acubens

As far as I know, what you said is applicable to the application in the EU. The graduate programs in the United States do accept the TOEFL score as long as its the expiration date is not before the beginning of the application process. I have already reported the TOEFL score to the programs. What I asked is whether the professors will consider this issue — that the test date is too old — seriously.

Thank you for your reply :) I also expect that the first exam on 14 December will be fine. I will send to the university when I report the updated TOEFL score if the deadline has passed.

THE FIRST QUESTION. My concern is that my score is too old even though the score report is available. I took my TOEFL on December 2, 2012, and its validity ends on December 1, 2014, and I have already ordered ETS to report the score to universities. How critical is this problem when applying to universities in the United States? Is there anyone who knows about this? Do you think that old TOEFL score will have a bad effect on the admission decision? TOEFL score is as follows: Total = 105; Reading = 29; Listening = 26; Speaking = 23; Writing = 27. GRE score is as follows: Verbal = 158; Math = 169; Writing = 3.0; test date = Aug. 3, 2013. THE SECOND QUESTION. I messed up a TOEFL test yesterday, and other two exams are on Dec. 14, 2014 and Jan. 10, 2015. Adding 10 days waiting for score announcement and also about 7 days for reporting procedure, I guess the two scores will reach to the university on Dec. 30, 2014, and Jan. 27, 2015. Will graduate admission staffs accept my additional score reports?

I am an applicant for economics graduate program at Michigan State University. I called to administration office yesterday and also today, and they say that I will be able to know my final status —whether accepted or rejected— by emailing to them at night on April 15th. They said that they will reply to my email on April 16th. As far as I know, their behavior is a violation of a rule that they must inform the student`s status at least before April 15th? What kind of benefit can I get by reporting their violation to the USA graduate committee— a committee that regulates numerous graduate programs in the USA?

sn0skier, Thank you so much :)

I also need to know about the TA ship conditions of CU Boulder. I regularly check this thread, but until now, nobody has answered to it.

Hello, I am an international student, and I have been admitted to the graduate program of economics at the University ofColorado for Fall 2014, and also at Rutgers University. Both programs did not offer any funding. However both say that for 2~5 years, TA will be offered so that I can cover my tuition fee and living expenses. Even though I searched the information of the attrition rate of CU Boulder for many hours at this forum, I could not find anything. Does anyone know about the attrition rate of CU Boulder? If the attrition rate is not that high, I would rather choose CU Boulder instead of Rutgers, of which the attrition rate is pretty high. I know that the environment of CU Boulder is one of the best in the USA. Regarding Rutgers University, the attrition rate is pretty high, about 30~50% of students who took qualification exam have passed and became 2nd year student. For example, among students who entered the program in Fall 2011, 15 took qual exams and 6 have passed at first round, and the 3 have passed at second round, which is several months later. The attrition rate of Rutgers University varies a lot with years.

It was unofficial institute that does not have any examinations. I mentioned in my SOP and my recommenders also promised to explain my situation. I read all of your comments carefully also read the threads that were posted previously. I decide to study very hard for 6 months and take GRE Math Subject test, and also take Caculus 1,2,3 and Linear Algebra for a year at UMUC which cost total $8,200. Taking an upper level class is not my feasible option, unfortunately, due to many complicated reasons. Thank you very much, all of you.

I am an applicant for economics Ph.D. programs in Fall 2015. I didn`t take calculus 1,2,3 and linear algebra and I am trying to solve this problem within a year. I have two options as follows: (1) earning a high score of GRE Math subject, (2) taking math courses at University Maryland University College (UMUC). Would the high score of Math Subject will compensate my weak math background? How much do you think that taking expensive courses is more important then obtaining the high score of GRE Math? The UMUC provides online courses —distance learning— and issues official transcripts after finishing math courses. However, the problem is that tuition fee is $2,050 per a course. Taking 4 courses, calculus 1,2,3 and linear algebra, will cost $8,200. Let me explain more about my background as Korean student. I could not officially take basic math courses in my university, because my limited credit allotment in undergraduate school as a law student, and strict graduate school policy that does not allow its students to enroll in low level mathematics. I enrolled in a separate, private institute to study linear algebra, advanced calculus, and differential equations, and I am virtually strong at mathematics. Moreover, I have two strong LORs that guarantee my math skills. The first letter of recommendation is written by an economics professor who taught me Microeconomics 1 (Graduate course). He has a Math BS degree from Seoul Univ., which is the 1st ranked Univ. in South Korea. He earned Ph.D. in economics at UCLA, and specialized in Microeconomics. The second letter of recommendation is written by an economics professor who taught me Mathematical Statistics (Graduate course). He earned Ph.D. in economics at the University of Florida, and specialized in Econometrics . My course list is provided below: UNDERGRADUATE COURSE Microeconomics = A+ Mathematics for Economics = 1st rank, A+ Chiang, Alpha, and Kevin Wainwright. Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics. Statistics for Economics = 1st rank, A+ Econometrics = A Gujarati, Damodar N.. Basic Econometrics. Macroeconomics = B+ GRADUATE COURSE Microeconomics I = 1st rank , A+ Mas-Colell, Andreu, et al. Microeconomic Theory. Mathematical Statistics = 1st rank , A+ Hogg, Robert V., et al. Introduction to Mathematical Statistics. Labor Economics I = 1st rank , A+ Law and Economics = A Econometrics I = B Greene, William H.. Econometric Analysis.

First, I have to apologize for my late reply, I had serious fever and cold for a week. Your comment helps me very much.I agree that I was too concerned about the newest ranking. It seems to me that most replies agree on the comment that you wrote, and as a normal distribution converges into the mean value, I can trust your comment with confidence. Thank you very much.

You are right. Which ranking site do you suggest? I refer it in order to use as the basic reference to apply for year 2014. US news (simple criteria), econ phd (outdated), Phd.org (aggregation) , or do you know better source ?

There are two ranking site of which names are confusing each other. One is econ phd (http://econphd.econwiki.com) , and another is Phd org (http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/economics) The former is updated about 8 years ago which is very outdated, and the latter is updated at year 2010. By the way, Does anyone know when the latter will update their source? (I am international student so plz forgive my lack of english writing)

I found that the econphd uses 2010 survey data. You can find here which is my evernote link.

Thank you for comment. I agree with you that the field is more important when it comes to below top 10.

My english is not good. Thanks for your reply even though you are confused about my question. I'm asking when is the last updated year and month. If the ranking is the more outdated, the less reliable.