FamiliarTopic

Well guys, this bottom tier rank negative one million math grad ended up getting admitted to Wisconsin, Penn, and I Michigan with funding. Heading to Michigan in the fall!!!! Thank you RA gig, you're the bomb. To anyone else in a terrible undergrad with econ PhD aspirations, major in math do undergrad research you can talk intelligently about and apply to RA gigs, from there do well and you can overcome your **** tier school to a degree. Good luck!!!!

Anyone have any idea what "admitted as a regular student" to Penn means? I have no idea if this is unfunded or funded or what. Worst written and least informative acceptance letter ever. .

Friday, sorry m8

Into Michigan with funding! Score another for satellite rank one million school student! Fingers crossed though for NYU or berkeley though.... ^_~

You seem like such a sweetheart I'm really happy for you and wish you the best. I'm sure you'll make a wonderful economist, even at top places these people aren't that smart, you'll kick *** ^_~

lol, I noticed that in the rejection too; it cracked me up. at least now i wont convince myself to live in ****ing middle of nowhere new jersey. Wisconsin's still my only acceptance. aaaaaah!!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Non-Flagship State University (Unranked Econ Program) Undergrad GPA: 3.6 Type of Grad: Grad GPA: GRE: [169V 165Q 4.5W] Math Courses: Calc I (B) Calc II (B-) Calc III (A-) Discrete Math (A-) Diff-EQ (B) Linear Algebra (A) Real Analysis I (A) Real Analysis II (A-) Topology (A) Probability (A) Financial Math (B+) Statistical Theory (A) Abstract Algebra (A-) Differential Geometry (A) Galois Theory (A-) Econ Courses (grad-level): Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Micro (A) Intro Macro (A) Stats for Econ (A-) Intermediate Macro (B+) Intermediate Micro (A) Intro Math Econ (A) Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: 3 Letters none from undergrad, all from RA gigs. Writers on the level of those tenured top 15 universities. All very strong, one in particular is extremely, extremely strong. Research Experience: Undergrad pure math research, 3 years as an RA Teaching Experience: High school math tutor (employed by the school) all through college Research Interests: Macro theory, macro finance, heterogeneous agent models SOP: Does this matter? I spent a decent amount of time trying to write it well. Concerns: I went to a bottom tier university and have no letters from my undergraduate experience. It's intimidating competing against kids who went to IVY league schools and it's intimidating being classmates with them. Other: Applying to: 10 out of the top 15 universities.

Wooooo! I'm one of the accepted at Wisconsin!! I'm from a bottom tier non flagship state university. Take that bourgeoisie!!

Well I retook and got 169 V 165 Q. Lol, I should have studied more, but I did better on the practice tests. Anyway, fingers crossed. I have very low expectations for my dream schools, but I'm positive I'll crack the top 20.

Well I retook and got 169 V 165 Q. Lol, I should have studied more, but I did better on the practice tests. Anyway, fingers crossed. I have very low expectations for my dream schools, but I'm positive I'll crack the top 20.

Actually, it is pretty difficult. The GRE is basically like 90 tricky high school questions and a couple dumb errors and you're screwed. I'm also very, very poor,and paying for the GRE means I apply to two less schools. I've saved 700$. 200 to take a bunch of high school math problems with the hope that don't do something stupid on 2-3 less of them than before seems like a gigantic waste money. I'm not a superstar in every regard, though I was a math major. My school wasn't great, my GPA was around an A- average.. My only good point is that I have extremely strong letters from well known people at or with connections to top universities. I met them through a mixture of a couple RA stints, conferences, and traveling.None are from undergrad. I'm counting on my profile lasting long enough for the adcoms to read my letters. If I get admission it will be because of them, not anything else.

Hey all, I took the GRE without studying a few years ago and got 167V 164Q. I really don't want to study for this exam because it's a huge waste of time and there's nothing to learn from it. I'm wondering if 164Q is high enough for MIT, Harvard, ect to examine my profile. I have a lot of math and a good GPA from a totally unknown non flagship state university. On the other hand, I have incredible letters from well known economists. Is the GRE score too low for the adcoms to read my letters? thanks

Great! That's a huge weight off my chest about the suit. That's also great! I only took one introductory course in econometrics, but I suppose that's on my transcript, so they can't expect me to know that much. Was there anything specific that you can remember? I think my course ended at autocorrelation or heteroskedasticity. Whichever comes second. I also mentioned various programs I've written, but I've never taken a formal programming course (though I'm enrolled in one now), so I do worry about specific technical questions with that, but it's not like I was like "expert programmer extraordinaire" on my resume, so hopefully it will be a-ok. Anyway, thanks for the heads up! Can't wait!

Note I could probably answer technical questions, I'd just need to review a lot, so I guess I'm also looking for direction. I guess I'm wondering if I should try and focus on my programming knowledge or my econometric knowledge. Oh, and I only know really, really basic stuff about time series. I don't really have any idea what they'll want to know!

Hi econphd forums, I have an interview with a branch of the federal reserve next week. I'm really, really excited and incredibly nervous. I didn't have any economics letter-writers, all mathematicians, so this would be a great opportunity. I would also be able to pay off all of the crippling student debt I've accumulated. I've wanted this job for years, I can barely believe I'm getting the opportunity to interview. Two things I want to ask anyone who interviewed (especially if you got the job) 1. I don't own a suit and I don't have money for one. If necessary, I could probably borrow money from my parents to get one, but obviously since this isn't a sure thing, that's a lot of money to spend. Also, my parents are very poor, and I'd hate to do that to them. It probably doesn't need to be added that I'd be purchasing a cheap suit. I've noticed there aren't many slim-cut suits either in this price range, and I'm a really skinny guy. Do you think a suit would be necessary, or would a shirt, slacks, belt tie combination be ok? 2. I've forgotten most of econometrics. Are there a lot of technical questions that I should be prepared to answer? The same goes for programming, all I've done in the past year for programming has been for personal research. Also, I know there's a topic about RA interviews, but I didn't post it there because I thought I would get a more tailored response with a new topic. I guess that was selfish of me and kind of clogs up the board, but I really can't contain myself I'm so incredibly excited.

I noticed the application system uses a log in which works at, if not all, several federal reserve systems, and it seems like when you finish applying for one job it automatically applies to research associate positions at several jobs. There's one section of the application that's titled "location preferences". For those who have had multiple offers, did you simply complete one application and then list all of the branches in which you'd be interested in working at? My dilemma is whether or not the system will send an application in to all of those branches or whether there's a universal "adcom" so to speak. Essentially, if there is a universal adcom which then "assigns" you to a branch that you're O.K. with, then I'll be a lot more picky about location than I otherwise would. Cheers

Can anyone tell me whether I'd be competitive for funding at UBC, UoT, and Queens? I have a 3.8 GPA at a low-tier state school in the US. I'm a math major, my math GPA is 3.8 as well. As in analysis, topology, algebra, probability, statistical theory ect. As in intermediate micro, econometrics, math econ too. Umm, I have a really strong letter of rec from a math prof I did research with, and a mediocre one from a math prof I took a class with. GRE I took earlier this week, 750-800Q and 750-800Verbal. I'd appreciate the advice. Going to an MA with funding or working at the Fed for two years are my top choices, so any information would be awesome.

Getting a position as an RA would be my top choice by a long shot. I live modestly and I think I would just love the experience overall. The problem is I'm not really sure I'm competitive for an RA position. It seems like my best shot would be at a less prestigious fed, but I'm picky about location, so Cleveland, KC, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Dallas are all out. Any of the others I'd be jumping up and down for joy to work at though. If you think I'm competitive for a position at any of the others though, I'll definitely put more effort into applying there. Any ideas for the easiest to get into?

Well, funding is crucial for me. I have some debt from undergrad, not a huge amount, but I'm not in any position to add to it, and it seems like canadian programs have the best funding. I also might be a bit out of my comfort zone in europe, though if I could get funding I suppose I could grow a pair. I worry about my letters too, but unfortunately the only econ "professor" I'm buddies with is just a lecturer. He loves me, but obviously his letter wouldn't mean much. Weird that you'd have a lecturer teach econometrics, but whatever, we have a really incompetent econ department. Though, maybe that would be better than another math professor.

bumping this...

Hey urch. I've been following this forum for a little over a year now and I've posted a couple whiny topics talking about my profile. I'm making my schedule for the fall for my senior year, and I'm wondering if it's worth the effort to take grad-micro given my goals (detailed below). My school is a non-flagship state university, so it's not very good at all. Though, it's pretty good as far as non-flagships go, but still. Anyway, I'm looking for advice on applying. I don't really talk to anyone in my econ department as I think its terrible. However, we have an excellent math department, in fact, I'm a math major. Here are my grades Calc 1 - B Calc 2 - B- Calc 3 - A- Discrete - A- Real Analysis I - A Real Analysis II - A- Topology - A Diffeq - B Probability - A Linear Algebra - A Statistical Theory - A Financial Mathematics - B+ Econ Micro A Macro A Intermediate Macro B+ Intermediate Micro A Econometrics A Overall is like a 3.6, math is like a 3.6. Probably closer to a 3.7, but whatever. Next semester I'll be taking algebra, and also a masters math econ course. Feel free to assume I'll get a 780+ on the GRE, though I'm poor so I won't take it till august, doing the new one. And I also did undergraduate research in the math department, but it turned out unsuccessfully as our hypothesis turned out to be false. I have one professor (one I did research under) who should write me a great letter and he's very prestigious, but he'll probably be really disappointed I'm not going to grad school for mathematics, so that might reflect poorly. I also can get a great letter for a completely unknown professor who I took topology with. I was thinking of applying to the Canadian MA programs to try and strengthen my application and to see if econ grad school is really something I want to spend 5 years of life in my 20ies doing. I was wondering if you think I'll get in, and if I do what kind of funding you think I'm competitive for, because I don't think I can afford to go without substantial funding. Also, I was thinking of applying to some lower ranked phd programs, such as CUNY and USC, (I'm really, really picky about location). anyway, this should be my last post on this forum bothering you guys (I hope). Thanks for reading. Oh, and I'd love to RA at one of the feds (preferably san fransisco), but I have no idea what's competitive there, so any direction would be great.

Hey, thanks for the input guys, even though it's a bit of a downer, haha. I don't think I'll be able to do a masters program, as I've accumulated a decent amount of debt already and am somewhat reluctant to tack on more BEFORE even going into a phd program, otherwise I would be fine with it. Depending on where (if) I get a job when I graduate, I might be able to go parttime for a masters at either uic or cuny, but those are obviously no Duke, heh. The university does grant phds, just not in economics. We do have a mathematics phd program, and some of our undergraduates have went on to study at places like Brown, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, ect in either theoretical or applied math. I'm just not sure how much that helps me with doing economics. Oh, and if work experience is remotely relevant, I tutor mathematics at a local high school. I think I'm going to take the advice of trying to do some independent research this summer though. I'll have to dust the old introductory econometrics off I guess, haha. Anyway, thanks a lot for the advice.

Haha, maybe it was a little pretentious. I'm a little pretentious by nature. Pretentious and poorly educated. It's a pretty undesirable combination in any human being I guess haha. I guess to put it less bluntly, I feel like micro theory and game theory, which I adore, has advanced fairly far, and applications to it haven't caught up. I feel the same about econometrics (though I'm much less fond of the latter). To me, it just seems like a great opportunity to contribute in some small way to the rigor of macroeconomics. I hope that's a little less pretentious. Maybe I'm totally off base, what with my (poor) undergraduate education. I'm not really sure how to even go about researching/writing a paper in economics. The economics faculty are not especially helpful or friendly. Well, the people who matter (professors). Some lecturers with masters or who never finished their doctorates are, but I'm guessing they don't mean anything at all. Though, maybe doing really well in grad micro will get me a last minute solid economist recommendation. Yeah, I'm sorry for the cluttering up the board guys. Sometimes I just get kind of despondent about the whole thing and I just want someone to tell me that it isn't utterly hopeless. Top 50 would be great, top 30 would be a godsend, really. Oh, and I'd be surprised if I did poorly on the GRE. We really do have a wonderful mathematics department, if I couldn't excel on the quantitative section I may as well hang myself, haha.

Oh, and I'll probably take some undergrad complex analysis and various other math courses as well. I'll probably get As. I work much harder now than I used to, which is kind of obvious looking at the profile, heh. For the record, I'm interested in bringing some more quantitative tools to macro, since it's kind of like voodoo right now (with all due respect) and public economics. I'm not really interested in policy, but I'm interested in work that might influence policy, if that makes any sense.

Hey dudes, I feel bad for cluttering up this board with another profile evaluation...but here it goes. I'm at a non-flagship university. We have a great math department for some reason I don't understand, but overall it's a horrendous school. I'd change schools, but my life went really wrong somewhere along the line, so that's not an option unfortunately. Anyway, I was hoping you would tell me how I'm looking. Math Major, Econ Minor Math Courses: Calc 1 - B Calc 2 - B- Calc 3 - A- Discrete - A- Real Analysis I - A Real Analysis II - A Topology - A Diffeq - B Probability - A Linear Algebra - A Statistical Theory - A Financial Mathematics - A Econ Micro A Macro A Intermediate Macro B+ Intermediate Micro A Econometrics A And I'll probably take a graduate level micro course, or a graduate level topology or real analysis course before I graduate too. I have a great letter of rec from my analysis professor who's shockingly prestigious, though I doubt many economists will know that, and then a couple mediocre letters of rec. Anyway, do you think I could get into any top 50 schools? Thanks guys.