please, evaluate my profile

[filroz]

Czech nationality
GRE: GRE: 800Q, 510V, ? AWA (today)
best university in country, one of the best in central and eastern europe
Undergraduate:
Ba in economics, average grades and
Ba in math, bad grades (significantly worse then average)
Math Classes: 4 real, complex and functional analysis, 2 semesters of measure theory, 3 semesters of probability (measure based), 3 semesters of statistics, 2 semesters of linear algebra, 2 semesters of general algebra, optimisation, discrete, numeric, ... average B-/C+
Undergrad econ Classes: standard, average B+
Grad econ classes:
A:macro, int. macro, monetary macro, microII, development, Monetary policy and business cycle, EU economic policies, seminars in neoclassical and keynesian economics, contemporary theories, non-parametric methods, public finance, business cycles(rather metrics)
B: micro I, institutional economics
C: econometrics
Graduate: Ma in economic theories, expecting distinction
Research:
econ Ba thesis: estimation of reaction function of central bank,
math Ba thesis: something about logit, nothing very special
econ Ma thesis: in progress, hoping to send finished part to some journal
LORs: should be positive because the prof know me well. However, they are probably unknown internationaly
Foreign experience:
Erasmus exchange student, 1 semester at Paris I Sorbonne-Pantheon (A+, A, B, all graduate level courses)
LSE summer school - Advanced macro (A)
Other:
internship (RA?) in monetary division of central bank, co-author of one publication of the bank
Interests: macro, monetary economics, central banking, rather keynesian in nature ...

Obviously, my undergrad results are terrible. I decided to do two ba program at the same time, because wanted to know the math better. I did not care about the marks. At the end, I was going from one lecture to another, which has taken its toll on my results
Still, I think that I learn a lot, so I am not unhappy with that decision. I think that the results would be irrelevant, if I would like to stay in Czech republic (I never dreamt about going to study abroad).
After reading stellar profiles of members of this forum, I am afraid that I have no chance to get anywhere. Can my results from grad program, the experience from abroad and the central bank outbalance the undergrad results? Which schools would you suggest?
Thank you very much, because I have no clue.

[jbs02002]

Czech Republic, eh? I spent a semester in Prague at Charles University and did some research for the Liberalni Institut. If you still have some time before you apply, look up Josef Sima (hacek on the "S", can't figure out how to write it with English keyboard) and see if he has anything he needs help with. He was really nice to me. Some RA experience might be helpful.

In all honesty, I doubt you can get into a top 30 school in the US, but I bet you can get in somewhere. Good luck to you. Na schle!

[IntEcon80]

there are many Phd programs in the USA. If you are just looking for admissions with funding and don't care at all about ranking I am def sure you will find a school. But with your profile it will be hard to get into a Top 30 or so. Someone told me that a student who took only Cal I,II,III, linear algebra, proba, stat, and differential equations with A/A- grades has a much higher chance to get into a good program than someone who took very hard math like analysis, measure theory and so on with B/B- grades. When I was undergrad a lot of the econ majors majored in Econ and minor in math so they won't have to take some of the hard math courses and graduated with outstanding GPAs, smart move in my opinion!. I was a physics major and my grades are far from outstanding.

[filroz]

jbs02002:
I am glad that there is at least someone out there who knows my university. Thank you about suggesting Mr. Sima, he is undoubtedly nice guy, but I do not share his austrian views, for example on free banking. Anyway, working in monetary department of central bank should be regarded as fine RA experience as well (if you are not an austrian economist ), shouldn't it?

Anyway, thank you very much, both of you.
Could you be more positive, in terms of where could actually I get in, given my interests? What about Georgetown or Rutgers?
Furthermore, given the trajectory of $ exchange rate, maybe I could afford to pay the first year by myself. Is applying to top30 pure waste of money and time, or is there some low but significantly non zero probability to get in, without the funding?

[filroz]

pleeeeease, advice me some school, lets say around top40, which would be in line with my interests (monetary macro, business cycles, open economy, central banking), I will be extra grateful.

[veroniquaz]

C If you still have some time before you apply, look up Josef Sima (hacek on the "S", can't figure out how to write it with English keyboard) and see if he has anything he needs help with.

RA-ing for Šíma, oh my God. If you are not applying for Auburn (guess they do not have a PhD program anyway) or GMU I doubt that can be helpful for grad school applications.

[jbs02002]

You think having heterodox research experience would be that bad? I guess it wouldn't be too quantitative, but what about compared to an orthodox (but otherwise similarly qualitative) research experience?

[filroz]

the problem with mr. Sima is that he is regarded as an extremist. My interests are macro and monetary economics, especially new keynesian macro framework, whereas mr Sima proposes free banking...

Anyway, I am desperate to get any hints about schools 30-50 interested in the same direction as I am. Any ideas?

[filroz]

specialisation macro (rather keynesian), business cycles, monetary policy, central banking...

Any last suggestions? please
I have just a few days to finish my list.

My paper was awarded a prize (third, applicants aged under 30) of our national economic society, does it make any difference? Hope the LORs will reflect that...

[ekonomiks]

You have a great profile. Here are the schools I'd apply to if I were you: Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, Wisconsin, Michigan, UCSD, UWO, and whichever safeties you like.