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Hi All, this is my first post here, so please advise if I can improve formatting. I am looking for some general guidance for applying to Ag Econ PhD programs for Fall 2021. I am a MS student at a strong Applied Economics department at a major land grant school. Mostly, I think I have a very strong profile: all As in graduate school (extra statistics courses, linear algebra, in addition to 2 course sequence in micro and 2 course sequence in econometrics). TA experience, very practical RA experience, a rather relevant thesis, as well as work experience after undergrad. My undergraduate career was rather shaky, which can't be corrected at this point, but I think I make up for that with some really great work experience and my masters level performance. FWIW, I am a domestic student and have a real drive to work as a researcher in the agricultural economics field, primarily in the area of international trade and trade policy. I think my biggest drawback is my GRE score right now - 163 quantitative (83rd percentile). I am going to take it again, but I didn't improve the last time I took it, despite a lot more preparation. I still think I can get into the 90th percentile. My question is specific to Ag Econ programs, how much consideration is given to GRE in these departments and is a 163 a non-starter for someone in my position? I had really hoped to target Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa State (all ag/applied economics), but also Penn State and Syracuse (traditional economics departments). Ideally I can improve my quant score and be the best candidate possible. But if not, does anyone have some suggestions for some departments (ag econ or traditional) that I should target, and would offer some good training in trade and policy?

My GRE exam is on 20th August, still I am not confident about awa and facing hard times how to improve it. here i have attached 2 essays from my power prep 1 test. It would be so helpful if someone could give me valuable suggestion about how to focus on the topic, improve writing by adding some skills and what points I am missing in the writings. Also If I write essays like this level what score in AWA I am supposed to get? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, I've very excited to have just been admitted to a top 30 (funding TBD, but I think I'll get something). I've also applied to 6 schools in the top 20 and I'm waiting to hear back from those, but it's pretty unlikely I'll be admitted, so let's assume those are all rejections. If my goal is to get a tenured track position in the same range (20-40), how difficult is it to do so after going to a top 30? Is it worth passing up on this and doing a master's in Econ to improve my application and try again in 2 years (at age 27) for a shot at top 10? I have a pretty strong background in math but only a minor in Econ from a low ranked state school, and I think the main things keeping me out of top 10/20 is lack of research experience and recommendation letters (which I think were great in content, but not from established economists). A research-track master's could improve both those. Am I foolish for even considering this? What if my T30 offer isn't funded? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

How can improve my understanding of complicated sentences of while practicing RC ?

Dear all, I've just received my TOEFL iBT scores. They are very low, only 95 (24/24/23/24), but I need 110. Such a high result is mandatory for the university I've applied. Could you please advice me, how can I improve my results in 1-1.5 months? I really need this, so I will try my best to obtain 110. And there is another option — IELTS 7.5, can it be easier?

Yesterday I took the GRE General exam for the second time and it was horrible. Last time I took the exam in 2007 my score was Q:800 V:320 and AW:3.5 And yesterday I was so lazy and couldn't finish before time so I get Q:730 V:360 AW: don't know yet. I really need help about increasing my verbal score. I was missing some knowledge about statistics (standard deviation, range etc.) for quantitative part. Other than that if I try to solve questions I believe that I can get 780-800. But I don't know how I can get >=450 from verbal part. My TOEFL score is 108 (R:28, L:30, S:26, W:24), so my English is not so bad but I am not good at memorizing words. I am using Smart.fm - which really helps studying vocabulary but I believe that I can't memorize around 2000 words in a month. In short, I need some other strategy or an easier/more efficient way to increase my verbal score.

I need advice regarding the GRE. I scored a 930 (380V/550Q) and 6.0 on AW; however, I would like to be able to score a 1200 so I can be considered for Ph.D. programs in health psychology. I have a 3.7 GPA, laboratory experience in 3-4 labs for 2 years, and I am working on a publication from a study I helped run last year (which is likely to be published due to interesting data on insight problem solving and mindfulness). I would have good letters of recommendation (from 4 professors), but the only thing that is impeding my chance are my low GRE scores. I bought the princeton review: cracking the GRE 2009 edition. I only took about 2 practice exams, so maybe that was my downfall? I felt so nervous during the exam because I knew I had to perform well. When I saw my score my stomach and heart just dropped. Please I need some advice on how to improve my score (and I have enough time to study and take the exam once or twice before I apply to graduate schools)! Thanks for any advice, because I sure need some. Which preparatory books should I buy? How should I practice beforehand this time? I just need to perform well so I can attenuate this illogical anxiety! :doh: