BuddingEconomis

Explain why OP will have a problem applying to top 10? Obviously getting into top 10 is always a crapshoot, but as you mentioned, the only two drawbacks are B+'s in PhD courses and W in Real Analysis. The W in Real Analysis can probably be explained and attributed to external factors? An A in Topology (which I assume is also rigorous/proof based) should signal relative competence in math. The two B+'s should be partially offset by the A in Metrics III. The only other drawback I can see is not graduating from a top 10 undergrad. But it looks like the profile contains good research ability and strong letters. These should make up for any "bad" grades which are really just a W in Real analysis and a couple B+'s in grad classes. I think top 10 isn't crazy. Obviously Harvard/MIT will be tough because the students getting in there have stellar track records from top 10 undergrads. But I could definitely see this profile going to like Chicago.

What about classes taken from non-credit courses? For example, I am also thinking of taking classes from Georgia Tech Professional Education program which offers non-degree non-credit classes through a partnership with Udacity.

Hi Everyone, I am thinking of enrolling in some Non-Degree Graduate Statistics courses offered via Stanford's Online platform. More specifically, it is the Stanford Center for Professional Development. Is it necessary that I report my grade that I achieve in this class on my application when I apply to Econ PhD programs? I just graduated undergrad, and I am working for a couple of years before applying to PhD programs. I'm not necessarily looking to take these classes as a way to boost my application -- rather I'm just taking these classes out of interest. If I do well, I will certainly think about puttin them on my application, but if I don't do well, am I obligated to still report these grades? Thanks!

All you've done is line up an interview. Congrats on the interview but I wouldn't sweat it. No guarantees you'll get the job yet. Also, I'm confused. Is the ra position backup in case you don't get into grad school? If you're thinking that you can do a summer internship and go to grad school after, I honestly think you're just wasting your time. You'll have about six weeks of the internship before you have to leave for math camp and I don't think you'll get much out of it..

This is a complete hypothetical, but the question I pose is the exact one in the title. What happens if you do somehow get external funding, but decide not to report it to the university. What happens?

Thanks! Yeah, I noticed that the Javits is currently not funded anymore? Any notice on if/when that will be back up?

Are there any outside scholarships to apply for regarding a PhD in Econ? The only main one I can find is the NSF grant.

Interesting, do you plan on going to grad school (2Iron)?

perhaps working as a research analyst for an economics/litigation consulting firm within antitrust/competition practice area

Hi, In terms of gaining research experience and getting into econ grad school, which would be a better experience: Working as an RA for the Fed, or working as an RA for an Econ Consulting firm? I imagine that working for the Fed is better: better recognition, more connected to the academic world, etc. However, what are some advantages an Econ Consulting firm can offer?

Instead of a PhD into Econ -- what about PhD into business school, like PhD in Finance -- or hell even PhD in Accounting (the accounting is half-kidding). The only reason why I say that, and hopefully others can verify, is because I believe that PhD's through the business school value professional experience a little more. In fact, I know a few people who have worked in the industry for a while before getting a PhD in Finance or related field.

This is just a question purely based out of curiosity, and I imagine it would vary by specific program/university. But suppose one is working in NYC and decides to take graduate courses in Math Finance at Columbia out of interest. Can one just take a few classes (and pay per class) but not actually enroll in a degree-earning track?

Let's say a Masters in Stats, or Masters in Mathematical Finance, or even Masters in Econ (like NYU)? How would these be viewed? Would they have a positive, neutral, or negative effect on an Econ PhD Application? Would your answer change if let's say: you're working for a Professor as a full-time RA after undergrad. In your spare time, you complete a Masters in Statistics (part-time student). Afterwards, you apply for Econ PhD. Now, how would that be viewed?

Hi OP! I agree with OneArmedEcon -- if you really hate your job after two months there's no way it can be a long-term career. That said, I would advise against reacting to your first two months of your career hastily. You mention that you only started a couple months ago. Do you really hate your job? If so, would it be possible that later down the line, your role evolves into something you might enjoy? The reason why I say this is because you mention that you don't really have much research experience. Clearly you succeeded academically and it looks like you wrote some substantial papers (I assume for class assignments). However, without substantial research are you very sure that you want to jump the ship to econ grad school right away? Now getting to your second point -- can you get into a top grad program? I'm not sure about this -- clearly your GPA is very good. Your lack of research experience may hurt you. How strong are your LOR's? If you are truly looking for a career switch maybe you should consider other intermediate steps. I would recommend talking to your professors see what advice they might have. Maybe you can work with a professor as an RA? Also, out of curiosity who is the sports economist you are talking about? I am actually very interested in sports econ.

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I think the general consensus is that: I don't seem like I am a hundred percent committed to going to grad school Because of this, I probably should take the offer in hand In addition, I don't have an academic/quasi-academic job offer in hand, so it might be risky to turn the one I have now down Lastly, a banking job is not bad per se, it just doesn't help Thanks for the feedback -- you guys are pretty much right. I'm not a hundred percent sure that I want to become an economist -- but I've had some working experience in investment banking and I can pretty much say that it is NOT what I want to do in the long term. My biggest concern is that I don't really have the LOR's and research experience atm. That's going to somewhat change during my senior year as I'm taking a bunch of seminar-style classes where I'll be writing long term papers and will be writing a senior thesis. However, I don't really have other research experience to speak of which is why I am taking a gap year and hopefully I can bridge my undergraduate experience to my graduate by working with more economists. I'm just afraid that if I take the banking job, that'll push me further away from the academic world and it'll be even harder to get additional LOR's and research experience (if possible at all)