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Most Recently Selected profile:

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


Acceptances:

kt253 2011:
Profile:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics, B.A. Philosophy (two degrees) - 170s ranked National University, Top 100 Econ PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 3.97 Cumulative, 4.0 in both majors and all math courses (only 1 B, in irrelevant course)
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 770Q, 550V, 5.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I, II, III (A, A+, A), Linear Algebra (A), currently in Differential Equations and calc-based stats.
Econ Courses: Intro Micro, Intro Macro, Econ Stats, Inter Micro, Inter Macro, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics (in progress), Moral Foundations of Capitalism, Development, Economic History, Economics of Entrepreneurship.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ Professors, 1 relatively recent PhD from Emory (will be co-authoring a paper and starting RA job with him soon), 1 well known professor from Florida State, and a math prof (my prof for Linear Algebra, m.s. from harvard, phd from Wisc)
Research Experience: RA for a professor, research on philosophical debate regarding organ markets and economics behind it
Teaching Experience: Tutored students in various math, econ, accounting, philosophy, and social science courses, TA for an intro level philosophy course.
Research Interests: Public Economics, Political Economy, Development, Microeconomics, Health Economics
Concerns: GRE score, lack of advanced math preparation (Real Analysis, Probability Theory, etc), reputation of undergrad school
Applied to: Carnegie Mellon (Econ and PP), Maryland, U of Virginia, George Mason, Florida State, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana, Suffolk, UCSD
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UIUC ($), MSU ($$), FSU ($$), Vanderbilt ($), WVU ($), GMU (?), Suffolk ($, already turned down), UKY (turned down before $ offered)
Waitlisted: none
Rejections: Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon
Still Waiting on: none
What would you have done differently? I would have started taking math way earlier and more often, studied more for the GRE and maybe retaken it, narrowed my research focus a little in my SOP. I would have also applied to better reach schools - better in terms of those that let in more students, and with funding, a couple more 15-25 schools, and less safeties. I underestimated myself since I came out of a less reputable state school, despite my great GPA and adequate GRE scores. Turns out my undergrad institution wasn't quite as damning as I thought it was going to be.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UIUC ($), MSU ($$), FSU ($$), Vanderbilt ($), WVU ($), GMU (?), Suffolk ($, already turned down), UKY (turned down before $ offered)
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics (PhD) Decision: accepted Funding: yes (1st year fellowship, and insurance) Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: email with formal acceptance from DGS Posted on GF: not yet Comments: SUPER PUMPED!!! First acceptance and notification for that matter!
  • Institution: michigan state Econ phd Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes, UEF fellowship Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: not yet Comment: very happy!
  • Institution: West Virginia University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 03/09/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: not yet Comment: Good to have options!
  • Institution: Suffolk University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 03/08/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: not yet Comment: Interesting new program, will check it out.
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No word, whatsoever, kind of strange Notification date: 03/11/2011 (date on letter), received 3/17/2011 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GC: not yet Comments: would like to find out about funding, will be emailing them
  • Institution: Florida State University Ph.d. in Economics Decision: Acceptance Funding: Fellowship ($$$) Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified Through: Personal email Posted on GC: No Comments: Very nice offer at a program that lines up very well with my interests, will certainly be visiting
  • Institution: UIUC Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 1st year fellowship, TAship years 2-5 Notification Date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: E-mail with acceptance letter attached Posted on GC: Not yet Comments: Very exciting!! I think this may be my highest ranked acceptance yet. I have way too much to think about now.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon Still
  • Institution: Virginia Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: website, no email, just checked the online app Posted on GC : not yet Comments: first rejection had to come sooner or later
  • Institution: Indiana University, Bloomington Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/21/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Not yet Comments: Disappointed, thought I had a good shot after receiving the acceptances that I've gotten to date. Guess it was a fit issue, more than anything.
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics and Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/29/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: Just confirming the already-known
  • Institution: UCSD Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/06 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Last school to hear from, kind of a bummer, would have made my decision extremely easy.
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted: none

econm 2011:
PROFILE: econm
Type of Undergrad: Double major math (top 20) economics (top 30)
Undergrad GPA: 3
GRE: 800, 590, 4.5
Math Courses: all of them
Econ Courses: intermediates + urban, international, game theory, policy, development
Other Courses: year of bio & chem, 2 CS courses (matlab, java, C++, some unix), Thermal Physics & Statistical Mechanics
Letters of Recommendation: 1 semi-famous, 1 young rising star, 1 visiting, 1 emeritus
Research Experience: None
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Varied
SOP: Bad, just really not good
Other: Rejected by Oregon, accepted by MSU for a difference in ranking of about 30
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MSU ($$), Illinois (MS)
Waitlists: OSU (rejected on 14th after emailing), Purdue (withdrew)
Rejections: Virginia, Washington, Penn St, Oregon, BC, Cornell AEM, Iowa St
Attending: Michigan State University
What would you have done differently?
1) Taken less math
2) Taken math in the right order
3) Drank more milk
4) Not applied to Iowa St, Cornell AEM, Penn State, BC
5) Applied to UC Davis, UBC, Toronto, Texas, UNC
Accepts:
    Acceptances: MSU ($$), Illinois (MS)
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: confusing, sounds like none for the first year Comments: brain happy, tummy happy, my feet are rap dancin'
Rejects:
    rejected on 14th after emailing), Purdue (withdrew) Rejections: Virginia, Washington, Penn St, Oregon, BC, Cornell AEM, Iowa St
  • Institution: Oregon Decision: rejected Comments: Perhaps it was the egregious typo that I just found located conveniently in the second sentence of my SOP: "I culminate economics, PhD."
  • Institution institution: penn state program: phd economics decision: rejected comments: last name start with r
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: OSU (

barkles 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. double major in Mathematics and Economics from large public US university (top 15 econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.80 - will graduate summa cum laude
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA:
GRE: 770Q/630V/4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Lin. Algebra and Diff. Eqs. Applied Linear Algebra, Real Analysis I & II, Abstract Algebra I & II, Probability and Statistics I & II, Topology, Stochastic Processes (gpa ~ 3.80)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): 4 intro courses, International Trade, Financial Economics, Econometrics, Game Theory, Industrial Organization, Cost-Benefit Analysis (IP), Macroeconomic Policy (IP) (gpa = 4.00)
Other Courses: 1 class in C++ programming
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ profs, one senior faculty who I took a course with and one junior faculty who I'm doing research with right now, plus a math professor who is my adviser for my honors thesis and who I did a bunch of research for.
Research Experience: Did research in the math department (at first just to do it, ended up being the material for my honors thesis) for a professor at my school. We will try to get the work published eventually; we're working on a draft right now. Also am an RA for an economics professor which began right before I started applying.
Teaching Experience: Just some tutoring, nothing major. Didn't mention it on any apps
Research Interests: Macro (?) Really don't know actually.
SOP: Pretty standard I think. I didn't feel that great about it, but my letter of recommendation writers said they thought it was strong FWIW
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), UCSD($), UIUC ($$), Iowa ($$), UPitt($$)
Waitlists: Wisconsin*, Princeton (later rejected)
Rejections: MIT, Yale, Northwestern, NYU, Michigan, Rochester
Attending: Carnegie Mellon University
*Based on my short email conversations with the department, I believe I would have been made an offer if I had still been interested. However, I was pretty set on CMU at that point and asked them to withdraw me from their waitlist.
What would you have done differently?
I think there are two main things that hindered me from breaking the top 10. The first was my relatively low GRE quant score of 770. I only took the test once, and by the time I realized that the median accepted student had an 800 GRE Q score at basically every school I was applying to it was too late to try to retake it. The second thing was a couple of mediocre math scores that could easily have been higher: a B in topology and a B+ in Abstract Algebra II. I took both of these spring semester of my junior year, and for some reason I decided to go into mega-slacking mode right before finals. Here's a continuous bijection for you: finals: A -> B. Wah wah. Those were the two biggest "warning flags" on my transcript I think; if I could go back and change any two grades, those would be the ones.
I also wish I would have taken a couple of grad school classes, either in math or in econ. Undergraduate econ classes are for the most part mind-numbingly boring in my experience, with only precious few exceptions.
Overall, though, I'm perfectly happy with my results and with the prospect of attending Carnegie Mellon in the fall.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), UCSD($), UIUC ($$), Iowa ($$), UPitt($$)
  • Institution:UCSD Economics PhD Decision:Accepted Funding: As above (decision next week) Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Pretty happy with this one, we'll see what the funding's like though.
  • Institution: UPitt Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes - fellowship Notification date: 03/04/2011 Notified through: Email + attachment Posted on GC: yes Comments: Probably won't attend, can't go to flyout as it conflicts with CMU's
  • Institution:Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes - fellowship Notification date: 03/01/2011 Notified through: Email and official notification through postal service on the same day (pretty impressive if it was intentional) Posted on GC: yes Comments: Very happy! One of my top (realistic) choices going in, and they have great funding for all admitted students.
  • Institution: UIUC Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship year1, TA yrs 2-5 Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments
  • Institution: University of Iowa Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 3/21/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments:
Rejects:
    rejected) Rejections: MIT, Yale, Northwestern, NYU, Michigan, Rochester
  • Institution:MIT Economics PhD Decision:Rejected Funding: Notification date: Notified through: Posted on GC: Comments: Whatevs
  • Institution: UMich Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/05/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Comments: Meh. Was disappointed, but I probably prefer CMU anyway.
  • Institution:Rochester Economics PhD Decision:Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/24 (?) Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Comments: Rochester fit my research interests really well, so it stung a bit to get rejected. But upstate NY gets too much snow anyway :P
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision:Rejected Funding: Notification date: Feb Notified through: Posted on GC: Comments: Whatevs.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Wisconsin*, Princeton (later
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Waiting List Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comments: I want to get in SO BAD! Have some other good offers, but I mean c'mon...it's princeton.
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:"The applications are read by two faculty members and your application was rated in a category that is normally well above the line for admission, and indeed on the bubble for financial support. But this is very far from a normal year."

caledonian2011 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BS from a large Asian Uni (ranked in top 60 in econphd.net), majored in Economics and Applied Mathematics
Undergrad GPA: 3.82 (top undergraduate)
Type of Grad: MS in Economics from a top European uni
Grad GPA: Highest honors, ranked top 5 graduates of about 80 people in cohort
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 5.0AW
Math Courses: Linear algebra I (B), Linear algebra II (A-), Calc (B+), Multivariate Calc (B+), Diff Eq (B-), Mathematical Stats (A+), Probability (A+), Numerical Computation (B-), Real Analysis I (A), Real Analysis II (A-), Complex Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I, II, II (All A+) .. (intermediate micro is micro II), Macro I, II, III (All A), Econometrics I, II, III (all A+), International econ (A+), Game Theory (A+), IO (A+), Monetary Econ (A-), Financial Econ (B+), Math econ (A+), Health econ (B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD micro (A-), Phd macro (A), PhD Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A+), price theory (B+), master IO (A), PhD IO (B+), Empirical IO (A-), dynamic optimization (A+), Mircoeconometrics (A+)
Other Courses: None relevant
Letters of Recommendation: 1 master thesis supervisor, 1 undergrad thesis supervisor, 1 from master program... None of them is famous, but all letters should be good or very good
Research Experience: Undergrad Honors thesis (grade A-) and Master thesis (grade A, and currently polishing under my sup to send for publication), and some term papers
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Theoretical and empirical IO, applied microeconometrics
SOP: explained reasons for doing PhD, career goal, and talk (at a rather shallow level) about research interest... did not mention any names of professors
Concerns: Some poor math grades (but math dept in undergrad uni is very stringent in grades), no 800Q (but not retaking), letter of recommendation from not famous people, lack of RA experience
Applying to: (I only have "sufficient money" to apply to around 10 schools). Looking to apply to 4 top 10s (probably MIT, Stanford, Yale, NU) , 4 top 20s (probably Columbia, NYU, UPenn, UCSD)... and 2 "safeties": UIUC and Penn State
Others:I posted my profile on a seperate thread to ask for comments but I didn't get many. If anybody has any advice or comment, please PM me. I will appreciate it very much!
Accepts:
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: fellowship and TAship Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution:Penn State economics Decision: Accepted Funding:yes Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Boston University economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: UC San Diego economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ? Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Northwestern economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for 1st year funding Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: -
  • Institution: Chicago economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: -
  • Institution: Columbia economics Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Most likely will attend
Rejects:
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notified through: Mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
Waitlists:
  • Institution: MIT economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: ? Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Not hopeful at all

Aznkaz 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, BS Math, and BA Physics at a small liberal arts school.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4.0
GRE: 790 quant, 440 verbal, have not received AWA score yet
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Grad Level Probability, Intro to Proofs All A's besides a B in Differential Equations.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):Intermediate Micro Macro, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Readings in Economics (some of Mas Colell) All A's
Other Courses: A CS class, many physics classes, some stat classes
Letters of Recommendation: I think my letters will be pretty good, but since I go to a small liberal arts school I'm not sure how much weight they will hold.
Research Experience: Physics REU one summer at University Arkansas. Then a REU in finance at my school. Also two semesters of acoustics physics research.
Teaching Experience: Tutored introductory physics classes for 2 semesters
Research Interests: Non-cooperative game theory, and general equilibrium.
SOP: Still working on it.
Concerns: The fact that I go to a small lesser known liberal arts college and that my recommendations will not be from well known people. Also my verbal GRE is pretty low.
Applying to:
Reach Schools: U Chicago, Berkeley
Other: Cal Tech, UCLA, UC San Diego, U Texas Austin, Washington, Washington University in St. Louis MO, University Illinois, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara.
This list is not for sure. Recommendations on school would be great!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Texas A&M Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Pending? Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: First admit!
  • Institution: UIUC Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 1st year fellow ship. TA years 2-5 Notification Date: 03/24/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:First funded offer! Really excited!
  • Institution: Stony Brook Ph.D. Economics Decision: accepted from the waitlist Funding: TA Notification date: April 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Game theory!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Thought I could get in =(
  • Institution: University of Chicago Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Expected
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Stony Brook Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Waitlist for acceptance/funding Funding: If accepted Notification Date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UT-Austin Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Funded if accepted Notification Date: 03/08/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:

economics girl 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 50 undergrad
Undergrad GPA: 3.42
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 740Q, 590V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-II (B, A-), Math for Economists (A), Linear Algebra (proof-based) (B+), Currently taking Diff EQ, and plan to take Real Analysis over the summer
Econ Courses (grad-level): Took applied economics (A), microeconomics (A), and econometrics (A+) at the AEA Summer Program (these courses are supposedly taught at a "graduate" level)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): intermediate microeconomics (B+), intermediate macroeconomics (A), labor economics (A+), urban economics (A), applied econometrics I-II (A, B), managerial economics (B)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: well-known labor economist (PhD Harvard), an assistant director of AEA (PhD U. Chicago), my employer (PhD UF)
Research Experience: I am currently working as a full-time RA at a public research center. Before that, I worked as an RA for a PhD student for one quarter. At AEASP I did a research project on replication & added to it by updating the paper with newer data. Lastly, during my senior year I was part of the honors program and wrote a senior thesis.
Teaching Experience: I am a certified tutor (CRLA) and tutored microeconomics during my senior year
Research Interests: labor economics, education economics and urban economics.
SOP: Should be fine. I talked about why I had a low GPA, discussed what I have done since graduating (AEASP, RA), and talked about my future plans
Concerns: low grades, GRE score & GPA
Other: I'm only applying to Master's programs and later plan on applying to PhD programs with a better profile and a master's under my belt.
Applying to: Barcelona GSE MSc Economics, LSE MSc Economics, UIUC MSPE, NYU MA Economics, Tufts MS Economics, USC MA Economics, Duke MA Economics, Michigan MA Applied Economics, BU MA Economics
Accepts:
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 01/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Definitely excited!
  • Institution: San Diego State MA in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Pending Notification date: 01/27/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Received the unofficial acceptance email from an old professor.
  • Institution: UC Denver MA Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: via email 8 pm EST Posted on GC: Yes Comments: I wonder if they accepted me today because it's my birthday...
  • Institution: UIUC MSPE Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: I like having options
  • Institution: Duke Economics AM Decision: Accepted Funding: no info Notification date: 3/09/11 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Yay! Didn't think I'd get in. Ready to celebrate Fat Tuesday tonight
  • Institution: Boston University MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/22/2011 Notified through: e-mail
  • Institution: UCSB MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website
  • Institution: Tufts University MS Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $30,900 scholarship Notification date: 03/24/2011 Notified through: website Comments: I was not expecting this at all. This is the second best offer I have. I'm gonna take the Duke offer for 60% tuition waiver, though. I'm thrilled!
  • Institution: NYU MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 4/1/11 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Cool! But not attending
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE MSc in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 01/27/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Sad... but not surprised.
  • Institution: LSE MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/21/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Not surprised. This was my second choice program-- I was rejected from MSc Economics on 1/27
Waitlists:

riskaverse 2011:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Economics at Top10 South American university; B.A. International Relations (not the same university as Economics)
Undergrad GPA: 7.5/10 for Economics (Top 5%); 8.46/10 for International Relations
Type of Grad: M.A. Economics at Top10 South American university (not the same as undergrad).
Grad GPA: 7.98/10
GRE: 800Q/540V/4.0A (2nd try)
Math Courses (undergrad): Calculus I and II
Math Courses (grad): Real Analysis, Measure Theory, Linear Algebra (audit)
Econ Courses (undergrad): a lot of them
Econ Courses (grad): Micro Theory I to IV (entire MWG), Macro Theory I to III, Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Corporate Finance, Empirical Microeconomics, Mathematical Economics I and II (some chapters of Stokey&Lucas).
Other Courses: lots of them too because of International Relations
Letters of Recommendation: A total of 4 letters, all from my MA professors. I think all of them like me, but I'm pretty unsure about the strenght of the letters. Two of them are somewhat well known, specially in their fields. I sent the letter from my advisor to all universities and rotated among the other recommenders.
Research Experience: My MA Dissertation. I have some works from undergrad published (co-authored), but not in academic journals (they were mainly directed to policy makers in my country - only one of them written in English).
Teaching Experience: TA for Microeconomic Theory II and Statistics II at the graduate level; TA for International Finance and IO in MBA courses; TA for Micro and Trade for undergrads.
Research Interests: Microeconomics, Contract Theory, Corporate Finance
SOP: very honest. I liked it in the end.
Other: TOEFL 106, but a low grade in the speaking portion. Although I applied to all parts of the US, I have very strong personal reasons for wanting to be in the East Coast.
Concerns: my first GRE try was a disaster, the second try was in December 2010, which made me really afraid of my results getting to the universities very late. My profile seems sometimes a Frankstein for me and I'm really concerned about my letters of recommendation. I don't have the minimum score for the TOEFL speaking portion that many universities require. I'm not the strongest applicant from my country this year, which makes me very pessimist about my dream schools. Also, I worked some time before entering my MA, so I'm kind of older I think... well, lots of concerns!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Penn State (PSU) Decision: Accepted Funding: yes (RAship) Notification date: 2/20/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: Totally unexpected for a Sunday! Really relieved!
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics (PhD) Decision: accepted Funding: yes (TAship) Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: email with formal acceptance (pdf) Posted on GF: yes Comments: very very happy!!!
  • Institution: Arizona State (ASU) Economics (PhD) Decision: Accepted Funding: not mentioned Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: University of Rochester Economics (PhD) Decision: Accepted Funding: no funding Notification date: 2/23/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GF: yes Comments: wrote the department to ask about my results. They replied with a letter attached saying I was accepted but no funding...
  • Institution: U Penn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "very high on the wait list for a first year fellowship" Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comment: kind of worried about funding but very very happy . Great school!!
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Yes Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: I am very very happy!! The program seems very nice and l would love to live in Philadelphia!!
  • Institution: Wisconsin - Madison Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no first year funding, support guaranteed for the next three years Notification date: 03/14 Notified through: Email (informal) Posted on GC: yes Comment: without funding, even only for the first year, is impossible for me
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: yes Comment: very nice, specially after a week of rejections
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification Date: March 23, 2011 Notified through: Official e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: no funding for 5 years as well... but I'm really surprised to be accepted
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 16 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: yes Comments: I cried... one of my very top choices. Already expected from not hearing from them, but it is still hard... Congrats for the ones accepted and waitlisted!
  • Institution: Harvard Kennedy School Political Economy and Government (PhD) Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: Postal service (the letter was dated 2/18) Posted on GC: Yes Comments: long long shot, but still
  • Institution: Duke PHD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: yes Comments: kind of expected
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution : Chicago Program : Economics PhD Decision : Rejection Funding : N/A Notification date : 3/7/2011 Notified through : E-mail Posted on GC : yes Comments : soooo sad... I thought I had a good chance
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/08/11 Notified through: email Posted on GF: yes Comments: it was a long shot
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 3/09/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: This one hurt a lot...
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comments: never really thought I had a chance, but I had to try... it was my dream school, both for academic and personal reasons
  • Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Finally... they replied my email
  • Institution: Boston University Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection FUnding: N/A Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through: Email Comments: Mass email with no care about privacy...
  • Institution: Washington University St. Louis (WUSTL) Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: April 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: finally^2
  • Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics Decision: Rejected (from wait list) Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/19/2011 Notified through: e-mail to see website Posted on GC: no Comments: I happened to know that I was waitlisted from the rejection letter.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: Wait listed Funding: I think it's yes if admitted Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email to check Website Posted on GC: yes Comments: short wait list

hamandres 2011:
Institution: UIUC
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship year 1, TAship years 2-5
Notification Date: 03/23/2011
Notified through: E-mail with acceptance letter attached
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Awesome. I was really hoping to get into this program. Very very happy!!!
Accepts:
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship year 1, TAship years 2-5 Notification Date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: E-mail with acceptance letter attached Posted on GC: No Comments: Awesome. I was really hoping to get into this program. Very very happy!!!
Rejects:
Waitlists:


Rejections:

The MAN 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BS in Economics, minor in Bus. Admin. at Illinois State Uni
Undergrad GPA: 3.38 overall, a little better in econ.
Type of Grad: MA in Applied Economics from Illinois State Uni
Grad GPA: 4.0 (still have 1 year left, but I don't expect this to change)
GRE: 800 Q, 560 V, 4.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (C), Calc II (C) [both taken a decade ago when I was a freshman and not too mature], Calc III (A+), Advanced Probability Models (A), Linear Algebra (A+), Real Analysis (in progress)
Econ Courses (grad-level): MA level Micro, Macro, Econometrics (3 courses), and a few electives that probably won't factor into my admission decision (All A's)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Pretty much everything I could take: Econometrics I, II (A, A), Telecom Econ (B), Managerial Econ (A), Micro (B), Macro (A), Law and Econ (B), Money and Banking (B), Labor Econ (B), Organizational Econ (A), Enviro & Natural Resource Econ (B)
Other Courses: Standard classes needed to get a bachelor's
Letters of Recommendation: 3 that should range from good to outstanding from econ professors who's PhDs are from: U of Houston, U of Chicago, and UC-Berkley.
Research Experience: A little over a year of RA work. This includes co-authoring a paper submitted for publishing (no word back on acceptance or denial yet)
Teaching Experience: Some TA work done while in the masters program. Also, I have some tutoring experience from undergrad.
Research Interests: Health, Applied Micro, IO, maybe experimental, maybe Labor, maybe metrics (If I start thinking about a topic long enough I end up generating interest in it)
SOP: Should be pretty good. I'm going to talk about my past (since I have a little bit of an unusual profile having left school for 5 years to work), why I want a PhD, why school X fits me, and why I fit school X.
Concerns: My undergrad grades range from terrible to okay, but there is nothing outstanding. I lack some math courses (although I have killed all the recent classes I've taken).
Other: Between my undergrad and master's I spent 5 years working. Most of that time I was a Financial Consultant for a large regional bank (at the time it was the 8th largest bank in the U.S.).
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Kentucky ($) and Michigan State
Waitlists: North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Rejections: Duke, UIUC, Cornell, Iowa, Arizona, Texas-Austin,
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
If I had known that I would ultimately go for a PhD in economics as an undergrad I would have taken more math and applied myself more in all of my classes to carry a higher GPA. But since I didn't decide to do a PhD until after I had graduated, I can't say that I would have changed much in what I did. I loved doing my master's at ISU and feel that it helped me significantly (better LORs, more math, and great GPA somewhat answered the questions my undergrad/age generated). I probably would not have applied to University of Iowa (I didn't realize how poorly I matched with the school when I was applying because I focused more on their recent placements) and applied to a different mid-ranged PhD program.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Kentucky ($) and Michigan State
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: None in the first year, possibility of funding in the second year Notification date: 3/9/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: My first official admit, I'm pretty excited. Now I can stop fretting about getting shut out (and hopefully focus and get my capstone and independent study completed).
  • Institution: Kentucky Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: TA - tuition, stipend (details coming later), health plan Notification date: 03/28/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: Looks like I'm headed to Kentucky (Also, I was admitted to the program a while back and just got word that they will offer funding).
  • Institution: MSU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Econ. of Ed. Fellowship (off the waitlist) Notification date: April 8 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: Craziest outcome to date. I had been accepted without (it explicitly said no funding, not waitlisted for funding) funding to MSU (and their Econ. of Ed. program). Since I can't afford to self-fund and I have another funded offer, I turned down the acceptance without funding. This morning I received an e-mail from Dr. Wooldridge saying that I was on the waitlist had have subsequently received funding.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Duke, UIUC, Cornell, Iowa, Arizona, Texas-Austin,
  • Institution: Duke PHD economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: Glad to finally hear something, disappointed that it is a reject.
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: no Comment: This was my top choice, but I knew it was a bit of a stretch.
  • Institution: Texas Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: Website Posted on GradCafe: no Comment: Decided to check the status of my application this afternoon. Unfortunately, I was denied admission.
  • Institution: U of Iowa Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GradCafe: no Comments: I probably wouldn't have attended even if I was accepted. It was a pretty poor match for my research interests and I only applied because of their placements.
  • Institution: u Arizona Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/17/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: Looks more and more like I'm headed towards KY
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through: Email Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: Not a surprise at all. Good to finally hear.
  • Institution: U of Arizona Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/29/2011 Notified through: US postal service Posted on GC: no Comments: Just received a letter saying the same thing as the TWO rejection e-mails I received earlier said. Yup, Arizona really doesn't want me.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: ? Notification date: 03/31/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: If I get admitted off the waitlist (with funding) it would be intriguing, otherwise I'm headed to UKY.

wheretogo1 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Big 10 School - top 50 undergrad
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0
GRE: 800Q/550V/4.5Writing
Math Courses: multivariable calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, real analysis (2 semesters), abstract algebra, topology
Econ Courses: intermediate micro, intermediate macro, econometrics, game theory, labor, international
Other Courses: java programming
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from institution (one advised me during research paper), 1 from current boss (who is a professor at a top 5 program)
Research Experience: junior year research project, 3 years at a public policy thinktank
Teaching Experience: tutored calculus at college.... does that count?
Research Interests: applied micro, labor, public econ, but open to anything really
SOP: Not great, not terrible
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Maryland, Virginia, Texas
Rejections: Berkeley, Yale, nwestern, columbia, mich, wisconsin, cornell, carnegie mellon, penn state, illinois, duke, UCSD
Wait lists: BU, Uwashington, Upenn, Minnesota
What would you have done differently?
Build closer relations with economics faculty at my undergrad institution. My rec letters were not as strong as others.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Maryland, Virginia, Texas
Rejects:
    Rejections: Berkeley, Yale, nwestern, columbia, mich, wisconsin, cornell, carnegie mellon, penn state, illinois, duke, UCSD
Waitlists:
    Wait lists: BU, Uwashington, Upenn, Minnesota

Rehan 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BS Mathematics, top Asian university
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/5
Type of Grad: MA Economics, European university. Not well-known.
Grad GPA: 3.65/4
GRE: 800Q, 640V, 4.5 AWA
Math Courses (UG): Real Analysis (B+), Complex Variables (A-), Operations Research (A-), Game Theory (A), tons of others not relevant to Econ
(Grad): Statistics, Real Analysis, Optimization (A/A+), Econometrics (C+)
Econ Courses (Grad): usual 1st year Macro, Micro (all A/A+ except for first-sem Macro, got C+.)
LORs: 2 Math, 2 Econ/Finance. None particularly well known.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Experience: wrote undergrad independent research paper and honors thesis, both in abstract algebra. Now working on MA thesis, which is really more math than it is econ.
Research Interests: Public econ, game theory, micro theory. But still learning, so everything but Metrics (hate it!) is fair game.
SOP: Not strong content-wise, but I like the way I write .
Concerns: bad grades in certain subjects, letter of recommendation writers don’t know me well.
RESULTS:
Accepted: Michigan($), UWO($, declined), UAB($$, declined).
Waitlists: None
Rejected: Maryland, UIUC.
What would you have done differently?
I definitely should have applied to more places. Applying to just 5 was a big risk, and an unnecessary one in retrospect.
I also really should have thought more about where I was applying. At the time I my only considerations were: schools that had late deadlines, accepted GRE >2yrs, and was willing to waive my TOEFL (I’m not from a country where TOEFL is normally waived). I ended up with a very short list of schools. Also did not take into consideration the strengths of the universities, so my letter of recommendation writers all think that I applied to random places. (One told me bluntly that it was obvious from where I was applying that I had no idea what I wanted to do, and recommended that I take a year off to think about it instead of accepting any offers.)
Overall, I’m pretty happy with what I got. Now choosing between going to Michigan or staying back a year to soul-search.
Accepts:
    Accepted: Michigan($), UWO($, declined), UAB($$, declined).
  • Institution: U Autonoma Barcelona Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: fellowship Notification date: 3/1/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: nuh-uh Comments: my safety. still very relieved to get the email after the UIUC reject.
  • Institution: U Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition waiver Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: nope Comments: YAY!!!
  • Institution: U Western Ontario Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $ + int'l tuition Notification Date: 03/24/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejected: Maryland, UIUC.
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/17/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: probably not. Comments: very surprised, though they only want to get 10 students this year, and i guess i just didn't make the cut.
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Website. Thanks to everyone who pointed it out! GC: no Comment: Well okay. Two more to go.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

urbanecon2011 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Economics and Math Major from a non-Ivy research university in New England
Undergrad GPA: 3.56/4
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE:800 math/720 verbal/5.5 writing
Math Courses: A bunch but my grades were all over the place. Linear Algebra, Multivariate, Proofs, Stochastic Calculus, Probability Theory, Statistics, Groups, Introduction to Mathematical Research, Real Analysis I, Differential Equations
Econ Courses (grad-level): None
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): 7 Courses with A/A-, three B+s
Other Courses: Odds and ends. Spent a semester abroad
Letters of Recommendation: Mostly unknown, but one is from a math prof for whom I did an inspired bit of research on Catalan numbers.
Research Experience: Wrote one paper where I was a single author, still being reviewed for publication. Research assistant on a paper that was published in a peer review journal on law and economics.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Urban economics and all related fields. Passing interest in several other areas, such as econometrics and labor economics.
SOP: Nothing extraordinary, I don't think, although as a native speaker of English with a few writing awards under my belt, I suspect mine would read a bit better than most.
Concerns: Where to start. I was often distracted and unfocused as an undergrad, so I didn't do extraordinarily well in either major compared to most who are applying for economics Ph.D. programs. None of my recommenders are particularly famous. My post-college life has been pretty productive, however, and my GRE scores are where they should be, so I think that should help me.
Other:
Applying to: UCSD, Brown, BC, UIUC, Pitt, Irvine, and Syracuse Ph.D., and Cornell's city and regional planning MA as a backup.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Irvine, Cornell City & Regional Planning Masters
Waitlists: Boston College, Syracuse (sort of, anyway)
Rejections: UCSD, Brown, UIUC, Pitt
Attending:: UC Irvine
What would you have done differently?
Two things stand out:
1) Gotten much better grades in math and econ. For both majors, I really did a terrible job of spacing out of my course load appropriately, so I was both unfocused and overwhelmed during a few critical semesters.
2) Gotten to know the department better and sooner. I never had many professors I was incredibly close with until my senior year of college. If I had to do it over again, I would have started forming relationships sooner and maybe gotten even stronger LORs.
Like the poster above me, it's been a wild ride; I have no true regrets about any of it, even through the often frustrating process of realizing I needed two years off to burnish my resume, taking two different jobs (one of which involved a couple of 80+ hour weeks), and writing my own academic paper down to the wire. I am very happy to be going to UC Irvine, and I look forward to moving to California come August.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UC Irvine, Cornell City & Regional Planning Masters
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted!! Funding: Fellowship after a few quarters of TAship (Details to be provided later). Notification date: 2/9/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Very pumped. In addition to urban economics, my other area of interest is transportation economics.
  • Institution: Cornell City and Regional Planning MA Decision: Accepted Funding: $6k stipend Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: With my UCI PhD acceptance, I will almost surely decline this offer, unless UCI doesn't follow through on their funding.
Rejects:
    Rejections: UCSD, Brown, UIUC, Pitt
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/16/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Disappointing. I had had several conversations with the head of the economics department there, who seemed to think I had a good shot. On the other hand, one of my recommenders was two weeks late in getting in his letter and I can't help but think that played a role. In: UC Irvine Out: UIUC Wait List: ? Waiting on: UCSD, Brown, BC, Pitt, and Syracuse.
  • Institution: Brown U Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: Email to check Embark website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: This one stings. Brown was my top choice - I really wanted to work with Nathanael Baum-Snow.
  • Institution: University of Pittsburgh Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/24/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Although I've already accepted at Irvine, never fun to be rejected. Oh well, as much as I love the Cathedral of Learning, my allergies will thank me for moving to SoCal
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/02/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Hate to be the one that opens up UCSD's rejection round, but here it is.
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/25/2011 Notified through: US postal service Posted on GC: no Comments: Confirming what I was told by the people at BC - rejected off of the waitlist.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Boston College, Syracuse (sort of, anyway)
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision:Wait Listed Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Actually, pretty happy to be on the wait list. Better than a rejection!

LoveFinEcon 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics at top university in my country
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: MSc Economics from UK
Grad GPA: About 3.9 equivalent
GRE: 800Q, 480V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Few, just math econ I & II and statistics
Econ Courses: Lots of both intermediate and advanced economic courses
Other Courses: Lots of finance courses
Letters of Recommendation: 2 undergrad profs and 1 master prof
Research Experience: RA after my master and 2 independent projects (undergrad and grad)
Teaching Experience: Lots
Research Interests: macro-finance, applied econometrics
SOP: standard - just my goal, academic experiences, research interests, and fitness to the school
Concerns: very very few math courses, unknown LORs
RESULTS:
Acceptances: OSU, UNC
Waitlists: WUSTL (eventually accepted)
Rejections: 11 US schools (within top 30) and 2 Canadian schools
Attending: WUSTL
What would you have done differently? Take more math. Get LORs from more famous people. And read this thread before pursuing my master.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: OSU, UNC
  • Institution: Ohio State University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ? Notification date: Feb 09 Notified through: email Comments: my first offer
  • Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Economics Decision: Accept Funding: ? Notification date: 04/01/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: I wasn't sure at first, as it's an April fool day.
Rejects:
    Rejections: 11 US schools (within top 30) and 2 Canadian schools
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb. 17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:No Comments: No comment
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comment: Que Sera Sera
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no Comments: Finally..
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: WUSTL (eventually

petecheese 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Business Finance. Top Univ in middle east
Undergrad GPA: 82/100 (3.4/4.0)
Type of Grad: M.A. in Economics from same university
Grad GPA: 91/100 (4.0/4.0)
GRE: 780Q 470V 4.0AW
Math Courses: Calc 1 (AP), Calc 2 (AP), Calc 3 (98/100), Linear Algebra (87/100), ODE (83/100), Econ Stats (80/100)
Econ Courses: Intermediate micro (87), Intermediate macro (99), Econometrics (80). Lots of grad courses (Micro, Macro, econometrics, monetary, etc...) Almost all 90+
Other Courses: A lot of finance courses (although lost interest in finance as field of study but had them from Ugrad)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from professor and chair, PHD York (Really good letter), 1 from assistant prof, PHD Princeton (Very enthusiastic), 1 from assistant professor PHD Toulouse (standard), 1 from visiting professor (Should be good)
Research Experience: RA for about a year. Recent conference presentation in Poland (awaiting scientific board for publication in conference proceedings)
Teaching Experience: GA/TA for 2 years (undergrad and grad econometrics)
Research Interests: Development, Applied micro (empirical mostly), and applied econometrics
Concerns: Low Ugrad GPA, No proof based math courses, semi unknown school
RESULTS:
Attending: Texas A&M (TAMU)
Acceptances: Iowa State, Virginia Tech, BGSE (UPF), Tinbergen, Uconn
Rejections: UIUC, PSU, Wisconsin-madison, Rice, Toronto (doctoral Stream), Tilburg, Arizona, BC, UNC (initially wait listed)
Comments:
Honestly, i was really happy with my results and quite surprised. I had a weak-average Undergrad performance to make up, and come from a relatively unknown Middle Eastern school.
I think what did it for me was LORS. I cannot emphasize how important LORs are, and how important it is to build good relations with professors (RA, TA, visit office hours and talk about research, etc...).
Also for some smaller programs (specifically Vtech if anyone is ever interested in that school ), i think what got me in was my SOP. Very tailored to their school. I think people underestimate the role of the SOP. Outside of the top 10, i think it can be a very useful tool and should be taken seriously (ofcourse this does not apply to all schools outside the top10, but for some of the smaller programs, "fit" is very important.
In the end, Thank GOD this whole process is done, and i am more than happy to attend TAMU , although the location i am not so ecstatic about :P.
Accepts:
    Attending: Texas A&M (TAMU) Acceptances: Iowa State, Virginia Tech, BGSE (UPF), Tinbergen, Uconn
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 01/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Shocked since I applied 5 days ago and another student from my university got in as well!
  • Institution: Virginia Tech (VT) PHD economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Full funding TA Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes Comment: Still waiting on a lot of schools.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 03/03/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: None
  • Institution: Texas A&M Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Iowa State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Iowa State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/21/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Uconn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yup-TA Notification date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: UIUC, PSU, Wisconsin-madison, Rice, Toronto (doctoral Stream), Tilburg, Arizona, BC, UNC (initially
  • Institution: Rice Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 15 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: Bummed.. Did not even know they only had place for 7 people. Shouldn't have applied
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb. 17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:No Comments: Crappers.. I actually liked the school a lot. thought it was a good fit. Oh well
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Penn state university (PSU) Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: hmmmm Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comment: Last name starts with M in case any penn staters still waiting for their decisions. Good luck
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: They have really cut down on acceptances this year. But still expected
  • Institution: u Arizona Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/17/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: What a great year to be applying to econ PHDs. Really rough season. Happy with my admits though.
  • Institution: UNC - CH Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 04/14/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Toronto MA (Doctoral Stream) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/8/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: International = nightmare for canada. Weird system
  • Institution: Tilburg Mphil Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/18/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
Waitlists:
    wait listed) Comments: Honestly, i was really happy with my results and quite surprised. I had a weak-average Undergrad performance to make up, and come from a relatively unknown Middle Eastern school. I think what did it for me was LORS. I cannot emphasize how important LORs are, and how important it is to build good relations with professors (RA, TA, visit office hours and talk about research, etc...). Also for some smaller programs (specifically Vtech if anyone is ever interested in that school ), i think what got me in was my SOP. Very tailored to their school. I think people underestimate the role of the SOP. Outside of the top 10, i think it can be a very useful tool and should be taken seriously (ofcourse this does not apply to all schools outside the top10, but for some of the smaller programs, "fit" is very important. In the end, Thank GOD this whole process is done, and i am more than happy to

mallikagarg 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from top Indian University
Undergrad GPA: N/A
Major GPA: N/A
Type of Grad: MA Economics from mid ranked Indian University
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q 790 V 640 A 3.5;
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Math for economists, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Statistical methods and probability, Differential Equations, Advanced multi-variable calculus.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Micro, Advanced Macro, Econometrics, Game Theory, International Trade, Industrial economics and investment analysis, International Banking and Finance, Development Economics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I & II, Macro, Public Finance, Money and Baning, Economic History, Comparitive economic development, Development Economics, Economic Systems
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from grad quant prof, 1 from grad econometric prof, 1 from a well known economist i've RAd with.
Research Experience: one year's experience as an RA
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied Microeconomics, Industrial Organisation
SOP: Nothing out of the world
Concerns: Inadequate research experience, no publications, inadequate math courses, unknown Graduate university, unknown recommenders.
Applied to: MIT, stanford GSB, Chicago, Texas (Austin), Texas A&M, UIUC, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, MSU, UCR, UVA, Clemson, Colorado at Boulder
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Clemson ($$); Colorado (Without funding)
Rejections: MIT, stanford GSB, Chicago, Texas (Austin), Texas A&M, UIUC, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, MSU, UCR, UVA
Attending: Clemson
What would you have done differently?
With my kind of background, I am happy to have made it to where I did. Though, I guess I should not have targeted so high. I could have got better results had I applied to more schools in the 30-60 range and completely skipped the top 15.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Clemson ($$); Colorado (Without funding)
  • Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: March 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Clemson University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notification date: April 9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, stanford GSB, Chicago, Texas (Austin), Texas A&M, UIUC, Rice, Vanderbilt, USC, MSU, UCR, UVA
  • Institution: Rice Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 15 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comment: first rejection, fingers crossed for the remaining 13...
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Policy and Analysis Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: February 18 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution:University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: February 19 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Ph.D. Economics Decision: rejected Funding: NA Notification date: March 3 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: March 7 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: University of Chicago Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: RA Notification date: March 8 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: University of Texas - Austin Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: March 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UIUC Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: RA Notification date: March 26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: University of California, Riverside Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: - Notification date: 13/6/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I didn't want to go there anyway!
Waitlists:

Econ2011 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Decent liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA:Cumulative 3.7; Econ: 4.0
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: Quantitative: 770/800 Verbal 580/800, AWA: 5/6.0
Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A-), Differential Equations (A) , Mathematical Statistics (A), Real Analysis (C and A -second time) , Probability (C+), Senior Exercise (C) Number theory (A), Math of Finance (A)
Econ Courses: Econometrics (A), Applied Econometrics I & II -Covered both, time series and panel analysis (A- and A), Macro (A+), Micro (A-), Senior thesis (A+), Money and Banking (A)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation:3 Strong Econ Professors (Advisors in research)/1 strong from work
Research Experience:Summer research grant from college (twice).
Publications: One paper in undergraduate journal (sole author); 1 working paper (in Yale Econ Dept working papers) published recently in a relatively low key journal (with professor from college) ; 1 paper from consulting firm published in a journal (with several authors); One of the authors in several abstracts presented in various conferences (from work)
Teaching Experience:TA in undergraduate level for economic principles, asian economics, and finance
Research Interests:Trade & Development, Growth, Econometrics
SOP: Should be a highly research focused statement reflecting some of the econometric techniques learned along the way
Concerns: A couple of Cs in maths, Q 770.
Other:
Applying to: PhD programs
Yale, Northwestern, Chicago, UC-San Diego, Cornell, Duke, UIUC,Maryland, Johns Hopkins , Boston College, Washington St. Louis
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb. 17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:No Comments: Thought it was a safe bet!
Waitlists:

kekecib 2011:
Institution: Rice
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: Feb 13
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Terrible news for me. 1st decision I got. It was one of my safeties. I do know what is wrong with my profile according to their ad. committee's view.
Institution: UIUC
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: Feb 17
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I started to freak out. I am wondering what will happen to the rest of my applications. This one did hurt and made me pretty sad.
In: None Out: Rice, UIUC Waiting: 19 Econ PhD
Accepts:
  • Institution: Rutgers Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 2/24/2011 Notified through: I personally looked at application status check web page after seeing a post here. Posted on GC: No idea. Comments: No funding = No PhD. I feel devastated.
  • Institution: MSU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: None at this time but waitlisted for funding Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: E-mail with decision and accept/decline letters attached Posted on GC: No Comments: Wait 2-3 weeks to see if funding becomes available.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Rice Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: Feb 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Terrible news for me. 1st decision I got. It was one of my safeties. I do know what is wrong with my profile according to their ad. committee's view.
  • Institution: UIUC Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: Feb 17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: I started to freak out. I am wondering what will happen to the rest of my applications. This one did hurt and made me pretty sad. In: None Out: Rice, UIUC Waiting: 19 Econ PhD
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: After I did send an e-mail to the graduate coordinator, they did send my rejection letter or they were anyway going to send it today. I wanted to get in this one. It was one of my reaches. I feel OK after unexpected rejections from Rice and UIUC. If I get another rejection from a low-tier school, I am gonna feel terrible then.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comment: After getting very abnormal results, I find this very normal.
  • Institution: UW Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: The best rejection e-mail I have received so far.
  • Institution: UT Austin Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/10/11 Notified through: E-mail to check the application website Posted on GC: No Comments: No Comment
  • Institution: UVa Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/10/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: No Comment
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/28/11 Notified through: E-mail to check the application website Posted on GC: No Comments: I wanted so bad to gain admission to that program. I will give another shot in 2013 Fall application cycle.
  • Institution: Uni. of Iowa Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: No comment.
  • Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Unofficial e-mail from the secretary of the Economics Department upon my e-mail. Posted on GC: No Comments: This was my dream school. This time, it did not happen. See you on the application cycle of Fall 2013, NYU.
  • Institution: Iowa State University Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/21/11 Notified through: E-mail upon my e-mail asking if they have decided on my application. Posted on GC: No Comments: I have no idea about how ad-coms are deciding this cycle
  • Institution: Indiana University, Bloomington Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/21/11 Notified through: E-mail upon my e-mail asking if they have decided on my application. Posted on GC: No Comments: What a shame.
  • Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/22/11 Notified through: Official e-mail from the GSAS Posted on GC: No Comments: My dream university.
  • Institution: BU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: E-mail upon my e-mail sent to the Ph.D. Program Administrator Posted on GC: No Comments: I do not understand why they are not bothering to send an e-mail saying "I got rejected."
  • Institution: UCSD Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 04/06 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: I was expecting this.
  • Institution: Boston College Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 04/06 Notified through: Official rejection letter via postal mail. Posted on GC: No Comments: Am I a genius? I knew this.
  • Institution: UNC - CH Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: None Notification date: 04/14/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: No comment.
  • Institution: OsU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: None Notification date: 04/14/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: No comment.
  • Institution: USC Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/18/2011 Notified through: E-mail after I e-mailed "Have you lost my application?" - Literally like this. Posted on GC: Of course, No. Comments: Waste of money. That school's application fee is one of the highest, and its application deadline is the earliest (together with OSU). Look at their treatment. They definitely make their life easy by making our application process harder.
  • Institution: University of Western Ontario Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected from the waiting list. Funding: NA Notification date: 05/20/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: No comment.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: UWO Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Certainly on the second offer round. Notification date: 3/21/11 Notified through: E-mail upon my e-mail asking if they have decided on my application. Posted on GC: No Comments: I will wait and see what will happen.
  • Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification date: 04/07 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: They have not decided yet. Simply the e-mail says "wait a little more until after April 15."

austrianecon 2011:
After visiting as a guest for a few weeks, eventually, here is my results:
Institution: George Mason University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Decisions will be made later this month according to the program coordinator
Notification date: 3/24/11
Notified through: E-mail from College of Humanities and Social Sciences and also from the Department
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: The best program in the world!
Institution: Rutgers
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 2/23/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: was my last choice
Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: Yes if accepted
Notification date: 3/7/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: no comment
Institution: NYU
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/19/11
Notified through: Unofficial email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: So wanted to work with Mario Rizzo there!
Institution: Duke University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/25/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: So wanted to work with Bruce Caldwell and study at HOPE center.
Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/14/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: no comment, just applied!
Institution: Northwestern University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: no comment, just applied!
Institution: Penn State University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/11/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: no comment, just applied!
In: Rutgers (-), George Mason (?) Waitlisted: Texas at Austin ($) Out: NYU, Duke, UIUC, Northwestern, PennState Waiting for: McGill
Accepts:
    Accepted Funding: Decisions will be made later this month according to the program coordinator Notification date: 3/24/11 Notified through: E-mail from College of Humanities and Social Sciences and also from the Department Posted on GC: Yes Comments: The best program in the world! Institution: Rutgers Program: PhD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 2/23/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: was my last choice Institution: University of Texas at Austin Program: PhD Economics Decision:
  • Institution: George Mason University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decisions will be made later this month according to the program coordinator Notification date: 3/24/11 Notified through: E-mail from College of Humanities and Social Sciences and also from the Department Posted on GC: Yes Comments: The best program in the world!
  • Institution: Rutgers Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 2/23/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: was my last choice
Rejects:
    Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/19/11 Notified through: Unofficial email Posted on GC: No Comments: So wanted to work with Mario Rizzo there! Institution: Duke University Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/25/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: So wanted to work with Bruce Caldwell and study at HOPE center. Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied! Institution: Northwestern University Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/4/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied! Institution: Penn State University Program: PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/11/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied! In: Rutgers (-), George Mason (?)
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/19/11 Notified through: Unofficial email Posted on GC: No Comments: So wanted to work with Mario Rizzo there!
  • Institution: Duke University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/25/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: So wanted to work with Bruce Caldwell and study at HOPE center.
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied!
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/4/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied!
  • Institution: Penn State University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/11/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment, just applied! In: Rutgers (-), George Mason (?) Waitlisted: Texas at Austin ($) Out: NYU, Duke, UIUC, Northwestern, PennState Waiting for: McGill
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted Funding: Yes if
  • Institution: University of Texas at Austin Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Yes if accepted Notification date: 3/7/11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: no comment


Waitlists:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 8 accepted out of 18 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.77, average GREQ was 781.4.
No link to department posted statistics has been added, please let me know if these exist and I will add them.

Links:
Test Magic Econ Forums
econphd.econwiki.com
Last Updated: 14:58:1, Fri May 11, 2012