Advice on Places to Apply Next Year

[jeeves0923]

Hey Guys,

My interests are mostly Public Finance, Labor and Micro Theory. This year I only applied to Harvard, Princeton and MIT. While I still haven't been rejected by MIT, I'm starting to formulate a list to apply to next year. My profile is here:
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...-2008-a-3.html (Profiles and Results 2008)

I was thinking of applying to these same three + Berkeley, Chicago, NW, NYU, Columbia, Minnesota, Michigan and Stanford. However, I think I need to apply to a few safer schools. Any suggestions? Also, if I'm leaving out a blatantly obvious choice of top schools, I'd like to hear it. Thanks!

[AstralTraveller]

Slightly related to Jeeves's inquiry, I have been wondering about this for some time: Is it wise to even think of reapplying to a program that already rejected you the first time around? What is the general consensus regarding reapplicants to the very same program?

I have the feeling that there might be a bias towards rejecting such an applicant again, which if true would show the need that something new which is really significant (in the eyes of the adcoms) to appear on this person's profile.... Unless nobody reads such things

[Smileysquared]

You can re-apply. I know of someone who got rejected by Cambridge University but then re-applied the following year and got in. I don't think it would be different in the US. In fact I do know of someone who got rejected once and reapplied to the same program in the states. Wasn't in Econ though. I guess it has to do with the number and qualifications of the applicants each year and the number of slots allocated. For example the QEM program in the University of Paris-Sorbonne said that this year they had an abnormally high number of highly qualified students but couldn't admit them because of the number of spaces on their program. Hope this helps.

[MNGoon]

Jeeves,

I think that Cornell is solid on labor too.

[Valhalla]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

the need that something new which is really significant (in the eyes of the adcoms) to appear on this person's profile.... Unless nobody reads such things

Hi Astral! But if you have a look on his/her profile you'll see that there are some additional assets jeeves may put in his profile. Like a Masters' degree, additional courses and a master thesis. I think those are pretty significant additional things.

[AstralTraveller]

Originally Posted by Valhalla

Hi Astral! But if you have a look on his/her profile you'll see that there are some additional assets jeeves may put in his profile. Like a Masters' degree, additional courses and a master thesis. I think those are pretty significant additional things.

yes....you are right. My question was in general, not only directed at Jeeves's situation. In fact, it might affect me if I get booted out from my remaining WL's.

I did a master's in econ in Latin America (from which every alumnus I know that applied this year got admitted at a top-10 this season, either in Econ or Business PhDs); have worked as a full-time RA for two full years this following monday, and have lectured stats and 'metrics courses for 2.5 years. I am taking topology this year (only actual "improvement" from last year's app. so far). Don't know what else should I do. This is why I am considering not applying to the same schools again (what else can I show to impress them?).

[jeeves0923]

a good publication in a journal that the adcom reads regularly would do it I think.

[Valhalla]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

yes....you are right. My question was in general, not only directed at Jeeves's situation. In fact, it might affect me if I get booted out from my remaining WL's.

I did a master's in econ in Latin America (from which every alumnus I know that applied this year got admitted at a top-10 this season, either in Econ or Business PhDs); have worked as a full-time RA for two full years this following monday, and have lectured stats and 'metrics courses for 2.5 years. I am taking topology this year (only actual "improvement" from last year's app. so far). Don't know what else should I do. This is why I am considering not applying to the same schools again (what else can I show to impress them?).

Are you from Argentina?

[semischolastic]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

yes....you are right. My question was in general, not only directed at Jeeves's situation. In fact, it might affect me if I get booted out from my remaining WL's.

I did a master's in econ in Latin America (from which every alumnus I know that applied this year got admitted at a top-10 this season, either in Econ or Business PhDs); have worked as a full-time RA for two full years this following monday, and have lectured stats and 'metrics courses for 2.5 years. I am taking topology this year (only actual "improvement" from last year's app. so far). Don't know what else should I do. This is why I am considering not applying to the same schools again (what else can I show to impress them?).

If I were you, I'd be suspicious of my letter writers.

[kuejai]

I'm joining the group. I think I'm going to UBC for master, which I will graduate within a year. I'm still deciding if I want to apply for PhD right away next year.