aspiringphd

Need to decide between Maryland and UTD for the Information systems program. Any suggestions on the pros and cons of each program?

Hi, I will be applying this year for the doctoral program in MIS, looking for honest feedback and suggestions regarding my profile. Education Background: Undergrad: BS Economics (Top 3 college in my country) GPA: 4.0 (Converted my grades to US point system, though not sure if the conversion is accurate) Grad School : MS Economics (Top university in my country) GPA: 3.6/4.0 RA Experience: Full Time Research experience in Economics for 1.5 years. TA Experience: Nil Work Experience: 1 year Industry experience in the Financial Services Industry (Big 4 company) Test Scores GRE: Q-169/V-155/AWA-4.5 Test Scores TOEFL: Total 106 Research Interest Some of the research themes I find interesting and would like to pursue are: Economics Of Information Systems: pricing of IT services and products, Online Labor markets, product diffusion of IT goods. Peer influence in social networks: Social and observational learning of new technologies facilitated through social networks, behavioral Impacts of social networks and online communities. Online Marketing: Impact of word of mouth on online sales, In app advertisement, Impact of recommender systems on revenue of sellers. IT governance: Gray markets and piracy impact on sale of IT goods. Concentration Applying to : Management Information Systems Planning to apply to UT-Austin, University of Minnesota, UT-Dallas, University of Arizona, Carnegie Mellon University, NYU – Stern, Temple University, Arizona State University, University of Florida, UofMaryland College Park, U of Washington Seattle, USC Marshall, U of Pittsburgh, McGill University, Singapore Management University. Questions or concerns you have about your profile? Most of the doctoral students in MIS seem to be either from Technology or management background, would my degree in economics hurt my chances of securing an admission? I have chosen the schools to apply based on my research fit, however, not sure if I am applying to places which are out of my league. Would appreciate suggestions of safer schools given my research interest.

I think your profile is not weird. You have a really strong undergraduate background with solid math courses which is a must for an econ Phd though you lack Strong Econ Courses as your MBA econ courses are nowhere near to the Grad level Econ courses as Grad courses are a completely different thing. Though, having LOR's from well connected profs will be extremely helpful. As far as applying to Universities is concerned your profs giving you the LOR's will be the best people to tell you. People applying to Phd's from India have similar research background as you have thus it is not a matter of concern. I think you can aim for a few higher ranked universites also. Hope this helps

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Bachelor's in Economics (One of the top 3 colleges in the country) Undergrad GPA: 8.00/10 Type of Grad: Ms Economics (Top College in the country) Grad GPA: Percentage - 70%+ GRE:168Q 156V 4.5 AWA Math Courses:Real Analysis(Half Unit),Linear Algebra(Half Unit),Calculus(I,II),Numerical Analysis Econ Courses (grad-level):Microeconomics(I,II),Macroeconomics(I,II),Game Theory(I,II),Econometrics(I,II),Time Series Analysis All courses were pretty advanced. Econ Courses (undergrad-level):Intermediate Microeconomics(4 courses),Macroeconomics(4 courses),Development Economics(4 courses),Econometrics(1 course),Economics Statistics(4 courses),International Trade(1 course),Finance(1 course) Courses were less mathematically advanced. Other Courses:A couple Certificate courses in Advanced Statistics. Letters of Recommendation: Research Experience:Nil Teaching Experience:Nil Research Interests: Econometrics,Macroeconomics,Microeconomics,Financial Economics SOP:Not prepared yet Concerns:No RA/TA,Average GPA Other:My College does not have a good record of placing students in top Phd programs(top 20-30) Applying to: Not decided but considering applying for a Master's program in UK to gain good experience in economic research and as a stepping stone to top US universities/continuing for a Phd in the UK itself.

I am a Master's student in Economics from the best College in India and I wish to apply for a Phd in Economics. However, due to lack of Research Experience/TA's I am apprehensive about applying to a good university in US.Further my college does not have a reputation of sending students for Phd to top colleges in the US. I need advice regarding: 1) Whether a 1 year Mphil at Cambridge/ a 2 year Mphil at Oxford/LSE EME(1 year) be an achievable option for me? 2) What are the prospects of getting into a Phd program at a top US university/LSE/ Cambridge/Oxford after getting a Masters from any of the above mentioned(if it is possible for me to get into any of the Programs)? 3) What universities can i try in the US for a Phd? I have a good Academic record. GRE - Q-168,V-156,AWA-4.5 Any suggestions or advice are welcome. Thanks in advance

I am a Master's student in Economics from the best College in India and I wish to apply for a Phd in Economics. However, due to lack of Research Experience/TA's I am apprehensive about applying to a good university in US.Further my college does not have a reputation of sending students for Phd to top colleges in the US. I need advice regarding: 1) Whether a 1 year Mphil at Cambridge/ a 2 year Mphil at Oxford be an achievable option for me? 2) What are the prospects of getting into a Phd program at a top US university/ Cambridge/Oxford after getting an Mphil(if it is possible for me to get into the Mphil Program)? I have a good Academic record. GRE - Q-168,V-156,AWA-4.5 Any suggestions or advice are welcome.