econhope1

And what about "mortals" who made it? people without perfect profiles who were accepted in long shots and are not famous yet.....

Hi guys, So, I recognize this is just a game, but it helps me to adjust my expectations and have a better idea of my chances of getting in the PhD as you are also in the process and have (imperfect, but some) information of how admission works. I’m worry I’m aiming too high, but I don’t want to go to a non-well-known university because of the type of work I want to do. My recommenders are more optimistic than I am….I feel clueless... Thanks a million and good luck to all of you!! [clap] PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top Econ program in a small country, not necessarily top in the US Undergrad GPA: 3.65 Type of Grad: MA in Economics, top 30 university in the US Grad GPA: 3.4 GRE: second take 800/440/3.5; first take 760/470/3.0; TOEFL (106 out of 120, complies with the requirements of all universities). Math Courses: univariate calculus (A); multivariate calculus (B); linear programming (A); financial math (A); mathematical economics (A); undergrad statistics I and II (A and C); grad statistics (A); one year of linear algebra and differential equations (pass, not graded); stochastic processes (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): micro (B-), macro (B), econometrics (B), statistics (A-), macroeconometrics (A-), trade (B+), topics in macro (A-), international finance (A-), financial economics (B), microeconometrics (A-) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): the typical courses (a mix of As and Bs, one C; professors tended to deflate grades and I was doing too many things during the hardest year of undergrad. Also one of the very few who graduated with honors during that year). Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: a professor from undergrad of math and economics who can speak a lot about my quantitative skills; another one from another professor (went to Chicago); and one from my actual job who can speak about my econometric and research skills, well recognized institution. Research Experience: 3 ½ years working as RA for different international organizations. This is probably my biggest ‘asset’. I also worked in economics in my country. Have co-authored a couple of papers and publications on economics and public policy Teaching Experience: math tutor for several years and school level professor. Research Interests: macroeconomics, econometrics, international macro and economic policy. My goal is to work as researcher and policy-maker (use research to affect policy decisions). I also enjoy teaching and would like to teach part-time during my career. SOP: I think is good, it explains my career path, the research I have done and my area of interest, although I wasn’t too specific in my area of interest. Concerns: very low verbal and AW GRE scores (I didn’t study for those sections, now I regret it, but life goes on). Relatively low GPA, although most of the people are happy with the work I did in school and in all the jobs I have had. Other: Applying to: Boston University, Georgetown, George Washington, Duke, Maryland, Rutgers, University of Virginia, Illinois - Urbana Champaign, NYU and Columbia (the last two probably impossible).

I'm wondering something similar, but I think it depends on how much your work have helped you increase your research skills in economics, more than the place per se.

Thanks!! I will check their program :-)

I see you have a great quantitative background (plus the GRE score, but that's not that hard) plus some courses in economics. If your grades are good (when converting to US standard), I think you have a good chance. You can probably try to include a couple of lower ranked schools as backup, as there are a lot of perfect profiles out there and is hard to differentiate sometimes. Good luck, I think your profile is strong [clap] Can you please also evaluate mine: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/125704-profile-evaluation-schools-apply-thanks.html

Any other views someone else?? I will really appreciate different views and opinions (or reaffirmation). Thanks!! :tup:

Hi Kiara! I don't know much about programs in Europe but the MSc (Research) and the MPhil and one notch below the PhD, so probably is not as easy to get in as a regular MSc. But if you do get accepted, then will be easier to get into the PhD. I think everything on or above 4.0 is good for international applicants, and as far as it is not too low, they don't care. In your case, I am worry about the relatively little Econ classes you have taken, but as engineer you should be able to sell that you are good at math. Your LORs have to be strong to increase your chances. I think you have a good chance at schools between the 30-50, but for a PhD little chance below the top 30. For master, I think you probably have a chance. But, I'm also confused...........

@Harry2010: thanks!! I agree with you and I should include a couple more safeties, while not applying to the top 15. I'm also worry about funding and I know the GRE is usually a major component for funding. @Kiara: thanks also. I really hope they don't care about the verbal.....I'll check your profile now :-)

Thanks Harry2010!! I did bad during the first semester of the master, then things got better, hopefully they can see the trend. My advisor at my master suggested me to apply to top 15 - 30 universities. He knows me well (I was her student, it was JHU), but I'm not sure he has all the details of my "numbers" (GPA and GRE verbal). I'll talk with him again with more detail. Then, I have another question, which is the one I have been struggling the most: which are some of the universities between top 30-50?? I think there is a lot of overlap and is hard to identify what is top 20, 30, 40, 50. Thanks again!!

Hi guys, Can you please evaluate my profile? Do you think I have a chance there? How much attention do adcoms pay to verbal and AW scores?? I’m worry I’m aiming too high, but I don’t want to go to a non-well-known university because of the type of work I want to do. Thanks a million!! :D PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top Econ program in a small country, not necessarily top in the US Undergrad GPA: 3.65 Type of Grad: MA in Economics, top 30 university in the US Grad GPA: 3.4 GRE: second take 800/440/3.5; first take 760/470/3.0; TOEFL (106 out of 120, complies with the requirements of all universities). Math Courses: univariate calculus (A); multivariate calculus (B); linear programming (A); financial math (A); mathematical economics (A); undergrad statistics I and II (A and C); grad statistics (A); one year of linear algebra and differential equations (pass, not graded); stochastic processes (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): micro (B-), macro (B), econometrics (B), statistics (A-), macroeconometrics (A-), trade (B+), topics in macro (A-), international finance (A-), financial economics (B), microeconometrics (A-) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): the typical courses (a mix of As and Bs, one C; professors tended to deflate grades and I was doing too many things during the hardest year of undergrad. Also one of the very few who graduated with honors during that year). Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: one from the master (Princeton PhD); a professor of math and economics who can speak a lot about my quantitative skills; mostly all my econ professors from undergrad will be happy to write me a letter; one from my actual job who can speak about my research skills, well recognized institution. Research Experience: 3 ½ years working as RA for two international organizations. This is probably my biggest ‘asset’. I also worked in economics in my country. Have co-authored a couple of papers and publications on economics and public financial management. Teaching Experience: math tutor for several years and school level professor. Trained in education also. Research Interests: macroeconomics, econometrics, international macro and economic policy. My goal is to work as researcher and policy-maker (use research to affect policy decisions). I also enjoy teaching and would like to teach part-time during my career. SOP: work in progress, still need to write about my research interests; wondering how specific I should be. As of now, people say it shows ‘drive’ but needs to expand my interests. Concerns: very low verbal and AW GRE scores (I didn’t pay much attention to those parts when I was studying, now I regret it, but won’t retake it). Relatively low GPA, although most of the people are happy with the work I did in school and in all the jobs I have had. Other: Applying to: so far I’m looking at the programs at BU, Boston College, Georgetown, George Washington, Duke, Penn State, Yale, Maryland, Rutgers, NYU and Columbia (maybe, probably a dream for me). Any other suggestions, which other universities are good??