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PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BSc Economics and Finance in HK Undergrad GPA: 3.85 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 170Q/162V/5.0A Math Courses: Calc I-III (A-,B+,B), Linear Algebra (A-), Intro to ODE (B+), Theory of Calculus (A), Intro to Probability (A), Real Analysis (B) Econ Courses: Standard undergrad courses, MA Macro, PhD Micro Sequence Other Courses: N/A Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from professors at home institution and one from professor at exchange institution. Research Experience: RA for two different projects (one in trade and one in environmental econ) Teaching Experience: N/A Research Interests: Applied Micro SOP: Talked about preparation, motivations for doing PhD, research interests (very vaguely as I don't know what exactly I want to do), why I chose the school Other: Did an exchange semester at a top 15 department (USNews) in the Midwest. Canadian citizen. RESULTS: Acceptances: Maryland ($$), Virginia ($$), WUSTL ($$), Toronto Doctoral MA ($$), Queen's MA ($), UBC MA ($) Waitlists: Vanderbilt Rejections: UT-Austin, Penn State, UCLA, Wisconsin, Boston U, Pending: UC Davis, Rice (had interview) Comments: Very happy with the result. What would you have done differently? Work harder for math courses or take more math courses in the US. Apply to a few more schools in the 15-25 range. How accurate were others' predictions of your range of admissions? Was expecting to do an MA in Canada first. Didn't think I could make any decent PhD programs in the US.

If I have already received offers to PhD programs, do my spring semester grades still matter? I just feel like taking a break from school before I start my PhD but I am worried about having my offer rescinded. Is it possible for schools to take back the offer if my spring semester grades don't turn out well or do I only need to graduate?

Anyone going to Maryland's visit day?

Does anyone know if UC Davis has given out offers?

I got my UofT offer revised. Now funding is 24.7k conditional on me getting accepted to their PhD program in 2018.

According to my letter, I can choose to enroll in any PhD courses but the funding package is really low (5K+TA). I already have a couple funded T30 offers from the US so I would not go to Toronto. If Toronto offered a better funding package then I would definitely attend because I get to live at home.

I was wondering the same thing. My letter did not mention anything about the stream, instead it indicated pre-approval to enroll in any PhD classes.

Wait a little longer for Maryland. I got my acceptance only 30 minutes ago.

Yes.There is a decision letter button above "view checklist"

Anyone heard from WUSTL?

It seems like the server is down. I just received a rejection from Penn State but couldn't post on gradcafe.

Wondering the same. Is it an implicit rejection if I still haven't heard from them by now?

What are my chances if I still haven't heard from Penn State by now:(

I don't have this problem.

Anyone heard from penn state?

Thanks for the advice. The grades are good and I think they will help my applications.

My fall semester grades won't be available until sometime next week. Do you think schools will still look at them? I took PhD micro and real analysis in fall semester so I really wanted to show them.

Just a side question, do adcoms usually adjust for the difference in grading policies between Asian and American schools?

Thanks for all the replies. I understand that doing a master's first is the most ideal path for me. However, do I have any chances for any top 50 PhD programs? Should I bother applying to PhD programs or should I save the application fees and only apply to master's ?

Sorry for the confusion. I will be applying this year for programs starting in 2017. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts I will not be able to take analysis in the summer. In regard to RA-ing in the summer, I guess I can make an effort to contact professors at the UC for possible work opportunities.

Hi all, I am planning to apply for graduate programs in economics in 2017 and would like to seek some advice on how to prepare myself better. Background Information: I am attending one of top 3 universities in Hong Kong, majoring in economics and finance. My current GPA is 3.87/4.3 (about 1% of the student population graduate with 3.9+). This semester I am on exchange in a public university in the Midwest (ranked top 25 in the grauduate economics program and ranked top 50 in the college ranking according to US News). So far, the relevant courses I have taken are: Principles of Microeconomcs (A+), Micro Theory I & II (both A-; Nicholson and Snyder), Macro Theory I & II (both A; undergraduate Blanchard), Introduction to Econometrics (B+; Watson), International Trade (A; Krugman, Obstfeld, and Melitz), Calc I-III (A-, B+,B), Linear Algebra (A-), Introduction to ODE (B+), and an economics development class offered from the social science department (A+). This semester I am taking: Intermediate Macro (MSc class that is also open to undergraduate students), Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Theory of Single Variable Calculus (Spivak's Calculus), Introduction to Probability. So far I am doing well in all my classes, and if I can keep up the good work I should be able to get A's in all of them. I have been working for some of my professors as an RA (mostly just literature review and handing data using Stata). Plans for next year: In the summer I will be attending summer session at one of the UC's to take more math classes. Right now I am thinking about doing Optimization and Mathematical Game Theory. When I go back to my home university in the fall, I am planning to take Cross-sectional Econometrics, Time Series Econometrics, Labor Economics, Topics in Economic Growth, Statistical Inference, and Stochastic Modelling. Also, I will be taking the GRE in the next few months. Graduate programs I am planning to apply to: I find most fields in economics to be interesting, but I feel that I am particularly interested in areas like economic development and political economy. I am thinking about applying to an applied econ PhD program, but I am more inclined to go to a general econ program in order to keep my doors open to other disciplines in case my interests change. I am also open to going to a Master's program first, preferably in Canada as I am a citizen and it would be less costly for me. I am quite concerned with my mathematics background, especially the mediocre grades in the classes I have already taken. Will they significantly my chances of admission? Also, I have not taken any analysis classes and I am afraid I might not be able to take one before I graduate due to schedule problems. The Theory of Calculus, which uses Spivak's Calculus, will be my only proof-based class. I am wondering if that can be a substitute for a proper analysis class? I did not do very well in my first Econometrics class due to a bad exam, yet I am not worrying too much about that as I am quite confident I can do well in cross-sectional and time series Econometrics next year. Please comment on my plans for the summer and next year if you feel that I am making the best decision. Judging from my profile, what kind of schools and programs do you think I should target? I am uncertain about my prospect because unlike most people on this forum I don't come from a North American school. I would say that my program is quite reputable as every year we have a couple graduating student going to very good PhD programs in the USA, but in my opinion they are all really bright student and I don't think I can compare to them. I am quite clueless about the kind of school I should apply to. I don't have an ambition to go to really prestigious school. I really enjoy studying economics and I will be happy with any program that can get me a decent job placement after I graduate. Thank you very much.