PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: US news top 35, top 15 econ. Double-major in econ and math
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00 (overall), 3.97/4.00 (econ), 4.00/4.00 (math)
GRE: 170Q 158V 4.0W
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, ODE, Analysis I-II, Stochastic Processes, Topology (all A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): grad micro sequence (A-, only non-A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro/intermediate micro/macro, Labor Economics, Game Theory, Econometrics, Econ stat, and possibly few more (all A)
Research Experience: Undergrad RA for one year (mostly micro), senior thesis on macro, and I'm currently working as a RA at top 3 institution (1-year appointment, full-time)
LORs:
1. Thesis advisor: He's also the one I've worked for as a RA in my undergrad institution. PhD Yale, very well known. Should be strong.
2. Professor from my current institution: I'm currently working for this professor. PhD MIT, again very well known.
3. Not 100% sure. Right now, it will either be my prof. who taught me grad micro or other prof. whom I stayed closed with during my undergrad years. However, if I get to know someone here well, then I might go for him.
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Empirical macro.
SOP: Thinking about it. I don't think it will be school-specific, although I might specifically state my research interest.
Aiming at: Top 10 institutions. May add few more as I move on.
Concerns:
1. GRE: I know it's a century old question, but I just can't figure out how "unimportant" GRE verbal/writing scores are. FYI, I'm not a US citizen, and English is not my first language. If I work for it, I might be able to land somewhere in >160V 170Q 5AW area, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. (There's a tradeoff between my quality of work here as a RA and my GRE score)
2. Should I try to get to know another prof. at my RA institution? I was hired by a single prof., and I've been working for that prof. only, but I might be able to extend my connection if I seek for it.
3. Am I aiming too high?
Again, any comments are welcome! Thank you for taking time to read yet another profile. Msg me if you want to know anything else!