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Hi everyone! I am currently preparing my applications for Econ PhD. I have applied three times (18 19 20 fall), and this is probably my last chance. I am quite nervous and not sure if my profile is strong enough to get in good program. I would appreciate any advice. Here is my background: Bachelor: bachelor's degree in economics (mainland of China, top 10), 3.54/4.00 GPA (about B+ or high 2-1) I didn't take any advanced courses in bachelor. One short RA and one TA during my bachelor. Master I: MSc Economics, Barcelona GSE, 7.3/10 (B- maybe?). I did really bad in the first term (and also why after BGSE I have to do another master) master thesis, 7.8. Master II: Master of Statistics and Data Science, KU Leuven, 14/20 (barely distinction), just finished first year, the grade of this semester will come out a few days later, hopefully a bit higher RA: two year part-time RA, full-time during the breaks, coauthorship, drafting. we will submit the paper this fall. LORs: 1. my RA boss (from my bacholer uni, he has good publications) 2. my thesis supervisor (ORSTAT, econometic), 3. to be decided (1) researcher from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, helped with an environmental econ paper (2) another coauthor of my RA paper (new AP) (3) my BGSE professors GRE: in September pervious: V153+Q166 Work: 6 month trainee at the OECD in development center, half year external consultant. (mostly cleaning data using Stata) Research Interests: labor economics, applied micro (I still want to try other field, and willing to try theory, but maybe not econometric) Applying to: good mres (leading to PhD) programs in Europe, top 20-50 in US (but not quite familiar with US unis) for European uni, I am considering Zurich, Bocconi, TSE M2, KU Leuven, UC Leuven, MGSE, Mannheim, Bonn, if any chance get back to BGSE maybe, CEMFI, SSE, Berline School of Economics I am also considering ANU, Monash, McGill, UT, and UBC. Concerns: low GPA, no advanced math course. the program should provide scholarship (maybe German and American programs outstand) I failed twice applying to PSE, science po, and TSE; once bocconi, warwick, and tilburg. I really don't know where I am and where I can go. I am okay with doing mres and taking QE again if with scholarship, but I cannot afford another master or another RAship. Please tell me if I should lower my expectation (to which level) and save the application fee for any of these schools I mentioned. Many thanks to any advice or comment.

Hey guys, I would appreciate your honest opinion about my profile. Given that I am stats/econ double major, there is not much I can compare myself with. I am trying to decide which schools to apply for. Any input will be appreciated. My math is not particularly great, but the A in my phd-level math econ class and strong statistics background might compensate for it. I also have some other relevant experiences. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Flagship State University (Top 50 Econ) Undergrad GPA: 3.8 GPA Double Major Economics and Statistics. Minor in Mathematics. GRE: 167Q / 165V / 4.5A Math Courses: Calculus I,II,III (B,B-,B-), Linear Algebra (B+), Differential Equations (B+), Mathematical Proofs (B+/A-), Probability (A), Real Analysis (Will appear in Transcript / Grad-level, IP in Spring) Statistics Courses: Intro Statistics (A), Mathematical Statistics (A), Data Analysis I (B+) Regression Analysis (A), Independent Study (A), Honors Seminar (A), Data Analysis II (Spring), Analysis of Variance (Spring) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Microeconomics I,II,III (A,A,A) Macroeconomics (A,A) Econometrics (A,A,A), Development Economics I,II (A,A), Game Theory (A), Environmental Economics (A) Behavioral Econ (A) History of Econ (A) International Finance (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): Mathematical Economics (A) Math Bootcamp (pass), Workshop Applied Economics (A) Other Courses: Public Policy Analysis, Matlab and various languages Letters of Recommendation: Great personal recommendation from mentor (PhD Vanderbilt /RAND). Good rec from Chair of Economics department (Oregon). Great rec from professor and Dean of A&S and Honors College, also former Econ Chair (Wisconsin-Madison). Great rec from City Economist for which I work for as RA. Research Experience: 6 month internship gathering and analyzing socioeconomic data for City Progress Report (to be published in December). 6 month internship with City Economist doing various projects. Teaching experience: TA for Microeconomics I for one semester. Two years of Micro and Econometrics tutoring through Economics Club Research Interests: Development Economics, Behavioral Economics and Game Theory SOP: Clearly states reasons why I want a Phd and research ideas. Other: Proficient in Matlab, SPSS, Stata and R. Semester at Sea (Study Abroad in 13 countries) . International Student (Mexico). Speak 4 languages fluently. Honors Student Association President. Economics Club President. First Undergrad to be allowed to take Grad-Classes in Econ in 5 years. Undergrad Econ Award. Arts and Sciences Award. Applying to: UMichigan, Duke and Cambridge (Mphil) so far. Depending on input, more will be added. Concerns: Math grades aint stellar. Real Analysis will not have a grade (although I will take graduate version of it and will appear on transcript). My university ranking aint great. Any advice or suggestions on how to improve application or where to apply given my qualifications? My plan B is to apply to an RA position for a year. Plan C is to get a masters in LSE,Cambridge or something similar.