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.
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?
Last edited by chubwagon1; 11-06-2020 at 03:02 AM.
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.
Last edited by ahududu; 11-07-2020 at 12:36 AM. Reason: wording.
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?
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