Hey guys, I'll be applying to PhD programs this fall and I'm looking for some input on if I have a shot at the schools I'm looking at. Any info/advice would be much appreciated.
GRE: 168 Quant, 155 Verbal, 5.0AWA
Undergrad: Top 3 Canada, Econ Major
GPA: 3.7/4.3, Major GPA: 4.02/4.3 (top 5% in the program)
Math courses: Calc 1-2 (A+), Mathematical Economics (~Multivariable Calculus) (A+), linear algebra (A), Differential Equations (A+), Stats (A+), Real Analysis (just finished at a mid ranked Canadian school, expecting an A or A-, should get the mark in the next week)
Economics courses: Intermediate Micro (A-), Intermediate Macro(A-), Advanced Micro(A+), Advanced Macro(A+), Econometrics (A), Times series Econometrics (A), International Trade theory(A+), Game Theory(A+), Monetary Economics(A+), International Macroeconomics(A+), and a few other elective courses (all in the range of A- to A+)
Grad: Masters in Economics at top 3 economics department in Canada (different university than my undergrad)
GPA: 4.3/4.3 (got an A+ in every class, top student in the program)
Courses: Micro, Macro, Econometrics, IO, Labour, Empirical Micro, Financial Economics, International Macroeconomics
Research Experience:
Received the top grade in my undergrad for my 4th year thesis, thinking of trying to get it published but not sure how much help it would be to my profile if it's not in a top journal.
RA'd for a senior professor at my undergrad for 3 summers. Main research area of applied micro/labour. Coauthoring a paper with him now, will likely be sending it to journals later this fall.
My main research interests are applied micro (empirical labour and IO).
LORs:
1. The Professor that I have RA'd for. Should be very strong. He knows me very well and thinks highly of me. He's quite well known in Canada and the US. He did his PhD at a top 5.
2. Graduate chair from my masters. Took a course from him. Should be quite strong. Basically saying I was the top student in the program. PhD from top 5.
3. International macro and monetary economics professor from my undergrad. He knows me quite well. He did his PhD at a top 5 and has been a visiting professor at multiple top 5s.
Target Schools:
I am fairly confident that I will be able to get into at least one of the top 2 in Canada (Toronto or UBC) and I figure I will only apply to schools in the US that are better than those 2 in terms of placement. I am thinking of applying to:
UBC, Toronto, Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan, Boston U, U Penn, UChicago (I know this is a stretch), UCSD, and maybe some others in top 15
Concerns:
- Low GRE verbal (not sure how much this matters)
- poor grades in first year undergrad. I got a C in sociology and a couple B-'s. However I had a GPA of 4.1/4.3 in my last 3 years of undergrad.
- lack of math courses. Not sure if schools will consider my mathematical economics course equivalent to a multivariable calculus course from a math department. I am considering taking a Calc III course this fall, but I am working full time so it may be difficult to fit in.
- Real analysis course. Does it look bad that I am taking it from a school that I didn't do a degree at? If I get an A- in the course will that be considered low by adcoms? I have no interest in doing research in theory but I know it is important for the first year courses.
