Danini

I think most of you guys have not attended even more than two of the 10 programs. So your opinions should involve lots of asymmetric information. I just asked 7 of my professors at my school this question and 6 of them told me the top three should be Chicago, MIT, and Harvard. The other one said Harvard, berkeley, and MIT because he is nimself from berkely.

Hi guys, Just so glad that im back! I got admitted to UVa and am very satisfied. By the way, this thread is quite interesting to me. Just my two cents: There is a very huge bias here that being placed in the private sector is inferior to in the academia. However, this is not necessarily true. For example, becoming the president of World Bank is undoubted better than staying at Harvard and never getting promoted from an assitant professor. Furthermore, i know maybe he is kidding, but I still wanna say Toronto or Queen's can never be the first. The following is the ranking published by a well-known institution(don't want to identify specifically due to the infringement of copyright): 2009 version 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2 The University of Chicago 3 Harvard University 4 Princeton University 5 Stanford University 6 University of California Berkeley 7 Yale University 8 Northwestern University 9 University of Pennsylvania 10 University of California San Diego 11 Columbia University,The School of General Studies 12 University of California Los Angeles 13 University of Michigan Ann Arbor 14 University of Wisconsin Madison 15 New York University 16 University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17 California Institute of Technology 18 Cornell University 19 University of Rochester 20 Carnegie Mellon University 2008 version 1　Massachusetts Institute of Technology 　 The University of Chicago 3　Harvard University 　 Princeton University Stanford University 　 University of California Berkeley 7　Yale University 8　Northwestern University 9　University of Pennsylvania 10　University of California San Diego 11　Columbia University,The School of General Studies 　 University of California Los Angeles 　 University of Michigan Ann Arbor 　 University of Wisconsin Madison 15　New York University 　 University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17　California Institute of Technology 　 Cornell University 19　University of Rochester 20　Carnegie Mellon University 2007 version 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology The University of Chicago 3 Harvard University Princeton University Stanford University University of California BerkeLey 7 Yale University 8 Northwestern University 9 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 10 University of California San Diego 11 Columbia University, The School of General Studies University of California Los Angeles University of Michigan Ann Arbor University of Wisconsin Madison 15 New York University University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17 California Institute of Technology Cornell University 19 University of Rochester 20 Carnegie Mellon University Don't wanna offend any of you guys, but the above is very objective. It is absolutely free of my own perspective.

Hi guys, I was trying to fill out the application forms on-line for the Oxford MPHIL application. I noticed that I had to upload my transcript on-line. How could that happen? Thanks...

Thanks... I mean he is not a Nobel Laureate, but he is a really active econ guy recently, having published around 10 books and lots of papers. He even told me he's been visiting a couple of top schools these days. He's certainly viewed my profile and suggested me to apply to 4 top 10, 4 10th- 20th, and one or two safety. But I am even not as confident as him about myself. :whistle: What do you guys think?

Hey folks, I came up with a question concerning recommendations. I really got great recommendations, one or two of which are from "really" famous econ people. They will write strong letters for me. I come from a mid-ranged undergrad school. My overall GPA is exceptional, 3.99. My econ GPA is 3.94. My GRE is fine, Q 800, V 530. However, my math background is weak. I have only taken Cal I,II,III; Differential equations I;linear algebra; and stat. Would the letters fill up my math gap? What schools should I apply in order to get the best utility? (Utility=results-application costs) :D Better to tell me what schools specifically. Thanks...

Hey guys, Some universities require writing samples for considering admissions such as Uchicago. I am wondering what role writing samples play in the admission process......Would a good writing sample significantly boost your admission chances?Would a bad one kick you out? Thanks......

For most schools, I don't think he has time to wait for the updated transcript to come out, considering the time spent on mailing.

i asked uc's admission staff. They told me verbal is also very important. But I really doubt. Many prestigious professors told me it is not really important. Who should I believe?

I heard that GRE verbal and writing do not matter at all. Is that true or false?

Are you sure? I wish it could be. I was going to apply to a master program, but was told by a prestigious professor that a master is almost useless for PHD:rolleyes:

Wat did u mean?

"Who are your LOR writers and how are they?" A well-known well-published economist. But certainly not a Nobel prize winner. I guess he will be. LOL

Does anyone know anything about University of CA's M.A in ECON program? How are its placement and helpfulness to a top PHD program? Thanks!

I am wondering which one of overall GPA, Major GPA, classes that has been taken such as econ or math classes is the most important. And which one is the least important?

"It puzzles me as to why you are not applying to Phd in Econ if that is the terminal degree you are seeking for. Your math background is suffice for most top econ program in the WHOLE universe. If there is any Math/Stat course that is lacking, it would be Econometrics or ODE and NOT REAL ANALYSIS for heaven sake." I have taken econometric and got an A+

You mean the problem of having taken only 2 advanced calculus, linear algebra, and stat can be solved by other factors? They are not gonna kick me out in the first round?

I mean in the sop, we are supposed to mention our research interest. It is said that the admission chances would be much better if ours meet theirs. However, it seems that top schools are good at everything! What shall I write in my Sop then?

Thanks! one professor told me I should mainly apply to top 20 schools. But I really don't think I am good enough. I checked the profiles on this forum and found many people much better than me and that have taken tons of more math classes even got rejected. I guess I will surely be rejected.

Can well-published or well-known professors' recommendations really boost your chances of admission? What if a obscure professor writes a excellent reference?

I mean which schools would you suggest me to apply. I have already known the rankings. But what rankings are realistic for me.

I have always been told that our research interests would have to match that of a grad school or their strengths in oder to be admitted. Does anyone know the interest or strength of a grad school? Any grad school would be OK. :p

I have been struggling to decide my major for grad school. I know finance PHDs would be much more profitable than econ after graduation, but much more selective too. Suppose you are an econ undergraduate, what major would you choose for grad school?

If I chose to apply 8 grad schools, what rankings would you guys suggest?

Thanks! I have overlooked the profiles quite closely, but nobody seems to be really similar to my situation. I checked asianecon's profile. I guess he has a riched research experience, and has taken "tons of econs". I have only taken ten or so. If I chose to apply 8 grad schools, what rankings would you guys suggest?

Are you from Korea? I know many Koreans have to waste two years on the mandatory military service, though it was certainly a precious experience.