Applying for masters... too late?

**Internationalstudent08** · 03-07-2008, 08:19 PM

I was wondering if it's too late to apply for masters at this moment. A master degree is not my first option. I would prefer to work as an RA for 1-2 years, but I want to have a back-up plan in case I can't find any *good* RA job.

**Pessimist** · 03-07-2008, 08:22 PM

I second that question.

I would also really appreciate it if someone can review my profile (posted in the relevant thread) and suggest whether an RA job or a Masters degree (or neither of those options) would make me a more competitive applicant next year. Thanks in advance!

**MzSunshine** · 03-07-2008, 08:24 PM

A lot of the UK masters programs have rolling admissions, with no firm deadlines (except UCL and LSE) as far as I know. And asianeconomist was kind enough in a different thread to point out that some Dutch schools also are still accepting applications. So worth checking out! Good luck

**Internationalstudent08** · 03-07-2008, 09:04 PM

I just started looking at some UK programs... hopefully I'll find something good

personal statement: especially info on Pompeu Fabra and Tilburg would be really appreciated, guys...

**italos** · 03-07-2008, 09:30 PM

look for a good UK program and UPF

**PBR** · 03-07-2008, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Internationalstudent08

I just started looking at some UK programs... hopefully I'll find something good

personal statement: especially info on Pompeu Fabra and Tilburg would be really appreciated, guys...

It depends if you're looking for an MSc or an MPhil. Both options are still viable.

There are some threads in TM about Tilburg, Pompeu Fabra and Masters in general. Check, eg

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...on-thread.html (Masters Decision Thread.)

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...n-masters.html (Toulouse, Pompeu Fabra or Tinbergen for a masters?!)

In the Netherlands you can be admitted up until June (if you are an EEA resident, some months earlier if not). Pompeu Fabra has a rolling admission policy, they advise people to apply before April.

Honestly, if you want to reapply I would consider RAing for some good professors instead of a one-year Master. These are usually expensive and large-scale programmes. And by the time you reapply you will only have a semester/two quarters of grades to show to the adcoms. If you can't find any good RA work I would suggest you to do a Master at your first degree's University, if that is suitable... In some thread it has already been discussed whether the best Masters in Europe (Toulouse, UvT, TI, UPF, etc.) are an effective launch pad to top US PhDs. I guess the general opinion is that they are not.

**buckykatt** · 03-07-2008, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Pessimist

I second that question.

Some master's programs accept applications for the spring term, so you might also look for that option.

I would also really appreciate it if someone can review my profile (posted in the relevant thread) and suggest whether an RA job or a Masters degree (or neither of those options) would make me a more competitive applicant next year. Thanks in advance!

Assuming that you had strong recommendations, the only real weakness I see in your profile (besides the obvious "pass" in linear algebra) is that you don't have any courses in statistics or probability. Overall, I suspect that you're just a victim of the extreme competitiveness of the top programs, and would have been admitted to a top 10-20 program if you'd applied to some (or more, depending on your ranking).

I don't think a master's per se would make a big difference, but taking a math stats course or two over the next year would round out your profile a bit. Likewise, RA experience couldn't hurt, especially if it results in good a letter of recommendation from a well-known researcher. But, bottom line, I think very few of us can *count* on getting a top 10 admission.

**PBR** · 03-07-2008, 09:58 PM

On second thought, I really don't know whether you should take a Master or not. I mean, if you are taking a Master just because you got rejected and have nothing to do before you reapply, I'd say no. If you just have one degree (BA/BSc, 3/4 years) I'd say a good Masters (not necessarily from a top school) can make your profile look more consistent. I believe that the best option is often country-specific. Try to figure out the path taken by students from your University/your country who were accepted into top PhDs. If it worked for them it may work out for you.

**Pessimist** · 03-07-2008, 10:27 PM

Thanks for the advice. I've actually taken a course on statistical inference (using the textbook by Wackerly, Mendenhall, and Scheaffer) but neglected to mention it in my profile.

I don't think doing a Masters sounds like a good idea for my case. Where should I find an RA job? Should I work for the Fed (assuming that they might hire me) or for a professor at a good school? For the latter, how do I go about looking for opportunities? I apologize if there's already a thread on this, I'm too lazy to look

**italos** · 03-08-2008, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Internationalstudent08

especially info on Pompeu Fabra

Well I am going there to the CREI's summer school this year for 15 days to attain Jordi Gali's lecture in monetary economics
It is a good program perhaps better than other UK programs.Just look at the faculty's :Mas -Collel, Gali' , Canova,......what more are you asking?