Where to apply

[ICECOLDECON]

I am curious as to the departments or range of schools that posters on this forum think I should apply to.....Now Ive spent easily over 100 hours researching departments and their specializations, so I feel relatively well-versed on the subject and I have a good idea of where I am applying....but Im curious if the readers of this forum will come up with similar matches or maybe someone will think of a gem of a program that I had not thought of. I am extrapolating with some of these grades (which is why I am not yet posting on the profile thread yet). Anyways, here I go

Undergrad (40-60 ranked public University)

Principles of Macroeconomics A
Principles of Microeconomics Honors B+
Natural Resource Economics A
Introduction to Econometrics B+
Intermediate Microeconomics A
Intermediate Macroeconomics A
Urban Economics A
State/Local Govt Economics B+
Game Theory A
Introduction to Math Econ A-

Calculus I Earned Credit AP
Calculus II Honors A
Calculus III (F and then an A)
Linear Alg (F and then an A)
Introduction to Probability Theory A-

As to the F's in Calc III and Lin Alg, both were due to attendence problems at the time (Calc III was early on in college....I think close to 4-5 yrs ago and I didnt go to class much and then I overslept a midterm in Linear Algebra after the drop deadline).

Graduate MA (150-200 ranked Public)

Regulation and Antitrust A+ (Note my undergrad didnt give A+)
Math Economics A
Bridge to Abstract Math A+
Law and Economics A
Development Economics A-
Econometrics I A-
Economics of Health Care I A
Econometrics II B+
Aggregate Economics B+
Microeconomics I A+
Differential Equations A
Intro to Statistics Theory (at Top 10 Stat school) A
Econometrics III A-
Urban Economics A
Economic Policy Analysis A
Intermediate Analysis I A
Elementary Abstract Algebra A

GRE 1 (2005) V 520 Q 760 AWA 5.5
GRE 2 (2008) V 540 Q 780 AWA 5.0

Research Interests: I would enjoy Microeconomic Thry, I/O, and Public/Urban

Other Preferences: I would prefer someplace that is relatively colder than average (although hot weather does not necessarily exclude a school from my consideration).

Thanks in advance for any consideration!

[ICECOLDECON]

I thought I would also mention that I have no research experience, served 1 yr as a ta for introductory microeconomics, and will also take Intro to Topology and either Intermediate Analysis II or Symbolic Computations in Math (although universities will not see grades in either of those classes...I will mention them in my SOP).

[TruDog]

Cornell. Michigan, and Wisconsin all seem to fit your criteria well, especially if you're also interested in labor. Minnesota and Rochester are too macro-oriented for your interests.

[jeeves0923]

Everyone says this about Minnesota, but I think it is a fine department for non-macro. A prof at my alma mater did his PhD at Minnesota and is a Micro Theory/IO guy... He's good. Another young assistant prof is into labor and came from Minnesota. They both speak highly of their graduate experiences.

[Canuckonomist]

Originally Posted by jeeves0923

Everyone says this about Minnesota, but I think it is a fine department for non-macro. A prof at my alma mater did his PhD at Minnesota and is a Micro Theory/IO guy... He's good. Another young assistant prof is into labor and came from Minnesota. They both speak highly of their graduate experiences.

I hear that commonly spoken from people at Queen's too. We have a number of Minnesota Ph.Ds, and they all say that it's not just a macro place. Specifically one who is a "Macro theorist", he says that while he has that title, he finds himself doing plenty of Micro theory in his research. He claims that it's false to say UMinn is just a macro-oriented place.

[ICECOLDECON]

Thank you all for your comments. I am going to provide you all with my current list of schools, so that you may comment on whether I am over/under reaching:

Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Penn State
Arizona
Virginia
Ohio State

(In no particular order of preference)

I am of the belief that MN is too macro oriented as well.

I am a bit concerned that my masters degree (and associated math classes) come from a low-ranked school.

Should I expand my list? I dont like when the Michigan Application deadline is and that is why they are not on my list. I am open to Cornell. I also semi-like Boston College (but I am concerned they are too macro-oriented) and Brown (but I am concerned that they would be too big of a reach).

Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

[Gecko]

Maybe just a couple of the higher-ranked schools? Pittsburgh
Syracuse, Arizona, Ohio State all seem to be safeties

[ICECOLDECON]

I will be jumping for joy with Pitt or Ohio State, so if either of those are safeties, then I feel pretty good. My general idea of how the schools would rank in general (without regard to specialization in depts) is : Wisconsin, Penn State, Pitt or Ohio State, Michigan State or Virginia, Arizona, Syracuse.

I do see Syracuse as a safety school. Arizona may not make my final cut of places to apply, just b/c of the weather.

Thank you for your comments.

Any opinions on whether BC is a macro school?

[andyecon]

Right now, we (Minnesota) are reasonably strong in IO. We have Pat Bajari, Amil Petrin, and Tom Holmes as senior faculty... Kyoo Il Kim and Minjung Park are junior faculty doing IO/Metrics stuff. Lots of students are getting interested in working with this group, and a student that was shared by Bajari and Holmes was placed at UToronto this year. Just letting you know, Minnesota isn't just macro.

[italos]

Northwestern?