gredow

Thanks asquare. Typo, I did mean 2nd yr toward the end of my question there. So what you're saying is even an econ MA outside the US, say Canada or Britain as suggested, may not be adequate to pass prelims to get into a PhD 2nd yr? Do you think it would be better in my case (since I am set on getting a PhD) to not do a MA program at all, delay the doctorate for a yr, and apply for fall 08 phd programs? I hate the idea of another yr passing without making any progress. But if I take a lot of math in the meantime and retake the GRE for a higher score then perhaps delaying a yr will be worth it in terms of the quality of programs i could then apply to. What do you guys and gals think?

b82rez, My situation is nearly identical to yours. Unprepared in math, unspectacular GPA. However, I am certainly going full steam ahead into PhD for international trade/development. After many kind criticisms and suggestions on here and some research myself, I have decided to go for an MA fall 07 (haven't decided on a school yet) and PhD right after. Actually this leads me to a question: say i am 1 yr into my MA and I apply to PhD. Would I get 1 yr of credit toward a PhD? Does it depend on the school? It was mentioned that MA econ classes arent as rigorous as PhD econ classes in the first 2 yrs. Would I have to completely start over the PhD? Or is it recommended to finish the MA and start a PhD essentially as a 3rd yr candidate?

i am interested in these areas as well. econphd.net as some great rankings for this. but also see who's publishing the articles you find most interesting and where they're from.

This was a QC that showed up on my GRE Quant: Left Column x^50+x^51+x^52 Right Column 3(x^52) If x=1, they are equal. But if x=-1, B > A. So the answer is D, cannot be determined. Does everyone agree? I answered B on the test and after looking at it for a couple minutes at home afterwards I am convinced I missed it.

do you have any hints on how you studied for the gre because i took the gre a second time. i got a 650 first time and 660 second time on quant. what are some of the ways you studied?

:rolleyes: Thanks for the tips. I took the GRE for a 2nd time Saturday and scored a pitiful 660Q. Should I consider taking it again in November or should I just shoot for mediocre schools (for MA programs)? If you have seen my previous posts you know my math is relatively weak, only 1 yr of stats and bus. calc (I am taking more calc this quarter and all the other expected math next yr). What are the lowest ranked schools that Berkeley would accept an MA from? My undergrad. GPA is 3.68 and in math/econ is 3.5. I should get 3 good LORs from former professors. 1 is dept chair from a state school. I am so frustrated. I am just not a good test taker so I have doubts about blowing more cash on it. Any suggestions on how to reflect this in their SOP would be helpful. Or if anyone had to write a similar SOP. Thanks for all your input.

How is the competitiveness for RA's and TA's? Obviously it differs between programs. Perhaps many of you have insight into different programs? For someone only offered 1 yr of funding is it difficult to get a RA or TA? What have some of you done as alternatives to RA and TA for funding the remaining yrs? Thanks in advance for your comments.

did you take extra on the side? or did you already have adequate math preparation? Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'm going to try and stay out west (CA). I'm interested in development & international trade and I see from econphd.net's rankings that berkeley is ranked highly in this area.

thanks for your help. i know for certain i want a econ phd. i have looked at courses berkeley recommends. i just wish i knew about all these math requirements a couple yrs ago when i was 1 yr out of undergrad. its my own fault for lack of planning. now i am paying the price i suppose. it seems counter-intuitive, a math or physics or engineering major is in a better position for econ phd than an econ major, which i was. shoulda woulda coulda. thanks again, good luck yourself.

I am probably going to apply to MA programs for fall 07 and i may need to take some extra math while continuing through the program. Any suggestions about programs that allow one to do this are welcome. thanks TMians

thanks to all for your constructive criticism. i realize i am deficient in math and have all but decided to start a MA program first to lead into a phd. if im taking math this winter, spring, summer, and fall, considering i have just business. calc and 1 yr of statistics, in what sequence do you suggest i take my maths, in order to be in a good position to apply to top 20 schools in fall 07? thanks again for your suggestions. i wish i knew about this forum a year ago!!!

thanks for your suggestion on online math courses- an option i hadn't considered. well i've only had cal 1 so 2 & 3 will be new to me. should i still use the 1,000+ pg stewart book? taking cal 1-3, analysis, math stats, wont do me any good as far as influencing what programs i get into in fall 07, but assuming they're offered and i can take them, is 11 months enough time to go through this material and be ready and not be distracted by a math deficiency first year? i was looking at top 20 schools but since i dont have the above-mentioned math do i even have a shot? my undergrad gpa 3.68, solid LOR's from a state college, all the standard econ classes for a BA econ, i am retaking the GRE because previously i scored a pitiful 650Q 510V. i am wondering if it will be wiser, as a canadian peer on here suggested, to take a MA before continuing on to PhD. Would that help me get into a better PhD program assuming i do well in the MA? Wouldnt i be as busy with an MA as i would in the first couple yrs of a PhD to not have time for Math there either?

thanks a lot for your input. i will definitely check out that book and those sites. ive been out of school for 3 yrs. im trying to refresh myself. im trying to enroll in math courses at a local community college but at the least i will have the books and have a go at it myself. [/url] are you speaking of this one?AUTHOR: James Stewart EDITION: 5th RELEASE: 2002-12-24 PUBLISHER: Brooks Cole FORMAT: Hardcover (1320 pages) ISBN: 0534393217 http://www.campusbooks.com/images/amazon/http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0534393217.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

thanks to all 3 who replied. your advice is well taken. on that note, does anyone have suggestions on good calculus 1-3, linear algebra, mathematical statistics & Analysis books? also, any suggestions on websites that sell used versions of them? thanks again

this is the situation i am in. do you think that in the space of 11 months i can take cal. 2-3, linear algebra & analysis? (while working the whole time)