PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5/10 Liberal Arts
Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (3.92 Econ 3.44 Geography)
GRE: Haven't taken yet, 165+ for Verbal/Quantitative on practice tests
Math Courses: Calc II (B+) Linear Algebra (C+)
Stat Courses: Econ Statistics (A) Regression analysis (A) Empirical Economic Research Methods (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro/Macro Theory (both As at a different school (top 25 LAC), not counted in overall GPA) Environmental Econ (A) Urban Econ (A-) International Development Seminar (A) Thesis (A and Highest Honors)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Professors at College, 1 who I did research with and was my thesis adviser (really likes me and I took 5 classes with), 1 who taught my seminar. 1 From my current job at an Econ Consulting Firm
Research Experience: RA for a professor at my College, Thesis
Teaching Experience: TA for 3 classes
Research Interests: IO, Labor, Applied Micro, Transportation
So overall this is not a very impressive resume. I knew I couldn't get into any econ program out of college so I'm working at an economic consulting firm now (in competition and antitrust). I have my thesis (focused on airline mergers) that has a novel methodology and a decent result (Professor thought I had a decent shot at International Journal of Industrial Organization with some rewriting). Its probably publishable if I put some more work into it. Additionally I need more math courses. I'm looking at taking courses at Harvard Extension and I figure I need to retake Linear Algebra and take some new classes as well (multi-variate calc and maybe Real analysis?). The earliest I'd apply is next fall, but I'd be fine with delaying another year to take some more courses.
My questions are what other math courses do I need to take past Linear, would attempting to publish my thesis help at all, and is there any way I could even get this type of resume into a PhD program? I'm not super interested in a top 50 placement post PhD, my ideal would actually be a top 30 LAC (I went to one and grew up with my dad teaching at one and I love to teach), but I'm not sure that this would be achievable even with some additional brushing up.
Would going and getting a Masters help significantly? Would I have a better shot going for a Business PhD? or are my chances pretty much shot already?
Thanks for the help
