profile evaluation

[keyreal]

Hello, all!
I am a Math / Econ (double major) in a relatively unknown state LAC, which has sent only one student in a PhD program in Economics (George Mason) for the last 5 years. I am applying for PhD programs in Economics this Fall and would like to hear from you to which schools I have chances of being accepted. Here is my detailed profile:

Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro/Macro(A/A), Mathematical Economics(A), Money and Banking(A), Econ Stats I/II(B/A), European Econ History(A), American Econ History(B), American Capitalism(A). Econ GPA: 3.78.

Math Courses: Calculus I/II/III(A/A/A), Linear Algebra(B), Discrete Math(B), Computing for Mathematicians using Maple(A), Math Stats I/II(B/A), Ordinary Differential Equations(A), Probability Models in Operations Research(A), Advanced Calculus:Single Variable(A). Math GPA: 3.76.

In the Fall I am planning to take Econometrics, Advanced Calculus:Multi Variable, Statistical Packages(SAS,SPSS,Minitab,Stata).

Do you think I need to retake Linear Algebra for an A?
I am taking GRE in August and am currently attending a GRE Prep Course at my school.

Also, this summer I will be doing a research project, which will be shown on my transcript as a course "Developing a research thesis"

I don't know if this matters, but I was tutoring Econ and Math for 3 semesters at my school.

Thanks for taking your time to read all this and look forward for your comments!

[Internationalstudent08]

I think that your profile is ok when it comes to classes. Don't worry too much about the two Bs. How are your recommendation letters? If they are good, I would advise you to apply to a wide range of schools and include some of the top ones

[pevdoki1]

Provided you get 800q and good recommendations, I would say your chances are good at a place like Rutgers, Indiana, UIUC.. I don't know if your profile would be competitive enough for top 20, but who knows. You won't lose much by applying.

[econphilomath]

Ask your LORs what they think. It is way better than asking here on TM. If anything, I learned this year that while profiles are important, a great LOR can turn around what seemed to be a doomed application.

[nash12]

Originally Posted by econphilomath

a great LOR can turn around what seemed to be a doomed application.

Couldn't agree more. LORs are really the ace of the application deck!

[paradox3696]

From what I have gathered from this forum, the followings are minimum requirement to get into top schools:

1. GPA 3.6 or above in math and Econ
2. GRE close to 800
3. Standard Math requirement: Cal 1-3, Linear & Matrix Algebra, Differential Equation, Prob and Stats (econometrics would be added bonus), a proofing course like Advanced Calculus, Logics and Set Theory, or Real Analysis.

Standard Econ Requirement: Intermediate Macro and Micro theory
4. Strong (not good) LOR's, I assume most if Not all LOR's are good.
5. I beg to differ that graduate course work or degree (master degree) can boost your profile significantly.

[asianeconomist]

I am not entirely sure whether the Advanced Calculus courses are proofs-based or not ? In case they are not, you should definitely think about taking at least one proofs-based course (usually real analysis).

[keyreal]

thank you all for your inputs! asianeconomist, at my school advanced calculus: single variable is a proof-based course which, according to my major advisor is basically a real analysis course. Also, the advanced calculus: multi variable is basically what is considered a vector calculus at other schools.

[israelecon]

Originally Posted by keyreal

thank you all for your inputs! asianeconomist, at my school advanced calculus: single variable is a proof-based course which, according to my major advisor is basically a real analysis course. Also, the advanced calculus: multi variable is basically what is considered a vector calculus at other schools.

put this into your SOP, or have your LOR writers stress that the math program in your university is very rigorous, proof-based etc. i.e. make sure the adcoms know this.

[paradox3696]

Originally Posted by keyreal

thank you all for your inputs! asianeconomist, at my school advanced calculus: single variable is a proof-based course which, according to my major advisor is basically a real analysis course. Also, the advanced calculus: multi variable is basically what is considered a vector calculus at other schools.

Normally, there is a 2 semester sequence course for Advanced Calculus and if you have done the Advanced Calculus I and II, you shall be able to handle the math vigor in Econ Phd program.

It is in my experience that Advanced Calculus is more funs (beside proofing, it challenged the students to provide examples and counter examples) versus Real Analysis where your first task is to read and YES memorizing the definition 5-10 times before being able to do any proofing.