jomirzakhani Posted May 9, 2020 Share Posted May 9, 2020 Hi All! I'd like to ask for your guidance and advice as I'm planning to apply for PhD by the end of this year (for Fall 2021 intake). I'll graduate from my master in economics this May from T30 US university. So, I delivered subpar performance for some of the core courses needed to apply for PhD, which I knew it'd definitely hurt my chances for getting accepted. Here's the following info: Grad-level Microecon: B- Grad-level Stats: B Applied Linear Algebra: B Grad-level Macroecon: A Grad-level Econometrics: A- Grad-level Applied Econometrics: A I've talked to two of my letter recommenders and they said doing research would help for my chances for admission. And now, I've been working on finding research assistantship opportunities both in the US and in my home country. My question is, do you have any suggestions on how could I remedy my subpar grades in those core courses? Would be doing research help for admission much? Also, I'm planning to apply not only to PhD Economics, but also to PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics. What do you think are my chances? Thank you all! Please stay safe and healthy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealslimkt Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Post your profile in the standard format, that would help a lot with advising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomirzakhani Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Type of Grad: Top 30 US University according to US News Grad GPA: 3.57 (as of Fall 2019, final GPA hasn't been released as I'll graduate this May) GRE: tbd Math Course: Linear Algebra (B) Econ Courses: Grad-level Microeconomics (B-), Grad-level Macroeconomics (A), Grad-level Statistics (B), Grad-level Econometrics (A-), Grad-level Applied Econometrics (A), other economics course electives (A/A-) Letters of Recommendation: All of them are from professors whom I've taken their classes. All of them are active researchers in their respective fields. Research Experience: been working for 2 years in research institute prior to master's study, wrote undergraduate thesis, and 2 term papers in graduate studies. Concerns: Subpar grades in math and econ core courses. Questions: Do you have any suggestions on how could I remedy my subpar grades in those core courses? Would be doing research help for admission much? I've talked to two of my letter recommenders and they said doing research would help for my chances for admission. And now, I've been working on finding research assistantship opportunities both in the US and in my home country. Also, I'm planning to apply not only to PhD Economics, but also to PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics. What do you think are my chances? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakonomist Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Type of Grad: Top 30 US University according to US News Grad GPA: 3.57 (as of Fall 2019, final GPA hasn't been released as I'll graduate this May) GRE: tbd Math Course: Linear Algebra (B) Econ Courses: Grad-level Microeconomics (B-), Grad-level Macroeconomics (A), Grad-level Statistics (B), Grad-level Econometrics (A-), Grad-level Applied Econometrics (A), other economics course electives (A/A-) Letters of Recommendation: All of them are from professors whom I've taken their classes. All of them are active researchers in their respective fields. Research Experience: been working for 2 years in research institute prior to master's study, wrote undergraduate thesis, and 2 term papers in graduate studies. Concerns: Subpar grades in math and econ core courses. Questions: Do you have any suggestions on how could I remedy my subpar grades in those core courses? Would be doing research help for admission much? I've talked to two of my letter recommenders and they said doing research would help for my chances for admission. And now, I've been working on finding research assistantship opportunities both in the US and in my home country. Also, I'm planning to apply not only to PhD Economics, but also to PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics. What do you think are my chances? Is Linear Algebra the only Math course you took during undergrad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayes Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 I don't think any research experience is going to save you. You should talk to faculty members on how to overcomes those B's and B minuses. My gut sense is that you need to really show you can handle math and at the same time take PhD Micro II to mitigate the 2.7 earned in Micro I. I would suggest these classes: - Advanced Linear Algebra (proof based) - Grad Level stats II - Real Analysis I, II -Micro II As you can see this is a heavy commitment and I am not sure if you will perform well in these courses (that is for you to assess). So take my advice with a grain of salt. Go talk to every single faculty and get their opinion (I cannot stress this enough). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbones Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Type of Grad: Top 30 US University according to US News Grad GPA: 3.57 (as of Fall 2019, final GPA hasn't been released as I'll graduate this May) GRE: tbd Math Course: Linear Algebra (B) Econ Courses: Grad-level Microeconomics (B-), Grad-level Macroeconomics (A), Grad-level Statistics (B), Grad-level Econometrics (A-), Grad-level Applied Econometrics (A), other economics course electives (A/A-) Letters of Recommendation: All of them are from professors whom I've taken their classes. All of them are active researchers in their respective fields. Research Experience: been working for 2 years in research institute prior to master's study, wrote undergraduate thesis, and 2 term papers in graduate studies. Concerns: Subpar grades in math and econ core courses. Questions: Do you have any suggestions on how could I remedy my subpar grades in those core courses? Would be doing research help for admission much? I've talked to two of my letter recommenders and they said doing research would help for my chances for admission. And now, I've been working on finding research assistantship opportunities both in the US and in my home country. Also, I'm planning to apply not only to PhD Economics, but also to PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics. What do you think are my chances? Another possibility is to retake Grad Micro I, which would send a much better signal for that particular course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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