viewsingh

i am also waiting to hear back from USC (haven't received an email, so im assuming it's a rejection). The online portal says the application is still being processed. Did yours say "being sent in the mail"?

Thanks applicant12 for all your suggestions. I am seriously thinking about revising my list. If you dont mind me asking, what range do you think would be in my "reach"? I know this is hard for you to answer based on a blinkered glimpse of my profile, but say I have a 166+Q and 161V. (I haven't taken my GREs yet. This projection is just based on a diagnostic test I took a week ago)

Yep, that's more or less true. I just want to get into the best school I can, and learn as much as possible. I am much less seduced by elitism. I am eyeing on the top programs because they seem to be more generous (and they have great programs). I would be fine going to a top 100th school as long as I am assured that I dont have to drop out because of financial reasons. That being said, I dont think all programs are great.

Dude, I am from the region of the world that Paul Collier would call "the bottom billion." Even if I made five times more money than an average citizen of my country, I would only be making 6000 a year. That should explain why I had to decline my top undergrad admissions purely for monetary reasons and why I am hesitant to go through the masters route. I do feel that I have to revise my list, but I think I'd prefer a relatively lower ranked school than to go through a masters route, simply because I can't afford it. RA job might be an option.

Thanks. I should work on that then.

Hey Catrina, Do you think a letter from Applied Mathematician/Physicist holds more water? I am entangled in an imbroglio. I can only get impressive recommendations from two economists, one of whom have left the school.

I majored in interdisciplinary studies (math and business econ). I have 38+ credits on each ID area, so in a traditional sense, you could see it as a bus. econ (not pure econ unfortunately) and math double major with additional senior year research requirements. I just happen to have a hodgepodge of classes on my belt. I also have an associates in philosophy (I know it's not relevant). I do share your belief that I need more econ classes. However, since people with physics or maths background seem to get into good schools (even with very little econ backgorund), I thought I would be ok. but maybe not? Thank you for sharing your info. I also have some friends with similar profile as mine who have gotten into top schools (different departments though). At this point, I am just confused. Maybe I should revise my expectations or prepare for a bit. But then, I am already 25.

All my recommenders have gone to top US schools and are active researchers. I have also worked with a renowned researcher from Oxbridge. The problem is that only one of them is an economist. I think my biggest challenge will be to show them that I am really into economics. Yep...a rather unfortunate situation!

Hey Wolfdiggitydog, haha thanks. you will not burst my bubble. I don't have any lofty expectations. In fact, I appreciate your suggestions. I haven' spent loads of money in applications yet. The only reason I posted my profile here is so that I will have a better picture of where I stand.

Hello Wolfdiggitydog, I have used Matlab, Octave, Mathematica, and Maple. I am good with C++ and also have a certification in R, but I have never seen Stata. RA position would be nice, but the only ones I can get are in non-econ departments. I have some interdisciplinary research experience. Unfortunately, my econ dept (there is none, it's lumped with business) is not research oriented. I would be happy with 30-50 range schools, although I feel like I would have a fair shot for top-30 if all odds weren't against me. After all, top-30 grant most econ phds in the US. Lower ranked programs are smaller. Thanks for your suggestions!

Thanks Catrina. I will remember that. Getting a recommendation from Philosophy/English is very tempting because he will say that I can fly (figuratively). Say, I have no hope of getting a second letter from Econ prof, would one (an amazing one) from prof of social science suffice?

Thanks yankeefan. It's nice to know that I am aiming too high. Attending a small school with few students and acing all my classes probably gave me a little ego boost. I will be 25 when I graduate, so I dont want to linger in college for too long. I will be graduating with 150+ credits. I doubt they'll protract my scholarship and let me stay longer. A one-year masters program seems feasible, but only in idea. I am struggling to find one in the affordable range. Even if I managed to find one, would I really get to know my professors so well that they would write me a stellar letter? As per my grades in specific courses, I have all As and A+s, except one A- in History of Math (is that even math?), and all As in business classes. My only B+s are in intro to biology and one poli sci course. I think I am fine from grade perspective (although most applicants will have similar undergrad record). My concern is that I have only taken three upper level econ courses (micro, dev.)

Thanks Applicant12. I do realize how competitive the programs are. At this point, I am already determined to give it a shot. Getting a master's program just to get recommendations from well-known economists might be appealing to many, but I am not convinced that two more years of schooling compensates for a meager elevation in university ranking. Also, I really can't afford to pay for my masters program, especially because it is only going to be transitory (US schools are EXPENSIVE!!). That being said, I appreciate your suggestions. Do you have any recommendations regarding cheap/free masters programs? I have been thinking about getting an RA job, but I don't know how much that is going to help. Coming from a small school has its pitfalls!

Thanks setsanto. Yea that bugs me as well. I could have a business prof or a social science prof write me one, but just one from an economist. Does the fact that my undergrad major wasn't economics dilute the negative impact of not having an economist letter writer? I could muster some mediocre letters from economists, but I doubt their efficacy. I have only taken economics courses from two profs, one of whom left my undergrad institution last year, and is practically inaccessible. Anyway, I have to work with what I have. But I have mentioned my situation to my profs, and they said they can compensate, whatever that means.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: unranked small private college (4 year) Undergrad GPA: 3.87 (will go upto 3.89 at the time of application, 3.9 by graduation) Type of Grad: n/a Grad GPA: n/a GRE: not yet taken (hopefully >165Q) Math Courses: Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Linear Optimization, Discrete Structures, Advanced Calculus, Probability Theory, Statistics Econ Courses (grad-level): Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Introductory courses, Intermediate and Advanced Microeconomics, Development Economics Other Courses: Plenty. Interdisciplinary Studies in Mathematics and Business Management, AA in Philosophy Letters of Recommendation: Letters will be great, but here is the thing. I only have one economist (junior faculty) writing a letter for me. The second one from a Mathematician (well known), and the third one from a professor of philosophy/english. Research Experience: Undergraduate Research Seminars, Senior Thesis (a topic in dev. econ.), worked as an RA for a Biology professor (I have not taken any biology classes) Teaching Experience: TA in three Math courses, one introductory econ course Research Interests: Development, Game Theory, Micro, Behavior (I am definitely into the first two, and sort of flirting with the last two) SOP: Should be great. I spent a lot of time writing them Concerns: Not too many advanced economics courses, recommendations are not from well-established economists (too bad I am from a small private college) Other: I got a full ride to college (does that even matter?), a computer science/mathematics scholarship, a German Govt. scholarship. Also, I know C++ and R (sort of, i took courses and have certificates, transcript records) Applying to: I have to wait for my GREs to explicitly state names, but I think I am playing a 3-7-2 game, 3 REACH schools (ranking#1-12), 7 MATCH (15-30), 2 "SAFETIES" (30+). Ideally, I would be exhilarated to make it to top 15, but top 30 is still great. Recommendations are appreciated.

Hey econapplicant14, Nice profile! I am a novice myself when it comes to phd admissions, so can't give you much advice. I just just wondering if this thread if just meant to evaluate your profile, or anyone can post their profile for evaluation. thanks!

[h=2][/h] PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: unranked small private college (4 year) Undergrad GPA: 3.87 (will go upto 3.89 at the time of application) Type of Grad: n/a Grad GPA: n/a GRE: not yet taken (hopefully >165Q) Math Courses: Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Linear Optimization, Discrete Structures, Advanced Calculus, Probability Theory, Statistics Econ Courses (grad-level): Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Introductory courses, Intermediate and Advanced Microeconomics, Development Economics Other Courses: Plenty. Interdisciplinary Studies in Mathematics and Business Management, AA in Philosophy Letters of Recommendation: Letters will be great, but here is the thing. I only have one economist (junior faculty) writing a letter for me. The second one from a Mathematician (well known), and the third one from a professor of philosophy/english. Research Experience: Undergraduate Research Seminars, Senior Thesis (a topic in dev. econ.), worked as an RA for a Biology professor (I have not taken any biology classes) Teaching Experience: TA in three Math courses, one introductory econ course Research Interests: Development, Game Theory, Micro, Behavior (I am definitely into the first two, and sort of flirting with the last two) SOP: Should be great. I spent a lot of time writing them Concerns: Not too many advanced economics courses, recommendations are not from well-established economists (too bad I am from a small private college) Other: I got a full ride to college (does it matter?), a computer science/mathematics scholarship, a German Govt. scholarship. Also, I know C++ and R (sort of) Applying to: I have to wait for my GREs to explicitly state names, but I think I am playing a 3-7-2 game, 3 REACH schools (ranking#1-12), 7 MATCH (15-30), 2 "SAFETIES" (30+). Recommendations are appreciated.