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econphd1992

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  1. econphd1992
    Hi I'm a first year at a T30, almost done with the first year. Here's my two cents: Its not a good preparation. Perhaps the princeton name might carry some weight but you're still strictly better off getting a masters in econ from places like LSE/Duke/Wisconsin etc. Check with the MPA director at princeton what books are followed for the econ courses. Ideally it should be something at the level of MWG for micro, hayashi for metrics (macro varies you have to worry about that later). I'm 95 percent positive that the courses are not taught at that level and obviously adcoms will know that which will hurt your admission chances, not to mention your actual performance should you go for phd.
  2. econphd1992
    I don't understand why you posted your SOP. No one does that here, one main reason being SOP does not really matter for admissions. I'm a first year at a T30 (from Asia). Have an MA in econ from T50 US school, with 2 years research exp from the IMF, with one co-authored paper. (GRE Q 169) My impression is that research experience will help only in the margin, it will not substitute your 4 C's in math classes which is likely to diminish your chances. Econ courses in undergrad are not given that much weight because they generally lack the math that we have to work through in PhD. Linear Algebra, Math-stat, ODE are very important, particularly for first year macro and metrics. Your A in RA will help. My overall impression is you are overshooting. I can't comment on the european schools. But unless your letter writers push hard for you and probably get in touch with adcoms directly (or are already well acquainted with current adcoms in the schools you applied), your chances in any of the T20s you listed are low. You might get into BC or UC Davis.
  3. econphd1992
    I'm sorry but its tough to agree with this. I'm sure there's heterogeneity in the curriculums, particularly in macro, but many of us in my program have been practicing relevant questions from qualifiers from the likes of upenn for instance, including our own (T30). Taking RA is hardly a garauntee that we will pass quals or that someone who hasnt has relatively lower probablity. I took RA and have friends who didnt, consequently got a very good grade in math camp compared to those who didnt. But once the semester started over time he figured out how to write good proofs - there's just waay too many assignments for you NOT to learn it if you're committed. On the other hand the mids and finals and quals test the ability to solve complex and large systems of equations (along with the ability to write proofs). Take macro for instance, we'll be solving big general equilibrium models (not necessarily proving theorems). In micro as well we generally have one question on general equilibrium/financial market uncertainty.
  4. econphd1992
    Assuming your letter writers from your second masters push hard for you (and that the program has a good record of sending phd students to top US programs) you have a reasonable shot in your list. GRE AW score doesnt matter. But your calc and LA grades could hurt your chances, those are even more vital than A+ in RA for first year courses. Just in case I would branch out a bit more.
  5. econphd1992
    US econ master programs dont give funding. If you can afford it go for duke or NYU or chicago's new MAPSS with econ concentration - all the while being sure to take math classes or preferably phd micro/metrics. Alternatively you could look at top schools in canada (toronto, queens) or in europe (lse eme is hard to get into depending on your background) or CEMFI/Bocconi/BGSE.
  6. econphd1992
    I followed this forum very closely last year and was led to believe real analysis is the do or die of phd first year econ. I feel I should give some new observations give one semester a a good phd program in the US. RA is useful, for first year micro, but you can learn how to wrote proofs and follow the definition-theorem-proof approach without RA as well (sure it will make life harder, but by no means is it impossible if you put in the hours and dedication - at the end of the day its just learning a new technique). While proof writing is important, my view is being completely comfortable with math stat & linear algebra and being able to solve large systems of equations (particularly macro) or complex functions is equally - if not more - important. RA serves as a signal for admissions but if anyone tells you you cant survive a good phd program without RA they're deluded. At the end of the day its about being able to put in the hours and remaining dedicated during the tough times. The rest falls into place.
  7. econphd1992
    you have an excellent profile in my view (im at a T30). apply to T15 and a few others between 20-30 as backup. (ps why havent you taken the GRE yet? a good math score should be a formality for you, but a bad one rushed at the end cud hurt you)
  8. econphd1992
    lol you should apply to university of montana
  9. econphd1992
    LSE. Given you already took grad micro, you should be able to take their Advanced Micro (instead of micro) which is supposed to be quite rigorous. Plus you could find out what electives you'll be able to take (potentially RA/Topology or other proof-based courses). Congrats on all your offers !
  10. econphd1992
    your plan is good and if you can see it through you'll hopefully do really well ! I hope your RA gig is at the Fed or CGD. Both are nicely geared to help students take those evening class, while the Fed provides funding. The Fund won't provide tution funding and depending on the division, balancing evening classes will be harder. Don't know much aboutt the bank, except that DECRG is best for RA positions - many other are more operational/non-research work. Best wishes to you.
  11. econphd1992
    you should really go through other posts of student profiles in this forum, and feedback of admission chances on those profiles.
  12. econphd1992
    I emailed them and they told me earlier today they sent out first round offers a week ago. I was quite surprised given the lack of admits on gc. they said i am on an unofficial waitlist (no idea how big it is) which wont show up in the system. Very disappointed as I really liked this program..
  13. econphd1992
    To anyone who has an offer from UNC Chapel Hill and does not intend to take it, please decline asap if possible. I know I am on an implicit waitlist and this is my last top choice remaining ! Many many thanks !
  14. econphd1992
    You're quite right. I'm at a relatively well-known RA program in the US, and several of us (international students, recent non-Duke American master's holders with perfect or near-perfect GRE scores) are faring much worse than we expected. Its clear that the dominating set (top american/canadian undergrad and/or top european master's) is getting in everywhere. Perhaps even more so this year than before, as suggested before maybe because adcoms are becoming more risk-averse. Does that suggest once this set makes their decisions, there will be a useful number of second round offers? Or is the number of people in this group large enough to fill all top 30 programs? - just trying to figure out if I should take my one top 50 offer and run.
  15. econphd1992
    Congrats ! Only see 3 admits in GC. Does that mean there's more to come from UVA?
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