Preliminary Profile Eval

[IrrationalActor]

Hi all,

I posted my profile once before, but it got buried in another thread. I realize that a true evaluation is not of much use at this point, but I would like to know if (in your opinion) the schools I am targeting are too highly ranked or not appropriate for my research interests.

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: A fairly well respected, but small private research university, with a small and not very well known PhD program. The focus is definitely at the undergrad level.

Undergrad GPA: ~3.92 Dual Degree Economics and Mathematical Statistics
Math GPA: 4.0 in advanced coursework (Two B's in Calc III and IV which I took at another institution, so I don't quite know how to calculate the exact GPA) Econ GPA ~3.99

Type of Grad: N/A

Grad GPA: N/A

GRE: TBD, I will probably take in August, after a few months of intense studying.

Math Courses: Calc I-IV, Linear Algebra, Advanced Calculus (which was quite rigorous for a supposed bridge course), Probability, Math Stats, Regression. A's in everything except Calc III and IV. I'm taking grad Math Stats and Real Analysis in the fall.

Econ Courses: Many electives that are probably considered "useless" for PhD admissions.

"Important" Courses: Intermediate Micro, Advanced Macro, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics. Also a Masters level research seminar in transition economies. All A's except for an A- in advanced macro

Other Courses: Intro to Programming

Letters of Recommendation: I’m probably going to ask the Department Chair, I wrote an independent research paper for his class (PhD Stanford), a professor I'm doing research with (PhD Berkeley), and a statistics professor. All are full professors, and are not exactly "famous" but are fairly well published.

Research Experience: Currently a Summer RA on an applied econometrics project. I will write an honor's thesis in the fall.

Teaching Experience: One semester as a TA for principles of microeconomics

Research Interests: Micro-Development, Applied Micro, Applied Econometrics, a bit of Political Economy

Other: Transferred from a very low-ranked school after my freshman year.

Schools Targeting:



Far Reaches: Yale, Northwestern, Michigan, Brown, UCSD

Reaches: Cornell, Wisconsin, Duke, Berkeley ARE

“Safeties” (I’m hesitant to use this word after viewing the current year’s admissions):

UVA, LSE, Oxford (Masters programs for the latter two).

Questions/Concerns:

1)Is the fact that my school isn’t a top PhD program going to hurt me? I’m starting to feel a great deal of regret for not attending my state’s flagship university state from high school (a top 20 PhD program, but poor quality undergrad).

2) Are there any glaring omissions in my math coursework? Do I absolutely have to take differential equations, or could I get by without it?


3)Are the any schools I should add/subtract from my list?


Thanks in advance for your comments, I’ve learned a lot from lurking on this forum. It has been especially helpful because though my professors have been exceptionally knowledgeable, their views on PhD admissions are a bit antiquated. For instance, one told me to make sure to do well on the econ subject test. Though this board can have a bit of bias at times, I find it to be a great resource as to the various nuances of PhD programs.

[nash12]

I think you are aiming too low. Your GPA is quite good. You're a double major. Provided you get >=790 in Quant and your letters are strong you should shoot for all the top ten schools. Don't worry too much about not being a 'top' school in your undergrad. Not everybody can a get a letter from a 'famous' guy. And if full professors with PhDs from Stanford and Berkeley write good stuff about you, you will be noticed. Also, make sure the Statistics professor stresses on your math ability and if possible asks adcoms to discount your two Bs in the Cal III and IV.

Given your interests, in addition to the top ten, I would recommend- Michigan, Duke, Boston, Cornell, Brown.

[jeeves0923]

I agree with nash, you are aiming too low. If money isn't too tight, apply to all the top 10s. Your profile is good.

I'd say differential equations is nice to know, but not helpful to adcoms after you've taken real analysis. So I would say learn the stuff, but don't bother taking the course.

[Mr.Keen]

Apply to all top 10. You should definitely include Chicago in your list.

[asa_sl]

I also think you should go at all top 10 plus some safties like pardue , indiana etc.

[buckykatt]

I agree. If you do well in your fall courses and ace the GRE, you shouldn't limit yourself. A school like Brown or UCSD isn't a "far reach" for you, even though the odds at any one program are tough for everyone.