Fall2013

Sorry, I meant that the courses would be spread out through next semester, the summer and next Fall. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a reasonable path to take, one that's worth taking, and if there's anything I should do in that time.

I am set to graduate for undergrad with a low to mid 3.5 GPA this coming Spring with Econ/Math. I'm thinking about staying another summer and semester to add some additional math classes to get a Pure Math degree. I have all the expected courses (Real Analysis, Linear Algebra, etc.) but this way I'll additionally have two topologies, abstract algebra, 2nd semester real analysis, and a few others to counteract some B's in my other math classes. I'll be able to raise my GPA up to 3.6. Also, my last 60 hours GPA might even be a 3.7. I'll also be able to get a year's worth of research under hopefully one of the well-known economists in the department if I start in the Spring. Currently, I just have my individual honors thesis. It seems as though many take the Master's path if they aren't prepared out of undergrad to apply. However, I feel like a Master's in Economics won't compensate for my B's in math and I won't be able to get into a good Master's program in any type of math. Plus a Master's is much more expensive than another summer and semester. Of course, I've heard that schools will pay more attention to your last degree, for which I think I will be able to get a higher GPA. My questions are, would it be worth it for me to stick around for an extra semester in undergrad? I'll still be graduating in only 4.5 years, which is good I think for double majors in one of the top public universities. Also, how is GPA typically calculated. I know your last 2 years matter most, but do the schools really take the time to separate out and calculate this GPA and do they really calculate out your math GPA or just take a look at a summary of the grades? I'll apply to top 30 programs but overall, I want a reasonable chance at top 10-20. And lastly, what else can I do in this next year to help my chances? Any particular math courses that might be especially useful?

Thanks for the insights. Of course, I would like the opportunity to go to a different school and be exposed to new ideas but I probably won't have a chance at a comparative program.

Are you seeing this from a job placement perspective? I see your point but once you are in the job market, are they really going to look so closely at where you received your undergrad? Won't your work in the PhD program trump all of this? I could understand how it would be career suicide if in the job placement process, one of the top questions recruiters ask is about your undergraduate education but I don't see recruiters investigating this too deeply. Maybe someone whose been through the process can back this up? The school I attend has a top 30 Phd program. It's no Princeton but I feel that if that school happens to have the highest rank of all the schools I am admitted to, then this would be considered a reasonable choice rather than just a safe one.

Have any of you been accepted into the Econ Phd program of the school you attended as an undergrad? Did you apply after you graduated or as a senior? Is your profile more or less competitive than other candidates accepted? What is the ranking of the school? How did this impact your LOR's? Did you accept the offer? Would you say, given your profile, it was easier or more difficult to get in than it would have if you attended a similar university elsewhere? In general, I've been told that my school prefers not to accept its undergrads into its graduate programs but I don't know anything specifically about the economics department. I'm assuming it can work either way. If you stand out as an undergrad and the faculty can see you as a good researcher this would be to your advantage. But if on paper you would normally be an ideal candidate, but faculty members have gotten an impression of your laziness or other weaknesses than this would have the opposite effect. Share your experiences please :)

I failed Diff Eq so I'll be retaking it. I don't know the professor who will be teaching the course but I tend to have a good relationship with my instructors throughout the semester. Would it be a good idea, depending on my strength in the class, if I use my Diff Eq professor for a LOR? Or would it hurt me since I would be receiving it from someone I would have only known for a semester?

Yes, I realize that U Texas would be a bit of a stretch but I'm also counting a bit on the large size of the department. My last sixty hours GPA would probably be between 3.45 and 3.6 but not significantly higher since I still have that failed Diff Eq. Does anyone know how schools factor in the GPA of courses that are retaken? In any case, the school is definitely at the higher end of my list. Chevrox, which rankings are you using for the University of Colorado - Boulder program? I'm looking into it and the scores look a little more achievable for me. Also, for lower-ranked schools that may accept a slightly lower quantitative GRE score, could having a perfect or near perfect school be an important advantage? Thanks for the replies!

I'm applying this semester for Fall 2013 admissions and while I've taken all the correct steps to get into a PhD program, my record is not competitive. I'm hoping to be able to get into a top 50 program WITH good funding. I’m looking to U. Texas, Rice, Vanderbilt, Duke, UC’s, LSE, Georgetown but I need a bigger list. My interests are in International Trade but I'm not sure I have the luxury of picking a program strongly suited towards it. ____ My overall GPA will be between 3.4 and 3.5 from a school with a Top 30ish program with all the professors from Top 10 programs. I'm majoring in Economics and Math. Scores: I expect to make a perfect or near perfect score on the quant. GRE based on my SAT scores and practice GRE's. I also expect to do very well on the verbal but this is obviously not as relevant. Research: 1 year of individual research for Honors Thesis under the supervision of a well-known professor. I realize I should have had a RA position but it's nearly impossible to get one as an undergraduate due to the high grad student to professor ratio. I personally don't know of any undergrad that got one and I know most all the Honors students. Courses: A’s in all upper-division Economics with 2 A-‘s and one B+. Math: This is where the problem is. The first time I took Multivariable Calc (fall freshman year) and Diff Eq, I failed the course. Highest grades are A’s in Discrete Math and Multivariable Calculus (2nd time around), A- in Intro to Real Analysis, the rest are a mix of B’s (Linear Algebra, Stats..). I’m looking to retake Diff Eq this Fall and hopefully I’ll get an A again like I did with MV Calc. Graduate Courses: I’m taking Graduate Math for Econ and Microeconomics courses this Fall. Looking at the syllabus for the Math course, everything seems to be right up my alley so hopefully I can use it as some sort of remedy for my math grades. Recs: One for sure will be from my thesis supervisor which should be strong. Another will most likely be from my Analysis professor who has a strong view of my proof-writing and theoretical abilities. For the last one, I’m still waiting to see. The professors from the graduate course I’m taking this Fall I’ve worked with before so perhaps I’ll ask one of them depending on my performance. Clearly, I am not strong in calculus. I am best at the more theoretical math courses and don’t do well with math that involves me following a set of instructions to find the answer. While everyone else in the honors program chose to do empirical research, mine was very theoretical. I still enjoy math and as long as I’m not asked to take a test, I can excel even in Calculus. Is there a program out there for me or should I consider a different future?