kacharya

Funding is the question though.

Hello moderators, I've been trying to delete my account, and I'm wondering how I should go about that. Apparently moderators are not accepting messages - so how do I get my secret word to you? Also, I would like to have my username changed to something random before my account is permanently deactivated. I am a little disappointed as I posted something about changing my username LAST JUNE, and got no response. :shy:

I do not want to make excuses for my undergrad performance, but there were several factors at work. First of all, I picked this school because I had a free ride, and actually received a tiny stipend. I am an international student, an at that point in time, making it to college was the goal, a masters was not even in sight, let alone a Phd. And yes, my performance is a reflection of both bad life-style choices as well certain circumstances. The bad choices, I have worked on, and will continue, so lets leave that out of the equation. In terms of circumstances, while there is no certainty that something may not happen again- it was an external problem that I did a terrible job at dealing with. 1) Lets hope something that terrible does not happen again. 2) if it does- I am better prepared to deal with it. I find To2012's story very inspiring. Here is a revised list of colleges, let me know what you think: [TABLE] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 373][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] All Masters Programs Reach: -Vanderbuilt -Rutgers -UNC Chapel Hill Main: -George Washington U -Emory -Brandeis -Clemson U -U of SF -AU -University of Southern Florida -Tulane U -Washington State Thanks!

Are any of you aware of a thread of profiles/admission results for students with relatively low GPA's - applying to masters programs? I am pretty sure I'm not the only one in this situation, as there are quite a few posts out there on low gpa. Thanks.

Dear Admin, I would like to change my username for privacy reasons. Would that be possible (I really do not want to delete my account because I have some postings here that I would like to keep.). Also, if my username is changed, would that also change the name in my old posts? Kind regards,

And hence my posting on this thread - for more advice. :)

Thats great advice, thanks Startz. After discussing my interests with him, the list of uni's I initially mentioned were the ones we came up with. (in my first post.)

I am currently working in academia and my principal researcher is extremely well known in the field of econ development - despite my poor undergrad I'm a research associate, and really enjoy the work. I know this is what I want to study. Now there is no easy way to prove this to you, but my work experience and LOR will speak for itself. Apart from that, i only have distance education math courses and the GRE's to show. Right now, I would like to know, which are the best masters programs I have a chance of getting into - with or without scholarship (hypothetically I have unlimited supply of money.) - I could continue my job for a couple of year (I've well paid). And secondly, what masters programs could I get into in 2014, with partial funding. Thanks a lot guys. Your comments are really helping me ask the right questions to myself. I appreciate all of your input!

Ok, so I hear loud and clear what all of you are saying - no shot at a top 50 econ programs. My last two postings have been asking - could you recommend masters programs (outside of top 50), that would fit my profile. Just a couple of reach schools - so that I can have an idea of which kind of schools I should consider. I have done some research and come up with these, let me know what you think: All Masters Programs Reach: -Vanderbuilt -Rutgers -UNC Chapel Hill Main: -George Washington U -Emory -Brandeis -Clemson U -AU Safeties: -University of Southern Florida -Tulane U -Washington State Thanks!

Just to clarify, I understand at this point a direct phd is out of grasp, for top 50 econ, but I was inquiring about master's programs, that would help as a stepping stone. And they need not be within top 50. Just masters programs that would fit with my profile. Thanks!

Catrina, I was focusing on the top 20 for job security. Having come out of a fourth Tier liberal arts school, I know how difficult it is to get a good job for a low ranked school. Having said that, if you are aware of a school that I have a chance of getting into with my current profile, and had decent placements, please let me know. :) Thanks.

I struggled in my UG because I was not sure of what I wanted to do, I have no goal and no work experience (other than odd jobs). Along with several issues (working 30/40 hours a week to pay for school), psychological issues, and so on. The whole affair was messy. I had straight A's for a year, before things started going downhill, I dont know if that would count for anything. I know my return to academia would be different because now I know this is what I'm passionate about, this is what I would like to do for at least the next 15 years of my life. I would be more focused, and if I had funding, it would really help.

Zubrus- thanks for your honest eval, I found your post very helpful. Now that I know there are no online degree that will be of much use, is it worth doing such a program? As I'm currently located in South Asia, there is no chance of doing a part-time program from here. Could you suggest MA programs from the UK/Canada/US that would be a 'reach' for me, or fit my profile. This will give me a better idea of my standing. Thanks.

chalk it up as a rejection and make plans to attend the school, especially if they have placement in what you want to do. IMHO, I went to school in the South and loved it. Nothin' like hashbrowns and grits for breakfast- I dont think it should be your major concern. Especially because you are going to an academic institution, they usually have a buffer as students attend from all over the country, and internationally. :)

Hey guys and girls, I have some questions for which I would really appreciate your input. I am still amazing at how many awesome people there are around the world that are willing to help folks like me out with their experience and expertise. Profile: UGPA: 3.0, 4th tier liberal arts institution in the south. Major: Business and Economics, Minor: Mathematics and Global Studies. Math Courses: Statistics (A), Linear Algebra (F - retake, C), Calc I (B-), Calc II ©, Math rigor (B-), Abstract Algebra (B), Differential Eqs (B). Eon Courses: Micro Principles (A-), Microeconomics theory ©, Macroeconomics (B), Economic Research (B-), Environmental Econ (A-), Economic Develop (C+) So after I graduated college, I doubted my profile too much to apply for any programs. I decided to work. Given the economy, I had to take up an internship for 6 months, after which i started working for an institution affiliated with J-Pal in South Asia. I am aiming for 160+ in quant GRE and 155+ verbal. I am thinking about applying for Fall 2014/15, I would have worked here for one/two years. I currently work on a ford's foundation grant, and a Principal Research who is very well known in the field of development. Ideally, in this time, I am looking for either an online program where I can take math courses, or econ courses to up-grade my profile. The Questions: 1) Are any of you aware of online or distance education programs that I can take to upgrade my profile, and will count for something. I looked at MOOC, but I do not believe that that will count for much. I plan on completing LSE's Diploma for Graduates in Mathematics: Diploma for Graduates in Mathematics | University of London International Programmes Do you have any experience with this? Would this course (with all A's) make my profile sufficient to target top 20 phd? Can you suggest other similar courses that may count for more? 2) Would you think its a good idea to first apply for a master degree (MPA, MPP/ECON) to use as a stepping stone to a good Phd program? What are my chances for the following programs? (IDE: Yale; MPA: Princeton; Harvard: M.P.P + M.P.A/I.D; Carnegie Mellon; Cornell; Johns Hopkins; Duke; U.C Berkley; Brown; Emory; Rutgers; NYU) 3) What are the chances of getting into a good Phd program right away? (I really need the funding!) 4) What are the trade off's of professional work experience vs. a masters. If I decide to stay with my current work for two years, I would be applying straight to a Phd program. Thank you so much for your time, and please feel free to post a link of your question (if you have any), and I'd be happy to take a look and help if I can.