Another request for evaluation :) Comments most welcome :)

[Lombardo]

Dear all,

I will be applying to PhD in Econ - and maybe to a couple of Finance PhDs - I will be extremely grateful if you could comment on my chances.

Undergraduate:
- GPA: 3.83/4.00, 2nd highest among all graduates of my year - Top institution from Turkey
- Math courses taken: 2 Calculus, 1 Linear Algebra from Math Dept. and 2 Mathematical Statistics courses from the Econ Dept.
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant - 4 times
- Courses taken include advanced econometrics, applied econometrics and advanced macro with differential equations and dynamic models.

Masters:
- MSc in Finance and Economics at the LSE.
- Graduated with overall merit, GPA 65.375/100.
- Dissertation written in Time Series Econometrics / Multivariate GARCH Models and was awarded distinction.
- Also taken, Micro, Financial Economics, Financial Risk Analysis and Financial Econometrics.

TOEFL: Recently taken the CBT, depending on the essay will be something between 240-297.

GRE: 790 Q, 650 V, 6.0 A.

References: 3 teachers from my masters programme as of now, including my econometrics teachers.

I am planning to focus on econometrics in graduate studies. I received distinction from both core and elective Econometrics courses. My dissertation supervisor mentioned that he really liked my dissertation and that it was among the top within those submitted for the elective Time Series Course. However, Micro grade was poor - 58/100 and thus I received a "Pass" which I believe might be a big liability vis-a-vis applications. Also, I don't know how much an overall merit would be useful. Certainly a distinction would be very helpful but what has happened has happened

Thus far, I have more or less decided to apply to MSU, Duke, UCSD, Oxford and Cambridge. On the whole, I'll be applying to around 15 depts. Also I am thinking about applying to some Finance programmes, especially those with good opportunities to specialise on applied/financial econometrics. However, I fear that Finance PhD is not a wise option especially because econ programmes provide a better theoretical background.

I would really appreciate your thoughts, comments and also any departments you would advise me to apply. Thanks in advance

[Lombardo]

Hello again guys,

I know that there are many evaluation requests but I decided to try my chance for a second time to get your comments and advises about my chances Would be really grateful, if you can fire away any comments you have Thanks!

[werther]

by any chance.. do you go to bilkent?