econoraptor

I really like econometrics and lately I've been getting into machine learning and data analysis, but I am not very interested in econometric theory or finance. I'm much more interested in using advanced/novel econometric techniques for public policy, labor, or macro analysis. Realistically, I'm looking at schools outside the top 15. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for the reply. I've asked a few profs if they knew anyone looking for an RA, but they didn't. One did mention that someone from last year's class or maybe the year before got an RA position. Contacting him would probably be a good idea. I figured as much about JPAL, which is unfortunate since its my first choice. But it sounds like you think I have at least some chance of getting something, which I guess is really what I wanted to know--that I'm not completely wasting my time. Yea, submission deadline was the 7th. Does anyone know if BLS hires full time RAs? All I've been seeing are part-time $20 an hour positions with pretty low requirements.

I decided to skip this cycle of grad admissions with the intent of getting an RA position or internship so that I can get some formal research experience and have time to take grad classes. So over the winter break I have been spending a lot of time looking for positions, writing cover letters etc. I probably should have made this post earlier, but I'm beginning to wonder whether I will even be competitive for these positions. If I'm applying to places like J-PAL and the Fed and DC think tanks, what's my competition like? I have a pretty atypical profile... Type of Undergrad: AA from a community college; BA from a top 100 west coast private liberal arts school; diff eq, linear algebra, and intermediate micro from a state school with a top 30 econ grad program and strong applied math and engineering programs. Undergrad GPA: 3.98 from community college, 3.45 from liberal arts school (I wonder if the fact that I was taking almost all upper level courses will matter?) Math/Stat Courses: Single-variable calculus (self taught), Multivariable calculus (CR, personal problems at the time and all other classes were in major), Diff eq (B), Linear Algebra (B+), Real Analysis (next semester), Business Statistics (A, self-taught math stats later), Econometrics (A) Econ Courses: A- in all of the standard courses except A in Principles of Macro and B+ in Intermediate Micro, A- in development economics, A- in international economics Programming: No formal education, but I have been learning off and on for about 6 years. I learned C++ at an intermediate level in my sophomore year of high school and since then I've done projects for fun, online courses, and made mods for video games. I know R and Minitab, I'm playing around with Matlab so I'll at least sort of know it, and I'll probably learn Stata while doing my thesis. Research Experience: None, but lots of short research papers written for poli sci classes. I'm doing my thesis next semester which will incorporate empirical methods. Research Interests: Strong interest in development, also interested in labor, macro, international econ, and public policy more generally Other: Lots of poli sci classes--I only needed to write a thesis for poli sci double major--mostly focusing on development and international. Lots of independent reading, learning, etc. Concerns: Grades, not coming from an institution known outside the region, lack of research experience, and no math beyond what's expected. Unsure of what they'll think of programming experience.