The Reader

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from a known university in India Undergrad GPA: 65 (a low first First Class, considering the marking these days and the fact i was switching lanes) Type of Grad: Major in Economics at the 5th ranked graduate department in India (only about 8 reputed departments in all of the country) Grad GPA: 8.13/ 10 GRE: Q167, V164 AWA 5.5 Econ and Math courses: Intermediate Micro, Statistics, Business Math, Intermediate Macro, Micro, Macro, Metrics, Public, Int'l Econ grad sequences, Development, Math, Labor Letters of Recommendation: Macro and Public Econ prof (top national department), Econometrics prof (European post doc), Int'l Prof (visiting prof out of a national department), Development prof (not well known). The letters were positive, I assume. Despite no stellar names and active research output, I believe they were honest in their assessment and talked about my plans for research. Research experience: 3 months at a think tank with US PhD prof Research interests: Micro development Work exp: some 2.5 years in tax consulting SOP: Standard, talked about interests and couple of term papers. Focused on my grad performance to override lack of math and econ RESULTS: Acceptances: MSc Economics for Development Oxford, MPhil Oxford, Barcelona GSE Wait lists: Rejections: MPhil Research Cambridge, MRes Warwick, PhD Boston College (from wait list), MSc Econ LSE, APE Paris School of Economics Comments: Satisfied with returns. I had lost hope midway through results season so to end up here is a relief. I was put off from applying to more schools in the US for two reasons, a. my grad school had a poor track record in terms of placing students in top programs, esp in the past decade and a half - this was a strong deterrent to my ambitions; b. the final pool of schools in the US i short listed was further whittled down due to requirement of writing TOEFL/ IELTS - simply did not have the money to waste on such tests. The application costs were steep itself so picked out just the one finally. I also think i researched extensively, looked at department faculty, ranks, intake and cohort compositions to be able to make an informed guess in terms of my chances. I suggest this is an important exercise, esp for students with financial constraints, non traditional (essentially lack of math) backgrounds and lack of glowing academic results. What would you have done differently: Done a Bachelors in Maths! The rest would have followed. Comforts of hindsight and my late discovery of interests aside, I do feel I did okay.

Hi GnabGib, I am considering my offer to the Economics at BGSE. My ideal would be to gain placement in a US department PhD. I have a non-Econ undergrad and am currently finishing an MS in Economics. With the above in mind, I have been thinking along the lines of combining Advanced courses with Standard courses. Given my profile, I am eager to take as many, if not all, Adv courses to help my chances but know that it may be prudent not to. Do you happen to know how many students get placed in the top departments? Of them, do they all take the Adv track all through? That may tell me what I must brace up for. Thank you!

Thanks Kogoroo for the link, it was very useful! It would be interesting to know the pool of schools Fatsho applied to and his ultimate destination. I was informed by someone on the forum currently pursuing the MPhil Cambridge that their requirements are based on the lines of North American universities. That is to say, strong math background and exceptional scores on them. So i assume competition must be stiff. I could not source information about the acceptance and enrolment rates, if that matters! Do you mind sharing your profile on Inbox, may be useful to gauge? Good luck to you!

Re-posting with minor updates - my department is adopting a grade system and stating some of the schools I am looking to apply to. Appreciate any comments. Undergrad: Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) at a top 5 ranked college in India Undergrad GPA: 65 (that is First Class, all figures in percentages, no GPA scoring) Economics and Math courses: Micro I 62, Micro II 62, Statistics 60, Business Math 50, Macro I 70 Masters: Major in Economics at around the 5th ranked department in India (there are only about 8-9 reputed departments in all, strangely!) Also, the department's PhD placements in recent years are not too strong - either a dip in curriculum or students preferring the job market Master GPA: 8.18 (two semesters down, two more to go) Thesis: yet to finalise! Micro II, Development Econ: A+ Micro I, Macro I, Econometrics I, Int'l Econ I & II, Public Econ I & II, Math for Econ: A Research Interests: Labour, education, econometrics RA exp: 3 months with a UC Santa Cruz prof Work exp: some 2.5 years in consulting, not much related to economics. LORs (expected): Expect them to be average or better. Macro and Public Econ prof (top national department), Econometrics prof (Aarhus), Int'l Prof (visiting prof, retired Head of Dept.), Development prof (not well known) GRE Q167, V164 AWA 5.5 Departments I am looking at, in no particular order: Europe: Oxford (MPhil and MSc), Cambridge, Barcelona GSE, Warwick (MPhil), LSE EME/ Econ, UCL MSc/ MRes, Toulouse (M2 doctoral), PSE US/ rest of the world: UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, Wisconsin, NYU (MA - despite the fact that i have no funding, go figure!), Boston College

Hi, Tkgeoff's situation mirrors mine. I am presently pursuing Masters in Economics after a business undergrad and two and a half years of work experience. My goal is to pursue a doctoral in the US but due to my background and inadequate rep power of my current institute, I feel another masters may be the way to go. When i applied a couple of years ago, I had the same query - the response was similar to the ones offered in this thread. A year after the masters is spent doing RA work or in the professional sector. As for the UCL response posted by DiddlyDoo, that seems most alarming if that is indeed what was meant - references for 2017 would not be supplied. Any other programs that can throw light on this would be most useful.

Thanks xjxji. I am aware that the grading system plus my undergrad background makes it difficult for comparison. With regard to doctoral placements from my school, it isn't much good to be honest, an overwhelming majority of students pursue professional careers. I have connected with some alum who have gone on to the US - the likes of Oklahoma, George Mason, etc. Still looking to find other such people. I get the sense that US may be a reach, hence my hopes are pinned on a solid MPhil placement. So I am contemplating more schools in Europe, TSE, PSE etc aside from the UK. If anyone can assess my candidacy, I welcome your comments.

Hi All, Appreciate your input regarding the following information. Undergrad: Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) at a top 5 ranked college in India Undergrad: 65 (that is First Class, all figures in percentages, did not have GPA scoring) Economics and Math courses: Micro I 62, Micro II 62, Statistics 60, Business Math 50, Macro I 70 Masters: Major in Economics at around the 5th ranked post grad department in India (there are only about 8-9 reputed departments in all, strangely!) Master: 77 (two semesters down, two more to go) Thesis: yet to finalise! The program contains two grad level modules each of Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Int'l Econ, Public Econ and one module of Development Econ Math for Econ. I have scored in around the 75-80 mark in these subjects. I would say the level of curriculum was not exceptionally good for Macro. RA experience: currently working on an empirical study with a professor (UC, Santa Cruz) affiliated with a think tank. Work experience: some 2.5 years in consulting, not much related to economics. LORs (expected): Micro professor (USC), Macro and Public Econ professor (top national department), Development Econ prof and current RA prof. GRE Q167, V164 AWA awaiting (last attempt 4.0) I am aware of the grave lack of math courses on my profile, due to my undergrad course obviously. Hence my decision to go into a masters program. Despite so, I do not assume it will cut mustard in the face of competition to get into the top 20 departments in the US. Would there be any takers that might overlook my shortcomings and place emphasis on my graduate level studies? The UK offers the popular Msc/ MPhil options in LSE, Cambridge, Oxford. I would like to hope my chances are even here at least. Grateful for your time.

Hey, Wanted your take on Kaplan MST versus Manhattan MST. My Kaplan free test read Q164 V 162; Manhattan free test read Q 160 V 164. I am looking to improve on a previous official score Q 167 V 164. Thanks!

Hi, Can someone recommend any online Math courses - calculus, real analysis, etc? I am looking to beef up a little on this aspect and there is little scope for me to do this at my attending institute. Thanks.

Hi, I have an unfunded offer at Barcelona, MSc Econ starting this fall. How would you rate the course overall based on your findings - faculty, topic modules, placements, et al ? Being an international student, I have concerns that the one year programme would mean little time to apply for PhD programmes after the masters. That brings the need to find decent work placements until the following year. Have you any specific details in this regard - the placements offered at the school? Thank you.

Thanks. What is the likelihood of landing a decent job in the interim year, would you know? I'd like some views on the course too - would a non-Econ student as myself cope with the modules?

I would not know, sorry. Any comments on the above?

I am an international student with an unfunded offer from GSE. I am concerned with the fact that the one year programme will leave little possibility of successfully applying to PhDs because of the time factor. Due to the same, I would like to know the scenario regarding professional placements - getting placed would be very important in such a case. What is the department's record in this regard?

Have you accepted your offer from GSE? I have similar concerns in that the one year programme would mean little time to apply for PhD programmes after the masters. That brings the need to find decent placements in the interim year. Have you any details in this regard - the placements offered at the school?

Hi, I am a prospective candidate for BGSE. I am keen to know what you made of the above queries after your time there. Further, what are the placements offered - academic or professional? Thank you.