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Hey all, I'm wondering what is the way to handle RA offers while waiting for PhD results? I've applied to some RA positions and expecting to hear back most likely before PhD results come in. My current mindset is that I would prefer to get into a top choice PhD program over doing a year or two of RA work but I would prefer to take the RA position over a "safety school". However, there's no way of me knowing what programs I get into before I have to (most likely) decide whether I take certain RA positions. Does anybody know what the standard convention is when it comes to handling these dilemmas? Thanks a ton!

My prior thread I was considering Masters programmes, however, this is contingent upon obtaining funding via loans. In case this doesn't turn out well, I have been thinking about applying to pre-doc and RA positions. Although these positions seem to vary quite substantially, a common theme seems to be that they are looking for good empirical skills and programming skills. I don't know how I compare with other students in terms of these skills and so I wanted to know if there was a list of resources (or equivalent) for me to look through to prepare/refresh for these positions.

Hi, I would like to know how my chances are for RA positions at US institutions (SIEPR, NBER, etc). Note that I'm graduating a semester early, and I'll be applying to most of these positions next semester. School: Top20-25 Econ Phd (private) Major: Econ and Math double GPA: 3.66 (expected to be 3.70 after the next semester), Econ: 3.73, Math: 3.72 (hopefully will go up after next semester) Econ courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (B, B), Market Design (B), Advanced Macro elective I (A), Advanced Macro elective (A); will take grad-level Microeconomics, Econometrics, and Macroeconomics next semester Math courses: Calc I-III (A, A, A), Multivariate (A), Intro to Proof ©, Matrix Algebra (B), Discrete Math (B), Operations Research (B), Differential Equations (A), (Proof-based) Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis I and II (A, A), Abstract Algebra (A), Mathematical Probability (A), Topology (A), will take: Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Methods next semester. (any suggestions on which math electives to take over these?) Research Experience: currently working on honors thesis with a Econ professor / RA for an Econ professor (6 months, plan on continuing until end of next semester)/ RA for a statistics professor (1 year) / RA for another Econ professor (summer), attended several undergraduate research conferences Notes/Concerns: 1. Grades: I've struggled a lot but managed to pull my math grades up; the past two semesters, I had 4.0, and hopefully I can keep the trend for next semester as well. Hopefully my overall GPA long with my econ and math GPA will go up as well after next semester, but would it make a huge difference if I apply after my next semester's grades are out (assuming they're good) since my GPAs will go up (especially since I'm taking grad-level econ courses next semester)? 2. I have a W on my transcript for a math elective (retook it later and got an A) I would like to aim for (popular) RA positions with well-known researchers who are also known to place their students pretty well, and any thoughts based on my profile so far will be greatly appreciated! :)

Hey yall, I'm looking for suggestions on what to do in case my waitlists/pendings are all rejections. I have some RA applications pending, but I'm finding that at this point most positions are filled so it's not very likely for me to get one of those (still trying though!). MA programs also aren't really an option. Thanks :encouragement: