billyshears Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Any insights into what adcoms will think of my GPAs? Cumulative undergrad GPA at Top 60 Public, Econ Major, Finance Minor: 3.64 Top 60 Public (Top 40 Econ PhD) Total Econ: 3.45 Upper Division: 3.67 Last 2 years: 3.71 (A in Econometrics) Currently completing the recomended math/stat (6) courses at a different Top 60 Public as a non degree student: Projected GPA 3.85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyshears Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 I should mention that my target school range is 20-50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonecon Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 It's not "good." Might make hitting the part of your range closer to 20 hard unless you did some stellar research or some ****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyshears Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 So what are good ways to remedy mediocre econ grades? Take a grad micro class and ace it? Take additional undergrad classes and ace them? Can other parts of my profile make up for this. Say a 4.0 in math along with good LORs? What does it do for schools ranked in the 30's and 40's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chateauheart Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Given your circumstances, I don't think trying to remedy the econ grades is a good step. If you get a few solid grades in advanced math, it'd help signal that your earlier econ grades reflected a lack of effort, not your true ability. As for top 30-40 programs - I have some personal experience with one such program, and I'd doubt that you'd be admitted. Definitely apply to some of these programs, but put your safeties a bit lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyshears Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 Given your circumstances, I don't think trying to remedy the econ grades is a good step. If you get a few solid grades in advanced math, it'd help signal that your earlier econ grades reflected a lack of effort, not your true ability. As for top 30-40 programs - I have some personal experience with one such program, and I'd doubt that you'd be admitted. Definitely apply to some of these programs, but put your safeties a bit lower. What is your experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chateauheart Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I have taken courses at such a graduate program, talked with a former director of admissions, and know the background of some students very well. Even the average student at a #30-#40 program usually has all the "nice" things to have in an application: the necessary math courses (up to linear algebra and math stats; preferably probability and analysis); good grades in those courses (3.7+ is acceptable for undergrads from top 15 universities or top foreign universities; but you probably need 3.85+ at a top 60 public); and for US applicants: some basic research experience and thesis, and moderately strong letters that explicitly endorse your ability to do well in the targeted program, etc. Now, it is entirely possible to get in the programs without one of those pieces; but you have to excel at some other area, preferably a close substitute. I don't see that in your profile, yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonecon Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I'd say yes, if you can take and ace a couple semesters of grad micro, do it. If I were them, it would make me more comfortable to let you in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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