoping to add a couple more, or delete those where I won't be competitive. Thanks again everyone.

[Dunny]

One last cry for help. I promise to let it die after this... Thanks again!

[KingOfConvenience]

BC is a good choice. they can be selective however. last year they received over 500 apps and accepted only about 35, out of which 18 enrolled. their strengths are macro and monetary, which is right up your alley. i'd say you appear to satisfy the criteria for BC. but they are a rising program, and they fund every student, so it's pretty competitive for a spot.

[ramlau]

Originally Posted by Dunny

Thanks for the help. I started to put together a list, and I'd greatly appreciate some feedback on the schools.


Boston College
Georgetown
Rutgers
UNC Chapel Hill
George Washington
Pittsburg
Oregon (hopefully a safety)
SUNY Buffalo (Safety- I'm originally from the area)

Am I aiming too high? If I am, I'd like to bridge the gap between the top schools on the list and my safeties. I'm hoping to add a couple more, or delete those where I won't be competitive. Thanks again everyone.

I'd suggest to aim somewhat higher. Since you have your safeties chosen already, you can concentrate your effort on the top 30-50 programs, and pick a few dream schools that you really want to give a try.

What are the most important decision factors for the choices? I came up with my schools list by considering the location, the faculty, the graduate placements, and the rankings. I have to live in a big city or close to a big city, so schools like Wisconsin, Rochester, and Iowa were crossed out. Then I just looked at each school and asked myself whether I'd go to that school if admitted, provided that was my only offer. So I ended up applying to roughly half of the top 30 programs, with a few safeties like Emory and Georgetown.

Let me reiterate what many have said before: Apply to as many schools as your budget constraint allows. I was delighted to be rejected by Harvard, Yale, and Princeton! (No, I didn't apply to MIT and Chicago. And, for the record, I applied to some 30 programs in the last admissions season. Probably a few schools too many, but I'd have done that again.)

Ram, long time no post

[user_name]

Ram, you don't think Madison and Rochester are big enough?