Econ PhD Profile Evaluation: Fall 2021

[messi]

Redacted

[startz]

Notes, concerns:

1. GRE quant score: people say anything below 170 and you lose a star? The diff b/w 170 and 168 is just 4 percentiles but it still bothers me.

The GRE score is perfectly fine.

2. M.S reputation: the program was amazing but it sadly is not “reputed enough” I guess? Would the program ranking be a factor?

Some.

3. Indian undergrad: the fact that undergrad was from India, and the adcom don’t know how to evaluate/translate the grades (even though I have a heavy econ/math) is a concern. I basically have to leave GPA section blank, which makes me lose that "signaling" opportunity (and possibly gives a bad signal instead?)

Programs will generally understand just fine.

4. Math doesn’t “explicitly” come out from my profile, but I’ve done a lot of it in high school, undergrad and grad school (Real Analysis, Advanced Calculus, Statistics, Probability, Linear Algebra… you name it). How to make Math “pop out” a bit more?

Explain in SOP and have one of your letter writers document the math.

[messi]

Thanks! Good point on making the Math pop out. Letter writers can surely testify.

See my edit. What do you think about the chances of getting into these schools (realistically)?

[startz]

No one can really evaluate your record because we don't know what your letter writers are going to say.

But my guess is that the odds are not good at the first six nor at Berkeley.

What is Cincinnati's masters' placement record like?

[messi]

Well, according to their website:

The MS in Applied Economics degree provides students with an exceptional set of applied economic and econometric analytical tools that have demonstrated value in the marketplace. Graduates enjoy success as:

• Analysts in market research, insurance, healthcare, and in banking and finance.
• Positions with consulting firms as well as in public-sector planning and economic analysis organizations.
• Excellent preparation for further study in a PhD program. Over the last several years, we have placed graduates in PhD programs at Indiana, Vanderbilt, Oregon, Duke, University of Texas, Purdue University, and others

Is this good or bad? Doesn't seem very good tbh. No top 5 here.

Also, should I explain this in my SOP? I chose UC mainly cuz my sister lives in Cincinnati and helped me through college (living expenses, financial and emotional support etc.)

[startz]

It is unusual to end up at a PhD program ranked much higher than the places your current program usually sends people. Not impossible, just unusual.

Yes, one sentence explaining that you chose Cincinnati for family reasons is a good idea.

[ahududu]

Well, according to their website:

The MS in Applied Economics degree provides students with an exceptional set of applied economic and econometric analytical tools that have demonstrated value in the marketplace. Graduates enjoy success as:

• Analysts in market research, insurance, healthcare, and in banking and finance.
• Positions with consulting firms as well as in public-sector planning and economic analysis organizations.
• Excellent preparation for further study in a PhD program. Over the last several years, we have placed graduates in PhD programs at Indiana, Vanderbilt, Oregon, Duke, University of Texas, Purdue University, and others

Is this good or bad? Doesn't seem very good tbh. No top 5 here.

Also, should I explain this in my SOP? I chose UC mainly cuz my sister lives in Cincinnati and helped me through college (living expenses, financial and emotional support etc.)

It is perfectly normal not to have top 5 school from Cincinnati. I think it is a good idea to apply the schools that your school has sent. Try to target those and a little bit above/below. I think almost all the schools you listed is extremely hard to get into with your current profile.

[Zubrus]

The problem with this profile is that the M.S. is not from a good program (in fact its quite bad), but OP's undergraduate record is very, very good. Had he/she applied directly from U of Delhi with those grades, a top 20 was possible. I think the M.S. is going to hurt you more than help you. Being the top student from U of Delhi is an impressive feat, and I have seen worse profiles at places like Duke and Cornell. Apply broadly. You are currently applying way too high.

[messi]

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the feedback.

So the gaping hole is the Master's university ranking... I'll try to explain this in the S.O.P as eloquently as possible.

I mean, I'm currently making more than what an entry level professor makes at a top20-top50 university. So there's no point in applying if I don't get into top 5 (other than the fact that I genuinely love the subject and want to change the world *pls stop rolling your eyes*)

Any thoughts on how I can improve this profile? Do another M.S/M.A from an Ivy/top5 (that'll be like burning money)? Maybe R.A and earn peanuts for 2 years?

how to breach this academia paywall guys..

[startz]

Do a serious pre-doc and earn a strong recommendation. That is the most likely way to get into a top 5, starting where you are currently.

You should think carefully about your trade-off between money and other motivations. Getting into a top 5 is not guarantee of a top 20 appointment and if you have the talent to get into a top 5 you also have the talent to be making a heck of a lot more doing something else.