tkgeoff

Hi there, I can't tell you about your chances as I have no familiarity with the Indian system and how U.S. schools treat it, but I did not end up taking up UCL's offer because of the cost for the MSc and the high likelihood for no funding for the MRes year. It seems like the consensus is that since you won't have any information from the MSc when applying to the U.S., it's pretty pointless to apply in the MSc year. If you attend the MRes year AND rank well in the MSc, I'm sure you have a chance at a school in the U.S. if you apply during the MRes. Good luck!

Thanks for the response, that information is very helpful. Seems like a high-risk strategy judging from the responses. Anyone else have any experience with this situation or know someone who was been in it? Also, if anyone happens to know someone in the UCL MSc Economics program and could put me in touch with them that would be supremely helpful. Thanks.

I would not retake - in my opinion it would be a waste of time. Like the rest said, just kill the remaining math classes you have lined up and you will be fine.

Anyone else have experience applying to U.S. PhDs after one semester in a Masters program? I was admitted to another program which does indeed have some exams at the end of the first semester and thus would have more to show on my application, but I'm still unsure about convincing a professor to write a letter for me. Deadline is Tuesday... any input is extremely helpful.

Thanks for the advice and the information, much appreciated. Unfortunately I am an overseas student (non-EU) so some of those opportunities may not be available. I've also been working for 3 years between my undergraduate work and now so I'm really looking to go straight to the PhD without any more breaks. Sounds like I may have to consider my other options. If anyone happens to know someone who has done this or has done it themselves, please leave your input as well.

Hi there, I am considering attending the UCL MSc Economics program before applying to U.S. PhD programs but I'm trying to figure out how to pull this off so I don't have a year off in between. For one reason or another I would want to apply to U.S. PhD programs after the first term of the UCL MSc program. Problem is, I don't know if I am going to have anything to show for my performance at UCL besides the math exam we take at the beginning of the term, seeing as exams are taken during Term 3 and thus wouldn't be in time for application season.. Does anyone know if I receive final "grades" for courses taken in the first term that would appear on a transcript? Or is this route usually not taken aka most people have a gap year doing research or just stick with the UCL PhD? Thanks!