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I was under the impression that Canadian Masters programs primarily accept domestic applicants? As for the the international applicants that they do accept, if I'm not mistaken, most have the credentials to place into lower ranked PhD programs in the US. I'm caught between a similar dilemma as Brandonakusa and I've been advised not to bother applying to UBC, UofT, Barcelona GSE, etc. Or if I decide to apply, that I should be aware that the probability of them accepting me is low

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Hello Catrina, Thank you once again for your input, I greatly appreciate your advice. What masters programs would you recommend? I noticed a lot of the US Masters programs are very expensive and I have not bumped into to one that provides funding.

Thank you Catrina and Setsanto it is not that I am underestimating, trust me, from reading most of these responses and the advice I've received from both my friends who have been recently admitted into graduate program have been helping me realize what's worth aiming for and what's entirely out of my league. Therefore considering they are graduates from UF I do weigh their result more than most profiles on urch(for schools in the US). For instance, one of my friends was recently accepted into UC Davis, and his profile was worst than this individuals profile http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/146668-profiles-results-2013-a-2.html#post947983 my friend made a C in Linear Algebra, and a B on Adv Calc I. The Adv Calc class that he took was the engineers Adv Calc versus the proof based one. He did not have a 3.9, but he did score a 169Q. He was accepted into UC Davis full funding fellowship and TA position. He had solids LoRs and he built great research experience from the same economic research bureau I'm currently working under. It's not that I want to be unrealistic, but sometimes acceptance/rejections can be a toss up. Sometimes it literally all depends whether you're a candidate that satisfy what that particular program is looking for. Applying to a school that has a lower ranking does not imply one will be accepted. Most of the "safety" schools my friends applied to rejected them or put them on the wait list.One of my other friends was accepted into Rochester and Duke, both full funding, but rejected to a lot of his lower ranked "safety" schools. LoR, SOP, and research helped all of my friends. Most people state on this forum that LoR and SOP have little to no weight on them which is not true. Also my GPA is actually not as bad as I thought it was, it's around a 3.4 close to a 3.5. I was reading it incorrectly from the website, I was reading another GPA which I thought was my cumulative GPA. Still a 3.4, even a 3.5 still sucks I know. point is, I wanted to better understand which range should I apply and especially more about Canadian schools. Even if Top 30 are out of the questions I will try to apply, but from what I gathered I should focus more on Top 50 instead.

Hello Catrina, how do I look up the profiles for students applying to specific schools? I looked up UBC under the Profiles and results 2014 thread but most of them seem to be applying to PhD. How do I look up a program and it's Masters?

If a PhD does not necessarily work out, I would much rather complete a masters and start working. I would like to work in research, idk if most positions that involve research in the world bank are reserved with those who have a PhD? A plan B is to pursue a career in the World Bank, IMF, United Nations, etc. I want to engage in more research pertaining to economic development, therefore I feel as though UBC's Masters would be a better fit than a Masters program in the US. So maybe a more reasonable plan should be to stick to doing post bac and postpone applying this october. Opt out of taking the graduate level micro theory class and adv calc 2. Instead take adv calc I and an econometrics course. Then by Fall of 2015 I should focus more on obtaining a masters in economics rather than a PhD. I would still apply to PhD programs, but if I do not get into one I would like to attend, I should focus more on the Masters in econ and if I do a masters in econ, be done with it and work as a researcher for the World Bank. I guess where I'm trying to get at is, after post bac and I take the rest of the math I am supposed to take, would applying to UBC Masters be feasible? If a decent PhD program is out of the questions, I would like to work towards a good Masters program that emphasizes on research, especially one that specializes in development.

Hello colacoca, Honestly I appreciate the fact that you are blunt and share a general concern for a fellow gator. However, as far as upper level math is concern, I have gain much exposure to it besides this semester, I'm taking linear(which you know is our weed out class for math majors), and so far I'm doing good. Could having a good proof based background help compensate for my weak performance in my calculus series? I found calc I more of a nightmare than linear because going into that class I did not remember what point slope was, the parent functions of graphs, or how to do simple arithmetic such as dealing with fractions. I was in a class full of premeds most of which who had already taken AP calc in high school. I remember walking in not know literally anything that was expected knowledge and UF treats it as a weed out for premeds. As for calc 3, I was taking that class with sets and logics AND the honors empirical research class where I was teaching my self STATA while writing my first empirical paper. I had forgotten all what I learned in Stats I, so understanding how to understand and construct regressions was not fun. A few of my friends have been recently accepted into pretty solid programs such as UC Davis and University of Iowa. The ones that were accepted into Davis and Iowa had C's/B's for their proof based courses, however, they had A's for their calculus sequence. I would like to aim for Top 30 specific to Trade & Development. Do you think that's out of my league even if I do well in Linear, Adv Calc I/II, differential equations (which everyone tells me is ridiculously easy at UF), Intro to Prob, Regression Analysis(which should be easier to understand now that I've taken the research course), and the graduate level Micro Theory course? As for the graduate level course, the only reason I feel as though I would do great is that my friends have taken the course and one even gave me the practice exams that he gives for his mid term and final. They have told me how to get an A in the class. I'm a transfer student, when I took intermediate micro, it was the first econ course I took at a 4yr university. I thought stacking my econ classes my first semester as a transfer student would be a great idea because I breeze right through the principle courses in community college. I understand I should be realistic, but I cannot help but think a lot of my weak performance was due to catching up or making poor choices in stacking certain classes together that should have never been stacked together. As I am in my linear alg class, I FINALLY feel as though everyone is just as clueless as I am lol. I feel as though the material is new to everyone and prior knowledge is not assumed. given that, do think that is still reasonable to shoot for a Top 30/40 after post bac? If not, besides sociology, are there better alternatives? I want to to develop a plan B and C just in case econ really doesn't work out. My plan so far is to maybe apply for Stats Masters this october and work as an analyst at the world bank? I would love to work in the World Bank as well if academia does not go as planned. I really love my research class, I'm currently working on my second paper. I would like to pursue something probably more rigorous than political science, but I definitely do not waste my 20's or invest so much time into something that is not worthwhile.

Thank you for you're feedback, that was the concern I had, up to a certain point I did not know if it would really boost my credentials. That being said, should I apply to a masters at all this October? Are there any benefits to boosting my profile by attending one? Given that I am no where near competitive to even dare apply to a PhD this coming October 2014, what should I do? By Summer 2015 I should have up to Adv Calc 2, aside of the PhD Micro Theory course, I will definitely take you're advice to complete more econ courses but I still would not apply to a PhD program until October 2015, after summer if I did not apply to a masters, I do not know what else to do besides wait until I hear from which programs I will be accepted and rejected from. Perhaps sticking to post bac and stacking up on more math and econ along the way would probably be my best bet? My university allows me to take PhD econ courses so long as a satisfy the prereqs. If I am successful in diff eqs and intro to prob this summer, do well in Adv Calc I and PhD micro theory course this fall(only those two for fall instead of a heavy course load so I can actually o well in them), try to ace Adv Cal II and regression analysis over spring 2015(where I would only enroll in those two classes, again, not stack up a heavy course load), retake calc III and take stochastic processes summer 2015, and take two other economic PhD courses that Fall 2015, by october 2015 would applying to Top 30 be feasible?

after looking over the admissions and rejections, roll call, etc I did notice either a.) most of those who were accepted into UBC's Masters program were Canadian or b.) most applicants from the US applied to UBC Masters as a back up plan, their credentials were strong enough to apply to a PhD in the US. I'm still going to apply, but that was definitely an eye opener. I underestimated how competitive it was and the feasibility of attending a Canadian Masters program. That being said my only other alternative would be to apply to a masters in mathematics or statistics instead for this upcoming october. That being said, if I can acquire funding for a masters, would a masters in mathematics or statistics really help or would it be a waste of time if I'm looking towards applying at Top 30? I'm concerned because that is delaying two and a half years: 1yr doing post bac and the other year and a half would consist of completing a masters in math or stats. This summer I will be taking diff eq and intro to prob. This Fall I will be taking Advance Calc I and a Graduate lvl Micro Theory class and spring I plan to take Advance Calc 2. if accepted into the masters in mathematics at my university, I will begin Fall 2015 and be expected to complete MAA 5228 Modern Analysis 1 MAA 5229 Modern Analysis 2 MTG 5316 Introduction to Topology 1 MTG 5317 Introduction to Topology 2 MAS 5311 Introduction to Algebra 1 MAS 5312 Introduction to Algebra 2 I know Topology would be a great signal, but that's if I am successful. A lot of the classes I am expected to take will not be applicable to econ, and though I love math, given my profile, I'm not the best at it(though I do not know if a lot of my poor performance is due to rushing math. I jumped from Calc 1 to the proof based linear alg course within a yr). If I'm looking to aim to the Top 30 range, I do not know if after obtaining a masters in math or stats would even get me there? I just would like to verify how feasible everything is Thank you so much for the feedback! It has been very helpful

I will try to aim for a masters UBC, U of T, or somewhere in Canada when I apply this October, along with several masters in statistics as a back up. Unfortunately I do not know what European master programs compensate for financially. I know LSE is ridiculously competitive. I have no idea how competitive some of the masters program are in Canada though

Hello econphd14, unfortunately it will be difficult to study abroad because I have to catch up. As for a summer RA I notice from your previous posts you were interviewed for a summer RA position at a top 5 university, would it be possible to know the details? I would love to apply for the same RA position if possible

Hello econphd14, thanks for the support.I noticed your strong academic performance, calc II at 16 and real analysis by the first year of undergraduate is impressive and congrats on Northwestern :) I looked into applying for McNair within my current institution, unfortunately because I am considered a graduating senior I do not qualify are there any other research opportunities you would recommend?

Thank you Catrina!!!! :) you give great advice! I really appreciate your feedback

also, in my SOP am I allowed to mention that I pretty much rushed through math? Literally just last spring I was taking Calc I and by this spring I managed to catch up to linear(which my program does the proof based linear, not the applied linear)

First I would love to thank everyone again for their feedback, I really take everything stated to consideration. That being said, my university would not allow me to extend graduation, but I have found an alternative: I spoke to an adviser from another university in the state who will allow me to transfer my credits over to obtain a second bachelors in math. Unfortunately I found out that pell does not cover a second bachelors but I should still be eligible for subsidized student loans and scholarships. I figured I would complete a year at their program and take diff. eq., intro to prob., abstract algebra and analysis :) I was wondering, if by any chance I notice I may do poorly in one of my analysis courses, would it be okay to withdraw and take it over again or is it better to accept a C? For instance, say if I can anticipate that I will obtain a C in real analysis, is it better to keep the C or withdraw, take it over again and get an A? Furthermore, I will not even bother applying to a PhD program this coming October/November because of where I stand with math, however, given my profile, is it still feasible to apply for UBC or U of T's masters this October/November?

I do not mind taking an extra two years(or more) after I graduate with my BA to retake certain classes, take more classes as a non degree student or post bac, do a masters, or anything else that may boost my credentials and demonstrate that I have the skill set to attend a top 30/40 university

Given the difference in responses, is it even feasible to go to a top 30? even after a masters? I do not know how the admission process works, but does it take into account people from different social economic backgrounds or individuals of a particular ethnicity group? Correct me if I'm wrong but would admcoms focus more on progression? given that I went to alternative school during hs and my senior yr consisted of work 40 hrs a wk I did not have the exposure of different math courses or the adv academic standing as say econphd14(which is quite impressive). If I retake Calc III and Calc II, continue do well for the other course I still have to take(linear, diff eq, intro to prob and real analysis), during my masters(that's given if I can even be accepted into a decent MS/MA program) would I still have a shot for a top 30/40 program? I wonder if admcoms take into account different backgrounds? Does affirmative action come into play at all?

wow I did not know I could retake classes. I definitely do not mind retaking Calc III at all and maybe Calc II. Would adcoms accept the new grade?

Thank you for your advice moneyandcredit, food4thought, Catrina and NBZ. Moneyandcredit, I did not know I could retake math courses, that would be great for calc III. I still need to take Differential Equations, Intro to probability, Linear Algebra(I'm taking it this semester) and Real Analysis. If I'm successful in these classes, wouldn't that hold more weight than say calc I or calc II? thank you moneyandcredit for letting me know about retaking classes, I did not know this was possible I can also take more math courses such as complex variables or stack on Stat Theory If I retake Calc III and I manage to obtain an A in Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, intro to prob and differential equations is a Masters program in UBC, BGSE, or University of Toronto out of my league? Nonetheless, NBZ, you're completely right, I'm definitely considering other alternatives. It is just disappointing, I look up to people like Esther Duflo, Joseph Stigilitz, etc, and to realize I'm not up to par with them is...idk. I am considering working at the world bank as an alternative. Though my math credentials are current weak for a PhD in economics, I'm trying to come up with alternative routes that I can still work with something pertaining to economics and developing countries. I would appreciate further feedback/suggestions. I greatly appreciate everyone's advice

Hello everyone, I would greatly appreciate any feedback or advice I am a current undergraduate at the University of Florida (United States). Our graduate program has recently cut funding and we are no longer accepting graduate students(therefore, our overall ranking in economics will fall dramatically). They are pushing me to graduate by August 2014. I am a current senior, but I plan to do post bac in order to further build my credentials. That being said,my current profile is PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: B.A. In Economics, Large Public University currently ranked 48th in Econ Undergrad GPA: 3.2/3.3 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: Expected 90th percentile or above for mathematics Math Courses: Calc 1 (B); Calc 2 (B-); Fundamentals of Mathematics (intro to proofs class) (B); Linear Algebra (N/A)(currently taking this semester); Multivariate Calculus ©; Intro to Real Analysis 1 (N/A)(planning to take Fall 2014); College Algebra (B), Precalc (A) Trig (A) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Beginning Micro / Macro class (A); Statistics for Economics (A); International Macro (A); Intermediate Macro (B+); Intermediate Micro (B+); International Econ (B+); Economic Empirical course (B+) Other Courses: Statistics for Economics (A) Letters of Recommendation: 1.) I plan to acquire a letter of recommendation from the Economics Honors Coordinator at my university who supervised my research paper. He is a well renowned professor who obtained his PhD from the University of Chicago 2.) I plan to take the Grad Micro Theory course at my school and acquire a letter of recommendation from the professor who is also the Grad Coordinator of our school. He obtained his PhD from Yale 3.) After completing Linear, I plan to ask my professor for a letter of recommendation. He completed his PhD from Darmouth and has published several Calculus Textbooks along with Ron Larson Research Experience: Currently doing research with the Economics the Bureau of Economics at my University and I recently completed an Honors Empirical Economics Research course where I gained experience working with STATA and writing my first paper. Research Interests: Development, International trade, Monetary Economics SOP: Concerns: My GPA is weak. I am trying to compensate for this gap and I feel as though I have been growing at an exponential rate. I am currently attending one of the best university's in my state which has been a major accomplishment given my background.Given my plan (post bac, acquiring more research and doing a masters first) be enough to compensate for my academic flaws? Other: I am graduating this summer 2014. This summer I plan to take intro to prob and Diff. Eq. I also plan to do post bac and complete Micro Theory and Adv Calc I this fall. I will be completing my GRE and applying for grad school this Fall 2014. Applying to: Waiting for GRE and more research to decide. I am currently taking Linear Algebra which has been going well so far (but I think I may end up with a B/B+) and plan to take Intro to Prob and Diff. Eq this summer. I decided to apply for graduate school this upcoming Fall instead of the previous Fall due to my lack in credentials. As a post bac I plan to take Adv Calc I (Adv Calc I and II is our equivalent to Real Analysis) and the Graduate Micro Theory at my school during Fall of 2014 and I also plan to take my GRE's around that time(I have already started prepping for the GRE) My plan is to: -Complete linear this semester, and complete Intro to prob and Diff. Eq this summer 2014 -Take Adv Calc I and the Graduate Level Micro Theory as a post bac during Fall 2014 -Complete GRE's Fall -Gain more research experience -Apply to a Masters in: Economics, Math, or Statistics during Fall 2014 Given my credentials, do I stand a chance as far as admissions into a masters in economics from UBC, McGill, LSE, GSE, or Cambridge? I really want to go to UBC considering my strong interest in Development

Hello everyone, I would GREATLY appreciate any advice or suggestions I am a current undergraduate at the University of Florida (United States). Our graduate program has recently cut funding and we are no longer accepting graduate students(therefore, our overall ranking in economics will fall dramatically). They are pushing me to graduate by August 2014. I am a current senior, but I plan to do post bac in order to further build my credentials. That being said,my current profile is PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: B.A. In Economics, Large Public University currently ranked 48tth in Econ Undergrad GPA: 3.2/3.3 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: will be taking this Fall 2014 Math Courses: Calc 1 (B); Calc 2 (B-); Fundamentals of Mathematics (intro to proofs class) (B); Linear Algebra (N/A)(currently taking this semester); Multivariate Calculus ©; Intro to Real Analysis 1 (N/A)(planning to take Fall 2014); College Algebra (B), Precalc (A) Trig (A) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Beginning Micro / Macro class (A); Statistics for Economics (A); International Macro (A); Intermediate Macro (B+); Intermediate Micro (B+); International Econ (B+); Economic Empirical course (B+) Other Courses: Statistics for Economics (A) Letters of Recommendation: 1.) Economics Honors Coordinator at my university who supervised my research paper. He is a well renowned professor who obtained his PhD from the University of Chicago 2.) I should be taking taking the Grad Micro Theory course at my school and hopefully acquire a LoR from the professor who is also the Grad Coordinator of our school. He obtained his PhD from Yale 3.) After completing Linear, I plan to ask my professor for a LoR. He completed his PhD from Darmouth Research Experience: Currently doing research with the Economics the Bureau of Economics at my University and I recently completed an Honors Empirical Economics Research course where I gained experience working with STATA and writing my first paper. Research Interests: Development, International trade, Monetary Economics SOP: (I'm applying this upcoming fall) Concerns: My GPA is weak. I am trying to compensate for this gap and I feel as though I have been growing at an exponential rate. I am currently attending one of the best university's in my state which has been a major accomplishment given my background. As far as discipline, I definitely have the potential to attend a top 30 PhD, but my current GPA does not reflect academic competence. Given my plan (post bac, acquiring more research and doing a masters first) be enough to compensate for my academic flaws? Other: I am graduating this summer 2014. This summer I plan to take intro to prob and Diff. Eq. I also plan to do post bac and complete Micro Theory and Adv Calc I this fall. I will be completing my GRE and applying for grad school (masters first, then PhD afterwards) this Fall 2014. Applying to: depending on what I get on my GRE and more research to decide. I do not know whether it is appropriate to mention my background in my SOP. I was a transfer student who has been working my way up. During my senior year of high school I was working around 40hrs and came from a difficult household. I was admitted into community college with poor SAT scores 440 quant and 440reading. I was one of the top students from my community college, yet It has not been easy for me, however, now I am 22 yrs old and seem to be doing well in Linear. I am currently taking Linear Algebra which has been going well so far (but I think I may end up with a B/B+) and plan to take Intro to Prob and Diff. Eq this summer. I decided to apply for graduate school this upcoming Fall instead of the previous Fall due to my lack in credentials. As a post bac I plan to take Adv Calc I (Adv Calc I and II is our equivalent to Real Analysis) and the Graduate Micro Theory at my school during Fall of 2014 and I also plan to take my GRE's around that time(I have already started prepping for the GRE) My plan is to: -Complete linear this semester, and complete Intro to prob and Diff. Eq this summer 2014 -Take Adv Calc I and the Graduate Level Micro Theory as a post bac during Fall 2014 -Complete GRE's Fall -Gain more research experience -Apply to a Masters in: Economics, Math, or Statistics during Fall 2014 -Finally, apply to a PhD program Instead of applying directly into a PhD program, I think it would be wise to apply for a Masters first and then apply to a PhD program. Basically, I want to dig myself out of this hole. Aside of post bac, I'm trying to get my hands dirty with research and I just started working with an Economics Bureau at my university and plan to engage in more research opportunities I figured, if I can get accepted into UBC's or BGSE masters in economics I should complete a masters in hopes of landing into a top 30 PhD program (in the US) afterwards. Aside of applying to masters in econ, I was also thinking about applying to masters in statistics or math as a back up. Therefore, my question is, given that I do post bac to stack up on more math (and given that perform well on these classes), if I obtain a decent score on my GRE, gain more research experience and do a masters in either Economics(abroad/not in the US), math or statistics, should that compensate for my weak grades/GPA during undergraduate and land me in a top 30 PhD program(in the US)? Do I even stand a chance of being admitted into UBC, GSE, or a math or stats masters?