Fermat

I had mediocre math grades out of undergrad (mostly B's) and did a master's in applied math at a decent but not top-notch university and I got some decent admits to programs ranked ~25-70 (UT, UVa, Georgetown, UCI). I had a 4.0 when I applied. I wouldn't have been accepted to the first three without the master's. The other nice thing about a master's in math is that you can get funded for the master's more easily. It's very difficult to get funded in a terminal master's program for econ.

I have also made a decision...I decided to take an offer from the UVa Systems Engineering department. I know this is an econ board, but I figured I would share my decision. I felt more comfortable in this engineering department than the econ departments I visited. Maybe it is because I haven't had an econ course in three years. Also, I can still take course in the UVa Econ department. A big factor is also not knowing whether or not I want to work in academia. I'm glad it's all over...now I have to finish my master's project and get through exams.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 25 per USNews (UVirginia), Math and Econ double Undergrad GPA: 3.3, 3.4 in Econ, 3.0 in Math Type of Grad: Master's in (applied) Mathematics, Clemson Univesity (Not sure of the ranking, top 100?) Grad GPA: 4.0 through first year, summer courses, and fall semester GRE: 800Q, 450V, 3.5 AW Math Courses: All the standard as an undergrad math major. I had a lot of B's in those classes, nothing worse than a B-. As a graduate student:Discrete Math (A), Matrix Algebra (A), Statistical Inference (A, Casella and Berger), Functional Analysis (A), Statistical Models (Regression, etc., A), Operations Research (Linear Programming, A), Probability (A), Stochastic Processes(A), (Network flows(A), Computation (A), more stochastics (A) finished in fall semester...sent grades to places where I applied) Econ Courses: The highlights are Intermediate Micro (A-), Intermediate Macro (B+), Game Theory (A-), Stat and Prob for Econ (A), Econometrics (B), Economics of Taxation (B+), Econ and Gender (A-), Money and Banking (B) Letters of Recommendation: Not from economists. Statistician (pretty well-known), Operation Research professor (had best grade in her class), and Anaylsis Professor. All were pretty good I believe Research Experience: None at the time of applications Teaching Experience: Worked as TA last year and teaching two sections of a business calculus class in the previous fall and one in the spring (currently) of this year. Research Interests: Micro Theory and IO, perhaps econometrics, but also applied to engineering programs and OR programs. SOP: Ok, had a typo or two. Had to rush to get it done. Don't think it mattered much. Other: American Male. RESULTS: Acceptances: ECON: UTaustin(no $), UVA ($$ eventually), UCIrvine ($$), Georgetown ($$)...NON-ECON: UVA Systems Engineering ($$) Waitlists: none Rejections: Cornell Operation Research, Pending: Haven't heard from Ohio State econ or UNC econ...don't care anymore What would you have done differently? Nothing really...I decided to take the UVa systems engineering offer as I now feel I would make a better engineer than economist given my background. I am really happy to be going back to UVA, my undergraduate institution and being closer to my family. Since this is an econ board, there really is nothing different that I would have done with the econ applications. I would have been really happy taking the georgetown, uva, or UTAustin offer. I hope this helps, let me know if you have questions on my profile.

I don't think that's the case. Nobody seems to have heard yet and I would wait until you rule it out.

Fair enough. For the record, all of the TJ facts and comments came during the historic tour of the lawn and the rotunda (not during anything related to the Econ department as I recall).

I think this is where your statement loses any credibility. Your post is based on stereotypes and rivalry bias. There is a intense amount of pride from everybody associated with the university and there is a great amount love for TJ (which you may or may not disagree with). Please don't try to disguise your view as an informative perspective on the University of Virginia.

The visit was good. The said their attrition is getting better and they are selecting fewer students and structuring the program in a way that helps with making sure students are graduating. There are a lot of applied micro people in the department and they are adding development as a field and have two new hires in that field and are also making macro stronger. They are making their international field stronger as well with a new hire (I don't remember who the new hires are). The students seem to be happy there and say that the first year is a lot of work. The core exams are six weeks after the spring semester first year concludes and if you don't pass them, you have one more opportunity to pass them in Jan. after the next fall term. They don't offer econometrics as a field to specialize in but recommend that everyone talks both time-series and cross-sectional. I know I'm leaving a lot out, but that's the main points that I got out of Friday. Let me know if you have further questions.

Got the email as well. No change on the status page however.

It sounds as though you are accepted, but that's a very roundabout way of letting you know. Are you interested in UNC still?

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but the best way to retain knowledge is to rewrite your notes again and again...especially stuff that is dense with mathematical concepts...and start studying as early as possible.

Not yet, I am supposed to go on Wednesday, but I am still waiting a reply about the details. Hopefully they didn't forget.

Does anyone still care about UNC? They did the same thing last year..they were pretty much last to extend offers. I haven't heard much discussion about UNC, any thoughts?

Assuming you don't get funding from the other schools, I would probably take the Ohio State offer. Is that offer a fellowship? I know some will say to go one of the higher ranked schools without funding, but that is a personal choice. How firm is your desire to study econometrics? What are your career goals and objectives?

I wish they would start to release more funding decisions. I wil be attending their open house, hopefully they will let me know where I stand.

At the moment, I am planning to be at UVa (3/21) and making a trip to Georgetown, but not during flyouts since I have an exam that day (will be there sometime during the next week). Not sure about UT Austin (Are they covering any costs?).