fmn13

Honestly, I'm still considering whether a PhD will be right for me. I like reading about my interests (international macro and monetary) but I don't know if I like the academic research aspect, which is quite different. I need to figure that out to know if I should apply. Nonetheless, I would love to get an idea of how well (or not so well) I stack up. Thank you for your opinion and time in advance! PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BComm at a good Canadian school. Econ department in T50 according to RePec overall rankings. Undergrad GPA: 3.58 (Econ: 3.92) Type of Grad: Master's in Economics, same school Grad GPA: 3.55 GRE: Haven't taken yet. Math Courses: Calculus single var: A Calculus Multi-var: A- Linear Algebra: B+ Economics Courses: (Undergrad) Advanced Macro: A- Advanced Micro: A+ Metrics: A- Public Policy Analysis: A (Grad) Micro: B Macro: B+ Metrics: A- International Macro: A Financial Econometrics: B- Energy: A Financial Risk Management: A- Macro forecasting: A Letters of Recommendation: I know I can secure two good letters from undergrad profs who are well known. One prof I've TA'd for for two years and I did well on his course. The other from prof whose class I've taken and had a little RA experience with. For the third one, I'm thinking of the prof who taught me Intl. Macro in grad school but I realize his will most likely be lukewarm. Research Experience: Undergrad level. Helped aforementioned prof with two projects of his and he seemed to like my results. Other than that, half the classes I took in grad school had a research/project component. Wrote a bunch of papers and very hands-on data experience. Teaching Experience: TA in third and fourth year in undergrad and during grad school Research Interests: International macro/international finance, monetary, macroeconomics SOP: My aim by the time I apply is to have a good idea what my research topic is gonna be (I realize I'm very reaching with this goal). This is both to have a good idea where I should apply and show I'm serious about this. Will try to explain the weak parts of my application (grades) Concerns: 1. Not that much math. I would need a couple more courses, definitely real analysis. Might even take some pure statistics courses. 2. My grad school grades are meh, particularly the theory courses. I wasn't fully focused in my MA, honestly. I believe this will be the major weakness of my application. Applying to: I'm thinking BU, CMU, Minnesota, Duke, Penn State, Queen's as possible realistic targets. Daydreaming of Columbia, NYU. Really reaching with Berkeley.