AJZ

I benefited a lot from reading past profiles and results. I second jklimek. We should help future applicants by keeping threads like this going. Here's to Antichron! PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: US TOP 20 Undergrad GPA: 3.99 Type of Grad: US TOP 20 Grad GPA: 4.0 GRE: Q170 V161 W4.5 Math Courses: Calculus (all A and A+), Linear Algebra (Honors A+), Real Analysis (Honors A-, A), Probability Theory (A, A+), Numerical Methods (A, A+), Differential Equation (A), Discrete Mathematics (A) Econ Courses: Undergrad: Micro. macro, metrics (all A+). Grad: Phd micro (all A) Other Courses: Letters of Recommendation: Two from research, and one from a PhD micro course Research Experience: TA a year and a half for two professors. Honors thesis Teaching Experience: None Research Interests: IO and labor SOP: very standard. Talked about why interested in economics, preparation, research experience, and faculty at each school Other: RESULTS: Acceptances: Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Berkeley, and Northwestern Waitlists: Rejections: Harvard, HBS, MIT, Stanford GSB, Chicago, NYU, and Brown Pending: Attending: Stanford Comments: 1. GRE verbal/writing not important as long as it doesn't raise a red flag. 2. The outcome of my admission results coincide almost perfectly with my prior. And my prior is from reading profiles and results of past years. 3. GPA is necessary but not sufficient for top programs. 4. Taking grad classes is a risky strategy. Things could have gone very wrong for me had I messed up in a PhD class that I took. 5. PM me if any specific questions. I'll be more than happy to help. What would you have done differently? The only thing I could have done to improve my profile is to work for NBER or Fed for some time before applying. How accurate were others' predictions of your range of admissions?

Let's not give up just yet! f150 got in UChicago but haven't heard anything from Brown. Either this year's admission decisions are a total mess or they haven't sent out all acceptances.

Agreed! Since we're talking about this, what schools would you think are strong in (almost) all fields? I guess it's safe to say Harvard/HBS and MIT as a start. Where else?

How many of you are actually committed to the fields you say in your SOP? I've mostly been doing empirical micro stuff, but I'm feeling myself steering towards macro more and more each day... Please share your thoughts.

Hi! I think it's different for each school. I know some places allow undergraduates to take Ph.D. classes with the instructor's permission. At my school, however, the department makes the final call, and there is an application process for it. For your second question: It is definitely possible. I have two undergrad friends who took all micro and metrics sequences at the same time last year, and they did better than some of the graduate students. Macro at my school is the easiest sequence of all three. So I think it's possible to take micro and macro at the same time. That being said, it is a lot of work. If you're applying to grad school, take only one sequence and do really well in it. The two friends I mentioned went into industry afterwards. As for whether you should take grad classes. If you're considering taking micro (which most peoplel do b/c it sends the strongest signal), then it depends on how good you are at real analysis and topology. If you've done very well in these type of math classes, then you should be fine. Work HARD!

Hi! I am an international student studying at a U.S. university, currently in the process of preparing for PhD program application. I have definitely heard about that some international students come in as PhD candidates, but they drop out when there's a good job offer which usually guarantees a green card. I'm guessing that is the major reason why there's a higher drop out rate among internationals. But it doesn't make much sense though. If a job offer or green card is the goal, then wouldn't a MFE or some other more applied degree be more appealing than a Econ PhD when they apply? As for your concern, studying in U.S. costs a lot of money indeed. But the experience is totally worth it. It's not only the world famous academic institutions and professors, but also the very diverse and exciting living atmosphere. Just keep an open mind because everyday there's gonna be new things and new people happening in your life.

Hi Food4Thought! Thank you for your advice, I feel more clear in terms of what to work on now. But could you also clarify a little on "taking PhD courses?" How many PhD classes would you say are good enough? Or should I take the whole Micro/Macro/Econometric sequences? Also, I see sometimes some reputed Econ department recruit for their pre-doctoral fellowship programs. Do you think it is something worth much more than a master's in Econ (When I face the two options at the same time)?

Hi! I am a 3-year international student studying at a Top3 U.S. public university right now, and I am preparing for grad school application. It would be great if I could have some of your opinions on my current background and possible ways to improve it. So, here we go: PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top3 U.S. public research university (Top 15 Econ dept and top 5 math dept world-wide, according to various rankings). Undergrad GPA: 3.976/4.000 Major GPA: roughly the same GRE: 153V/170Q/3.5W (Took it a year ago) Undergrad Math Courses: (Note: Grade A and A+ are usually the same in my university, but some professors do give out A+ in their classes. A and A+ are both 4.0 in GPA) Single-Variable Calculus 1,2(A, A) Multi-Variable Calculus 1,2(A, A+) Intro to Linear Algebra (A+) Intro to Discrete Mathematics (A) Intro to Differential Equation (A) Honors Linear Algebra (A+) Probability Theory 1(A) Honors Real Analysis 1 (A-) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro1/Intro2/Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (A+, A+, A+) Intro/Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (A+, A+) Programming courses: C++ 1, 2 (A, A) Classes will be taken before applying: Probability Theory 2, Honors Real Analysis 2, Numerical Methods 1, Econometrics (Undergrad) Letters of Recommendation: (I am considering asking some of these six professors for LOR) 1.4th Year econ thesis adviser (did not take any class with him) 2. An econ professor that I took a class with, and he has been my "mentor" for a long time. Will possibly do research with him over this summer 3. Probability Theory 2 professor who I am considering doing research with next quarter 4. Intermediate Macro Prof who I talked a lot to about PhD programs 5. Honors Real Analysis 2 Prof who I haven't met yet. But will take her class next quarter 6. Econometrics Prof. who I will take next quarter Research Interests: Micro Economics Theory P.s.: I would like to stay in academia and become a professor after my phd program. And I am 80% sure about this. Now I am facing 2 options: 1. Do an econ masters program in my university (one additional year) before applying, no financial aid 2. Apply to PhD programs Concerns: 1. I really don't think my rec letters are strong enough. But I am not sure how much doing the master's program (i.e. taking grad classes with PhD students in my university) would help with rec letters. Based on the description above, which three profs do you think I should ask for rec letters? 2. My GRE scores are not ideal. But that was a year ago. I am very sure I will get a much higher score when I re-take it this summer 3. Do I need the GRE Sub-math test? 4. Also, I talked to someone who did the MA/BA program last year, he advised me to go straight into a PhD program if I am sure about doing it, instead of spending an additional year and extra money (I'm an international student, so I pay a higher tuition) 5. I don't have grad econ classes b/c i'm not allowed to take them unless i am doing the MA/BA program Please share your thoughts with me. Many many thanks :) !!!