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chubwagon

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  1. Hi there, I'm looking at both going direct to PhD programs, or taking 2 or so years to strengthen my profile by being a Federal Reserve RA, preferably at the Board, but also potentially at the Boston or NY fed. Where could I aim for PhD programs now, and am I competitive for an RAship. School: Top 60ish undergrad, 60ish Econ program (US news), private school Majors: BS in Math and Economics (Double major) GPA: 3.85 (summa cum laude) GRE: Haven't taken, but practice put me at 168+ Q and 163+ V Econ Courses: Intro micro and macro (A,A), Intermediate Micro and Macro (A-, A-), Econometrics (A), Int'l Trade Theory (A), Game Theory (A), Econ Development (A-), Financial Economics (A), Special Topics Course (A), Proseminar in Economics (A) Math Courses: Calc 1-3 (AP, A, A), Ordinary Differential Equations (A-), Linear Algebra (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Partial Differential Equations (B+), Intro to Proofs (B+), Real Analysis I (A), Complex Analysis (A), Math Logic (A), Math Modeling (A), Special Topics Course (A-) Research Experience: Proseminar in Economics course was a semester long independent research project, Professor was impressed with my paper and has told me she will write me a recommendation. Worked for a year in the Economics research division of a regulatory agency, worked with Economists, did a lot of data cleaning and extraction in R. Recommendations: Professor I talked about above (Top 5 Econ PhD), another Economist I worked with (Top 30 Econ PhD), and perhaps another professor, but that recommendation would be likely weaker (Top 5-10 Econ PhD). My main concern is my weak recommendations outside of the first one, and limited research experience. Where could I aim if I were to go direct to PhD, or should I try my look at a Fed RA position?
  2. Hi all, I've posted on here a couple times, but as I've finished up my undergraduate studies for the most part, my profile now is about what it would be at the time of applying. I plan to apply in a couple of years to UK and Canadian Master's programs, namely Oxford, LSE, Cambridge, UBC, and Toronto. Undergrad: Top-75 Econ (According to US News) Degree: BS Math and Econ (double major) Overall GPA: 3.86 (Summa Cum Laude at my university) Econ Courses: Intro Micro and Macro (A, A), Intermediate Micro and Macro with Calculus (A-, A-), Econometrics (A), Mathematical Economics (A), International Trade (A), Game Theory (A), Financial Econ (A), Econ Development (A-), Econ Proseminar (A) Math Courses: Calc 1-3 (AP, A, A), Intro Stats with Calculus (A-), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Proofs (B+), ODE (A-), Real Analysis I (A), PDE (B+), Numerical Analysis (A), Math Logic (A), Complex Analysis (A), Math Modeling (A) GRE: haven’t taken, but high 160s Q and mid-low 160s V on practice tests On top of this, a one year internship with the Economic research division of a quasi-government organization doing a lot of analyst type work. My main concern is a lack of solid Letters of Recommendation, so I felt the masters degree approach might be more appropriate than going straight to a PhD. What would my chances be for these programs and what are my chances for fundings?
  3. Yes I can complete the major without Topology, though I do feel that I'm stronger in pure math than applied. I don't know how much variability there is between instructors in regard to grading, I just know that both my modeling and PDE professors have said that the department tries to make the class average a B- by the end. I've heard other professors talk about aiming for a third-A range, third B-range, third C/D/F range, which probably ends up being about a B- mean too. I'm interested in theory, and want to give myself as strong a pure math background as I can, there just isn't a lot I can do about the department's grading policy.
  4. I think that might be a good option. In your experience, is a B- class average in upper level math courses a harsh curving policy? Obviously there is the understanding that STEM courses are graded harder than, for instance, the humanities, but I don't want to seem like I'm griping over a standard practice.
  5. Hi All, I'm currently a third year at an okay university (~50 US News, lower in Econ) double majoring in Math and Economics. For the math major, I have to take a math modeling class (more of an engineering class than math imho) and PDEs. In the math modeling class I'm doing poorly, and will probably end the semester with a B-, but a B isn't out of the question (neither is a C+ :upset:). I'm obviously trying to bring this up as much as possible, but it's too late to drop the course or take it pass/fail. In PDEs I'm in the B/B+ range, so not horrible but not amazing. Keep in mind that my math department strictly curves even upper level courses to a B- (at least that's what the modeling professor said). These courses aren't the traditional litmus test for success in Econ grad school, but it seems like the conventional wisdom is that if you take any math class, you're expected to do well. My other math grades are: Calc 1-3: AP, A, A Intro Stats with Calculus: A- (Econometrics: A) Linear Algebra: A ODE: A- Math Reasoning (Intro to Proofs): B+ Real Analysis I: A So how much are lower grades in these courses likely to affect my chances at getting into grad-school or getting a position as an RA, assuming all other Econ classes are A's or the occasional A-? The other math courses I'll be taking before graduating are Numerical Analysis, Topology, and potentially Math Logic or something similar.
  6. Yeah, I did know that which is why I'd probably choose one of the 1-year programs (Cambridge) over, say, Oxford.
  7. Thanks for the responses guys. What are some ways I can strengthen my application before applying? Just do well on GRE and in Math classes, or should I focus more on the research side for now?
  8. Hi all, I was hoping you could chance me for top masters programs (UBC, Cambridge, Oxford, UToronto, UCL, LSE). I'm trying to spend as little money as possible, so UBC (fully-funded masters) would be my top choice. School: Transferred Sophomore year from ~75 US news to ~50 US news GPA: 3.88 at first school, 3.78 at new school (a little lower, but not in courses that count, and new school has less grade inflation). Major: Math and Econ Econ Courses: Intro macro/micro (A,A), Intermediate Micro and Macro with Calculus (A-,A-), Mathematical Econ (Chiang and Wainwright) (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Int. Trade Theory (A), Econ Development (A-) Math Courses: Calc I-III (AP,A,A), Basic Stats with Calc (A-), ODE (A-), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Proofs (B+), Real Analysis I (A) GRE: Haven't taken yet, but practice scores put me at about 167+Q, 165V. I don't have a lot of research experience, but will be doing my honors thesis next semester (am currently a Junior). How does my profile stack up for these masters programs?
  9. @impliedvol Sorry for being vague , I am a rising Junior, so I have two more years of undergrad. I am double majoring in math and economics, and am taking Real Analysis I and diff eq next semester, so I will be strengthening my math background.
  10. I'm currently a Junior at a top-60 national university, and have been cleared to take a PhD level micro theory course, but the professor warned me that she has never had an undergraduate receive above a B+ in her graduate course. Should I risk the lower grade and take the course anyway, or should I stick with an undergraduate econ elective and probably get an A?
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