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elcapitano · 07-15-2008, 06:44 PM

I guess this is a profile evaluation question. Beginning this fall I will be attending UBC for an MA with the intention of continuing onto a PhD. UBC's recent placement record to top departments is not stellar http://www.econ.ubc.ca/grads/ma_grads.pdf so how well will I have to do? I expect an A average but beyond that...

Also if anyone has any suggestions for places to apply that fit my interests i'd love to hear them (or if any of the places I've mentioned seem unsuitable...): ideally I'd like to go somewhere coastal with decent summers just to make things more difficult.

When the time comes to apply how much does it matter that I took the GRE twice. The first time I took it I had decided not to apply to grad school that year so didn't prepare, should I mention this?

Type of Undergrad: BSc in Economics (2nd in Class)
Undergrad GPA: 1st Class (78 average - a first is 70) - not directly comparable but probably equivalent to 3.8 or higher, most likely higher.
Type of Grad: MA Economics @ UBC starting this fall
Grad GPA: Not yet
GRE: 800Q 720V 4.5A
Courses: We have a different system in the UK but all the Maths I could take; eight quantitive courses all 1sts. Ten 1sts and two 2:1s in Economics.
Letters of Recommendation: Will be good from undergrad, although they are not from famous profs.
Research Experience: Two years working as government economist. undergradute and postgraduate (eventually) theses.
Teaching Experience: Will have TA'd at UBC
Research Interests: Growth, Economic History, Conflict, Trade, Political Economy.
Concerns: Not from a famous undergrad university. Will need some letters from Profs @ UBC which I won't know that well. 4.5 AWA. Took the GRE twice (first time was 730/600/5.0.
Applying to: Definietely: Yale, Harvard, Brown, Berkeley, Oxford, UBC.
Maybe: Stanford, UCLA, MIT, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, UCSD, Harvard KSG (Political Economy).
I expect to get into UBC and Oxford so not putting any other safeties. Would love suggestions/reality checks!

Thanks for your help.

asianeconomist · 07-16-2008, 07:48 AM

Where did you get your UGrad from ?

elcapitano · 07-16-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianeconomist

Where did you get your UGrad from ?

The UK. Not LSE or Oxbridge

KGkhan23 · 07-16-2008, 03:23 PM

I think since you're doing your masters at a solid place, your undergraduate school's reputation won't hurt you much. That said, if you went somewhere like Sussex, Manchester, UCL or the like, I think that can only be a plus. With your interests, you might do well to throw in apps to some interdisciplinary programs like Harvard Kennedy School's PhD in political economy and government, or some polisci PhDs. And I think Berkeley econ would be a good fit for you, it would be amazing to work with Miguel. Best of luck.

asianeconomist · 07-16-2008, 03:57 PM

I was wondering that whether it would be wiser to consider a few AREs. Especially the one's reputed for their work in development and trade.

nitwit87 · 07-16-2008, 05:34 PM

well, i have almost similar profile and will attendin WARWICK BUSINESS SCHOOL this fall for their MFE. For getting into the likes of MIT, HARVARD basically the ivy league or a top 20 program should i take one year break and do RA'S , publish papers to get into these prestigious universities with fellowships? Or get agood GPA in the MFE and apply directly.

TruDog · 07-16-2008, 05:55 PM

A one-year RA position won't do anything to augment your profile, as you won't have been at your job too long before the applications are due. When you already have a master's degree, there really isn't any other purpose in doing additional work before applying to PhD programs.

asianeconomist · 07-17-2008, 05:15 AM

However, publications (especially in good/very good journals) may hold more sway over adcoms.

elcapitano · 07-17-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGkhan23

With your interests, you might do well to throw in apps to some interdisciplinary programs like Harvard Kennedy School's PhD in political economy and government, or some polisci PhDs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianeconomist

I was wondering that whether it would be wiser to consider a few AREs.

Thanks for the advice guys. The KSG Political Economy and Government program looks really good. I'll definitely add that to my list - I don't really know much about political science so I hadn't given it a great deal of thought. Does anyone have any suggestions for other similar programs? WIll have to check out the ARE's morte thouroughly - Berkeley, Maryland and Wisconsin? are the big three aren't they?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGkhan23

And I think Berkeley econ would be a good fit for you, it would be amazing to work with Miguel. Best of luck.

Berkeley would be awesome, it's pretty much certain i'll apply. It's a great fit for my interests and I imagiune the weather is pretty good!

[quote=KGkhan23;615558]I think since you're doing your masters at a solid place, your undergraduate school's reputation won't hurt you much. That said, if you went somewhere like Sussex, Manchester, UCL or the like, I think that can only be a plus. [quote]

That's reassuring - I did go to one of the 'second tier' UK schools similar to the ones you mention.

asianeconomist · 07-17-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcapitano

- Berkeley, Maryland and Wisconsin? are the big three aren't they?

You might also consider Cornell AEM, Minnesota AREC, Ohio State AEDE.....

07-15-2008, 06:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
elcapitano Eager! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 71	How well will I have to do for my MA for top programs? I guess this is a profile evaluation question. Beginning this fall I will be attending UBC for an MA with the intention of continuing onto a PhD. UBC's recent placement record to top departments is not stellar http://www.econ.ubc.ca/grads/ma_grads.pdf so how well will I have to do? I expect an A average but beyond that... Also if anyone has any suggestions for places to apply that fit my interests i'd love to hear them (or if any of the places I've mentioned seem unsuitable...): ideally I'd like to go somewhere coastal with decent summers just to make things more difficult. When the time comes to apply how much does it matter that I took the GRE twice. The first time I took it I had decided not to apply to grad school that year so didn't prepare, should I mention this? Type of Undergrad: BSc in Economics (2nd in Class) Undergrad GPA: 1st Class (78 average - a first is 70) - not directly comparable but probably equivalent to 3.8 or higher, most likely higher. Type of Grad: MA Economics @ UBC starting this fall Grad GPA: Not yet GRE: 800Q 720V 4.5A Courses: We have a different system in the UK but all the Maths I could take; eight quantitive courses all 1sts. Ten 1sts and two 2:1s in Economics. Letters of Recommendation: Will be good from undergrad, although they are not from famous profs. Research Experience: Two years working as government economist. undergradute and postgraduate (eventually) theses. Teaching Experience: Will have TA'd at UBC Research Interests: Growth, Economic History, Conflict, Trade, Political Economy. Concerns: Not from a famous undergrad university. Will need some letters from Profs @ UBC which I won't know that well. 4.5 AWA. Took the GRE twice (first time was 730/600/5.0. Applying to: Definietely: Yale, Harvard, Brown, Berkeley, Oxford, UBC. Maybe: Stanford, UCLA, MIT, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, UCSD, Harvard KSG (Political Economy). I expect to get into UBC and Oxford so not putting any other safeties. Would love suggestions/reality checks! Thanks for your help. Last edited by elcapitano : 07-17-2008 at 09:52 AM. Reason: clarity

07-16-2008, 05:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
TruDog TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Midwest US Posts: 588	A one-year RA position won't do anything to augment your profile, as you won't have been at your job too long before the applications are due. When you already have a master's degree, there really isn't any other purpose in doing additional work before applying to PhD programs. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ University of Wisconsin-Madison--2nd Year

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07-16-2008, 07:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,017	Where did you get your UGrad from ?

07-16-2008, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
KGkhan23 Eager! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 33	I think since you're doing your masters at a solid place, your undergraduate school's reputation won't hurt you much. That said, if you went somewhere like Sussex, Manchester, UCL or the like, I think that can only be a plus. With your interests, you might do well to throw in apps to some interdisciplinary programs like Harvard Kennedy School's PhD in political economy and government, or some polisci PhDs. And I think Berkeley econ would be a good fit for you, it would be amazing to work with Miguel. Best of luck.

07-16-2008, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,017	I was wondering that whether it would be wiser to consider a few AREs. Especially the one's reputed for their work in development and trade.

07-16-2008, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
nitwit87 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 27	well, i have almost similar profile and will attendin WARWICK BUSINESS SCHOOL this fall for their MFE. For getting into the likes of MIT, HARVARD basically the ivy league or a top 20 program should i take one year break and do RA'S , publish papers to get into these prestigious universities with fellowships? Or get agood GPA in the MFE and apply directly.

07-17-2008, 05:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,017	However, publications (especially in good/very good journals) may hold more sway over adcoms.

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