alexanderplatz

Thanks! Congratulations on yours as well!

Sorry to distract from the point of the thread here, but when did you hear back from Syracuse? I still haven't heard anything from them or a couple other places and I'm wondering if it's just an IR at this point. UCI's also on my list--I'm between them and Michigan State. I realize the latter's better ranked, but in terms of my interests (and area livability), UCI might be better. This thread's been good for things to think about in making the choice.

Okay, Jesus Christ. I skimmed the last two pages of this thread, and I wanted to thank Tutonic and Laborsabre specifically for what seems to be solid advice: to take ODE and a proofs course failing a chance to take Advanced Calc/Real Analysis, and (maybe) trying for a couple of top-20 schools without expecting too much. I probably wasn't too clear in my original post, but I'm less concerned with what to do now than where to look at. I know more math would help; I know RAing would help (but hasn't been an option, really. If something comes up, I'll go for it); I know to not get my hopes up. I didn't mention a school except UC Irvine, and I'm in the information-gathering stage right now. If I was really committed to going to Yale or whatever, I wouldn't be planning to apply for PhD programs at all in the fall. I'd like to think I have at least some self-awareness! I guess top-20 institutions get the lion's share of everything, so I understand the concern with that. But there's not much I can do or change before the application process in the fall. And, that said, I'll talk to faculty at my school before applying. I have good relations with them, but I figured for my own research at this stage, it'd be okay not to bother them right now. Asking internet strangers is a crapshoot, of course. If anyone has a ballpark range of ranks I should look at, or maybe a seemingly-achievable school given my research interests, please say something! Thread's probably dead, but at least I got something out of it, and hopefully others can, too. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Is the difference between top-20 programs and others that significant? That's certainly worth considering, but two years to add on top of five or six in a program seems like a lot. (I certainly agree with the idea of getting a feel for what it's like, though.)

I decided a bit late to try to pursue an Econ PhD--it's been a major of mine for a while, and I've been taking some math courses, but I do graduate in a year, so there's not just a whole lot of adapting I can do at this point. I understand the programs are competitive, and that's okay. I'd just like some thoughts on what I can do with what little wiggle room I've got, and what rank of school (Top 20? Top 50?) I should focus on. I'll work on my applications plenty, but that's easier to change. Graduating: May 2021 Type of Undergrad: Unranked (top ~120) U.S. University. BS in Econ, BA in Political Science & Spanish, Data Science minor. Think liberal arts school for what I’m studying--some research, but teaching-oriented. Undergrad GPA: 3.9+, should remain above or maybe dip into high 3.8s GRE: 170Q/170V/5.5 Undergrad Econ Courses: AP Macro, Intro Micro, Intermediate Macro/Micro, Applied Econometrics, Theories of Economic Growth, Labor (As). Game Theory and History of Econ (the latter required, unfortunately) planned. Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A), Stats (A). Calc III (summer), Mathematical Statistics planned. I have two spots open, and I’m trying to get into Advanced Calc I, but I don’t have the prerequisites; without a waiver, ODE + PDE or ODE + some proofs course. Other (Relevant?) Courses: Intro to Data Science (A). Data Mining planned. LORs: Professor I had for Intro Micro and will have for Game Theory (Dept Head), other I had for three courses and will assist with (informal) research over the summer. Unsure on 3rd, so will be shakier--but could be related to a fall research project. Programming: R, limited Python Research Experience: None in Econ at the moment, will have limited experience after summer. Was chosen for a Canadian Fulbright for the summer, but, y'know, pandemic. Fall project and (Spring) senior thesis planned. Teaching Experience: I tutored HS students (in government and US history) this past year; TAs are basically STEM-only at my UG. Work Experience: Nothing relevant to Econ/PhD. Research Interests: Transit/Transportation is a hobby interest of mine, so I’m looking at UC Irvine. Other than that, I’m fairly open, but skew toward Labor, Development (Micro), Public, maybe Resource. Concerns: At this stage, I feel like I’m doing what I can in terms of making myself competitive--I’d just prefer not to waste my time and money applying and getting rejected from schools beyond my reach. What kind of schools (rankings, though specific ones are good, too) should I be focusing on? I’m also not really sure where ranks lie (I’ve been using thissince it has subfields). I’m hesitant about going to a “low-ranked” PhD program, even though I’m not sure where that cutoff is. Thanks for your help!

Like the title says, I decided a bit late to try to pursue an Econ PhD--it's been a major of mine for a while, and I've been taking some math courses, but I do graduate in a year, so there's not just a whole lot of adapting I can do at this point. I understand the programs are competitive, and if I can't get in to anything, that's fine. I'd just like some thoughts on what I can do with what little wiggle room I've got. I'll work on my applications plenty, but that's easier to change. Graduating: May 2021 Type of Undergrad: Unranked U.S. University. BS in Econ, BA in Political Science & Spanish, Data Science minor Undergrad GPA: 3.9+, should remain above or maybe dip into high 3.8s Undergrad Econ Courses: AP Macro, Intro Micro, Intermediate Macro/Micro, Applied Econometrics, Theories of Economic Growth, Labor (As). Game Theory and History of Econ (the latter required) planned. Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A). Calc III, Discrete Math, ODE planned. LORs: Professor I had for Intro Micro and will have for Game Theory, other I had for three courses and will assist with (informal) research over the summer. Maybe an old CS professor who I will have for Discrete--not sure. Programming: R, limited Python Research Experience: None in Econ at the moment, will have limited experience after summer. Was chosen for a Canadian Fulbright for the summer, but, y'know, pandemic. Work experience: Nothing relevant to Econ. GRE (estimate) I haven't taken the real test yet, but from the practice tests, it seems like about 165Q/163V/4. Will study over the summer, obviously. This post was for peace of mind, even though that's probably not what will come out of it. I don't have a great math background, or good research experience. I'll be doing a senior project during the spring semester, since that's how my university does things. Main questions: -What PhD rank, if any, should I be aiming at? -If looking at Master's programs, should I focus on math, or econ? -Past what rank should I write off PhD programs? Coming from an unranked UG, I'd like something with a positive reputation for graduate school. Just not sure right now if that's possible.