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econhappy

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  1. econhappy
    Type of Undergrad: Top 5 Econ Undergrad GPA: 3.3 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 168Q/166V/4.5W Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus (P - took on pass/fail), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations ©, Intro to Stats ©, Intro to Stats retake under different course name (A-), Linear Algebra & Real Analysis I (A-), Real Analysis Convexity & Optimization (A-) Econ Courses: Macro (C+), Micro (B+), Metrics (A-), Independent Research Seminar (A), Honors Thesis (A), Case Studies in Economic Development (A-), Poverty and Impact Evaluation (A-), Intro Econ (A) Letters of Recommendation: (1) undergraduate thesis advisor, top economist in my field (2) pre-doc supervisor, top economist in my field (3) pre-doc supervisor, younger economist in my field Research Experience: undergrad thesis, undergrad RA 3 semesters, pre-doc/full-time RA 3 years at top 5 universities Teaching Experience: N/A Research Interests: Development, environment, applied micro SOP: tailored last paragraph mentioning school faculty members Other: RESULTS: Acceptances: UC Berkeley ARE, Duke Econ, Chicago Harris, U Maryland Econ, U Maryland Ag Econ, UCSB Econ, UC Davis Ag Econ, UC Santa Cruz Econ Waitlists: HKS Public Policy (didn't see through til the end), Brown Econ (rejected), UCLA Econ (accepted) Rejections: LSE Econ, Northwestern Econ, UCSD Econ, Chicago Booth Econ, Michigan PPol + Econ joint, Boston College Econ, Boston U Econ, Columbia Econ, NYU Econ Attending: UC Berkeley ARE Comments: What would you have done differently?: Obviously I would have gotten better grades in undergrad, or taken more courses after undergrad, and maybe applied to a few more higher ranked schools. But overall extremely happy with my results given my profile!
  2. econhappy
    Huh, surprising! I found it valuable as an applicant to include a paragraph about department fit, partially because it actually helped me realize that at some schools it was near impossible to write the department fit paragraph and maybe I shouldn't apply there due to poor fit; for the most part they were genuine representations of how I see myself fitting in, though perhaps the rest of my SOP already spoke to that and the fit paragraph didn't add much from an adcom perspective.
  3. econhappy
    I know at least one person who was accepted to Columbia via email around that time, no official letter.
  4. econhappy
    Is it possible to use differences in cost of living as a factor as well? For example, two similarly ranked schools with similar stipends but one school has a significantly lower COL.
  5. econhappy
    I think this depends on your field. As a development econ person I rank these like: 1. UCSD 2. UCLA (not that good for dev but overall good ranking) 3./ 4. UC Davis /UCSB (I think Davis has better placements but UCSB has cool faculty and great location) 5. USC/UC Irvine. (Not really sure about either of these schools. Seems like many people apply to UC Irvine so it's probably better ranked). UC Davis is very safe and a cute/fun/liberal college town despite the fact that it seems quite rural. USC is in the middle of LA so probably higher on crime. Note that UC's tend to have stipends on the lower end and require RA/TA most if not all semesters.
  6. econhappy
    I'm guessing UCSD has become an IR or waitlist only for those who haven't heard back yet (?)
  7. econhappy
    Yep. I got three decisions first week, and none at all this week. Surprising.
  8. econhappy
    Yeah I also gathered this from GC and just the fact that the app needs to be reviewed by both PPol and Econ, and I think Econ treats this as a completely separate pool of applicants (i.e. there are slots set aside for this program) so sit back and relax!
  9. econhappy
    lol same...I definitely have been checking this periodically.
  10. econhappy
    I've received a few acceptances so far and none of the initial acceptances came with funding information. I've only now received funding information from one of those schools, which came a few days later. I think it's totally normal for school's to send out financial offers later and wouldn't worry about it, but it should be reasonable to reach out and ask about the timeline if you're itching for more info. I'm guessing that this next correspondence that they mention will be more official and contain the funding offer.
  11. econhappy
    I'm the Berkeley ARE acceptance on GC. I think the only useful thing I can say is that none of my friends/coworkers have heard back yet and their profiles are strong. I'd expect more to come soon though based on previous years.
  12. econhappy
    I was the first poster for the school I was accepted into! I didn't really read into this at all but my thought is adcoms are definitely not checking gradcafe, and ignore the trolls. I haven't received any trolls/disbelief about my post. I think it's great to keep GC updated for not only people this year but also people in future years to reference admit dates!
  13. econhappy
    Also what about Davis ARE? Seems like one person reports an unofficial acceptance via phone. Anyone else? I'm guessing getting an unofficial acceptance early is an indication of being a top choice candidate similar to an early admit?
  14. econhappy
    Has anyone else received an interview request for UC Santa Cruz? Not sure what to make of it because I'm not an international student and many people have said it's typically for internationals only. Is this a standard step in the process?
  15. econhappy
    This program was launched in 2017 and seems to be aimed at the same group of people who might be interested in Ag. econ/dev/applied micro programs. Without job placements I can't tell what tier of program this should be considered as. Any thoughts?
  16. econhappy
    My LOR writers have all advised not to waste my time on PhD level courses and extra math. Maybe they think that ship has sailed.
  17. econhappy
    My most up to date profile: Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics with Honors (Top 5 Econ research University) Undergrad GPA: 3.29 overall, 3.55 Econ Type of Grad:N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: N/A (studying currently) Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus (P - took on pass/fail for fear of bad grade), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations ©, Stats ©, Stats retake under different course name (A-) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Macro (C+), Micro(B+), Metrics (A-), Independent Research Seminar (A), Honors Thesis (A), Case Studies in Economic Development (A-), Poverty and Impact Evaluation (A-), Intro Econ (A) Other Courses: Computing with Data (Basically an R class) Taken After Undergrad: Real Analysis & Linear Algebra I (A-), Real Analysis, Convexity, and Optimization (A-) Letters of Recommendation: Thesis advisor (very prominent development economist), current job (another very prominent development economist) , 3rd letter probably one of the co-authors I work closely with, up and coming well-known AP's. Research Experience: Currently a full time RA at a top econ department with a top tenured faculty member. Doing a two year term (1.5 years will be completed when I submit apps). Previously full time RA for 1 year at a top policy department (working on economics research for an economist professor); Two independent development papers written, one published in an undergraduate journal and other was a thesis with potential to get published in a minor journal; undergrad RA position with a prominent economist 1 semester; undergrad RA position with a PhD candidate in econ department 1 semester; undergrad RA position with a top Poli Sci professor 1 semester; co-author with prominent economist on two-pager policy brief. Teaching Experience: N/A Research Interests: Development, Poverty, Inequality, Environment Concerns: Obviously my math grades. Also what GRE threshold I should shoot for as a non-negotiable. Other: Interned at a prestigious development organization on less analytical things, completed many niche Global Poverty and Inequality courses and did very well.Coding skills: Stata, R, LaTex, ArcGIS, QGIS Applying to: Some top 10, mostly top 20, maybe top 30 and master's if necessary
  18. econhappy
    It should not do much harm. It would likely be a positive signal; but the majority of university based RA's take Real Analysis while they are RA's. That is one of the main reasons for being a university based RA (taking classes). Your job experience will serve you well in the applicant pool.
  19. econhappy
    Thank you for your thoughts!
  20. econhappy
    I posted last year and I have some updated information re: classes and work experience. Seeking updated thoughts on what schools might accept a profile like mine. Also what sort of evidence you have for this. Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics with Honors (Top 5 Econ research University) Undergrad GPA: 3.29 overall, 3.55 Econ Type of Grad:N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: N/A Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus (P - took on pass/fail for fear of bad grade), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations ©, Stats ©, Stats retake under different course name (A-) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Macro (C+), Micro(B+), Metrics (A-), Independent Research Seminar (A), Honors Thesis (A), Case Studies in Economic Development (A-), Poverty and Impact Evaluation (A-), Intro Econ (A) Other Courses: Computing with Data (Basically an R class) Taken After Undergrad: Real Analysis & Linear Algebra I (A-), Real Analysis, Convexity, and Optimization (A-) Letters of Recommendation: Thesis advisor (very prominent development economist), current job (another very prominent development economist) , 3rd letter probably one of the co-authors I work closely with, up and coming well-known AP's. Research Experience: Currently a full time RA at a top econ department with a top tenured faculty member. Doing a two year term (1.5 years will be completed when I submit apps). Previously full time RA for 1 year at a top policy department (working on economics research for an economist professor); Two independent development papers written, one published in an undergraduate journal and other was a thesis with potential to get published in a minor journal; undergrad RA position with a prominent economist 1 semester; undergrad RA position with a PhD candidate in econ department 1 semester; undergrad RA position with a top Poli Sci professor 1 semester. Teaching Experience: N/A Research Interests: Development, Poverty, Inequality Concerns: Obviously my math grades. Other: Interned at a prestigious development organization on less analytical things, completed many more niche Global Poverty and Inequality courses and did very well. Coding skills: Stata, R, LaTex, ArcGIS, QGIS Applying to: Some top 10, mostly top 20
  21. econhappy
    See http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/160718-profile-evaluation-strengthening.html for my profile. I am sure I want to pursue this, if I don't get IN then I'll reconsider. I am no longer in college, so I can't say what i'm generally getting but I got an A- in my last course and am fairly certain I'll maintain that level of performance in any retakes.
  22. econhappy
    Thank you for that advice! I have taken Stats, I did poorly the first time but got an A- the second time. I also took "Economic Statistics and Econometrics" and did well.
  23. econhappy
    Linear Algebra original grade: C Multivariable Calc original grade: P IB Math (calc): taken in high school (don't even recall my grade...A or B Just took "Linear Algebra and Real Analysis": A- Should I retake a standalone Linear Algebra course? Should I go back and take undergraduate Calc 2 & Differential Eqs? At this point is it sufficient to just retake Multivariable Calculus? Also- Micro theory: B+ Macro theory: C+ Should I retake Macro or Micro? These were both the 'more advanced' versions of micro and macro available to undergrads but this is not necessarily clear from the course names.
  24. econhappy
    Thank you!! This is very encouraging. I am applying next year, so I'll be sure to keep this in mind then!
  25. econhappy
    Can you retake the GRE? That would make a huge difference in your potential.
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