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Most Recently Selected profile:

The data below comes from testmagic forums and shows accepted, waitlisted, and rejected applicants for 2010 for economics graduate school. Clicking on points in the graph above will make the most recent profile appear in the space below the graph.


Acceptances:

Morxjez 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: University of Chicago
Undergrad GPA: 3.83
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: Q800 V540 W4.0
Math Courses: Analysis in Rn 1,2,3 , Abstract Algebra 1,2 , Numerical Analysis, Complex Analysis, Theory of ODE (involved use of complex variable) All A's except complex analysis (A-)
Stat Courses: Mathematical Statistics (A-), and mathematical probability (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro and Macro (all A's), International trade and finance (A-,A), Econometrics (intro and advance) (A, B+,A), Advanced Macro 1, 2 (A+,A+), Auction Theory (A), Game Theory (A), a graduate class in numerical methods in economics (A)
Other Courses: Computer Science (A,A)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Harvard, 1 Minnesota, 1 Princeton (They are all pretty strong)
Research Experience: 1 Year part time RA, 1 Summer RA at central bank in my country
Teaching Experience: TA for math and econ
Research Interests: Asset pricing and macro
SOP: normal with customized to each program
Other: I am currently a junior year student.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago($), Northwestern (WL), UPenn ($$), Columbia($$), Minnesota ($$), Wisconsin($$), Boston U($$)
Waitlists: MIT
Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, UMich
Pending: nothing
What would you have done differently? I should not apply this year. I should instead work as an RA for a year or two and then apply. I think then I would have a clear shot at top 5 schools. But well, graduating in three years save me 50,000US worth of tuition fee and now I am happy with Penn, which is very good at Asset Pricing.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Chicago($), Northwestern (WL), UPenn ($$), Columbia($$), Minnesota ($$), Wisconsin($$), Boston U($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, UMich
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT

48chec 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics Latin American University
Undergrad GPA: 3.5
Type of Grad: M.A. Economics Latin American University
Grad GPA: 3.5
GRE: 800Q 570V 3.0 AWA
Math Courses: Multivariate Calculus, Mathematical Statistics
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Grad Micro, Grad Micro, Grad Econometrics
Other Courses: Lots of History Courses
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Berkeley who teaches at my Uni, 1 Michigan who teaches at my Uni, 1 MIT who teaches at an Ivy League Uni.
Research Experience: R.A. since I was a third year undergrad. Last two years I was a full time instructor working on three papers.
Teaching Experience: I have been a full time instructor for the last two years. I have been teaching Probability and Econometrics.
Research Interests: Labor, information, applied econometrics.
SOP: Made emphasis on my love for academia and my teaching and research experience.
Other: Highest national grade on an economics exam.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Waitlists: UPenn, Brown
Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I would have taken more math courses. I would also have taken more care of my GPA. I wish I had realized that I wanted to be an academic earlier in my undergraduate studies.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UPenn, Brown

freakout2010 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Economics at Top10 South American university.
Undergrad GPA: 8.5/10 (Top 5%)
Type of Grad: MA Economics at Top10 South American university (not the same as undergrad).
Grad GPA: 9.6/10 (1st in class)
GRE: 800q/500v/3.0a
Math Courses (undergrad): Calculus I to III, Linear Algebra, Introductory Real Analysis.
Math Courses (grad): Real Analysis, Measure Theory.
Econ Courses (undergrad): a bunch of them!
Econ Courses (grad): Micro Theory I to IV (entire MWG), Macro Theory I to III, Econometrics, Microeconometrics, (New Dynamic) Public Finance, Corporate Finance, Mathematical Economics I and II (some chapters of Stokey&Lucas).
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: A total of 5 letters, all from MA professors. Strong letter from my advisor which I sent to all universities (rotated among the other recommenders). Two strong letters from micro theory guys (with PhD outside US but good recent publications); one good letter from a professor at top10 US university; and one fair letter from well-known general equilibrium guy.
Research Experience: My MA Dissertation.
Teaching Experience: TA for Microeconomic Theory I and II at the graduate level.
Research Interests: macroeconomics, mechanism design, economics of information.
SOP: pretty standard
Other: Ranked the first (out of 800 candidates) on a national selection process for economics MA in my country.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Princeton($$$), Yale($$$$), Northwestern($$), Columbia($$), UCLA(no $)
Waitlists: MIT (then rejected)
Rejections: Chicago Booth (Econ), Stanford GSB (EA&P), Berkeley, HBS (BusEc), Harvard.
What would you have done differently? Not applied for to many business schools. Also I think I should have studied more for the analytical section of the GRE. I am pretty sure my application was dropped off on some schools because of my weak score.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Princeton($$$), Yale($$$$), Northwestern($$), Columbia($$), UCLA(no $)
  • Institution: Yale PHD Econ Decision: Accepted Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on Gradcafe: no Date of Gradcafe post: no Comments: Great news !!!:D
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Personal e-mail from Professor Posted on GF: No Comments: :)
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Personal e-mail from Professor Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Email Funding: 29,8k for 5 years (TA last 3 years)
Rejects:
    rejected) Rejections: Chicago Booth (Econ), Stanford GSB (EA&P), Berkeley, HBS (BusEc), Harvard.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT (then
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: N/A Comments: is there any hope ?

Fantiki 2010:
Type of undergrad:
1. B.Sc. Finance from the best business school in a mid-size European country. In terms of financial research output the school is usually ranked as Top 10 European/Top 100 worldwide
2. (concurrently) B.Sc. Systems Science from the best university in the same European country
Undergrad GPA: not obvious to translate, somewhere between 3.6 and 3.9, Top 5%
Type of Grad:
1. M.Sc. Finance, same business school as above
2. (concurrently) M.Sc. Computer Science, same university as above
Grad GPA: again hard to translate, I would say between 3.8-4.0, Top 5%
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses (undergrad): Introductory mathematics I (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Analytical Geometry) (B+/A-), Introductory mathematics II (Theory of continuity, Measures and Integrals) (A), Introductory mathematics III (Functional analysis, DE) (A), Introductory mathematics IV (PDE, IE), Introduction to optimization (A), Introduction to statistical inference (A), Time series analysis (B+/A-)
Math Courses (grad): stochastic processes (A), optimization theory (B), mathematical investment theory (B+/A-), game theory (A), decision making (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad): Introductory, Intermediate micro, Intermediate macro, International economics and finance, Money & Banking - A:s
Other Courses: Finance & Computer Science (theory courses may be relevant), LSE summer school (A)
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Finance full professor, thesis advisor, many A publications
2. Computer science full professor, thesis advisor, many A publications (in comp science)
3. Circulating weakly positive letters from semi-famous full professors in finance and economics
Research Experience:
1. B.Sc. thesis in finance
2. B.Sc. thesis in systems science
3. M.Sc. thesis in finance - on decision making under information asymmetries in finacial markets (game-theoretical model+empirical evidence)
4. M.Sc. thesis in computer science - empirical part (as a chapter in an article) accepted in a top general interest journal, but the publication is not related to economics/finance (biology), I am a coauthor, but there are many others
5. RA for the computer science professor
6. Research internship at an internationally well-known company, also 1 paper from there, but published in a professional journal
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Information economics, financial economics (theory + empirical)
Statement of purpose: http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/119180-post-your-statement-purpose-sop-here.html#post789723
Other: graduated in advance, some good awards (placed third nationwide in math competition, scholarship for publishing thesis etc.), strong technical skills (Assembler and similar hardcore stuff)
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Columbia finance ($) -> accepted this offer, LBS finance ($), UNC-CH finance ($), UBC finance ($), LSE finance (external EU funding)
Rejections: Stanford finance, UCLA finance, Stern finance, Wharton finance, Haas finance, Kellogg finance, CMU finance, INSEAD finance, MIT economics, Penn economics (out of the waitlist)
What would you have done differently?
Probably not much, may be would establish better relationships with a couple of professors at my school. The application process to US universities is difficult for European applicants because information asymmetries are pretty large. I would recommend to establish good relationships with professors who have strong ties to schools you are applying (e.g. coauthoring, previous academic positions etc.). Also if you are coming from a less known educational system/school try to get short but informative course descriptions for the key courses as an attachment to your transcripts (e.g. course names like Math I-IV are not very helpful for admissions commiteas). I have received the feedback from some schools that these two things helped my case.
Overall I did much better than I expected.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Columbia finance ($) -> accepted this offer, LBS finance ($), UNC-CH finance ($), UBC finance ($), LSE finance (external EU funding)
  • Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Stipend + Research scholarship (26k) + optional TA (4.5k) Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Well, me in a top 10 finance program... I just was jumping around my flat for probably 2 hours this morning.
  • Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Stipend + Research scholarship (26k) + optional TA (4.5k) Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Well, me in a top 10 finance program... I just was jumping around my flat for probably 2 hours this morning.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford finance, UCLA finance, Stern finance, Wharton finance, Haas finance, Kellogg finance, CMU finance, INSEAD finance, MIT economics, Penn economics (out of the
Waitlists:
    waitlist)

nobigdeal 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.F.A (!) dbl major in acting and economics (from one of the top acting programs, and a top (15) econ department.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4 over all, 3.9 econ; received the senior year econ dept. award.
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-II (AP). Only linear algebra (A) in undergrad. Since then, calc III (A), real analysis (A+), math stats (A+), probability (A)
Econ Courses (undergraduate): two intro classes plus micro, macro, international trade, labor, public, development, statistics, econometrics, thesis. All A's, except an A- in my first intro course.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (worked for one over a summer, co authored a paper with the other -- top marks in their classes), one economist at a fed (he does more academic research than policy work).
Research Experience: A senior thesis, which grew into a paper that was recently accepted into a top (sub)field journal. Over 2 years at a fed working pretty closely with an economist with who I coauthored a paper we submitted to an interdisciplinary policy journal.
Teaching Experience: Very little. Worked in a statistics lab in college where I gave a lesson on STATA.
Research Interests: Labor, behavioral
Statement of Purpose: Discussed my background and research experiences. Also wrote two paragraphs outlining my research interests in applied microeconomics, labor, and behavioral. So, fairly specific. Hardly addressed the school's strengths at all--only mentioned the school's name once, in the last paragraph.
Concerns: I have a B.F.A, and I didn't take much math in college.
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Yale, Penn, Duke, Cornel, NYU, Brown, Northwestern, Stanford, U Chicago, U Michigan
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 2/22/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2/23/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" w/ details to come later Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Still waiting: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, NYU, Michigan, UPenn, U Chicago
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" w/ details to come later Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Still waiting: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, NYU, Michigan, UPenn, U Chicago
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Funding on 03/07/10 Notified through: Postal Posted on GF: no Comment: Impossible to fund my first year. Oh well.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email -- Checked Online Status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: (fill in)
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/18/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:yes
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Funding on 03/05/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes
Waitlists:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: unlikely I'm sure Comments: Maybe they think I have a shot at the NSF?

Caroline_x 2010:
Institution: University of Michigan
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing.
Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st)
Notified through: Email with pdf attachment
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st) Notified through: Email with pdf attachment Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Admit Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.". Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st) Notified through: Email with pdf attachment Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Admit Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.". Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
  • Institution: Texas-Austin Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: May be available on or after April 15th Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Quote:"We know that you have other offers to consider, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would let us know whether you are still interested in our program. " Gee...How did they know that I had other offers to consider?????? Why didn't they offer me any financial aid then?What kind of strategy is this?
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver+10k TAship Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: They are so generous in such a poor year!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: I knew it was coming.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: March 3rd 2010 Notified through: Email from Kelly Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL? Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: March 3rd 2010 Notified through: Email from Kelly Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL? Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."

Policy_Enter 2010:
Institution: University of Rochester
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!
Institution: Vanderbilt University
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/23
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: No application fee. Thought I was going to make it.
Institution: Notre Dame
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: I called the grad program director
Posted on GF: No
Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Missouri-Columbia Economics Decision: Accepted (Fast Track) Funding: None Available for me at this time Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope! Comments:One of my safeties. I am unhappy they don't have $$ for me.
  • Institution: University of Missouri-Columbia Economics Decision: Accepted (Fast Track) Funding: None Available for me at this time Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope! Comments:One of my safeties. I am unhappy they don't have $$ for me.
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!:D
  • Institution: Vanderbilt University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/23 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: No application fee. Thought I was going to make it.
  • Institution: Notre Dame Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: I called the grad program director Posted on GF: No Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
  • Institution:University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date:3/2 Notified through: Just randomly checked Website Posted on GF:Never Comments: My heart leapt! Sad!
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope! Comments:One of the reaches. So I am not surprised
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected...Second time rejected!
  • Institution: University of Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!
  • Institution: Notre Dame Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: I called the grad program director Posted on GF: No Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope! Comments:One of the reaches. So I am not surprised
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected...Second time rejected!
Waitlists:


Rejections:

saucyapples 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts college, majored in Math and Econ (class of 2008)
Undergrad GPA: 3.69
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 630V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: The usual , plus some high level statistics classes. Mostly As, some B's.
Econ Courses: 12 or so, mostly A's and some A-'s.
Other Courses: Some random classes, several about law since when I got to college I wanted to be a lawyer. A's and B's.
Letters of Recommendation: Only from people who know me well and (I think) like me. Two from econ professors with PhD's from top-5 places and one from a reasonably famous math prof.
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis (won an award), RAed for two summers including once abroad, and did field research in Latin America for almost two years after graduation
Teaching Experience: TAed and tutored a couple of math and econ courses. I've also tutored at an underachieving elementary school near my house (which is remarkably similar to tutoring underachieving college students, actually)
Research Interests: Development, IO, Game Theory, Education
SOP: Had it vetted by various economists, they said that it was fine. I wrote about three pages and then for each school only kept the 1-1.5 pages that were most relevant to that program. I'm not really sure how much it matters
Concerns: Had no idea what my LORs actually said.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: HBS($$$, pretty sure that I'm going to take it), Harvard ($$), Cal($$), Michigan ($), BU($), Maryland()
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Duke, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford GSB, Columbia, NYU, Stanford, MIT
What would you have done differently? I got into my dream school, so I'm ecstatic.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: HBS($$$, pretty sure that I'm
Rejects:
    Rejections: Duke, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford GSB, Columbia, NYU, Stanford, MIT
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

tommyg28 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top UK BA econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.85(ish) equivalent
Type of Grad: MA econ, same uni
Grad GPA: 3.9
GRE: 800Q, 720V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: The usual (real analysis I, II, Topology, functional analysis, linear algebra, ODE I, II, advanced statistics and probability theory, etc.) Mostly As, one A-
Econ Courses: Many: Micro I-IV; Macro I-IV; Econometrics I, II; Economic theory; IO, etc. All As, some A+
Other Courses: None, econ all the way
Letters of Recommendation: From people who knew me well, but alas, few people know them. Nice letters though.
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis and Grad dissertation - they were OK.
Teaching Experience: Coached various sports, but pretty sure this counts for squat
Research Interests: Everything. Probably IO, stock-flow macro dynamics and labour if I had to narrow it down.
SOP: Bland
Concerns: Interpretation of UK grades
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke ($$), U Washington-Seattle ($), Georgetown ($$)
Waitlists: UCLA
Rejections: A lot: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, Yale, Penn, etc.
What would you have done differently? it's been said many times before, but I didn't pay sufficient heed: LORs matter! Unless you have Slightlyconfused's profile you need to get well-known profs to write decent enough LORs. I'm a little disappointed with my outcome. My faculty is pretty weak at the mo, so I don't think I could've done much better. But I should've done my MA elsewhere to get access to better letter of recommendation writers. Shucks.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Duke ($$), U Washington-Seattle ($), Georgetown ($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: A lot: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, Yale, Penn, etc.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: "Don't care anymore." Enough said.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Trying to tell myself that I had forgotten about this one. Alas....
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA

dale_albo 2010:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, Top South American University.
Undergrad GPA: 6.02/7 (Highest in my Class)
Type of Grad: MSc, Economics, Top South American University.
Grad GPA: 6.5/7 (Highest in my Class)
GRE/TOEFL: 790Q/780V/5.5AWA. 120 TOEFL.
Math Courses: Calculus I-III, Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Inference, Mathematics for Economists (Linear Algebra, some Dynamic Optimization), Advanced Calculus (Should be Real Analysis I), Real Analysis. All A's, except for Calculus I.
Econ Courses (u/g): Intro Micro, Intro Macro, Micro I-II, Macro I-II, Industrial Organization, International Economics, Econometrics. All equivalent to A's or A+
Grad courses: Macro Theory I, Micro Theory I-II, Econometric Theory I-II-III. In my university, I is a joint M.Sc. and Ph.D. course, while the others are Ph.D. courses. Also, Industrial Organization, Public Economics, Enviromental Economics. All equivalent to A's or A+, except for IO, B+.
Letters of Recommendation: All strong, I believe/hope. I moved them around according to the program, but the summary is 2 MIT, 2 Chicago,1 Harvard, 1 UCLA, 1 Georgetown.
Research Experience: Honors thesis, won the poster contest in the annual meeting of my country's economic society. A co-authored working paper, with a classmate, that I have presented a few times and has been submitted for publication. Also, a couple of other co-authored working papers, including one with a professor from my university. Also, a year and a half of being a research assistant for that professor.
Teaching Experience: Been a TA since 2nd year of undergrad for a bunch of courses. Of note, TA for a core Ph.D. econometrics course and for a graduate enviromental economics course. Also, have been teaching Introduction to Economics for a year.
Research Interests: IO, mostly empirical work.
Statement of Purpose: The usual, I talk about my research, what I have done and what I want to do.
Concerns:
No published or in the pipeline research. Just submitted one working paper to a journal, but I haven't heard back from them so I decided not to mention that I had submitted it.
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UPenn, Northwestern, UCLA, Yale.
RESULTS:
Will Attend: MIT.
Acceptances: Chicago, Northwestern ($?), UPenn ($$), UCLA. All declined.
Waitlists: Yale, declined.
Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.
What would you have done differently? Wouldve tried harder to get published last year. Still, I got into my top choice, which is all that matters.
Accepts:
    Attend: MIT. Acceptances: Chicago, Northwestern ($?), UPenn ($$), UCLA. All declined.
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for first year, 21k 2nd year on. Notification date: 02/24/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: UPenn Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 22k Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Just got the email, so excited!!
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Admit Funding: None Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: :-D
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision:Accepted Funding: Samsung Scholarship??? Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comments: Blessed.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Will decline promptly.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/04 Notified through: Email Comments: Not surprised, I messed up with my SOP and mentioned at length the work of two professors that had just left the department. Ouch.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: blah blah blah
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/04 Notified through: Email Comments: Not surprised, I messed up with my SOP and mentioned at length the work of two professors that had just left the department. Ouch.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: blah blah blah
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Expected. Congrats to all the admits!
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mailed Susie Madsen. Posted on GC: no Comments: She answered quickly, but I think it was because of the fact that there was an earthquake here and Im not going to be getting mail from the US any time soon.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Yale, declined.
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/19/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes

triple_sec 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: MA in Econ in a small country in Eastern Europe; univ is among the best in the country but has little, if any, international renown
Undergrad GPA: 4.92/5.00, 1st out of 182
Type of Grad: MPhil Econ at another, English-speaking, univ in the same country
Grad GPA: 3.94/4.00
GRE: 800Q, 660V, 4.0AWA (Nov 2007); 800Q, 630V, 4.0AWA (Nov 2009)
TOEFL: 112/120 (30R, 27S, 27L, 28W)
Math Courses: Calculus (actually, it was more like real analysis; 5/5), Linear Algebra, Linear Programming, Multivariate Analysis (4/5, the last three went under the same course), Probability Theory (5/5), Operations Research (5/5), Advanced Math (A, actually Measure Theory)
Econ Courses: Micro (A,A,A), Macro (A,A), Metrics (A,A,A-,5/5), Monetary Theory (5/5), Recursive Macro (5/5), Time Series Analysis (A,5/5), Intl Macro (5/5), Game Theory (5/5), Public Econ (A), Behavioral (A), Metrics Intro (5/5), Public Econ (5/5), Labor (5/5,4/5), IO (5/5), Micro (5/5,5/5), Macro (5/5,5/5), Corporate Finance (5/5)
Other Courses: Statistics minor, plus some Political Science, Accounting, Law (the first two years of my undergrad were rather a joint social sciences—business—econ program before specialization to econ)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 MIT PhD, 1 Harvard PhD), 1 math prof; I guess they were solid
Research Experience: MA thesis (mainly a survey but contains also a standalone RBC model) plus a preliminary project for a series of research seminars
Teaching Experience: a lot, TA for 7 courses altogether (4 math, 1 grad macro, 1 undergrad micro, 1 undergrad macro) and much, much tutoring
Research Interests: econ of information, mechanism design, macro
SOP: Enthusiastic as it should be, emphasizes eagerness for research
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Northwestern, Duke (declined)
Waitlists: Princeton, UPenn (asked them to take me off)
Rejections: MIT, MIT Operations Research, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, Stanford
What would you have done differently? I don't know. What could I have done differently to get into my absolute, unsurpassable dream school, MIT? Probably nothing. I have to come to terms with the fact that either I'm not *that* good or this year has been unusually competitive (or both). Anyways, I'm extremely delighted with my actual offers—I would be a moron if I weren't, of course.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Northwestern, Duke (declined)
  • Institution: Yale Econ Decision: Acceptance Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Northwestern Econ Decision: Acceptance Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Acceptance Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: University of California, Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not specified yet Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Interview over the phone Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I'm really in a dilemma, in a good sense. Also in at Yale.
  • Institution: University of California, Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not specified yet Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Interview over the phone Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I'm really in a dilemma, in a good sense. Also in at Yale.
  • Institution: New York University Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, MIT Operations Research, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, Stanford
  • Institution: MIT Operations Research Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2/20 Notified through: First called for interview, the program director told me they were impressed but I don't fit in; then also in email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Harvard Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: ? Notified through: No admission letter Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Columbia Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: ? Notified through: No admission letter Posted on GF: No Waiting: MIT Econ, Princeton, NYU, Penn, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: It has been obvious to me since all admitted applicants (including one of my schoolmates) received info last week.
  • Institution: The University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail (breaking the alleged tradition) Posted on GF: Yes Comment: It's OK.
  • Institution: Columbia Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: ? Notified through: No admission letter Posted on GF: No Waiting: MIT Econ, Princeton, NYU, Penn, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: It has been obvious to me since all admitted applicants (including one of my schoolmates) received info last week.
  • Institution: The University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail (breaking the alleged tradition) Posted on GF: Yes Comment: It's OK.
  • Institution: Stanford University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Expected
  • Institution: Harvard University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: Postal mail
  • Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: OK, I know but this one hurt. Congrats to all admits, anyways. My admiration (and envy ) will haunt you.
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics Decision: Rejected from the wait list Notification date: 4/14/10 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Princeton, UPenn (asked them to take me off)
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: $25,750 p.a. if accepted (weird that waitlistees are offered less than those guys admitted in the first place) Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Congrats to those admitted! :-)

dreck 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics (summa cum laude), BA in Math (summa cum laude), large state school, not well known for economics
Undergrad GPA: 4.00/4.00
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 790Q, 630V, 5.5 AW
Math Courses: Multivariate Calc, Linear Algebra, Diff. Eq., Abstract Linear Algebra, Numeric Analysis, Set Theory & Proofs, (Analysis and Topology not reflected in the application)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Macro/Micro, Game Theory, Labor Economics, Discrimination Seminar, Colloquium on Poverty, Two Undergraduate Econometrics courses, PhD-level Econometrics, PhD-level Micro
I made an A in each of these. My school does not use +/-.
Other Courses: A lot of psychology,
Letters of Recommendation: Three professors at my school. Did research and classes with one, taught with the other, just class with the third. None are famous, but two are reasonably well-known in their field. One is the department chair.
Research Experience: Two Honors Theses, one term paper in econometrics. Wasn't able to secure a publication before application season.
Teaching Experience: TA for two years, Intro to Micro and Intermediate Micro
Research Interests: Applied Micro, Micro Theory, Development
SOP: Pretty standard, just outlined my progress through an undergraduate degree and my research interests
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Michigan (no $(?)), Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($$), Texas at Austin ($$ if I wanted it)
Waitlists: Princeton ($$ if admitted)
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, NYU, Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Berkeley
Pending: LSE (applied later)
What would you have done differently?
Started math classes sooner. Considered more seriously a Masters program abroad. I also wish that I had discovered these forums earlier! So much good advice...
If I could go even further back, I would have attended a undergraduate institution with a stronger economics program. That said, I'm still happy. I'm leaning toward Michigan, but keeping my fingers crossed for Princeton.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Michigan (no $(?)), Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($$), Texas at Austin ($$ if I wanted it)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, NYU, Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Berkeley
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Princeton ($$ if

askua 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. (honours)-Econ and Math, large Canadian University
Undergrad GPA: Overall: 3.85, excluding first year: 4.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 780Q 580V 6.0AWA
Math Courses (undergrad-level): Calc 1-4, Math stats 1-2, analysis 1-2, linear 1-2, analysis for econ, math for econ 1-2 (if this counts?); All A's or A+
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro 1-4, macro 1-4, econometrics 1-2, IO 1-2, international trade 1-2, money and banking; All A's or A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): IO (A)
Other Courses: a few German courses
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ profs (1 Berkeley, 1 Minnesota, 1 Toronto) ... all taught me one or more courses.
Research Experience: Barely any ... just one paper for the grad IO.
Teaching Experience: tutor for 4 years
Research Interests: applied micro (health, IO)
statement of purpose: Preparation, goals, research interests
Concerns: reputation of undergrad
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Davis (no first year funding), UW Madison (no first year funding), UBC (PhD, $$) Toronto MA (doctoral stream, $$)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Yale, Columbia, Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, UCSD
Pending: None
What would you have done differently? I would have only gone to a different undergrad if I had known four years ago that I wanted to do a PhD in Economics. However, in retrospect, I might have tried to get more RA experience and done a double degree in Math and Econ rather than just a minor in math. Although I am pretty happy with my results given what type of a student I was in high school (not good). I am very lucky and not complaining. I think out of most of the top 20s, UBC and Madison are the best two fits for me so I think I was appropriately placed. Good luck to everyone in future cycles!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UC Davis (no first year funding), UW Madison (no first year funding), UBC (PhD, $$) Toronto MA (doctoral stream, $$)
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: Admitted. Notification Date: 2/15 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes
  • Institution: Davis Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None for first year Notification date: 2/15 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/15 Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: University of Toronto MA doctoral stream Decision: Accepted Funding: 15K (TA/fellowship) + 3K (summer) + tuition Notified through: E-mail Date: 3/8 Comment: And so the dilemma begins ...
  • Institution: UBC Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/25 Notified through: Email and mailing Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Funding?
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Columbia, Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, UCSD
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes, 02/18 Comments: Expected
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/18 Comments: Expected
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: I wish I could say I didn't see this coming. Oh well.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Not exactly heartbroken, but not thrilled either. I guess you could say I am indifferent...
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes, today Comment: Getting used to rejection.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/18 Comments: Expected
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: I wish I could say I didn't see this coming. Oh well.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Not exactly heartbroken, but not thrilled either. I guess you could say I am indifferent...
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes, today Comment: Getting used to rejection.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email, and letter. Posted on GC: no Comments: At least I get my money's worth. International postage!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Don't mind.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

econslave 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics from top 15 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.7ish
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q / 630V / 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I/II, Intro to Statistics, Probability Theory, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Discrete Math, Ordinary Differential Equations, Real Analysis (Note: Some grades were good, but most were not.)
Econ Courses (Undergraduate): A lot of basic field courses, but also econometrics and advanced theoretical econometrics
Econ Courses (Graduate): N/A
Letters of Recommendation: (1) RA-ed for 2.5 years; (2) RA-ed for, co-authored decent article with, advised for thesis, and took two courses with; (3) Took an advanced economics course with as an undergraduate and did very well in the class (Note: None of the letter-writers are well-known, but all went to top 10 PhD programs.)
Research Experience: 2.5 years RA for one professor, 1 year RA for another professor, undergraduate thesis (ranked best), summer RA at prestigious policy think-tanks, 1 year full-time RA position with top 10 school professor
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Behavioral/experimental, decision theory, micro theory, applied micro
Concerns: Lacking in math (not many classes and less-than-stellar grades). Didn’t graduate with any honors or anything.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
Waitlist: Minnesota
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth
What would you have done differently? Besides getting better grades as an undergraduate, not much. I applied to all of the top 20 and several others, and got into a few great schools. Perhaps I would’ve taken a different RA position, but it seems to have worked out anyway.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted!! Funding: To arrive via e-mail next week Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Flyout March 31-April 1 ... Financial info to arrive next week. It was a personalized message. So happy!
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Nice, but I'll probably turn down the offer soon.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: First "official" rejection. Trying to keep the faith.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: None Notified Through: Checked online status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: No good news yet...
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis and Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified Through: E-mail to check website Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Not surprised, still worried
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 1
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 2
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Ph.D. Economic Analysis & Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 3
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 4
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: 5
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: Laughing to hide the tears... Comments: This is old news by now.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: See decision. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: Laughing to hide the tears... Comments: This is old news by now.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: See decision. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail (unofficial personalized rejection) Posted on GF: No Comment: This one really really sucks.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Don't care anymore
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Not surprised at this point.
  • Institution: Penn State University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: E-mail (from Lynn Sebulsky) Posted on GC: No Comment: More rejections --> disutility
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Snail mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Hm.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Postal mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Big shocker...
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Expected by now.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Everything is alright.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm so surprised...
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail (with PDF attachment) Posted on GC: No Comments: It's ok.
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Reject Funding: ... Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Reject Funding: ... Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised by now.
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Not new news.[/QUOTE]
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists:
    Waitlist: Minnesota
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one) Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one) Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.

amber4e86 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Unranked small university in NY, but I am an Honors College student
Undergrad GPA: 3.8, 4.0 in Econ and Math
Type of Grad: BA, majors in Economics and International Studies. Minors in Spanish and Political Science
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 590/800/5.5
Math Courses: Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Intro to Statistics, Math Methods for Economists (Had not taken Linear and Calc II at the time of application)
Econ Courses: Micro I and II, Macro I and II, Environmental, Development, Systems of Political Economy, International Political Economy, Industrial Organization, Money and Banking
Other Courses: a lot of International Relations and Poli Sci, a lot of Spanish, Honors College liberal arts and social science seminars
Letters of Recommendation: three econ professors who teach at my school. Two of them know me very well so Im sure they wrote amazing recommendations. They are not well known and are all heterodox, so I got mostly into the schools that they graduated from + schools where people from my school and similar background got accepted last year
Research Experience: summer internship with an environmental research agency in Australia last summer
Teaching Experience: tutor in Econ for the past 3 years at my school, GRE math tutor, writing center tutor
Research Interests: development, international political economy, environmental
SOP: I wrote about development and why I think it is important to relate human rights to the eradication of poverty
Other: Im involved in my school's student government and Ive held exec board positions in 2 organizations, attending Model UN conferences in Mexico and in the US. I like to be very active and do things, rather than sit by myself and contemplate. I guess schools recognized that and sensed that I will be reluctant to do hardcore research because I am more interested in executive positions in government, rather than in a research university once I graduate.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: American ($$), UMass ($), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($$), Fordham (2nd on waitlist for $$), George Washington (no $), Rutgers (no $)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: too many! NYU, BU, UCLA, UCSD, Cornell, CMU, UPenn, MIT and Columbia (for different programs, not econ)
Pending: Georgetown (that's a no, but I havent gotten the letter yet), CUNY (also probably a no or an unfunded offer)
Attending: I haven't been able to decide yet.
What would you have done differently?
If I had known earlier that I wanted to study Econ, I would have taken more math. I am taking the classes I should have had now and I know that I am really good at them, but there was no way for the adcoms to know that if they only saw my grade from Calc I. I also should have applied to International Political Economy PhD programs, rather than Economics PhDs, because I am much better prepared for those with numerous internships and publications at government organizations and NGOs. A reality check was very necessary, but unfortunately, I had nobody to turn to and had to figure it all out on my own. On the other hand, I got accepted to all of my safeties and to schools that match my research interests. If I didn't care about location and I had external funding, I would have been super-happy.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: American ($$), UMass ($), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($$), Fordham (2nd on
  • Institution: Rutgers Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: no info Notification date: I found out today Notified through: I was not actually notified. I logged into my profile on their website and under Decision it said "Congratulations, you have been accepted" Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: I still havent received an official letter or email. I am worried about funding.
  • Institution: UMass Amherst Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: 2/15 Notified Through: Phone call Posted on Grad Cafe: No
  • Institution: Rutgers Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notified through: email --
  • Institution: UMass Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notified through: phone --
  • Institution: Fordham Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist for funding Notified through: email --
  • Institution: American University Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: fellowship Notified through: phone Date: March 5 Comment: I am so happy - finally a dream school said yes! Awesome! All times are GMT. The time now is 10:40 PM. Page 10 of 10 « First < 6789 10 Show 30 post(s) from this thread on one page Copyright © 2009 TestMagicAd Management by RedTyger SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0
  • Institution: American University Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: fellowship Notified through: phone Date: March 5 Comment: I am so happy - finally a dream school said yes! Awesome!
  • Institution: GWU Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: ??? Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: website Comments: when do we find out about funding? Is GWU better than American?
Rejects:
    Rejections: too many! NYU, BU, UCLA, UCSD, Cornell, CMU, UPenn, MIT and Columbia (for different programs, not econ)
  • Institution:Cornell Econ Decision:Reject Funding: N/A Notification date:8th Feb 2010 Notified through:email
Waitlists:
    waitlist for $$), George Washington (no $), Rutgers (no $) Waitlists: none

2pm 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.B.A, Econ concentration from large state university with no PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Type of Grad: M.A. Econ, same school
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 790Q, 640V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Cal I (AP test), II (Community College), III, Intro to Proofs, Matrices and Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Real Analysis I
Econ Courses (master level): Macro, Micro, Metrics, International Finance, Health Econ, Time Series, Research Methods, Forecasting
Econ Courses (undergrad): Intermediate Macro, Micro, Metrics, Money & Banking, Math for Economist (same class with graduate level)
Other Courses: Mostly in business
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors , been told they are all strong
Research Experience: Honors undergrad thesis & master thesis. Nothing spectacular
Teaching Experience: Tutor in the Econ dept
Research Interests: Applied micro
Statement of purpose: Standard, did not customize
Concern: (somewhat) inadequate math background. Realized I wanted to do a Ph.D. in econ too late & tried to cram as much required math courses as possible while finishing my M.A.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT Austin ($$) (attending), Houston ($$), Michigan State (no $), BU (no $), UVA (no info on $ yet)
Waitlists: BC, UW-M long waitlist -> rejection
Rejections: let me count the way…Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, UMN, Duke, PSU, Maryland, WUSTL
Pending: Ohio State (the earliest deadline, still nothing yet. Oh the irony!)
What would you have done differently? Hard to say, since I know beforehand there will be lots of noise in my results anyway. Probably take more math and get 800Q in GRE? Perhaps spend more time on my SOP, although I don’t feel comfortable discussing my research goals & ideas in details since I don’t even know which field I am interested in at the time of the application process. One thing I won’t regret is not transferring. I have made some fantastic friends and built tremendous relationship w/ the faculty at my current university. Overall, I’m extremely happy. 2 years ago when I decided to go for a Ph.D. in economics I didn’t think I could even make it to a mid-rank program, so UT is definitely a step up from my expectations.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT Austin ($$) (attending), Houston ($$), Michigan State (no $), BU (no $), UVA (no info on $ yet)
  • Institution: UT Austin economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship, details TBA Notification date: 03/9/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Thrilled! First offer after going 0 for 7...
  • Institution: Houston economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship + Fellowship Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: very flattered but will likely decline due to better offer...
  • Institution: Michigan State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no first year $ Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: unlikely to attend w/out funding
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Funding: nada Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email Comments: a strong ego-boost. But will probably decline since there is little chance I'm getting financial aid
  • Institution: UVA Economics PhD Decision: Admit Funding: No information on the letter Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: randomly checked website Comments: Happy
Rejects:
    rejection Rejections: let me count the way…Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, UMN, Duke, PSU, Maryland, WUSTL
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: one of my dream schools...
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: expected...
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Randomly check Testudo website Posted on GC: No Comments: bleh...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: WUSTL Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/06/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Took them long enough...
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: BC, UW-M long waitlist ->
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Same email as EconDev. It seems very uncertain though, who knows what will happen after 4/15?
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Same email as EconDev. It seems very uncertain though, who knows what will happen after 4/15?

shadowprice 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 undergrad; top 15 graduate econ program
Undergrad GPA: 3.46
Type of Grad: some master-level classes
Grad GPA:
GRE: 780 (1st time 690 - yikes!), 620, 5.0
Math Courses: Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Analysis and Optimization, Real Analysis 1-3, Probability, Statistical Inference, Stochastic Processes, Sample Surveys
Econ Courses (PhD-level):
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Development, Public, Poverty and Inequality, International Monetary Theory, Intro to Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Advanced Micro
Letters of Recommendation: 1 U Chicago - took class, very strong; 1 U Chicago - RA for three years at regional Fed; 1 UCLA - RA for one year in undergrad
Research Experience: 5 years - 2 in undergrad , 3 years at a regional Fed. Extensive programming, coauthoring 2 papers (although not at the time of applying)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied micro - public and IO.
Statement of purpose: 2 pages double-spaced (~650 words). Did not tailor to schools.
Concerns: Very low undergrad GPA with a few B's and B+'s in important classes
Other:
RESULTS:
Attending: University of Wisconsin ($$)
Acceptances: University of Wisconsin ($$), Boston University (none), Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins (tuition - off of waitlist), UC-Davis (none), University of Pittsburgh ($$), University of Washington (could have if wanted), University of Colorado ($$), Georgetown (wl funding)
Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon (econ)
Rejections: Columbia, NYU, Brown, Chicago Booth, Michigan, Maryland
What would you have done differently?
Definitely do better as an undergrad. I went to a prestigious university that typically sends students to MIT (and NSF), so I feel like I let an amazing opportunity slip by. That being said, I am ecstatic with my admits and think that Wisconsin is a great fit for my interests. I know for a fact that one of my letters played a HUGE role in getting funding, so for anyone who does not have a stellar GPA - if you forge a great relationship with your professors, your chances of landing a top 20 admission are completely possible. Good luck all future classes!
Accepts:
    Attending: University of Wisconsin ($$) Acceptances: University of Wisconsin ($$), Boston University (none), Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins (tuition - off of
Rejects:
    Rejections: Columbia, NYU, Brown, Chicago Booth, Michigan, Maryland
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon (econ)

in_limbo 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ and Math from a top U.S public with a good Econ PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 640V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses(undergrad): Calculus(I-III), Linear Algebra, Diff eq, Discrete, Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Chaotic Dynamical systems, Probability, Topology
Math Courses(grad): Analysis, Measure Theory
Econ Courses(undergrad): standard, including Econometrics and Advanced Macro
Econ Courses (grad): Quant Methods, Macro I and II.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ, 1 Math. Did some good RA work for one of them
Research Experience: RA for about a year and currently doing an honors thesis
Teaching Experience: Principles, Intermediate Micro
Research Interests: Macro theory and public finance
statement of purpose: pretty standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Minnesota($$), LSE-EME(no$)
Waitlists: UCLA (Withdrawn)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, NYU, Northwestern
Attending: Minnesota
What would you have done differently?
I am extremely happy with my outcome. Minnesota was always a top choice for me given my research interests and I probably would have chosen to go there over most of the other schools I applied to. That being said, in retrospect it was probably a good idea to apply to some safeties given the tough admissions season. Also, my grades in some classes weren't stellar which is probably why I was rejected at many of the other top places. My advice to those applying in the future is to really concentrate on getting As in important math classes. The margin for error is minimal and the difference between a B+ and an A is larger than you might think. I think its also extremely helpful to have a good idea of what you might want to study as you can then apply to schools that may not be top 5 overall by have fantastic programs in your chosen field. However, the most important part of your application are your recommendation letters and these can very often make up for other parts that are lacking.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Minnesota($$), LSE-EME(no$)
  • Institution: LSE EME(Research) Decision: Admitted Funding: None Notification date: 3/23/10 Notified through: website Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, NYU, Northwestern
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Track 1 Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/9/10 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Checked Online Status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: damn..
  • Institution: Northwestern Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: still no admit :(
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: still no acceptance, this is depressing
  • Institution: Northwestern Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: still no admit
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: still no acceptance, this is depressing
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA (Withdrawn)
  • Institution: Minnesota Decision: Waitlisted Funding: 20K, if accepted Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Waitlist Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: hmm..

Springsteen 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Management, European university
Undergrad GPA: 17/20 - ranked 2nd out of 116
Type of Grad: M.Sc. Economics, same university
Undergrad GPA: 17/20
GRE: 800Q, 410V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses(undergrad): Mathematics I, Mathematics II, Mathematics III, Statistics I, Statistics II (covers linear algebra, calculus, ODE, probability theory, etc...)
Econ Courses(undergrad): Microeconomics I, Macroeconomics I, Microeconomics II, Econometrics
Math Courses(grad): Advanced Mathematics (covers topology and optimization theory)
Econ Courses(grad): Microeconomic Theory, Advanced Macroeconomics, Advanced Econometrics, IO, Regulation, International Money and Finance, Game Theory, Information and Uncertainty, Microeconometrics
Other Courses: Some Management courses that I hated
Letters of Recommendation: 1 senior econ (phd MIT), 1 senior econ (phd Chicago), 1 junior econ (phd MIT)
Research Experience: graduate thesis (completing)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Micro theory: Game Theory, Contract theory, Mechanism Design, Auctions
SOP: standard
Concerns: Low AWA,
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NW (waitlisted for first year funding), UPenn (waitlisted for first year funding)
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UW-M, UMichigan, LSE, Cornell
Comments: I am extremely happy with this outcome!! But, since I have been rejected at 13 universities out of 15, and many universities ranked lower than NW rejected me, I guess I was lucky to ge in NW!
What would you have done differently? Take real analysis (although it was not offered at my university...), RA to get stronger LORs
Attending: Northwestern University!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NW (waitlisted for first year funding), UPenn (waitlisted for first year funding)
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist for first year Notification date: Feb 24, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: [dance]
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "very high on the wait list for first year" Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: :)
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist for first year Notification date: Feb 24, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "very high on the wait list for first year" Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment:
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UW-M, UMichigan, LSE, Cornell Comments: I am extremely happy with this outcome!! But, since I have been rejected at 13 universities out of 15, and many universities ranked lower than NW rejected me, I guess I was lucky to ge in NW!
  • Institution:Cornell Econ Decision:Reject Funding: N/A Notification date:8th Feb 2010 Notified through:email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 8th feb 1st rejection (feels preetty bad)
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Yeah Right Notification date: 18 feb Notified Through: email to check online status Posted on Grad Cafe: no Comment: Who will be the next to reject me?
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Yeah right Notification date: Feb 08, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: :smack: So early in the game...
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Yeah right Notification date: Feb 18, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: :doh:
  • Institution: LSE Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: Feb 23, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: :eek:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: Couldn't care less:)
  • Institution: U Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: lol Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: ---
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: ...
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Yeah right Notification date: Feb 08, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: So early in the game...
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Yeah right Notification date: Feb 18, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: LSE Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: Feb 23, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: Couldn't care less
  • Institution: U Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: lol Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: ---
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: Yeah right Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Oh Crap
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Expected
  • Institution: MIT Economics Phd. Decision: Rejected Notified through: E-mail Notification date: 03/16 Posted on GC: No Comments: Northwestern, here I come
Waitlists:

MorgieLilly 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Economics-Philosophy and Mathematics from top 10 undergrad with a top 15 econ department.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85
GRE: 780Q, 640V, 4.0W
Math Courses (undergrad):Cal I, Calc III, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Probability and Statistics, Advanced Logic, (all As)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro-econometrics (A-), Graduate Macroeconomics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro/Macro(A-,B+), Advanced Econometrics (B+), Advanced Macro (A), Game Theory (A-), Economic History (A-), International (C, took abroad in Ghana)
Letters of Recommendation:
Economics. Well Known. My boss.
Economics. Well Known. Professor. (I wrote an empirical research paper for his course.)
Philosophy of Science. Professor. (I took two classes with him. I wrote a paper that I presented at a philosophy conference. He advised me on a documentary that I made as a senior.)
Mathematics. Professor. (Adviser for my senior research project.)
Geophysics. Researcher. (Adviser for my REU research project. )
Research Experience: REU Intern in geophysics at Lamont Earth Observatory, summer 2007 (My paper was accepted to the 2008 ASLO Conference). I also published a paper in the philosophy of science when I was a sophomore, but I'm not so proud now of what I said and the journal was not a big deal at all. Full-time economics RA since July 2008 for one of my letter writers. I've made a bunch of documentaries and I included one in my application.
Research Interests: Development, Growth Theory, Economic History.
Statement of Purpose: Talked about my background, why I chose to pursue interdisciplinary undergraduate study. Talked about my experiences abroad in Ghana, my research experience at Lamont and as an RA and my motivation for studying development and poverty issues.
Applied to: MIT, NYU, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, UMich, Princeton, Yale, UCLA, UC Davis, BU, Duke, Brown, Northwestern, U Penn
Admitted: BU(wl/$), UCLA(wl/$), UC Davis($$), Michigan($$/Regents Fellowship), Brown(wl/$)
Rejected: MIT, NYU, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Duke, Northwestern, U Penn
Attending: Brown(no first year funding, 19.5K+health+tuition years 2-5)
What I would have done differently: I don't think I would have gone to any other school over Brown. I would have considered MIT, Yale or Harvard. But honestly, I couldn't be happier. The debt will be worth it. I know it.
Accepts:
  • Institution:UC Davis Econ Decision: Admitted! Funding: TBD in March. Notification date: 8th Feb 2010 Notified through:Informal email. Posted on Gradcafe: Nope. Don't know how. Date of Gradcafe post: N/A Comments: Hooray!
  • Institution: UC Davis Phd Economics Decision: Admitted! Funding: 16K for first two years (and I'm hoping after if I'm doing alright.) Notification date: 2/8 Notified through: Unofficial E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I was so excited and happy that I cried.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited! Hoping for 1st year stipend.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited! Hoping for 1st year stipend.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Funding: Wait-list for first year funding. Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Cool! However, I really wish they'd sent this yesterday. I asked and begged and asked and now I'm leaving LA in three hours. =(
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Funding: None Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email alerting online decision Posted on Gradcafe: no
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18 Notified Through: Checked online status randomly. Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Bummer.
  • Institution: Duke University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I was really interested in this department, so this was disappointing.
  • Institution: Yale University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Rejections are a bummer.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Chicago is cold. (That's what I'm telling myself to feel better.):)
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Auro-reply from Jody: "If you are inquiring about Admission results for the PhD program, be advised that students who have been recommended for admission have been notified. If you have not received notification, I'm sorry, but it means you were not admitted. Official notification will come later from the Admissions Office. Please do not contact the Economics Department to inquire about results."
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Confirmation that all who have not heard are implicitly rejected. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I saw this as kinda like buying a one time lottery ticket. Even though I sort of knew I wouldn't get in. If I hadn't applied, I'd always wonder.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This one didn't hurt as much. Maybe I'm getting used to this process.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Chicago is cold. (That's what I'm telling myself to feel better.)
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Auro-reply from Jody: "If you are inquiring about Admission results for the PhD program, be advised that students who have been recommended for admission have been notified. If you have not received notification, I'm sorry, but it means you were not admitted. Official notification will come later from the Admissions Office. Please do not contact the Economics Department to inquire about results."
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Confirmation that all who have not heard are implicitly rejected. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I saw this as kinda like buying a one time lottery ticket. Even though I sort of knew I wouldn't get in. If I hadn't applied, I'd always wonder.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This one didn't hurt as much. Maybe I'm getting used to this process.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: It's chill.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Got email back from Marge Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Phd. Decision: Rejected Notified through: E-mail Notification date: 03/16 Posted on GC: Nah
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed for Funding Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8

dauntilus 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in econ & math at top 10 econ dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.88
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA: 4
GRE: 800q, 660v, 5w
Math Courses: Linear algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Complex Analysis (A-), Probability (A)
Econ Courses: Undergrad: Intermediate Micro, Macro (A, A), Game Theory (A), Financial Econ (A), Metrics (A)
Grad: Micro (A), Game Theory (A), Psych in Econ (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 great letters from good economics faculty with a record of putting students into top schools. 2 knew me very well, 1 not as well.
Research Experience: 2 years RA experience for 1 professor, no publications
Research Interests: Applied micro, Behavioral econ
SOP: More or less polished, minor changes for each school. I found 1 small typo in 1 school's SOP after submitting.
RESULTS:
Attending: MIT
Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern Waitlists: NYU
Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
What would you have done differently? I would have started taking grad classes my third year- I thought they would be harder than they are.
Accepts:
    Attending: MIT Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Accepted Funding: 28k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Yale Decision: Accepted Funding: 37k Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision:Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for funding Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comments: Should have applied for NSF
Rejects:
    Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
  • Institution: Harvard Business School Busec Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Phone + email, after I interviewed Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Harvard Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: MIT Sloan Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
  • Institution: MIT Sloan Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: NYU

wobuffet 2010:
Profile
Type of Undergrad: top 15-ish US national university, econ PhD program is top 20-30
Undergrad GPA: 4.00 (easier to attain than at other schools)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 790V, 5.0AW
Math Courses: Honors Multivariable Calculus (pass/fail option); Essential Stats; Honors Linear Algebra; Statistical Inference I; Abstract Algebra; Probabilistic Models; Real Analysis (single-variable)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Macro; Intermediate Micro; a bunch of field courses (Int'l Finance; Public Econ; Econ Growth; Health Econ; Econ Analysis of Institutions; Econ and Psychology; Theory of Econ Growth; Labor Economics); Econometrics I; Econometrics II; Game Theory; grad core Micro I (mandatory pass/fail); grad core Micro II (mandatory pass/fail); grad applied econometric methods course (graded, in progress when I applied); grad class on economic theories of inequality (graded, in progress when I applied)
Other Courses: two intro comp sci classes
Letters of Recommendation: one reasonably well-known prof I RA'd for, took 2 classes with (1 undergrad, 1 grad), and planned to write a thesis under; one somewhat less-known prof I had an undergrad class with and planned to TA for; one well-known prof I took two grad-level courses with (including Micro II, in which I internally got an A); and another well-known prof I RA'd for for a year or so. [I mixed and matched somewhat for schools that only accepted 3 LORs]
Research Experience: RA'd for 2 semesters + 2 summers (under 2 diff profs)
Publications: Nah.
Teaching Experience: none at time of application, although I was planning to in the spring
Research Interests: applied micro (especially public and labor)
Statement of purpose: Tried to be honest; it probably ended up sort of dry.
Comments: Going in, I had basically no idea how most of my letters were going to turn out; I was only reasonably confident about one of them.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($$, attending), Stanford ($$$), Yale ($$$$), UMich (no $), Chicago (waitlisted for $), Northwestern ($$), NYU ($$$)
Waitlists: MIT (eventually rejected), Princeton (eventually rejected)
Rejections: Harvard, UPenn, Columbia
What would you have done differently? On the margin, I guess having done some research on my own would have done the most good, or perhaps getting to know a few professors better. (But ex post, I wouldn't change a thing! In particular, attending a well-regarded private research university for my undergraduate studies definitely worked out well for me.)
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Berkeley ($$, attending), Stanford ($$$), Yale ($$$$), UMich (no $), Chicago (waitlisted for $), Northwestern ($$), NYU ($$$)
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: details coming via snail mail Notification date: 02/18 Notified through: e-mail (had to log in) Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Comments: no longer nervous!
  • Institution: Northwestern Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.9k fellowship x 4 years, 15.7k for 5th yr Notification date: 02/19 Notified through: e-mail, pdf attachment Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Comments: time to search the archives for funding info
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years? Comments: can't believe it
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years? Comments: can't believe it
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: March 8 (letter was dated Mar 1) Notified through: snail mail Funding: $0 ("Unfortunately, budgetary constraints...") Comments:
  • Institution: New York University (NYU) Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 8 Notified through: Email Funding: "full funding," 5 years (details forthcoming) Comments: 7:23pm? pretty late in the evening...
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Email Funding: "on a short wait list"
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 11 Notified through: Email Funding: $32k x 5 years
Rejects:
    rejected), Princeton (eventually rejected) Rejections: Harvard, UPenn, Columbia
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 4 Notified through: e-mail to check website Funding: n/a Comments: first (official) reject
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 4 Notified through: e-mail to check website Funding: n/a Comments: first (official) reject; glad it came after a couple admits
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 11 Notified through: (snail) mail Funding: n/a
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 12 Notified through: email to check site Funding: n/a
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected off the waitlist Notification date: April 14th Notified through: Email
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected off the (huge) waitlist Notification date: April 14th Notified through: Email
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT (eventually
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Waitlisted (size around 15) Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Email Funding: $26k x 5 years if accepted
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: no idea Comments: Ugh...

dsdoodle 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ/B.A. Math from large state/30ish ranked Econ PhD program in US
Undergrad GPA: 3.72/4
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 760Q, 500V, 6.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc I, II, III, Multivariate Calc I, II, Linear algebra, Differential equations, Math reasoning, Linear analysis, Real analysis (I, II), Linear optimization, discrete modeling (avg gpa 3.71, upper level classes 3.9)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro I, II (B) (skipped undergrad version of micro theory and first micro class since Freshman year... which is somewhat of an excuse for the poor grade)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Monetary (2 classes), Econometrics, Biological resources, International trade, International macro, Applied econometrics.. all As
Letters of Recommendation: My honors thesis adviser (Harvard PhD), prof whom I am RAing for right now (Harvard PhD), prof whom I took two monetary classes from who thinks I'm one of his best student in the last few years (Rochester PhD), prof whom I took an applied econometric class and will be RAing for starting in January (Yale PhD)
Research Experience: Summer internship at non-profit economic research organization, Honors thesis that won an award, RAing with a professor in macro - did work on two papers and coauthoring on a third, RA'd for two professors in labor, editing a macroeconomics textbook for a new edition
Teaching Experience: Grader for econometrics and international trade classes
Research Interests: Environmental, monetary, macro
Statement of purpose: Discussed how I'm taking a year off to do research, made a slight mention of my lower GRE score but high math grades
Concerns: Too much competition!! And maybe the fact that I didn't do well in my grad level micro classes.
Other: Thy will be done.
Applying to: Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, UCSD, UC-Irvine, Washington, WUSTL, Hong Kong University, Boston College, Virginia
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Hong Kong University, UC-Irvine, Texas-Austin, Minnesota (off the long waitlist)
Rejections: Everywhere else (was withdrawn at UW because I work there and the DGS found out I got a better offer and thus withdrew me..oh well)
Attending: University of Minnesota (TA-ship funding)
What would you have done differently?
Section in bold is my updated response after getting an offer from Minnesota on 4/20.
Wow! I am so, so thankful and am so blessed to have a chance to go to my first choice school. I think what made a huge impact was getting the top professor at my school to send a quick note about me to the department and Minnesota. Why do I think this? Because the DGS actually responded and thanked him for recommending me! It's amazing... so if you are in a similar situation as I am where you are on a long waitlist, there are things you can do to get a shot at the incoming class. These things are (these are things that I did):
1) Have a few professors vouch for you. In my case, I had a lot more stuff going on with research after I've applied... and the professors I was working for could send in a note about what I'm doing now or have done for them. Let them know about the waitlist situation and see if they can email or call the department on your behalf. Anything for them to look at your profile again is good.
2) Visit the school. They probably won't pay for your visit, but going there is helpful to first see whether this is the place you want to go and to show that your interest is more than just talk. Obviously anyone can say a school is their first choice school but not everyone will back that up with the money and time it takes to make a visit.
3) Keep in close contact with the school. Don't overdo this... I wouldn't send one email everyday but keep the contact going. I sent two emails that were not responded to asking about the waitlist, but I sent one today (the 20th, so it was after the deadline) and I think it made the DGS look at my application one more time - because he mentioned that he looked at my application again and their situation this year and decided to make me an offer.
4) Pray! I don't presume everyone to believe in the Christian God as I do, so this may not apply to you. But from the beginning, I've prayed that God will send me where I can be best used. Honestly, the morning I got the email accepting me to the program, I thought to myself that everything so far has seemed like God is calling me to Minnesota... from my interests, things I was doing in my RAships, talks with current students, and so on... everything pointed to UMN. Like I said, I trusted that God will bring me where He wanted me to be... and whether that's Texas or Minnesota, I was completely at peace with it. In fact, my interest in Minnesota started out with the reason that there's a pastor, whom I respect very much, who had a church very close to the UMN campus. But I can't stress the importance of prayer and can't fully comprehend God's grace in all of this.
I'm not positive about this, but I may have jumped over some people on the short waitlist (or maybe they all already got offers to come, who knows?). Regardless... I'm very happy to have a chance to get my PhD at Minnesota. Please PM me if you are in a similar situation and need some help.
Now below is the stuff I wrote before I got into UMN... which I'm going to keep here since there are still some good (I hope) information in there.
I am pretty pleased with the results. I think my GRE score and a low grad micro score probably kept me out of most places, as people in the forum said. I don't think a GRE score of 760 will mean you are automatically out, but because there are many others with the exact same grades and research experience (and even better) than you, you really don't want to have a disadvantage in anything. So I guess I may have tried to do better on the GRE (I did, but got the same score) and probably either not take grad micro or know that it was a bad idea to take grad micro when the last micro class you had was 3 years ago in freshman year.
I also may have looked into applying to more target schools instead of reaches.
My first choice was Minnesota, so I am grateful to have been waitlisted and I actually went to visit and had a few professors contact the department to vouch for me. Texas is a great place as well so I am blessed to have that as my "backup", when having it as a first choice would have been more than exciting.
I would also want to repeat what my professor said about applying for econ phd programs - that it's a random process and the only way to increase your chances is to increase the number of trials. Apply to more schools! If you are thinking about applying to less schools to save like 500-1000 dollars, then think about this: $1000 is nothing compared to getting full funding from a school for 5 years. You really, really don't want to miss out on a school that might have given you full funding just because you wanted to save $100. I would recommend everyone to apply to at least 12 programs - 2 reaches, 8 targets, 2 safeties... but it's probably better to apply to 4 reaches, 8 targets, and 4 safeties.
Don't be shocked if a safety school rejects you. It happens.. and in my case those schools were probably very borderline safety schools.
And the most important advice: There's still time to network with professors. It goes a long way if you have good connections with the professors at your school. They are willing to help those they know and think is capable. So look for research opportunities and attend departmental events!
In the end, God provided me with a great place to go and a great experience visiting schools... I'm very happy with the results.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Hong Kong University, UC-Irvine, Texas-Austin, Minnesota (off the long
  • Institution: Hong Kong University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Either 2.5k a year or 15k a year, depending on whether I get a fellowship I was nominated for Notification date: 2/12 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not planning on going
  • Institution: UC-Irvine Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16.5k TAship, +registration and educational fees and health insurance Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Pretty relieved that the worst I can do is UC-Irvine with full funding. 13 more to go!
  • Institution: UC-Irvine Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16.5k TAship, +registration and educational fees and health insurance Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Pretty relieved that the worst I can do is UC-Irvine with full funding. 13 more to go!
  • Institution: Texas (Austin) Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: TAship... will know in a few days Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Awesome!!
Rejects:
    Rejections: Everywhere else (was withdrawn at UW because I work there and the DGS found out I got a better offer and thus withdrew me..oh well)
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email it seems like, was definitely a reach!
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: My last name starts with a W, so they are probably getting to the end of the list!
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Finally... last name starts with a W (might as well stand for Wait-a-long-time-for-any-news) :)
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Well, knew for a few days since someone posted that all offers/waitlists have been sent out. Already had this one as an "out" but I was actually pretty impressed with their letter. Very nicely written!
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email it seems like, was definitely a reach!
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: My last name starts with a W, so they are probably getting to the end of the list!
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Finally... last name starts with a W (might as well stand for Wait-a-long-time-for-any-news)
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Well, knew for a few days since someone posted that all offers/waitlists have been sent out. Already had this one as an "out" but I was actually pretty impressed with their letter. Very nicely written!
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Waiting is over!
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Can't say I didn't expect it!
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Got email back from Marge Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists:
    waitlist)
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: If I got waitlisted at Minnesota, that significantly increased my hopes at other schools in that same tier or a bit below.

Le_Walrus 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Engineering, top three university in a small, but well known Latin American country
Undergrad GPA: 5.2/7
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 3.5AWA
TOEFL: 109/120
Math Courses: Advanced Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Complex Analysis, Optimal Control Theory, Probability and Statistics, Operations Research I and II
Econ Courses: Micro and Macro Theory
Other Courses: Lots of Engineering courses.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ professors, 1 math professor, 1 computer programming professor
Research Experience: Research assistant in several economics projects, undergraduate thesis in macro involving dynamic programming
Teaching Experience: TA of computer programming, Micro theory and Dynamic Macroeconomics
Research Interests: Macro theory, growth
SOP: The usual, maybe a little different because of my engineering background
Other: My grades may seem low, but in fact they are really high, and my recommenders avail that.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Rochester ($)
Waitlists: JHU
Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Northwestern, Minnesota, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Duke, UCSD, WUSTL, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Indiana
Pending: Texas, UWO
What would you have done differently?
It was an somewhat expected outcome, coming from an relatively unknown university with an engineering background. My advice to other people with similar background? Get a masters degree. And start talking to people who know people...
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Rochester ($)
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Nice!!!! What a relief!!!!
Rejects:
    Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Northwestern, Minnesota, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Duke, UCSD, WUSTL, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Indiana
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 17 February, 2010 Notified through: email -> website Comments: was wondering why there were taking so much to reject me...
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/19/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Safety reject... That hurted
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I really liked Minnesota...
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Big reach...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Too cold :)
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Too cold
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through:E-mail -> Website Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Pittsburgh Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: U Penn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through:E-mail -> Website Posted on GC:No General Comment: Glad i'm in at Rochester
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: JHU
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Waitlisted at a very selective program... not bad at all

48chec 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics Latin American University
Undergrad GPA: 3.5
Type of Grad: M.A. Economics Latin American University
Grad GPA: 3.5
GRE: 800Q 570V 3.0 AWA
Math Courses: Multivariate Calculus, Mathematical Statistics
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Grad Micro, Grad Micro, Grad Econometrics
Other Courses: Lots of History Courses
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Berkeley who teaches at my Uni, 1 Michigan who teaches at my Uni, 1 MIT who teaches at an Ivy League Uni.
Research Experience: R.A. since I was a third year undergrad. Last two years I was a full time instructor working on three papers.
Teaching Experience: I have been a full time instructor for the last two years. I have been teaching Probability and Econometrics.
Research Interests: Labor, information, applied econometrics.
SOP: Made emphasis on my love for academia and my teaching and research experience.
Other: Highest national grade on an economics exam.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Waitlists: UPenn, Brown
Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I would have taken more math courses. I would also have taken more care of my GPA. I wish I had realized that I wanted to be an academic earlier in my undergraduate studies.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UPenn, Brown

PerfectMarkets 2010:
Profile
Type of Undergrad: BS in Econ, minor in math at MIT
Undergrad GPA: 4.7/5.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 790V, 5.5AW
Math Courses (+/- grades aren't recorded): Multivariable Calculus (Pass) Probability/Statistics (B); Differential Equations (B); Linear Algebra (B); Advanced Statistics (A); Real Analysis (A); Discrete Applied Math (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Macro (B); Intermediate Micro(A) ; a bunch of field courses (all A's); Econometrics (A); Economics Research/ Paper writing (A); Game Theory(B); grad labor (A);
Other Courses: Some computer science classes, some finance
Letters of Recommendation: 1 senior lecturer who had worked on a project with me, 1 senior prof who I RA's for back in freshman year, 1 senior prof who I took grad labor with, 1 senior prof who I took two classes with.
Research Experience: RA'd for freshman summer and 2 semesters in junior year
Publications: None.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Applied micro and central bank policy
Statement of purpose: Uninteresting, talked about how I like applied micro and was good at Stata. Didn't really mention the macro interest at all.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$) (Attending), Cornell ($$$), NSF fellowship
Waitlists: MIT (eventually rejected, got so close)
Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago, Michigan, NYU, Princeton
What would you have done differently? Ouch, lots of rejections. I would have done better on my math classes, and moved the order I took them around. I should have taken analysis earlier and linear algebra later to free up my schedule. I could maybe have taken some of the intro grad sequence, but I feel like I would've just gotten a B against the grad students here and it would just look worse, so hard to say. My recommenders were very well known, and I think the letters should have been solid, if not completely glowing. I don't know if this helped or hurt me; certainly they have been very supportive throughout this process, but maybe I would have been better off working with a junior faculty and getting a very effusive review. I pinned a lot of hope on the NSF award, but it didn't reverse any decisions, even though it got me much closer to getting off the MIT waitlist. So, the NSF isn't magical. Though money is nice. I also spent two summers working in consulting, which was bad in terms of apps but good in making me realize that I wanted to apply to grad school. I have to chalk up my results to an insanely competitive year and spotty math grades in important classes.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Northwestern ($$) (Attending), Cornell ($$$), NSF fellowship
  • Institution: Northwestern econ Decision: Accepted Funding: $ Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Waitlisted for first year funding
  • Institution: Northwestern econ Decision: Accepted Funding: $ Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Waitlisted for first year funding
Rejects:
    rejected, got so close) Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago, Michigan, NYU, Princeton
  • Institution: Yale Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT (eventually
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: sup NSF, I'm banking on obscure home state Comments: I've never had luck with waitlists, but it's better than a rejection

TeaMania 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 25 liberal arts college but the econs department is at least top 10 among LACs. BS in Econs, Physics and Maths
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800Q 720V 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Multivariable calculus, Intro to Abstraction, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Maths Method for Physics, a few more senior year.(all As
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro , Intermediate Macro, Econometrics, Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Macro, Game Theory, International Finance, Labor Econs, (all As)
Other Courses: Physics Major, Japanese Minor
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econs professors, of which two are well-known, at least by liberal arts college standard. One knows me very much, and said extremely good things about me. Another said something like " the best in the past 15 years". Not sure about the last one.
Research Experience: for a professor, since summer of sophomore year. Coauthor a paper. R&R at the time of application (I only said "submitted" in the applications, because I didn't know the distinction.) Now forthcoming at a top field journal.
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Development, Labor
SOP: Standard and did not customize
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the waitlist), BU(no $)
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn
Atttending: Maryland
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more and a wider range of schools. I was ignorant of the process, and didn't spend enough time researching schools, partly because I was taking a lot of classes. I overestimated where I stood in the competition, because I underestimated the importance of grad classes and undergrad/letter of recommendation reputation. Nevertheless, I am glad to make it and will make the most out of my education at UMD. Hope my case will serve as a warning to top students from LACs: this game is very difficult to play, even after taking my warning into account.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn Atttending: Maryland
Waitlists:
    waitlist), BU(no $)

icebear 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, Colorado State University
Undergrad GPA: 3.89 (magna cum laude)
Type of Grad: courses during UG: Foundations of Quant Econ Analysis, Political Economy 1
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 790/560/6.0 (2009), 750/570/4.5 (2006)
Math Courses: Calc 1 (A), Calc 2 (B+), Statistical Methods (A), Matrices and Linear Equations (A), Foundations of Quant Econ Analysis (8 week grad math-econ course which covered Simon & Blume) (A+)
Econ Courses: Micro Prin & Inter, Macro Prin & Inter, Econometrics, Independent Study x 2, Comparative Economic Systems, Recent Economic Thought (i.e. History of Academic Economics), Transformation of Central and Eastern European Countries, Privatization and Foreign Capital (B), Globalization - Social and Economic Aspects (B), Games and Decisions (B), Senior Seminar on Globalization and Trade, Political Economy I (graduate level) [Note: all A's except where noted].
Other Courses: Java Programming, freshman year of Electrical Engineering sequence (A's)
Letters of Recommendation: PhDs from MIT, Cambridge, Harvard, Kansas. 1 is a Lead Economist at a international organization, other three are professors; two recent and enthusiastic (regarding research), two enthusiastic but dated (regarding coursework, especially math ability).
Research Experience: Consulting in the private sector and international organizations for ~ 2.5 years, always in close collaboration/supervision with PhD economists.
Teaching Experience: ~1 year teaching English.
Research Interests: International (trade/finance/macro)
SOP: Standard, with a few lines on my grad econ-math course and how my working experience shaped my interests
Other: Intermediate level Chinese, strong experience/knowledge of Chinese development and trade policy, international trade policy, international organizations.
Knew my chances were almost zero at top 10s, but was strongly encouraged to apply to some anyway, given the relatively low costs of additional apps.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: CEMFI ($$), UBC MA ($), Barcelona GSE MSc, Toulouse M2, Carlos III MA ($$)
Waitlists: -
Rejections: Duke PhD, Columbia PhD, JHU PhD, Harvard PhD, UVa PhD, UCSD PhD, NSF GRFP
Pending: Georgetown PhD
Attending: CEMFI
What would you have done differently?
I probably should have taken grad micro/metrics following my grad math-econ course (as typical grad students did), as that signal would have been much stronger than Political Economy 1. More formal math, of course, but I didn't realize that in UG and have never found a schedule complimentary with my working hours since then (I've lived in non-English speaking countries since graduating, so math courses taught in English are pretty limited). Those two things would have done the most to improve my profile, although I wasn't too concerned about it at the time and am happy with how my UG and professional experience has been since then.
That said, I've had talks with my LORs and done some soul searching and am not exactly certain that sinking 5 years into a PhD is the best way to get me where I want to go. Academia is one interesting career path to me, but economic policy research (government, international orgs) or working in China again (in consulting or similar) also hold my interest, and for the later two a MA coupled with 3 more years of working experience and/or language training make more sense. I initially was set on UBC, unfunded, over UC3M, funded, for reputation issues and a better fit with regards to research interests (plus a bad feeling on UC3M's faculty responsiveness from my interactions with them and students), but had a last minute change...
...long after assuming CEMFI had implicitly rejected me I received a invitation to Madrid for an interview in early May to clear up some question marks in my profile (several years of professional experience and goals with pursuing the MA). Apparently I made a good impression, because I was admitted with the standard (?) CEMFI scholarship and stipend. CEMFI made a great impression on me also, with the faculty very warm, responsive and expressing a genuine interest in and support for my several competing career goals and providing clear examples of how CEMFI is well placed to get me there. I was really impressed with the detail they could provide on professional and academic placements relative to most other master's programs' vagueness at this question. So, the main take away is that it isn't over till its over and I'm very pleased to be moving to Madrid next fall!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: CEMFI ($$), UBC MA ($), Barcelona GSE MSc, Toulouse M2, Carlos III MA ($$)
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (B-GSE) MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: January 26 2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Notified within several days of all supporting documents being received. 500 Euro deposit required by late February to maintain offer/status. Good to have a 'safety' as the next six weeks of waiting come; hoping for a better funded option in the meantime (although going elsewhere will be a hard decision - I'm a huge, huge fan of the city).
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) MSc Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: January 26, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Wouldn't mind a year there at all :whistle:
  • Institution: Toulouse School of Economics M2 - Economic theory and econometrics (ECOMATH) Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: February 25, 2010 Notified through: Mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: More affordable than BGSE... but I'm not sure about spending a year in France...
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) MSc Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: January 26, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Wouldn't mind a year there at all
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Great!
  • Institution: Universidad Carlos III Masters in Economic Analysis Decision: Admitted Funding: $$ Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: CEMFI Master in Economics and Finance Decision: Accepted Funding: $$ Notification date: Notified through: Posted on GF: No Comments: Killer
Rejects:
    Rejections: Duke PhD, Columbia PhD, JHU PhD, Harvard PhD, UVa PhD, UCSD PhD, NSF GRFP
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: February 16, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Not at all surprising.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: February 16, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Not at all surprising.
  • Institution: John Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: - Notified through: Post Posted on GC: No Comments: Shocking
  • Institution: U Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: -

asdfjkl 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from a Public University, top 10 Economics Department
Undergrad GPA: 3.77 overall, 3.94 Economics GPA
Type of Grad: 1 second-year field sequence in the Economics Department
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: Q: 800, V:640, AWA:4.5
Math Courses: Analysis (B), Linear Algebra (Pass), Multivariable Calculus (A-)
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro (A), Advanced Macro (A+), Game Theory (A), Auction Theory (A-), Advanced Econometrics (A-), along with Econ History, International Monetary Economics, Research Economics (all As), also Psych and Econ, Behavioral Corporate Finance
Letters of Recommendation: 2 very strong letters from Professors from the Economics Department at my undergraduate university (with a history of sending undergraduates to top Economics departments), 1 from the Business School, 1 from the Federal Reserve Board
Research Experience: Summer RA/Intern at the Federal Reserve Board, RA for a Professor at the Business School and RA to another professor in the Economics Department at my university, also worked for a graduate student in the Economics Department
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied Micro - beyond that Labor? IO? Development? Psych and Econ?
SOP: nothing special and I did not bother making it specific to the schools I applied to
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UMichigan (attending! no funding initially, $$$$$ at the end), Northwestern (waitlist for funding, ultimately would've received a tuition waiver), UCSD ($$), UCLA ($$)
Waitlists: UPenn Wharton - Applied Economics (would've been accepted to the program off the waitlist with $$)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, UPenn, NYU, Columbia, Yale, ChicagoWhat would you have done differently? A LOT more math. My letter writers had told me I had sufficient math to competitive at all schools; however I think that my lack of strong math background really hurt me on the margin. I think I may have gotten into better schools if I'd taken more math and done better, but I preferred to work on research projects for professors and graduate students throughout my undergrad - so I can't say I regret my decision for get more research experience at the expense of a stronger math background.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UMichigan (attending! no funding initially, $$$$$ at the end), Northwestern (
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, UPenn, NYU, Columbia, Yale, Chicago
Waitlists:
    waitlist for funding, ultimately would've received a tuition waiver), UCSD ($$), UCLA ($$) Waitlists: UPenn Wharton - Applied Economics (would've been

Mpianatra 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 20 econ program
Undergrad GPA: 3.56/4
Type of Grad: MS in same major/university
Grad GPA: none at time of application
GRE: 780/580/5.5
Math Courses: Calc I/II (A-), Real Analysis (in progress during app), Calc III (A+), Linear Algebra (A), Ord. Diff. Eq. (A) [last three courses taken as non-degree student at state school w/o econ phd]
Econ Courses: Intro Micro/Macro (A), Inter Micro (B+), Inter Macro (A), Labor Economics (B), Income Distribution (A), Developing Country Labor Markets (A-), Applied Econometrics (A-), Econ Dev't (A-), Public Finance (A-), Economic Data (B), Grad Micro Theory I (in progress), Grad Econ of Education (in progress)
Other Courses: Intro Stats (A-)
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis Adviser- known for a long time (pretty strong), Second Thesis Adviser-mostly knew from a course (positive but probably pretty generic), RA prof (also probably pretty generic)
Research Experience: Master's thesis but hadn't done much for it at time of application
Teaching Experience: Just short of teaching credential
Research Interests: Development, Political Economy, Labor
SOP: Nothing special. Run of the mill about why I like econ, why I was qualified, and why I liked the school.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: American ($?), BU (no $), CUNY (Fellowship), Fordham ($?), Colorado ($$$), UI-Chicago ($?), Washington (no $), Wisconsin ($$)
Waitlists: BC
Rejections: Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, George Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA, Maryland, UNC, Notre Dame, USC, Texas,
Attending: Wisconsin
What would you have done differently?
What I wouldn't have done differently was apply to so many schools. I had a lot of reach schools on my list and all it takes is one of them to accept you. Some rejections from very lowly-ranked schools with some acceptances from relatively high-ranked so it can be hard to predict. Obviously getting better grades would always help but I'm very satisfied with the overall results.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: American ($?), BU (no $), CUNY (Fellowship), Fordham ($?), Colorado ($$$), UI-Chicago ($?), Washington (no $), Wisconsin ($$)
  • Institution: UIllinois-Chicago Decision: Accepted Funding: will hear in March Notification date: 2/10 Notified through: Postal Service Posted on GF: yes Comments: At least I got one in the bag
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email + More info by mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Anyone else accepted know if they reimburse for flyout?
  • Institution: CUNY Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Short list" for an 18k fellowship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Likely will withdraw due to better offer.
  • Institution: Fordham University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: I hadn't researched the program well. Just picked it b/c it's in NYC.
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email + More info by mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Anyone else accepted know if they reimburse for flyout?
  • Institution: CUNY Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Short list" for an 18k fellowship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Likely will withdraw due to better offer.
  • Institution: Fordham University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: I hadn't researched the program well. Just picked it b/c it's in NYC.
  • Institution: UC-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ~15k TA, 5k Fellowship Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment:
  • Institution: BU Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: $0 Comments: Out at GWU and in at BU? This is a weird process.
  • Institution: U of Washington Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Funding: no Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, George Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA, Maryland, UNC, Notre Dame, USC, Texas,
  • Institution: Duke Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Minnesota Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Oh well...
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: No surprise there.
  • Institution: Minnesota Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Oh well...
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Notre Dame Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check Website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Emory University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: got an early interview so this surprised me a bit
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: email response from Marjorie Lesser Comments: zero surprise but still a bummer
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 15 Notified through: Postal Service Funding: N/A Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: C'est la vie.
  • Institution: George Washington Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/27 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Funding: n/a Comments: Seriously? Definitely didn't expect this.
  • Institution: University of Texas Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: BC
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 12:30am ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not sure if I'll put my name on the list or not...
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 12:30am ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not sure if I'll put my name on the list or not...

cluelessness 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Ivy league, major in economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0
GRE: 800Q/780V/5.0Writing
Math Courses: multivariable calculus, linear algebra, statistics, optimization, introductory real analysis, probability
Econ Courses: intro+intermediate+1semester of grad micro, intermediate macro, econometrics, law and econ, an applications course, public finance
Other Courses: a few in hard sciences, engineering, humanities
Letters of Recommendation: 3 professors from undergrad institution (took classes from them, one was my thesis advisor)
Research Experience: undergrad thesis and a junior year research project
Teaching Experience: none at college level (tutored a middle school kid though)
Research Interests: uncertain
SOP: was probably on the weak side
Other: I didn't apply directly from undergrad; spent some time working after graduation
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NYU, Berkeley
Rejections: Yale, Penn, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, MIT
What would you have done differently?
I think stronger evidence of research potential would have helped (an RAship maybe). I also think my SOP was on the weak side.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NYU, Berkeley
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Penn, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, MIT
Waitlists:

hotfuss 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 4 year Honours degree in economics at a major Australian university
Undergrad GPA: First Class Honours (ranked first in Honours class)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q
Math Courses: First and second year advanced maths courses, differential calculus, integral calculus, discrete mathematics, first and second year linear algebra, vector calculus, PDEs
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, International Trade, Applied Economics, Industrial Organisation, Mathematical Economics
Other Courses: First year psychology
Letters of Recommendation: One Fellow of the Econometric Society and two other economics professors with US PhDs (these LORs knew me very well; two of these had marked my thesis, including one who was my adviser, and I had taken one course with one letter of recommendation and two courses with another letter of recommendation (coming first in everything (including thesis), except one course))
Research Experience: Honours thesis and one other game theory paper
Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad economics courses, including intermediate microeconomics
Research Interests: Microeconomic theory and its applications, behavioural economics
SOP: Standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
Waitlists: Boston
Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
Attending: Northwestern
What would you have done differently? Not much. I think I should have applied earlier (I worked for a few years after my undergraduate degree) or done more maths courses at university. I would have also applied for a few business schools and a couple more top 10 places.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: admitted Funding: TA, $24k for five years if good academic progress Notification Date: Feb 12 (but this is really Feb 13 Australian time) Notified: email from a faculty Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: A referee suggested I apply to PSU as a safety.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $24k for five years (TA) Notification date: 2/12 (2/13 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Always good to get the first offer under your belt. This is a safety school though so I'm waiting on other results.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $20.9k for first 4 years, $15.7k in 5th, but this includes summer Notification date: 2/22 (2/23 Australian time) Notified through: I checked the website. I received an email with funding details etc a couple of days later. Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Yay, top 10!!!!!!!
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded. Notification date: 2/26 Australian time Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This was in the email: "We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid. We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of that period."
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded. Notification date: 2/26 Australian time Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This was in the email: "We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid. We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of that period."
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: I checked on 02/10/2010 Notified through: I just checked LSE for you Posted on Gradcafe: No Comment: My first result; even though it was a fallback and my research interests don't match up well with LSE, it still hurts. Waiting on the decision on my second choice at LSE still.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 (i.e. 2/19 Australian time) Notified Through: Email to check website Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: I wasn't going to post this, but I decided to so it can be used for reference. Despite some good early results, a few rejections has made me start to worry.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 (2/19 Australian time) Notified through: email to check website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Damn. Started to get worried.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections. Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections. Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: I have a love-hate relationship with Illinois. I am also beginning to doubt whether UW-M's predictions will come true.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: A few rejections in a row. This is really an emotional rollercoaster!
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Boston

Amun Ra 2010:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, South Italian University.Graduate in 2004.Major in Economics
Undergrad GPA: 110/110,Cum Laude (average 28.90 out of 30)
GRE/TOEFL: 800Q/590V/3.5AWA.TOEFL waived
Math Courses: General Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis Multivariable Analysis(should be calculus) , Statistics I and I. ‐ All equivalent to A's or A+
Econ Courses (u/g): Micro and Macro Theory, Labour, International economics, monetary economics, Industrial econ. Development economics, economic history, History of economic thought theory, econometrics, Public economics, Regional Economics, Applied economics, Economic Policy‐ All equivalent to A's or A+
Grad courses: LOTs macro based at PhD level courses with very well know scholars all with A.I am currently in the first year of a top 20 US PhD program where I am taking the first year of micro/macro/metrics sequence.I am aiming to get transferred
Other Courses: Summer school at UPF.
Letters of Recommendation: Till now 1) stellar letters from a NYU PhD thesis supervisor and co-author well connected 2)A stellar letter from a guy with UChicago PhD whom I have been his TA for 3 years 3)Form a guy with PhD Michigan well know in his field. I got A in his graduate course and we will start co-authoring a parer together in late spring 2010.4) a standard if not excellent one form my u/g international economics prof with a PhD Michigan
Research Experience: I have written 3-4 working papers till now .One of them is co-authored with a letter of recommendation writer(see above)and I will start writing another one with another letter of recommendation writer(see above again). Another paper is co-authored with a Oxford prof and another one is single authored. Senior undergraduate thesis back in 2004 . I won special merit from the evaluation committee for the quality of thesis work, presentation skills and academic performance.II also won the prize for the best u/g thesis for that year. I have servred as a visitor scholar at the research division of one of the most important central bank of the world and as an economist in a reseach institute
Teaching Experience: 3 years TA for monetary economics and many other courses at my current institution
Research Interests: Monetary economics (mostly monetary policy),DSGE models ,Central Banking, Macroeconomics
Statement of Purpose: Strong .I talk about my papers
Other: Participant in several conferences including invitations from BIS, CEPR, ECB, and various national central Banks.Acquittance with many top economists in the field .
Concerns:
While this experience has been very enjoyable and satisfying, in discussing my research interests with faculty members at my current university I realized that our interests are mismatched. Therefore, I have decided to apply again knowing that I might start from the first year again
I am also having personal reasons I want to get out of here.
Applying to:Harvard , MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Berkeley , Columbia, NYU,Upenn, Northwester,Minnesota,Maryland ,and 2-3 schools in Europe.
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: email Comments: Well I was aiming to get transfered from my current program.Last year I was rejected from UMN because of my toefl. This year I was waived from toefl and I thought I was gonna make it to UMN.Probably getting transfered is hard! It is a great school and all those admitted should accept their offer. :luck2:!
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: yes Comments: very sad!
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: yes Comments: This is the second rejection I gse in less than 3 hours and the third in total.I think to be also out from Harvard and Columbia.I wonder if I am doing something wrong!!!
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comment:At least I saved my money of the application fee.Future Columbia applicants your application will still be considered even if you do not pay the application fee
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: email Comments: Well I was aiming to get transfered from my current program.Last year I was rejected from UMN because of my toefl. This year I was waived from toefl and I thought I was gonna make it to UMN.Probably getting transfered is hard! It is a great school and all those admitted should accept their offer. !
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: yes Comments: very sad!
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: yes Comments: This is the second rejection I gse in less than 3 hours and the third in total.I think to be also out from Harvard and Columbia.I wonder if I am doing something wrong!!!
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comment:At least I saved my money of the application fee.Future Columbia applicants your application will still be considered even if you do not pay the application fee
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:yes Comment I guess getting transfer from another top 20 US program is harder that I expected to be
Waitlists:

socialcapital 2010:
Type of Undergrad: International Economics from top-50 econ PhD
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
GRE: 800Q/730V/5.5
Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Proofs, Real Analysis (Got all As)
Econ Courses: Standard (Got all As)
Grad Courses: First-Year PhD Macro (Got an A)
LORs: Professor of Grad Macro Course, Professor who got me a job one summer, boss from that job (writing a paper with him), Math professor
Research Experience: Writing paper with summer boss
Teaching Experience: 5th semester as TA for intro econ course
Research Interests: Labor, IO, Econometrics, International Trade
SOP: Standard
Concerns: Low quality of econ program at my school makes my grades less impressive; unknown letter of recommendation writers
Applying to: Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Princeton, Penn
Accepts:
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for First Year Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Checked Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Waiting: UPenn, Berkeley, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Brown, Stanford (Implicit Rejects: Harvard, Columbia)
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for First Year Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Checked Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Waiting: UPenn, Berkeley, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Brown, Stanford (Implicit Rejects: Harvard, Columbia)
  • Institution: Brown Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: 19.5k per year Notified through: E-mail Date: 3/8
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Not surprising, but still sucks
Waitlists:

Gecko 2010: Roll Call Fall 2010 
For all applicants gunning for the 2010 Fall admissions :D
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ from university in Southeast Asia
Undergrad GPA: 3.75/4
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 790Q, 500V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Real Analysis I and II, III (in progress) , Linear Algebra Math for Economists, Measure Theory (in progress), Mixture of A and B
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro (B+)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): IO, Development, Econometrics, Monetary, Labour, Information Economics Game Theory, Micro and Macro Theory- All A's and A+
Other Courses: Irrelevant.
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 Princeton PhD, 1 Columbia PhD) 3rd one pending
Research Experience: Except for term papers and thesis, none.
Teaching Experience: Intermediate Micro, Introduction to statistical theory, developmental economics
Research Interests: Institutional economics and decisions making under uncertainty.
SOP: Standard format - refer to a thread by Italos.
Concerns: My math sucks.
Other: Praying awfully hard.
Applying to: MIT, Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, NYU, Columbia, Maryland, WUSTL, and others.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) Economics M2 Decision: Accepted Funding: waiting for Eiffel Scholarships - March 22 Notification date: December 18 Notified through: email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) NO Comments: Why does it take so long for the Eiffel committee to decide~
  • Institution: LSE Economics, MSc (Res). Decision: Accepted Funding: Zilch Notification date: February 5, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on Gradcafe: no Date of Gradcafe post: N/A Comments: not gonna accept unfunded offers.
  • Institution:Kellogg MEDS Decision: Acceptance Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: 30K
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE MRes+PhD (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 4 February Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) n/a Comments: haha, should have tried oxbridge too.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Ph.D Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notificationn date: 02/17 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Still buzzing after my interview with Kellogg.
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution:Minnesota Econ Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Kellogg sets my mind at ease~
  • Institution: Rochester Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03-01-2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Comments: Que Sera Sera
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Well :) Its a weird season~
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Haha, its a weird season I'd say.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Thank god for Kellogg ~ phew.
  • Institution: Rochester Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03-01-2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Comments: Que Sera Sera
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Well Its a weird season~
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Haha, its a weird season I'd say.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Thank god for Kellogg ~ phew.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N.A. Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Long shot. Oh well.
  • Institution: Stanford, MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Its time to be a Wildcat D:
  • Institution:UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GC: no Comments: Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Emailed Marjorie Lesser Posted on GC: No Comments: Hope I can teach at Stern next time
  • Institution: Washington U - St Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/05/2010 Notified through: Mass Email Posted on GC: No Comment: No need to choose between Kellogg and Wustl.
Waitlists:

yougotaparabola 2010: PROFILE:
type of undergrad: B.A. Econ top 10 public university, no grad econ
undergrad GPA: 3.69/4, econ 3.95, math 3.74
type of grad: NA
grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 5.0AWA
math courses: Calc 3 (A-), ODE (A), Linear Algebra (A-), Probability Theory (B+), Real Analysis I (A), Game Theory (A-)(through the math department)
econ courses (undergrad-level): intermediate micro, advanced micro (economics of incentives), intermediate macro, advanced macro (international finance), econometrics, time series econometrics, mathematical economics (all A)
econ courses (grad-level): sadly, none.
other courses: Irrelevant.
letters of recommendation: 3 econ professors
research experience: Minimal.
teaching experience: None
research interests: The role of micro incentives in development.
statement of purpose: Pretty standard, nothing substantial.
other: on the bright side you really only need one admit.
concerns: Potentially weak recommendations, no idea how I stack up against the competition, no idea how my undergrad will be perceived,
applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, NYU, Columbia, Maryland, WUSTL, Rochester, UCLA, UVA, Duke, Wisconsin, BU, BC, etc....
Accepts:
  • Institution: BC Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: Yep Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship? Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
  • Institution: BC Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: Yep Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship? Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
  • Institution: Texas (Austin) Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Waitlisted for TAship Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Unofficial Email Posted on GC: Nope Comments: Pretty jazzed, curious what the likelihood of getting a TAship is.
  • Institution: UVA Economics PhD Decision: Admit Funding: No information on the letter Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: randomly checked website Comments: Nice to have another option
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: rejected Funding: no Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: forget Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email. Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GC: no Comments: a little sad
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email Notification date: 3/16/10 Comments: Response to email for an update.
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail telling me to check the website Comments: Was doubtful after the interview.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

lycinsg 2010: well, since everyone is doing this. here goes. kinda embarrassing
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ B.S from Top 30ish Econ department
Undergrad GPA: cum 3.78/4 Econ 3.78/4 Math 3.58/4 >.<
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 780Q, 500V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I,II,III, Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, math reasoning, real analysis I, probability
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A undergrad equivalent
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): International trade, international macro, advanced micro, advanced macro, 2 econometrics, money. in progress: game theory, public finance
Other Courses: Not worth mentioning
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors all fairly well know i guess
Research Experience: Nada. Term papers and honors thesis in progress
Teaching Experience: Nada.
Research Interests: International economics, trade
statement of purpose: The usual
Concerns: Weird grades. It oscillates a lot. I didn't bother to explain in my statement. bad decisions, got destroyed by flu or just plain evil teacher etc.
Other: Why so much supply so little demand for econ applicants? Makes me pale in comparison to others. Most schools turn to reach schools after seeing this forum
Applying to: Stanford (just for fun), Wharton applied economics (praying real real hard), Columbia, U Minn, NYU, Michigan, UCSD, Brown, Maryland, Penn State, UW
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected... Sigh
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected... Sigh
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Game over this year. sigh
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Wasn't expecting anything good anyways
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: meh
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: No interview, of course
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

confusedgrad 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Economics (one of the best universities in the country but not known extremely all over the world. still, it is recognized at some schools).
Undergrad GPA: 3.98/4 - 1st rank among 145 students.
Type of Grad: M.S. in Economics from the same university.
Grad GPA: 3.95/4.0 - 2nd rank
GRE: Took it three times: Q:800, 800, 800, V:430, 350, 390, AWA: 5.5, 3.5, 4.5,
TOEFL: IBT:110 (R:29, L:29, S:24, W:28)
Math Courses: allmost no math. Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Mathematics for Economists, Mathematical Statistics I and II, Econometrics I and II, Econometric Theory I an II, Time Series Econometrics and only auditing RG Real Analysis this semester. All AAs (no grade for real anal.)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Microeconomic Theory I and II, Macroeconomic Theory I and II,, International Macroconomics. All AA except for one BA.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A lot of courses with straight AAs.
Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ professors (mostly 3 or only 2 of them were used). All from my university. They tried to write strong letters but none of them are knon actually.
Research Experience: Several years in Research department of the Central Bank. However, nothing published in good journals. Only some empirical work.
Teaching Experience: TAship at my ug university for the Statistics courses.
Research Interests: Macro including Int'l macro, monetary economics...
Statement of purpose: Not well tailored for each university. A standard one for all.
Concerns: 1. Almost no math. No advanced calculus, no differential equations, no real analysis. 2. letters from unknown profs and no special efforts from the referees, 3. not enough research experience, 4. age (i'll be 29) 5. that stupid visa issue.
Other: One positive concern: My employee might support 1st year expenditures so I can go with an unfonded offer for the first year.
Applying to: 3 types in US: 1) The ones I got accepted before: UMN, BC, BU, UCLA, UMD. 2) The ones I got rejected last year: Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, UCSD, 3) The ones I am applying for the first time (mostly dream school, just a fantasy): MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Brown. Also some European schools in case the visa becomes a problem again: LSE, LBS, Oxford, TI, UPF, CEMFI, EUI. Seems like I am a professional applicant. I made 51 applications so far. (6 in 2003, 23 in 2009, 22 in 2010). God, so much money, so much effort. Best luck, everyone...
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Maryland, CP Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not now, maybe later.. Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail. Comments: At least they accepted me again. Thanks. This year I have only one acceptance. Hope there ill also be some funding later.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition+fees only for the 1st year. Notified through: e-mail Notification date: 3/16/10 Comment:they just renewed the offer from the last year. i was waiting stupidly instead of asking them poreviously, despite their commitments. now, i am relaxed. and i am sure that if i applied this year for the first time, i would not get this offer as this year is really a hard one!
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Does no funding mean no funding forever? and why they ask you to confirm acceptance till May 15th? Is it because of the offer being unfunded?
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 16K RA'ship+possible 4K in summer Notification date: 03/29/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Off the waitlist...
Rejects:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: - Notified through: Website. They never bothered for sending an e-mail. Posted on GF: No, but who cares this any more? Comments: Rejected last year as well and applying again, which was a last minute decision, was completely nonsense. No surprise!
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: e-mail. Comments: I knew this was coming as they implicitly asked me whether i will accept this year or not. I could not make a commitment of course and two days later they announced the fellowship offers. I was not at that list. Still, I was expecting some offer with no funding or assitantship. However, they are completely right! They cannot tie their resources to someone who is unlikley to attend once more. It was a mistake to re-apply to a school that you had rejected and give them a second chance to reject you.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: no surprise, i never expected an acceptance indeed. and this year everything just sucks...
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Comments: At this point it was totally expected. However, at the very beginning I was considering it as a sfatey. Who would know that this year will be a complete failure for me with so many rejections?
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Comments: God, I am surprised
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail (same above, no inquiry) Comment: I hope I will not have to apply to NYU for a fourth time in the future... My second dream school and my dream city does not want me. Ok! I got it!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: It would not make any difference anyways...
  • Institution: European University Institute Economics Decision: Rejected (i guess?) Funding: NA Notification date: 03/30/10 Notified through: Email Comments: The most awkward letter I received during the whole process. First, I thought I was rejected, then it sounded like I am accepted and then wait listed... In the end, I really did not understand whether I am waitlisted or rejected. Still, the word "regretfully" makes me think that yes I am rejected....
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/11/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: A rejection letter on late sunday? Interesting... BTW, I always find LSE rejection letters quite straightforward, direct and a bit rude...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Finally I know where I'll be going. It was an honor to get even waitlisted and I was not expecting anything more...
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: NA Notification date: 01/01/2010 Notified through: A personal e-mail. Comments: An e-mail stating "we totally remember you from last year.. we have limited resources and many excellent candidates from your country so we cannot offer you admission at this time". I can understand their point. They are totally right.
  • Institution: London Business School Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/10 Notified through: Email Comment: "very high on waitlist". even though i don't think it is likely to get off the waitlist, i would definitely like to go this school. i love london, school is great and funding is generous. i hope i can make it...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Now this is a real surprise after so many rejections. I think my first year external funding has played a role. Seems like a long-list.

far 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Econ and Math, History minor from a large public university
Undergrad GPA: 3.71/4.0 Econ: 4.0/4.0 Math: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: A lot
Econ Courses (PhD-level): None
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Economic Stats, Game Theory, IO, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, International Macro, Principles
Other Courses: Intro to programming
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ professors (1 very well known senior the other a tenure track, both should be excellent) and 1 Math professor
Research Experience: Two years RA-ing for well known recommender, Econ REU internship (other econ recommender was my mentor)
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Environmental Economics
Statement of Purpose: General template modified for each school. Talked about my background and interests, reasons for applying, mentioned specific faulty members
Concerns: 3rd recommendation probably isn't that good.
Other: None
Applying to: Arizona, Berkeley, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Stanford, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, Yale
Accepts:
  • Institution: UCSB Econ Decision: Accepted Notification date: 17 February, 2010 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Comments: They flew me out there last month so if they had rejected me the world would be wayyyy too screwy :)
  • Institution: Penn State University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 25k/year Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: :)
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling! :)
  • Institution: Penn State University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 25k/year Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: email next week Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: chilly Chicago or sunny San Diego...
  • Institution: Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted (informally) Funding: Assistantship Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Email from Dr Fishback (I work for him) asking if I'd want to stick around and offering an assistantship but recommending I don't
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Funding: no first year funding. Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm so happy I have a tough decision ahead of me, it's been a tough season for everyone and I just feel really thankful right now
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: Email Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: First official decision, a little bit surprised -.-
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email to check site Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: :(
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: can't wait for this to all be over -.-
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

helloworld09 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. statistics, NE Asia
Undergrad GPA: approx 3.7/4, econ avg 3.9ish
GRE: 800Q, 7X0V, 5.0A
Math Courses: many statistics courses & enough math to fulfill requirements
Econ Courses: 7 incl micro, macro, metrics
Letters of Recommendation: among 2 econ professors and 3 statistics professors
Research Experience: nada
Teaching Experience: nope (some tutoring..)
Research Interests: open-economy macro, international, monetary.
statement of purpose: nothing too special.
Concerns: I have no research experience and have been working at a bulge-bracket IB for the last 3.5yrs, not too sure how adcoms would see that. UMN seems ok with that so i'm not as concerned as before..
Applying to: NWU, UPenn, Columbia, UMN (accepted!!), NYU, UCLA, Brown, Maryland, Rochester, BU, JHU, PSU, WUSTL, BC, UW-Seattle.
Accepts:
  • Institution: U of Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: nominated for grad school fellowship, with result to come out late feb / early march Notification date: January 26th Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) January 27th (gave my TM ID) Comments: thrilled :D
  • Institution nstitution: BU Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: none Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: unlikely to attend but happy to get a sort of approval stamp on my profile Posted on GC : no
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: now official. love the school, NY, and i've people from UG @ Columbia it'd have been great to hang out with, but oh well.. likely headed to UMN. phew..
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: now official. love the school, NY, and i've people from UG @ Columbia it'd have been great to hang out with, but oh well.. likely headed to UMN. phew..
  • Institution: PSU economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/10/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Wouldn't have attended, but still..
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: ? Notified through: ? Posted on GC: No Comment: weird, can't find any record.
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: ..
  • Institution: JHU Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: ..
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: 3/12 Notification date: Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: .. phew.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Posted on GC: No Comments: Bleh. 6 to go now.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: ...........
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: not surprised, but wow - so my only admit is a UMN fellowship offer? how weird..
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Bleh..
  • Institution: BC Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GF: no Funding: Comments: first snail mail received - a hardcopy with the school seal affixed feels more formal, which i like - but still, preference is slow formal mail <<< quick informal email, regardless of the admit result
  • Institution: Washington U. in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 4/6 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: My last one
Waitlists:

sjmm 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA math and econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4
Type of Grad: ND, gpa 3.9/4
GRE: 780Q, 610V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: calc 1+2, linear, vector, diffeq, pde, topology, real analysis 1+2, algebra 1+2, game theory
Econ Courses: micro, macro, international, development, econometrics, math econ
Other Courses: politics
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ, 1 politics, 1 math
Research Experience: REU
Teaching Experience: TA throughout undergrad
Statement of Purpose: Standard
Concerns: total lack of research
Applying to: CSU, NCSU, Duke, Cornell, Columbia, JHU, Brown, Georgetown, Drexel, AU, UMD
Accepts:
  • Institution: NCSU, Duke, Drexel Economics PhD Decision: Accepted, Rejected, Accepted Funding: Waiting, n/a, $ Notification date: Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 16 Notified through: email to check website, email to check website, email from director Posted on grad cafe: no Comments: Need funding to attend, Sad, Expected
  • Institution: NCSU, Duke, Drexel Economics PhD Decision: Accepted, Rejected, Accepted Funding: Waiting, n/a, $ Notification date: Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 16 Notified through: email to check website, email to check website, email from director Posted on grad cafe: no Comments: Need funding to attend, Sad, Expected
  • Institution: American University Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notified through: Phone Date: 3/5
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Sad
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: denied.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: glad we made it official
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: denied.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: glad we made it official
  • Institution: JHU Econ PHd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
Waitlists:

jito32 2010:
Institution: Boston College
Program: Economics, PhD
Decision: Admit
Funding: Tuition + 16k
Notification date: 2-27-2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: w00t!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No idea Notification date: 19 feb Notified Through: Checked online status after seeing other people had seen decisions Posted on Grad Cafe: no Comment: Frickin sweet, got rejected last year. Feels amazing.
  • Institution: Boston College Economics, PhD Decision: Admit Funding: Tuition + 16k Notification date: 2-27-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: w00t!
  • Institution: Boston College Economics, PhD Decision: Admit Funding: Tuition + 16k Notification date: 2-27-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: w00t!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
  • Institution: Rochester Econ Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: Hmm thought I had a good chance at this one.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Also expected
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: gah
  • Institution: Rochester Econ Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: Hmm thought I had a good chance at this one.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Also expected
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: gah
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: no Comments:
Waitlists:

Churchill 2010:
Institution: Cornell
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments:
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email / Website
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments:
Institution: Northwestern
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist
Notification date: 02/24
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Minnesota
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 02/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Accepted! Funding: Financial award in letter Notification date: 19 February 2010 Notified through: Website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: :D:D:D
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email / Website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist Notification date: 02/24 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Hope I get financial aid
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Hope I get financial aid
  • Institution: Brown Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 19.5k Notified through: E-mail Date: 03/08 Comment: Awesome!
  • Institution: BU Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: None Notification date: 3/23/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/10/2010 Notified through: email Posted on Gradcafe: No Comment:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/10 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:

Policy_Enter 2010:
Institution: University of Rochester
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!
Institution: Vanderbilt University
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/23
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: No application fee. Thought I was going to make it.
Institution: Notre Dame
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: I called the grad program director
Posted on GF: No
Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Missouri-Columbia Economics Decision: Accepted (Fast Track) Funding: None Available for me at this time Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope! Comments:One of my safeties. I am unhappy they don't have $$ for me.
  • Institution: University of Missouri-Columbia Economics Decision: Accepted (Fast Track) Funding: None Available for me at this time Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope! Comments:One of my safeties. I am unhappy they don't have $$ for me.
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!:D
  • Institution: Vanderbilt University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/23 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: No application fee. Thought I was going to make it.
  • Institution: Notre Dame Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: I called the grad program director Posted on GF: No Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
  • Institution:University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date:3/2 Notified through: Just randomly checked Website Posted on GF:Never Comments: My heart leapt! Sad!
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope! Comments:One of the reaches. So I am not surprised
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected...Second time rejected!
  • Institution: University of Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Well, zero application fee. The feeling is not good though!
  • Institution: Notre Dame Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: I called the grad program director Posted on GF: No Comments: They pursued me to apply! The even offered me application fee waiver. Why did they have to do that?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope! Comments:One of the reaches. So I am not surprised
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected...Second time rejected!
Waitlists:

OogieBoogieMan 2010:
Institution: Upenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: waitlisted (very high they say) for fellowship
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: Phone (Email later)
Accepts:
  • Institution: Rutgers Economics, Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for Fellowship Notification date: February, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on Gradcafe: no Date of Gradcafe post: N/A Comments: seems fair.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: TA - 24K Notification date: February 15th Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: No Date of Gradcafe post: N/A Comments: -
  • Institution: Upenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlisted (very high they say) for fellowship Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: Phone (Email later)
  • Institution: Upenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlisted (very high they say) for fellowship Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: Phone (Email later)
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale PHD Econ Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: no
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I am trying to be the first one to post :) Seems as if I am also the first one to be official rejected.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I am trying to be the first one to post Seems as if I am also the first one to be official rejected.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Harvard / NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16/10 Notified through: snail mail / email Posted on GF: No
Waitlists:

Econ_PhD_hopeful 2010:
Institution: Maryland
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid."
Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here
Accepts:
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None at this time because they think I will receive strong fellowship offers from higher-ranked programs, but would put together an attractive package if I am interested Notification date: 03-11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UC San Diego Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: to be announced this week Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: hoping to get sufficient $ today
  • Institution: University of Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: maybe next week Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: UNC-CH Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ~$19,000 for 5 years Notification date: 03/19 - responded after prompting, 03/14 - asked if I am still interested in the program Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 2 years fellowship of $17K, TA years 3-5 $17k + tuition & fee waiver for 5 yrs Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Wow, 2 years of fellowship! That's a really sweet deal, better than other offers I got
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: zilch
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: zilch
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/09 - replied to my email asking about status; 3/18/2010 - official rejection Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid." Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here :(:(
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid." Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here

anonymous123 2010:
Institution: Columbia University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 17 March Notified through: Email Comments: None.
Waitlists:

jenferlizbeth 2010:
Institution: Columbia University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: I had already counted them out anyway...
Institution: UC Irvine
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes! $$
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier
Comment: Very happy
Institution: Yale University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: ah well.
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes! $$ Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier Comment: Very happy :)
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes! $$ Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier Comment: Very happy
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To be decided Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: e-mail Comment: Happy, but I prefer Irvine, I think.
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: accepted Notified through: e-mail Notification date: 3/10/10 Posted on GC:No
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: I had already counted them out anyway...
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: ah well.
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: ah well.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC:No
Waitlists:

littleboy555 2010:
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email to check website
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
Waitlists:

econgirl19 2010:
Institution: Rutgers
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification date: 1/27/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: Not going without funding.
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:N/A
Notification date: 2/18/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: Oh well.
Institution: Penn State
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $24k stipend
Notification date: 2/22/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: :-)
Institution: Duke
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend + $2k stipend for the summer
Notification date: 2/22/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: Definitely high up on my list.
Institution: Johns Hopkins
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $17k stipend
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: Email with attachment
Comments: Another good option.
Institution: University of Maryland
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: Excited!
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/4/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
Accepts:
  • Institution: Rutgers Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 1/27/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Not going without funding.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $24k stipend Notification date: 2/22/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: :-)
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend + $2k stipend for the summer Notification date: 2/22/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Definitely high up on my list.
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $17k stipend Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: Email with attachment Comments: Another good option.
  • Institution: University of Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Excited!
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Sage Fellowship (Tuition + $21.8k stipend + $4.6k stipend for the summer) for all 5 years Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through: Email with attachment Comments: Definitely in the running
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 2/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: "We chose to advise you of our decision via email on the assumption that a timely response would outweigh the informality of this means of communication. I would be happy to provide a formal letter upon request." Now can someone please tell me why I would want a formal rejection letter? Oh well, this was expected anyway.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Postal Comments: I 100 0.000000e+000xpected this.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: I expected this one also. I wasn't planning on going there anyway =P
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Can't say I didn't expect this one either….
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail in my response to my e-mail Comments: Not surprised.
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail telling me to check the website Comments: I wanted to get into this one, but oh well. Probably for the best.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Waitlisted (high on waitlist) Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/18/2010 Notified through: E-mail with attachment Comments: Very excited! I hope I get in (with funding).

kaisar 2010:
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD economics
Decision: reject
Notification date: 3/4/2010
Notified through: email to check website
Comments: does not come as a surprise
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia economics Decision: reject Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: email to check website Comments: does not come as a surprise
  • Institution: Columbia economics Decision: reject Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: email to check website Comments: does not come as a surprise
Waitlists:

yes_no_maybe 2010:
Institution: USC
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 21k, 5 years
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC:Yes
Institution: Boston College
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/1/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Maryland, College Park
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k, 4-5 years
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Princeton
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: UPenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: USC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k, 5 years Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:Yes
  • Institution: Maryland, College Park Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k, 4-5 years Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution:Stockholm School of Economics Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: SEK 15000 /month after tax Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Boston U Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 4/7/10 Notified through: E-mail Funding: None Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Harvard Political Economy & Government Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/5/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Washington U in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/6/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Brown University Economics Decision: Rejected from the wait list Notification date: 4/15/10 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/1/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No

yichen426 2010:
Institution: Michigan
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding:
Notification date: 03/03
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Columbia
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
Institution: Chicago
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/05
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/15
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/15 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Michigan Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Notification date: 03/03 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
  • Institution: Chicago Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/05 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:


Waitlists:

publicecon 2010:
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + 18k
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Excited!
Institution: Johns Hopkins
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition waver + stipend if I "decide to attend"
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: don't know much about JHU
Institution: Minnesota
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: They said I am on a "short" waitlist. Seemed legit because they provided information on potential funding
Institution: Chicago Booth
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: before end of march Notification date: 02/04/10 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) Comments: good luck to everyone, doesn't seem like a lot of people on TM applied to Davis.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics PHD Decision: Accepted Funding: no info Notification date: 02/17 Notified through: Website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Randomly checked out the website. I hope I get an email about funding!!
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 18k Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited!
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition waver + stipend if I "decide to attend" Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: don't know much about JHU
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Just got the same email as thesparky. Sat night emails. crazy!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments: REALLY EXCITED!!! considering I am into public econ
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Just got the same email as thesparky. Sat night emails. crazy!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments: REALLY EXCITED!!! considering I am into public econ
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Admitted Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8
Rejects:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: They said I am on a "short" waitlist. Seemed legit because they provided information on potential funding
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: "We have made fewer than usual funded offers of admission this year, so it could be that we will have a few more offers to make" Invitation to open house.. hmmm....
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: "We have made fewer than usual funded offers of admission this year, so it could be that we will have a few more offers to make" Invitation to open house.. hmmm....
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed for Funding Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8 Notes: They want me to enroll in the masters program
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 7 accepted out of 54 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.69, average GREQ was 800.0.
From the Department webpage in 2010 (please send me a link if this is wrong!)
Most successful applicants to our program have analytic GRE scores above the 90th percentile. Students are advised they should have completed undergraduate linear algebra, probability and statistics, advanced calculus and real analysis to be prepared for classes in the Economics PhD program. Superb reference letters or excellent performance as an undergraduate are considered in the admission process as well...The program receives approximately 700 applications each year. Each year, the department admits about 20 to 25 applicants.
(Source)

Links:
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econphd.econwiki.com
Last Updated: 14:57:55, Fri May 11, 2012