akotex

GRE differences between tiers are so small that I'll bet it's the classes, research experience and LORs that determine whether you get into top 10 or say top 30 or so.

"My first thought was to do a MS in finance, but my professors have told me that it would be redundant and to get a MA in economics instead, saying that it would improve my research capabilities. Does anyone have an opinion on that? " I think this is a good idea especially if you can take more math advanced micro and macro classes, as well as a thesis or RA. More research experience in addition to your award won't hurt you. Maybe MS Finance won't give you such opportunities. MA economics will also allow you to take micro and macro, metrix. PhD Micro at least is required in the first year of a PhD finance program. After the BS finance you should know enough finance and should concentrate on macro/micro, more math, econometrics(if you dont have them already) as oldprogrammer said. I second your profs. "Another question, I have noticed that most phd candidates in the finance area are international students. Do universities prefer the international quality, or do not very many qualified domestic students apply? It almost seems that because I am a domestic student the top tier phd programs will not want me. Any comment on that?" No, no, I don't think so. The simple reason IMO is that Americans are not as interested in PhD programs as compared to international students, high opportunity cost, other stuff. There's a related thread in this forum. Your American nationality is by no means a disadvantage, as long as you're as equally prepared as the internationals. In fact, it could be a 'small' advantage in terms of diversity, even though I dont think they finance adcoms care that much about that.

My professor who took 4 years to complete his PhD(because as he said he couldn't afford to live on a stipend any longer) said to the class that on hinds-sight he should have taken 5 yrs. And it wasnt like we were talking about PhD graduation when he said it, so I guess he thinks about it quite a lot. He completed like 20 yrs ago. I think in the well along into the future we all look at things differently, and 1 more year then, when looking back, will seem so inconsequential. The thing is staying that extra year could have its benefits, better dissertation and job market paper, etc. Also I dont see how been 30 or 32 will affect your job IB job prospects. What the bankers want is someone who is good, been 1 or 2 years older wont affect their decision that much. Plus, my friend in a PhD program also told me that if you dont pass your comps and prelims the first try the profs will simply not let you graduate in 4yrs.

Thanks for your comments. I've heard in some quarters that it's not advisable to contact professors and DGS of schools you are applying to. Several economics PhD programs say this on their website. I wonder if this is limited to economics programs only. Or does it apply to business PhD programs as well? I'd expect business PhD programs to be probably more accommodating to inquiries. (In fact all but one finance PhD program readily provided me with profiles of their entering class: GMAT/GRE, gpa). In this case, is it advisable to include a little bit of my profile and research interests in order that their response could be an indication of the reception my application might garner there?

I am applying for some finance phd programs. Here's my profile Undergrad:BSc Applied Math (international) Undergrad GPA: 2nd class upper(British patterned system, don't know how to convert to american system) Grad: Master in economics(US school with no PhD program) Current gpa: 3.85 GRE:790Q,630V/AWA(not available yet) In the master program I have taken real analysis I, mathematical statistics, econometrics, game theory, as well as handful of standard economics classes such as micro-theory and others. I will be taking an MBA class in financial risk management in the fall. That will probably be the only real finance class I will have on my transcript by the time I apply. I'm also debating between real analysis II or numerical analysis in the fall. I retook some of these math classes to make up for some bad grades in my undergrad. I plan to apply to finance programs in the top 25-50, and a couple below, as well as some economics phd programs. How competitive is my profile? And is this a realistic target. Am I aiming to high, too low, or spot on?