Ballycan

Hi I will apply phd next year and need some advice for my course selection. Basically, I am facing two paths, 1. Take econ elective course which require me to write a master thesis. I expect to be able to build good relationship with the professor and get a good LOR from him. 2. Take stochasic process and machine learning course. FYI, I majored math in undergrad and courses I have are cal1, 2, 3, linear algebra, differential equation, analysis, real analysis, probability, intro stats, theoretical stats, non linear dynamics, abstact algebra, numerial analysis. (Mostly A/A- but B+ in diffequ and B in cal I) Under this circumstances, should I need to take machine and stochastic analysis? I am aiming TOP 5-10.

Hi, Urchers I am a kind of worried about elective course selections in my master program starting this August. I need to choose a course and the option that I have is either taking one econ upper course like labor, international econ, monetary econ, etc or taking two math courses (advanced probability and stochastic process) instead. I think; The pros of former are since I will communicate more with professors in economics, the probability of getting a good recommendation will be higher. Those of the latter are I can embellish my transcript with more math courses, which will be strong points in my future Ph.D. application. Moreover, I have not taken any measure theory and stochastic process yet. In the master program, I must take Ph.D level of Mirco, Macro and Econometrics, so I have no idea whether I need more elective or not. Also, I am thinking of doing RA after the program, So..yes Should I really take the elective? I really have no idea how important the two advanced math courses are to my future grad committee. I will be glad a lot if you throw some thoughts.

Hi there, I think we have quite similar profile shapes, just want to tell you how it was. I graduated from one of public school in the US top 30 with econ and math major. My GPA was 3.76. In the last cycle, I got rejected from Oxford and Toronto Doctoral. I guess that was due to poor GRE score, so if you have a great GRE score, you will have a shot. I accepted other master programs in the US, like Wisconsin, Tufts and Utexas, including some tuition waiver and scholarship offers. Though this is my pure guessing, I felt like US grad schools are more open to the student from US institution. So, yes. I would tell you that chance for the Duke is quite high, and for the Oxford and Toronto, good GRE score will benefit you. (especially, if you have Canadian Citizenship, it does help to get in the Toronto)

I think the best way to send the signal is to take actual classes and get good grades in the course. You may consider attaining a degree in mathematics (ex. graduate math diploma at Cambridge or UCL) or registering summer school (Rice math camp or LSE's summer school. FYI, they provide a real analysis class in summer) if you have graduated. I don't think taking GRE math subject test is reasonable since it is notoriously difficult and demanding.

Hi there, I have never thought of seeing any South Korean here, lol. Good to see you. Well.. Since I am also a doctoral applicant, my opinions may not be very accurate. Overall, I think you have a very decent profile (strong math courses and grad courses) you can land in the top 30-40 quite easily. I have no idea where you are aiming, but I think the most crucial part of your profile will be LORs. I strongly think (a lot of people actually agree) the three most important factor in doctoral admission are LORs, rigorous math courses and grad econ courses. In the points of views, 2) As far as the electives, I am not sure whether they are "really" important. Well.. I agree the game theory is quite important, but for the other electives, I consider they are relatively less imperative at your admission. Probably around three are enough. So, I would take and focus more on grad theory and math courses (one public finance maybe? since it is your field of interest) and ask professors in the grad course for LORs. 3) For the RA positions, yes, they do hire international students. But I think it is a waste of your time. So, you said you are from the TOP 3 colleges (SKY?), as far as I am correct, your MA program takes you two years and you should write a master dissertation. Then why don't you use the dissertation course to complement your research experience? Spending additional one year for research experience sounds quite a waste your time. I do not know whether you have finished the military, so it's up to you. 4) I agreed with her. I have once talked with a professor who graduated the Havard quite recently (2015), and he advised me if you want to do theorist, you should take measure theory, complex analysis, and topology but if not, you do not need to do. So, I would say the MRP for the courses is small. If you want to take one of them, go for the topology or measure theory. Complex analysis is not that important. 5) Okay, once I had similar concerns. I think you should take courses requiring you to write a paper. Research seminar course, for example. While taking the course, you will get advice and feedbacks consistently and through the communication, I think your professor will come to know what personalities you have and what is your strong points and weak points. That was how I felt when I got LORs. Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

I think this is too early because I still wait for the result. Based on the Gradcafe, I guess its result will be almost up around March, so you should wait.

Hi guys, I write this post since I would like to discuss about getting RA position in US, related with master programs. So, I just graduated from undergraduate and think of career path: 1 or 2 year Master - 1 or 2 years RA - Ph.D. I am quite not sure which master program would successfully land me to the best RA positions. For example, many people consider master program in Duke is better than NYU's MS program as a stepping stone to Ph.D. But such criterion is also true for getting in the competitive RA positions? (i,e which one is better to RA position, so-called stepping stone program or terminal master program?) I mean they seek applicant with quite different background. How do you guys think?

Thanks, I agree. Btw can you recommend.. about 4 math courses that I should complement for my future phD application? I am thinking of taking them in my master. I roughly thought that Topology, Measure theory and advanced probability. What's your opinion?

Cal I-III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equation(In progress), Intro to probability, Intro to real analysis, Theoretical Stats(though Stats is not a math, lol), Intro to abstract Algebra(In progress), Dynamical System(In progress, grad level), Numerical Analysis, Math for economists, + Intermediate econometrics.

Yes, that was too bad. Well, I just took the second one in the middle of semester when I quite struggled in **** tons of school works. I totally agree. my math major GPA is near 3.95 and the Q161 may be considered as kind of depreciation of my undergrad math performance. But the 3.5 sucks! I have researched accepted applicants' profile and there are rarely who admitted with AWA less than 4.0.

Hi there. I am doing applications for some master degree programs, and I am just no idea whether I have to turn in my gre scores. I have two gre scores, 1. V: 155, Q: 167, AWA: 3.5 2. V: 153, Q: 161, AWA: 4.0 even though it is master program, but few of them are doctoral stream so I think GRE score will be important. I am worrying the AWA 3.5. On second exam, I got 4.0 on AWA but I just screwed up Quant and verbal. I am math major so the 161 in Quant is indeed critical and may give a bad impression. Should I turn in only first exam or both? I hope I retake the exam but I do not have enough time to meet their deadlines.

Thanks!! I have a question regarding the master program. So, that is one-year master program. (Cambridge and UBC as well) I wonder which one is better to Ph.D preparation, one-year or two-year program. Considering LoR will be one of the important factors for admission, then can I get a good recommendation letter in one-year program? I think it is going to be difficult to impress and build a great relationship with professors in one year, and in terms of participating RA or something, two-years programs seem better shape. How do you think?

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Thanks for the advices. Well, honestly I am considering to go a master degree (hoping Mphil programs in U.K.) first and then, will move toward Ph.D. So you know, I think there will be chances to learn the Game Theory later somewhere in master curriculum. I don't know.. I feel like I should secure my cumulative GPA in undergrad at least. How do you think?

Hi there, I have to decide what classes I will take coming semester, and I am a little bit confused. I will apply ph.D in Econ this year. I have no idea whether admission committee will strictly require to take a Game theory course, and it will have pivotal signal in their decision. Next semester I will take bunch of math courses, including topology, so I think it is not a good idea to add a game theory there. I think of adding one easy course to back up my cumulative GPA, instead. Econ courses I have so far are: Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Labor, International Econ, IO, Public Finance. Do you guys think that I must take a Game theory under the circumstance I described? Please give me a piece of advice.

Hi there, I am an senior undergrad from one of Top 3 public university. I will be glad if I have a piece of advice to strengthen my future application. I am aiming for Johns Hopkins economics in a field of monetary economics. Profile: Major: BS in Economics and Mathematics (Double majors) GPA: 3.78 (Hopefully with High distinction) Currently Math GPA 3.95, Econ 3.7 Relevant Honors or fellowship: Few merit-based fellowships GRE: I am going to take on this summer Math Courses: Calc II-III (A+, A-), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Probability (A) Theoretical Stats (A), Intro stats(A) Econ Courses: Principle of Economics (A), Macro I-II (A, A), Micro I-II (A,A) Intermediate Macro-Micro (A, B), Econometrics (A), Public economics (B+), Labor Economics (A-), Mathematical Economics (A) Letters of Recommendation: Not determined. One from who knows me very well, graduated from Upenn, one from applied Math professor, I am expecting one from really famous professor in public finance (not sure he will write it for me though) Research Experience: One in public finance (it was university's annual conference and I was a presenter), one in behavior economics Teaching Experience: TAs in calculus, lots of tutor experience in math and econ Research Interests: Monetary economics and business cycle. Especially interested in central banking policies. Also, interested in computational macroeconomics (DSGE modeling) SOP: I am working on it. I feel that I won't be that bad. Other Stuff: MatLab, Stata Applying to: Johns Hopkins econ ph.d (+ UMD, Georgetown, Rochester, Brown) ------- Next semester, I am going to take game theory, topology, differential equations, numerical analysis. (may be a senior thesis course) Concerns: B in intermediate micro. Not having many research experience in macroeconomics. I am working on one regarding inflation targeting in this summer though, I don't know. Even I have not yet found an advisor. Also, I don't think my recommendation letters are strong enough, if I fail to get one from the famous professor. I don't know. it is really stressful thing to prepare phd application by myself.