Badger

I have considered that, but I'm taking comps, so I could probably transfer in a couple of my Ph.D. courses at UT as electives to complete my MA, even if I fail out. Also, I'll get an MA from UT, even if I don't complete my dissertation, so that mitigates the risk as well.

Hey all, just wanted to get your advice on something. I am finishing my M.A. in Econ at an unranked school in the U.S. After this spring semester, I'll need 6 hours to finish during the summer, which will by necessity be comprised of electives that I don't think will benefit my Ph.D. studies at a different program. So...do you think it would be beneficial to finish, or do you think my time would be better spent reviewing my math and prepping for the fall in my Ph.D. program? (There would also be the benefit of not having to pay tuition). Also, if you think that I should drop the M.A., should I contact the DGS at my admitting program to make sure that's okay with them? I assume that's the professional thing to do. Thanks in advance for your help!

If you're not opposed to spending additional time in school, I might go with UNLV - that's a very generous stipend for a MA program, and you could strengthen math and/or other weaknesses in your profile, while adding a bit of research experience via your thesis. It sounds like you applied to Auburn on a lark, and if you can get in that easily, you could probably do significantly better next admit cycle.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Unknown Liberal Arts College Undergrad GPA: 4.0 Type of Grad: Large, Unranked State University Grad GPA: 4.0 (Summer/Fall Only…Spring in-Process) GRE:165V, 170Q, 5.5 AW Math Courses: Calculus 1-3 (All A’s), Linear Algebra (A), DEQ (A), Probability (A), Mathematical Statistics (A), Intro to Analysis (A) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro/Macro (A's), Economic History (A), Comparative Economic Systems (A), Game Theory (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD Micro I (A), PhD Math for Economics (A), PhD Advanced Math for Economics (A), MA Macro (A), PhD Econometrics I (A). Other Courses: Introduction to Programming (A), Various Other Business Courses (All A’s) Letters of Recommendation: Undergrad Advisor – not terribly active researcher, but very enthusiastic. Two for my MA program, which should be fine. Nothing special, no one famous. Research Experience: Senior thesis… Teaching Experience: TA for MA Program Research Interests: Health, Applied Micro, IO, Business Econ SOP: Tailored to each program’s strengths, nothing special Other/Concerns: Spent several years working in an unrelated business field, which was discussed in my SOP. This is my greatest concern, other than lack of research experience and relatively unknown nature of institutions attended. RESULTS: Acceptances: Kentucky, Texas-Austin Waitlists: Vanderbilt (later rejected), Virginia (later rejected) Rejections: NYU Stern, Duke, North Carolina (I guess? Never heard back), WUSTL (Olin), Illinois. Attending: UT-Austin! Comments: Thought I had a noisy profile going in, and I was right. It’s difficult to know what hurt me most (my time outside of econ, my unranked/unknown schools or my lack of research experience), but I think it was probably my lack of research experience. That being said, I am thrilled that I got into UT – very blessed!

The great thing about prelims (and research) vs. the admissions process is that you are in control of those things! Whenever I start to get stressed about school or tests, etc., I always try to remember: somebody who is dumber than me has passed this course/test/challenge, and someone who is smarter than me has failed. The adcoms make sure that you have the raw ability / preparation to succeed - the biggest determinant of success from here forward is effort! And that is something that is totally in your control.

From another thread (which I just saw): If that's from a current UCR student, then Houston is probably best. If UCR is not strong in macro, then they will likely not place well in macro either (regardless of their overall placements).

If you're only on the waitlist for UCR and your deadline for accepting Houston's offer is today, then you have to choose Houston, I think. It's not worth the risk that you don't get off the WL at UCR and end-up with no offers - better to take a sure thing.

Kitty - I'm not very familiar with any of these programs, but I will take a shot: (1) In contrast with the other two, I think Delaware is the least well-known. In fact, I didn't even realize they had a Ph.D program. From a quick look on their website, it looks to be small / new. That doesn't mean it's bad, but I'd be inclined to strike that one from contention, given that the other two are top-100 programs per US News (whereas Delaware is not ranked that I've seen). (2) I always like to look at Job Market Candidates to see what "product" the department is producing. It looks like both SMU and UH are generating macro candidates at about the same rate, so that fits well. (3) it looks like Houston is a larger department, whereas SMU is smaller...there are advantageous to large (more faculty to work with / more resources) and small (closer relationship)... that's going to be personal preference. (4) Geographically, I'd prefer Dallas (where SMU is) to Houston, but not by much. Both are very large cities and very hot (though Houston is more humid). If I had to make a decision, I'd say Houston as it seems like it is a rising program and has more consistent placements. Hope this helps!

@Hyrum - per Gradcafe, it's totally possible to get off the waitlist on 4/15. You should probably make your final decision tomorrow sometime...the absolute "worst case" scenario is that your top choice accepts you after you have accepted an offer. There was a good discussion earlier in thread as to whether or not it is acceptable to take the preferred offer... I think the consensus was that it is not ideal to do so, but departments understand that happens sometimes as part of the process. Not the end of the world. Hopefully it doesn't come to that - best of luck!

There were several GC notifications off the waitlist on the April 15 last year. I think the best strategy is to accept your best offer by tomorrow. Some schools will offer acceptances after 4/15 (as their WL clears), but you certainly can't count on that. There was an informative discussion earlier in this thread regarding whether or not it was appropriate to accept a post-4/15 offer if you'd already accepted another school. The consensus seemed to be that, while it was certainly not ideal, it happens on a fairly regular basis and is not an unforgivable sin that will haunt you throughout your career. Hoping it doesn't come to that though! Best of luck!!

Outstanding! Thank you so, so much! It's a long-shot, for sure, but there's really not much downside at this point.

What do you all think about contacting a program to let them know they're still your top choice? I'm thinking about emailing Vanderbilt something to that effect (and to also offer to provide any other pertinent information for their admissions decision), but I'm not sure if it would be perceived poorly. Since they've sent 1st round offers out, I can only hope that I'm on an implicit waitlist, but I know it's a long-shot. I also thought about mentioning that I'd received other strong offers, just as a signal that somebody else wanted me... Assuming this isn't a bad idea, could those who have been accepted by Vandy advise as to who I should email? I was thinking either Jennifer Reinganum (DGS) and/or Kathleen Finn (Assistant to the DGS), but wasn't sure who has been contacting the admitted applicants. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Congratulations!! They're pretty close via US News. I do think Vanderbilt is very strong is healthcare, but I don't see as much in pure labor topics. Their department seems to be pretty well focused on health and macro/trade, whereas from my brief look at Rice's department, they seem to be more focused on health and other applied micro. Also, I feel like Rice has a lot of "buzz" around it this admissions season as an up-and-coming department, so there's that.

At this point, I'd take any closure regardless of outcome. I was weirdly relieved when I founded out I'd been shunned by Duke. Not that I didn't want to get in, but it's just nice to have another possibility crossed-off the list. Now if Stern will just let me know that I'm inadequate, we'll really be converging on decision time...

Institution: Duke Program: Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/16 Notified through: Email to check status Comments: Totally expected.