econdude

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NY is not too stingy with their stats: "For Fall 2006, we received over 900 applications and will enroll 25 new students. We evaluate the quality of the undergraduate and graduate schools, grades earned and courses taken, letters of reference, and test scores. In addition, we may interview final candidates to be sure that NYU is the appropriate school for them. The average GMAT score for the Fall 2006 entering class is 721. GMAT scores are mentioned because they are an easy number to summarize. As stated earlier, test scores are only one of the elements we consider. We accept the students whom we feel have the aptitude, background and motivation to produce first quality research in the future. We receive about 300 applications in Finance and enroll 4-6 students per year. In each of the other disciplines we receive 40 to 100 applications and enroll 2 to 4 students per year. The business schools with the top doctoral programs regularly exchange admission statistics. Stern’s admission data are typical of the top five programs in the country." From Northwestern/Kellog: About 25 new students are chosen from more than 600 applicants. The program is full-time on the Evanston campus; part-time or distance-learning study is not available.

Chicago definitely has an reputation of "impossibility" more than other schools. You get the vibe that everyone flunks and they keep the top few who will be Nobel laureates, which is a scary proposition. It also seems from this message board that the acceptance rate for internationals is much higher than for US students. Is that true/ would you care to share any data on this?

Verbal dosn't matter at all....Thats the "party line" but think about it for a second. If everyone gets above 780, and has decent math/econ courses, the verbal score is another datapoint, therefore can be a differentiator. I spoke with the head of a grad school at a top 30 school and asked this same question and he said verbal scores do indicate performance somewhat, especially if you come from a smaller, outside the top 50 U-grad schools. I think everyone says verbal dosn't matter at all, but if you get below 600, I think it has an effect if you are on the border of getting admitted with your other factors.

This is being discussed in the thread below: How much actual math in PhD programs - (once you're there, not to get in)

Isn't the point of taking these math courses to be "framiliar" with the material? I would think that the admissions committee would be ok with a student with good math grades in previous courses and being currently enrolled in RA or linear. If this is not the case, one would have to wait an entire year before applying again. Is that the basic situation someone is in if they havn't taken the math courses and realize they want to apply for the next September? Dosn't seem right.

Thanks for all the input- I am taking Linear Algebra at a local college after work- it is pretty tough to keep up. I plan to take RA next semester. If I were to apply to programs and tell them somehow that I am enrolled- would that be good enough to get respect from the admissions committees, or do you actually need to show them you got an A? Anyone with concrete info on this would be appreciated.

I understand Linear Algebra and Real Analysis are pre-req's for the good PhD programs- but how much do you actually need it once you get in? Is it just a filtering mechnaism that is helpful, but not essential because you are studying along anyway, or will you basically fail if you have to learn the math as you go along? Thanks.

Do these admins respect if you are currently enrolled in math courses (with no grades yet)? Anyone have any experience in this?

U Grad (major: Quantitative Ec from Tufts U): 3.7 MA Economics Tufts U: 3.5 Taking linear algebra and real analysis this next year GRE Math: 770 GRE Verbal: 600 Writing: 5.5 Any ideas on my chances at a top school would be appreciated!

I am looking for the best part-time PhD econ programs out there in DC, Chicago or Boston. Are there any highly regarded programs that anyone out there knows about that offer a part-time program, or where one can do it ad-hoc? Thanks.