ktest12

I was able to play catch-up in about a year and get into a program around 30, although I did chose not to attend there. Unfortunately my math background was a tad better ( Calc I and Calc II plus courses you mentioned) and my GPA was higher when I started to prepare, however your institution was likely better, its tough to gauge. I would say Multivariate Calculus and Linear Algebra and great letters may be enough to get you there (worked for me!), but I was rejected from most places I applied to in that range. I did not have any research experience but I regret not pursuing that more. I would recommend at least taking the courses above and an course in analysis, then I am really not entirely sure what the best option would be. I know some stateside master programs offer funding and seem to have decent PhD placements like Miami of Ohio, but I don't know enough about it. I also know the best European Masters seem to be equivalent in difficulty to PhD programs. I also had a lot of thoughts running through my head when I decided this was what I wanted to do. Good luck either way!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 200 USNWR, very small PhD program, BA Economics, minors: Math and Health Systems Administration Undergrad GPA: 3.86 Type of Grad: None Grad GPA: GRE: 163Q, 157V, 4.0AW Math Courses: Calc I-III(B+,A-,A) Multidimensional Mathematics A+, Diff Eq in progress, Linear Algebra in progress, Intro to Proofs in progress Econ Courses: UG: Intro Micro/Macro, Intermediate Micro/Macro, Undergraduate Math Econ, Econ/Business Stats, Health Econ, Money and Banking, Econometrics, Senior Seminar. Grad: Math Econ (All A or A+) Other Courses: a few Computer Science and Engineering software courses. Letters of Recommendation: I would imagine they would have to be fantastic for my profile to get accepted where I did, all were instructors I had from top 40 or better schools. Research Experience: None, outside of pretty extensive Health Econ paper Teaching Experience: Math tutor at a local high school (employed by district). Research Interests: Macro/Public SOP: Seemed pretty basic, explained how I came around to wanting a PhD late in the game, what drew me to get my PhD, career goals ect. Concerns: I would have to say my lack of math was my primary concern, my GRE wasn't great but I knew it wouldn't hold me back too much and I really didn't think it would have been worth it to try to get a couple more math questions right. Lack of research experience was also something that worried me. RESULTS: Acceptances: Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina Waitlists: Georgia? (Initially waitlisted, asked if interested and said I wasn't, not sure where to place it) Rejections: Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State, WUSTL Pending: Purdue Attending: Kentucky Comments: Alright it might sound crazy to pick Kentucky over North Carolina, but I really loved my visit there. Their faculty seemed great and I really liked the structure and size of the program. What would you have done differently? If I could go back and figure out this is what I wanted to do when I first went to college that would have been great, but with the way things progressed I really can't complain about the outcome. Maybe I could have tried harder to get a RA position and maybe have taken another math class or two, but I am extremely happy with my season.