j2018

Hi, I am trying to decide on which undergrad math courses to take for PhD econ. I have three classes in mind: probability, stat inference, and stochastic op research. Ideally, I would take all, but I'd need to drop one. I've been thinking that probability is the most important one out of them, but it's with a notoriously bad professor. So, my heart tells me that i should drop probability, but I am not sure how important it is to have probability on the list of classes I took in undergrad. Any advice/opinion on this? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I am a junior in college, thinking of applying to grad school sometime in the future. I am currently trying to decide my courses for the semester, and I am really torn between two courses: one is just straight-up Probability Theory and the other is an advanced research-based econ course. (and I really don't have the option of taking both due to some circumstances...) Part of me really wants to take the research-based econ course because it relates to my current research interest, and I think I would make a great independent project out of it (and of course, improve my Stata skills). But, I've started to consider going to grad school pretty late in my college career, so I am really insecure about my lack of math (so far, I've only taken Multi-Variable Calc, Linear Alg, Diff Eq, Intro to Analysis, and Econ Stats). I've been planning to take Real Analysis and Statistical Linear Modeling in senior year, and I think that taking Probability Theory this semester would help me squeeze in one more upper-div math course in my senior year (because I will ultimately take Probability later, if not this semester). So, I guess my question comes down to this: which would strengthen my application more? More upper-div level math course or a solid independent research work? Does undergrad independent research work even matter a lot?? Thanks in advance.

Ahh thank you for your reply! Yeah, it's definitely hard when my peers joke about "selling out," when I really seriously have to think about it for my future haha Since you are coming from a similar background as mine, I would like to know more about your work experiences after college, if you are fine with that!

Thank you for your reply! Yeah, I definitely think that senior thesis would give me a better chance with better letters, and I think I am leaning more toward applying after senior year to strengthen my letters. But, as I mentioned in my reply above, do you think it is okay that my writers are not well-known? Definitely seeing the perks of going to LAC: I worked very closely with my professors and they know me very well. But, just afraid that even the very intimate letters won't matter, due to who they are. :(

Thank you for your reply! Do you think that strong letters are, in fact, strong, even if my professors are not necessarily well-known? Also, I am pretty confident that the first writer (one who really liked my research project I did for his class) would say very good things about me, but his area of research also tends to be very different from mine... Because I've never thought of going to PhD until this year, I got close with professors who I genuinely enjoyed talking to,... who unfortunately turned out to be not so much connected to large universities/programs. ugh I hate to "strategically" build relationships with professors, but reading through the threads made me realize that I really should haha

Hi everyone, I am currently a junior, looking forward to apply for a Ph.D in Economics sometime in the future.I would say two of my biggest concerns is that 1) I go to a small liberal arts college (although it is top 5), and 2) I didn't consider going to grad school under this year, so most of what I did in the past are irrelevant (marketing, finance, etc). I wanted to ask you for advice on what I should do during my senior year (still try applying to schools or just focus on full-time RA & etc?), where to apply, and for any additional comments/recommendation (also about what classes I should take next? Since I still have a full year left). Do you think I have the chances to be admitted to a top 15? Type of Undergrad: B.A. in economics from Top 5 LAC Undergrad GPA:3.84/4.0 at the moment Type of Grad: Grad GPA: Econ Grad Courses: TOEFL: Math Courses in the undergrad: Calc III, Linear algebra, Diff eq/modeling (all As); Econ stats (A-); Probability and math analysis in progress Econ undergrad Courses:Applied econometrics, Accounting and financial analysis, Micro (all As); Macro (A-); Development econ (B+); Adv econometrics and an elective course about poverty in progress GRE: planning to take soon Letters of Recommendation: I haven`t talked to them yet. But 1) most likely from econometrics prof I TAed for, and wrote a research paper for his class & he loves it and considers it one of the best papers written for his course BUT I don't think he's well-known 2) labor economics prof from MIT 3) not too sure about my third one... hopefully my thesis advisor? Research Experience: independent research supervised VERY closely by one of my letter writers (perks of LAC i guess) My supervisor thinks it's publishable. Planning to work as an RA for another one of my letter writers Teaching Experience: Teaching assistant/grader for econometrics course, and writing mentor for 2 econ courses Research Interests: Labor economics, Economics of gender & family Working Experience: I have so many working experiences, as I mentioned above that I wanted to go into industries after college but not anymore :( Worked as intern for the last 3 sem in private equity firm and consulting firm. past summer, analyst intern in investment/wealth management firm, marketing intern for the summer before SOP: n/a Other: Concerns: Too many, to be honest... 1) LAC 2) Letters from profs not well-known/no big connections 3) too much irrelevant work experiences (I am really not thinking of going into finance despite all my finance backgrounds. I wanted to go into finance and "sell-out" initially because of family financial reasons, but realized that that's not what I want to do) 4) No grad level courses Applying to: Also, MA is really not an option for me because of financial reasons as well (unless I go abroad and get scholarships). Do I have any chance (for both top PhD programs and competitive RAship programs)? and please give me all the advice for my senior year and this upcoming summer! Thank you very much your help!