PhD Profile Evaluation - Fall 2021 (retake GRE?)

[chubwagon1]

PROFILE:

Type of Undergrad: BS Math and Economics at USNews Top-70 Private undergrad and Econ Department

 

Cumulative GPA: 3.87 out of 4.0

 

GRE: 167 Q/164 V/5.0 AWA

 

Math Courses:

Calculus 1-3 (AP, A, A), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Proofs (B+), Real Analysis (A), Complex Analysis (A), ODE (A-), PDE (B+), Numerical Analysis (A), Math Modeling (A), Math Logic (A), Upper-level Elective (A-), Intro Stats (A)

 

Econ Courses:

Intro Micro/Macro (A, A), Intermediate Micro/Macro (mathematical track) (A-, A-), Mathematical Economics (A), Econometrics (A), International Economic Theory (A), Game Theory (A), Econ Development (A-), Financial Economics (A), Upper-level Elective (A), Thesis (A)

 

Letters of Recommendation:

1) Undergraduate Thesis Advisor, top-5 Econ, should be strong

2) Economist I RA'ed for at FRB, top-5 Econ, strongest of the 3, potential co-authorship (in progress)

3) Another Economist I RA'ed for at FRB, top 15-ish(?) non-US Econ PhD, should also be strong

 

Research Experience:

UG Thesis, 2 years at FRB

 

Teaching Experience:

None

 

Work Experience:

Worked for a year doing software development type stuff and now at the FRB

 

Programming skills:

R, Matlab, Stata, Python

Questions: ​

I'd preferably like to apply widely in the 5-30 range, targeting Cornell/Duke. Does this seem reasonable given my current profile? One area of improvement is my GRE Q score, but from browsing this forum a 167 might be sufficient/not a cause for concern. I didn't study very much, so I think that a 168+ is very reasonable. Additionally, would grad-level Econ courses (specifically Econometrics)/additional math be beneficial?

Edited November 6, 2020 by chubwagon1

[Zubrus]

Yeah for sure. I think a top 15 program is the expected outcome for you. So a place like Michigan/Duke. But again, this COVID season might make things a bit more volatile, but your profile is very solid. Good luck.

[chubwagon1]

Thanks @Zubrus for the response! Do you think the Quantitative GRE score sends a negative signal? How much marginal benefit would I get from a higher Q score, and what if that higher score came with a lower V score?

[ahududu]

Don't bother taking the GRE again. If you're really ambitious though you can try it again to get 168+. I believe with the new GRE Q score adjustment, now 168 is in the 90th percentile but I may be wrong. Edited November 7, 2020 by ahududu
wording.

[startz]

167 is 89th percentile and 168 is 92nd percentile. So you're right.

[tbe]

I don't think retaking the GRE will help you very much. You have an excellent record. What your reference letters say will be much more important than a change in the GRE.

 

Not sure why you said you'd apply widely in the 5-30 range instead of 1-30 range, unless your letter-writers suggested that.

 

You asked about taking PhD level courses. Are you applying now for fall 2021 admission? Or are you thinking of waiting a year and taking classes?

[chubwagon1]

Whoops, I meant applying in fall 2021, so for entry fall 2022. That gives me a lot of time to retake the GRE and take additional classes if they’d be beneficial.