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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:

LazyStudent 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. in Math, Economics and Humanities honors program, from a top 50 or so university (international)
Undergrad GPA: 95.4/100 (cum laude)
Type of Grad: M.A. in Economics and Game Theory, same university
Grad GPA: 98.1/100 (cum laude)
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Lots of undergrad courses (most of them A+, some A), auditing grad courses.
Econ Courses: Many undergrad courses (all A+), micro, macro, econometrics, and many game theory courses at grad level (all A+)
Other Courses: A lot of humanities undergrad courses, some in social sciences
Letters of Recommendation: All from well-known professors, and according to what I was told, they were all stellar.
Research Experience: Lots of algorithms research in Hi-Tech industry, two unpublished papers (MA thesis and another one) in microeconomics.
Teaching Experience: TA for Microeconomics and Game Theory (grad level) and for Math for economics (undergrad level)
Research Interests: Microeconomics, Game theory
Statement of purpose: Pretty standard, almost non-customized.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Harvard (HBS and Economics), NWU, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford (GSB and Economics), Berkeley, Chicago.
Rejections: None.
What would you have done differently?
In retrospect, I might have applied only to my top 5 places (like I was advised by one of my recommendation letter writers), but I guess there was no way to really predict how much impact the recommendations would have.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Harvard (HBS and Economics), NWU, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford (GSB and Economics), Berkeley, Chicago.
  • Institution: Harvard Business School Business Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: The usual, it's good. Notification date: February 12th Notified through: Phone. Posted on Gradcafe: No Comments: Probably my top choice, pretty happy. Good luck to all TM-ers.
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis & Policy PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: ? Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: No.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: ? Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail referring to website referring to future snail-mail. Posted on Gradcafe: No. Comments: Two in less than an hour! My parents are not built for so much excitement!
  • Institution: Northwestern Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.9k fellowship x 4 years, 15.7k for year 5 Notification date: 20 February 2010 (You read it right, it's a bummer being international...) Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Probably going to be my coldest winter :)
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $23K 4 years Notification date: 04/03/2010 Notified through: Email.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $23K 4 years Notification date: 04/03/2010 Notified through: Email.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision:Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for funding Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comments: No funding? too bad I have no other good alternative...
Rejects:
    Rejections: None.
Waitlists:

slightlyconfused1 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 overall, top 20 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.99/4.00
GRE: 800Q, 740V, 5.5 AW
Math Courses: Topology (A), Algebra I (A), Analysis II (A+), Math Modeling (A+)
Math Courses (Grad): Ordinary Differential Equations (A+), Real Analysis (A), Functional Analysis (A), Complex Analysis (A+), Algebraic Topology (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A+), Intermediate Macro (A+), Econometrics (A+), Random Field Course (A+), Research Seminars (A+ and A)
Econ Courses (Grad): Micro I (A), Micro II (A+), Macro I (A+), Macro II (A-), Econometrics I (A), Econometrics II (A)
Other Courses: 4 additional PhD courses in compsci and physics. (A+s and As)
Letters of Recommendation: One from very well-known prof (research), one from decently well-known prof (research + did an independent study with him), one with younger associate prof (took a 2nd year grad module with him + unofficial adviser)
Research Experience: Financial econometrics research for senior thesis; micro theory + cs research earlier. Nothing too extraordinary, although my advisors want me to submit the financial econometrics work to a top field journal.
Teaching Experience: Various TA gigs over the years.
Research Interests: Everything. Applied micro and econometrics if I had to narrow down a little.
Statement of Purpose: Pretty bland (except for the Berkeley SOP, which was the first one I wrote and included lots of details about papers I liked, etc.). Narrated my interest in econ, advanced coursework, research, etc.
Other: Various awards in math/programming contests. Some "best academics in university" awards given to 2-3 students.
Concerns: Undergrad research was not focused and had little to do with my actual interests?
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT ($$), Harvard ($$), Yale ($$$), Princeton ($$), Stanford ($$), Berkeley ($$), Chicago ($$), Northwestern ($$), Duke ($$)
Rejections: None
Accepts:
    Acceptances: MIT ($$), Harvard ($$), Yale ($$$), Princeton ($$), Stanford ($$), Berkeley ($$), Chicago ($$), Northwestern ($$), Duke ($$)
  • Institution: Yale Economics, PHD Decision: Admitted Funding: No info yet -- apparently coming in mail. Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: no Date of Gradcafe post: no Comments: First acceptance. "Relieved" is an understatement...
  • Institution: Northwestern Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.9k fellowship x 4 years, 15.7k for year 5 Notification date: 02/19 Notified through: email from grad coordinator containing admissions letter as pdf attachment Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Comments: I got the email after wobuffet had already posted about his -- it looks like they aren't all sent at the same time, so don't worry if you haven't received one yet. :)
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 36.5k for 4 years + at least 26k in 5th Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email to check website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Generous funding...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 21.9k for 4 years + 15.7k in 5th Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: email from grad coordinator Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k + 2k for summer in first year. Vague for future years, but program website has info. Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email to check website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Coming via mail.. Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Call from co-chair of admissions committee Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: So exciting! I saw a call from the 617 area code and flipped out.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $23,000 for 4 years. "In the fifth year of the program ample funding is available through teaching or research positions." Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Cool.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Coming via mail.. Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Call from co-chair of admissions committee Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: So exciting! I saw a call from the 617 area code and flipped out.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $23,000 for 4 years. "In the fifth year of the program ample funding is available through teaching or research positions." Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Cool.
  • Institution: University of Chicago economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k for 5 years Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: flyout april 2nd
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 29.8k for 5 years Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email from admissions director (via grad administrator) Posted on GF: No Comment: Exciting offer!
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 32k for 2 years; "full financial support" as an RA or TA in years 3-5 Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Email (letter attached as pdf) Posted on GC: No Comment: Happy... but still waiting on one very important piece of news.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 28k fellowship for 2 years, unspecified amount as RA/TA in years 3-5 Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email from grad administrator with attachment Comments: Very, very happy.
Rejects:
    Rejections: None
Waitlists:

backtotheUS 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Economics and Mathematics, non-Oxbridge/LSE UK university; exchange year at top-20 US university
Undergrad GPA: 18.2/20.0 (top 1%), GPA 3.87 during exchange year
GRE: 800Q, 490V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Mathematical Methods & Calculus (20.0, 19.0), Statistics (18.0, 16.6), Algebra (19.0, 19.0, A+), Real Analysis (16.9, A at graduate level), Game Theory (A), Elementary School Teaching (P), Linear Algebra (A), Topology (B+), ODEs & PDEs (16.3), Number Theory (17.2), FORTRAN Programming (17.5), Dissertation (?)
Econ Courses: Microeconomics (16.9, 18.8, 19.0), Macroeconomics (19.6, 16.7, ?), Mathematical Finance (A), Probabilistic Models (A+), Rationality (A+), Game Theory (B+ at graduate level), Econometrics (A+), Econometrics Seminar (A+)
Other Courses: 2 Management, 1 Political Science
Letters of Recommendation: 1x junior UK professor and co-author, 1x senior UK RA-supervisor, 1x junior US professor and independent research supervisor, 1x senior US professor
Research Experience: 1.5 years RA at the LSE, independent research project, co-authoring journal article (work in progress), mathematics dissertation
Teaching Experience: 1 year (Mathematical Methods for Economists)
Research Interests: Contract theory, auctions, rationality
SOP: focused on research experience
Other: assisted in editing an article for the Royal Economic Society, co-founded and organized national economic forum
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Princeton ($), LSE MRes/PhD ($), Oxford ($?), Munich University ($)
Rejections: NYU, Northwestern, Berkeley, Chicago, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, MIT
What would you have done differently?
Ex-post: not much, since I am extremely happy with this outcome. I was warmly welcome at Europe's top places. Princeton appears to be a lucky outlier. I am not sure if I would trade the amazing experience I have had as an undergraduate for the more rigorous education offered at Oxbridge/LSE.
I should have placed more emphasis on grad coursework during my exchange year and secured a stellar reference from that.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Princeton ($), LSE MRes/PhD ($), Oxford ($?), Munich University ($)
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: likely ESRC Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Very nice, partly personalized email. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: Soooo happy! Now everything else does not matter to me anymore. I am very happy and proud of my achievement. :)
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: likely ESRC Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Very nice, partly personalized email. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: Soooo happy! Now everything else does not matter to me anymore. I am very happy and proud of my achievement.
Rejects:
    Rejections: NYU, Northwestern, Berkeley, Chicago, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, MIT
Waitlists:

chin_music 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Public, top 15 Econ. B.A. Math & Economics, B.A. Political Science.
Undergrad GPA: 3.78
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 760Q, 600V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc, Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A), Mathematical Reasoning (B), Ordinary Differential Equations (B), Advanced Linear Algebra (A), Game Theory (A), Cryptography (A+), Analysis I (B-), Linear Programming (A+)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A,A,A-), Intermediate Macro (A,A), Econometrics (A+,A+,A+), Non-linear Optimization (Pass), Economics of Immigration (A)
Other Courses: Political Science Coursework (All A's and a few A-'s)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Caltech (political science), 1 UCLA (political science), 1 UW (econ)
Research Experience: Won departmental and college award for economics thesis. Won departmental award for political science thesis. 1 year in economic consulting.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Political Economy, Development, Public Policy
SOP: Standard
Other: I wasn't sure how my admissions would turn out. I had 2 letters of rec from political science faculty, a B- in real analysis, no stats in a math department and 760 GRE quant. It appears that my two theses and presumably excellent recommendations as a result, were very beneficial. I am quite pleased with my results.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD ($), UCLA($), UVA(?), UCI($), UCSB($), BU(no $), Princeton WWS-political economy ($$), RAND Pardee ($), UCSD Political Science ($$), NYU Political Science ($$), Rochester Political Science ($$)
Waitlists: Johns Hopkins
Rejections: Stanford GSB (political economics), Berkeley Hass BPP, MIT political science, Harvard KSG, Chicago Harris
What would you have done differently? I would apply to Harvard PEG instead of Harvard KSG and Stanford Political Science instead of Stanford Political-Economics as I believe that both are better fits for me.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCSD ($), UCLA($), UVA(?), UCI($), UCSB($), BU(no $), Princeton WWS-political economy ($$), RAND Pardee ($), UCSD Political Science ($$), NYU Political Science ($$), Rochester Political Science ($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford GSB (political economics), Berkeley Hass BPP, MIT political science, Harvard KSG, Chicago Harris
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Johns Hopkins

princetonhost 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top Asian University, Good Econ Dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.97
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 600V, 800Q, 4.5AW
Math Courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Intro to Stats, Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Stochastic Processes, Probability, Advanced Probability(grad-level) [Grades: all A's or A+'s]
Econ Courses: intro micro(A), intermediate micro(A+) + macro(A+), public finance(A+), international finance(A), game theory(A+), quantitative macro(A+), intro econometrics(A+), phd micro theory(A+), phd macro theory(A+)
Other Courses: lots of programming and computer algorithm design, hardware and software [Grades: all A+'s]
Letters of Recommendation: Two well-known econ profs, one math
Research Experience: Little
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: macro + finance
SOP: standard, same for all schools
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Princeton ($$), Yale ($$$), Penn($$)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: a couple of other top-5/10 schools
Pending: None
What would you have done differently? Pretty happy about my results. I wish I could have stayed in university for one more year before applying. I would use the time to work on a topic and write something at least since I had so little research background. Also it's good to enjoy one more year of college life
ATTENDING:
Princeton!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Princeton ($$), Yale ($$$), Penn($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: a couple of other top-5/10 schools
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Minnesota

greeneggs 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Triple Major (Econ, Math, Stat - all B.S.) from UMN
Undergrad GPA: 3.75/4
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I-IV, (HS,HS, B+, B+), Intro to Stat I-II (A,A-), Linear Algebra (A-), Intro to Proofs (A-), Real Analysis I-II (A-,A), Prob & Stat I-II (A,A), Math Modeling (A), Prediction & Filtering (A), Multivariate Stat (A-), Numerical Methods (A-), phd Real Analysis (B,B), phd Time Series (A-), phd Probability & Measure theory (B), phd Commutative and Homological Algebra (A)
Econ Courses: Principles of Micro (A), Principles of Macro (A), Game Theory (A-), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (A-), International Trade (A), Macro Policy (A), Mathematical Econ (A), phd Micro I-IV (A,B,B,A-), phd Macro (A-,Spring), phd Trade (A,Spring)
Other Courses: C/C++ (A-), Algorithms & Data Structures (A-)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 amazing letter from a very well known researcher, 1 really good from a newer tenure track prof, and 1 not sure from a decently well known researcher - may change this last one though; I have a lot of options and I haven't talked to him for 2 years...
Research Experience:
Summer research and honors thesis in international trade (working with the Melitz model)
Teaching Experience:
None
Research Interests: Trade, Macro, Growth
SOP: Standard
RESULTS:
Attending: University of Minnesota ($20k)
Acceptances: NYU ($23k+), Princeton ($28.5k), Chicago ($21k), Northwestern ($21k), Stanford ($32k)
Waitlist: Yale (Accepted - $37.5k), MIT (rejected)
Rejections: Harvard, Berkeley
What would you have done differently?
Not sure. People are going to think I'm crazy but I'm confident I made the right decision. Mind you it wasn't easy; I gave up going to a school with a fancy name (my family is taking it surprisingly well), I gave up thousands of dollars in funding, I gave up living with my girlfriend (she's got into a school near Stanford and one near Chicago - and we don't plan on breaking up), and I gave up seeing someplace new; but at the end of the day I know that Minnesota is the place for me. I still think it was important that I visited all of the departments of the schools I got into, so I don't feel like I just wasted my time and money staying where I am.
One thing I would have done differently is I wish I hadn't started slacking off after I got my decisions now that I'm going to take the prelims right away this spring...
Accepts:
    Attending: University of Minnesota ($20k) Acceptances: NYU ($23k+), Princeton ($28.5k), Chicago ($21k), Northwestern ($21k), Stanford ($32k)
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: Didn't mention, they'll be sending me more info later. Everybody gets funding though. Notification date: January 29th Notified through: Email (telling me to check the site) Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Glad MN is one of the first places to give out acceptances, puts me at ease for the rest of the process.
  • Institution: Northwestern Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.9k fellowship x 4 years, 15.7k for year 5 Notification date: 19 February 2010 Notified through: email from grad coordinator containing admissions letter as pdf attachment Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: pretty good day :)
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: TA - $21k a year for 5 years. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: Illinois loves me :)
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: TA - $21k a year for 5 years. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: Illinois loves me
  • Institution: New York University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes. Full 5 years, but no details yet. Notification date: 03/08/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Yay! Also, flyout March 29th.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 29.8k for 5 years (TA for last 3 years) Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Yay! Official offer is coming in a few days.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $32,000k/yr Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: I had already counted myself out. What a pleasant surprise!
Rejects:
    rejected) Rejections: Harvard, Berkeley
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: Berkles and I were never meant to be.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: Berkles and I were never meant to be.
Waitlists:
    Waitlist: Yale (
  • Institution: Yale Econ Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 19 February 2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: does anybody ever get in off of waitlist?

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 ?

heraclitus_junior 2010:
It won't let me edit my previous post (on page 3), so I'm reposting this. My profile isn't coming up on untitled's website though. I don't know how to get it to be picked up.
Profile
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Double Major in Math/Econ. Top 3 university in a very small, isolated country. (<300 in the world)
Undergrad GPA: 3.94 out of 4.00 (converted)
Type of Grad: 1st class honors degree
Grad GPA: 3.92 out of 4.00 (converted)
GRE: 780Q, 750V, 4.5AWA (only took once)
Math Courses: First year math, second year multivariate calculus and differential equations, second year linear algebra, second year inference, second year probability, second year real analysis, third year dynamical systems, third year complex variables, third year matrix algebra, third year analysis, third year multivariate stats, honours measure theory, honours probability theory, honours mathematical economics, honours combinatorics (matroids), honours topology (point set topology).
Econ Courses: second year macro, second year micro, third year micro, third year econometrics, third year game theory, honours macro, honours welfare economics, honours empirical macroeconomics.
Other Courses: first year computer science done informally.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 professor of pure mathematics (chaired), 1 econ senior lecturer (associate professor) from my uni. They knew me very well, so their letters should've been good. 1 world-renowned economist who isn't from my university and didn't know me as well as the others.
Research Experience: Paid summer math project. Paid summer internship at my country's central bank with their research team. An honours dissertation on mathematical economics.
Publications: one single author publication in a mid-tier North American Journal (accepted for publication mid-feb 2010). one working single author paper on cooperative game theory.
Teaching Experience: Tutor for first year math and third year microeconomics.
Research Interests: Economic theory (Micro and macro).
Statement of purpose: I talked about my research experience and my goals.
Concerns: My GRE score was a real worry; I was concerned my application would not even be looked at. Also, I did a 4 year degree in 3 years so I didn't have any breadth. I also applied straight out of undergrad at a relatively young age.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Princeton, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, Stanford, San Diego, Harvard (After waitlist).
Rejections: Yale, NYU, MIT (after waitlist), UPenn (withdrawn).
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Princeton, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, Stanford, San Diego, Harvard (After
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: 21K for four years and minimum 16K for the fifth. Notification date: 02/20/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: Yay!
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Only after first year. Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: This is what I was targetting so I'm happy to get in. Will have to see if I can rustle up the funds somehow!
  • Institution: University of Chicago economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k for 5 years Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: flyout april 2nd
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 29.8k for 5 years Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email from admissions director (via grad administrator) Posted on GF: No Comment: YES!!!
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $32,000k/yr Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: I was expecting a rejection letter in the mail to arrive after April 15!
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, NYU, MIT (after
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Reject Funding: NA Notification date: 02/20/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Unexpected, but I didn't have my heart set on them.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Reject Funding: NA Notification date: 02/20/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Unexpected, but I didn't have my heart set on them.
Waitlists:
    waitlist).
  • Institution: Harvard economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: NA Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email, then phone. Comment: They said they've reduced numbers this year, but may open up more room. So, there is a nonzero probability of gaining admission still...
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: Meh.

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?

xyz621 2010:
Institution:Penn
Program: Econ Phd
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Relieved
Institution:Yale
Program: Econ Phd
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 02/18/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: I am just too old to get in.
Accepts:
  • Institution:Penn Econ Phd Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't care Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Accepted: UPenn, Stanford Rejected: Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, Yale Unknown: MIT
Rejects:
  • Institution:Yale Econ Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I am just too old to get in.
  • Institution:Yale Econ Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I am just too old to get in.
Waitlists:

jackie21 2010:
Institution: UCLA
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: being considered for fellowship
Notification date: feb 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Institution: Michigan
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: none
Notification date: march 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Institution: LSE
Program: MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: none
Notification date: feb 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Institution: University of Toronto
Program: MA
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25000
Notification date: march 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Institution: Cornell
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 22000
Notification date: 08/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 32000!!
Notification date: 11/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Rejected: Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Berkeley
Accepts:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: being considered for fellowship Notification date: feb 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notification date: march 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notification date: feb 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: University of Toronto MA Decision: Accepted Funding: 25000 Notification date: march 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 22000 Notification date: 08/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 32000!! Notification date: 11/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Rejected: Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Berkeley
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email to check site Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: disappointed, but its yale so you know its gonna be hard. 1 down, 11 more to go
Waitlists:


Rejections:

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

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! :-)

good_tea 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA, Joint Econ/Math at Top 30 Econ department (I am an international student, though)
Undergrad GPA: 3.83/4.00
GRE: 760Q/670V/4.5A
Math Courses: Calculus (B, B, A), Linear Algebra (B+), Differential Equations (A), Analysis (A,A), Operations Research (A), MA Statistics in economics department (A).
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (B), Econometrics (A), Economics of Information (B+), MA Micro (A), MA Macro (A), and many electives (As).
Letters of Recommendation: One famous economics prof., wrote term paper (not sure about strength of the letter but not bad), one somewhat famous economics prof., senior thesis advisor (should have been quite solid), one analysis professor (should have been very good).
Research Experience: Senior thesis.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Development, trade.
SOP: Nothing special.
Other: Had been working for an international organisation for a few months during the time of application.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Cornell AEM MS (no $), UVA (wl-$), UMD AREC ($$), Michigan (no $), BU (wl-$).
Rejections: Yale, Harvard KSG, UCB ARE, Princeton, PSU, UMD, Brown, NYU, UCSD.
What would you have done differently?
I am very happy with my outcome but realise that with a bit of bad luck, it could have been a lot worse. I am answering this question not so much in retrospect but in terms of how my a priori thinking/information could have been better (e.g. in retrospect it wouldn't make sense to apply to Princeton but a priori it was reasonable to do so just in case my recommendation letters were extremely strong).
1. I would not have applied to Maryland Economics b/c it really didn't match my interests very well. I would not have applied to Cornell AEM b/c it turns out it is very difficult to get admitted directly into the PhD program and I didn't want to do a MA/MS. I might have applied to Cornell's economics instead, though. I would have applied to at least one more place outside the top-20, maybe University of Washington.
2. A higher GRE score would have been good but I tried and didn't manage (canceled my score after taking it the second time), so it is not something I regret. I am not so good at that kind of test.
3. In terms of the longer run, I should have considered how I could do better in math classes earlier on. I am naturally quite good at math but had been doing only ok since late high school and never really thought about how I could improve. I learned (while studying for my Linear Algebra final exam, which took my grade for that class from a B- to a B+), that it is very useful to study by writing/typing out explanations to make sure one understands everything properly. Studying in this way, I did very well in all my subsequent math classes.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Cornell AEM MS (no $), UVA (wl-$), UMD AREC ($$), Michigan (no $), BU (wl-$).
  • Institution: Cornell AEM Decision: Accepted for MS. Funding: None. Notification date: 23rd of February. Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes. Comments: Email said that getting into the PhD program after successfully completing MS should be of no difficulty. Not sure what to be make of this.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is very good news.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Checked the website but did not receive an email. On the website, it says I will be contacted soon. Posted on GF: Going to very soon. So Yes, basically. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is really excellent!
  • Institution: University of Maryland AREC Decision: Accepted Funding: Graduate Assistantship, tuition remission Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Excellent...
  • Institution: BU economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Basically waitlisted for funding. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No, maybe I will, in which case I will put my TM name. Comments: Good to know, though I am unlikely to choose it at this point.
  • Institution: Cornell AEM Decision: Accepted for MS. Funding: None. Notification date: 23rd of February. Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes. Comments: Email said that getting into the PhD program after successfully completing MS should be of no difficulty. Not sure what to be make of this.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is very good news.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Checked the website but did not receive an email. On the website, it says I will be contacted soon. Posted on GF: Going to very soon. So Yes, basically. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is really excellent!
  • Institution: University of Maryland AREC Decision: Accepted Funding: Graduate Assistantship, tuition remission Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Excellent...
  • Institution: BU economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Basically waitlisted for funding. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No, maybe I will, in which case I will put my TM name. Comments: Good to know, though I am unlikely to choose it at this point.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Harvard KSG, UCB ARE, Princeton, PSU, UMD, Brown, NYU, UCSD.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected. Notification date: 18th of February, I think. Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: No Comments: Wasn't expecting to get in anyway.
  • Institution: Harvard KSG Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/03/10 Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Not particularly bothered.
  • Institution: Harvard KSG Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/03/10 Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Not particularly bothered.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Ag & Resource Econ (ARE) Decision: Rejected Notified through: E-mail to check website. Date: 03/09 Comment: I feel I had a fair shot here. If it is true that NYU and Brown are also out (and Princeton is almost certainly out anyway), then none of the offers I could still get are better than the ones I already have.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: No surprise...
  • Institution: PSU Econ Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: Email. Comments: I would not have attended even if I got admitted with funding at this point. It was meant to be safety though, so that seems to have been a miscalculation!
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Marjorie Lesser got back to my email, that was nice of her since it was from several days back. Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised at this point. Only UCSD to go...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: I wouldn't have gone anyway, but I am really glad I got into Michigan and in retrospect, seem to have been lucky since I was rejected by other similar programs!
Waitlists:

sperner's lemma 2010:
Type of Undergrad: Top 3 Canadian University (in economics)
Undergrad GPA: 95 cumulative, ~97 for math/econ courses
Type of Grad: Taking first year PhD Micro
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800,V730,W5.5
Math Courses: Calc I-IV , Lin Alg I-III, Differential Eq, Metric Topology, General Topology, Real Analysis I-II, Intro. to Probability and Stats
Econ Courses: standard honors sequence in Micro/Macro/Metrics, and some Math of Econ
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: One well known in his field, Two semi-known. I have taken classes from the two semi-known ones. I have RAed for the well-known one for the summer. They all know me well.
Research Experience: RAed during third year summer. Did matching/social network stuff.
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Applied Game theory, IO
SOP: Spent a lot of time on it. Looking back now, it was probably too much (I didn't know about TM back then). But I think it may have helped, especially for getting me admission from Chicago since I mentioned I am a Libertarian and big fan of Friedman (both are true statements).
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: (Full funding): Stanford, NWU, UPenn, NYU, UMN, UMichigan (Partial Funding)Chicago
Waitlists: MIT
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley
What would you have done differently?
Nothing really, other than taking more math courses (especially in Probability theory). I am very surprised by my result. My letter of recommendation writers must have gone all the way for me. I am very very grateful for their help.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: (Full funding): Stanford, NWU, UPenn, NYU, UMN, UMichigan (Partial Funding)Chicago
  • Institution: Northwestern Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.9 k + tuition for four years, 15k the last Notification date: 2/20 Notified through: checked the website Posted on GF: no Comments:was feeling so down after yale's rejection, it's a huge relief.
  • Institution: Minnesota Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: 20 k + tuition for first year, 15k for the rest Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Comments: Very very glad.
  • Institution: Minnesota Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: 20 k + tuition for first year, 15k for the rest Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Comments: Very very glad.
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 22k first year, offers for year two onward is not clearly stated int he email Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope Comments:Got a tough choice between this and Northwestern
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waiting for the info Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Happy to get in.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley
  • Institution: Yale Phd Decision: rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Comments: Was a little surprised, so were my advisors, but they conjectured that maybe some of the students that went to yale from my school haven't been doing well. Oh well, I was pretty bummed for the weekend until the admission started coming in.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:Nope! Comments: Wasn't too fond of the school to begin with, and didn't like the personal background essay I had to write for the app. Only applied to it because it's top 10. Also I misspelled Berkeley as Berkley once in my SOP. So I guess i deserve this rejection.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: was my best shot of getting into a top 5 phd program I actually wanted to go. I thought i had a chance and now it hurts a bit.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT

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.

decision09 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 overall, top 15 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.75/4.00 Graduated High Honors Economics
GRE: 760Q, 580V, 5.0 AW (last year 740Q)
Math Courses: Analysis I (B)(blew first 2 exams but aced final to save myself), Modern Algebra (B+), Probability Theory (A-), Ord Diff Eq (A), Combinatorics(Winter 2010), CalcI,II,II,LA(A)
Math Courses (Grad): Intro Topology (Winter 2010)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (A-), Random Field Courses (A), Research Seminars (B+(due to ULWriting) and A), Game Theory (A), Time series Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (Grad): Micro I (B+), Micro II (B), Econometrics I (B), Math for Economists (B)
Letters of Recommendation: Well-known senior professor from research seminar
The other from a younger associate prof, said he wrote me an A+ letter (took game theory with him + unofficial adviser)
Research Experience: Financial econometrics research for senior thesis(publication: in process); experimental micro theory research. Labor research paper that will likely become my third year paper for my PhD, it caught the interest of a Senior person at my undergrad institution.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Everything but Theoretical Econometrics.
Statement of Purpose: Much better the second time around but still about 1800 words, I had a few things to write about my career outside of econ and how it will influence my research.
Other:
Concerns: Poor performance in critical math classes, test jitters!
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejects:
    Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Waitlists:

whoisdg 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Math and Economics, Tufts U
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 Math, 4.0 Econ (Summa/PBK)
GRE: 800Q 780V 5.0 AWA
Math Courses (UG): Standard lower level curriculum, all A/A+; Real Analysis (A); Abstract Alg (B+); Complex Variables (A-); Probability (B – explained in SOP); Math Stats (A)
Econ Courses (UG): Principles of Economics (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Quant. Intermediate Macro (A), Advanced Econometrics (A), Financial Economics (A), International Trade (A), Quant. International Finance (A), State and Local Public Finance (A)
Letters of Recommendation: Michigan PhD, Stanford PhD, Duke Math PhD (two were advisors, both of whom know me very well; none are especially well known)
Research Experience: Theoretical-Empirical term paper in international trade; RA at policy research organization. **No THESIS. No academic RA.**
Research Interests: Diverse. Mostly applied micro.
Statement of purpose: Don’t have any standard for comparison...but I actually think it mattered, contrary to popular opinion. More on that below.
Other: Worked in management consulting for six months after college; a couple of national scholarships in college (e.g. NMSP); solid programming background.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Michigan ($$), Penn (Waitlisted “very high” for $$), UCSD ($$), Wisconsin (withdrew before funding offer made), UT (withdrew before funding offer made)
Waitlists: MIT, awaiting rejection
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Chicago, Yale, NWU
NSF: Honorable mention (Intellectual Merit: 2 Excellent, 1 Good; Broader Impacts: 2 Excellent, 1 Very Good. Argh!)
What would you have done differently? Lots to say here. First of all, a THESIS. The one reviewer that submarined my NSF proposal clearly wanted to see more independent research experience. I’m pretty sure that was the deal breaker. Even though undergraduate theses (or “first papers”, more generally) are usually pretty bad, they are (1) an important signal of interest in and ability to do independent research, and (2) a significant learning experience. It might have been useful to take grad-level core courses, but I don’t think they’re necessary – the math courses convey the necessary skill set. Similarly, it might have been useful to RA as an undergrad, but again, from what I understand those roles are usually menial unless you have good programming/data skills.
I've also spent two years in the working world. For me, this experience was incredibly valuable. It's not for everyone, but I think it has a lot to offer - exposure to lots of interesting situations and questions, confirmation of your interest in research career, personal growth, big dollar.
Important note: I think the adcoms took the SOP more seriously than I had anticipated. Several possible explanations for this observation. The increase in applications probably leaves marginally admissible candidates indistinguishable from one another, and the statement might therefore be used as a second- or third-order criterion. Or maybe they really do sort applicants according to fit. Or maybe I’m just imagining things! In any case – I called out my interests in applied fields more than theory, and in some more specific topics that interest me (e.g. tournaments, peer effects, evaluation), and the decisions I got seemed to sort themselves accordingly. If I could change anything, I'd probably shift a little weight from applied to theoretical micro.
Overall, I’m thrilled with Berkeley. Ex-post,it’s my third-most desired program, behind the Cambridge contingent. My only disappointment is NSF – I really thought I could snag it. In any case, I now have a well-developed idea to embark upon this summer, so the process is valuable in and of itself.
Good luck to all future applicants. I hope this information is helpful!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Michigan ($$), Penn (
Rejects:
    rejection Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Chicago, Yale, NWU NSF:
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted “very high” for $$), UCSD ($$), Wisconsin (withdrew before funding offer made), UT (withdrew before funding offer made) Waitlists: MIT, awaiting

blablabla 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Economics, top South American University
Undergrad GPA: 7.9/10.0
Type of Grad: M.A in Economics, same University
Grad GPA: 3.95 (converted). 8 A's and 1 B
GRE: 800Q 490V 3.5 AWA
TOEFL: 103
Math Courses: Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Math Economics I and II, Math Economics (grad level: sort of a real analysis course)
Econ Courses (undergrad level): A lot.
Econ Courses (grad level): Micro I and II, Macro I, Econometrics I and II, Microdevelopment I and II, Contract Theory
Other Courses: NA
Letters of Recommendation: 1 PhD UCLA and 1 PhD BU (probably very good ones), 1 PhD Yale and 1 PhD Chicago (probably not so good ones)
Research Experience: Nothing special. 1 year in a research foundation
Teaching Experience: 1 semester as TA for grad Econometrics I, 1 semester as TA for undergrad Econometrics II
Research Interests: Development Economics, Microeconometrics
SoP: Standard, I think.
Other: NA
RESULTS:
Acceptances: A few. Wisconsin-Madison (no $ 1yr), Maryland ($), Brown ($), LSE MRes/Track 1 (no $)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: A lot. MIT, Yale, Northwestern, Berkeley, NYU, Duke, Michigan, BU, UCL, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Cornell
Pending: None
Attending: Brown
What would you have done differently?
1. Get higher grades as an undergrad.
2. Lack of math. I would have taken real analysis/measure theory
3. One of the probably-not-so-good letter of recommendation is my currently advisor. HUGE mistake.
Anyway, I am happy with my outcome! Good luck to all future applicants!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: A few. Wisconsin-Madison (no $ 1yr), Maryland ($), Brown ($), LSE MRes/Track 1 (no $)
Rejects:
    Rejections: A lot. MIT, Yale, Northwestern, Berkeley, NYU, Duke, Michigan, BU, UCL, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Cornell
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

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..

roadvirusss 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Liberal Arts College.
Majors: BA Math, BA Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.93/4 (3.93 math, 3.97 econ)
GRE: 800 Q, 610 V, 6 AW
Mathematical Courses: Linear Algebra (A-), Vector Calculus (A), Cryptography (A-), Combinatorics (A), Intro to Analysis (A), Differential Equations (A), Real Analysis I (A-), Real Analysis II (A), Probability Theory (A), Statistical Theory (A), Complex Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra I (A), Deterministic Ops Research (Spring), Topology (Spring)
Econ Courses: Intro Macro (A-), Intro Micro (A), Empirical Methods (A), Econ Stats (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), International Econ (A), Energy Economics (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Advanced Micro (Spring)
Other Courses: Took five semesters of Chinese (didn't have time for the minor), though I doubt this will help.
Letters of Recommendation: One econ prof (did research with, took three classes with), chair of math department (took several classes with, academic advisor), math professor who was director at summer REU (worked with for two months). None are particularly reputable, but all three I know fairly well and will write solid recs.
Research Experience: Summer grant for econ research, math REU in graph theory (I'm continuing both projects for senior theses right now)
Teaching Experience: None aside from grading
Research Interests: Micro Theory
Concerns: No graduate level courses offered at my school, lack of big-name recs.
Work Experience: "Head Statistician" for the school's football and basketball teams, tutoring calculus, four semesters of grading (calc, multivariable, prob theory, real analysis), and those two research positions.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: BU($$), UW($), Cornell(no$)
Rejections: Yale, Kellogg, Berkeley, Princeton, NYU-Stern, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Caltech, UCSD
Waitlists: UCLA (rejected)
Attending: None. A tough decision, but for a number of reason's I'm going to take a year off. Has just as much to do with wanting to make certain of what I want to do with my life, as with increasing the number of options.
Done differently?: Perhaps I could have spent more time researching schools and individualizing my essays. Going way back, I should have been more active finding research opportunities, or maybe chosen to attend a more prestigious school
Accepts:
    Acceptances: BU($$), UW($), Cornell(no$)
  • Institution: Boston University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Admit Funding: Yearly stipend of $19,300 (requires TAing starting second year), summer funding Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: A great birthday present
  • Institution: University of Washington Economics Decision: Admit Funding: $ Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: In the running
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No chance Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Kellogg, Berkeley, Princeton, NYU-Stern, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Caltech, UCSD
  • Institution: Yale Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 19 February 2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: A day late, but expected.
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 19th Feb February Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: Definitely hurts less now
  • Institution: Kellogg MEcS PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Randomly checked website (letter dated 2/28) Posted on GF: No Comments: Figured I was out after not getting an interview
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: There goes that dream... just seems to be the way things are going though.
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 19th Feb February Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: Definitely hurts less now
  • Institution: Kellogg MEcS PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Randomly checked website (letter dated 2/28) Posted on GF: No Comments: Figured I was out after not getting an interview
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: There goes that dream... just seems to be the way things are going though.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: Meh Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Not surprising after my other decisions. But ex ante I thought I had a chance at some of these top schools...
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: email to check online Posted on GF: No Comments: pwned!
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email, and letter. Posted on GC: no Comments: No surprises.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: And it's over
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA (
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Waitlist Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Disappointing, but at least I'm still in the hunt

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...

kimbanator 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Business Economics, B.A. in History from top 50 overall undergrad, top 40ish econ phd program
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00 (same for both majors)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 670V, 5.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I (A), Calculus II (A-), Intro Stats (A+), Applied Stats for Econ (A+), Linear Programming (A), Calc III (taken in fall, A), Vector Analysis (winter), Linear Algebra (winter), Intro Proofs (winter), Advanced. Calc (i.e. RA I) (spring), Probability Theory (spring)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles Micro (A+), Principles Macro (A+), Intermediate Micro I (A+), Intermediate Micro II (A+), Econometrics (A+), Intermediate Macro (A+), Corporate Finance I (A), Corporate Finance II (A+), International Trade (fall, A), Applied Econometrics (Master's level, fall; A)l
Other Courses: Financial Accounting (A+), Managerial Accounting (A+), Federal Tax Accounting (A+), Operations Management (B+), Business Law (A+); lots of history courses; primarily modern US/Europe, some Latin American
Letters of Recommendation: 3-5 per school; at least 2 were very strong; others strong. one letter of recommendation is very well known but he didn't know me that well at the time.
Research Experience: Senior Thesis (International Trade), RA beginning in fall
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: International Trade, Industrial Organization, Economic History, applied micro in general...
Statement of Purpose: Probably a bit long. Justified the history degree and explained I'd have all the requisite math done.
Work Experience: Two summers of work in treasury (private sector), one summer in corporate finance.
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Chicago, UCLA, UCSD.
Other: Lots of awards/scholarships won within the department. Applied to NSF unsuccessfully.
RESULTS:
Attending: {}
Acceptances: {}
Waitlist: MIT
Rejections: everywhere
What would you have done differently?
At the time of my application, I only had completed Calc II. That's it. My advisors pressured me to apply in this cycle, and with a great job offer in my pocket, I could afford to be very risky. And it didn't pan out, as expected. Interestingly, MIT waitlisted me and I received very positive feedback from their adcom. Yes, the lack of math killed me. I imagine my argument for my history background might have been a bit polarizing too, I don't know (but NSF liked the diversity, and I think MIT did, too). The bottom line is that I will apply next fall to a much broader portfolio of schools with the math all done and I'm confident the results will be much better.
Accepts:
    Attending: {} Acceptances: {}
Rejects:
    Rejections: everywhere
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: Well, rats.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: I don't care about this one. Highly unlikely I would have attended, anyway.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: Well, rats.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: I don't care about this one. Highly unlikely I would have attended, anyway.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Meh, didn't want to move to New Jersey anyway. lol.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Postal mail Comments: Bummer.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Postal Service Posted on GC: no Comments: Would have been shocked if it were otherwise
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail (with PDF attachment) Posted on GC: No Comments: 0/7.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Somewhat surprised.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Working for a year, finishing an RA project over the summer, and taking more math. Applying in the fall and expecting much better results.
Waitlists:
    Waitlist: MIT
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: N/A Comments: So NSF is my MIT application.

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 $)

keano 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ, top 5 UK university
Undergrad GPA: First (not sure how this translates)
Type of Grad: MSc in Competition Economics, part-time UK university
Grad GPA: On course for distinction
GRE: 800Q, 790V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Maths for economists courses: calculus, linear algebra etc
Econ Courses (Ma-level): A lot of micro-based + econometrics: mostly As
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Lots
Letters of Recommendation: 2/3 econ professors (not well known) Current Employer (Economic consultant with Econ PhD). Hopefully v.positive but names probably won't be known in US.
Research Experience: 3.5 years in economic consultancy
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Micro theory, IO
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech (from waitlist), EUI, LSE (MSc), Oxford (MPhil), BGSE (MSc), Toulouse (M2)
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Kellogg, Wharton (Applied Econ), MIT, UCSD, Berkeley, Wisconsin-M, PSU, Chicago, NYU
What would you have done differently? At the time of the applications process not sure I could done have lot a lot more. Looking at my results, I was a lot more successful in Europe which I would speculate is due to a lack of formal maths courses. So going back a few years, I would have tried to address that somehow.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Caltech (from
  • Institution: LSE Economics (MSc (Res)) Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 19th January Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Lack of funding may be an issue
  • Institution: BGSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waver + TA-ship Notified through: Email Date: Jan-21 Comment: Really exciting!
  • Institution: Toulouse M2 Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notified through: Post Date: Early feb Comment: Not sure of funding options
  • Institution: EUI (Florence) Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No information Notification date: 03/12/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: No interview required
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No information Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Really pleased
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Accepted from the wait list Notification date: 4/09/10 Notified through: E-mail from faculty followed by official email Comment: Really surprised and really happy.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Kellogg, Wharton (Applied Econ), MIT, UCSD, Berkeley, Wisconsin-M, PSU, Chicago, NYU
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email to check site Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: oh dear
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economics Analysis and Policy PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: Feb 19th Notified Through: email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: No Comments: another one goes down
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Not a surprise by now
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Not a surprise by now
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email to check website Date: Feb-19 Comment: Sad news
  • Institution: Kellogg MECS Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Checked website Date: Feb-26 Comment: Another
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email Date: Mar-2 Comment: Sad news
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:NA Notification date: Mar-9 Notified through: Emailed admissions coordinator Posted on GF: No Comment:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: None Notification date: 3/23/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/29/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Think I was on an implicit waitlist before this, so not a surprise.
Waitlists:
    waitlist), EUI, LSE (MSc), Oxford (MPhil), BGSE (MSc), Toulouse (M2)
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Waitlist Funding: NA Notified through: Email Date: Mar-5 Comment: Assumed I'd been rejected

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

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

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:

peepo 2010: Type of Undergrad: Maths. From top-2 UK school
Undergrad GPA: Not sure how to convert from UK grades, but reckon about 3.9ish
Type of Grad: MSc LSE Econometrics and Math Econ
Grad GPA: See above, but 3.8-3.9 I think
GRE: 790Q, 690V, 5 AWA
Math Courses: real and complex analysis, multivariate calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, measure theory, integration, martingales, and financial option pricing, plus some other non-econ related ones (all A/A+)
Econ Courses (undergraduate): Micro, Macro, Metrics (all A+)
Econ Courses (graduate): Macro, Monetary Econ (both As), Metrics, Time series (A+)
Work Experience: Three years as an economist in a central bank
Letters of Recommendation: 1 maths prof, two econ profs (one MIT PhD, likely to be best letter)
Research Experience: Bits and pieces. Nothing published
Statement of purpose: First draft done. Thinking about how to cut 100 words or so.
Research Interests: Monetary Policy, asset pricing, computational economics
Concerns: Two of the letters could be a bit lukewarm. Not sure if the other will make up for it. Also just general fear. Oh, and that I really can't go anywhere without funding.
Applying to: MIT, Chicago, Harvard, Princeton, NYU, Minnesota, Stanford, UCLA
Accepts:
  • Institution: UCLA. Economics Decision: Accepted. Funding: Am being "considered for a departmental fellowship" Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Blessed relief, more than anything.
  • Institution: UCLA. Economics Decision: Accepted. Funding: Am being "considered for a departmental fellowship" Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Blessed relief, more than anything.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Departmental fellowship for 4 years, working as RA/TA in years 2-4 + probable funding in year 5 Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email from grad administrator with attachment Comments: Only the funding is news. I posted the acceptance a couple of weeks back.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted (off waiting list) Notification date: 04/03 Notified through: E-mail Funding: Tuition waiver (stipend yrs 3-5) Comments: Phew! Just made it. Looks like I'll be going to Chicago then!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Really hoping enough people reject Chicago
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 03-11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Minnesota. Economics Decision: Waiting list. Though I think its near the bottom as people on gr*dcafe posted saying they were told they were near the top. I wasn't. Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I don't know whether to hope that other people get better offers so turn down minnesota, or that I just get better offers!

kniwor 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Bachelor of Statistics and Master of Statistics from top Indian university
Major: Statistics
Undergrad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 560V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Real Analysis I-III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra I&II, Probability I-III, Stochatic Processes I&II, Graph Theory, Multivariate Analysis, Abstract Algebra ... a lot of Statistics.
Econ Courses: Game Theory I&II, Macroeconomics I
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ PhDs working in Game Theory, two of them recommend students to grad schools regularly.
Research Experience: 6 months in Game theory, a thesis (incomplete).
Teaching Experience: none
Work Experience: part-time over 1 year, Market Research.
Research Interests: Game Theory, Econometrics.
statement of purpose: Standard
Concerns: No Economics Background.
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, NYU, Wisconsin, Rochester, Penn-State, Kellogs, LSE
Accepts:
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: $$$
  • Institution: Kellogg Managerial Economics and Strategy Decision: Accepted Notification date: 23 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: Yes Comment: $$$
  • Institution: University of Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 26 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: No Comment: $$
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 28 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: No Comment: $$
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 28 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: No Comment: $$
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 19 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail to check website. Posted on GF: No Comment: N/A
  • Institution: London School of Economics Economics Decision: Rejected (Mres/PhD); Accepted (MSc) Notification date: 19 Feb 2010 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: Comment: Unfunded
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
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:

thesparky 2010: PM me if you want it.
Accepts:
  • 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: Said in email that it was sent to 26 people. I feel glad to get an admit, but disappointed that my top choices are out, and not terribly generous funding, but it gives me hope.
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $18K, part from TAship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: They said the funding is only if I accept before March 19...
  • 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: Said in email that it was sent to 26 people. I feel glad to get an admit, but disappointed that my top choices are out, and not terribly generous funding, but it gives me hope.
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $18K, part from TAship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: They said the funding is only if I accept before March 19...
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: :/
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/18 Notified Through: Checked online status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: i am screwed
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: i didn't want to go to your crummy school anyways
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: i didn't want to go to your crummy school anyways
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Sigh.
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: email to check online Posted on GF: No Comments: Another one bites the dust.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

econlaw 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math and Econ from a large state univeristy
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 540V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I II III, Advanced Calculus I II, ODE, PDE, Real Analysis I , Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Analysis, all A or A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Game Theory, Intermediate Micro and Macro Theory, Advanced Micro and Macro Theory, Mathematical Economics (in progress) All A's and A+
Other Courses: None
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 very good from a well-known economist, 1 fairly good from a junior economist) 1 very good from a Math professor
Research Experience: Except for term papers and thesis, none.
Teaching Experience: TA in Math Department
Research Interests: Not sure but currently Micro Theory
statement of purpose: Standard
Concerns: I don't know. I have studied hard and done everything that I can but feel that I'll have a lot rejections.
Other: None.
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, UPenn, UCSD, NYU, Cornell, UCLA , Penn State, Maryland, Minnesota, UW-Madison, Carnegie Mellon, Arizona State.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics Decision: accept Funding: no info yet Notification date: February 11 Notified through: email and website Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: Released. I think they will give info on funding later. Good luck everyone.
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted via email on 2/11 Funding: 25k+summer for 1st yr, 19k+possible summer for 2nd to 5th yr Notification date: funding letter dated on 2/18 Notified through: mail Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20k for 1st yr including summer, 15k for 2nd to 5th yr +possible partial summer fundings Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: accepted Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Glad:)
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: accepted Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Glad
  • 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 really wish they could give me a funding..
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To arrive via e-mail this week Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Financial info to arrive later this week! Very very happy!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale PHD Econ Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: Expected. But still hurt
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: sad...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: sigh...
  • 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 PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: Mass email Comments: Don't care anymore.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/30/10 Notified through: seems like mass Email

devtron 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A Econ/BS Commerce, top 25 university
Undergrad GPA: 3.80/4
Type of Grad: Math, non-degree
Grad GPA: 4/4
GRE: 800Q, 690V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Undergrad: Multivar. Calc (A-), Intro Analysis (A), Diff EQ (A), Linear Algebra (B+); Grad: Real Analysis II (A), Advanced Linear Algebra (A), Math Stat I (A) and II (In progress), Stochastic Processes (In progress)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): NA
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro/Macro, Corporate Finance, Econ of Advertising (A-), Econ of China, Econometrics, International Trade - All A's and A+'s, except advertising
Other Courses: a lot of business/finance courses, probably only marginally helpful
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ phd's, 1 econ professor, 1 math professor
Research Experience: 2 years at a federal reserve bank as an RA, 2 publications in an internally reviewed journal
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: macro and IO
statement of purpose: Pretty standard, made some changes for each school to talk about whose research I am interested in... I talked mostly about my experience, in more detail than elsewhere on the application - only briefly about my future plans
Concerns: no graduate econ, could have taken more math.
Applying to: UVA, Duke, UPenn, Minnesota, Wisconsin-Madison, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, BU, BC, OSU, Wash U in St. Louis, Georgetown, Penn State, ASU, Maryland
Accepts:
  • Institution: Arizona State Economics Decision: accepted Funding: no word Notification date: 11 February Notified through: just checked the my.asu site - no e-mail yet on funding Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments:
  • Institution: Ohio State Economics Decision: accepted Funding: no word Notification date: Very early February on the site, February 10th received a letter Notified through: online and then a follow up hard copy letter Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: accepted Funding: nominated for fellowship Notification date: January 26 Notified through: email Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments:
  • Institution: Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ?? Notification date: Feb. 19 Notified Through: Email to find letter on website Posted on Grad Cafe: No
  • Institution: Georgetown Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18.5k for 5 years Notification date: 19 Feb Notified Through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Very High Waitlist" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 02/27/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments: no funding = reject for me
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ PhD Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email alerting me that the decision was on the application website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: n/a Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments: reject = reject for me
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: n/a Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments: reject = reject for me
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: PSU Econ Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: Email.
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: nada Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: e-mail, after having inquired with the grad secretary Posted on GC: No
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:

divikid 2010:
Institution: Oxford
Program: DPhil in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Post
Posted on GF: No
Comments: At least wasn't in my top 5 choices
Institution: Northwestern
Program: Ph.D in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/27
Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted
Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Post (postmarked Mar 3 - I live in London) Funding: None Posted on GF: not yet, but will do Comments: Oh man, no funding. They wrote: "We understand that you will be awarded agency funding. Congratulations! Support for your program must come entirely from that funding." However, I have only APPLIED for agency funding, not SECURED (2 very different things), and even if I get it, it does not even cover HALF of tuition fees!!! And I detailed this in my application. So, I guess I won't be going to Chicago... __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
Rejects:
  • Institution: Oxford DPhil in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Post Posted on GF: No Comments: At least wasn't in my top 5 choices
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails) Posted on GF: No Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails) Posted on GF: No Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Email from Dean of Graduate School Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Oh well, sh it happens... __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
  • Institution: London Business School Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 10 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: not yet, will do Comments: Definitely a reach, very disappointed __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 16 Notified through: Email to check website Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Expected __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($$) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 16 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Finally the torture is over. Had a strong letter of recommendation, but whatever. Chicago here I come!! :-D __________________________________________________ _________________ Rejected: MIT, Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($) Waiting: Cornell, Texas at Austin
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 19 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: whatever... __________________________________________________ _________________________ Rejected: MIT, Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, Cornell, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($) Waiting: Texas at Austin
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).

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


Waitlists:

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

SubEffect 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 3 US liberal arts college.
Undergrad GPA: overall, 3.88; excluding freshman year, 3.94
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800 Q 720V 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Modeling (A), Math Stats (A), Differential Equations (A), Data Analysis (A), Real Analysis (B+), Topics in Analysis: Dynamical Systems (A+), Senior Research Project (A) [freshman year: Honors Linear Algebra (P, school mandates P/F), Honors Multivariable Calc (B)]
Econ Courses (PhD-level): NA
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Econometrics (B+), Adv Econometrics (A), Polit Econ of Africa (A), Economic Development (A+), Public Policy Evaluation (A), Experimental Economics (A+), Behavioral Economics (A), Senior Research Project (A+), [freshman year: Int. Macro (A-), International Polit Econ. (A-)]
Other Courses: Nothing too useful, except for Comp Sci (A+).
Letters of Recommendation: prof with MIT PhD; assistant prof with Berkeley PhD; assistant prof at a top 5 econ grad uni with a Harvard PhD whom I RAed for over a summer. From my NSF feedback, it sounds like they were all very strong.
Research Experience: RA for a prof at a top 5 econ grad university for a summer; did independent research with a prof at my school; thesis-like paper for a class that won an award
Teaching Experience: TA for Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Econometrics
Research Interests: Development, Behavioral, Auctions, tons of different applied microtopics
Statement of purpose: Probably good?
Concerns: Mostly my B+ in real analysis, as the other blemishes seem like they were sort of made up for by A's in higher level classes
Other: Won an award for best paper in my department last year
RESULTS:
Acceptances: none
Waitlists: Princeton, MIT
Rejections: Harvard, Berkeley, Yale, Honorable Mention from NSF
Pending: none
What would you have done differently? Get better than a B+ in real analysis! But honestly, I'm pretty happy with how things turned out: I get to spend the next year at my dream job and should have a stronger application when I reapply in the future (from classes this semester/recs from my job). The feedback from the NSF people was especially helpful and getting on those waitlists was encouraging for the future. Also, to future applicants from liberal arts colleges who may be reading this, it seems like there is a big benefit in not applying straight out: this is at least what I have gathered from talking to professors and looking at past applicants from my school. I don't know why, maybe getting recs from better known professors? But anyway, good luck to everyone else!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: none
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Berkeley, Yale,
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Princeton, MIT

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...
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 11 accepted out of 51 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.88, average GREQ was 793.3.
From the Department webpage in 2010 (please send me a link if this is wrong!)
Admission to the program is extremely selective. Each year, the department receives approximately 700 applications for a class of 20 to 25 students.
(Source)

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