Index of Schools AnalysisAbout the Site 2012 20112010 20092008 2007all years
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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:

Kevs 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ/Math BS double major. Small private Midwest university. Unknown econ dept.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85
GRE: 164 Q, 156 V, 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (B), Calc II (A), Calc III (A), Discrete I (A-), Discrete II (A), Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Probability and Statistics (A), Statistics (A), Abstract Algebra (A-)
Grad Math Courses: Game Theory (in progress)
Econ Courses: standard UG sequence with econometrics
Letters of Recommendation: Nobody famous. Thesis adviser and guy I was an RA for, was very strong. Another econ prof I had a few classes with, was strong. Math prof w/ phd from Berkeley who taught me calc III and real analysis.
Research Experience: RA, did a senior thesis that applied game theory to IO. Theoretical paper.
Teaching Experience: tutored econ and calc for 3 semesters. Was a TA for diff eq and calculus.
Research Interests: At time of application, game theory and IO. Now I've added behavioral and experimental.
SOP: It was an SOP alright.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD ($--will attend), UT-austin
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Kellogg MECS, Caltech, HBS, NYU, Boston U, Maryland, Penn State
Pending: Funding decision from UT, but I don't care what it is. EDIT: No funding at UT.
What would you have done differently? Applied to significantly more schools because I'm from an unknown and small econ program. We do not even have a PhD program. For anyone in a similar situation who doesn't wish to transfer, here is some advice. If you want to breach the top 25, you have to get very good grades. This isnt enough though. When your good grades are compared to the same grades from someone from Yale, guess who theyre going to choose. So you need something that separates you from the pack. For me, I think that was my thesis and my LORs were very strong (despite coming from nobody famous). Apply to a lot of schools as the variance for someone with this background will be high. Just look at my case--outright rejection from Penn State, but got into UCSD. I got lucky.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCSD ($--will attend), UT-austin
  • Institution: UT Austin Econ PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Don't know Notification Date: 3/1/12 Notified Through: Checked website Posted on GC: No Comments:Yay! I think of the schools remaining on my list, NYU is the only one id rather go to.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Kellogg MECS, Caltech, HBS, NYU, Boston U, Maryland, Penn State
  • Institution: Northwestern MEDS Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: happened to check their admissions page today Posted on GC: No Comments: It was only my dream school so no big loss right?
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: March 9 Notified through: checked website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: March 9 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Boston University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm pretty sure Boston, Penn State, and Maryland pick names out of a hat...
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: expected
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

Blerg 2012:
Thanks, TM community for being such a valuable resource. I was a lurker, but I'll submit my results for posterity and such. All of the results below are what was put on my applications, i.e. the first 6 semesters of college.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Flagship Public (Top 5 math, Top 10 econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.63
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q/680V/5AWA
Math Courses: Intro Bus. Stats (A-)/Calc III (B+)/Linear Algebra (B)/Discrete Math (A-)/Numerical Analysis (B)/Probability (A)/Intro to Analysis (B)/Linear Algebra (B+)/Stochastic Processes (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A-)/Intermediate Macro (A)/Transition Economics (B-)/Mathematical Economics (A-)/Econometrics (A)/International Trade (A-)/Advanced Microeconomics (A)/Development (In Progress as of Fall)/International Monetary Econ (IP as of Fall)/Thesis (IP as of fall)
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from the guy who taught me mathematical economics/1 from a guy I was a RA for/ 1 from the guy who taught advanced micro, with whom I also wrote my thesis. All are well respected Microeconomists who are still publishing
Research Experience: Several semesters as RA for various profs, Was writing my thesis while applying
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Development, Micro
SOP: Cookie cutter, nothing special at all
Other: I had been worried about that 1 really bad grade on an econ class, as well as my rather average grades in math classes
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD (ATTENDING!) (full tuition, 25% TAship first year, 50% after), BU (Nothing first year, full tuition and ~18k TAship years 2-5)
Waitlists: UCLA (I asked to be removed)
Rejections: NYU, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Michigan, Penn, NW, Chicago, UCB, Columbia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown
Pending: N/A
What would you have done differently?
Let me count the ways...The main point would have just been doing better in classes. I don't know that I could have gotten A's in all of those classes, as the math department is very competitive and very bright, but I'm sure I could have bumped Bs up to B+s, etc. Writing a thesis was key, as I think it got my by far my best letter of rec. I also would have lowered my expectations, and applied to some lower ranked schools.
Regardless, I am ecstatic with my outcome. La Jolla is going to be glorious.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCSD (ATTENDING!) (full tuition, 25% TAship first year, 50% after), BU (Nothing first year, full tuition and ~18k TAship years 2-5)
Rejects:
    Rejections: NYU, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Michigan, Penn, NW, Chicago, UCB, Columbia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA (I asked to be removed)

chatlunatique 2012:
Type of undergrad: BA in Econ, minor in Math, from large public school in the midwest (top 60 econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4.00
GRE: 170 Q /160 V /6.0 AWA
Math courses: Multivariate calc (A), Vector calc (A), Diff EQ (A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (A+; taken at Ivy)
Econ courses: Econometrics I-II (A,A), Honors thesis (A), Financial econ (A), Trade (A), Development (A), Seminar in Monetary econ (A), Seminar in trade/devo (A), Statistical analysis (A), Intermediate Macro/Micro (A,C+), Intro Macro/Micro (A,A+)
Other courses: Some African studies, some French, others from across the humanities/social science spectrum
Letters of recommendation: 2 from professors who I have managed field research projects for in the past 2 years (I am co-authoring a paper with one; both are junior but fairly well known in their sub-fields and earned their PhDs from top programs). 1 from undergrad professor who I took two classes with and excelled.
Research experience: UG thesis; 6 months RA at a regional Fed; 2 years RA managing research projects in an African country; co-authoring paper with one of my current bosses.
Teaching experience: 2 semesters TA for Intro to Micro
Research interest: Development, IO, Personnel, Micro
SOP: Talked about my research interests and how they developed, and explained my grade trajectory.
Other: Phi Beta Kappa, Summa cum laude, econ departmental honors
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NSF ($$$$), HBS Bus-Ec ($$$$), Stanford ($$$$), LSE ($$$), Northwestern ($$$), UCSD ($$$), UCLA ($$$), Duke ($$), Michigan ($$), Maryland ($$)
Rejections: Harvard econ, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Chicago GSB, Columbia, Columbia GSB, NYU, NYU Stern, Penn, Penn Wharton, UCL, Berkeley, Brown
Attending: HBS!
What would you have done differently?
Nothing? I’m thrilled with my acceptances, and managed to get into my top 2 choices, even with such high variance in outcomes. Above all else my results show that even with a shaky and unfocused first couple years of undergrad, it is possible to get into good programs. I did not take any math or serious econ courses until my fourth year of university, and ended up overcoming some poor early grades (including a C+ in intermediate micro) to finish strong in my last two years, and then go on to earn RA positions where I was able to work with top economists on research that fascinated me. Should be a fun few years ahead!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NSF ($$$$), HBS Bus-Ec ($$$$), Stanford ($$$$), LSE ($$$), Northwestern ($$$), UCSD ($$$), UCLA ($$$), Duke ($$), Michigan ($$), Maryland ($$)
  • Institution: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Decision: Accepted Funding: Standard NSF package Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Pretty awesome.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard econ, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Chicago GSB, Columbia, Columbia GSB, NYU, NYU Stern, Penn, Penn Wharton, UCL, Berkeley, Brown
Waitlists:

fina 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top Canadian School
Undergrad GPA: 4.25/4.33
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800/V770/AW5.0
Math Courses:Calculus I (A level), Calculus II (A+), Advanced Calculus I(aka honours vector calculus, A), Vector Calculus II(A), Matrix Algebra (A+), ODE (A+), RA I (A), Number Theory (A)
Econ Courses: Intro Micro&Macro (A level), Honours Intermediate Micro I&II (both A+), Honours Inter Macro I&II (A, A+), Maths for Econ (A+), Intro Econometrics (A), International Finance (A+), Environ Econ (A), Econ Transition (A-), Grad Econometrics (A+), Game Theory (A+), International Macro (A-), Trade Theory (A-), Market Structure [aka IO] (A+), Tax (A+)Other Courses: languages, literature classes, all A+
Letters of Recommendation: One from a young professor, one from well-known labour economist, one from well-know micro theorist, all know me well personally
Research Experience: Honours Thesis, senior research
Teaching Experience: tutor for intro and intermediate econ contracted by department; grader for maths
Research Interests: micro theory/IO/Policy
SOP: Standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin($), UT Austin($), UCSD($), Minnesota($), Cornell($), Brown
Waitlists: Michigan, UPenn, CMU, NYU
Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Northwestern, Columbia
Pending: Toronto (what the hell....)
Attending: Wisconsin!!!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Wisconsin($), UT Austin($), UCSD($), Minnesota($), Cornell($), Brown
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification: 2/26/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Nice to have somewhere to go~~~~~
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Northwestern, Columbia
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Michigan, UPenn, CMU, NYU

mar412 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 15 US ( Top 10 Econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad: MA from Top 20 Econ
Grad GPA: 3.9
GRE: 790 Q, 800 V, 4.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calc 3 (A), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (A), Probability (A), Analysis (A)
Econ Courses: Lots of Undergrad Econ with A/A-s, MA Level: Micro (A-), Macro (B+), Econometrics (A), Advanced Micro (A), Computer Modeling for Policy Analysis (A); Phd Level: Real Analysis for Econ (A), Micro I (A), Econometrics I (B+)
Other Courses:Phd Stats Intro Course (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from unknown undergrad prof who knew me really well, 1 from unknown MA prof who knew me really well, 1 "institutional letter" from phd profs.
Research Experience: Worked about 2 years as RA estimating tax revenues for a state agency...if that counts
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Wasn't sure..., claimed labor topics in micro and macro
SOP: Pretty standard, I'm sure. I didn't have much time to work on it due to an illness in the family.
Other: Didn't know what I wanted to do as an undergrad and after getting some work experience, I decided to pursue my Phd. Most of my math and Phd courses were taken in my MA program
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Minnesota ($), UCSD ($), Penn (w/l but got $), UNC(?)
Waitlists:UVA, Michigan
Rejections:Princeton, MIT, Yale, Vanderbilt, UCLA, Duke, Northwestern
Pending:None
What would you have done differently?
I think in terms of my research experience and grades I did as well as I could given my circumstances. To me, being there for my family during a time of stress was the most important thing, and I still feel proud of the choices I made. In an ideal world, I would've realized that I wanted to get my Phd as an undergrad and taken as many math classes as possible then. But, it didn't happen that way. Overall I am happy with what I achieved and am excited to start my studies next fall.
Attending: Penn
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Minnesota ($), UCSD ($), Penn (w/l but got $), UNC(?)
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: Not mentioned Notification date: 03.14.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Automated email from the graduate admissions office. No word from the department yet.
Rejects:
    Rejections:Princeton, MIT, Yale, Vanderbilt, UCLA, Duke, Northwestern
Waitlists:
    Waitlists:UVA, Michigan

george 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Double major: Math/Econ from a top 50 us.
Undergrad GPA: 3.95 (4.0 Math/Econ)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q: 170 V: 166 AWA: 4.5
Math Courses: Calc I-III high school, Real Analysis 1-2 (A), Linear Algebra 1-2 (A), Abstract Algebra 1-2 (A), (A), Combinatorics (A), Number Theory (A), Topology (A), Graph Theory (A), Algebraic Topology grad (A), Combinatorics grad (A), Functional Analysis grad (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): MicroTheory 1-3 (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro(A), Macro (A), Principles Micro (A), Principles Macro (A), Labor Economics (A), Crime Economics (A), Game Theory (A), International Econ (A), Research seminar (A), Econometrics (A).
Other Courses: Symbolic Logic (A).
Letters of Recommendation: 2 that are very well known, and 1 that is brilliant, all very strong.
Research Experience: Did research in both math and econ
Teaching Experience: TA for a math course
Research Interests: Micro, applied micro, risk
SOP: awesome.
Concerns: Strength of undergrad institution
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Brown, Penn off wl, Chicago off wl, UCSD, Columbia.
WL: Chicago, Duke, Penn
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, Berkeley, Princeton
What would you have done differently?
I got brought in and told the reasons for my poor results at one of the schools, and he said it was all institution. All you have to do though is take a couple years off and ra with someone famous, if youre in this position but I want to head straight to grad school plus new york is pretty swanky.
Attending: Columbia
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Brown, Penn off wl, Chicago off wl, UCSD, Columbia. WL: Chicago, Duke, Penn
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: no 1st year Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: yea
  • Institution: Brown Ph.D. Economics Decision: admitted Funding: that weird first year thing Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: I think its weird that Ive been an on the cusp applicant at such a range of schools I think what that means is Im risky or something.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention Notification date: 03.14.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: 3 am like the rest
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, Berkeley, Princeton
Waitlists:

roadvirusss 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5 Liberal Arts College
Majors: BA Math, BA Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.94/4
GRE: 800Q, 610 V, 6.0 AW
Math 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), Operations Research (A), Topology (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Macro (A-), Intro Micro (A), Empirical Methods (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), International (A), Energy Economics (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Advanced Micro (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics I (A-)
Research Experience: Departmental honors for theses in both majors; Math thesis will be published. Did econ and math research during undergrad summers.
Research Interests: Applied Micro, IO
SOP: Spent no time on fluff; focused on a particular project.
Letters of recommendation: Four active Harvard PhD economists.
Concerns: Did poorly when I applied two years ago (Profiles and Results 2010).
Work Experience: Two years working as an RA at a top 5.
Results:
Accepted: Princeton, Northwestern, Chicago Booth, Columbia, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Duke
Waitlists (all declined): Penn (vh), NYU, Michigan
Rejected: Wharton (Interviewed), Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, GSB, Chicago, Stern, HBS, Cornell
Never Heard from: UW
Attending: Princeton
What would you have done differently?
Nothing. I was very well informed about the process this time around. I'm definitely happy with my results, and in the end the decision between Princeton and Northwestern was a tough one. It was odd that the only Top 7 I got into was the one worst in IO even though my SOP was spent entirely on an IO topic. My decision to take two years off was in the end vindicated, even though I largely slacked off during this time and at one point almost gave up on the PhD route. I can't help but be an advocate of the liberal arts college -> RA -> PhD route, as the improvement in rec letters alone earned me a jump from the top 25 to the top 5.
Accepts:
    Accepted: Princeton, Northwestern, Chicago Booth, Columbia, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Duke
  • Institution: Booth Econ Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 35k Notification Date: 2/23/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Shocked!
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 19k Notification Date: 2/28/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 26.5k Notification Date: 3/2/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: I need to ask for it? Notification Date: 3/2/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Withdrawn
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 22k Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Wow!
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 30k Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Absolutely stunned.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 19k Notification Date: 3/14/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Declined
Rejects:
    Rejected: Wharton (Interviewed), Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, GSB, Chicago, Stern, HBS, Cornell
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/17/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/23/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Disappointed...
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Chicago Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/2/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified Through: Mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution:NYU Stern - Econ Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notified: 3/12 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics PhD Decision: Rejected (Interviewed) Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/16/2012 Notified Through: E-mail to check website. Posted to GC: No Comments: Didn't take it as a good sign that my interviewer never got back to me with the follow-up emails he promised. My results have had a pretty high variance so far.
  • Institution: Cornell Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 4/4/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: NSF waiting list?
Waitlists:
    Waitlists (all declined): Penn (vh), NYU, Michigan
  • Institution: Penn Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/24/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/6/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Waitlist size is "in the tens."
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notified: 3/13/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments:

SpiderPig 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Math, Econ Double major, Top 10 University
Undergrad GPA: 3.9 (3.8+ Math, 3.9+ Econ)
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: Q 800 V 800 AWA 5
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A+,A+,A), Linear Algebra (A+), ODE (A), PDE(A+) Probability (A-), Grad Computing I-II (A,A), Grad Algebra I (B+), Grad Analysis I-II (B+,B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD Econometrics I (Fall 2011), PhD Micro I (Fall 2011)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro (A), Micro I-II (A,A), Econometrics (A), Finance (A-)
Other Courses: nothing special
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Research advisor who I did (for entire summer) and will be doing IO stuff with, took undergrad metrics with
2. Research advisor who I did (summer) and will be doing applied micro stuff with
3. plan to get one from one of the PhD econ prof next semester
Research Experience: several projects in math, econ, pubpol, thesis
Teaching Experience: math TA for 2yrs
Research Interests: IO, applied micro, metrics, finance (not sure, but really I'm open to everything right now)
SOP: Almost done, fairly standard
Concerns: low grades in RA
Other:
Applying to: All top 10 Econ+some 10-20, most top 10 finance, a couple MA in econ/stats
Accepts:
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: 26K Fellowship Notification date: 03/14/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 25%TA+$9000+50%tuition waiver-tuition = $1000 stipend???!!!! Notification date: 03/14/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: too late...
Rejects:
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification date: March 23. Notified through: email. Posted on GC: No. Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notified: 3/13/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: I feel honored to be waitlisted at the same time with the two fellas above
  • Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification date: 03/21/12 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:Thanks laca for posting!

superman0916 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Major in Math and Econ at a Large State University. Top 40 Econ. Program
Undergrad GPA: 3.94, 4 for math
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800/V650/AW3.0
Math Courses: Cal I,II,III; LA(I,II); ODE; Real Analysis(I,II); Statistic(I, II); Discrete math; Abstract Algebra; All 4.0 for these courses
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro(4.0), Macro(4.0) two Econometric courses(4.0) some other basic undergrad econ classes
Other Courses: Math for Econ. PhD (Right now); PhD Micro(Right now) Phd Econometrics(Right now)
Letters of Recommendation:
One from a famous Economist(I'm doing a research with him), strong be stroong;
Professor for PhD econometrics class, very famous, I did well on the first midterm, talked about my current research with him couple times, not sure how strong it is;
Professor for the PhD micro class
Math Professor I'm TAing for. I also took one class with her two years ago, and I think I was the top student...
Research Experience: RA this summer.(with funding) We are writing a program for STATA. Still doing it now, but it seems like noting will be published before the end of the year.
Teaching Experience: TA for the Math department for almost two years. TAing Linear Algebra now.
Research Interests: Econometrics, Time series analysis
SOP: I would say its just ok...
Applying: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, U of Chicago, Berkely, Yale, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown, Duke, BU, OSU, U of Maryland.
Good luck for everyone!
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waiting for first year funding, TA or RA in 2-4 years Notification date: 2/22/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Nice! Still waiting for 16 schools...
  • Institution: UCLA Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No first year funding Notification date: 03/02/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Hope they give me funding for first year
  • Institution: University of Maryland - College Park Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Full Funding 19K Notification date: 03/0602/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Not bad
  • Institution: BU Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No first year funding Notification date: 03/12/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Full Funding Notification date: 03/14/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: My Favorite school! Great place to do Econometrics
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: upset...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NO~~~ Notification Date: 02/29/12 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NO~~~ Notification Date: 02/29/12 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NO~~~ Notification Date: 02/29/12 Notified Through: E-mail to Check website Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:

emanuele 2012:
Institution: California Institute of Technology
Program: Social Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition waiver + 28k Stipend
Notification date: 1/28/2012
Notified through: Phone
Posted on GC: No
Comments: ​​
Accepts:
  • Institution: California Institute of Technology Social Sciences PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + 28k Stipend Notification date: 1/28/2012 Notified through: Phone Posted on GC: No Comments: ​​
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 26k Notification Date: February 29 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 22k Notification Date: February 29 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 34k Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Will come by email soon Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: LSE Economics (Track 1) Decision: Accepted Funding: 18590 Notification date: 5 March 2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k (but more if I decide to go) Notification date: 3 March 2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 24k + summer fellowship Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: no TA/RA duties for five years
  • Institution: UC San Diego Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: later by email Notified: 13 March Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/23 Notified through: checked website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: February 29 Notified Through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 24 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 24 Notified Through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 28 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified: 12 March Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified: 8 March Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
Waitlists:

barrywoo 2012:
Institution: University of Maryland, College Park
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 19.5k TAship
Notification date: 03/06/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: Waitlisted for first-year fellowship.Yeeaahh....
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Maryland, College Park Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 19.5k TAship Notification date: 03/06/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: Waitlisted for first-year fellowship.Yeeaahh....
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Admit Funding: Nothing about funding Notification date: March 10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comment: UCSD is amazing! But the funding may be a big problem!
Rejects:
Waitlists:


Rejections:

Sheldor 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Economics at top 10 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.2
Type of Grad: M.A. in Economics at top 20 econ phd school
Grad GPA: 3.43
GRE: 166 Q 170 V 5.0 AW
Math Courses: Calc II (B) Calc III (A) Linear Algebra (A) Differential Equations (A+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro (B) Macro (B-) Econometrics (B+) Statistics (B+) Labor Economics (B+) Environmental Economics (A-) Public Economics (B+) Financial Economics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro (B) Macro (A-) Stats (B) Econometrics (B) International Econ (B) Money and Banking (A-) Current Issues in Money and Finance (B+) Public Finance (A-) Law and Economics (B) Investments and Valuation (B+)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: One from a very well known economist from M.A., one from an economist from B.A., one from economist at work
Research Experience: 3 years working as a research analyst for an economic research organization
Teaching Experience: 1 year TA
Research Interests: Applied micro econometrics- primarily labor and public economics
SOP: Talked mostly about my reasons for wanting to be an economist, why I thought I would succeed, some research interests, and tailored a bit to each school
Concerns: low undergrad GPA is a major concern. Also, I have done well in the math I have taken, but haven't had the opportunity to take a lot of it.
Other: Senior undergrad thesis on connection between strength of financial systems and economic growth
RESULTS:
Acceptances: ColoradoWaitlists: Washington
Rejections: Brown, Boston U, Boston College, Maryland, UCSB, UCSD, UCLA, USC, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt, Virginia
Pending: none
Attending: Colorado
What would you have done differently?
I guess there are two different periods of time where I could have changed things. Going back prior to the application process, it would have been nice to realize I wanted to do a PhD sooner as well as get much better grades. I think taking mathematical statistics and real analysis (and doing well) would also have shown my math skills better. Going into the process, I thought my Master's and verbal GRE scores would matter, even though they have been discounted on many forums and information pages. It's hard to know whether my recommendations and SOP could have been better without feedback from the departments, but I definitely think I aimed too high on my school selection. My weaknesses are pretty obvious (low undergrad GPA, decent if not stellar performance in my Master's). If I went through the application process again, I would have eliminated the top 20 programs and focused more on the 30-50 range. However, I am ecstatic to be going to Colorado and I may have picked it even if I had gotten into more schools.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Colorado
  • Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Waiting to hear Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: After 5 rejections, an admit feels great! Funding would be nice.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Brown, Boston U, Boston College, Maryland, UCSB, UCSD, UCLA, USC, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt, Virginia
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date:2/10/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Would have been nice to get in but the process is random so no point in putting a lot of stock in it
  • Institution: UCSB Econ. Ph.D Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/15/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comment: Very surprised and disappointed
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: March 2 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: 0/4 with only two schools ranked out of top 30 left. Starting to get really worried.
  • Institution: USC Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26/2012 Notified through: mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2012 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: expected
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Expected
  • Institution: Maryland Econ Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notified: 3/10 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Expected
  • Institution: UT-Austin Econ Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notified: 3/12 Notified through: website Posted on GC: yes Comments: wow. no letter or email. classy.
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 3/17/2012 Notified Through: mail Posted to GC: yes Comments: Given that the accepts came out awhile ago, I was just waiting to receive the rejection letter.
  • Institution: Boston University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: expected. Now just waiting to hear from Brown and U Washington
  • Institution: Brown University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: now just U Wash
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Washington

greenrebelette 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in International Studies and Chinese, Minor in Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.95
Type of Grad: MA in Economics at top 20 Econ Department, PhD-Track
Grad GPA: 3.49
GRE: Q800, V720, AW5.5
Math Courses: Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Advanced Calculus, Probability
Econ Courses: Econometrics I & II at PhD level, lots
Other Courses: first course in Stat PhD sequence
Letters of Recommendation: 1 excellent (well-known economist), 1 great (unknown instructor), 1 excellent (from political scientist), 1 of unknown (and suspect) quality.
Research Experience: 1 paper, presented at a conference & published on conference website
Teaching Experience: TA for Master’s level class, TA for introductory Chinese course
Research Interests: Environmental Economics, International Economics (Trade)
SOP: Told it was excellent by several profs
Other: none
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Michigan Econ, UMD AREC, UC Davis ARE, MSU AFRE, Ohio State AEDE, Duke UPEP, Iowa State Econ, Wisconsin AAE
Waitlists: Michigan Econ (originally)
Rejections: UC San Diego Econ, Harvard PEG, Brown Econ, Cornell AEM, Berkeley AREC, Georgetown Econ
Attending: Michigan Econ
What would you have done differently? Figured out what kind of career I wanted (in an econ dept or ARE dept) BEFORE I applied!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Michigan Econ, UMD AREC, UC Davis ARE, MSU AFRE, Ohio State AEDE, Duke UPEP, Iowa State Econ, Wisconsin AAE
Rejects:
    Rejections: UC San Diego Econ, Harvard PEG, Brown Econ, Cornell AEM, Berkeley AREC, Georgetown Econ
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Michigan Econ (originally)

hulk86 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS Econ (top 25, top 50 econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.69
Type of Grad: MA Econ (Top 20 econ)
Grad GPA: 3.81
GRE: 800Q 710V 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A, A, A), Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis I-II (A, A-)
Econ Courses (Ph.D.-level): Micro I (A-) Macro I (A-) Metrics I (A)
Econ Courses (MA-level): Time Series (A-), Micro theory (A+), Macro I-II (A, A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Typical undergrad econ major with political economy electives, mostly A-/B+ with some As
Other Courses: (All Stat Ph.D.-level) Probability (A), Stat. Inference (B), Probability and Measure Theory (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from profs that taught me, 1 from prof I RAed for
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis, 2 semesters RA + current full-time RA job
Teaching Experience: Private tutoring in math and econ
Research Interests: Political economy, growth, development, social choice, public economics
SOP: Standard
Other: n/a
RESULTS:
Acceptances: U Virginia ($$), Michigan State ($$$)
Waitlists: Duke, Johns Hopkins
Rejections: Yale, Berkeley, MIT, Wisconsin, Princeton, Maryland, UCSD, Michigan, Brown, Harvard, NYU, Cornell
Attending: Michigan State
What would you have done differently?
I would have been more careful about selecting letter writers. I expected to bag a few more admits (as did my adviser)--especially target schools like Maryland or Wisconsin--and I suspect one reason why I didn't was because one of my letters was weak. I overestimated the signalling power of good grades in hard classes and didn't fully appreciate the primacy of LORs until the process was underway. Nonetheless, I'm very pleased with my great offer from MSU, which became my top choice yesterday (without hearing about my waitlists) due to external, personal/geographic factors. Really excited to get started in August!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: U Virginia ($$), Michigan State ($$$)
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $25K, 5 years (university fellowship) Notification Date: 2/08/2012 Notified through: phone, then email Posted on GC: yes Comments: oops, disregard old signature
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition, health, 20k TAship Notification date: 03/05/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Berkeley, MIT, Wisconsin, Princeton, Maryland, UCSD, Michigan, Brown, Harvard, NYU, Cornell
  • Institution: Yale Decision: reeeeeejected Funding: Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check online status change Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UC-Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: tornado watch where i'm at...
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified Through: Email to check webpage Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: ​
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: it's about time.
  • Institution: University of California, San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Duke, Johns Hopkins
  • Institution: JHU Econ PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification Date: 3/1/12 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: hmm.
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: good grief, not again!

unfallible 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 50 State School (flagship), BS Econ, BA Philosophy
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad:N/A
Grad GPA:N/A
GRE: 800Q, 760V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Intro Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Intro to Proofs, Linear Algebra, Intro Real Analysis (All As, except for A- in Linear Algebra)
Econ Courses: Intro/Intermediate Micro/Macro, Econometrics, Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Labor (All As); Grad Level: Math for Economists (B+)
Other Courses: Intro Probability
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Economics Professors I had in class + one administrator that I did something significant with (vague to protect anonymity)
Research Experience: Senior Thesis
Teaching Experience: 2 semesters TA (Intermediate Micro and Labor)
Research Interests: Labor, IO
SOP: brief, with a 'cutesy' anecdote about incentives
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT Austin ($$), Ohio State ($$), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), UArizona($), UNC Chapel Hill (?)
Waitlists: Berkeley(rejected), Georgetown (declined)
Rejections: MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA,UCSD,Cornell,CMU,Maryland,Penn State
Pending: UIUC(Never responded. Maybe my application didn't fully go through?)
Attending: UTAustin
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT Austin ($$), Ohio State ($$), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), UArizona($), UNC Chapel Hill (?)
  • Institution: Ohio State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ? Notification Date:2/10/2012 Notified through: Online status change Posted on GC: no Comments: Anyone know if they have posted financial packages?
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: online status change. Followed by email the following day. Posted on GC: no Comments: Was not expecting this one! Just decided to check status randomly.
  • Institution: UT Austin Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: ?? Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: website, checked after saw reddavies post Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm getting more admits than I expected for it being so early!
  • Institution: University of Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ~7k (I think this is per semester. Otherwise this is a joke...) Notification date: March 26 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
    rejected), Georgetown (declined) Rejections: MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA,UCSD,Cornell,CMU,Maryland,Penn State
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified Through: Email to check webpage Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/1/12 Notified through: application Posted on GC: no Comments: ^econphdhopeful2 says it all
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification Date: 3/2/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Thought I had this one...
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Website Status Posted on GC: No Comments: Surprised by this. Thought I had a good shot here
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: March 9 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification date: March 23. Notified through: email. Posted on GC: No. Comments: I had hoped to get in here...
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Berkeley(
  • Institution: Berkeley Ph.D Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: NA Notification Date: 2/27/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Best I could have hoped for...
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification date: March 9 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No

reddavies 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA/BS International Affairs and Economics, Math minor at top 50 U.S.
Undergrad GPA: 3.92
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 168Q, 164V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Proofs (A), Computing in Math (A), Math Finance (A), Real Analysis (A-), Math Stat I-II (A,A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Game Theory (A), Economics of Crime (A), Money and Banking (A); Taken Abroad: Public (1st), Econometrics (1st), Dynamic Optimization (1st), International (1st), Advanced Macro (1st)
Other Courses: C/C++ (A), plus a bunch for my international affairs major that probably aren't relevant
Letters of Recommendation: two economics professors, one stat professors. Think they were okay.
Research Experience: one semester RA, the work wasn't very technical though
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Applied Micro (education, crime, etc.)
SOP: okay, definitely could have been better
Other: Studied abroad for a year in the UK
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke ($$), Cornell ($$), UT Austin ($), Brown (no $)
Waitlists: Penn (eventually rejected off the list)
Rejections: NYU, Yale, Caltech, UCLA, Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, Northwestern
Attending: Duke!
What would you have done differently?
Hard to say. I'm really happy with my results. Personally, I wish I had dropped my international affairs major and done just econ and math, but I'm not sure that would have necessarily helped my profile. I went into the process thinking it was almost all about the math background you had, but I think more and more that your letters and research background count for a lot more. I think schools look at fit as well. The schools I got into seemed to fit me really well and a few that I thought I'd get into but didn't, turned out not to fit me all that well. Also, I wish I had been more active in finding research opportunities. My results might have been better if I took a year or two offer to work as an RA, but honestly I really want to move straight into the PhD and Duke is an amazing place with great placements so I'm really happy with how things turned out.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Duke ($$), Cornell ($$), UT Austin ($), Brown (no $)
  • Institution: UT Austin Economics Decision: admitted Funding: no idea? Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: website, decided to check to see and saw the admission Posted on GC: No Comments: No word on funding and never got an email, but it's great to finally have an admission!!!
  • Institution: Duke Economics Phd Decision: Admitted Funding: $18K + other stuff Notification date: 2/28/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Yay!!!!!!
  • Institution: Brown Economics (technically an MA for the first-year. If I pass, then I enter into the second-year of the PhD.) Decision: Accepted Funding: No first-year funding, TA-ship next years Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: A little confused on the offer, but really excited to get another admit!
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 5 Year Funding Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: E-mail Posted to GC: No Good to finally be done!
Rejects:
    rejected off the list) Rejections: NYU, Yale, Caltech, UCLA, Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, Northwestern
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Things are looking bleaker...
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 29 Feb Notified Through: Application website Posted on GC: No Comments: bummer...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 29 Notified Through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Shouldn't have been surprised I guess, but still...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/02/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Thought I had a chance
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Kind of expected it :-(
  • Institution: University of California, San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notified: 3/13 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UMich Economics PhD Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comment: Looks like it's going to be Duke!
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 3/21/2012 Notified Through: E-mail Posted to GC: No
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Penn (eventually
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: I hope, I hope, I hope...

Pburg 2012:
Type of Undergrad: US, top 30
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 (3.9 econ, 3.6 math)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q 167 V 161 AWA 5.5
Math Courses: Calc II and III (A-, B+), Lin Alg (B+), Intro to Proofs (B), Math Stats (A-), Applied Stats (A), Bayesian Stats (B+), Diff Eq (A-), Nonlinear ODE (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Analysis (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles of Micro, Macro (A-, A), Hon Intermediate Micro, Macro (A, A-), History (A), Intro & Intermediate Econometrics (A-, A), IO (A), Math for Econ (A), Information (A), Regulation/Antitrust (A)
Letters of Recommendation: good to great, from Stanford, Michigan, and UCLA econ PhDs
Research Experience: summer RA, kind of light
Teaching Experience: TA 4 semesters
Research Interests: applied micro
SOP: average
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin ($), Vanderbilt ($$)
Waitlists: UVA (withdrawn)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern, UCSD, Cornell, Duke, Penn State, UC Berkeley ARE
Attending: Wisconsin
What would you have done differently? Better math grades. If I had developed an interest in econ sooner, I might have avoided some mediocre grades and snagged a couple more research opportunities.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Wisconsin ($), Vanderbilt ($$)
  • Institution: Vanderbilt econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: First year fellowship + TAship Notification date: 2/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: how nice
  • Institution: U. Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: 2/26/2012 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern, UCSD, Cornell, Duke, Penn State, UC Berkeley ARE
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: randomly checked website, no email Posted on GC: no Comments: no interview
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UVA (withdrawn)

wantchi 2012:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5, Top 5 Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.58
Type of Grad: A few courses at a top 5 program while working
Grad GPA: 3.33
GRE: 800Q, 700V, 4.0W
Math Courses: Real Analysis (B+,A,A-), Abstract Algebra (A,B), Complex Analysis (B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics (B,B) Microeconometrics (A), Game Theory (B-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro (B,A-), Intermediate Macro (B,B+), Game Theory (A)
Other Courses: Stat Methods and Applications (A), Stat Theory and Methods (A-, A-), Mathematical Probability (A-), Applied Linear Statistical Methods (Grad Course, B+), Categorical Data (A), Probability Models (Grad Course, A)
Letters of Recommendation: Best from Professor in Top 20f IDEAS rankings, 2 very strong letters from well published economists at a regional Fed (each program received only one of these), 1 decent letter ("He got an A in my class which was a tough class") from a Very Famous economist ("just" top 50n IDEAS but a big name)
Research Experience: Lots. Undergrad Honors Thesis Paper, 2 Years as an undergrad, 2+ years at a regional Fed. Coauthored paper accepted at a good journal and several other coauthored projects in the works.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Inequality, Labor, Econometrics, Public
SOP: Individualized to each school. Mentioned a few professors whose research I'm interested in.
Concerns: Grades (obviously!).
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NWU (Fellowship starting 2nd year), Wisconsin ($$), Harris School of Public Policy ($$), UCL MSc
Waitlists: Penn (Rejected), UCLA (Withdrew), Maryland (Withdrew), Washington (Withdrew)
Rejections: Chicago, Booth, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Berkeley, Michigan, UCSD
Attending: Harris School of Public Policy
What would you have done differently?
I'm actually quite happy with how things worked out. The Harris School is a perfect fit for my research interests. I am really excited about every aspect of the program. It is more flexible than most econ programs, so they are letting me take whichever Econ department courses I want, but I can skip the one's I'm not interested in (i.e. Macro). Now, I just need to prove that you can get a job coming out of a policy school!
I probably would have done better for myself by taking 2nd year courses while working instead of the core econometrics courses. The grading would have been less brutal (decently high above median = B) and I would have been able to talk to the professors more and maybe gotten a better letter.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NWU (Fellowship starting 2nd year), Wisconsin ($$), Harris School of Public Policy ($$), UCL MSc
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship first two years + guaranteed funding for 2 more Notification Date: 2/14/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes (Grad School Admissions Results, Discussions, Tips, Forums, Help • thegradcafe.com for people who don't know) Comment: First admit! Super excited! I was freaking out about Yale today and definitely wasn't expecting to hear from Wisconsin!
  • Institution: Harris School of Public Policy at Chicago Public Policy PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: around 19k Notification Date: 3/2/12 Notified Through: Unofficial e-mail from professor Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Not an econ phd, but the faculty includes economists so I'll post it.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: e-mail Posted to GC: yes Comments: Soooo happy!
  • Institution: University College of London Economics MSc Decision: Accepted Funding: -17500 pounds Notification date: 04/13/2012 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: So much for letting me know 6 weeks after I submitted the application. Declined already.
Rejects:
    Rejected), UCLA (Withdrew), Maryland (Withdrew), Washington (Withdrew) Rejections: Chicago, Booth, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Berkeley, Michigan, UCSD
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/22/2012 (11:51 am Eastern Time) Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution: Booth Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/28 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yep Comments: Depressing.
  • Institution: UChicago Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Really, really sad about this one.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: Yep. Comments:
  • Institution: Princeton Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UC San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notified: 3/13 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution: Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/16/12 Notified through: E-mail Comments: I wish they'd just send out a batch e-mail.
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 3/21/2012 Notified Through: E-mail Posted to GC: Yes Comments: Wanted to be in Chicago anyway!
  • Institution: Penn Economics PhD Decision: Rejected off waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/10/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Penn (
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/27/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: A weekly kick in the face after my 1st year Notification Date: 3/2/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: I responded to the e-mail and asked to be removed from the waitlist.
  • Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:

ptf 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics (Minor: Mathematics) from an unknown SE Asian university (Top 2 in my unknown country)
Undergrad GPA: 3.83 (Econ: 3.76, Math: 3.81)
Type of Grad: MSc Economics from a Top 3 UK university
Grad GPA: Pass (Average: 58.5%)
GRE: 800Q/320V/3.5AW, 800Q/500V/3.0AW
Math Courses (Undergrad): Calculus 1-3 (A, B+, A), Logic and Set Theory (A), Abstract Algebra (B+), Linear Algebra (A), Ordinary Differential Equation (A), Partial Differential Equation (A), Mathematical Analysis (B+), Vector Analysis (A), Statistics 1-2 (A, B+)
Econ Courses (Undergrad): Principles of Microeconomics (A), Principles of Macroeconomics (A), Microeconomic Theory (A), Macroeconomic Theory (B+), Mathematical Economics 1-2 (B, A), Econometrics 1-2 (B, B+), Public Economics 1-2 (A, B+), Seminar in Public Economics (A), International Economics 1-2 (B+, A), Seminar in International Economics (A), Monetary Economics 1-2 (A, A), Industrial Organization (A), Agricultural Marketing (B+)
Econ Courses (Grad): Microeconomics (Merit), Macroeconomics (Merit), Econometrics (Pass), Public Economics (Pass)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from senior lecturer at my grad program (PhD Harvard) + 1 from assistant professor at my undergrad program (PhD ANU) + 1 from lecturer at my undergrad program (PhD Indiana)
Research Experience: 2 years of part-time RA in public economics and international economics during my undergrad
Teaching Experience: 2 semesters of TA in microeconomics during my undergrad
Research Interests: public finance, education, inequality, macroeconomics
SOP: Standard statement talking about my preparations, explaining bad grades in my master's degree, and describing my research interests with some (minor) modifications for each school (Not so specific in terms of research topics and hardly mentioned any particular names)
Other: (1) Participated in a summer internship at the central bank (2) Got funding for my graduate studies from the government scholarship (3) Had a second bachelors in political science and is currently doing a second masters in political theory
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago
Waitlists: Pennsylvania, UC-Davis, Washington
Rejections: UC-Berkeley, Northwestern, Columbia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, UCLA, UCSD, Duke, CMU, Marryland, Rochester, UT-Austin, Oxford, UCL
Pending: UIUC
Attending: Chicago
What would you have done differently?
Well, I've always thought that my life would be much easier if I did my undergrad in the US. Anyway, I'm more than happy -- and very surprised -- with this bizarre result.
Some advices from my experience!
If you're from an unknown country, a master's degree from a well-known program does help a lot! Coming from a university outside the US, you'll get more chance if there've been some students from that university in a program to which you are apllying. Also, things get easier if you've got external funding. Another important thing is to note that all this process is extremely subjective; therefore, you should apply to quite a wide range of schools. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pray hard... I think it helps!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Chicago
Rejects:
    Rejections: UC-Berkeley, Northwestern, Columbia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, UCLA, UCSD, Duke, CMU, Marryland, Rochester, UT-Austin, Oxford, UCL
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Pennsylvania, UC-Davis, Washington

TA89 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Dual Major in Economics/Mathematics from Top 10 liberal arts college. Transfer from a top public after one year, Summer Coursework at an ivy, top 15 national university, and another top public.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85 (Math: 3.90, Economics: 3.85)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q:780 V:570 AWA:6.0 (second attempt)
Math Courses: Calculus I (A+), Calculus II (B+), Calculus III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A-), Introduction to Analysis (A), Analysis & Optimization (A), Probability (Fall 2011), Principles of Real Analysis I (Fall 2011)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Microeconomics I (A), Advanced Microeconomics II (A): The first semester course used MWG and covered consumer theory/producer theory/GE topics. The second semester course used half the class to cover Gibbons' Game Theory, and the second half covered Contract Theory using Bolton and Dewatripont, as well as Berkeley lecture notes. Both were Ph.D. level courses.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles of Microeconomics (A), Principles of Macroeconomics (A), Experimental Economics (B+), Intermediate Microeconomics (A-), Intermediate Macroeconomics (A-), Economics Statistics (A), Econometrics (A-), International Trade (A),
Other Courses: Not sure what to say here, but I took a year of Chinese (A/A), and a Philosophy Seminar/Tutorial double course (A-/A-)
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Adviser. TA'd his UG Advanced Microeconomics class. I will be doing my thesis under him and have spent this summer working on a research project for him.
2. Advanced Microeconomics I-II Professor. Took both my Ph.D. Micro classes and have discussed my graduate school plans with him.
3. Analysis Professor: I took intro Analysis and Principles of Real Analysis I with him.
All should have been very good.
Research Experience: Summer research project in Health Economics for adviser. Will continue this project as my senior thesis. The plan is to submit as a co-author.
Teaching Experience: TA'd undergraduate Advanced Microeconomics.
Research Interests: Micro Theory, International Trade, Applied Micro (very open)
SOP: I haven't written in yet, but will be good.
Concerns: Typical concerns of a liberal arts applicant. Not really sure what to think or expect.
Other: Again, not really sure what to put here. Unlikely it's relevant, but President of Model UN for two years, and lots of Model UN awards.
RESULTS:
Accepted: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences ($$$), Wisconsin ($$), Cornell ($$$), WUSTL ($$$), UT-Austin (?), LSE MsC Econ (-)
Waitlists: Michigan (high on WL, but withdrew), UCLA (rejected), Penn (rejected), UVA (withdrew)
Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern MEDS, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD, Duke Econ, Brown, LSE MsC EME
Attending: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences
What would you have done differently?
Nothing. I could not be happier with the way the process turned out. I am so fortunate to have been presented with so many great offers. Thanks TM for all the guidance along the way.
Accepts:
    Accepted: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences ($$$), Wisconsin ($$), Cornell ($$$), WUSTL ($$$), UT-Austin (?), LSE MsC Econ (-)
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted (Conditional) Funding: - Notification date: 2/10/2012 Notified through: Email/Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Good to know I'll be going to Grad school!
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship: (Tuition Waiver/Fellowship (24K for first year)) Notification Date:2/15/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Absolutely ecstatic...I love WUSTL!
  • Institution: Duke, Fuqua School of Business Decision Sciences PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Standard Fuqua Package (to be decided) Notification Date: Feb. 21 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Incredible program, and one of my top choices. I feel like I'm dreaming.
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship (20K 1st year, TA/RA years 2-4) Notification date: 2/22/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: This is very unexpected as I didn't have my application in by the funding deadline. I would have been happy with one funded offer, and I am extremely fortunate to have what I have so early.
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Not as of now, since they think I'll get a better offer. Notification date: 02/23 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Austin is an awesome city!
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 5 Years (Amount TBA) Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: A great option to have! First ivy league acceptance!
Rejects:
    rejected), Penn (rejected), UVA (withdrew) Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern MEDS, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD, Duke Econ, Brown, LSE MsC EME
  • Institution: LSE MSc EME Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 1/16/2012 Notified through: E-mail/Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Was counting on this as a "safety" of sorts, so I feel this doesn't bode well for my chances for the rest of my applications.
  • Institution: Northwestern MEDS Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Online status change without an e-mail warning. Posted on GC: no Comments: No big deal, Fuqua made me happy yesterday!
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well, moving on.
  • Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/23 Notified through: checked website Posted on GC: Comments:
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: I really liked Caltech but life goes on.
  • Institution: UChicago Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Berkeley Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 3/1/12 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Would've been nice if they had rejected me with everyone else last week instead of making me wait it out.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Michigan (high on WL, but withdrew), UCLA (
  • Institution: Penn Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: - Notification date: 2/28/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Bummer
  • Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: 18K stipend + health/dental insurance Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Read it as an accept at first...-_- But "short list" it seems.

snowyday 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA magna cum laude in Econ and History from top 30 US undergrad, top 30 econ dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.8
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q / 800V / 6.0 AWA
Math Courses: AP BC Calculus 5, AP Statistics 5, online courses in Linear Algebra and Multivariate Calculus, both As
Econ Courses: Honors Micro Theory A-, Honors Macro Theory A-, Econometrics B+, Game Theory A, Money Banking & Financial Markets A-, Capital Markets A-, Monetary Theory & Policy B+, Senior Thesis A
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis adviser (econ professor, not well known), director of economics honors program for undergraduates (economics professor), senior administrator at another University (PhD in social work)
Research Experience: Received thesis prize for best economics thesis senior year
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: Various, capital markets, Monetary Theory, Macro - subject to change
SOP: Discussed my current situation, and how I came to be seriously interested too late in my undergrad career to pursue more math
Other: Working for last two years in finance job.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke (tuition remission for 1st year), Brown (MA offer w/ no funding), Wisconsin (no funding 1st year), UCSB (waitlist for funding), BU (no funding 1st year)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: Yale, MIT, Berkeley, UCSD, Stanford, Caltech, WUSTL, UVA, Michigan
Pending:
What would you have done differently? No regrets, and am extremely pleased with my results all things considered. I had been thinking about applying to RA jobs to beef up the profile, but am not sure with offers from some top 20 schools if it would be worth another 2 years of my life. If I had been thinking of this possibility during my formative years in undergrad, I would definitely have taken more math, and probably some grad econ classes / pursued other research opportunities, but I didn't really become interested in econ until my junior year. Take heart all those with little formal math preparation! Some admissions committees will be willing to take a chance!
Attending: Duke (!!)
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Duke (tuition remission for 1st year), Brown (MA offer w/ no funding), Wisconsin (no funding 1st year), UCSB (
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, MIT, Berkeley, UCSD, Stanford, Caltech, WUSTL, UVA, Michigan
Waitlists:
    waitlist for funding), BU (no funding 1st year) Waitlists: Minnesota

to2012 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Above-average state school (flagship)
Undergrad GPA: 3.0 econ / 3.0 overall
Type of Grad: US MA that has placed a couple students in top fives and regularly in top 15 - 20
Grad GPA: 3.9+
GRE: 800Q/790V/5.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (HS), Calc II-III, Linear Algebra, ODE, Proofs, Numerical Analysis I (Grad.), Probability Theory (Grad.). PDE (grad) and Intro to Real Analysis I in progress. 4.0 math gpa.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, Macro, Metrics I (A-), Metrics II (A-), Forecasting, Math Econ. (B+), Literature-oriented electives (2). MA Thesis (in progress). A except where noted.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Not going to list. 3.0 gpa here. Not a stellar record.
Other Courses: None relevant.
Letters of Recommendation: One from professor I have served as an RA for and know very well. Should be stellar. Not a famous economist, but actively publishes in his field.
Second from another professor I worked with and took grad micro from. Should be very positive.
Third undecided -- have a few options. Should be strong.
Research Experience: At the time of application, will be three semesters and a summer of RA work. MA thesis will be completed in time to submit a writing sample for schools that request them.
Teaching Experience: TA Math. Econ, Micro, Macro, Stats.
Research Interests: Macro, finance. No more specific at this time. Not interested in hard-headed uncompromising DSGE macro because I have little faith in the value of its contributions.
SOP: Haven't started. Obviously I need to address my abysmal undergrad grades; they aren't an accurate reflection of my ability. Highlight success in math courses and upward trends in academic performance. I would like to avoid making excuses but I still feel it is in my best interest to make some remarks about my shortcomings.
Concerns: Bad undergrad grades. Institutional prestige. Will discuss B+ in grad math econ in SOP (took it first semester of grad school before necessary math requirements. 890ncurved wasn't good enough for an A- I guess) and contrast to grades in math courses.
Other:
Applying to: Undecided. A handful of 6-15s and some schools ranked slightly below that range with strong placement records. Perhaps Chicago as well and Stanford only because it is my dream school (obviously, my chance for acceptance there is very, very low). I am also applying to fin.math. and fin.eng. programs as a fallback. I am not naive about my chances at top schools; I will apply for econ phds knowing that my chance of getting admitted even to one is perhaps 50-50. This is fine with me. While econ phd is my first choice, I have interests in fields other than academic economics and I am not willing to spend 5+ years of my life in a phd program if I am unlikely to ultimately land a decent academic job. I know many disagree with this outlook on phd applications, but I have decided that in order for the investment of 5+ years of my 20s to be worth it, I must have a reasonable expectation of a good job at the end of the road. This is why I am not applying to "safety schools".
I am also considering applying to some Finance phd programs if I can get a handle on what range of schools is appropriate for me to apply to. I will more strongly consider relatively-lower-ranked finance programs than Econ.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Santa Cruz Econ Decision: Acceptance Funding: $19K with TA but this does not include tuition waiver. Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: Comments: First admit. If I am correctly understanding the funding offer, it is dissapointing.
Rejects:
  • Institution: UCSB Econ Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/15/2012 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: 3.9+ MA gpa. 800Q/790V/5.0AWA. 4.0 math gpa. They were very high on my list; disappointing to say the least.
  • Institution: UChicago. Econ PhD. Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 2/29 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: It appears I wasted the last two++ years of my life taking math courses and doing a master's.
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no Comments: expected
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Grad school for mathematics is starting to look like a reality.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification Date: March 9. Notified Through: E-mail. Posted on GC: No. Comments:
  • Institution: UMD Economics PhD. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification Date: March 9. Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No. Comments:
Waitlists:

godlesschum 2012:
oops.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Pardee Rand Policy Analysis Decision: Acceptance Funding: ($+.5$) Notification date: 02/015/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: yay! although honestly the stipend/fellowship information is a little confusing.
Rejects:
  • Institution:Yale Masters in Statistics Decision: REJECTED Funding: Notification date: 2/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Comments: bummer!
  • Institution: UC San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:

AusEconGuy 2012:
Another data point (for Australians)
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:Econ with first class honours from Go8 Australian Uni
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 for standard Bachelor, 4.0 in Honours (Converted to US scale)
Type of Grad: M Phil in Economics
Grad GPA: Coursework: 4.0 (US converted)
GRE: 159V, 168Q. 5.0 AW
Math Courses: Math for Economists (B, undergrad), econ students dont do pure math courses in my institution
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro (A+), Micro (A), Metrics (A+)
Econ Courses (honours-level): Macro (A+), Metrics (A+), Advanced Math Econ (A+); Behavioural Game Theory (A+); Micro (B; whoops!)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I/II (B+; A+); Macro I/II (A+, A+); Metrics I/II/II (A+;A+;B); Econ Theory (B); Trade II/II (A+;A+); Econ History (A); Development (A); Money & Banking (A); Public Econ (A);
Other Courses: Finance I/II (A+;A) and some politics stuff
Letters of Recommendation:
- thesis supervisor for Hons and MPhil thesis, also taught me
- Prof I RA'd for over 2 years
- Assist Prof whom i tutored with for three years
- Head of School .... All should be positive
Research Experience: 6 years as RA for various profs (since 2nd year undergad); 3 conference presentations in 2011 for MPhil thesis; 2 thesis in experimental econ
Teaching Experience: TA for 4 years in range of courses from first year through third year
Research Interests: Behavioural Econ and Experiments, Political Econ, Information Econ
SOP: These are hard work! But its over
Concerns: Lack of obvious maths training (hons and Mphil courses are all at graduate level... LORS hopefully mention this), occasional B's in theory classes - These aren't horrible grades, I was still in top few students in these courses but no scaling
Applying to:
Phd: Northwestern, NYU (Econ and Stern), Cornell, Brown, UCSD, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Stanford ,Caltech, U Penn
Masters: Oxford; U College London; Autonoma, UC3M; Barcelona GSE; LSE; Toronto
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE EME Decision: Accepted conditional on a distinction average in my current MPhil Funding: Can apply for needs based funding Notification date: 21/01/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: NO Comments: nice indeed, though an expensive program
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: 6000 euro tuition waiver Notification date: 13/12/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: NO Comments: first admit, was happy at the time. dont like the short expiry date of the offer!
  • Institution: UC3M Master+PHD Decision: Accepted Funding: fees, first year health insurance and 1150 euro per month Notification date: 2/18 (17th on other side of the date line) Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: First admit that doesnt ask for tuition fees, nice indeed. exploding offer with 30 day deadline
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil Decision: acceptted Funding: TBA after college selection Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: E-mail Comments: pumped -- probably going to go here
  • Institution: UAB IDEA (autonoma barcelona) master in economic analysis + phd Decision: accepted Funding: tution waiver + 1000 euro per month Notification date: 03/21/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: seems europe is the place to be for me this year
  • Institution: UCL (London) MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: seems like nothing Notification date: 4/3/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: Interesting option
Rejects:
  • Institution: caltech social science phd Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 24/2/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: a very polite email, disappointed coz was a top choice for me
  • Institution: UC Berkeley phd in Econ Decision: rejected, twice to be sure I understood! Funding: n/a Notification date: 24/2/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: u penn phd Econ Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 24/2/2012 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: nope Comments: What a tough three hours!
  • Institution: northwestern Econ phd Decision: rejected Funding:n/a Notification date: 29/2/2012 Notified through: website after seeing decisions here Posted on GC: nope Comments: looks like I'm going to europe! The USA doesn't like my 'no name' institution.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments: 'I can only assure you that all files were read at least twice and decisions were made with care' maybe they should have read it a third time!?.... so back to europe and my EME offer
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: rejected Funding: na Notification date: March 8 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comment: Learned to expect this.... im going for zero north american admits, only cornell and UoT to hear back from
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: --- Notified: 3/12 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: totally expected
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: E-mail Comments: OK - so i've given up on the usa now... obviously my app is a lil random for them
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/21/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision:Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 04/12/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: i'm out of the USA... hopefully Toronto can give me my one north american admit
Waitlists:

gemmy 2012:

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 50 undergrad, top 40 in Econ, top 30 in Math
Undergrad GPA: 3.84 (Econ 3.85, Math 3.85)
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: 670 V, 800 Q, 4.0 W
Math Courses: Cal I-III (A, A, A-), Differential Equations (B+), Linear Algebra (A-), Linear Analysis (A), Math Reasoning (Intro to Proof) (A-), Multivar Cal I-II (A, A), Real Analysis I (A), Discrete Modeling (A), Statistics (A), Prob Theory I-II (A, A), Stochastic Cal (A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (A-), Macro I (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): a lot
Other Courses: Computer Programming (Java)
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Grad Macro Prof: Ph.D from Harvard, very very well-known. I did well in the class, and he knows me well. The letter should be strong.
2. Econ Prof: Ph.D from Chicago, very well-known. I did well in his undergrad class and talked to him a lot about this whole process. Hi is really enthusiastic and supportive. The letter should be very strong.
3. Research Advisor: Assistant Prof, Ph.D from Harvard. I have been working with her for more than a year. She knows me very well. The letter should be strong.
4. Econ Prof: Ph.D from Columbia, well-known. I did well in his undergrad class, but he doesn't know me that well as compared to the other Profs.
Research Experience: RA'd for more than a year.
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: International Macro (Trade and Finance), Macro
SOP: Standard, about two pages long.
Concerns: I'm not sure how strong the letter from recommender 4 will be. No grad-level Math classes.
Other:
Applying to: Harvard, Chicago, Berkeley, Northwestern, UPenn, Columbia, Minnesota, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown, Duke, Maryland, BU, JHU, Penn State.
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship, 20k Notification date: 03/05/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Finally, I'm out of Chron Award!!!!! Thanks a million to everyone who wished me the best of luck! :-)
Rejects:
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 02/15/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Well... 19 more to go...
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Well...
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: Three down.... quite depressing;;;
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Four down.... even more depressing;;;
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Application website Posted on GC: No Comments: Where would I go???? T.T
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/02/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Where would I go seriously...
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/08/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Well well well... more rejections.... -.-
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/08/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: 5 minutes after the Penn State rejection.... T.T
  • Institution: UC San Diego Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/2012 Notified through: Email (After the email, I went online to check the application. The status has been updated) Posted on GC: No Comments: Am I gonna end up going to UVA...?
  • Institution: University of Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/2012 Notified through: Website(testudo) Posted on GC: No Comments: higher chance that I'm going to UVA
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notified: 03/13/12 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: I'm counting on NYU now...
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/2012 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comment: Expected... UVA looks shinier and shinier..... It's good, isn't it? it is........... good.....!
Waitlists:
  • Institution: University Of Minnesota Econ PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification Date: 03/01/12 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: My first 'semi-positive' result!!! Half happy half sad;;;
  • Institution: UC-Davis Economics. Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Definitely nothing Notification Date: 03/02/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Another waitlist... I guess I would not take this offer even if I get admitted later since the funding seems really difficult even after year 2.

huneba 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International bachelor (me and the degree)
Undergrad GPA: ~3.7
Type of Grad: Masters
Grad GPA: ~3.9
GRE: 166Q, 156V, 4.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calculus II (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): ​Microeconomics I (A), II (B), Macroeconomics I (A), II (A), Econometrics I (A-), II (A), Thesis (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Microeconomics (A), Macroeconomics (A-), Econometrics (B-), Advanced Microeconomics (B), Advanced Macroeconomics (B), Advanced Econometrics (A-), Time Series (A), Microeconometrics (A), Maths Econ (A)
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis advisor and a couple of other professors that taught me (reasonably well-known)
Research Experience: Research assistant
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Microeconomics, industrial organization, econometrics
SOP: 2 pages -- mainly discussed my research experience and interests
Concerns: Isn't it obvious? The only maths on my transcript is calc 2!
Applying to: Chicago, Northwestern, Yale, Penn, NYU, Columbia, UCSD, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Duke, Maryland, Boston, Cornell, Brown, Penn State
Accepts:
  • Institution: UT Austin Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: ?? Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: website, checked after saw reddavies post Posted on GC: No Comments: First admit!
  • Institution: University of Maryland, College Park Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 19.5k TAship Notification date: 03/06/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Waitlisted for first-year fellowship.
  • Institution: Queen's University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship + other awards Notification date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No first year funding - TA/RAship afterwards. Notification Date: 3/14/2012 Notified through: E-mail (informal) Posted on GC: No Comments: Notified 20 mins ago.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/22/2012 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: First response... at least I've finally heard something!
  • Institution nstitution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: I thought I had a decent chance here
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Rochester Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/28 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/05/2012 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/05/2012 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: I really don't understand why some places don't send us emails.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notified: 03/13/12 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: E-mail to check website
  • Institution: Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Expected
  • Institution: Boston University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Not expected
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/05/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Anyone care to explain this?
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/04/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: See below.

EconNerd 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS in Business with concentration in Finance and Economics, Minor in Theology from a Midwestern Catholic private institution
Undergrad GPA: 3.97
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q/560V/4.0A
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Discrete Math (A), Applied Probability Models (A), Differential Equations (A), Real Analysis (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Inter. Micro (A), Inter. Macro (A), International Trade (A), Development Economics (A), Latin American Economics (A), Economics of Immigration (A), Econometrics (A)
Other Courses: Various Finance and Theology courses that have no bearing
Letters of Recommendation: Econ Professor, Finance Professor, Linear Algebra Professor
Research Experience: N/A
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Latin American Development, Immigration, Microcredit and Savings, possibly Public Finance or Labor
SOP: Have interesting background after graduation, math courses were taken at various institutions
Concerns: Little-none Research Experience and lower Verbal score
Other:
Applying to: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan State, Cornell, Yale, BC, Duke, Pittsburgh, Texas, UCSD, Berkeley, Colorado, WUSTL
Accepts:
  • Institution: Pittsburgh Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To come Notification date: 2/29/12 Notified through: Email Comments: Have family there... pretty exciting
  • Institution: Michigan State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: 3/2/12 Notified through: Email Comments: Pretty excited!! First funded offer
  • Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TA + fellowship, tuition, and health insurance Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Fiance is happy about location and I just got skis for Christmas!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 2/29/12 Notified through: website Comments: This was my top choice... such is life
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/08/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: expected
  • Institution: University of California, San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: such is life... San Diego was too expensive to live in anyways
  • Institution: UT - Austin Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/22/2012 Notified through: Checked Web site and later got an email Posted on GC: No Comments: None
  • Institution: Cornell Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 4/4/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Agreed to above, took long enough but still trying to choose where to go
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait List Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/29/12 Notified through: Email Comments: We'll see...
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Wait List Funding: Let's get accepted first Notification date: 2/28/12 Notified through: Email Comments: Awesome!! didn't have an interview

lessgiraffe 2012:
Institution: Vanderbilt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 2/10/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/10/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/17/2012 Notified through: E-mail to check application status Posted on GC: No Comments: E-mail sent at 12:44 a.m. U.S. central
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/24/2012 Notified through: E-mail to check Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: California Institute of Technology Ph.D. Social Science Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/24/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Chicago Booth School of Business Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/28/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Chicago Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Northwestern University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 2/29/2012 Notified through: Application Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Duke University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/2/2012 Notified through: E-mail to check Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of California, Los Angeles Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/2/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: Checked Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/7/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Texas at Austin Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified through: E-mail to check Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: University of California, San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/12/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Boston University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: Harvard University Ph.D. Business Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified through: Post mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Letter dated 3/9/2012
  • Institution: The Ohio State University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/20/2012 Notified through: Checked Web site Posted on GC: No Comments: -
Waitlists:

econphdhopeful2 2012:
Institution: Vanderbilt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 2/10/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Expected but still a bummer, plenty more to go I suppose
Accepts:
  • Institution: Notre Dame Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition + 18,000 Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: email Posted on GC:no Comments: So excited!
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: recommended for admission Funding: ? Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: email from department official acceptance to follow Posted on GC: no Comments: Very excited!!
  • Institution: UC Santa Cruz Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 20k (that number includes tuition remission) Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: I'm excited, great school in a great location, but in-state tuition is barely covered and I'd still have to pay out of state
Rejects:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 2/10/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Expected but still a bummer, plenty more to go I suppose
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n.a. Notification date: 4/15 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Not too surprised
  • Institution: UC Santa Barbara Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 2/23 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: would have been nice but not too disappointed
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/1/12 Notified through: application Posted on GC: no Comments: so much for hoping that not getting it yesterday was a good sign
  • Institution: UVA phd economics Decision: rejection Funding: na Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: email to check site Posted on GC: no Comments: meh
  • Institution: UW - Madison phd economics Decision: rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: kind of glad I don't think it was a good fit for me, but would have been hard to turn down
  • Institution: UC San Diego phd economics Decision: rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: sad but expected
Waitlists:

jzir11 2012:
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date:2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Let the rejections begin!
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: recommended for admission Funding: Find out in March Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: email from department official acceptance to follow Posted on GC: no Comments: A VERY pleasant surprise!
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UC Santa Cruz Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition Reimbursement + 16K Notification: 2/24/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date:2/15/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Let the rejections begin!
  • Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/23 Notified through: checked website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Application website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: n/a Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: This was the one school where I really hoped to say "Holy s t, they actually let me in!" Such is life.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification Date: 3/2/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no Comments: expected
  • Institution: UC San Diego Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: That's all she wrote. Funny, my first three notifications were acceptances, all the rest rejections...
Waitlists:

BlueCanary 2012:
Institution: UC Irvine
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: First one! Very excited--this program is a great fit for me.
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: First one! Very excited--this program is a great fit for me.
  • Institution: Pittsburgh Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Decisions are still being made for financial assistance." Notification Date: February 29 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Very cool.
Rejects:
  • Institution: California Institute of Technology Ph.D. Social Science Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date:2/24/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised
  • Institution: UCSD Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Not a surprise.
Waitlists:

hopefulincali 2012:
Just joined so here's what I've got so far.
Institution: Caltech
Program: Social Sciences
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 24
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Figures--it'll be nice to get out of LA anyway.
Institution: Carnegie Mellon
Program: Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Full funding, stipend..the usual Tepper deal
Notification Date: February 25
Notified Through: Phone Call
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Excited!
Still waiting: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern (yes I checked the website, it's got nothing), UCSD, Stanford
Accepts:
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Full funding, stipend..the usual Tepper deal Notification Date: February 25 Notified Through: Phone Call Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Excited! Still waiting: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern (yes I checked the website, it's got nothing), UCSD, Stanford
Rejects:
  • Institution: Caltech Social Sciences Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 24 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Figures--it'll be nice to get out of LA anyway.
  • Institution: UCSD Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/9/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: A little disappointed here In: CMU ($$$) Out: Stanford, NWU, Caltech Waiting: Cornell, Brown, Columbia CMU looking better by the day!
Waitlists:

HowCanIfly 2012:
Institution: Princeton University.
Program: Economics PhD.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: March 8.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: My top choice is gone...
Institution: UCSD
Program: Economics PhD.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: March 9.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: The last chance to live in California..
Accepts:
  • Institution: BU Economics PhD Decision: Admitted FUnding: from the 2nd year Notification date:march 12 notified through: email posted on GC: NO Comment: No money... no party
Rejects:
  • Institution: Princeton University. Economics PhD. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification Date: March 8. Notified Through: E-mail. Posted on GC: No. Comments: My top choice is gone...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD. Decision: Rejected. Funding: Notification Date: March 9. Notified Through: E-mail. Posted on GC: No. Comments: The last chance to live in California..
Waitlists:


Waitlists:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 11 accepted out of 33 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.91, average GREQ was 800.0.
From the Department webpage in 2010 (please send me a link if this is wrong!)
Successful applicants usually score in the high 80th and 90th percentiles in each section of the GRE. Because of the large number of applications received each year, applications that made the first cut for review exceeded minimums for GRE and TOEFL... In general, we receive between 500 and 600 applications per year, and admit about 20 percent of them. Our incoming classes are on the average 25 students.
(Source)

Links:
Test Magic Econ Forums
econphd.econwiki.com
Last Updated: 14:58:10, Fri May 11, 2012