SoulSearchingEconomist

That's a really good point. it's at the center of most empirical research, you would think that it'd be a prereq. but maybe they assume people can learn it on an as-needed basis.

Haha. ONLY in an econ PhD blog would people look at my profile and refer to me as second tier! Thanks a lot for the candor -- I realize that my whole undergrad career isn't uber-focused on PhD preparation.

It does help, thank you a lot. I'm sort of trying to 'test the waters' right now with respect to my options. I don't have a whole lot of proof-based math and that's sort of my dilema; to take time off of work to take some more math to make me more compeittive OR focus on my career to get ready for bschool. There is something very intriguing (and sexy) about the intellectual nature of an econ PhD, but I'm not quite sure it's worth the time/energy for me. I'm sure so many people can relate to this thinking. Thanks agian for your help

Yea - I won't. Thanks a lot for the feedback. I'm generally up in the air about getting a PhD. As it shows in my profile, I didn't write a thesis and am not particularly interested in academia; it's a toss up between business school and getting a PhD. i guess it comes down to whether money/time/energy spent jumping through all of the hoops to get a PhD are worth it OR would it just behoove me to keep working and go to bschool.

I was a late bloomer who didn't decide on econ till late: (currently enrolled in masters, do you think it's worth taking a semester off of work to take Real Analysis and other math courses?) rate this and let me know Under Grad Institution: Top 5 Liberal Arts (New England) Under Grad GPA: 3.7 Majors: Economics and Chinese (math minor) GRE: none yet Math Courses: Tested out of Calc I and II, Multivariable (A-), Linear Al (A-), Differential Equations (B+), Approaches to Theoretical Geometry (A-), Econ Stats (B+), Regression Analysis (A-) Econ (3.62 in 11 econ classes): (A- in Micro and Macro Theory) Enrolled in Masters in Econ (Currently taking stats, not sure if it's worth continuing to completion) LOR: Up in the air -- Most likely from economists i work with Research Experience: N/A (outside of Econ Consulting work) WOrk Experience: econ consulting -- working with top economists on a daily basis Teaching Experience: Calc I and II TA Interests: Micro, IO, Finance Schools: Reach: you tell me Rest: again, i'm open to suggestions

Please rip into my profile and give me some advice: So I didn't specialize too much in undergrad, and am currently pursing a part-time masters in econ degree (assuming it will bolster my chances). I don't have any publications, but have some opportunities if people think it would help my chances. Any comments? suggestions? I'd be super appreciative. Under Grad Institution: Top 5 Liberal Arts (New England) Under Grad GPA: 3.7 Majors: Economics and Chinese (math minor) GRE: none yet Math Courses: Tested out of Calc I and II, Multivariable (A-), Linear Al (A-), Differential Equations (B+), Approaches to Theoretical Geometry (A-), Econ Stats (B+), Regression Analysis (A-) Econ (3.62 in 11 econ classes): (A- in Micro and Macro Theory) Enrolled in Masters in Econ (Currently taking stats, not sure if it's worth continuing to completion) LOR: Up in the air -- Most likely from economists i work with Research Experience: N/A (outside of Econ Consulting work) WOrk Experience: econ consulting -- working with top economists on a daily basis Teaching Experience: Calc I and II TA Interests: Micro, IO, Finance Schools: Reach: you tell me Rest: again, i'm open to suggestions

wow, great feedback everyone; Mind giving me a nice shot of candor, too? So I didn't specialize too much in undergrad, and am currently pursing a part-time masters in econ degree (assuming it will bolster my chances). I don't have any publications, but have some opportunities if people think it would help my chances. Any comments? suggestions? I'd be super appreciative. Under Grad Institution: Top 5 Liberal Arts (New England) Under Grad GPA: 3.7 Majors: Economics and Chinese (math minor) GRE: none yes Math Courses: Tested out of Calc I and II, Multivariable (A-), Linear Al (A-), Differential Equations (B+), Approaches to Theoretical Geometry (A-), Econ Stats (B+), Regression Analysis (A-) Econ: 11 Classes (A- in Micro and Macro Theory) Enrolled in Masters in Econ (Currently taking stats, not sure if it's worth continuing to completion) LOR: Up in the air -- Most likely from economists i work with Research Experience: N/A (outside of Econ Consulting work) Teaching Experience: Calc I and II TA Interests: Micro, IO, Finance Schools: Reach: you tell me Rest: again, i'm open to suggestions

Thats a good point about SAS/Stata and general practical skills that comes with work/research experience. Good luck wtih the applications, I feel like anyone that is going into a phd program is a brave soul.

Research experience is an obvious must when applying for a phd, it is the essence of being a graduate student to research and to be constantly searching for the answer (or at least, an answer) to some self-imposed question or situation. How does one convery research associated with work experience (say, for an economic consulting firm) in an application? The outcome is less structured than when publishing in a journal and often the work-product is sealed under court or DOJ order. Can some explain to me how this works, whether it's counted as 'research experience' in the eyes of an adcom and how to show in on an app? Thanks

Sorry, this is a little off-topic: What's the starting salary and salary trajectory for those 'top placements' from even the best of schoools? A professor of mine went to Stanford and now works for the gov't (DOJ); is there any way that the payoff (gov't bureaucracy, pay and advancement potential) is worth the sacrifice of 5+ yrs without a steady salary? Thanks

Sorry, this is a little off-topic: What's the starting salary and salary trajectory for those 'top placements' from even the best of schoools? A professor of mine went to Stanford and now works for the gov't (DOJ); is there any way that the payoff (gov't bureaucracy, pay and advancement potential) is worth the sacrifice of 5+ yrs without a steady salary? Thanks