Profile
Type of Undergrad: Bachelors in Commerce (International)
Undergrad GPA: Top 1% in my batch
Type of Grad: MA Economics (International - Not much known in US)
Grad GPA: Top 5% in my batch
GRE: 164Q/157V/4.0AW
Math Courses: Calc I(A+), Linear Algebra (A+), Diff Eq (A+), Dynamic Programming, Intro Stats (A), Advanced Stats (B+)
Econ Courses: Intro Micro/Macro, Intermediate Micro/Macro, Advanced Micro/Macro, International Econ, Time Series, Development (Time Series B+ rest all A's)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: (1) Grad Professor, UK PhD, thesis advisor- I am confident that the letter was very strong. (2) Grad Professor, US PhD - The letter must have been strong. (3) A young PhD I was working under, Top US PhD in Finance - Strong letter.
Research Experience: Worked as a RA at a well known research organisation in home country.
Teaching Experience: None
SOP: Fairly standard highlighting my past work and research interests. Emphasised significantly on why I am sure of a career in academics and how I am prepared for it.RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Irvine($$$), Iowa State($$$), UW Seattle($), UC Santa Cruz.
Waitlists: Indiana University (Asked to be removed off waitlist)
Rejections: Michigan State, Brown, UW Madison, UNC Chapel Hill, WUSTL, Ohio State, Georgetown.
Attending: UC Irvine
Comments: I knew that my GRE score was bad enough to get my application thrown out in first round. My profile strengths were- good academic record throughout and strong letters from professors who regularly write for students to US schools. I think someone with a similar profile as mine but better GRE could have managed a Top 35 school.
What would you have done differently?
I am quite happy about attending UCI! I think the school is a great fit to my interests and I really wanted to be in Cali! However if at all I would have taken GRE earlier and improved my Quant score. In fact GRE should be taken at least 8 - 10 months in advance of starting applications.
How accurate were others' predictions?
Fairly accurate.
