Prospective Profile Evaluation

[SeanNY]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: The University of Minnesota (B.S. Economics)
Undergrad GPA: 3.56/4.00 (Last 60 credits: 3.94/4.00)
GRE: Not yet taken (Projected/Practice - 800Q, 780 V)
Math Courses: Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Differential Equations, Real Analysis, Optimization, Probability and Statistics.
Economics Courses: Principles of Economics, Micro Theory, Macroeconomics, Money and Banking, Economic Growth, Industrial Organization, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics.
Other Courses: Business, Philosophy, Psychology.
Letters of Recommendation: Should be very good (planned - 1 Nobel Laureate, 1 Stanford PhD, 1 MIT PhD). Two are well-known, the other is relatively unknown.
Research Experience: 2 years - Research Assistant, Senior Thesis.
Teaching Experience: 1 year - Microeconomic Theory Tutor.
Research Interests: Microeconomic and Game Theory.
SOP: Should be good. Generally, a very good writer and plan to have quite a few faculty members review it.
Other: Misdemeanor for Underage Drinking/Unlawful Use of Driver's License. Junior Transfer from The University of Iowa. Math GPA (3.74/4.00). Economics GPA (3.88/4.00)


A few questions:
1) Do you think I have a good enough profile for a Top 10 PhD program? Top 5? MIT?

2) Would attending a Master's in Math program at a prestigious institution (i.e. NYU or Yale) improve my profile - assuming I perform adequately?

3) I was thinking about possibly attempting to get published before I apply, but exactly how helpful is this?

4) What other areas do you see room for improvement?

[treblekicker]

The GPA is a tad low, but I think you should be pretty confident with those LORs and your school's reputation. I doubt a Masters in Math would help you too much since you have all of the desired math classes and a few more with good grades in them. The masters may even hurt you, since conceivably they could hurt your LORS.

I cannot say much about the misdemeanor, but I doubt many schools would care. Maybe have a letter write stress your character if you are really concerned.

But honestly, having a Noble Laureate speak highly of your research abilities is the best possible thing anyone can have in their profile (besides publishing in a top journal).

[italos]

The only thing I can see that could hurt you is the GRE.Try to do your best. For the rest it is all question of LOR's.Make sure they are stellar!
If they are prepare yourself for great admissions in top 10 if not top 5.

[israelecon]

it seems to me that if you can get faculty to review your SOP, then you can also get them to give you an estimate of your chances of acceptance. this will be much more informative than anything we can possibly tell you.

[econphilomath]

Originally Posted by israelecon

it seems to me that if you can get faculty to review your SOP, then you can also get them to give you an estimate of your chances of acceptance. this will be much more informative than anything we can possibly tell you.

I also think the same. It depends on what your LORs say so ask them what they think. I would say you have a good shot at all top ten programs if your LORs are decent. You are coming from a good undergrad institution and have renown LORs, (at least one, which should be enough if its good).
But then again, I'm more familiar with the process international students.

[buckykatt]

I doubt that a master's in math would make a big difference, given that you already have good math preparation with decent grades. If you really want to do a math degree for its own sake, of course, then it certainly wouldn't hurt; but I wouldn't count on getting into a top math program with your current profile.

I think the others here are right to stress the importance of LORs at this point.

[desimba]

The profile is competitive for the top 10 schools. Whether you make it to the top 5 or MIT depends on how strong the LORs are and the relative quality of the applicant pool which are mostly beyond your control.

I don't think that you would benefit from having an additional Masters as you have the necessary math background. It will be a waste of time IMHO.

Things you could do to increase your chances:
1) Making sure that your LORs are good. Working with them on research projects/ going outside of class room during office hours for specific questions can be helpful. I have also found it helpful to have some of my closest professors who I personally see as mentors involved in my application process. I have consulted with them on which schools to apply to and they have felt invested in me.
2) Ace the GRE- Verbal really doesn't matter so you can focus on the GRE Q part. An 800 is very very important.
3) A publication can be helpful. While it's unlikely that you will actually have an article published by the time you submit your application, having a revise & resubmit from a good journal can still be useful.