tensai292

@[/url]petecheese, whatdoido, batjik syutfu, onearmedecon, tm_guru, thank you for giving me your answers honestly, I kinda already had an inkling that was going to be the case, which is why I'm choosing to take a few years off, and then like you say, if I really want to go into econ phd I will take those math courses and retake the GRE, etc. However, as of now, it doesn't seem likely, I guess what I should have stated is that if I enjoyed undergraduate econ, what type of grad programs should I be looking for. The econ PhD was just an idea that was floated due to my undergrad being in econ. @ team3, I think the problem I've had previously is that what I like doesn't mean that I will succeed in it academically, conversely, just because I don't like it doesn't mean I don't do well. Actually, academically I've done better in subjects that other people had suggested based on my stats than I had in subjects that I've had an interest in. That's why I'm working backwards, I've done the 'I'm interested in this, lets explore this option' too much and its backfired on me multiple times, so now I'm going with 'what would I succeed in' approach as that has seemed better fit, and I've been able to enjoy it more without stresses since I do succeed in it. If that makes sense? Again, thank you all for your opinions, I'm glad so many people from econ phd standpoint has given their opinions, I would love to hear more from the general phd aspect, since I'm looking for ideas and programs that I would be able to get in to a top 20 program.

I have recently come to crossroads in my career, because I quit medical school and now am trying to get a job to pay off the loans for that detour. However, eventually, I would like to get a higher degree because I always wanted to work in the government and in a leadership position. I have some ideas and have read many of these threads to death lol, but joined because I desperately need some guidance. While most people would say do what you love, well, the problem is that I like a lot of different things and it really comes down to the best program that I will succeed in academically, as well as just where I can have the highest chance of being accepted into a top program, not because I'm an elitist (well, sort of because I've heard from so many people that a PhD is only good if its from a top 20 school) but also because I've noticed that they generally give financial aid to all the attendees. At this point I've considered economics, business (finance/economics), public policy, political science. But am looking for other similar areas, such as Urban Planning (which I hadn't even heard of until about 10 minutes ago!) Some stats to help you out: BA in Economics from a top 50 US school, GPA 3.4 (its a little lower than I'd like it to be because of my premed courses) My GRE scores: 690V (97%) and 740Q (80%), and 4.0 Writing (I don't really plan on taking it again because I'm a terrible test taker and would probably score lower if not the same...except maybe my writing since I didn't really even look at that area before the test) I've taken Math up to Calc II, but am willing to enroll in other courses to strengthen my application while I am working. However, I'm not strong in math, well, I'm not very good at proofs, or programming (compsci stuff) All my research experience previously is in the medical field, scientific research. I do have my MBA but its from the same institution I got my BA from and while its accredited, its unranked. Its a bit odd as I'm working backwards, i.e trying to find a PhD program that fits my stats rather than brushing up my stats to fit a specific program, but I'm kind of just floating ideas in my head. I'm really looking for something applied, not theoretical, and something macro scaled, not micro. And I'm open to suggestions of any top PhD that my GRE scores would get me into since I'm exploring right now. I would be willing to take courses in whichever subject area over the next couple of years where I will be working (hopefully). If you got through all that, thank you, and please give your opinions candidly.