UVA vs. UW Seattle vs. UBC MA

[mogelsworth]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Well ranked US research university (public). Major in economics with a minor in math.
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: None
GRE: 720Q/510V/5.0AW
Math Courses: Calculus I,II,III, Advanced Multivariable Calc, Differential Equations, Matrix Algebra, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Thinking (proof-based course), Real Analysis I
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro/Macro, lots of undergrad field courses, Intro Math Stats
Other Courses: Logic
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from well-known professors at my undergrad institution, 1 from non-academic consultant with an econ phd
Research Experience: 2 years a econ consulting firm
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: International, macro, development
SOP: Discussed background and research interests, very thoughtful.

I'm struggling in making a decision and I'd like advice. I've been accepted to UVA, UW Seattle and UBC (masters), all without funding. I was just rejected at Penn State, I'm accepted at Boston U for a masters, and I'm waitlisted at UT-Austin. I haven't heard from Cornell but I'm not holding my breath.

Basically, I'm frustrated for a number of reasons and I'm wondering if I should go to UBC to do a masters and retake my GRE this summer and reapply in the fall. Given my interests, I realize now that I didn't really apply to a good range of schools. I did poor on the GRE after a fair amount of studying and practice exams, on which I frequently scored around 780. So, I think my GRE score could be quite a bit better, and I'm certain this is going to hold me back regardless of the rest of my profile. I think it's probably why I didn't get funding anywhere.

I've been out of school for 3 years and I'm not willing to wait another year and do this again, so I'm seriously considering a masters to boost my chances next year. However, there will only be 1 additional quarter of courses to submit with the new round of applications (and hopefully a much higher GRE).

I should also mention I have a geographical preference to the West coast. I wish I had discovered this forum last fall, I'd have applied to quite a few schools in California.

What do you all think? With a higher GRE and one quarter of MA at UBC, can I get into a significantly higher ranked program than those that I've already been accepted to? As an American student, will doing a Masters look bad?

Thank you!

[philipe]

i am sure a higher gre score will you improve your application a lot...

however, i don't think that a quarter of courses at ubc will make a huge difference... you won't have time to get to know professors very much and your grades won't sign anything consistent...

[ICECOLDECON]

I agree with the last person.....a masters degree will not help you that much given that the rest of your profile was strong enough to get you into UVA with a 720Q. Retaking the GRE in and of itself should boost your application to top-tier status.

Now you are able to put off going to school for one year and reapply for 09, but your willingness to do this should depend on a variety of factors. Are you able to afford the first year of tuition and living expenses at UVA or UW? What would you do in the year between now and Fall 09? Is it worth delaying income a year (by entering in 09 instead of 08) for the chance of going to a better department? Do you think your GRE score will improve? If you are able, maybe you should retake your GRE before the deadline to decline/accept offers at UW/UVA.

If you excel at either program, then you should be able to get second year funding and will have a reasonably fair chance at a position at a research university.

Between UVA and UW, I think the placements are somewhat better at UVA. It depends in part on what you are planning on picking as fields of specialization. (I don't know much about macro or development.....Im under the impression, however, that the job market is softer on the macro side.......I am also thinking these depts arent really known for either? But this is outside my interests, so I am not positive).

[YoungEconomist]

Originally Posted by mogelsworth

I'm not willing to wait another year and do this again, so I'm seriously considering a masters to boost my chances next year.

The others are right that a masters probably won't benefit you much.

If you're so against waiting another year, then why go to a masters (because if you want a PhD you'll have to apply again in the future)? Why not just take an unfunded offer from UW or UVA (or even UT if you get one)? I mean, if you go to a PhD program unfunded you can generally receive funding after your first year. Besides, you can always leave a PhD program with a masters (and a rigourous one at that!) if you decide the PhD thing is not for you.

My advice, take one of the unfunded offers, take out a few loans your first year, and enjoy.

[mogelsworth]

Thanks for your thoughts!

I've been out of school for longer than I'd wanted to be when I first left undergrad (I knew I wanted to go on and do a phd in econ), so the thought of putting it off for another year just so I can retake my GRE and apply to an additional 4 schools that I wish I'd applied to this year seems irrational to me (of course being hasty and impatient isn't good either). By doing a Masters, I'll at least feel like I'm moving forward. And, since I have been out of school for awhile, it might be nice to ease me back into the rigor of academia.

As far as funding, I can take out loans for my first year of school, although obviously I'd prefer not to. I think my GRE score will improve if I retake the test, but again, it's not fun and I'd prefer not to. However, I do feel my GRE score is holding me back, as stupid as I think the test is, and I'm not willing to let all of my hard work as an undergrad be discounted because of my lousy GRE score.
In some ways, I feel like I'm being too impatient. I should have done more homework before I applied in the fall, and I certainly should've taken my GRE earlier to allow for a retake. I know I want to study macro/growth/development and I don't think I'm going to change my mind. Therefore, I really should only go to a program that is strong in those fields. It seems UVA and UW are decent, but there are better programs for my interests. From what I understand, UBC is quite a bit stronger for my interests, and a number of their MA students continue on in the phd program, so my thinking is that perhaps it's better to go to UBC MA and apply to UBC and a few other phd programs in the fall, with a much better change for funding.

[zwicker]

At UVA you are not guarenteed funding till the 3rd year. So I would be hesitant about going there.

[fp3690]

Dude (I guess), retake GRE and do some RA for a year. Having such a low GRE and being admitted to a solid top 50 place is GOOD! But my advice (if you follow this road of course) is not to rush the GRE, as you have about 8 months to take it. Invest in good tutoring to do well.

[sonicskat]

Not sure where Zwicker got his info from. I guess funding at UVA is not guaranteed until the third year on paper, however there is about a 99% chance you get it in the second year given you pass all your classes and have above a 3.0. Currently all second years are funded.

[asianeconomist]

Originally Posted by mogelsworth

In some ways, I feel like I'm being too impatient.

If you really want to take out a loan, then go to UBC, complete the Masters, retake the GRE and apply for 2010. With your UGrad profile, and purported better GRE, good Masters grades & UBC LOR's, you should be competitive for top 15.

[zwicker]

I got it straight from Chris Otrok's mouth at the open house.