HopefulEconPhD

Any other forum members with some advice or suggestions before I let this thread die? Thanks for all your assistance

Thanks for the advice, I will look into taking an Advanced LA in the Fall, it will be the only class I will be enrolled in so I will have all my attention to devote to it. Hopefully I can hold off on sending my applications until I receive the grade in December (?).

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I will do that. I know it does not make my situation any better, but I am sure that this problem arose not from an inability to handle the concepts, but from mismanagement of my time and responsibilities in the last couple weeks.

Well, not feeling too great. Just preformed very poorly on my latest Linear Algebra exam. I was doing an acceptable job (A-) for the entire semester, but too many things just ended up piling up at the wrong time in the last 2 weeks, such as attempting to finish writing and defend my undergraduate honors thesis. Unfortunately now, I believe the upper bound on what I can achieve in the class (assuming I get a near perfect score on the final) is probably a solid B. This is unfortunate as I will not have all that many math classes from the Math dept on my transcript before applying in the fall, just (Calc I-III (CR CR B+), this Linear Algebra Class, Real Analysis (A), ODE (Taking it over the summer) and Probability Theory (Also over the summer). I have heard that to get a B in LA is almost like signing your own death sentence with adcoms. If I can pull 2 As in ODE and Prob Theory do you think the damage, whatever it is (?), can be minimized? I feel pretty bad still, however, I know that this was just due to underpreperation, and not a deficiency in my ability to handle the topics associated with a first Linear Algebra class, not that that makes it any better. I assume its not worthwhile retaking the class just to bring a B to an A? Though I have just heard some very harsh things from other forum members about the importance of getting an A in this class. Thanks.

Nobody willing to take a crack at this one? :watermelon:

Hello all, Based on the advice of many of you I have decided it is in my best interest to take some summer classes after I graduate in May. I have explored all my options and it seems the closest and cheapest option will be to take summer classes at the University of MD (I have very limited resources to keep taking more classes). I was hoping some of you may look at this list of offerings and advise me on which 2 classes would be the most valuable. Because it is a summer session, not all of the classes which are offered in the fall and spring can be taken, this is the list of available classes which seemed to potentially be the most useful. ECON4xx (Econometric) MATH2xx (Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers) MATH4xx (Applications of Linear Algebra) (The second course in a LA sequence I suppose) MATH4xx (Advanced Calc I) STAT4xx (Applied Stat and Probability) Originally I thought it would be most beneficial to take Econometrics and a Probability Theory class, however I now see that the only Prob class for the summer is Applied Stat and Prob offered through the STAT dept, does anyone know anything about this or if it is a good use of time. Additionally, I figured if I did not take Prob theory I would take ODE, but the only offering is labeled "for scientists and engineers", do you know if this makes any difference? Thanks so much for all you advice, in the last 2 days I have received a lot of great help. If you need my profile to make a more informed decision it is linked here http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/147324-profile-evaluations-school-suggestions.html

Hello all, I have been advised in a previous thread that it will be beneficial for me to take some classes in the summer after I graduate this May. I have been looking for the closest cheapest option for me (I do not have too much money to take many classes) and that seems to be University of MD. I am looking for some advice on which two classes out of the following list would be more beneficial. Because it is a summer session, not all the classes which would normally be offered over the spring or fall are offered; but these seem to be the most beneficial which are available. MATH246 (Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers) MATH401 (Applications of Linear Algebra) (I have already taken the first LA class) MATH410 (Advanced Calc I) STAT400 (Applied Probability and Statistics) ECON422 (Econometrics) I figured I would definitely take Econometrics, unless others think it will be more beneficial to take more math. I was planning on taking a probability class, however the only one available is the applied class offered through the STATS dept, will this be a problem. I was also thinking of taking ODE, bu the only one offered is labeled for Scientists and Engineers, is this an issue? Thanks so much for all your feedback, in just two days you have all been extremely helpful. If you need to look at my profile to make a more informed decision it is linked right here http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/147324-profile-evaluations-school-suggestions.html

Thanks for the feedback econ2011, even if it is a bit discouraging. Do you have any suggestions on which range of programs I should be applying to? Or perhaps some advice on what I can do to make things a bit better for me?

I may be able to take a couple more classes after those two, unfortunately I just dont have the money to keep taking too many classes. Are there any MA programs that are known to give funding that I should consider? Also, if my options are to take two out of this list of classes over the summer, which ones would you suggest? Thank you! Econometrics Differential Equations Algabreic Structures Advanced Calc I Introduction to Abstract Algebra Introduction to Probability Theory (In the STATS dept)

Dont worry about sounding harsh. I just sent in my application to take Economietrics and Probability Theory at University of Maryland over the summer. Do you think this will significantly help me if I get As, or do you think its too little too late for my profile. Unfortunately I don't have the money to take more than 2 courses over the summer at University of Maryland, will this be worth it?

Wow, so many replies. Thank you all so much for taking the time to assist me. I am really looking hard at the 20-50 range of programs right now. Do any of you have any suggestions what I can do (within reason) to increase my chances of gaining admittance into the upper bound of this range (20-30). I can maybe scrape up the class to take a couple classes somewhere as a non degree seeking student, but Im not sure exactly what to do. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Also, if I could, I would like to tack on a secondary question to my original post. You suggested the 20-50 range, maybe others could chime in on this. If this is a good range for me I am also curious about academic placements in the 20-50 range, or the 35-50 range for that matter. I am very interested in entering into academia and I want to make sure that academics will be an opportunity for me upon completion of a program in this range.

Thanks for the reply. Like I said, my research interests are actually pretty fluid, these are the things I am just interested in a this moment but I am still searching for my niche. Thank you for your advice.

Hello everyone, I am graduating from my university in less than a month and am preparing to apply for my PhD in economics in the coming fall. While I am extremely excited by this prospect I am also a bit nervous. Seeing some of the profiles listed here is a bit intimidating and I sometimes wonder what my chances are of admissions and if I am being realistic with myself. I was hoping you could take a look at my profile and give me some suggestions/advice. Thank you. Type of Undergrad: Top 50 national university, but not highly ranked for econ. BS in Economics, BA in History Undergrad GPA: 3.73 Type of Grad:N/A Grad GPA:N/A GRE: Have not taken the GRE yet, however I expect to do well. This is not one of my primary worries. Math Courses: Calc I,II,III (CR,CR,B+) Linear Algebra (In Progress, grade is at A- right now) Real Analysis (In Progress, grade is an A at this point). Econ Courses: Intro Micro/Macro (A,A) Intermediate Micro Macro (A,A) Game Theory (A) Economics of Natural Resources (A-) Econ Stats (B+) Mathematical Economics (A) History of US Economy (A) Other Courses: A bunch of HIS courses Letters of Recommendation: One from a reasonably well known Yale economist who will write an enthusiastic letter, One from a fairly recent PhD from a lower ranked program who knows me well however and will be extremely enthusiastic, 3rd letter from a well known mathematician (My real analysis prof). Research Experience: Independent Research from my undergraduate thesis. Teaching Experience: Supplemental Instructor for Intro to Macro Research Interests: Historical Economics, Applied Micro, Behavioral Econ, Applied Game Theory (These interests are still changing and developing every day) SOP: N/A My biggest concern is that I have taken very few math classes. I do not even have any idea where I am qualified to apply to and was looking for some advice. Any ideas on what sorts of schools I should be looking at or even if I should apply in the fall at all. Maybe I should take a Probability class at a local university in the fall after I graduate next month? Thank you so much for your assistance.