Plazzain

And you fail with basic reading comprehension. Honestly, this is the internet; tone is completely baseless and up to the observer. You can't base it on your own perceptions, as others perceive things different. Either way, I'll be the bigger person, and apologize if if I came out as abrasive to heath.

Wow congrats man, that really is an accomplishment. I'll try and look up some schools for you

Ohh so, how is that different from what I am saying? You're just a hypocrite.

I'm not going to lie to someone and tell them they have a good shot unless they really have a good shot when the statistics don't show it. I'd really like to say he has a shot, but the facts on econphd.net just don't show it. Unlike you, I did read his profile and carefully compared it to over 1/2 of the rejected and accepted profiles to make sure I wasn't making stuff up. His profile was exactly like those in the rejected pile for the schools he was applying to. Same GPA, math background, GRE scores etc etc. That's not a very good chance of acceptance, and I'm not going to lie to him and say it is when the facts are right in the open. This isn't attitude; it is just me telling people the worst case scenario. I like to have people prepared for the worst, and this includes myself. I don't discriminate, I even have this kind of "attitude" with myself. If you can't handle it, then too bad. Grow up, because you're only going to see more of it as you get older. And by the way, I have perfectly fine research background, and I know no has a perfect background. If you'd notice, I have told several people they have a good shot at getting into the places they want to get into. You just seem to neglect those, and get angry at the few I give realistic answers too. On a final note, if you're really stressed out I can teach you some relaxation techniques.

If you go to econphd.net and check out the profiles of rejected students and accepted students you'll quickly notice that your profile is pretty common in the rejected profile lists for the schools listed. Even people with higher gpas, more math and economics are rejected quite commonly from the schools you listed. So, not to be the bringer of bad news, but your chances are pretty bleak

Just wondering. Not to nit pick, but if you are looking to go to a University in the USA you might want to improve your communcation abilities. You don't have to sound articulate, but you do have to sound proficient. If you write like how you posted above that might hurt you when you get into a University, and it might even hurt your chances of getting into a University.

I'd like to add that when i was informed about it, they all told me I had lots of time XD

I heard about it two days before it was due...Sucked to be me lol

1) You either send in a paper application form or call them by the phone. I did the paper form because calling them costs more money and they never answer their phone 2) I don't think so

Just a weeding out tool

I'm just curious, are you a native english speaker ?

Send in everything before the deadline, usually a week or two before because those admissions folks are lazy bastards.

The rumors! The evil rumors!! *waves ghosts around andy* :D

I've seen a few Dec 1 deadlines for international students

What schools are you applying to? Most of the ones I am applying to require applications in by the end of Dec (including GRE and TOEFL scores). So if you took the GRE in Jan 10th you'd be screwed.

Well, in most USA institutions the master degree is more of a consolation prize for those who fail the comprehensive exams. Very few good institutions offer MA degrees, they focus mainly on PhD candidates. So if you are looking at good MA programs, you really have some slim pickings. I can't even think of any off the top of my head. Seeing as you have a TOEFL score, I am assuming you are foreign. When I went to NYU the academic admissions head for NYU told me that last year they only accepted one domestic applicant and all the other admitted were internations - usually with MA degrees and strong math backgrounds. Something I have heard a lot is that the competition for internationals is more fierce, it it isn't very uncommon for a lot of the good candidates to higher institutions to have MAs under their belt. So if you are foreign, it might make more sense to get an MA first and nail it.

What happens at my school is that they all sit down and talk about candidates. A lot of well funded profs can also add in more candidates because they can support them, so that factors in. I don't have the greatest LORs, but that doesn't matter because I've got several famous faculty from schools I am applying to ready to defend me tooth and nail when the admissions committee meets. That's thee best insurance you can possible have, nothing beats it: not a great LOR from Solow and Galbraith, not even the coveted blue ribbon. So uhh, if you are friends with any faculty at your school who happen to know anyone that works at a place you are applying to...Ya know, open the connection and schmooze.. NOW!

Those admissions people are pretty damn lazy - don't believe me, then try calling them - so I wouldn't send anything in late. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they would just take your money and toss the app away

Just be vague and motivated, which technically don't go together but ehh

You can get into a phd program; the rank of that phd program is debateable because of your GRE scores.

All I care about are Funding and Rank

Holy crap Andy, when did you employ the services of the black star ninja O_O

Your background is very similar to mine, and my advisors say I can get into top 5 ranked schools. I don't see why you can't

The reason people go to top ranked schools if for the connections, resources and ease with which one can find a job later on.

Ya, an 800 verbal is very hard to get. You need to be perfect that day to land one I believe, right?