mikekohyw

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad:BS in Business at private top-25 school Undergrad GPA:3.62, 4.0 in econ courses Type of Grad:MA in econ at Public Master's univ. Grad GPA: 4.0 GRE: 800Q/630V/4.0AWA Math Courses: Calc 1-3, Intro linear alg and diff equations (all A's), math probability, linear algebra, proofs (all A's; completed in Fall 2010), real analysis, math stats (in progress, will complete by Spring 2011) Econ Courses (grad level): MA Macro, Micro, econometrics (all A's), time series (B+, Fall 2010), research methods (A, Fall 2010) Econ Courses (undergrad level): Basic and intermediate macro/micro, econometrics, math econ, macroecon and growth (all A's) Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ professors from master's program Research Experience: Master's thesis (Still in progress), 1 year as graduate assistant Teaching Experience: 1 year as econ tutor Research Interests: Not sure yet...leaning towards applied micro/development SOP: Probably not well-written as indicated by the results... Other: RESULTS: Acceptances: Houston ($$$), UC Santa Cruz ($$), Hawaii (waitlist $) Waitlists: Rice, Washington Rejections: Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt, USC Pending: Texas A&M Attending: Houston What would you have done differently? Taking more math courses in undergrad. I've spent 2 years in grad school trying to catch up the math courses, as I have no math courses under my belt in college. Apparently, I still fell short of the top-50 programs after 2 years of preparation. Since I spent most of the time playing catch-up, I could not start to do some research of my own as I was too occupied with course works. That probably hurts my profile as well. Overall, I would say if I could choose again, I will definitely not do the garbage degree called business administration in my undergrad years.

I have yet to hear back from USC as well. Called Morgan (the guy in charge of admissions) earlier last week and he said first round admissions are all given out. He also mentioned all admits are funded. My guess is we are all under waitlist; they have made quite a few rejections very early this year (as indicated in GC and here).

I only had Calc 1-3, linear algebra/differential equations, probability, and proofs on my transcript when I apply. As a result the only offers I had are from schools outside top 50. Seems like you will have more math than I do by the time you apply, so if you have no other significant deficiencies that should be enough.

Institution: UC Irvine Program: PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/4 Notified through: randomly checked the website and the rejection letter was on there. Posted on GC: no Comments: 2 more schools (rejections) to go. Institution: UCSD Program: PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/5 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: 1 more school (rejections) to go.

Institution: U Washington Program: PhD Decision: Waitlisted/Rejected Funding: Notification date: 4/1/11 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: "We are not able to offer you admission at this time, but if you would like to be placed on our waiting list for admission, please let us know." Sent a email earlier asking about funding, no full funding is available for the waitlist candidates, although partial funding "may be available".

Institution: Vanderbilt University Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/30/2011 Notified through: E-mail Comments: On a positive note, that makes my decision process easier...

Institution: Houston Program: PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TA+Fellowship Notification date: 3/10/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: First (and possibly only) fully funded offer! Institution: Texas-Austin Program: PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/10/11 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments:

Institution: UC Davis Program: PhD Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/08/11 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: "Not competitive with other applicants because of inadequate preparation for advanced study in the proposed program." They should just explicitly state the math courses required for admission...that way I wouldn't be wasting my time and money applying to their programs...

Institution: UC Santa Barbara Program: PhD in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no Comments: My profile is worse than I've expected; now I'm wondering whether I should wait till next year?

Institution: Berkeley Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected Institution: UCLA Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected, if a mid-tier school like Santa Cruz only gives partial funding, how can I expect anything from the top schools?

Gravy924, Do you happen to know anyone that got funded for the first 2 quarters only but eventually managed to get the 3rd quarter funded? (either during the school year or before school year starts) If so, then how does it work? Thanks.

Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz Program: PhD in International Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 2 Quarters Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: via email Posted on GC: no Comment: I thought there are 3 quarters in an academic year...does that imply I have to find fundings for the 3rd quarter?

Institution: Rice Program: Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/13 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: ? Comments: Off to a bad start...

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad:BS in Business at private top-25 school Undergrad GPA:3.62, 4.0 in econ courses Type of Grad:MA in econ at Public Master's univ. Grad GPA: 4.0 GRE: 800Q/630V/4.0AWA Math Courses: Calc 1-3, Intro linear alg and diff equations (all A's), math probability, linear algebra, proofs (all in progress), real analysis, math stats (all planned for spring) Econ Courses (grad-level): MA Macro, Micro, econometrics (all A's), time series, research methods (all in progress) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Basic and intermediate macro/micro, econometrics, math econ, macroecon and growth (all A's) Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors from master's program Research Experience: Master's thesis, RA (both in progress...:D) Teaching Experience: Research Interests: International, Development, Policy SOP: Working on it Concerns: Not enough math and econ courses, lack of research/teaching experience, mediocre undergrad GPA (at least among the applicants) Other: Applying to: Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCD, Texas-Austin, Washington, Vanderbilt, USC, UCSB, Rice, Texas A&M, Houston, UCI, UCSC. A mix of highly ranked and middle-of-the-pack schools.

Hello everyone, I found out this forum a couple of months ago, but didn't register and post until now, so this will be my first post:) Anyways, I will be applying for PhD program in economics for Fall 2011. It would be great if you can take a look at my profile, give me any comments on what should I aim for, or any thoughts/feedbacks on my profile! Thanks! Type of Undergrad- Business, top-50 private school in nation. Figured out that business wasn't the right major for me upon graduation, so continued on to grad school (MA in econ) Grad School- MA in econ at a public Masters university. I will begin the second year of study in this fall, and expected to graduate in 2011. GPA- Undergrad 3.63, Grad 4.0 Math Courses- At community college: Calc I/II (A/A) At Masters university: Calc III(A), Intro Linear Algebra(summer school In progress), Proofs(fall), Math Probability(fall), Math Statistics(spring), Advanced Calc(spring) ps. Should I take one more course on linear algebra besides the one I'm taking now? or should I take other math courses instead? Econ Courses- Undergraduate: Basic and Intermediate Micro/Macro, Econ Statistics (all As), International Econ (A-) Graduate: Micro, Macro, Math Econ, Intro Econometrics, Econometrics, Macroeconomics and Growth, Advanced Macro Topics, (all As), Time Series(fall), Current Research Seminar(fall) GRE- Q800/V630/W4.0 LoR- 3 letters from professors in graduate school that know me. Research Experience- Master's Thesis (although I don't think the paper will be finished by the time I apply) Research Interests- International Economics, Development Economics Teaching Experience- None My concerns are mostly on math, since I decided to change my career path fairly late, so I'm trying to make up the deficiencies. I am also concerned with my lack of teaching and research experience, although I will start to write at least some part of my thesis in fall. I have also heard that the low score in GRE writing (4.0) will affect my chances of working as RA or TA in PhD programs. Thanks for your help in advance!