Roll Call Fall 2009

[eulermilan]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: math/econ; physics minor; Dartmouth College
Undergrad GPA: 3.8+/4. 3.99 Math; 3.9ish Econ
Type of Grad: none
GRE: 800Q, 750V, 4.0W (Gee I got straight 4.0 writing score for TOEFL, SAT and GRE)
Math Courses (undergrad): Calcs; diff eq; linear algebra; probability and measure theory; real analysis; abstract algebra; graph theory; combinotorics; advanced applied math; stochastic process; topology; statistics. Mostly honors.
Econ Courses (undergrad): intermediate and advanced micro+macro; game theory; public; trade; open economy macro; finance; intermediate econometrics
Other Courses: a bunch of physics and computer science courses
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ profs: MIT phd with whom I took game theory and advanced micro, and UCLA phd with whom I took intermediate micro; 1 math prof with whom I took real analysis and worked as TA for intro calc.
Research Experience: has been RA in biology (lab work with cancer cell), physics (simulation and numerical analysis of interstellar plasma interaction), and finally, economics (dataset manipulation and econometric analysis). Did two major summer researches on econ (one on micro-level organization and the other on early industrialization of China). Published papers on astrophysics, political science, and econ in minor periodicals.
Teaching Experience: TA for intro calc, classical mechanics, and abstract algebra.
Research Interests: micro theory (general eq dynamics); institutional.
statement of purpose: mentioned research interest and linked past research experiences. not super specific. revised by econ profs.
Concerns: a few crappy grades in the first year (general requirement courses). have not taken grad courses. my profs worry that pure theory track (which i intend to do) would not be that welcomed by many programs nowadays.
Applied to: Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Chicago, MIT, Yale, Penn, Columbia, Cornell, LSE (Msc EME).

[nzecon]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ, minors:math, finance
Undergrad GPA: Econ 3.9, 3.7 overall
Type of Grad: M.S. Econ
Grad GPA: 3.8
GRE: 730Q, 530V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Multivariable Calc (B+), Linear Algebra (A+), Algebra (A+), Discrete Math(A), Real Analysis (B-), Math Modelling (B), Differential Equations (B+), classical mechanics (B-)
Econ Courses (Masters-level): Micro (A-), Finance Theory (A-), Applied Econometrics (B+), regulation and competition policy (A-) Industrial Organisation (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): managerial econ, econometrics, macro, IO, micro
Other Courses: OB, strategic management, marketing, accounting, heaps of finance
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 well known top 10 school prof, 1 well known UK prof, 1 less well known but knows me well)
Research Experience: Masters thesis to be submitted, honours thesis, other research papers
Teaching Experience: TA Econometrics, Microeconomics and Strategic Management
Research Interests: IO, competition/regulation, innovation, micro theory
statement of purpose: wrote a lot about my experience and how that's led me to the phd and my research topics, not sure if that was the right thing to do - but since my GRE is not solid at all I figure it was my best shot
Concerns: terrible GRE - paper based test in my country, could not resit
Other: been working full-time for two years in senior job related to regulation/competition policy and completed masters at the same time.
Applying to: HBS, Chicago Booth, NWU Kellogg, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Stanford GSB.

Basically I decided that I like living in the same country as my family, not sure if I want to be on the other side of the world so if I am going to study a PhD in America its gotta be at a good school with $.

I chose business schools because I like the programs better. They also fit well with my interest for IO. Didn't have my GRE score at application - paper based test takes forever, Also difficult to resit without flying to another country for the computer based test.

[DesperateEconomist]

It's time to do this:

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Bachelor in Business Administration, prestigious institution in Latin America.
Undergrad GPA: 7.6/10
Type of Grad: Master in Economics, same institution than undergrad.
Grad GPA: 8/10
GRE: 800Q, 490V, 4.0AWA
TOEFL: 104 (30R, 30L, 20S, 24W)
Math Courses: Mathematics I, II, Linear Algebra, Metric Spaces, Statistics I, II, III, Mathematical Economics (grad).
Econ Courses (Masters): Macro I, II, Micro I, II, Metrics, Time Series and others not so relevant.
Econ Courses (undergrad): Macro, Micro, no Metrics.
Other Courses: Several other courses, but with small or no relevance for admission purposes.
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 Chicago PhD, 1 UCLA PhD, 1 Cornell PhD), and I believe that all of them are solid.
Research Experience: RA for two econ professors and currently working on my master's thesis. I also presented a paper in an economics meeting in my country.
Teaching Experience: TA for two graduate courses (Macro and Time Series) and 1 undergrad course (Statistics).
Research Interests: Macro and IO.
statement of purpose: The usual stuff: I put a brief description of my profile and talked about my preferences and why I think I would succeed in their program.
Concerns: Low score on the speaking section of the TOEFL. Maybe my math background is not as strong as desired by some schools. At least a few low grades that could hurt me.
Applying to: Berkeley, Boston College, BU, Cornell, Columbia, Maryland, MSU, Minnesota, Northwestern, NYU, UT Austin, UCLA, UPenn, Washington St. Louis, Yale.

[mermel]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math, B.S. Econ honors from top 40 public school, Math semester abroad at strong Russian math program
Undergrad GPA: 3.94, Econ 4.0, Math 3.93
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Multivar Calc, DiffEq, Number Theory, Matrices (Linear Algebra), Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Probability, Topology, Complex Analysis, Computability and Complexity (all A's), Combinatorics (B), Integer Partitions (B+)
Econ Courses: All those required for undergrad econ, was in Honors Economics program my senior year
Letters of Recommendation: 3 from econ professors, one from Econ PhD partner at the firm where I work, PhD's from Chicago, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley, 2 I am sure are very strong, and others are probably strong as well
Research Experience: Yeah, about that ... My honors thesis was not really that good, this is where I am most concerned.
Teaching Experience: just tutoring
Research Interests: Micro theory, game theory, decision theory
statement of purpose: I'm not really sure how to judge my statement of purpose, I think it told a good story of why I want to get econ PhD.
Concerns: Lack of research experience, I had a withdrawal passing from graduate level analysis when I decided to do a second major in econ rather than doing a masters in math. I stated this in many of my essays, so hopefully that's ok.
Other: Working for past 2.5 years in economics litigation consulting
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, UPenn, Princeton, NYU

[shubhamk]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B. Tech. from IIT Kanpur (Best Techno-Managerial school in India)
Undergrad GPA: 3.0/4
Type of Grad: MBA from IIT Kanpur
Grad GPA: 3.2/4
GRE: 800Q, 660V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: All quantitative courses for Electrical Engineering (Communication Systems specialization). That also means related courses on probability, calculus and Linear Algebra
Econ Courses (MBA-level): Micro, Macro and International business economics
Other Courses: 4 Sociology courses (during undergrad). 1 Development Economics course (during MBA)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ professors (IIT Kanpur), 2 other prof (IIT Kanpur)
Research Experience: 1 research case study was done for UNICEF while I was UN intern for 3 months in India itself. This was published for internal UN circulation. I have been working on development field for 3 years with small IIT Kanpur reports being published internally.
Research Interests: Development Economics and Public Policy
Applying to: Wharton, CMU Tepper, Columbia GSB, Cornell, UCLA, Penn State

[Kelei]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Georgetown math/econ; spanish minor
Undergrad GPA: 3.5/4. 3.84 Math
Type of Grad: 2 year masters at Oxford
GRE: 770Q, 660V, 5.5W
Math Courses: Calcs; linear algebra; statistics (x2); real analysis (x2); complex analysis; abstract algebra; graph theory;
Econ Courses: micro+macro principles; macro+micro theory (honors); international trade; international finance; labor economics; econometrics (x2); then masters courses (micro, macro, metrics, labor, development)
Other courses: some comp sci
Letters of Recommendation: Senior Fellow at the think tank I work at right now who I published with, econ professor who supervised my masters thesis, math professor from undergrad.
Research Experience: RA in trade policy for 2 years at think tank in DC; macro economic research at the European Commission and BNP Paribas (both short stays, around 6 months)
Teaching Experience: none worth mentionning
Research Interests: international economics (linking finance and trade)
statement of purpose: mentioned research interest and linked with past research experiences. sort of specific
Concerns: low overall GPA and GRE quantitative score.
Applied to: Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Penn, Columbia, Oxford, LSE, Duke, Johns Hopkins

[KaisonX]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Econ from a univ in China
Undergrad GPA: 82%
Type of Grad: MBA (Finance) in US public univ.
Grad GPA: 3.6
GRE: 780Q, 650V, 3.0AW
Math Courses: Calc, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory (A), Stats, Mathemetic Modelling........
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): All
Econ Courses (grad-level): International Economics
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from econ profs, 1 from business
Research Experience: 1 year RA for a eco prof.
Teaching Experience: 1 year in eco and finance course
Research Interests: international finance, international eco,.....
statement of purpose: good
Applying to: Penn State, Brown, UCSD, U Pitts
Commnet: only 4 schools, not enough??? I am worrying about.......

[celtic_tiger_econ]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Econ & Finance (Top Irish Uni)
Undergrad GPA: 1.1 Honours (Different system - top 15% of my class of 300 or so business school students)
Type of Grad: MSc Econ Science (other top Irish Uni)
Grad GPA: 1.1 Honours (Topped my class, 1/54)
GRE: 780Q, 630V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Enough calc and algebra to meet requirements, diff eq, real and complex analysis, plus more mostly irelevant stats and probability stuff
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): The usual
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Public Econ, Trade, Innovation, Political Economy etc
Letters of Recommendation: they will be strong but from unknown profs, well... they are known here, but not there
Research Experience: Masters thesis with fantastic grade, research internship at Irish Central Bank,
Teaching Experience: 1 year TA'ing Micro, Macro and Cost-Benefit analysis
Research Interests: public economics, micro stuff mosty, education and labor
statement of purpose: standard
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, Brown, UPenn, BC, and Maryland (UMD-College Park)
Commnet: only 6 schools, plus my Irish grades look poor cause 70% is an A here (like in the UK), an 80% average is unheard-of, and i am a good bit higher than that :-) hopefully it won't get lost in translation

[santragos2703]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Econ (Top Mexican Uni)
Undergrad GPA: 8.2/10
GRE: 800Q, 670V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Enough calc and algebra to meet requirements, diff eq, plus more mostly irelevant stats and probability stuff
Econ Courses: Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Public Econ, Trade, Labor Economics, Growth and Development, Political Economy etc
Letters of Recommendation: they will be strong but from unknown profs, and some professionial
Research Experience: BA thesis
Teaching Experience: Nil
Research Interests: Public Finance
statement of purpose: standard
Applying to: Econ:Yale, Brown, UCB, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, MIT, BU; Public Policy: Harvard, Princeton, Chicago
Comment: Weak GPA due to extenuating circumstances

[softsquirrel]

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: France's top Grandes Ecoles(2 years in a top "Classe Princeton Reviewépa" if anyone knows it)
Undergrad GPA: 4.35/4.4, 1st out of 500 (Our school thinks its students merit a 10% bonus on GPA and that's why they add that, which made me some trouble as I always have to explain that)
Type of Grad: Same school(The system is weird in France, basically it's 2+3 years after high school and they deliver a somewhat Master-equivalent degree at the end)
Grad GPA: FALL
GRE: 800Q, 720V, 4.5AWA
TOEFL IBT: 115(27Speaking and 28Writing)
Math Courses: basically everything, almost like a math majoring student
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): baby micro+macro+corporate finance
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Development , Growth, Game Theory, Financial Economics etc.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from a well-known French prof teaching economics in US top universities, 1 Oxford Phd (eco), 1 School prof(eco), another 1 schoolprof(math)
Research Experience: only one team-based research on auction theory
Teaching Experience: 2 years TA on maths for 2nd-year math students (the so-called "colle" in our argot)
Research Interests: macro+international
statement of purpose: quitewell-written, I think
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Stanford, NYU, UPenn, Columbia
Commnet: little research experience, but it's the problem for all candidates from French Grandes Ecoles