Search the Community

Hi there, Profile: International student Undergraduate: Commerce - Not well known outside home country Percentage - 75% - this is a decent score. Cleared a very difficult famous accounting charter exam in India alongside my bachelors- only 11% of test takers clear in the 1st attempt - will this help prove academic ability in any way? Masters - Economics - Top 5 Economics depts UK Percentage - Distinction - Top 5% of the class. Diploma in maths - Distinction - Top 5% of class .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Courses from MSc in economics and diploma in maths - courses from undergrad not very relevant to economics. Economics topics - Intermediate micro (82), Intermediate Macro (72), Econometrics (65), Money and banking (64), MSc Macro (78), MSc Micro (82), MSc Metrics (78), Game Theory (79), Public Finance (78), Asset pricing (80). The MSc modules are somewhere between intermediate courses and graduates courses in terms of rigorousness. Math topics covered - Partial Differential Equations (75), Real analysis I (74), Real analysis II (72), Complex Analysis (75), Ordinary Differential Equations (78), Stochastic Processes (70), Linear Algebra (80), Optimisation (73). ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Research Experience - none Potential References - One from the head of the department who taught me undergrad level metrics - he knows me well, did his PhD from top in Australia. Another from math professor where I did my Math diploma - knows me very well and have discussed a lot of stuff with him with regard to mathematical applications in economics. Another from my dissertation supervisor, an associate professor who did his phd from an ok uni in the UK but I managed to really impress him with my MSc dissertation. He gave me very good marks on my dissertation. GRE - Q/V/AWA - 166/154/4.5 Research Interests: Macroeconomics, Time series My goal is to apply to the top 20 Economics PhD programmes. I fee like I should either do a course that strengthens my math profile or my economics profile. Its really hard to get a full time RA opportunity in the UK so i thought i should decide to focus on coursework and grades. i am hoping that my dissertation supervisor's reference would be sufficient proof of research potential. In the same university where i did my MSc in economics there is a course MSc in applied math that students in that past have taken and were placed in top 20 phd in economics in the US. This course allows you to take advanced math courses and phd level economics modules from the econ department. This will also help me build better relations with some of my potential referees and perhaps obtain a stronger reference from one of the profs teaching phd students. As part of a dissertation i will again get to reach out to some profs who are well known and write a dissertation under them. I could choose modules such as: Measure Theory Stochastic Analysis Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis Functional Analysis I Advanced Econometric Theory Introduction to Topology Advanced Real Analysis Another choice I have is to go for the LSE EME course where the coursework is perfect preparation for phd in the US but may not help me get a good reference as it is a short 9 month course without any dissertation element. I am worried if my lack of RA experience is going to count against me. Students from my program (Msc in economics) before me have gotten into Stanford, NYU, UofT, UBC, UCLA, Minnesota. Which course should i choose to maximise my chances of top 20 phd? Is there something else i can do to improve my chances of getting into the top 20 US Econ programmes? Please guide me.... :eager: Thanks a lot in advance.....

Is this possible? How common is it? The undergrad modules seem fairly trivial overall, and apparently you only need distinction in half the modules to get into the PhD My only concern is the funding after getting in. I have enough funding for a 2year msc

Hello all, hope you all doing allright. I got accepted to Tilburg MSc economics with pre-master condition. I was just wandering that if I could switch to researxh master after I done MSc economics. Or do I have chance to get in research master or Tinbergen after regular master? And does MSc economics in tilburg worth 15000 euro? Thanks for your answers, much appreciated, cheers!

Hi there, I am presently contemplating an offer from LSE for their MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME) programme, which comes along with a conditional offer to the MRes/PhD programme should a distinction be attained for the EME programme. I would like to seek some advice on the following please: How is the quality of the course instruction/teaching for the EME programme? I have heard relatively negative feedback pertaining the MSc Economics programme in terms of the lack of guidance/support but would appreciate if views on the EME programme could be provided (and whether the lack of guidance/support is generally what one should expect in postgraduate programmes). Over the past few years, what has been the proportion of EME students attaining a distinction? Appreciate the advice!

Everyone seems to be fervently opposed to MSc Economics programme as being extremely tough and the professors being unfair and not helpful at Uni of Warwick. If that is the case why is it so high rated? Would you recommend me to go there for my MSc Econ? I have a 3.61/4.00 in my BSc Economics from a top university in Pakistan.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad/Graduate: BA (Liberal Arts - UK), MSc Top 10 UK 4.0 equivalent, BSc Maths (Open University) - 4.0 equivalent Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0 (equivalent) GRE: Sitting soon Math Courses: Not as separated as in the US. Roughly covered, Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Real Analysis, basic stats/probability, Group Theory, Metric Spaces, Numbers and Rings. (All A's or A-'s). Econ Courses: One year of undergraduate courses and one year of post-grad courses. 1st year coming from liberal arts did poorly in undergrad courses (I.e. B's in intermediate micro/macro). Second year MSc at Top 10: all A's apart from one class (B). Took classes in Micro, Macro, Econometric Theory, and other optional classes. Letters of Recommendation: Three associate professors/professors from the Top 10 UK university where I did the MSc (should be good) Research Experience: MSc Thesis (A equivalent) Teaching Experience: None Work Experience: Private sector (few years out) (finance - non econ related) Programming skills: Stata, basic Matlab Questions/Other/Concerns: ​ Completed the BSc Maths after the MSc, while working. - Low ranking of BSc Maths (although the content is pretty reasonable - Q31 | BSc (Hons) Mathematics | Open University) - concerned about this - non top 5 UK universities are not respected so not sure how US universities will react - 6 years since completed the MSc (only just completed the BSc in Maths) - Don't think I can get into top 5 in the UK. Can't afford another masters. What sort of places are plausible in the US/UK/Europe? Sorry if I have missed anything out. Please let me know and I will answer.

Hello, I have been admitted to the MSc Economics at Barcelona GSE and UC3M. Both are one-year long courses. Issue: I got no funding. And Barcelona costs twice as much as UC3M. I know Barcelona GSE is generally seen "better" than UC3M, hence why I want to know how much better Barcelona is than UC3M and whether such prestige gap is worth paying twice as much. Interests: Econometrics and Macroeconomics. Which course would you opt for if you were in my position? Which is a better option if I decide to apply for a PhD in the future? Which is one is better for the private sector? Thanks in advance

Hi, I was wondering if anyone was familiar with these two programmes at the LSE? I had two main questions (I'm an undergraduate hoping to apply to these programmes later this year): 1) Is the difference between the MSc Econ and MSc EME very significant in terms of technical material. For example, you can choose the same optional module in both courses but the core micro, macro and econometrics courses are different. I've heard EC484 Econometric Analysis is particularly challenging, but are any of the other courses (micro or macro) that different from the MSc Econ ones? 2) LSE's current policy is that students who get a Distinction in either the MSc Econ or MSc EME are permitted to continue directly to the PhD. Is anyone aware of the situation with regards to funding for this? Does a separate funding application need to be made? And is the continuation to the PhD with guaranteed funding or not? If not, does rank compared to your cohort in the MSc influence your chance of securing funding? Many thanks in advance!

Hello guys. This year I have applied 8 schools for MSc economics and econometrics. Which are Mphil Econ at Oxford (Pending) MSc Econ at LSE (Rejected) MSc Econ at UCL (Rejected) MSc Econ at Warwick (Pending) MSc Econ and Econometrics at Nottingham (Pending) MSc Econ and Econometrics at York (Offer) MSc Econ(Econometrics) at Edinburgh (Pending) MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics at Tilburg (Offer) Sadly I got rejected by both UCL and LSE. However, York and Tilburg sent good news. The other schools are on pending status. As of now, I do not expect much from Oxford, but about Warwick, Nottingham and Edinburgh, I am quite positive. Could you guys help me opt the best MSc programme among the list for PhD? Thank you

Apologies, please delete this thread.

Please could someone offer some advice about which MSc programs are the best to apply for to increase my chances of getting onto a US PhD course next year. I know that the EME MSc at LSE is the best but I don't have any chance of being admitted to that. I'm looking more realistically at somewhere like Nottingham or Essex, and both of them offer MSc Economics, but also MSc Economics and Econometrics. Am I right in thinking that the MSc Economics and Econometrics would be better for boosting my PhD application chances because of the more quantitative nature of the course?

Hi all, I'm currently trying to decide between the LSE MSc vs. the PhD at Rochester. My thoughts are: 1) The LSE MSc comes with a conditional acceptance to their PhD program, which I've read is comparable to the top 20 schools in the US. However, I would have to fund the MSc on my own, which doable, but not ideal. I would also have to make sure I graduate with distinction, which is probably not too big of an issue, but adds some pressure. 2) Rochester has offered me full funding to their PhD program. However, placement-wise, they don't seem to do as well as the LSE PhD so long-term, career-wise may be a worse option. I'm interested in pursuing theoretical micro and IO, and I'm not sure Rochester is the best place for that. I'd love to hear some other people's thoughts on this. Thanks!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BA in International Relations (Top 10 IR school, terrible for economics) Undergrad GPA: 3.55 Type of Grad: n/a Grad GPA: n/a GRE: 163 Q /165 V/4.5 AW -- Retaking and pretty confident of getting a Q166 or 167. Don't think I can get a perfect score, though. Math Courses: Stats I (A), Calc I (A), currently taking Calc II (at Harvard Extension) but I already know most of the material and I'm pretty sure I'll easily get an A. If I do get an A I'll be able to take a class that combines Linear Algebra and Real Analysis next semester, along with Calc III (multivariable). If not, I'll only be able to take Calc III and Linear Algebra next semester. Econ Courses: Macro I (A), Micro I (B), International Economics I (A-) Research Experience: Only political science research, 6 months at a DC think tank (internship) and 2.5 years in industry. Teaching Experience: n/a So clearly my profile is nowhere near enough to get into a decent PhD program (particularly because I haven't really even studied economics that much), so I'm going for a Master's as (hopefully) as a stepping stone to a PhD. Here's the list of masters I think I'd like to apply to, ranked in order of preference: Duke MA Economics PSE PPD UCL MSc Economics Bocconi MSc Economics and Social Sciences Barcelona GSE Masters in Economics and Finance Yale IDE SAIS MIEF Cornell MS Applied Economics and Management IHEID MA International Economics Columbia MA Economics BU MA Economics Tufts MA Sciences Po Master's in Economics Warwick Diploma + MSc in Economics Sciences Po Master's in International Economic Policy Simon Fraser MA w/ qualifying year Mcgill MA Economics w/ qualifying year Now, obviously this list is kinda long, I can't apply to 17 programs, but which ones do I cut? 14-17 I consider "safeties" that I think I should easily get into. 10-13 I'm fairly confident about these, 50-50 I guess? (Except for maybe Columbia, but I know nothing about how competitive this program is). 1-9 Are all dream programs but I'm kinda skeptical about getting into any of them. Maybe you guys can help me out here? Do I even have a chance with those? Thanks in advance for the help!

Hi everyone. I"m 33 and I got a Msc in math 6 years ago. Grades were not stellar but ok. GRE quite good. I decided I want to get into an economics MSc with the idea of pursuing a PhD after it. I think this plan only makes sense If I manage to get into a very good PhD program, so the question is: What programs in Europe have good placement in the US AND would perhaps accept me? P.S. Talked to Bocconi for ESS the other day and they told me that while they like my background and my GRE, I'm too old for the other students and surely would not fit in socially, so they would be very likely to reject me. Said they would probably accept me for MAFINRISK instead. I was a bit shocked at first, but can see their point. Just gave you this anecdote to add info.

I have applied at LSE and Cambridge for MSC in eco. But if rejected from these two , is Msc in Bristol a good option ?? I want to work with central banks , gov and non-gov organsations , international organisations etc.

Hi everyone, I'd be interested in your views of what odds my profile has of getting into a good programme. I graduated in 2011 and went to work in management consulting. One thing led to another and now it's 8 years later and I'm 30 and I still have a feeling like what I really want to do is research and teach. So I'm going back to do a MSc to see if I'm really serious about this, and then would like to apply for a PhD if I still feel the same way. My job has not been technical, but has been focused on banking regs and strategy, so potentially gets me some useful insights. I'm starting an MSc in Finance and Econ from a top European programme in 2 months. My questions are: - Assuming I do well in the masters, what are my odds of getting into a top ~20 finance programme? If it's quite unrealistic, I suppose I can give up and go back to the old sort of thing I did - Is there any point applying this cycle before the degree is done? I sort of feel like I'm already pretty old to spend another year RAing, but I guess it's needed.ProfileType of Undergrad: BSc economics from a top UK University (think Ox/Cam/LSE/Imp). But graduated 8 years ago. Undergrad GPA: 1st honours. Got firsts in all courses except 1 or 2 Graduate GPA: About to start MSc Finance & Econ from a top European programme GRE: Haven't taken it yet Math Courses: Real analysis, differential equations, multivariable calc. All 1sts (but 8-10 years ago) Undergrad econ couses: Micro, macro, applied econometrics, and public. All firsts except applied metrics Grad econ courses: to come: Micro, financial economics, financial econometrics, possibly macro, 2 electives Letters of Recommendation: I'll need to get some good ones from the MSc because I'm sure no one from undegrad remembers me. Can throw in one or two from work for good measure even if not that relevant Research Experience: Will be doing some RA work for one of the professors during the MSc. Otherwise nothing applicable so far. A few non-technical company publications, but irrelevant. Research interests: Empirical corp finance (particularly banking/credit), banking theory Teaching Experience: 1 year of TAing a class in undergrad in 2010 Work Experience: 7-8 years in management consulting for the financial services sector at a fairly prestigious firm [Cross-posted to PhD Econ forum - let me know if it shouldn't be here]

Profile: Type of Undergrad: BSc economics from a top UK University (Ox/Cam/LSE/Imp). But graduated 8 years ago. Undergrad GPA: 1st honours. Got firsts in all courses except 1 or 2 Graduate GPA: About to start MSc Finance & Econ from a top European programme GRE: Haven't taken it yet Math Courses: Real analysis, differential equations, multivariable calc, intro to abstract math. All 1sts (but 8-10 years ago) Undergrad econ couses: Micro, macro, applied econometrics, and public. All firsts except applied metrics Grad econ courses: to come: Micro, financial economics, financial econometrics, possibly macro, 2 electives Letters of Recommendation: I'll need to get some good ones from the MSc because I'm sure no one from undegrad remembers me. Can throw in one or two from work for good measure even if not that relevant Research Experience: Will be doing some RA work for one of the professors during the MSc. Otherwise nothing applicable so far. A few non-technical company publications, but irrelevant. Research interests: Empirical corp finance (particularly banking/credit), banking theory Teaching Experience: 1 year of TAing a class in undergrad in 2010 Work Experience: 7-8 years in management consulting for the financial services sector at a fairly prestigious firm Context and questions: Hi everyone, I'd be interested in your views of what odds my profile has of getting into a good programme. I graduated in 2011 and went to work in management consulting. One thing led to another and now it's 8 years later and I'm 30 and I still have a feeling like what I really want to do is research and teach. So I'm going back to do a MSc to see if I'm really serious about this, and then would like to apply for a PhD if I still feel the same way. My job has not been technical, but has been focused on banking regs and strategy, so potentially gets me some useful insights. I'm starting an MSc in Finance and Econ from a top European programme in 2 months. My questions are: - Assuming I do well in the masters, what are my odds of getting into a top ~20 finance programme? If it's quite unrealistic, I suppose I can give up and go back to the old sort of thing I did - Is there any point applying this cycle before the degree is done? I sort of feel like I'm already pretty old to spend another year RAing, but I guess it's needed. [Cross-posted to PhD business forum - let me know if this is the wrong place and I can delete]

Does anyone have any information on likelihood or proportion of American Economic departments hiring international students as research assistants. I'm to enter a MSc program in UK this autumn and I'm definitely interested in doing a PhD thereafter but am interested to apply for some of RA jobs (plenty posted on NBERs websit) to gain experience as well as added value to application. However given that I'm an International student, do you know how many students generally apply, how many get accepted or will they sponsor a visa? Also, as most of these jobs look like data type work along with editing and managing projects and papers; while I'm extremely proficient in Stata, a lot of them emphasize on some kind of mathematical/finance/macro modelling done in Python or R, for which I'm inexperienced in. Hence I would appreciate some information on chances of being employed as If more than likely, I would expend a lot of time during the MSc to also train and code in Python/R.

Hi everyone, I'm currently a third year Econ student at Bocconi trying to decide what to do next year (and with my life in general). I got an offer for SSE's MSc in Economics and it would not be a problem for me to get into Bocconi's MSc as well (although I won't be able to get a scholarship) so I'm trying to decide between the two. I also applied to other places: I applied to a double Econ MSc Sciences Po-Sorbonne, which I don't really like, and I got an offer from Stockholm Uni which I won't accept, so I think those two are my best options (I didn't apply to UK unis because the costs are prohibitive for me and other places because I was looking for a two-year MSc). I would like to get a PhD in Economics after my master's, maybe in the US. I spent a semester at SSE so I know what the two schools are like and I actually already accepted SSE's offer as I didn't want to stay here, but after looking a bit on the internet and especially on this forum I think Bocconi is a better choice considering getting a PhD in the future: highly rank, the program is very quantitative and usually places student at top PhD programs. The main reason for me not wanting to stay here is that I know my life would be miserable for the next two years, as I would have to live with my parents and spend 10+ hours/day in the class or the library like I do now, plus I would have to pay 14k per year (I would pay no tuition fees as a EU citizen at SSE). What do you think of SSE's Econ MSc? How does it compare to Bocconi? Do you think I would have similar chances in terms of PhD or is there a significant difference between the two? Thanks in advance

I wonder if anyone has any insight into how the Econ MSc program at LSE works as a feeder into PhD programs? It's the only Master's program that I would consider passing up good PhD offers for (UCSD, Minnesota) because it seems like there's a fairly established path to move on to the PhD program if all goes well enough. It's not entirely clear to me how common that is, though, and exactly what "well enough" means. I've contacted the department, but haven't heard back, so I just thought I'd see if anyone has any experience or direct knowledge of the viability of that path. Thanks!

Hello After completing the Graduation, the Science aspirants usually face the dilemma of which career option will fit them best? Master of Science in IIT JAM Physics is designed for those ingenious students who want to engage in p profound scientific research & theoretical knowledge in a dedicated area. It’s a general conception that careers after MSc are only limited to researching and Ph.D. only which is completely false. There are many companies like Goldman Sachs Walmart Dunia Finance Fuzzy Logics Amazon etc. which have offered 20+LPAto the MSc students. You can also go with government job: - Research & Scientist Officer Job Assistant Professor Railway Officer etc. Thank You!!

Type of Undergrad: Economics BS at 100-150 overall ranked US school (The econ dept is basically unknown) Undergrad GPA: 3.87/4.0 Type of Grad: Economics MSc at UK university (not Oxbridge level but a prestigious uni overall. However, not sure of the econ program's reputation) Grad GPA: Overall Distinction (3.87/4.0 equivalent) GRE: 166 Q / 166 V / 4.5 AW Math/Stats Courses: - Undergrad: Calc I-III (A's), Business Stats I&II (A's), Linear Algebra (B), Differential Equations (A), Math Econ (A-) - Grad: Math and Stats prelim course (no credit, but A+) Econ Courses: -Undegrad: Intro Macro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Intermediate Micro (A-), Monetary (A), Game Theory (B+), History of Econ Thought (A), Int'l Econ (A), Intro Econometrics (A), Econ of Ed (A) -Grad: Macro I&II (1st, 2:1), Micro I&II (both 1st), Metrics I&II (1st, 2:1), Microeconometrics (1st), Bayesian Econometrics (2:1), Labor (2:1) Other Courses: Business minor Research Experience: -MSc Econometrics Project: top in class, on evaluating new methods, forwarded on to top US program faculty, but a group project (unofficially led the group) -MSc Dissertation: very high marks, on econ of ed Letters of Recommendation: I have a lot of options. -A few UG professors would be happy to say I am among the best students they've ever had, but they're doubtful of how much weight their letters will pull. -MSc Dissertation Advisor: very supportive of my research potential, younger with some good pubs -MSc Econometrics Project Advisor: knows my input to the project and very supportive, probably the most known entity that knows me well Other options are various pg academics that either know me well and are not known themselves or vice versa, but all would write supportive letters Teaching Experience: Just tutored economics in UG Work Experience: Nothing relevant like research work Statement of Purpose: Not written yet, but my MSc SoP was strong. I confidently know my interests. Research Interests: Applied Microeconometrics, Economics of Education Other courses: Currently enrolled in an online real analysis course Concerns: -Unsure whether to report/how to explain I have a diploma in economics from high ranked European institution, but I did not do well because of special circumstances. This was between UG and MSc. -Unsure about math record, and I won’t have marks from online course before application decisions -Unsure about the third recommendation letter. I was planning to choose different third recommendation letters based on the school (e.g. using an alumni where possible) or otherwise just a MSc metrics prof (not connected to US) that I did well with and likes me. I have a list of schools to apply to based on matching interests, chances of admission, location, and connections to the school, but I am really unsure of how high I can go in rankings. I’d rather omit my list and just see what you all think? Open to all input and advice.

Hi everyone, I'm applying to a few top EU PhD's and some RA positions. Previously, I have completed an MSc in Econ from one of the top schools in Europe. While my BSc grades are great (not a known uni though), my first term grades in the MSc were somewhat poor, but got better and in the last term quite good. Last year, I got rejected from a great RA position based on my grades (they said this was the reason when I asked). This was after doing the coding test and an interview. I didn't have my last term (best) grades at the time of applying and interviewing. I have RA experience from two positions, and currently doing another MSc. The rough start was due to some lack in math background and overall a big hike in difficulty, but as I mentioned grades got better as I got used to it. My question is: how do I treat this in the cover letter? I feel like I should mention it somehow but ofc I don't want to emphasize the negative too much as I think that my profile is otherwise quite competitive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, guys. Glad to be here among this nerdy crew. I would like to ask you for some advice. See, my profile is heterodox and I really can't say what chances I have. I'm very interested in doing research in Finance, mainly in asset pricing. However, as far as I know in some Econ PhDs this is a fairly possible research plan. This is messing my head up, since I read it's very difficult to be admitted in the BS Finance PhDs. This said, let's have a look at my profile (I used the template of another user without his permission -sorry, stranger!-):

Hello everyone, Could you please evaluate my profile and check if i’m not overestimating my chances? i have only done undergrad so far, and I’m also considering getting an European masters. Undergrad GPA: 3.35 (could go to 3.5) or 8.3/10 (standrised, Brazilian top-3 university), ranking in the 20% of cohort. R.A experience: With a professor that seems to like me enough to write me a good reference letter. Was top 2 in her class. Also another one for two years, that one in a group so maybe not a stellar letter but a good one. Recommendation letters: one from the R.A professor i mentioned, another one from my advisor (top 10 economists in my country, i believe could write a good letter). GRE: not yet, some schools don’t require it so I may give it a second thought. Awards: I think I can win a prize for the best thesis in undergrad. Considering applying to (Msc): Cambridge, Mannheim, BGSE, CEMFI, LSE, Bonn, UCLouvain, Tilburg, Toulouse, PSE and (maybe) Bocconi. I’m fine with doing my PhD from any of these unis (maybe not Bocconi), so I may continue after masters. Does anyone know if I’m aiming too high? Thanks in advance.