Sponge

Hello Urch Econ Community, I've done my research on the forum and I feel my case is a little unique. I'd really appreciate it if you folks could take a look and provide me with some advice--or a reality check if necessary! Type of Undergrad: Private university very strong in International Studies program but not highly ranked in economics Undergrad GPA: 3.84 GPA Double Major BS Economics and BA International Studies (International Development specialization) Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa GRE: I'm currently studying for it, but am confident I'll do very well here (will retake if necessary) Math Courses: Calculus II,III (A, A), Linear Algebra (A), Basic Stats (A), Probability (A), Will be enrolling in Real Analysis in the fall (Assume an A, if I don't get one I'm going to wait to apply and retake at another institution) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Microeconomics I,II (A,A), Macroeconomics (A,B+), Economic Development (A-), Econometrics (A), Gender Roles in the Economy (B+)Environmental Economics (A) Internship/Independent Study in Econ (A-) History of Econ (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): Mathematical Economics (B-) Other Skills: STATA, Proficient in Arabic (have spent the last year in the Middle East), Some programming in Python Letters of Recommendation: One letter from an econ professor who mentored my independent study in which I produced a 25 page research paper (I later TAed for him), one from a fairly prestigious development oriented researcher in the Middle East (I worked as an RA for him co-authoring a paper for a strong journal, currently working with him on a study comissioned by a UN agency--will also be given co-author credit), the last from my former econometrics professor (although I hope to replace it with another RA position I may get this summer with an alumni of one of the universities I'm interested in) Other Research Experience: Worked as an RA for a head researcher at one of the top social policy think tanks, though he seemed happy to write me a LOR in person he never responded to the emails I sent trying to follow up (but better no letter than a half-hearted one I suppose?) Teaching experience: One semester TA for Intro to Micro, a year and a half of tutoring in Econ Research Interests: Environmental Economics, Development Economics SOP: Communicates my research interests tailored somewhat to the strengths of the different departments Here's the unique part. I finished my econ degree with basically no quantitative preparation--I realized I wanted to go for a PhD too late. Since graduating (last Spring) I've taken Calculus II/III, Probability (based on Calc III) and Linear Algebra I. I've taken these as a visiting student at what is arguably the most prestigious university in the Middle East, known for having very tough grading standards especially in mathematical subjects. The class average of the courses generally hovered between 45-65 percent. I took the mathematical economics grad course before I had any quantitative preparation, that's why I performed so poorly. Really stupid that the university didn't require even Calc II as a prerequisite. I'm returning to the US in the fall and have applied to a few different institutions to take the real analysis course. My question is two-fold: how much will this across the map academic record hurt me, and how critical is it that I take the real analysis course at a prestigious institution given my record (I know it's used as a signifier)? Also please note that my GPA for the last two years (senior + post-grad) is a 4.0. I'd really like to avoid doing a terminal masters if possible. Here's the list of schools I'm interested in applying to: UCSB, UC San Diego, U Colorado Boulder, U British Columbia, Berkeley ARE (obvious reach), UC Davis, BU (I like Boston) Thanks in advance! (Regardless of what you tell me!)