ggsb

Just received an email from UVA asking for a skype interview and I really don't know that to expect. Would the interview be more technical (like, about economics stuff, theorems, models, etc.) or more about my aspirations, background and future plans? I've read something about this on the forums but I just need to clarify it a little bit. Get confident :)

Do international students also receive phone calls about the decisions? Or is it mostly by email?

Hi! I am a Brazilian student and I am going to graduate in June, 2015 (one of my concerns). I am really lost about which universities I should apply to! I am thinking about top 15-40, but I am really insecure. I am considering doing a masters (UBC, Barcelona GSE or TSE) first to gain more research experience and great LoRs. I would really appreciate some comments and suggestions on my profile! The deadline is coming... Type of Undergrad: Economics, best private university in Brazil (and most difficult) Undergrad GPA: 3.62 (in the Brazilian system: 92/100) - ranked 1st in class throughout the entire program (received scholarship for 4 years) GRE: 165Q (not that good) Math Courses: Calc 1,2,3 (A), Linear Algebra (A), Diff Eq, Statistics (A), Linear Algebra(A), Probability Theory(A), Real Analysis(A), Statistics Theory(A), Regression Analysis(A), Optimisation methods (A), Stochastic methods (A) Econ Courses: Econometrics 1, 2, 3 (A) (panel data, time series, liner regression, theory), Macro 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (As, just one B) (Growth and Development, Banking and Money, Basics, Labor), Micro 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (A, just one B) (Game Theory, Basic, IO, Theory) - Other Courses: Economic History (most Brazilian) (A), Political Sciences (A), History of the economic thought (A), Management courses, Finance (A) (capital markets, financial markets), accounting (B), R and Stata (learn how to use them) Letters of Recommendation: One from my thesis advisor (applied micro) who works at the government and did a part of his PhD at Urban Champaign , One from my econometrics teacher well know in Economic History and did a part of his PhD at UCLA, one from my calculus teacher who is the head of the math department Research Experience: Worked with my macro teacher for one semester (he does not have a PhD, but publishes regularly) - employed by my university (received scholarship). But at the end, I did not do anything really substancial Teaching Experience: student tutor for calculus 1 (pretty much basics), employed by my university (received scholarship) , for a year Research Interests: Development economics, Applied Macro SOP: the standard Concerns: LoRs - I have a great relationship with all my professor but they are not exceptional and really known internationally; my university does not send student to PhD in the US, and so I do not know it is its reputation; Research experience. Thanks!!

I'm trying to target a couple of lower ranked school, just to keep it safe.. What about U Washington, Urban Champaign and Georgetown? Can they be considered as "safer choices"?