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Hi everyone, I have been reading this forum for a while and finally decided to register to ask some questions of my own. I am a 24-year old mathematics PhD and, after starting to work in a TOP3 management consulting company, I have been developing an increasing interest towards economics. Previously, I have considered economics as a hobby of mine, but lately I have seriously started to consider applying for a PhD program and make it my future profession. However, I have some concerns considering my profile and I would like to ask you whether I would have any chance to be accepted to TOP US econ PhD programs. Here is my profile: PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: 5-year M.Sc. in Europe, completed in 2 years Undergrad GPA: Overall 4.0/5.0, Math 4.5/5.0 (thesis won a national award), Econ 3.0/5.0 (studied as a hobby completely remote, i.e. did only the exams without lectures) Type of Grad: M.S. in mathematics in a TOP5 US math department, PhD in Europe Grad GPA: US M.S.: 3.7/4.0, all PhD level courses, European PhD: GPA N/A GRE: Q800/V400/A4.5 done 5 years ago, I should be able to improve my verbal score to 500 Math Courses: Plenty, e.g. PhD Complex Analysis (A), PhD Stochastic Calculus (A), PhD Probability II (A), PhD Linear Algebra (B), PhD Differential Geometry II (A), Harmonic Analysis (5/5) Econ Courses (grad-level): None Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate micro, intermediate macro and bunch of other courses, i.e. don't remember all of them at the moment, but equivalent to about one year of full-time study Other Courses: Minors also in CS and philosophy Letters of Recommendation: Solid letters, but only from European mathematicians Research Experience: PhD thesis in math, 5 publications in good international journals Teaching Experience: A lot of math courses, e.g. honors PDEs, calculus I Research Interests: Mostly macroeconomics and economic policy, "mathematical economics" (whatever it means) Concerns: Low undergrad and economics GPA, I usually used my time to learn new stuff rather than to ensure the best possible grades; no contacts to economists, so no econ LORs. So what do you think? Are the TOP schools completely out of my reach? If yes, how could I improve my application and which schools would you recommend me for applying? Thanks already in advance. :)

Hi guys, Do you make a plan of success load of GRE Math? I am a graduate school student in Math but, I am not good at solving to some problem except my area Analysis.:crushed: Should I first read the mathematical books of Algebra, probability,etc... without using GRE books and after understanding,go to the books of GRE? Could give me some advice if you were similar situation?

Hi! I am currently a math senior in Cornell. My interests are algebra, geometry and logic. I am realistic about my academic performance and will apply to some decent programs such as UIUC, UI Chicago, Madison, Indiana. But I really want to get in one of the top programs like MIT, Harvard, Princeton, U Chicago, UC Berkeley, U Michigan, UCLA. But my profile does not seem be strong enough to impress the admission committee of the those programs. I have no idea at all how selective they are. I appreciate your feedbacks! GPA: 3.93/4 GRE general: Verbal 750, Quantitative 800, Writing 5 GRE subject: not take yet (October) but shouldn't be too bad Math courses: Analysis I & II, Abstract Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Mathematical Logic, Complex analysis, Group theory, Differential geometry. All grades A or A+. Will complete before December: Topology, Combinatorics, and one graduate course in algebra. Research: REU for two summers. Two papers in preparation. I am currently writing a Senior Thesis but not likely to submit it until March (after application). Teaching Experience: TA calculus for two semesters. I participated in Putnam contest but the result wouldn't be impressive. The weakness of my application is the lack of graduate level courses, partially due to the reason that I decide to study math on my sophomore year so I am kind of late in starting. I am taking one grad course this coming semester. But some classmates of mine have already taken 4-5 grad courses before their application, which is a great advantage for them. In addition, my recommendation letters (from 3 tenured faculty members) would be decent but not wonderfully impressive. What's my chance of getting in one of the top programs? Thanks a lot!