Please Help finanlize my list....make suggestions(comments) as well!

[DismalScientist]

Hi Folks, below is my profile and list of Universities I will be applying to:
Please take profile AS IS.
Profile:
GPA: 3.992
Relevant courses: intermediate econs, calculus I, II, III, abstract mathematics (introduction to proofs), Statistics for Business, Linear Algebra, Introduction to Econometrics, Independent class in econ research.
GRE: Q650, V590
No mention-worthy research experience

Universities:
Pure Econ
University of Oregon
University of Kentucky
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech
University of Wyoming

Applied Economics (ag. and resource economics)
University of Minnesota
Cornell
Ohio State
Purdue
Oregon State

Some of these schools may definitely be out of my reach, but I plan on giving it a shot. I am planning on selecting schools wisely since I can't go to any without financial aid. Do you guys think there are more schools I should consider (given my profile)? Or schools in my list that I shouldn't consider??? All comments and suggestions will be appreciated. I am currenly working on my list so I could start the application process. Thank you.

[tct]

You really should retake GRE and score >700 in the quantiative section..

[DismalScientist]

Tct, thanks for the input....I am sure a score >700 would really help. But are you saying the profile is hopeless as it is? I won't be able to retake the GRE anytime soon; but if I don't get in anywhere, I will be able to retake it next year and apply for 2008. So please honestly evaluate AS IS. That will really be appreciated.

[ramlau]

I'd just wait till next year and apply to the better schools with a higher GRE score. That's assuming you have other worthy things to do in the next couple years of your life.

Ram

[DismalScientist]

Hmm...no body is actually answering my question. But I will take that as "your profile is really hopeless" and move on, i guess.

[ramlau]

Originally Posted by DismalScientist

Hmm...no body is actually answering my question. But I will take that as "your profile is really hopeless" and move on, i guess.

It really sucks that the GRE score means so much in determining an applicant's admissions chances. I totally agree. Life is unfair.

Ram

[DismalScientist]

I will only just apply at the Applied Econ programs then...just in case i get in somewhere with funds for fall 2007.

[Starvingecon]

Your GPA is high if you get a LOR from a math prof it could help mitigate your poor Q score. I say give it a shot, you are not applying to top 30 programs.

[can_econ]

I think your profile looks reasonable for the schools you've picked. Good combo of high-med-safety schools. Don't some of these have MA's too based on the PhD courses? I assume you'll apply to these schools' MA programs as safeties as I'd imagine the ones with MA programs admit to their PhDs form their MA programs. That might be a good option too - take an MA at a school with the plan of staying on for your PhD, but retake your GRE in the time it buys you and apply to a couple of other schools as well. I think MA/MSc -> PhD is a pretty normal route in AgEcon anyways. Your GPA is good, so is having intro to proof and lin alg & calc 3 but you don't seem to have many advanced econ classes.

Best of luck.

[OneMoreEcon]

Here's the reality:

Most decent schools will insist on some sort of minimum GRE Quant score... even at my not-so-good undergrad, they say that they want >700. The difference is that any top 30 school would throw you app in the trash without looking at it due to the 650Q. However, a 1240 combined isn't bad, considering that you're looking at average state schools for an econ PhD. My undergrad had a minimum combined score requirement (>1000 required to get into the school... though real scores were probably higher), but no spoken or unspoken Q req. So, my guess is that your application would be reviewed by the schools you're looking at applying to, and you're a good candidate. Ram can tell you, we've got a few people at Hopkins that have less math than you (but better undergrad than both of us combined)... so, it's really not hopeless. In fact, I think you're a good candidate for the schools you mentioned.

If in doubt, just email the grad directors at a few of the schools you mention. Express your interest in the program, and ask if you need to retake the GRE (which you should not matter what, but in the event you won't...). Really, I doubt U.Oregon or U.Conn gets a lot of students who are really excited about attending, so they probably won't be upset if you send them a quick email.

I think that I tend to be pretty harsh (i.e. realistic) to the people who want to go to top 25 schools, and I think you have a good shot at the schools you mention. Just ask them directly about GRE scores. My guess is that they'll tell you if they want you to retake the exam.