denny888

Do you guys have any news from Cornell? I still have not heard from them :rolleyes:.

I recently completed a paper that has been accepted for publication at a combinatorics journal (Ars Combinatoria). The topic has nothing to do with economics. Is there value to sending this paper? Or could it adversely affect my application? I'm afraid adcoms might think I am more interested in pure math than economics. On the other hand, I'd like to signal to adcoms that I am capable of creating original research and solving very diffficult problems.

I recently completed a paper that has been accepted for publication at a combinatorics journal (Ars Combinatoria). The topic has nothing to do with economics. Is there a value to sending this paper? Or could it adversely affect my application? I'm afraid adcoms might think I am more interested in pure math than economics. On the other hand, I'd like to signal to adcoms that I am capable of creating original research and solving very diffficult problems.

It's been over a year now since I finished my undergraduate degree (05 graduate). How harmful is it to delay PhD applications? I have personal reasons--in particular, I've got a significant other that I am not ready to leave yet. As such, I intend on waiting another year. I'll be taking classes during that extra year and continue teaching math. A member of the admission's committee at Maryland told me that the marginal benefit (in getting admitted to an economics program) to taking math classes beyond analysis decreases. I do acknowledge this but does it have an adverse effect. Will I get penalized for waiting another year and taking random math classes(measure theory, functional analysis, algebraic topology, etc...)? Here's my current profile: GPA 3.85 GRE: 780Q/650V/5.5AW MATH (GPA. 4.0) : CALC I-III, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, DFQ, Real Analysis, Math Stat, Advanced Math Stat (Bickel and Docksum), Stochastic Process I, Stochastic Process II. Currently taking: General Topology I, Advanced Matrix Analysis, and Bayesian Analysis. Advance Econ(GPA4.0): Micro (Varian), Game Theory (Gibbons and MGW), Math Econ (Optimal Control, difference of equation, basic analysis). Research: None really. I did an applied thesis where I used FIML method on estimating a probit model with an endogenous regressor. It just so happens that the endogenous regressor is truncated and I'm still working on doing another ML estimation that takes into account this truncation. TA Experience: Teaching two math courses. RA Experience: I did research for the University's Economic Research Center. Concerns: I came from a low-tier school. I also got an F on one class when I forgot to drop over the summer. I'm also 23, which is relatively old. I imagine most adcoms want fresh meat who may have better "creative potential". I got a B- on my introductory micro class. Thanks, in advance, for all your help!

It really depends on what you cover on the second part of analysis. For the most part, the things that you need to learn are covered in the first part of analysis (e.g., intro topology, cont., differentiability in R^n, Reiman-Stl., etc...). Topology generalizes the idea in analysis. In fact, much of the topics in topology were motivated by problems in analysis. Topology, according to my professor, is the language of modern mathematics. That being said, it is hard to advance in Math without exposure to topology. Modern analysis and algebra, for example, use results from topology.

Trudog, thanks for the advise. Given my background, I am realistically aiming for top 20-30 programs. I am somewhat confident that one out of three schools I'll be applying to will accept me. Wich programs are relatively easy to get into that have a decent reputation in the field of econometrics?

My friend was applying for a PhD in Math. I suppose they follow a different criteria.

I got an F on Introductory Statistics (Econ). I never showed up to class; I just forgot to drop the course. Can you guys give me advise on which schools I should apply to. I am interested in econometrics. Btw, I have a friend that scored a 98th percentile on the GRE Math Subject Test. He was denied admission by MIT and Berkeley, despite his awesome record (He answered 3 questions in the Putnam exam, All A's, etc...). He tells me it's partly because he is already 24.

GPA 3.85 GRE: 780Q/650V/5.5AW MATH (GPA. 4.0) : CALC I-III, Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, DFQ, Real Analysis, Math Stat, Advanced Math Stat (Bickel and Docksum), Stochastic Process I, Stochastic Process II. Currently taking: General Topology I, Advanced Matrix Analysis, and Bayesian Analysis. Advance Econ(GPA4.0): Micro (Varian), Game Theory (Gibbons and MGW), Math Econ (Optimal Control, difference of equation, basic analysis). Research: None really. I did an applied thesis where I used FIML method on estimating a probit model with an endogenous regressor. It just so happens that the endogenous regressor is truncated and I'm still working on doing another ML estimation that takes into account this truncation. TA Experience: Teaching two math courses. RA Experience: I did research for the University's Economic Research Center. Concerns: I came from a low-tier school. I also got an F on one class when I forgot to drop it over the summer. I'm also 23, which is relatively old. I imagine most adcoms want fresh meat who may have better "creative potential". I got a B- on my introductory micro class. Please tell me where I should apply. I don't have much money to waste on application. I'm only planning on applying to 3 schools max.

Yes, michicigan state university. They invited their admits for a visit last saturday (expenses paid).

A friend from Cornell got accepted friday at Duke with 19k offer (fellowship for 1st and 5th year, TAship the rest). He also got accepted at MSU (23k). That's it so far.

I'm not sure if it's a good sign that you haven't heard from Duke. Duke sent out their admits with aid decisions already.

I'm currently in a M.A. program in Economics and MS in Statistics. This semester I decided to take 5 classes (an overload for graduate work): Advance Math Stat, Stochastic Process II, Econometrics, Macro, and a Seminar Class. The seminar class is not hard ,but time consuming. We have to write two-10 page breifs per week. In any case, I don't think I'll be able to handle the load this semester. Dropping the class, however, will mark a W on my transcript. What should I do? Is a W really bad when applying for PhD program in Economics?

Finance Prospective applicant for Fall 2007 MA Economics, MS Mathematical Science w/ a concentration in Statistics GRE: none yet GPA: 3.78 Overall, 3.9 Econ, Math 3.9 Math: Calc I, II (A) Multivariable Calc (A), ODE (A), Mathematical Statistics --Casella and Berger Text (A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Discrete Mathematics (A-), Stochastic Process I (A), Advance Mathematical Statistics (Currently Taking), Stochastic Process II (Currently Taking) RA Experience: RA for the University's Economic Research Center Schools Dont know yet. Any suggestions?

Two profs. from different schools (duke and pomona) have told me that the publicised ranking for caltech is misleading. They do very well in the fields of econometrics, expiremental, and game theory. In those field they claim that caltech tops the ranking. However, the same profs warns that, given the specialized nature of the program, the program is not for everyone.

I know some of the faculty at Duke and they (including Curtis Taylor, the Graduate Coordinator) told me that 750+ is a necessary but not sufficient condition for admission. You have a strong profile and a decent GRE score. Although Duke is not a top 20 program, they have been making changes to bolster their ranking. They have, for example, been extremely cruel (with respect to academics) to their current students. From what I remember only 3 passed last years qualifiers the first time and half failed the second time. Someone said that Duke had a lot of international students with MA's from unkown school. Yes, they have alot of em'--mostly Russian or Eastern Europeans. I took a class with Taylor and I remember him saying that American students can never be as prepared as most european students. Maybe they have a preference for international applicants. Lastly, I think not having analysis is a big difficiency. Are you taking it this semester?

Sorry to hear. Do you mind posting a bit about your academic profile, so that we may get a good idea on how selective they are?

Praveen, You have an awesome background. What does your quantitative background look like?

Year: Graduate Student (MS Statistics and MA Economics) Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.78 GRE: I haven't taken it yet. I'm applying for FALL 07. Math courses: Calc I,II,III (A) Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis I (A), Differential Equations (A), Mathematical Statistics (A), Stochastic Process I (A), Discrete (A) Courses to be taken before starting a PhD program: Stochastic Process II, Advance Matrix Theory, Measure Theory, Advance Mathematical Statistics, Decision Theory, Regression Analysis, Multivariate Stat. Undergraduate Econ courses: Micro theory (A), Macro theory (A), Intro. to Econometrics (A),Applied Regression Analysis (A), Money/Banking (A), Industrial Organization (A), Mathematical Economics (A-) Graduate Econ Courses: Micro (A), Econometrics (A), Mathematical Economics (A), Game Theory (A), Seminar in Economic Research (B+; teacher hated me; got any idea how this will hurt me?) Research: I have very little research experience. RA for the University's Center for Economic Research. Schools: Not Sure Yet. I've got a year to think about it. Any suggestions? Note: My school does not grant A+.

Go with Topics in Analysis since it covers some measure theoritic concepts. Measure theory is the language of modern probability. Complex Analysis may be useful in statistics. Graph Theory has many applications actually. First, game theory uses simple concepts of graphy theory--it helps to have been exposed to basic definitions of grap theory. Some topics in stochastic process rely on graph theory.

I messed up on the finals. I knew nothing about graphing and half of the finals was on graph. I thought the subject of graphing was simple and skimmed through the book. It was my eight final for the week. Speaking of cramming courses, how will the adcoms consider the fact that I usually take 18-24 credits/sem. The coursework are generally too easy for me; as such, I tend to to do an overload for the semester(keeps me in busy--rather, in shape).

I'm currently a senior going on my last semester from a state university. I dont plan on applying for PhD programs till next yr(I'm obviously late). Given my budget constraints, I need to know if I should even try applying to the top 10 schools--ie, MIT, Yale, etc.. Here's an overview of my academic profile: I've gotten bad grades on my first year. I had three C's--namely on music appreciation,sociology and anthro--and mostly A's and B's. I did fail a business statistics course(I forgot to drop the class and recieved an F). During my last two years, I have recieved all A's/A-'s. I'm an economics major with a minor in mathematics. I have taken Calc I, II, III, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, 4 Statistics courses, Differential Equations, and Real Analysis. Ive gotten all A's on my math courses, with the exception of discrete math(i got an A-). I've gotten all A's on my courses in econ, as well--though, this might not mean alot coming from a bad school. I will be graduating with a Magna Cum standing, which prolly doesnt mean anything, again. Since I missed the application deadline, I will be pursuing my MA at the same University( the university is sub-par to other public universities). The coordinator had agreed to let me take math courses as electives. I'll be taking Advance Matrix, Real Analysis II, Topology at graduate level. I imagine ill be getting A's on these courses. I havent taken the GRE yet. Given this info, please let me know if I even stand a chance with the applicants on these programs. Thanks, in advance :D P.S. What do you guys think about business schools?