Guys,could some of you give me some guidelines?

[nevergiveup2008]

I'm not in US，but I really hope to get into an Economics Phd program and then stay in an university doing research all my life in US.However my undergraduate background is poor,especially that my GPA is only 2.8 with CalculousA4.0,B2.0,Linear Algebra 2.0 and Probability Theory 2.0.I'm not stupid.I just didn't concentrate my interest on studies,nor did I realized how I love economics ever before.But in our country,one could manage to get into a top Graduate School through some particular exams.So I plan to enter a good master's program in my country at first then start my application to Phd program in US.I've already graduated now and I found myself really love economics from my soul.I will try and I believe there's still hope.Guys, I need your advices and suggestion.Please speak to me whatever you like to even like "ha ha ,you are good at dreaming,so go to apply for a Phd by dreaming".

[Valhalla]

I'm not in US，but I really hope to get into an Economics Phd program and then stay in an university doing research all my life in US.However my undergraduate background is poor,especially that my GPA is only 2.8 with CalculousA4.0,B2.0,Linear Algebra 2.0 and Probability Theory 2.0.I'm not stupid.I just didn't concentrate my interest on studies,nor did I realized how I love economics ever before.But in our country,one could manage to get into a top Graduate School through some particular exams.So I plan to enter a good master's program in my country at first then start my application to Phd program in US.I've already graduated now and I found myself really love economics from my soul.I will try and I believe there's still hope.Guys, I need your advices and suggestion.Please speak to me whatever you like to even like "ha ha ,you are good at dreaming,so go to apply for a Phd by dreaming".

It's really difficult to answer something like that as the information you give is rather insufficient--- Given that you performed poorly during your undergrad you should be heading for a very good masters program. But be aware: there are cases where people who performed better than you during their UG studies (but still not brilliant) and scored a 4.0 GPA in a good MA program face difficulties these days. So it really depends in which country you live and which MA program you plan to attend i.e: is it internationally known and is the faculty well known . You will need a lot of pedigree and strong letter of recommendation's for a good placement since stating that you "love economics" will not push you into a good school. There are some very strong candidates out there and even the "weaker" ones have a stronger background than you have, sorry to say that. This shouldn't sound too negative but I just wanted to emphasize that you need a great performance during your MA studies from a good instution and some experience as RA might strenghten your profile. You need to SHOW that you love economics as a subject (i.e. via your grades) and you should not only state it.

Good luck

[nevergiveup2008]

Thank you val ,so it's indeed a challenging way.I woder if there's some probability for MA student to publish some useful papers which could attract profs.

[Olm]

Outstanding performance in a Master's Program will help, but unless the program is extremely well-known and you can get LORs that say you are you are sweeter than apple pie, don't bother applying for schools in the top 20.

Good luck!

[fp3690]

Also, no offends, but you seem like your English could improve. Vocabulary-wise you seem fine, but it seems like you lack the everyday contact with the language that improves syntax and, eventually, writing skills. Try reading English newspapers or even watch movies without subtitles (trust me, it works wonders).

[nevergiveup2008]

[quote=Olm;554590]don't bother applying for schools in the top 20.quote]

top....even never dreamed of

[Valhalla]

Thank you val ,so it's indeed a challenging way.I woder if there's some probability for MA student to publish some useful papers which could attract profs.

Well if you are able to publish your Master thesis in a well known journal, like Econometrica or AER or JPE or JET....etc I'm sure this helps! But what do you think? Is that likely? Go for it and work as hard as possible. If you get good grades and LORS from well known profs you might have a shot somewhere (!) but I share Olms view: if you stay average you shouldn't waste your time, money and your nerves with this application procedure at all and do what other well motivated people do: Earn as much money as possible!!!!!

Best

[nevergiveup2008]

top20,AER......maybe you guys could wish me a good dream tonight where even I am offered Nobel prise while saying"thank everybody who has ever helped me,such as vahalla,olm,fp3690....oh,they are also here on the stage"

[israelecon]

Well if you are able to publish your Master thesis in a well known journal, like Econometrica or AER or JPE or JET....etc

even very good professors have a very difficult time publishing in one of those journals. an economist with even one publication in AER is considered very good, so the chances of publishing there are virtually nil for an MA student (also for a PhD student it would be extremely rare). i'm not even sure they would bother to send an article by an MA student for refereeing.
i don't think your chances to get into a top program are good, even if you do great on your MA, because the UG raises too many questions.
in any case, if research is what you want you can probably get into a phd program somewhere (after MA work) and after you have a PhD if you do good research and publish in good places no one will ask you where your phd is from. there are plenty of examples of economists who have succeeded in academia and have not come from well known schools.

[Valhalla]

GUYS GUYS!!! Do you really think I meant this statement seriously???? I am not an spanghewing meshuggener ok?? I hope you saw those yellow fellows after my statements indicating that it was a joke!!!

Come on isrealecon you are typically pretty smart... I am disappointed -- I hope you understand the meaning of those two guys now! :-) No offense I am only kidding.