Index of Schools AnalysisAbout the Site 2012 20112010 20092008 2007all years
The chart will appear within this DIV. This text will be replaced by the chart.
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:

Mirk83 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Maths degree in a good Italian university (and student of its honor college)
Undergrad GPA: 3.0/3.0
Type of Grad: Maths degree (student of a program jointly organized with the best scientific research center of the country, that is also a doctoral school) and attending a one year master in economics
Grad GPA: 3.0/3.0
GRE: 700 V, 800 Q, 5.0 AWA
Math Courses: everything you can think about (seriously, in five year of Maths I've attended at least 30-40 Maths courses, some of which at PhD level)
Econ Courses: very very few courses, and just during this year: the basic Micro, Macro and Econometrics (at the level of MWG, Blanchard-Fisher, Hayashi - but of course not all the topics)
Other Courses: a bit of physics and informatics down the road and a bit of neurobiology (my master thesis was about building a kinetic model for a class of ion channels!)
Letters of Recommendation: my weak point. A good, but maybe a bit standard, letter from my thesis advisor, who is a very well known mathematician (who knows me well, since the thesis was partly of research). A very good letter from an economist who taught at the honor college I was in but with whom I took just that small course, a few years ago. And a letter from another well known mathematician whose course I attended during an international summer school - I really have no idea of what he could have written.
Research Experience: just for the thesis - and in maths applied to neurobiology...
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: behavioural models, game theory; but my interests are now moving a bit more towards Macro topics
SOP: just tried to explain why I have been moving from Pure Maths to Applied Maths and then from applications to biology to economics...
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech ($$), LSE (MRes/Phd track 1) ($$), Oxford MPhil (?)
Waitlists: NYU
Rejections: Chicago, MIT
What would you have done differently?
Hard to say. Given my erratic background and the not-so-strong LORs, I think I have calibrated well the applications (my estimate was to have good possibilities from the bottom of the top ten - just like NYU and LSE - downward). Of course I could have waited one more year, finished the economics master in order to use the grades as an additional signal and obtained better LORs... but I'm already 24 and I have already two masters, so I think it's time to move as quickly as possible towards real research.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Caltech ($$), LSE (MRes/Phd track 1) ($$), Oxford MPhil (?)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Chicago, MIT
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: NYU

tennisboy85 2008:
Type of Undergrad: good but not elite program, no PhD or grad econ
Undergrap GPA: 3.8 (3.9 in finance and econ)
GRE: 800q/450/4.5
math courses: Calc 1 (A), Calc 2 (A), Stats (A), Linear Algebra (in progress)
econ courses: a lot including math econ and econometrics
other courses: finance and econ double major, thus a lot of finance courses as well
LORs: Tufts, Purdue, Virginia, good rec-s, but not from well-published profs
Research experience: none, not in my school
Teaching experience: none
reseach interests: macro
SOP: very good one, spend a lot of money and time on it
results:
acceptances: Tufts MA Econ ($), LSE F&E (no $)
waitlists: Wustl MS Finance
rejections: Brown, Cornell, Yale Phd-s in econ, Cambridge Mphil Finance, Princeton MS Finance
pending: JHU PhD, BC MS Finance
What would you have done differently? I would not have applied to any PhD-s. Clearly I have no shot to get into them, because of my lack of my lack of math background. Not really sure if I actually want to get a PhD.
Accepts:
    acceptances: Tufts MA Econ ($), LSE F&E (no $)
Rejects:
    rejections: Brown, Cornell, Yale Phd-s in econ, Cambridge Mphil Finance, Princeton MS Finance
Waitlists:
    waitlists: Wustl MS Finance

nash12 2008:
Undergrad: B.A. in Mathematics (2006) from a well known college/university in my country (South-East Asia). Grades: 84%
Graduate: M.A. in Economics from a well known school of economics in my country. It is a two year course and I only had the grades of the first year or two semesters when I applied. Grades for the first year: 70%
GRE: 800Q, 530V, 5.0AWA. TOEFL: 117/120
Math Courses: Since I'm a math undergrad so lots. Real Analysis, Basic Algebra, Topology, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Linear Algebra, Group Theory, Ring Theory, Mechanics, Multivariable Calculus, Numerical Analysis, Number Theory, etc.
Econ Courses: All Grad Level. On my transcript with grades when I applied- Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, Introductory Econometrics, Mathematical Economics and two more. On my transcript without grades when I applied- Topics in Economic Theory, Game Theory-I, Topics in Macroeconomic Theory and Econometric Methods.
Research Experience: Was a visiting research scholar in a European Institute during the summer of 2007. Wrote two papers there. Both were selected for decent conferences which I mentioned in my application. Sent one of the papers in all the applications.
LORs: One a well published and reasonably well known econ theory professor at University of Warwick. One econ professor in my grad school, phd from Princeton. Another econ associate professor in my grad school, phd from Yale. I think all of them were strong.
SOP: Talked about my interests- Micro and Game Theory. Talked about some of the papers that I've really liked. Also, about my motivation to do economic theory.
Teaching Experience: None.
Other: Male, 22 years old.
Results
Acceptances: NYU($), Columbia($), University of Chicago($), LSE MRes/PhD($), Cornell($), Brown($), Penn State($).
Waitlisted and finally Accepted: Yale($) and Princeton($).
Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, UPenn and Stanford.
Attending: Princeton. Yuhoooo..
What would have I done differently? Nothing in particular. Well I don't really know if I would have ever made it to Harvard and MIT. None have made from my school in the past 10 years. As an aspiring economic theorist, Princeton was really my dream school and I'm over the moon to have got it.. My suggestion to all the future applicants, esp the International Students is guys dream big and work hard. Dreams do come true..
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NYU($), Columbia($), University of Chicago($), LSE MRes/PhD($), Cornell($), Brown($), Penn State($).
Rejects:
    Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, UPenn and Stanford.
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted and finally

mysherona 2008:
My turn!
Type of Undergrad: Economics from Philippine university
Type of Grad: Mathematics from the same university (will not complete degree)
GPA: I can't convert it so it's useless
GRE: 800Q, 760V, 6.0AWA
TOEFL: 118/120
Courses: Typical in the programs I took; nothing special
Teaching: A year of intro calculus
Research: First prize for undergrad paper
RA: Small jobs here and there
LORS: Former econ profs
Interests: International, Monetary
SOP: Used the same thing for all the schools
Others: Male, 22
RESULTS:
Attending: Columbia ($)
Other acceptances: Northwestern ($), Duke ($), Georgetown ($), master's programs at Oxbridge, LSE and Toulouse ($)
Waitlists: Berkeley, Penn, Brown---all rejected me in the end
Rejections: the rest of the top 10 econ programs, UCLA, UCSD
Comments: I was very lucky so I'm happy with the way it turned out. If I could start over again I'd probably do my BA abroad.
Accepts:
    Attending: Columbia ($) Other acceptances: Northwestern ($), Duke ($), Georgetown ($), master's programs at Oxbridge, LSE and Toulouse ($)
Rejects:
    rejected me in the end Rejections: the rest of the top 10 econ programs, UCLA, UCSD Comments: I was very lucky so I'm happy with the way it turned out. If I could start over again I'd probably do my BA abroad.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Berkeley, Penn, Brown---all

elcapitano 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Economics, University of Sussex
Undergrad GPA: ~3.9+
Type of Grad: MA Economics, UBC
Grad GPA: ~3.8+
GRE: 800Q, 720V, 4.5 AWA. Second time.
Math Courses: Not many, all (A's)
Econ Courses: A bunch, mostly (A's)
Letters of Recommendation: Will have been enthusiastic, although might not have the highest profile in the US.
Research Experience: fairly little, two years working in government, undergrad thesis.
Teaching Experience: TA for introductory courses.
Research Interests: Political Economy, Development (macro/institutions/policy), Trade, Economic History
SOP: Short, dull.
Concerns: Not much real math.
RESULTS:
Attending: LSE (MRes/PhD) ($$$)
Acceptances: LSE (MRes/PhD)
Withdrawals: Cambridge, Oxford, Cornell
Rejections: Columbia, Brown.
What would you have done differently? Not too much, LSE was one of my two target schools. Could possibly applied to more of the top ten, however given the funding and location offered there are only perhaps 5-6 schools that I might have taken ahead, and my chances at these were probably infintessimal. I think British undergrad certainly helped applications to British schools and probably hinders in the US.
Accepts:
    Attending: LSE (MRes/PhD) ($$$) Acceptances: LSE (MRes/PhD) Withdrawals: Cambridge, Oxford, Cornell
  • Institution: LSE Economics, PhD MRes (Track 1) Decision: Accepted Funding: 4 year fellowship ($$$) Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Likely to attend
Rejects:
    Rejections: Columbia, Brown.
  • Institution: Brown Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/23 Notified through: e-mail Comments: I should've e-mailed to dump them before they got the chance to dump me.
Waitlists:

PHDism 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Business Admin and Computer Science double major. A small US University nobody has heard of. Pretty certain nobody has gone to Econ PHD from there.
Undergrad GPA: 3.9 (But that was all A's and one C)
Type of Grad: Policy oriented degree in US, one of the top of its kind.
Grad GPA: 3.6
GRE: 790/650/5.5
Math Courses: Calculus III (A-) and Linear Algebra (B+) only by US applications deadline and before Toulouse. Taking Real Analysis and ODE in Spring, and was able to show this to LSE, UPF and HEI
Econ Courses: Some in undergrad, but not rigorous. A whole bunch during the grad school - but they count as intermediate undergrad level.
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: One from econ and one from stats professor from top 10 Econ. Both very strong. Also two professional from World Bank economists, very strong.
Research Experience: Three years at the World Bank
Teaching Experience: TA for econ course.
Research Interests:
SOP: Had a lot of explanation to do for non-traditional profile. Was logical for whoever cared to read it - but I do not know if they ever do.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE, UPF, Geneva HEI($$)
Waitlists:
Rejections: NYU, Princeton, Yale, Toulouse M2
Pending:
What would you have done differently? Many things. But mostly taken more math. I was clueless that just third semester Calculus and Linear Algebra was not enough - till I discovered this forum in December. But by then it was too late, and my US and Toulouse applications were out. I have been out of school for 4 years, but I registered as non-degree and am taking ODE and Real Analysis now in spring. That probably helped in European applications sent in February. Maybe indicated motivation.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE, UPF, Geneva HEI($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: NYU, Princeton, Yale, Toulouse M2
Waitlists:
    Waitlists:

Fig01123 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Big state school; not sure how it's ranked in econ--probably mid-tier;
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad: Top 10 private. It's top 5 in econ, but I did my M.A. in East Asian History.
Grad GPA: 3.94
GRE: 800Q/660V 5.0
Math Courses: Calc I-III (multivariable), Linear algebra, stats and Fortran (not a math class, I know, but several apps asked for programming classes) in undergrad (all As). Since this was more than 13 years ago, I've also been taking "brush up" math this past year-- Linear Algebra I, II, multivariable calc, diff eqs, and currently auditing real analysis
Econ Courses: intro to micro, intro to macro, intermediate micro, international trade, public economics, economics of Japan, labor economics seminar, advanced micro seminar (which I took at a second-rate state school, so was a joke) grad level micro class. All A/A+, except the grad level class, which I took pass/fail, and econ of Japan (B+)
Other Courses: I only minored in econ in undergrad, but I started out in engineering, so I have 1.5 years worth of math/science classes--mostly As except 1 class.
Letters of Recommendation: I would've gotten excellent recs from my ugrad profesors, but I lost touch w/ all of them, so I asked my grad thesis advisor (non-econ), my current boss (econ, but no PhD), and a math professor for a class I was taking in the fall to brush up on math.
Research Experience: I do some economic research at work, but it's more like compiling data, so essentially no.
Teaching Experience: tutored math subjects and have taught English abroad.
Research Interests: originally environment, but now that it looks like I'm headed to LSE, I think I will try to do this from a development standpoint.
SOP: standard.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: GMU (no $), and LSE Ms Econ 1 year (no $)
Waitlists:
Rejections: pretty much everywhere I applied! I won't list them all, but think of the schools in the top 20 or so--Berkeley, Yale, Michigan, NW, NYU, Columbia, etc.
Pending: BU. I still haven't heard from them!!
What would you have done differently? First, I did not discover this board until after I applied, which was my first mistake. Clearly, being out of school for over 10 years (well, undergrad), I've been out of the loop.
Second, I waited too long. I had top grades in econ and math (often the highest in the class and had 100 avg in several of the classes), so had I applied straight out of undergrad, I think I would've gotten much stronger recs. But this renewed interest in econ is mostly due to my past few jobs, so I didn't anticipate that I'd be applying to grad school. Again. I think they really penalize you for age--and it makes sense, b/c I've forgotten a lot of my math, etc. It doesn't matter if you got top grades 10-12 years ago, if you can't remember how to run regressions now.
Third, I also didn't take my undergrad classes w/ the assumption that I'd do an econ grad degree, so my classes were very micro-heavy. If I had any inkling that I'd apply to econ grad programs, I would've taken a lot more math. In fact, I probably would've majored in math.
Fourth, related to #3-- I think my LoRs hurt me. I didn't have any strong ones from econ professors. I'm sure my work and my advisor LoRs were strong enough, but one is not econ, and the other is econ, but not well known. I probably should've asked some of my undergrad profs, but I lost touch w/ all of them, so I felt uncomfortable asking.
Fifth, I wish I had planned and coordinated this much better. Between taking classes and studying for GREs, I underestimated how much time that would take up--especially the classes. I spent a lot of time focusing on classes, b/c I knew I had to get As. As a result, the first "free" time I had to even think of apps was early Nov-- by which time it was too late to apply for NSF. Really stupid planning on my part.
Finally, I already said this, but I wish I had discovered this board sooner. I selected the schools I applied to based on what several econ profs I interact w/ at work suggested. One is even on ADCOM for our school, so I thought his assessments would be accurate. He told me to apply to top 15 schools, so I did. I think he overestimated my abilities, b/c as I noted above, I got rejected everywhere. And after looking through people's profiles, I realized that contrary to what these profs said, I really had no chance in the top 10 schools. I should've applied to various levels of schools. Anyway, it's too late for me to learn from my own stupid mistakes, but I hope someone else will.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: GMU (no $), and LSE Ms Econ 1 year (no $)
Rejects:
    Rejections: pretty much everywhere I applied! I won't list them all, but think of the schools in the top 20 or so--Berkeley, Yale, Michigan, NW, NYU, Columbia, etc.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists:

freecon 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.90/4.0 (gpa in math&econ 3.96) Top ranked out of 150
Type of Grad: No grad degree
GRE: 780Q
Math Courses: Calculus I-II, Linear Algebra, Math for economists, Math Analysis, Graph Theory and Networks, Probability and Statistics I-II
Econ Courses: Many...Macro and micro theories, Game Theory I-II, Growth and Development, International Trade I-II, Public Finance, Monetary, Econometrics I-II, Time Series
Other Courses: Java, Matlab, Management courses...
Letters of Recommendation: I used five different recommenders. One was a famous prof, one was department chair, others were associate profs knowing me well.
Research Experience: non
Teaching Experience: Tutoring in Econ 101&102 for two years, assisting in CS 123 for a semester
Research Interests: Game theory, Macroeconomic theory, macroeconomic policy games
SOP: I have sent a standard SOP to each school by just changing the name of institution. It is neither bad nor well-prepared, although I spent great time on it.
Other:
RESULTS:
Attending: BU ($$$)
Acceptances, declined: UMD ($$$), JHU ($$), Brown, LSE-MSc, UPF-MSc ($$$)
Waitlists: Brown funding list
Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Berkeley, Yale, UCLA, UPenn, Northwestern, NYU, UCSD
Pending: UWM
What would you have done differently? Firstly, I didn't study for GRE assuming that the quantitative part was easy. Yes, it was easy. But I should have studied to gain speed. Further, the verbal part was horrible for me as an international student. If I had studied, I may do well. Secondly, I didn't apply to Cornell, Columbia, Michigan, Chigago and Minnesota. I should have made a better combination of schools instead of applying Princeton,MIT,Berkeley,Yale and so on. Thirdly, it is the important one: I should have written more specific SOPs. But, it was impossible for me since I still haven't know exactly my research interests.
Accepts:
    Attending: BU ($$$) Acceptances, declined: UMD ($$$), JHU ($$), Brown, LSE-MSc, UPF-MSc ($$$)
  • Institution: U of Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: Notified through: Comments: it is an unofficial notification. They have notified one of my professor through e-mail.
  • Institution: JHU Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: full tuition waiver Notification date: Notified through: Comments: they have notified my professor through e-mail
  • Institution: BU Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: e-mail Funding:$18700+tution waiver+summer stipend($5000)
  • Institution: LSE Programme: MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (1 yr) Decision: Accepted Notification Date: 31/03/2009 Funding: None Comments: After rejecting for Phd just on website ten days ago, this time they notified through e-mail.
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Berkeley, Yale, UCLA, UPenn, Northwestern, NYU, UCSD
  • Institution: MIT Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: e-mail Comments: not suprising
  • Institution: LSE Economics, PhD MRes (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: web-site (no email) Comments: They should have sent an email to be more polite
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Brown funding list
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: waitlisted Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: e-mail Comments:

Visible Hand 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Applicant: International, big continental european country.
Type of Undergrad: Good public university but with a very bad school of Economics. Student of the university honor college (more selective than Ivy) which offers courses on its own, including in heterodox Economics.
Undergrad GPA: Overall: ~3.9/4.0; Economics: 4.0(+)/4.0; Math/Stat: 4.0(++)/4.0.
(+), (++) and ~ are due to different conversion methods that can be applied.
Type of Grad: Two-years Master in Economics (attending 2nd year), best public university of the country, 2nd department of Economics in the country, best in my fields. Enrolled in the first year of run of the program: it was brand new! Also student of the university honor college (less selective and prestigious than undergraduate's).
Grad GPA: 4.0-ε/4.0 or 4.0(+)/4.0 according to different conversion methods.
GRE: 790Q 530V 5.0AWA - TOEFL: 110
Math Courses: Several courses in Math and Stat covering all the basic Calculus/Analysis/Linear Algebra/ODE/Optimization/Measure stuff up to Simon-Blume (Vol. 2) and De La Fuente level, as well as Probability/Inference/Multivariate Stats up to Casella-Berger.
All full grades with mention.
Econ Courses: All the basic undergraduate Micro/Macro/Metrics stuff plus some applied/heterodox/history/quantitative courses. At Master Level, Micro I/Macro I/Metrics I (taking II for each in the fall) plus: Topics in Economic Theory, Economics of Innovation, Competition Policy.
All full grades, often with mention, apart from graduate Macro I (~A).
Other Courses: Undergraduate courses in Accounting, Management and Law; graduate Corporate Finance. I have lower grades on these on average.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 MIT, 1 Toulouse, 1 Louvain (from the Master program), 1 Sussex (from my undergraduate honor college). I know ex-post, they were good but not too informative (apart from the Toulouse one maybe); the Sussex one was maybe not very good in the "fill the form" part. They were not always all of them four on every place I applied to.
Research Experience: Started to work on Master Thesis in theoretical I.O.; some short dissertations and empirical projects in the past (none of them valuable).
Teaching Experience: In line of principle, not possible in my country before Master graduation. Starting this march, however, I have assisted my MIT Ph.D. recommender in the graduate course in Econometrics taught by him.
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Behavioral Economics, Microeconometrics.
Statement of Purpose: A synthetic overview of my academic life and interests.
Other: I obtained full scholarships from both honor colleges I have been student of. Moreover, I have been awarded 2-years full funding (tuition+stipend) to attend a top PhD in Economics, by a board of economists from a prestigious private foundation in my country; most schools I applied to knew this. So basically I would have had ($$$$) in every school had admitted me, at least for the start.
RESULTS:
Attending: Berkeley
Acceptances, declined: Northwestern, Chicago, Stern, UWM, LSE, TSE
Waitlists, eventually rejected: MIT
Rejections: Princeton, Stanford, Yale, UCSD, NYU, CMU, HBS, Wharton (Mgmt), Caltech, EUI
General Comments: If you are an international applicant and the institutions you come from are not so well known, luck and connections really matter alot, even if you have good LoRs from famous economists and a brilliant CV. I know that MIT, for instance, preferred two other students with external funding from my country over me, and they both just came from the two institutions with more reputation in sending students to top Ph.D. programs (but one of them I know, she is really a genius, 780Q). External funding might help, but it depends on the school: for some it really does (MIT, Chicago) but for others it does not (Stanford, Yale). It's not easy to decline Northwestern offer! But, in the end, I am happy with Berkeley.
What would you have done differently? Definitely, attended another undergraduate institution, the best in my country, which is very well established in sending students to top Ph.D. programs. I would have not been funded as I was, at least for the first years, but ex-post I would have had definitely very good shots for Cambridge, MA. My parents had the money, I had been admitted, so I really regret it. I should have also tried to do more research with my recommenders in the first Master year: it hurted me, they did not know me enough well (they also more or less directly told it to me). Perhaps I should have worked more in the final undergraduate years to produce a good analytical working paper to be sent as a writing sample: it may help in some schools, I think; but there was not much I could do as my undergraduate institution was a mostly empirical/heterodox place (not fitting too bad with Berkeley!).
Accepts:
    Attending: Berkeley Acceptances, declined: Northwestern, Chicago, Stern, UWM, LSE, TSE
Rejects:
    rejected: MIT Rejections: Princeton, Stanford, Yale, UCSD, NYU, CMU, HBS, Wharton (Mgmt), Caltech, EUI General Comments: If you are an international applicant and the institutions you come from are not so well known, luck and connections really matter alot, even if you have good LoRs from famous economists and a brilliant CV. I know that MIT, for instance, preferred two other students with external funding from my country over me, and they both just came from the two institutions with more reputation in sending students to top Ph.D. programs (but one of them I know, she is really a genius, 780Q). External funding might help, but it de
Waitlists:
    Waitlists, eventually

miaataro 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad/Grad: BSc in Economics (minors in Mathematics, Statistics and Business Studies) and MSc in Economics (+ a still unfinished MSc in Statistics) from an unknown university in Finland.
Undergrad/Grad GPA: Overall 4.90, Econ 4.94, Math 4.83, Stat 4.94 (on a scale of 1-5)
GRE: 800Q, 390V, 4AWA
TOEFL: 111 (29R, 30L, 23S, 29W)
Math Courses: Unfortunately, they don't have illustrative names. I tooks a course sequence for a minor in math that dealt with the basic areas (linear algebra, differential calculus, integral calculus, real analysis, etc.) in more of an applied fashion.
Stat Courses: A lot. Mathematical Statistics 1 & 2 and Probability Calculus A & B + courses in time series analysis, survival models, mixed models, regression models, multivariate statistics, stochastic simulation, computational statistics, bayesian statistics, robust and nonparametric methods etc.
Econ Courses: A lot. Intermediate and advanced level courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics and econometrics + courses in labour economics, regional economics, microeconometrics, applied econometrics, game theory etc. I also took the econometrics core course in the Finnish Doctoral Program in Economics during the ongoing academic year.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 economics professors and a statistics professor from my university and a research director from an economics research institute. I guess they all know me quite well and believe in me, so their letters should have been good in that sense. None of them were well-known, however (but apparently they had some important connections after all).
Research Experience: BSc and MSc theses in economics, RA for one of my economics professors for 7 months, two last summers as a research trainee in an economics research institute, two last falls as an assistant researcher in an economics research institute, a researcher in an economics research institute from January onwards.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Econometrics and empirical/applied microeconomics
SOP: Nothing spectacular. Tried to emphasize my research experience and convince the reader that my educational background in economics, mathematic and statistics is strong enough, I guess.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT, Tinbergen, LSE MSc EME (Research), Tilburg MPhil (2nd year), Uppsala (it was never official, though, as I withdraw my application)
Waitlists: -
Rejections: Princeton, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, U Michigan, UCL MSc
What would you have done differently? Absolutely nothing. I'm still amazed by my outcomes and really happy that I listened to my recommenders advice to try my luck with some of the top US schools. It definitely paid off...
Accepts:
    Acceptances: MIT, Tinbergen, LSE MSc EME (Research), Tilburg MPhil (2nd year), Uppsala (it was never official, though, as I withdraw my application)
  • Institution: LSE MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: I haven't applied for it yet Notification date: 28/Jan/2009 Notified through: LSE for You Comments: I am a living proof that someone from an unknown university and with relatively unknown letter of recommendation writers can get at least one excellent admit. This is unbelievable! An update to my funding situation: I didn't get any money at least from GSS.
  • Institution: Tilburg MPhil in Economics (2nd year) Decision: Accepted Funding: The decision is made later. Notification date: 18/FEB/2009 Notified through: Email Comments: I applied to the 1st year of the programme but was accepted to the 2nd year. I'm not sure whether that's actually a good thing for me or not .
  • Institution: MIT Economics Ph.D Decision: Accepted Funding: They congratulated me for my external scholarship and promised to consider me for additional aid once they know what this scholarship covers. Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: E-mail Comments: I've never been happier, honestly!
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute Economics MPhil (+ PhD) Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/9 Funding: Full scholarship Notified through: E-mail
Rejects:
    Rejections: Princeton, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, U Michigan, UCL MSc
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Ph.D Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: E-mail Comments: This was expected.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/4/09 Notified through: Website Comments: -
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/18 Notified through: Website
  • Institution: UCL MSc Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: April 21 Notified through: Postal mail
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: -

postgradecon 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc in Economics and Mathematics from a well-known but not so good in economics university in Canada.
Undergrad GPA: converts to about 3.85/4
Type of Grad: LSE
Grad GPA: not yet known
GRE: 780Q/530V/4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I-II-III (A/A+'s), Linear Algebra I-II (A+'s), Real Analysis I (A+), Differential Equations (A+), Logic and Set Theory (Proofs) (B), Sampling (B+), Prob and Stats (A+), History of Logic (A).
Graduate: none
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro and Macro (A+'s), Advanced Macro (A), Advanced Micro (B+, level of grad Varian), Econometrics (A+), Labour (A), Cost-Benefit (A), Math econ (A), Development (B, abroad), Industrial Organisation I-II (A-, A)
Graduate Econ Courses: Before my masters: Time series econometrics (A), Institutional economics and China's development (A+, with a mini-thesis). Masters: econometrics, micro, macro, political economics (no grades yet).
Other Courses: A bunch of biochemistry classes before switching to econ (grades between A- and A+). Some philosophy classes as extra electives (A+ in all).
Letters of Recommendation: 3 from my undergrad, all really enthusiastic (PhDs from Princeton, Queen's and from a German university). One I wrote a mini-thesis with during a graduate class. A fourth was from my graduate program, didn't know me well, was in the beginning of the first year. I sent a different combination of 3 letters to different schools (deadlines were not at the same time and got the fourth a bit later, more on this below).
Research Experience: 2 years as research assistant in a well-respected small Canadian think tank, focusing on productivity and other welfare issues.
Teaching Experience: none.
Research Interests: Political economy, microeconomics, development.
SOP: Talked mostly about my interest in economics, my research interests, and why the school would be a good fit.. pretty standard and not that good.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UBC PhD ($$), UPF Masters ($), LSE (no $)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Caltech, MIT, NYU, Columbia
Pending: none
Attending: UBC (did not want to do a second master's degree before re-applying next year and UPF did not recognize my masters as good enough for their PhD).
What would you have done differently?
As mentioned earlier, I have sent different sets of letters to different schools. Instead, I would have sent the 3 letters from undergrad to all schools and not bother to send a not-so-good letter from my grad teacher. At first I thought it was important, but thinking back I think this might have ruined my chances at most US schools. I was accepted at all schools that didn't receive that letter.Also, I would have applied to much more schools, but I decided late and did not have much time to think about it.
In the end, I am satisfied since UBC is well-respected in its country and on par with a lot of top30 schools in the US.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UBC PhD ($$), UPF Masters ($), LSE (no $)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Caltech, MIT, NYU, Columbia
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

chestnut.cc 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergraduate: BA Economics from a Top 10 college in my country (south east Asia) with math and stat minors
Undergraduate GPA: Currently (Final Year) 84%. We don't use the GPA system so I'm unsure of how much that translates to. It's similar to a UK percentage system though
Type of Graduate: NA
Graduate GPA: NA
GRE: 760V, 800Q, 5.5 AWA
TOEFL: 119
Math Courses: Three Year long Industrial Mathematics courses. Audited Real Analysis, Linear Algebra of the more rigorous sort.
Statistics Courses: Three Year long Applied Statistics courses.
Economics Courses: Economics Specials I II III IV. Basically intermediate micro, macro, international trade, history of economic thought, monetary, development economics.
Letters of Recommendation: Head of Department, Senior Lecturer, no one known, will serve my purposes.
Research Experience: NA
Teaching Experience: NA
Research Interests: Political Economy, Game Theory, Mechanism Design, Micro theory.
SOP: Short, Simple, just tried to signal course content, courses audited, interests.
Applied to: LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Toulouse, UPF BGSE, Tilburg, Erasmus Mundus
Acceptances: LSE EME(2 yr), Toulouse M1, UPF, Tilburg (MPhil), Erasmus Mundus MMEF1, Cambridge PG Dip (Econ)
Rejections: Oxford, UCL, Erasmus Mundus QEM
Attending: LSE
Accepts:
  • Institution: Toulouse School of Economics M1 Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Applied for Eiffel Scholarship Notification date: 12-23-2008 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Applied early December
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 02-03-2009 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Applied in early January, have to pay a reservation fee of Euro 500 by the 24th
  • Institution: Tilburg MPhil (1st Year) Decision: Accepted Funding: Euro 7812 fee remission, Applied for CenTER Scholarship Notification date: 02-17-2008 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Applied late January
  • Institution: Université Paris 1 Panthéon - Sorbonne Programme: Erasmus Mundus MMEF1 Decision: Accepted Funding: NA Notification Date: 17/03/2009 via email
  • Institution: LSE Programme: MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (2 yr) Decision: Accepted Notification Date: 31/03/2009 Funding: None Comments: Conditional upon set GPA, and attending the September math courses.
  • Institution: University of Cambridge Programme: PG Diploma Economics Decision: Accepted Notification Date: 06/05/2009 via email Funding: NA
Rejects:
  • Institution: UCL MSc Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 01-27-2009 Notified through: Letter Comments: Applied in early December, expected
  • Institution: Oxford Programme: MPhil Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 31/03/2009 by mail
Waitlists:

desemejante 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from Top 5 European
Undergrad GPA: Predicted 1st class honours
Math Courses: Courses covering: Single and Multivariate Calculus, Analysis, Statistical Theory, Econometrics
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Advanced Micro, Advanced Macro, Industrial Economics, Economic Theory (Game Theory, Information Economics, General Equilibrium, Decision Theory)
Other Courses: Finance, Accounting
Letters of Recommendation: 2, both from Tutors, should be solid!
Research Experience: none
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Micro Theory and IO
SOP: Good
Applying to: LSE MSc, UCL MSc, Oxford MPhil, potentially Bocconi & Cambridge
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: - (didn't apply for any) Notification date: 01/28/09 Notified through: LSE for you Comments: My top choice!
  • Institution: UCL (University College London) MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: - (didn't apply for any) Notification date: 12/16/08 Notified through: Regular Mail Comments: My first offer!
  • Institution: University of Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: postal Comments: conditional of first class honours
Rejects:
Waitlists:

eigenman 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BS Economics/Biochemistry from US R1 school, Top 10 economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.59
Type of Grad: Non-degree math/stats coursework
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800V/800Q/5.0W
Math Courses: Undergrad-level: calc 1-2; multivariable calc; linear algebra; "applied" linear algebra; differential equations; series, sequences, and foundations (proofs intro). Grad level: stat theory I-II, applied linear regression, analysis II, time series analysis I, advanced linear algebra. Even mix of As and Bs.
Econ Courses: Intermediate macro/micro, econometrics, Latin American economics, + honors in: macro policy, quantitative macro, international trade, game theory, urban economics, money and banking. As and Bs.
Other Courses: lots of biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology, intro physics, physical chemistry, organic chemistry. As and Bs throughout.
Letters of Recommendation: Varied. Two from regional Fed economists, one from Analysis professor were generally used. For more behavioral places had letter from coauthor; for programs requiring a letter from an undergraduate instructor, tapped my quantitative macro graduate instructor. I'm sure they had nice things to say about me but perhaps they were not so influential.
Research Experience: First author on an experimental animal behavior paper published in medium-tier journal. Unpublished undergraduate thesis in behavioral neuroscience. 1.5 years (as of now) RAing at a regional Fed, one publication (another pending) in our in-house journal. Two semeters in a biochemistry lab.
Teaching Experience: Nil
Research Interests: At the time I submitted my applications, behavioral economics and evolutionary game theory, but I'm leaning toward econometrics and computational economics lately
SOP: Mostly addressed my background and suitability for graduate study
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
Pending: LSE(MSc-Research)
What would you have done differently? I probably should have bothered another Fed economist rather than asking my math prof, but I was worried about my mediocre math GPA. I also ought've interacted more with professors as an undergraduate, but nearly all of my economics courses were taught by graduates, and I made a decision to go to econ school fairly close to graduation. All of this considered I'm perfectly satisficed and looking forward to relaxing over the summer before putting my shoulder to the wheel in September.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
  • Institution: Ohio State University Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Nominated for fellowship Notification date: 2/04 Notified through: web site; confirmed by USPS on 12/13 Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 12/13 Comments: Delighted! profile
  • Institution: University of Texas - Austin Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: E-mail Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Have to think about this.
  • Institution: UW-Seattle Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Unfunded Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: This calls for a celebratory evening of working until midnight No really I'm very pleased
  • Institution: NYU MA Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: None Comments: Applied as part of a JD/MA application. Received notification an hour or so after asking for my application to be withdrawn. Not sure whether the two events were connected.
  • Institution: London School of Economics Economics MSc (Research) Decision: Admitted Notification date: 4/1 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: Nada Comments: They really took their time. Submitted my application in late November.
Rejects:
    Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
  • Institution: LSE MRes+PhD (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2 February Notified through: Site Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) n/a Comments: No sweat... five years in London would have been hard. Still waiting on my second choice.
  • Institution: Northwestern University JD/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: yes Comments: Unsurprised
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Penn State University (PSU) Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: This was a safety. Back to the girl scout cookies.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: surprise! no not really
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: My odds of ever living in Rhode Island have diminished further. My wildest dreams are coming true.
  • Institution: CalTech Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: assumed
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Was unaware California still attached to US mainland
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: Mass (or at least wholly impersonal!) email Comments: no sweat, pretty happy with my situation
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. :doh: Not told I was high on the waitlist.
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. Not told I was high on the waitlist.

mifx 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top Brazilian University
Undergrad GPA: 9.0/10 (highest honor)
Type of Grad: -
Grad GPA: -
GRE: 790Q, 500V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I, II, III , Operational Research, Mathematical Economics, Real Analysis, Linear Algebra
Econ Courses: Macro, Micro, Estatistics I and II, Econometrics I and advanced, International Econ, Environmental Econ, Public Econ, Game theory, Agrobusiness, Development Economics, Latin America Economics.
Other Courses: Management, International Business, Finance, Adv. Finance
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Harvard, 1 Stanford, 1 University of Illinois, 1 LSE (pos-doc)
Research Experience: Award for my undergrad thesis on health economics, Joint Research for an international non-profit organization (published), Individual Research (orientated by a Harvard PhD econ professor)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Development, International Economics, International Finance, Macroeconomics, Public Policy
Statement of purpose: Standard
Concern: GRE AWA
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Stanford, LSE, University of Illinois
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale
Pending: none
What would you have done differently? I would have studied more for GRE verbal. But, unfortunatly, I didnt have time enough.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Stanford, LSE, University of Illinois
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

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

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

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

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

Mr. Stochastic 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Econonomics and Business Administration at best institution in small European country. Exchange at top 10 european b-school.
Undergrad GPA: Top 5 percent.
GRE/TOEFL: 800Q/410V/5.0 AWA.TOEFL: 113
Math Courses: Math for Econ, A. Analysis and Diff. eq, B. Statistics for economists A.
Econ Courses (u/g): Intro and intermediate micro, macro, As and Bs. International econ, econ geography, european econ, labour econ. Mostly As.
Grad courses: None.
Other Courses: Four finance, all As. Managment, Bs.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 good from well-published, well-connected mit phd, former dean of school and minister in my country. 1 unknown from semi-well-published professor who gave me an a in advanced micro. 1 very good from unknown AP at b-school I was on exchange.
Research Experience: None.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Micro theory, public econ.
Statement of Purpose: Pretty standard. Focused on how my interests got developed through a diverse set of experiences (journalism, army service).
Other: Fulbright fellowship. Won math competitions.
Concerns: No research experiences. Poor math credentials, although I can document ability. Unknown school. Unknown recommenders and unknown quality of one of them. No MA-level experience.
Applying to:Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Berkeley, Upenn, Northwestern (likely rejected), Maryland, Michigan, Duke (rejected), Cornell (rejected), Caltech. Yale IDE and LSE EME (accepted).
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: Randomly checked lseforyou, got mail confirming three hours later. Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: LSE Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: Randomly checked lseforyou, got mail confirming three hours later. Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Relieved
Rejects:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/8 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
Waitlists:

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

penndryve 2010: Type of Undergrad: Bachelors in Computer Engineering (India - not IIT or REC, but fairly good)
Undergrad GPA: 84% (we don't have GPA. This is called Distinction, and would fall in the top 3-4 0n the class)
Type of Grad: MSc Development Studies (London School of Economics)
Grad GPA: Distinction (Prize for Best Performance in the Department )
Further Grad: EXTERNAL Diploma for Graduates ( Economics) - London School of Economics - ONGOING - Exams in May/June 2010
GRE: Not taken yet. Expect to score 790-800Q and high-700s in verbal
Math Courses: Lots of calculus, probability and statistical courses in under-grad, basically Engineering Mathematics ( nearly 90% (A+) in all of them). Taking modules on Mathematics again in my current diploma from LSE - refreshing all the Math required for Econ ( but it does not cover Real Analysis)
Econ Courses: Managerial Economics ( undergrad, A+), Development Economics (A), Intermediate Micro, Macro and Econometrics ( currently taking in my Diploma), Some international economics as part of Intl. Political Economy of Development at LSE ( A+)
Other Courses: Lots of Political Economy/Development courses; MIT Randomization Course
Letters of Recommendation: Three Profs from LSE: Two of them are Political Economy Profs (One is Princeton-Harvard-LSE, the other is Leontif Prize Winner, but considered heterodox); Third one is not economics, but very well regarded.
Research Experience: Working as Senior Research Analyst at a premier think tank in Delhi, policy research on governance and institutional development; currently doing a qualitative research study involving field work - will publish paper soon
Publications: Grad thesis published by LSE as LSE Working Paper; Two WPs at my current job plus one coming up soon.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Development Economics; Institutional Economics; Political Economy
SOP: Not written yet; thinking of talking about the progression in my intellectual/career interests and why I want to do PhD from an Econ dept at this stage etc
Concerns: BIG one: Not enough Econ? My Intermediate Economics grades will not be available at the time of application ( won't be available till July/August 2010, actually!!). Although I am sure I will do well in them, I have only my word + previous academic performance to show for it!
Other: Work experience in the development sector for about 5 years doing part time volunteering with grass roots NGOs + nearly 2 years working as consultant in an IT multinational. And I simply cannot do without funding! :(
Applying to: Berkeley, Yale, MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Cornell, Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, NYU, Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Brown, NW, Maryland, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, Oxford, LSE, Cambridge
Suggestions please on if I stand any reasonable chance of being accepted WITH funding! :)
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE Economics (MSc (Res)) Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 19th January Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes Comments: Scraping around funding!
Rejects:
  • Institution:Cornell Econ Decision:Reject Funding: N/A Notification date:4th Feb 2010 Notified through:email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 4th feb
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 18 February, 2010 Notified through: email to check website Comments:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18 Notified Through: E-mail to check website
Waitlists:

Econ.Aprentice 2010: Type of Undergrad: Bachelor in Economics in a well-known Brazilian University
Undergrad GPA: brazilian grading system: 9.0/10.0 (from zero to ten)
Type of Grad: Masters in Economics
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 790Q, 500V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Calculus I, Calculus II, Operational Research, Mathematical Economics.
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Game Theory (taken at a top US university)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro, Macro, Economic History, Development Economics, Public Economics, Statistics I, Statistics II, Principle of Econometrics, Advanced Econometrics.
Other Courses: Finance, Sociology, Philosophy, Agribusiness.
Letters of Recommendation: 5 econ professors (1 PhD Harvard, 1 PhD University of Illinois, 1PhD LSE, 1 PhD Stanford, 1PhD UofChigago )
Research Experience: Individual Research tutored by a famous professor, Final Thesis tutored by the head of the Econ department of my Brazilian College.
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Contract and incentives economics, Public Economics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics.
statement of purpose: Standard format
Concerns: GRE AWA is not so high.
Other: none
Applying to: LSE, Cambridge, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Chicago.
Accepted: LSE (one of my top options), waiting for replies from other programs to make my final decision.
Rejected: none
Accepts:
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc in Economics Decision: admitted Funding: Brazilian Scholarship Notification Date: January 6th Notified: email and LSE4you Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: A dream come true! :D Anyone that has been admitted for this program lets contact each other to create an exciting LSE network!
Rejects:
Waitlists:

MicroIOGuy 2010: Type of Undergrad: Honours B.A. Economics, minor concentration in Mathematics, #1 univeristy in Canada for undergrad, consistenly top 25 in the world, mediocre economics department, but small and rigorous honours undergrad program
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 680V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: calculus 1 and 2 (exempt), calculus 3 (A), intro linear algebra (A), linear algebra (A-), ordinary differential equations (A), discrete structures (A), real analysis 1 (A), probability theory (A), advanced calculus (Spring), real analysis 2 (Spring)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Honours intermediate micro (2 semesters A), honours intemediate macro (2 semesters, B), honours economic statistics (2 semesters, A), behavioural economics (A), honours advaced theory (2 semesters, A for first semester, Spring), honours econometrics 1 (A), economics research project (on IO and price theory, A), honours econometrics 2 (Spring)
Econ courses (grad-level): game theory (A), experimental economics (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (Northwestern, U Montreal, Pittsburgh; not famous)
Research Experience: Experimental economics paper, some IO independent study
Teaching Experience: Just some game theory tutoring
Concerns: Recommenders are not famous. Not too many acceptances in top PhD programs in econ from my school. That damn B in intermediate macro.
Research Interests: Micro theory, IO, game theory, experimental econ
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Yale (Rejected), Columbia, NYU, Berkeley, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, Penn, Princeton, Toronto (MA), UBC (MA), Oxford (MPhil), LSE (MSc (Research) (Accepted; scholarship), UCL (MSc)
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics (Research) Decision:Admit Funding: £9,600 scholarship Notification date: 6 January 2010 Notified through: LSE for You Posted on Gradcafe: No Comment: London is mad expensive. Better cough up some more.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 18 February 2010 Notified Through: E-mail --> online status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Hopefully not a sign of things to come.
Waitlists:

keano 2010: keano<
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE Economics (MSc (Res)) Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 19th January Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Lack of funding may be an issue
  • Institution: BGSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waver + TA-ship Notified through: Email Date: Jan-21 Comment: Really exciting!
  • Institution: Toulouse M2 Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notified through: Post Date: Early feb Comment: Not sure of funding options
  • Institution: EUI (Florence) Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No information Notification date: 03/12/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: No interview required
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No information Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Really pleased
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Accepted from the wait list Notification date: 4/09/10 Notified through: E-mail from faculty followed by official email Comment: Really surprised and really happy.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email to check site Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: oh dear
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economics Analysis and Policy PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: Feb 19th Notified Through: email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: No Comments: another one goes down
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Not a surprise by now
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Not a surprise by now
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email to check website Date: Feb-19 Comment: Sad news
  • Institution: Kellogg MECS Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Checked website Date: Feb-26 Comment: Another
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email Date: Mar-2 Comment: Sad news
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:NA Notification date: Mar-9 Notified through: Emailed admissions coordinator Posted on GF: No Comment:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: None Notification date: 3/23/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/29/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Think I was on an implicit waitlist before this, so not a surprise.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Waitlist Funding: NA Notified through: Email Date: Mar-5 Comment: Assumed I'd been rejected

troll2 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Economics from a swedish uni.
Undergrad GPA: we don't calculate gpa over here
GRE: 790/490/4.0
Math Courses: One var calculus, Multivar calculus, Linear Algebra, Maths for econ
Econ Courses: Intermediate micro/econometrics/macro, labor, game theory, IO, environ. econ
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis advisor (unkown), Political Science prof at UCSD (somewhat known)
Research Experience: Mandatory BSc thesis
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: No idea
SOP: Who reads them anyways?
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE (MSc EME), Barcelona GSE (MSc Econ), Tilburg (Msc Econ)
Waitlists: Cambridge (MPhil Econ)
Rejections: N/A
Pending: SSE (MSc Econ)
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE (MSc EME), Barcelona GSE (MSc Econ), Tilburg (Msc Econ)
  • Institution: Tilburg University MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: Feb 07 Notified through:Email Comments: Applied yesterday?!
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE Msc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Partial tuition waiver (6000€) Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: Not my first choice, but hey, always nice to get in somewhere
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comment: Wow! So unexpected!! going to buy lottery ticket
Rejects:
    Rejections: N/A
  • Institution: University of Cambridge MPhil Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/28/2011 Notified through: E-mail Comments: from waitlist
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Cambridge (MPhil Econ)
  • Institution: Cambridge MPhil Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC : no Comments: "Our Admissions Committee has considered your application and at this stage no final decision has been made. Your application has, therefore, been put on hold until all the MPhil applications have been assessed. Once this has been done all applications that are on hold will be reconsidered and a final decision made this will be during April."

thegunners 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Engineering. Top university in my country (Asia) and quite reputed worldwide.
Undergrad GPA: 7.73/ 10
Type of Grad: MS in Economics from a very well-known institution in my country.
Grad GPA: 82% (class rank 2)
GRE: Q800, V620, AWA 6.0
Math Courses: Math 1 & 2 (Consists of calculus, vector calculus, numerical methods), Transform calculus, ODE and PDE, Real Analysis, Linear Algebra
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, macro, econometrics, stats, game theory etc etc.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):
Other Courses: none relevant
Research experience: Worked with a professor at a reasonably well-known European university over the summer of 2009. Worked on political economy. Produced a writing sample.
Working as an RA since June, 2010. Working on experiments.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Game theory profs - very well known. Very famous. 1-from the prof I worked with over the summer of 2009. He is quite famous too.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Micro theory, political economy, social choice theory.
SOP: standard
Concerns: Low undergrad GPA. Less math courses in undergrad.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UPenn (with 1st yr funding waitlist), LSE, Penn State
Waitlists: Princeton, NYU
Rejections: Yale, Duke
What would you have done differently? If I had known long ago, the importance of math courses, then I would have taken more at the undergrad level. But apart from that there is very little that I think I did wrong. However, if there was something that I could have done to counter some unfortunate events that affected my application (I can't talk about them here), tough though it was, I could have worked a bit harder on producing a research material of a better quality. I think if your recommenders are well connected, impressing them with a stunning research work would boost your chances significantly. That's a very subjective thing though.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UPenn (with 1st yr funding
  • Institution: Penn State (PSU) Decision: Accepted Funding: Slightly more than riskaverse (don't know if quoting the amount is legal) Notification date: 2/19/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Happy for my first admit. Hope to get better offers. RA is a bit of a
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted, waitlisted for funding in first year. Placed very high Funding: yes Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comment: I hope guys like eds and all get placed at better schools and I make it here.
  • Institution: LSE PHD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: +3 Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship which provides full fee remission and maintenance support of 18,590 a year for four years subject to satisfactory progress in your studies. Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Extremely happy.
  • Institution: Cornell University Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Acceptance Funding: Sage Fellowship Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through: Email Comments: Happy. Now, its the decision time. With 2 big waitlists and one funding waitlists, its going to be a long drawn one.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Duke
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/17/2011 Notified through: Email -> website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: 1 down. Hoping that the future's bright. One of the letter of recommendation had warned me that people aren't very connected from here to Yale so it will be tough.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: via email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/08/11 Notified through: EMail Posted on GF: No Comments: Top choice gone
Waitlists:
    waitlist), LSE, Penn State Waitlists: Princeton, NYU
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/5/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Very long E-mail, 1000 applicants for 18 slot.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Did the univs mistake my application for the post of a waiter? :P

Segan 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Large Canadian University, not very well known for economics
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800 Q/570 V/5.0 AW
Math Courses: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability/Stats for Economists, Mathematical Economics I and II (all A+)
Econ Courses: Econometrics I (grad); Intro to econometrics; Microeconomics I, II, and III; Macroeconomics I, II, and III; Environmental Economics, Economic Growth, Cost-Benefit Analysis (all A+).
Other Courses: 2 geomatics courses (1 in geostatistics), a minor in political science
Letters of Recommendation: 1 full professor, 1 assistant professor, and 1 associate professor. The full professor is a star in the department, but I doubt any will have major name recognition.
Research Experience: At the time of my application, this was a concern. I have 2 interesting research experiences in the private and public sectors related to policy, but had not worked on a strictly economics related project. Since applying, I have taken a directed research job with a professor at our department.
Teaching Experience: NA
Research Interests: Environmental economics, developmental economics
SOP: Elaborated on the contents of the mathematical economics courses I took, particularly because mathematical economics II covers the basics of real analysis and forces us to write some basic proofs.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Brown ($$), Maryland AREC ($$), UBC MA ($$), LSE MA, Cambridge MA
Waitlists: MIT
Rejections: Berkeley AREC, Columbia, Stanford
Pending: Queen's MA
What would you have done differently?
Definitely more math, and would have chosen my undergraduate institution more carefully. I am currently unsure about whether I should spend a year to upgrade math courses and take an MA in Canada, or to take what are good options at Brown/Maryland.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Brown ($$), Maryland AREC ($$), UBC MA ($$), LSE MA, Cambridge MA
  • Institution: Maryland Ph.D. Agricultural and Resource Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: 2/23/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Cambridge MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waiting to hear more Notification date: 2/01/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Notes: Still no word re: College choice/Funding Sorry for the delay!
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 20,000 stipend Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email to check Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UBC MA Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship topped off with an RA (16,000) Notification date: 3/17/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Rejects:
Rejects:
    Rejections: Berkeley AREC, Columbia, Stanford
  • Institution: Berkeley ARE Phd Decision: Reject Funding: NA Notification date: 3/14/11 Notified through: Email to check Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/08/11 Notified through: Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/09/11 Notified through: Email to check Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: MIT
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No

kipfilet 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, top school in small European country
Undergrad GPA: 18/20, converted to 4.0/4.0, top of my class
Type of Grad: MPhil in Economics in progress (2 year Masters including 1st year PhD coursework)
Grad GPA: 19/20, converted to 4.0/4.0
GRE: Q800, V710, AWA 5.0
Math Courses: Calc I (already includes some intro real analysis and lots of proofs), Calc II (multivariate calc, topology, lots of optimisation), Linear Algebra, Math I (difference eqns, dynamic programming, discrete-time optimization), Math II (differential eqns, optimal control), Advanced Math (advanced topology and real analysis, measure theory, correspondence theory). All A's
Econ Courses (grad-level): Full Macro and Micro sequences, lots of random trimester courses (game theory I and II, time series, microeconometrics, energy economics, etc), all A's.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Lots of them. In my country, programs are not flexible at all. We spend 3 years being bombed with economics courses just about everything.
Other Courses: some Law, Finance and History courses. Two seminars on European Union institutions.
Letters of Recommendation: My thesis advisor and three assistant professors who know me well I guess (was a student and worked/working in projects with all of them).
Research Experience: Summer internship at a Ministry, applied macro research; lots of minor projects; macroeconometric paper with two colleagues; co-authoring an empirical paper; my MPhil thesis (in progress) is supposed to be one of the three papers one usually writes for a PhD.
Teaching Experience: twice TA (lecturer) for Multivariate Calc, twice TA (lecturer) for intermediate macro (all undergrad)
Research Interests: Macro: monetary economics, DSGE's, asset pricing. Also interested in behavioural.
SOP: Pretty standard, not customised at all. I actually sent the same SOP to ALL schools, only changing their name.
Concerns: Coming from a school that is virtually unknown in the US (and better known as a business school in Europe), no letter of recommendation from a senior professor.
Other: TOEFL 119, Erasmus in a well-known university in the Netherlands.
RESULTS
Acceptances: Minnesota ($$$), UPenn ($$$), LSE (), Oxford (MPhil, no ), Columbia ($$$), Chicago (no $), Northwestern (no$ 1st year), NYU($$$)
Waitlists: UCLA (rej), MIT (rej), Northwestern (acc), NYU (acc)
Rejections: Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, MIT.
Attending: NYU
What would you have done differently?
Not much, I think. I regret not having asked a letter of recommendation from a well-known professor at my university whom I later discovered to be rather willing to write it (I had never worked for him). Not asking any senior prof for a letter of recommendation was a huge risk I took, and I only discovered the value of seniority much later (i.e. after having discovered TM). My 2nd year MPhil grades (1st year PhD courses) have been rather good so far, and my thesis is going really well (my apologies for not being very humble in this aspect), so I guess I could have a stronger profile if I decided to apply next year. Anyway, I'm not going to cry over it, as I'm already ecstatic with my outcome! This was an extremely long and stressful process, and I'm really glad that it has come to a happy ending. See you all in the job market!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Minnesota ($$$), UPenn ($$$), LSE (), Oxford (MPhil, no ), Columbia ($$$), Chicago (no $), Northwestern (no$ 1st year), NYU($$$)
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics (PhD) Decision: accepted Funding: yes (20k) Notification date: 2/22/2011 Notified through: email with formal acceptance (pdf) Posted on GF: not yet Comments: One of my top choices!
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 23k Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comment: really happy! Decision between this and Minnesota is going to be a tough one for a macro guy like me...
  • Institution: London School of Economics MRes/PhD Track 1 Decision: Accepted Funding: No. "Unfortunately competition for funding is very strong and we are not able to offer you any financial support at this stage. However you are waitlisted for funding and we will inform you immediately if and when this becomes available. In the meantime we would be grateful if you could update us on the outcome of any funding applications you have made." Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes Comment: Fantastic! Lack of funding is a problem, though...my girlfriend will certainly pressure me to strongly consider this one due to proximity.
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 2/28 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: yes Funding: Not clear regarding that, but I guess that means a no. Comments: I'll have to read through the letter to better understand whether there is funding or not. From what I've gathered, I guess that depends on the college I end up in.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics PhD Decision: Proposed for admission Funding: Full, details later Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes [B]Comments: Unofficial e-mail from grad coordinator! so happy! dream school!
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver only, offer conditional on earning my country's NSF Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: E-mail GC: yes Comment: Poisoned joy, I am speechless, but have no idea what to do. My country's NSF only publishes results in September...
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted if interested in attending Funding: No 1st year, full afterwards Notification date: 04/14/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Great for fluctuations (Christiano & Eichenbaum), but not really the strongest in my fields of interest.
  • Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Full Notification date: 04/14/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Accepted right away
Rejects:
    rej), MIT (rej), Northwestern (acc), NYU (acc) Rejections: Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, MIT.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 16 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: yes Comments: Already expected!
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Meh x 2.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: The e-mail mentioned that there were 750 applications, out of which 75 applicants were admitted.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - NA Notification date: 03/11 Notified through: email Comments: Expected, now only waitlists remain to close the admissions season!
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Who are these people who keep sending me air mail letters? Harvard? Is this some sort of ice cream company?
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected out of the Waitlist Notification date: 4/5 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Did not interest me much anyway.
  • Institution: MIT Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected from waitlist Funding: NA Notification date: 04/07 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Makes the deciding easier. Never had any real chances though. Was really surprised about not being rejected right from start.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA (
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Meh.
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/5/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Better than a rejection, would very much like to attend.
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Probably none Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: As the old adage goes, better than a flatout rejection. This is probably the most ungrateful waitlist to be in, ever.

chisquared 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BBM Quantitative Finance and BSc Economics. Small university in SE Asia.
Undergrad GPA: 3.92/4.00
Type of Grad: MSc Applicable Mathematics, LSE
Grad GPA: In Progress
GRE: 800Q, 660V, 5.0AW
Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A-), Real Analysis (A-), Intermediate Mathematics for Economics (A+), Advanced Mathematics for Economics (A), Stochastic Calculus (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Probability Theory and Statistical Inference (A-), Continuous Time Optimization (Grad, IP), Probability and Measure (Grad, IP), Stochastic Analysis (Grad, IP)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Microeconomics (IP)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Microeconomics (A+), Intermediate Macroeconomics (A-), International Economics (A+), Economics of Financial Intermediation (A+), Applied Econometrics (A), Economic Development in Asia (A)
Other Courses: A lot of other business and finance courses. A few courses in psychology, sociology and political science.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Stanford PhD, 1 Berkeley PhD, 1 Harvard PhD, 2 UPenn PhDs distributed over different schools. All supposedly good letters.
Research Experience: Undergraduate thesis in political economy (A-), a few research assistantships
Teaching Experience: A few terms as a teaching assistant
Research Interests: micro theory, game theory, financial economics, political economy
SOP: Standard
Concerns: Unknown undergrad institution. Limited (read: almost none) placement history. Unknown letter of recommendation credibility.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE ($$$, initially on a waiting list for funding), Michigan (off the waiting list, $$), BU ($$, initially on a waiting list for first-year funding)
Rejections: Tons. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern (Kellogg MEDS), UPenn, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD (actually, I never heard from them. Should probably send them an angry email.), Chicago Booth, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Minnesota
Withdrawn:
Attending: LSE
What would you have done differently?
It's hard to say, really. A few ideas, though:
(i) Work harder on my senior thesis. Winning the senior thesis prize may have helped me sneak on to a few more waiting lists.
(ii) Write a more interesting SOP. It probably wouldn't help much, but it just might matter on the margin, and it's hard to say where I was or wasn't a marginal candidate exactly (at least, for the schools ranked just above where I was admitted. I'm only kidding myself by trying to claim I could have been a marginal candidate at Harvard/MIT.).
(iii) Done more undergrad field courses in econ. This would help me write a more interesting SOP, I guess, since it would give me more research ideas. This would mean that I'd have to drop one of my majors, or not do a senior thesis, though. I'm not sure I would be willing to do the former ex-ante, nor the latter ex-post.
(iv) Tried to go on exchange at the one top 10 department my undergrad had an exchange program with. Someone from my undergrad did this, and it seemed to have helped her out a lot this admissions season. That being said, that entails the same kind of tradeoffs that I mentioned in (iii), so I'm not sure I'd do this if I could do everything over again.
(v) Worked really hard on my MSc, graduate with distinction, and apply for admission in fall 2012 instead. I may still consider this, in fact.
(vi) Considered schools that I was applying to more carefully. While I don't think I'd have applied to fewer schools, there are some programs (PSU, CEMFI, Toulouse) I wish I applied to after all the deadlines were over but before the admissions results were released. While I wouldn't have gone to any of those aforementioned programs over any of the options I had, this may have been a wiser decision ex-ante (even if I may be out a few hundred dollars ex-post).
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE ($$$, initially on a
  • Institution: London School of Economics MRes/PhD Track 1 Decision: Accepted Funding: No. "Unfortunately competition for funding is very strong and we are not able to offer you any financial support at this stage. However you are waitlisted for funding and we will inform you immediately if and when this becomes available. In the meantime we would be grateful if you could update us on the outcome of any funding applications you have made." Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: Relieved. Will probably need funding though.
  • Institution: BU Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: After first year, tuition + $19k stipend Notification Date: 3/10/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted from the waiting list Funding: Full Notification date: April 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: None.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Tons. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern (Kellogg MEDS), UPenn, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD (actually, I
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 16 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Expected, but still depressing.
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis and Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: February 18 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 22 February 2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: UPenn Phd in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: Website -- checked it after I saw the rejection on GC Posted on GC: No Comments: Ouch. A shut out is looking likelier every day. Ah, well.
  • Institution: Minnesota Phd in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: Saw a rejection on GC, then checked the website. ...I should really stop doing this. Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Ouch.
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No. Comments: Not too surprising.
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Well, that was a long-shot.
  • Institution: Chicago Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Ugh.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Sigh.
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 3/09/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Hm, I guess a shut-out wasn't all that unlikely. (Yes, I am aware at the pitfalls of considering probabilities ex post.)
  • Institution: Northwestern - Kellogg Ph.D. MECS Decision: Rejection Notification Date: 3/10/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comments: I appreciate their promptness. Take note, NYU. <-- Ditto. I guess this marks the close of the admissions season for me.
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/11 Notified through: Snail Mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/17/11 Notified through: Unofficial e-mail after I asked about my status Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/21/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: That took a while.
Waitlists:
    waiting list for funding), Michigan (off the waiting list, $$), BU ($$, initially on a waiting list for first-year funding)
  • Institution: UMich Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Yes, if accepted Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:

FromTheHip 2011:
Well, time to throw out my profile, which I suspect will make my results a source of hope for many with mediocre undergraduate GPAs.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS in a science field at a highly-ranked U.S. university
Undergrad GPA: 3.34/4
Type of Grad: Part time classes at a top-5 econ program
Grad GPA: 4.0/4
GRE: 800Q, 700V, 4.5AW
Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A), Multivariable Calculus (A), Vector Analysis (B), Differential Equations (A-), Real Analysis (B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Two semesters of core micro (A/A), both grades near the top of the class
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Micro (A-), Intro Macro (A-), Intermediate micro (A-), Intermediate Macro (A-), Two term theoretical econometrics course (B/B+)
Other Courses: A lot of very quantitative science courses.
Letters of Recommendation: All three were economists with tenure at a top-5 econ program and PhDs from top programs. One was a professor from my core micro who talked about my coursework, while another was my long-time boss (see below). The third worked as my advisor on an independent project.
Research Experience: Two years as an RA and an independent research project (still ongoing).
Research Interests: Resource/environmental, development, game theory, IO. Statement focused on resource, game theory, and development.
SOP: Fairly long. I’ve spent some time outside of undergrad and was not an econ major, so I spent a bit of time explaining how I’d come to be interested in economics and putting my non-economics accomplishments into context.
Other experience: Several years work experience before starting my economics career
Concerns: Non-economics background, low undergraduate grades
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Cornell (no $), Georgetown ($), Iowa State ($),LSE ($), Penn State ($), Rochester ($), UC-Davis ($), UC-San Diego ($), UC-Santa Barbara (no $), University of British Columbia ($), University of Colorado ($), UPenn (initially wl for $, then $), University of Wisconsin ($), Yale ($).
Rejections: Berkeley ARE, Brown, Caltech, Chicago, Chicago Booth, Duke, Harvard, Minnesota, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, University of Maryland, University of Michigan
Waitlists: BU (withdrew), Columbia (withdrew), MIT (eventually rejected)
Withdrawn: University of Wyoming
Attending: Yale
What would you have done differently? Gotten better undergraduate grades and started as an economist sooner.
Other Comments: Given where I was coming in, I’m pretty ecstatic about my results. There was a lot of variance in my admits, and I’m grateful to all the programs which were willing to take a chance on me.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Cornell (no $), Georgetown ($), Iowa State ($),LSE ($), Penn State ($), Rochester ($), UC-Davis ($), UC-San Diego ($), UC-Santa Barbara (no $), University of British Columbia ($), University of Colorado ($), UPenn (initially wl for $, then $), University of Wisconsin ($), Yale ($).
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Will be decided in March Notification date: Feb 11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: Extremely happy about my first acceptance.
  • Institution: UC Santa Barbara Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention of funding Notification date: Feb 14 Notified through: website (I checked after seeing an acceptance up at GC) Posted on GC: no Comments: I suspect decisions are generally available, even though an e-mail notification hasn't been sent yet.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To be announced (but they fund everyone, so it seems a safe bet) Notification date: Feb 15 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: Um, yeah, I'm pretty happy
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Very high on the waitlist for 1st year fellowship Notification date: 2/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: 2/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: LSE Economics MRes/PhD (track 1) Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: yes; 3 years TA, 2 years Fellowship Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TA-ship Notification date: 03/01/2001 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: University of British Columbia Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Pending Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Sorry, slow to post this one. Excited though - looks like another option which will solves my two-body problem!
  • Institution: Rochester Economics PhD Decision: Accepted? Funding: No idea? Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Got an e-mail with an invitation to visiting day and a second congratulations on admission. I never got any sort of notification the first time around, so I'm just guessing.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Will get a letter next week Notification Date: 3/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: University of Colorado - Boulder Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TA+Fellowship Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no
Rejects:
    Rejections: Berkeley ARE, Brown, Caltech, Chicago, Chicago Booth, Duke, Harvard, Minnesota, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, University of Maryland, University of Michigan
  • Institution: University of Minnesota PHD economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Duke PHD economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Chicago - Booth School of Business Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Chicago Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Guess I picked the wrong week to quit smoking... (Airplane reference for the humorless)
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 (letter dated 3/5) Notified through: post Posted on GC : no Comments: Guess I picked the wrong week to quit drinkin'... (Airplane reference part 2 for the humorless)
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: Harvard University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Agricultural & Resource Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: BU (withdrew), Columbia (withdrew), MIT (eventually
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Please pardon the interruption -- when NYU/Stanford rejects come out, we will return to your regularly scheduled Airplane-based programming.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: BU Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no

callmebetty 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, top college for humanities and social sciences in my country (in South Asia), unknown internationally
Undergrad GPA: Not yet complete. 76o far-first class honours
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800 Q 740 V 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Mathematical Methods for Economics, Linear Algebra and Calculus
Econ Courses: Intermediate Macro and Micro, Development Theory, International Economics,Public Economics, Money and Finance, Political Economy, Introductory Econometrics
Other Courses: Statistics for Economics, Formal Logic
Letters of Recommendation: All from senior college professors who'd taught me for at least a year and knew me well, one of them also the head of the department. Very strong in all likelihood.
Research Experience: None
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Development Economics and International Economics. I'm also developing a belated liking for Public Economics. Behavioural Economics also sounds interesting, though I've never studied it. And Econometrics is one of my favourite subjects in college. I obviously need to figure this out.
SOP: Managed to include all that I thought was relevant without making it too long. Was quite satisfied with it.
RESULTS:
Applied to: LSE (Msc Economics), Cambridge (Diploma+MPhil in Economics), Oxford (Mphil Economics),Warwick (Msc Economics), UCL (Msc Economics)
Acceptances: LSE, Cambridge, Warwick
Waitlists: -
Rejections: Oxford
Pending: UCL
What would you have done differently? Not much. I'm very happy I got through LSE and Cambridge. Not surprised about Oxford, as they rarely take BA students from my university and the ones that do get in have exceptional grades. I don't, so of course there's always the feeling that I could have worked harder, both for my grades and on the essays that were required for the Oxford application. But the focus is now on doing really well in my Master's and getting some research experience so I can figure out what area to specialise in and have a stab at top PhD programmes.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE, Cambridge, Warwick
Rejects:
    Rejections: Oxford
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: -

HeyNomad 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small but highly regarded liberal arts college. Degree: BA, Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.91 in major, 3.89 overall
Type of Grad: Large state school (highly ranked within the field). Degree: MA, Education
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 720Q/800V/5.0W
Math Courses: Embarrassingly little. Just one semester of calculus, stats (A in both)
Econ Courses: The usual macro & micro (the latter was very math intensive), urban political economy, international trade, history of economic though, Marxism, various seminars (all A's, with a B+ in intermediate micro))
Other Courses: Some math-intensive physics and environmental science courses
Letters of Recommendation: Very strong and personal recommendations from three profs who know me very well, including one who was a graduate of UMass and pretty well known, as far as heterodox people go
Research Experience: All in econ: independent study, grant-funded student/faculty collaborative research project, honors thesis (presented at an undergraduate conference/paper competition where it won 1st place in macroeconomics category)
Teaching Experience: TA and/or tutor for several intro/intermediate micro/macro courses, taught high school econ (for whatever that’s worth—probably not much)
Research Interests: History, philosophy, & methodology of economics, political economy, public economics, comparative economic systems
SOP: Emphasized my strengths while acknowledging my shortcomings; talked about how I’ve worked to overcome them (a great deal of self-directed study in math). Emphasized research and teaching experience, originality of thesis. Made a case for my research interests as unique and worthwhile, and successfully (I assume) presented myself as a potential asset for the department.
Other: College honors, department honors, Phi Beta Kappa, award in economics presented annually by the college
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UMKC ($$), Denver U (M.A.) ($), New School (meh), UUtah ($$), UMass Amherst ($$ + fellowship)
Application withdrawn: LSE philosophy and economics (I always knew LSE was both a long shot and impractical for other personal reasons; once I got an offer from UMass in mid-February, I decided to bail on LSE)
Waitlists: NA
Rejections: UC-Riverside
Attending: UMass Amherst
What would you have done differently? UMass was by far my top choice, not just within the set of departments I applied to. I received a TA/Instructorship, plus a University Fellowship for at least the first year, which grants a larger stipend and frees me from teaching obligations, so I’m pretty pleased overall. Nonetheless, I do wish I had taken more math as an undergrad (at the time, I didn’t expect to be going on in economics). I had been very sick for several days when I took the GRE, which is what I'm blaming my low quant score on. I guess I was risk-averse and chose not to retake. I’m still not sure that was a good decision, but it didn’t hurt me, so oh well. If I'd gotten my act together, I would have applied to more UK/Continental schools.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UMKC ($$), Denver U (M.A.) ($), New School (meh), UUtah ($$), UMass Amherst ($$ + fellowship) Application withdrawn: LSE philosophy and economics (I always knew LSE was both a long shot and impractical for other personal reasons; once I got an offer from UMass in mid-February, I decided to bail on LSE)
Rejects:
    Rejections: UC-Riverside
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: NA

thewhiterabbit 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: MIT, SB Economics, SB Political Science, LSE study abroad (General Course)
Undergrad GPA: 4.8/5.0 overall and across both majors (converts directly to 3.8/4.0). All 1st class marks on exams at LSE (4.0/4.0).
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 790Q 660V ?AWA
Math Courses: Statistics (AP), Single Variable Calculus (AP BC), Multivariable Calculus (P under P/no record - mandatory for first term), Principles of Econometrics (LSE advanced intro course, known in UK to be very hard, 1st/A), Differential Equations (credit by advanced standing, B), Linear Algebra (audited), Introduction to Analysis (pending, ~60hance A, 40hance B)
Econ Courses (grad-level): International Economics I (A), Politics and Economics (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro (grad Varian, A), Game Theory (A), Intermediate Macro (B), Econ Research (A), Public Economics (LSE: 1st/A), Development (A), Principles of Micro (B), Principles of Macro (A)
Other Courses: Political Science degree, French concentration
Letters of Recommendation: 3 very recognizable names in my field. They all mentor the very top students regularly (since I'm at MIT) so it is somewhat hard for me to gauge strength of two of them. (I feel a little like a medium sized fish in a big pond)
Research Experience: Oodles: part time RA all through undergrad, full time RA since 2007. ~2 years field work. Speak Indonesian fluently. No journal publications. AAA+ Stata programmer. Best thesis award for political science thesis.
Teaching Experience: After school teacher for middle schoolers, test prep.
Research Interests: Development, behavioral, health
SOP: Have a lot of material to work with, will condense three NSF essays
Concerns: The obvious, math preparation. That I haven't had the chance to coauthor (just hasn't been an option) but some other people in RA jobs do. That I've been out of school longer than most people similar to me.
Other: I've done some cool work in technology innovation that is somewhat relevant to economics and which I wrote about for NSF. I'm really happy with my NSF app (and have been told by profs who are historically very honest with me that it was good).
Applying to:
Funding: NSF
Econ: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, NYU, Chicago, LSE, Columbia, Brown, UCLA, Caltech, UCSD, Oxford, BU, UMD, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, UCL, Georgetown, BC
Other: Berkeley (ARE), Stanford (GSB), Chicago (GSB), Harvard (Public Policy), HSPH Economics
Accepts:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: "You have been nominated for a San Diego Fellowship and your file is currently under review at the UCSD Office of Graduate Studies." - came in later email. Notification date: Feb 11 Notified through: email Comments: First result, so I'm happy
  • Institution: London School of Economics MRes/PhD Track 1 Decision: Accepted Funding: "2+2 Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship which provides full fee remission and maintenance support of 18,590 a year for four years subject to satisfactory progress in your studies." Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: A welcome bit of news.
  • Institution: Harvard School of Public Health Doctor of Science (SD) in Global Health and Population, Economics track Decision: Accepted Funding: Pending Notification date: 02/18/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 5 years, $20,000 Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: No decision in the online web portal through ApplyYourself, it looks like, only an email.
  • Institution: Harvard Kennedy School of Government Public Policy Decision: Accepted Funding: Full funding with stipend (no dollar amount mentioned) Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: Voicemail Posted on GC: Not yet
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No first year funding Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition waiver, stipend after first year, can discuss stipend in first year if I want to come. Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not decided; haven't even been put through college selection yet. Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Same UK visa problem.
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: They think I will win NSF Notification date: 3/6/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Um. What?
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $33,000 Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Now I'm really confused.
  • Institution: BU Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No first year funding at all, afterwards tuition + $19k stipend Notification Date: 3/10/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: Will decline immediately
  • Institution: University of Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Full Fellowship Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comments: I emailed for feedback on my file and reasons for rejection, not asking for it to be reconsidered. The response was a full fellowship offer and an apology for never having read my file. Eesh.
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20.5k stipend +3.5k summer stipend + tuition waiver, health insurance, etc. Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email to check Website, letter posted Posted on GC: No Comments: Email came at 9:24am EST.
  • Institution: NSF GRFP Decision: Accepted Notification date: 4/5 Notified through: NSF website Posted on GC: no Comments: Really happy, since funding at MIT was still uncertain. For all future years, it seems like there is a pattern where they announce planned server maintenance on Fastlane from 11pm-5am on some day in early April, and upload the results then. The results become available around 2AM.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/16/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis and Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no Comment: Was a terrible fit anyways. Also, I'm presuming I'm out at Caltech and Northwestern, but haven't heard officially.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: As much as people say admissions are random, I am starting to see a distinctly bright line in the rankings of the places where I am admitted and rejected.
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No. Comments: Laughed out loud at "Our action is not intended to discourage your interest in further study nor is it a judgment of your overall ability."
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Chicago Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/7/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: University of Maryland, College Park Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC : no
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 3/09/2011 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - NA Notification date: 03/11/2011 Notified through: email
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/11 Notified through: Post Comments:Quelle Surprise!
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Caltech wins among my schools for greatest lag between notifying admits and notifying rejects.
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/11 Notified through: Unofficial e-mail after I asked about my status Posted on GC: no
Waitlists:

Ineedanap 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small, women-only, liberal arts college (double major in Econ/Poly Sci; won honors thesis prize for both depts and school-wide)
Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4.0
Type of Grad: Top 3 US program (Policy MA, took grad econ/extra math courses while there)
Grad GPA: 3.9/4/0
GRE: 800Q/710V
Math Courses: Linear algebra (A), Ordinary Diff Eqs (A), Multivariable Calc (A), Calc-based probability (A), Analysis (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro (A), Micro (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A lot... all A's (major GPA: 3.98/4.00)
Other Courses: A lot of Poly Sci/ Policy coursework...
Letters of Recommendation: Both from well-respected, top 50 economists globally. Worked as an RA for both.
Research Experience: Honors thesis in undergrad, 3 years of quant-intensive RA experience since then.
Teaching Experience: grad-level economic growth course
Research Interests: International economics, macroeconomics
SOP: Strong (doesn't everyone think so??)
Concerns: I worked for a couple years in the private sector and then got a policy MA... may come across in my application as "unsure of what I want to do with my life so I'm defaulting to a PhD in Econ"
Other:
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Berkeley, LSE, UCSD, Columbia
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of California at Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention yet.. Notification date: 2/25/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I checked the website this morning - https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/grdappl/welcome. Went to "login to your online application account." On the left hand side, at the bottom is a hyperlink that reads "Admit with Awards SIR." And yes, I'm very excited. Update: Just talked to the Cal admissions people - apparently there's some glitch in the system and I was not supposed to be able to see the offer online yet. The formal offer is being mailed.
  • Institution: University of California at Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention yet.. Notification date: 2/25/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I checked the website this morning - https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/grdappl/welcome. Went to "login to your online application account." On the left hand side, at the bottom is a hyperlink that reads "Admit with Awards SIR." Update on funding - snail mail offer arrived today- full funding + stipend for four years.
  • Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science Economics MRes Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Uninterested.
Rejects:
  • Institution: London School of Economics & Political Science Track 1 PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Was last in my list of preferences.
  • Institution: Stanford University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/06/2011 Notified through: postal Posted on GC: yes Comments: Not unexpected, also not a good fit for my specialization
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: This one was a bit more painful than the others...
Waitlists:

Irrational 2011:
Institution: Barcelona GSE
Program: MSc in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Partial tuition waiver (9,000 €)
Notification date: 01/24/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Decision until 23/02/2011, which is very early. Still, it's my first admit, so I am kind of happy :-)
Accepts:
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Partial tuition waiver (9,000 €) Notification date: 01/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Decision until 23/02/2011, which is very early. Still, it's my first admit, so I am kind of happy :-)
  • Institution: University of Warwick MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 01/27/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Another safety accept, which is nice. However I would probably prefer UPF as Warwick does not have any experience with placements into US PhD programs.
  • Institution: University of Oxford Master of Philosophy in Economics (MPhil) Decision: Accepted Funding: Not yet specified Notification date: 03/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Does Oxford offer an exchange semester/year? Edit: Called them, they don't.
  • Institution: Duke University AM Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No information yet Notification date: 03/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: Sweet. But it felt strange, when they sent me my password in plain text.
  • Institution: University of British Columbia MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TA (10,914$) and possibly reduced tuition fees Notification date: 03/17/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: -
  • Institution: Boston University Master of Arts in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nope Notification date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: University of Cambridge MPhil in Economic Research Decision: Accepted Funding: no Notification date: 03/31/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 1.5/5.0. This was the same for Oxford, might be interesting for future applications from my country who consider applying to Oxbridge.
  • Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science MSc Economics and Philosophy Decision: Accepted Funding: no, will not apply for funding. Notification date: 04/19/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 2.2/5.0. This was my second preference after the EME. They asked me via e-mail to shortly state the reasons for my interest into the program, since my SOP did not mention any philosophy.
  • Institution: University College London MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no Notification date: 04/26/2011 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 1.5/5.0.
Rejects:
  • Institution: London School of Economics Master of Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (2-year) Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Queen's University Master of Arts Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 04/13/2011 Notified through: e-mail after I inquired about my application status Posted on GC: no Comments: I guess they have only very few places for international students. Maybe, I should've said in the application, that I do not require funding.
  • Institution: University of Toronto MA Economics (Doctoral stream) Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 05/05/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
Waitlists:

don quijote 2011:
Institution: UC3M
Program: Master in Economic Analysis + Phd
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: The last of my list, but still good to have one!
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC3M Master in Economic Analysis + Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: Feb 16 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: The last of my list, but still good to have one!
  • Institution: London School of Economics MRes/PhD Track 1 Decision: Accepted Funding: No. "Placed at the top of our reserve list for funding" Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: Hope someone who got funding will have better offers
Rejects:
Waitlists:

dusr 2011:
Institution: Toulouse School of Economics
Program: Master 1, Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/21/2011
Notified through: Postal service
Posted on GF: No
Comments: N/A
Accepts:
  • Institution: Toulouse School of Economics Master 1, Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: - Notification date: 2/21/2011 Notified through: Postal service Posted on GF: No Comments: N/A
  • Institution: London School of Economics & Politcal science MSc. Economics (1 year and 2 year) Decision: accepted Funding: Have to apply Notification Date: 3/08/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
Waitlists:

3yellowroses 2011:
I'm an international applicant that has been lurking around. Time to disclose my results:
Accepted:
Institution: American University
Program: Phd Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: will be notified mid march.
Notification date: 9 March 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Waitlisted:
Institution: Tilburg University
Program: Research Master, Economics
Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april
Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if admitted
Notification date: 14 March 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Institution: Cambridge University
Program: DPhil Economics
Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april
Funding: haven't heard a word
Notification date: 10 Feb 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Rejections: NYU, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Brown, Maryland, Tinbergen, Oxford.
Haven't heard of: Umass, Cornell, WUSTL, Michigan State, Paris School of Economics, Bonn GSE, LSE (Econ & Phil Msc)
Accepts:
    Accepted: Institution: American University Program: Phd Economics Decision:
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE Economics MSc Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial tuition waiver (3000 euros off) Notification date: 04/11/11 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics and Philosophy Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notification date: April 12 Notified through: Emailed enquiry last week; received e-mail today Posted on GC: No Comments: don't know how hard it is to get to a PhD in Economics from here, don't know if I will attend then.
Rejects:
    Rejection Funding: will be notified mid march. Notification date: 9 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: American University Phd Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: will be notified mid march. Notification date: 9 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Waitlisted:
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection FUnding: N/A Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through:Email Comments:
  • Institution: University College London Economics MSc Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 04/09/11 Notified through: snail mail Comments:
  • Institution: Washington University St. Louis (WUSTL) Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: April 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: finally
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/18/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Paris School of Economics Master APE M2 Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/18/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Dream school!!!! damn!
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted: Institution: Tilburg University Program: Research Master, Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if
  • Institution: Tilburg University Research Master, Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if admitted Notification date: 14 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Cambridge University DPhil Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: haven't heard a word Notification date: 10 Feb 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Rejections: NYU, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Brown, Maryland, Tinbergen, Oxford. Haven't heard of: Umass, Cornell, WUSTL, Michigan State, Paris School of Economics, Bonn GSE, LSE (Econ & Phil Msc)

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:

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:

ededo 2012:
Institution: Ohio State
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ??? needs to find out
Notification date: 02/08/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I need to send GAO some financial forms follow on. This makes the following weeks much easier ^_^.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Ohio State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ??? needs to find out Notification date: 02/08/2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: I need to send GAO some financial forms follow on. This makes the following weeks much easier ^_^.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no funding for the first year Notification date: 2/24/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Glad to get in my safety!
  • Institution: UPenn Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Yes! This is just great!!!
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification: 2/26/12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: NO Comments: Glad to know the result on weekend!
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: full tuition, health insurance, stipend Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: email
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no 1st year funding Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: email
  • Institution: Michigan State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: email
  • Institution: LSE MRes\PhD Econ Track 1 Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k Notification date: 3/5/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: Unexpected! Glad get in
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: --- Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Guess miracle doesn't exist. Still it hurts a bit. Congrats to all those got accepted!!!
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Application website Posted on GC: No Comments: hate myself by checking the website. should just wait a few days more and keep myself happy...
  • Institution: UChicago. Econ PhD. Decision: Rejected. Funding: - Notification Date: February 29. Notified Through: E-mail. Posted on GC: No. Comments: A whole new day begins with a rejection...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: - Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: email to check website
  • Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/8/2012 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Not a surprise. Long shot anyway. Congrats to all got admitted!
Waitlists:

treddi 2012:
Institution: Harvard Kennedy School
Program: PhD in Political Economy and Government
Decision: Accepted
Funding: coming in mail
Notification date: 2/16
Notified through: email
Posted on GC:no
Comments: feels good
Accepts:
  • Institution: Harvard Kennedy School Political Economy and Government Decision: Accepted Funding: coming in mail Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: email Posted on GC:no Comments: feels good
  • Institution: Harvard University Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: don't know Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: phone call Posted on GC: no Comments: you, Yale
  • Institution: LSE Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Notification date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments: very excited!!
  • Institution: Princeton Econ Decision: Admit Funding: 30k Notified: 3/7 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: --- Notified: 3/08 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: well damn.
  • Institution: MIT Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: checked website Posted on GC: Comments:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: website
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification Date: March 2 Notified Through: email

Kash 2012:
Institution: Yale
Program: Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Congratulations to all of you who have been accepted. 13 more to go.
Accepts:
  • Institution: London School of Economics (LSE) MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: Request sent. Notification Date: 3/16/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: =)
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Congratulations to all of you who have been accepted. 13 more to go.
Waitlists:

qwertypoiu 2012:
Institution: LSE
Program: Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16k
Notification Date: 3/5/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: yes
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 16k Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes
Rejects:
Waitlists:

ippos74 2012:
Nice forum, thanks everyone for the info!!
Institution: LSE ($), UC Davis, Oregon ($), EUI ($) (Going to LSE, but still waiting for 3 top20)
Program: econ
Decision: accepted in the above
Funding, Yes, except Davis
Notification date: last was from Davis a couple weeks ago.
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Accepts:
  • Institution: LSE ($), UC Davis, Oregon ($), EUI ($) (Going to LSE, but still waiting for 3 top20) econ Decision: accepted in the above Funding, Yes, except Davis Notification date: last was from Davis a couple weeks ago. Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
Rejects:
Waitlists:


Rejections:

tunedradio 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.89
Type of Grad: audited 1st year micro, 2nd year development
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q/700V/6.0A
Math Courses: Multivariate Calc (A-) Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (currently taking), Statistics (A), Diff Eq. in High School
Econ Courses: lots, A's throughout, A+'s in intermediate micro and macro
Other Courses: lots of political science / development / policy
Letters of Recommendation: one very famous, one very good one (coauthor) but junior, another junior
Research Experience: substantial; senior honor's thesis, presentations at four conferences, year of RA full-time, co-authored (yet to be published) less-technical papers with two professors (one very famous)
Teaching Experience: TA for three semesters (one at graduate level)
Research Interests: devo / trade
SOP: good (but it doesn't really matter)
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NSF, Yale ($), Berkeley ARE ($), Michigan Econ/Public Policy ($), USSD ($), Penn State ($), Brown (waitlisted $), Duke ($), UC-Boulder ($), LSE (Msc)
Waitlists: Princeton PolyEc PhD
Rejections: Harvard KSG, Cornell, LSE (PhD), MIT
What would you have done differently? I actually applied last year with substantial less math and research experience and was accepted into two top 20 programs but no top 10 programs (and honorable mentioned on the NSF), so for those who are considering it, I found a year of RAing and a few more classes (and better recs) can really boost your admits.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: NSF, Yale ($), Berkeley ARE ($), Michigan Econ/Public Policy ($), USSD ($), Penn State ($), Brown (
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard KSG, Cornell, LSE (PhD), MIT
Waitlists:
    waitlisted $), Duke ($), UC-Boulder ($), LSE (Msc) Waitlists: Princeton PolyEc PhD

grahamcoxon 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Economics from top university in my country (who has always placed students in top US PhDs)
Undergrad GPA: Econ 28.73 / 30 (= 3.83 / 4.0 ); Overall 28.27 / 30 ( = 3.77 / 4.0 )
Type of Grad: 2 years long MSc in Economics from the same university
Grad GPA: Econ 28.73 / 30 (= 3.83 / 4.0 ); Overall 28.73 / 30 (= 3.83 / 4.0 )
GRE: 790 Q, 520 V, 4.0 A
Math Courses:
Undergraduate: Mathematics (29/30; one year long course), Statistics and Probability (30/30), Econometrics (30/30)
Graduate: Multivariate Analysis (30/30), Microeconometrics (28/30)
Econ Courses:
Undergraduate: Industrial History (30/30); Microeconomics (27/30); Industrial Organization (30/30); Macroeconomics (29/30); Organization Theory (28/30); International Trade (29/30); Innovation and Industrial Dynamics (27/30); Economic Policy (28/30); Technology and Economic Development (28/30); International Monetary Economics (30 cum laude / 30)
Graduate:International Trade (30/30); Industiral Organization (29/30); Theory of the Firm and Corporate Governance (27/30); Business History (30/30); Economics of Innovation (29/30); Labour Economics (27/30); Public Economics (29/30).
Other Courses: Undergraduate: German Language, International Financial Markets, Innovation Management, … ; Graduate: Knowledge and Innovation Management, Comparative Politics, Spanish Language, …
Letters of Recommendation: associate econ professor and MSc thesis advisor (PhD UCLA); full econ professor and teacher of graduate labour econ (PhD NYU); associate econ professor and RA supervisor (PhD Northwestern); at least two of them are very very strong letters from people who know me well; two letter-writers are well-known economists and all publish on top economics journals.
Research Experience: Honors MSc thesis; started to work on co-authored paper with my MSc thesis advisor (I don’t mention it in my application but he probably talked about it in his letter of recommendation); 3 months RA at Dept of Quantitative Methods of my undergrad/grad university; 1 year RA at CHILD (Center for Household, Income, Labour and Demographic Economics);
Teaching Experience: 1 semester of Multivariate Analysis (graduate)
Research Interests: Political Economy, Behavioral Economics, Microeconomic Theory
SOP: nothing special, talked about reasons to pursue graduate studies in economics, research experience, research interests and future plans; used almost the same text for all universities; 2 pages research proposal outline added for European programs who asked for it (LSE, UCL, Oxford, UPF)
Other: international applicant; TOEFL: 107/120; no application for external funding; honor roll student in both years of MSc; submitted everywhere MSc thesis as writing sample; at least other 10 (very very strong) students applied this same year for almost the same US top programs from my university (in this sense, this was a strong year for applicants from my country/university)
RESULTS:
Admitted : Caltech (w/ funding), BU (w/out funding), LSE MSc (w/out funding), Oxford MPhil (w/out funding)
Waitlisted: Yale (not admitted in the end)
Rejected: UCSD, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, NYU, Chicago, Harvard, LSE MRes/PhD, UPenn, Oxford Dphil, Stokcholm School of Economics, Stockholm U
Never got an answer : UPF, UCL
What would you have done differently? I would say the standard “taken more math classes” or try the alternative version “taken more graduate econ theory classes”, but since I decided to try the path of an Econ PhD less than 12 months ago (when I had already taken all classes needed to graduate) this wasn’t an option. Maybe I should have applied to a more diverse set of schools (no European at all; some Business School or some lower-ranked school with programs/faculty in line with my interests like Stanford GSB, Northwestern MEDS, Rochester or Carnegie Mellon), because I acted clearly as a risk-loving individual (I didn’t overestimated my profile, though…I know my chances at top15 schools were thin, but just wanted to come all the way to the U.S. only if it was really worth). Anyway, in this case, it worked.
Accepts:
    Admitted : Caltech (w/ funding), BU (w/out funding), LSE MSc (w/out funding), Oxford MPhil (w/out funding)
Rejects:
    Rejected: UCSD, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, NYU, Chicago, Harvard, LSE MRes/PhD, UPenn, Oxford Dphil, Stokcholm School of Economics, Stockholm U Never got an answer : UPF, UCL
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted: Yale (not

Dannyb19 2007:
Sorry, I thought I already posted this, hope its helpful to someone!
Background: After undergrad I worked for18 months for a boutique investment consulting firm doing financial analysis, decided I was unfulfilled, spent 11 months beefing up my math, and applied for Fall 2007 admission.
GRE: 760Q, 510V, 6.0AWA (hurt me I’m sure).
GPA (undergrad): 3.72 (cum laude), 3.87(Econ), 3.92(Math)
GPA (grad): 3.90 (math & econ)
Undergrad Insitution: Lewis and Clark College (small liberal arts college in Pacific NW)
Graduate/Post-Bac Institution: Portland State University
Honors/Awards (all undergraduate): Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Mu Delta (equivalent to departmental honors in Business-Economics major), 2003 Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete Award.
Econ Courses (All at L&C): Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), International Econ (A), Money and Banking (A), Management and Organization (A-), Econ History (B+), Corporate Finance (A), Competitive Strategies (A), Radical Economic Systems (B), Micro Computer Applications in Business (A), Intro to Statistics (A-), Econometrics (A-), Financial Analysis (A), Managerial Analysis (A), Financial Decision Making (A).
Math Courses (All at PSU other than Calc I): Calc I (B+), Calc II-Calc IV (A/A/A-), Intro to Linear Algebra (A), Applied Linear Algebra (A), Applied Diff. Equations (A), Advanced Calculus (A), Mathematical Statistics (A-).
Graduate Level Courses (All at PSU): Real Analysis (A), Set Theory/Topology (A-), Public Economics (A).
Letters of Recommendation: Two from undergraduate econ professors (PhD’s from Michigan State and Chicago) and one from graduate level Real Analysis Professor (PhD Rutgers). All letters should be strong since I worked closely with each of them and performed well in their classes.
Research Experience: None. Did not write a senior thesis, did not work as a research assistant. Wrote a few term papers building on the work of my professors, but I doubt it would count as any significant field work.
Results
Admitted: Johns Hopkins ($), Virginia (no-$), U. Washington (no-$)
Rejected: Chicago, Yale, LSE, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, Wisconsin, and Cornell
Waitlisted: N/A
What I would have done differently: I wish I had applied to more schools, namely: Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Duke, and Rochester. I am certainly not assuming I would have been admitted to any of these, since all are very strong programs, but based on the randomness I’ve observed on TM alone, I think I may have had at least a shot at these schools. I also should have studied harder for my GRE’s, who knows how different my outcomes would have been had I scored 600V and 800Q or something like that. Anyway, hope this helps others!
Accepts:
    Admitted: Johns Hopkins ($), Virginia (no-$), U. Washington (no-$)
Rejects:
    Rejected: Chicago, Yale, LSE, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, Wisconsin, and Cornell
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted: N/A

canadamike 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics (Honours) from a top Canadian School (though not top in Economics)
Undergrad GPA: With 2 terms left, almost a 3.3 but if you look beyond first year it goes up to over 3.8
GRE: 790Q, 600V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus 1, Algebra 1, and I failed Linear Algebra in first year
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): All the core courses plus advanced Econometrics and international economics courses (trade, finance, institutions). 83&#37; Average overall
Other Courses: Philosophy minor
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ (1 Assistant Prof, 1 Lecturer) and for Oxford I got a 2nd Assistant Prof
Research Interests: Trade theory, sports economics
SOP: Done and Done
Concerns: Poor first year (poor is an understatement); only a 780verall; worried my bad first year performance will outshine my grades since
Applying to: LSE, Oxford, UCL, Warwick, Nottingham, Bristol, York
RESULTS:
Acceptances: York (UK), Nottingham, Warwick
Rejections: LSE
Waiting: Bristol, UCL, Oxford
Accepts:
    Acceptances: York (UK), Nottingham, Warwick
Rejects:
    Rejections: LSE
Waitlists:
    Waiting: Bristol, UCL, Oxford

MorgieLilly 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Econ-Phil and Math. Ivy League, top 10ish in economics Uni.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85, summa cum laude.
GRE: 780Q, 510V, 3.0W
Math Courses (undergrad):
Cal I, Calc III, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Analysis and Optimization, Probability and Induction (P/F), Probability and Statistics, Advanced Logic, Independent Reading Course, (all As)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro-econometrics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro/Macro(A-,B+), Advanced Econometrics (B+), Advanced Macro (A), Economic History (A-), International (C, took abroad in Ghana.)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ, both well known. 1 math, well known in math. 1 philosophy, well known in the philosophy of science.
Research Experience: REU Intern in geophysics at Lamont Earth Observatory, summer 2007 (My paper was accepted to the 2008 ASLO Conference). Full-time economics RA this year.
Research Interests: Development, Economic History, Alternative Theories in Economics, Econometrics.
SOP: Talked about why I chose interdisciplinary study, my work abroad in Ghana and my experience this year as a research assistant. I stated that I expected to change my mind about my specialization anyway, so I didn't want to state a particular one.
Applied to: LSE, MIT, NYU, Harvard, UCSD, UC Berkeley, Chicago, Stanford, Columbia, UMich, Princeton, Yale
Rejected: Everywhere
Waitlisted/Accepted: Nada
What would you have done differently? I dunno. Feedback from my home institutions admissions committee (where I was also rejected) says that I should have taken more econ (at the expense of my philosophy and science courses) but I would not give that knowledge and my resulting world outlook up for an admit to this discipline, because I feel that this will inform my research abilities more so than having taken much more economics. I have to do a lot of thinking now about whether I belong in this discipline, seeing as the adcoms don't seem to think so. Today is sad.
Accepts:
    admit to this discipline, because I feel that this will inform my research abilities more so than having taken much more economics. I have to do a lot of thinking now about whether I belong in this discipline, seeing as the adcoms don't seem to think so. Today is sad.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/20 Notified through: e-mail directing me to website.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: I asked Jody.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: e-mail
  • Institution: MIT Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: e-mail
  • Institution: LSE Economics Phd. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4th March Notified through: E-mail. They said to forward my app to the masters program.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/6/09, 11:25AM California Time Notified through: E-mail Comments: I am currently 0-11. I only have two schools left. What did I do wrong????
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: Post.
  • Institution: LSE Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/06 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Deferred me to masters applicant pile.
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/09 Notified through: E-mail, from Marjorie after prodding.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: A while ago, I forgot to post it. Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: postal service
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: I called. That was my last chance. No phd. for me!
Waitlists:

LagrangeJames 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. econ, B.A. math, large state university, EconPhD top 60
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc III (A+), Linear algebra (A+), Differential equations I, II (A-, A), Introductory probability theory (A, fall), Math modeling (A, fall)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Optimization theory (A-, fall), Econometrics II (spring)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): All of them, including two econometrics courses and game theory; A- in intermediate microeconomics, A's otherwise
Other Courses: Spanish minor
Letters of Recommendation: Four economics professors -- nobody famous, but I had collaborated on research projects (that I had initiated) with three of them
Research Experience: Two working papers co-authored with faculty
Teaching Experience: Teaching assistant for introductory microeconomics, spring
Research Interests: Growth and development, specifically microeconomic development
SOP: Used a standard template for all statements but tailored last couple paragraphs to specific program, mentioning examples of faculty research I was interested in (but did not mention any faculty by name)
Concerns: No real analysis, but optimization theory provided a good crash course
Applying to: Maryland, Brown, MIT, Harvard, Yale, UCSD, Berkeley, Minnesota, Michigan, NYU, Boston, Columbia, LSE (M.Sc.)
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale (with funding), Michigan (no first-year funding), Boston (with funding), UCSD (with funding)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Columbia, Maryland, Brown, NYU
Withdrawn: LSE
What would you have done differently?
If I had discovered this forum sooner, I probably would have taken more proof-based math courses, which most likely would have boosted my chances at top top schools. However, I think research experience, letters of recommendation from faculty involved in that research and a good "fit" (in terms of my research interests) -- factors that are often overlooked, including by myself -- helped my chances at several schools. Good luck, everyone.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Yale (with funding), Michigan (no first-year funding), Boston (with funding), UCSD (with funding)
  • Institution: Yale Economics Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: Full Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: E-mail, with Word document attached, detailing funding
  • Institution: UC-San Diego Economics Ph.D. Decision: Admitted (Provisionally) Funding: Not mentioned Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: E-mail Comments: E-mail says I have been admitted provisionally but must submit official transcript confirming receipt of undergraduate degree before I can be officially admitted. Good luck, everyone
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Ph.D. Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/18 Notified through: Website (U-M Friend) Comments: "We are happy to report that the Admissions Committee of the Department of Economics has enthusiastically recommended to Rackham Graduate School that you be admitted to our PhD program. A letter outlining the specific details of this offer is being sent to you shortly."
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Ph.D. Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail Funding: $18,700 + $5000 summer stipend Comments: Good luck, everyone
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Columbia, Maryland, Brown, NYU Withdrawn: LSE
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Ph.D Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: E-mail Comments:Good luck, everyone
  • Institution: MIT Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Good luck, everyone
  • Institution: Harvard University Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/18 Notified through: U.S. Postal Service Comments: Good luck, everyone
  • Institution: Brown University Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/20 Notified through: E-mail Comments: If it's brown, flush it down. Good luck, everyone.
  • Institution: NYU Economics Ph.D. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Good luck, everyone.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Minnesota
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24/09, 11:58 Indiana time Notified through: E-mail Comments: Good luck, everyone

Ecolocomex 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics top LATAM university
Undergrad GPA: 3.78
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: None
GRE: 740Q, 410V 3.5 AWA
Math Courses: Throughout then whole BA studies, never knew about real analysis. Lots of Statistics.
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro, Advanced Micro, Monetary Policy, Industrial Organization, International Trade, Public Sector Economics, Econometrics
Other Courses: Environmental economics, financial markets, etc.
Letters of Recommendation: Professors of economics who also happen to be directors of the graduate school I attended.
Research Experience: Issues in international trade and industrial organization at the construction sector firm.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: International Economics, Monetary Policy, Financial markets
SOP: Application of economics in public policy issues.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UBC MA (no$), McGill MA ($)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Yale Phd, LSE MA, Columbia Phd, Harvard Phd, UT Austin Phd.
Pending: UofT
What would you have done differently?
I’d have improved my GRE, and done more research. Perhaps that’s the way the cookie crumbles, and I’m rather into applied economics than a PhD. Perhaps I needed to improve my knowledge of economics through a MA program first, and then decide over MBA or PhD.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UBC MA (no$), McGill MA ($)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale Phd, LSE MA, Columbia Phd, Harvard Phd, UT Austin Phd.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

freecon 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.90/4.0 (gpa in math&econ 3.96) Top ranked out of 150
Type of Grad: No grad degree
GRE: 780Q
Math Courses: Calculus I-II, Linear Algebra, Math for economists, Math Analysis, Graph Theory and Networks, Probability and Statistics I-II
Econ Courses: Many...Macro and micro theories, Game Theory I-II, Growth and Development, International Trade I-II, Public Finance, Monetary, Econometrics I-II, Time Series
Other Courses: Java, Matlab, Management courses...
Letters of Recommendation: I used five different recommenders. One was a famous prof, one was department chair, others were associate profs knowing me well.
Research Experience: non
Teaching Experience: Tutoring in Econ 101&102 for two years, assisting in CS 123 for a semester
Research Interests: Game theory, Macroeconomic theory, macroeconomic policy games
SOP: I have sent a standard SOP to each school by just changing the name of institution. It is neither bad nor well-prepared, although I spent great time on it.
Other:
RESULTS:
Attending: BU ($$$)
Acceptances, declined: UMD ($$$), JHU ($$), Brown, LSE-MSc, UPF-MSc ($$$)
Waitlists: Brown funding list
Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Berkeley, Yale, UCLA, UPenn, Northwestern, NYU, UCSD
Pending: UWM
What would you have done differently? Firstly, I didn't study for GRE assuming that the quantitative part was easy. Yes, it was easy. But I should have studied to gain speed. Further, the verbal part was horrible for me as an international student. If I had studied, I may do well. Secondly, I didn't apply to Cornell, Columbia, Michigan, Chigago and Minnesota. I should have made a better combination of schools instead of applying Princeton,MIT,Berkeley,Yale and so on. Thirdly, it is the important one: I should have written more specific SOPs. But, it was impossible for me since I still haven't know exactly my research interests.
Accepts:
    Attending: BU ($$$) Acceptances, declined: UMD ($$$), JHU ($$), Brown, LSE-MSc, UPF-MSc ($$$)
  • Institution: U of Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship Notification date: Notified through: Comments: it is an unofficial notification. They have notified one of my professor through e-mail.
  • Institution: JHU Econ PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: full tuition waiver Notification date: Notified through: Comments: they have notified my professor through e-mail
  • Institution: BU Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: e-mail Funding:$18700+tution waiver+summer stipend($5000)
  • Institution: LSE Programme: MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (1 yr) Decision: Accepted Notification Date: 31/03/2009 Funding: None Comments: After rejecting for Phd just on website ten days ago, this time they notified through e-mail.
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Berkeley, Yale, UCLA, UPenn, Northwestern, NYU, UCSD
  • Institution: MIT Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: e-mail Comments: not suprising
  • Institution: LSE Economics, PhD MRes (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: web-site (no email) Comments: They should have sent an email to be more polite
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Brown funding list
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: waitlisted Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: e-mail Comments:

canecon 2009:
U-grad: UBC, Econ (Hons)
Grad: Queen's, Econ
Ugrad GPA: 3.5 (3.98 upper-econ, 3.98 math (excluding failed calc 1))
Grad GPA: 4.0? (Not sure how it works here)
GRE: 800q 480v 5.0 AWA (despite the awful verbal I am native English speaker / English background)
Courses:
Grad:
PhD Micro I (A), Econometrics MA (A), Public MA (A)
Ugrad:
Econ:
Hon micro/macro I (A+'s) Game Theory (Hon) A, Hon Macro II A+, + intro metrics I/II (A+) + lots electives (mostly A+)
Honours Thesis, Advanced Macro, Econometrics - A+'s
Math:
Calc 1 (F first time then A), Calc 2, linear, multivariable, ODE's, probability(calc based), intro proof A+'s, real analysis A
Research:
Thesis, which is being developed into a paper with Advisor (not in a publishable state yet though)
Was RA for one summer.
letter of recommendation:
2 Assistant Profs, Should be good since one is advisor/co-author, the other I took multiple classes with and was RA for.
1 Professor for PhD Micro class - 1/2 the letters will be mediocre, other half should be decent (final grades were available).
SOP: Decent?
Interests:
Political Economy, Development (Micro)
Applying To:
MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Pennsylvania, Berkeley, UCLA, Columbia, NYU, Chicago, Northwestern, LSE, Oxford
My Concerns:
My first 2 years of undergrad are poor, failed calc 1.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Unknown Notification date: 2/27/09 Notified through: Checked apply yourself @ midnight Comments: Incredibly happy and relieved!!
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ~30K 1st / 25K 2nd Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: Email
Rejects:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: MIT Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail Comments: There goes the dream.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/6/09 Notified through: E-mail Comments: NWU or NYU it is!
  • Institution: UPenn Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/6/09 Notified through: E-mail to check website Comments: Didn't give me the pleasure of rejecting them, oh well.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: Post Comments: My second Stanford rejection!!
  • Institution: U Chicago Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: Post
  • Institution: LSE Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: Checked Website Comments: Ha, very interesting considering this was supposed to be a 'safety' of sorts.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics, PhD Decision: Waitlist Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: E-mail

Peruano929 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics, Summa Cum Laude; B.S. Quantitative Sciences (interdisciplinary math/stats), Magna Cum Laude
GRE: 780Q, 720V, 5.0AWA
Math/Stat Courses: Complex Analysis, Calculus III, Differential Equations, Probability, Statistical Theory, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Matrix and Numerical Analysis (ISE dept.), Regression Analysis, Stochastic Processes II, Design of Experiments.
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Game Theory, Econometrics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Micro, Intro Macro, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Labor economics, Public Economics, International Trade, Empirical Research Methods Seminar.
Other Courses: Physics I, Physics II, C++, Advanced Computing Fundamentals, Discrete Structures. My first two years I took many advanced Political Science and History courses, too.
Letters of Recommendation: All my referees are kind, knowledgeable and respected. 4 Ph.D.'s from Florida (two Ph.d Econ from Wisconsin, one Ph.D. Econ from Chicago, one Ph.D. Sociology. I also have access to Math Ph.D. referees from Florida and Georgia Tech.
Research Experience: McNair Scholar's Research in Regulatory Economics (presented at Maryland); research assistant to the manager of public works planning in Libertad, Peru; database assistant for public records instituion in Peru.
Teaching Experience: Offered to teach C++ and some math tutoring. Other than that, I was a Martial Arts assistant instructor for 6 years.
Research Interests: Development Economics, Poverty Research in Labor or Public Economics, Macroeconomics
SOP: I think it's exemplary. Advisors tell me that my experiences line up very well with wanting to study development economics.
Concerns: No 800 on the GRE quantitative. Won't get into Cambridge (girlfriend is going there).
Other: I would actually prefere a two-year program instead of one because it would give me more time to get aquainted with the faculty. But after that, my intetion is to apply to top Ph.D.'s. Berkeley is my dream school, they are doing all the research I'm interested in, and all other schools are secondary (sorry Harvard, MIT, et cetera).
Applying to: Duke AM, Yale IDE, Florida (Ph.D), Florida MS Statistics, UBC (MA), Queen's (MA), McGill (MA), LSE (MSE MSc), Cambridge (M.Phil), Oxford (M.Phil.), CEMFI (Master's), QEM (2-year).
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Florida Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: UF almost always funds all their students (tuition + 18k). Plus I'm eligible for a McKnight fellowship, which is additional 15k, plus a McNair Fellowship, which is an additional 10k. Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: e-mail and mail at the same time (such coincidence). Comments: GO GATORS!!!
  • Institution nstitution: USF Ph.D. in Business Administration Decision: Accepted Notification date: 2/24/09 Notified through: Unofficial E-mail Comments: Doesn't officially have a Ph.D. in Econ program.
  • Institution: Duke University AM Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail that lead too apply yourself Comments: Best option for me in the U.S.!
  • Institution: University of Paris 1 QEM Erasmus Mundus - Biefield and Paris Decision: Accepted - (Decision "A") Notification date: 3/20 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Not totally expected considering how many times I messed up the application process. Also, not getting funding was big (again because I messed up the application process). One step closer to Cambridge
  • Institution: McGill Economics MA Decision: Accepted Funding: $12,000 Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Montreal Rocks!
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Florida Statistics M.A. Decision: Rejected Funding: Most likely none. Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail from Secretary Comments: It was easy to apply to more than one program (just had to click). I figured I would give it a shot. Though I did forget to write them a separate personal statement. Also, all my recs were for economics.
  • Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Nope Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: Checked application tracker Comments: Was excited about potentially taking up this course, though I guess they didn't want me. I was wondering that since my referees' letters and my SOP were more geared toward development and public, whether this affected my decision.
  • Institution: Yale IDE Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: e-mail to website. not a lot of writing Comment : It would have been nice to get an acceptance, but there is absolutely no funding for this program from Yale. Also, this was my first applicant - it was a little rough around the edges. Good luck to everyone!
  • Institution: LSE Economics Ms.C. Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/20 Notified through: status checker Comments: London does not like me.
Waitlists:

confusedgrad 2009:
Institution: Duke University
Program: Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
Funding: Will be informed by the department
Comments: Will decline soon.
_ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _
In: Minnesota (fellowship), UCLA (no 1st year funding), Boston College (TA), Duke($?), CEMFI (10K)
Out: Yale
Pending: Many many....
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke University Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: E-mail Funding: Will be informed by the department Comments: Will decline soon. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ In: Minnesota (fellowship), UCLA (no 1st year funding), Boston College (TA), Duke($?), CEMFI (10K) Out: Yale Pending: Many many....
  • Institution: University of Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18K fellowship Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ In: Minnesota, UCLA, Duke, Maryland, Boston College, CEMFI Out: Yale, Northwestern Pending: A lot more
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute Economics, MPhil Decision: Accepted Funding: Full scholarship Notification date: 3/9/2009 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Even though amsterdam is an appealing city, I have to decline the offer...
  • Institution: Goethe University, Frankfurt Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition+stipend Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: Email Comments: I do not even know why I ever applied...
Rejects:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: Website Comments: i knew it from the very beginning... _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ In: Minnesota, UCLA, Boston College, Duke, CEMFI Out: Yale, Northwestern Pending: many more...
  • Institution: Princeton Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Totally expected... _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ In: Minnesota, UCLA, Duke, Maryland, Boston College, CEMFI Out: Yale, Northwestern, Princeton Pending: A lot more
  • Institution: Columbia Economics PhD Decision:Rejected Notification date:March 6 Notified through:E-Mail Comments: My dream school and my dream city has gone. It hurt for the first time... _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ In: Minnesota, UCLA, Duke, Maryland, BC, CEMFI Out: Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Northwestern Pending: A lot more...
  • Institution: UPENN Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/6/09 Notified through: E-mail Comments: I am really not sad. The only thing to upset me is the fact that I could not receive even a single acceptance from the top of my list.
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 11 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Now this one was really suprising for me...
  • Institution: London Business School Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 11 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Two surprising rejections at one night... God, I was at least expecting an interview....
  • Institution: University College London Economics, MPhil/Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: Postal service Comment : seems like i am not type of london...
  • Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/18 Notified through: Website Comments: i never wanted this school indeed...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: E-mail Comments: already expected...
  • Institution: London School of Economics Economics, Mres/Phd (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/30 (?) Notified through: Website... Comments: No e-mail. Just checked the website. This is how far you can go with a pretty weak research proposal. No London for me...
  • Institution: NYU Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/15/2009 Notified through: E-Mail Comments: Finally good to know...
Waitlists:

DerPumuckl 2010:
Undergrad: Top 3 in Germany, BA in Economics
Undergrad GPA: 1.45/5.00 (the nearer to 1, the better)
Exchange: UW, Seattle
Exchange GPA: 3.86/4.00
GRE: 800Q/560V/4.5AWA
Math Courses: 2 Math courses for Economists, 2 Statistics Classes, Game Theory
Econ Courses: A lot including Micro I & II, Macro I & II as well as Econometrics I & II.
Grad courses: None - even though advanced German courses are well above Econ 400 level.
Letters of Recommendation: 3 from Profs with PhDs from Columbia, Chicago and Harvard. All should be strong.
Research Experience: RA for one Semester (for one of my letter of recommendation writers).
Teaching Experience: TA for one Semester.
Research Interests: International Macroeconomics, Finance.
Statement of Purpose: Good.
Other: Applying for Masters.
Concerns: Maybe not good enough grades.
RESULTS (Masters only):
Acceptances: Cambridge, UCL, Tinbergen ($$$) and Warwick
Still waiting for response: SSE, UBC
Rejections: LSE, Oxford
What would you have done differently? I'm attending Cambridge for my MPhil - very happy!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Cambridge, UCL, Tinbergen ($$$) and Warwick Still
  • Institution: UWarwick MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None mentioned Notification date: January 6th 2010 Notified through: Phone Call Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) Comments: Safety, hoping for better admits.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Funded ($$).
  • Institution: The University of Warwick MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 01/04/2010 Notified through: Phone then email Posted on GF: No. Comment: Unfunded.
Rejects:
    Rejections: LSE, Oxford
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Rejected. Notification date: 22/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: Pissed off.
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Rejected. Notification date: 22/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: Pissed off.
Waitlists:
    waiting for response: SSE, UBC

eigenman 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BS Economics/Biochemistry from US R1 school, Top 10 economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.59
Type of Grad: Non-degree math/stats coursework
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800V/800Q/5.0W
Math Courses: Undergrad-level: calc 1-2; multivariable calc; linear algebra; "applied" linear algebra; differential equations; series, sequences, and foundations (proofs intro). Grad level: stat theory I-II, applied linear regression, analysis II, time series analysis I, advanced linear algebra. Even mix of As and Bs.
Econ Courses: Intermediate macro/micro, econometrics, Latin American economics, + honors in: macro policy, quantitative macro, international trade, game theory, urban economics, money and banking. As and Bs.
Other Courses: lots of biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology, intro physics, physical chemistry, organic chemistry. As and Bs throughout.
Letters of Recommendation: Varied. Two from regional Fed economists, one from Analysis professor were generally used. For more behavioral places had letter from coauthor; for programs requiring a letter from an undergraduate instructor, tapped my quantitative macro graduate instructor. I'm sure they had nice things to say about me but perhaps they were not so influential.
Research Experience: First author on an experimental animal behavior paper published in medium-tier journal. Unpublished undergraduate thesis in behavioral neuroscience. 1.5 years (as of now) RAing at a regional Fed, one publication (another pending) in our in-house journal. Two semeters in a biochemistry lab.
Teaching Experience: Nil
Research Interests: At the time I submitted my applications, behavioral economics and evolutionary game theory, but I'm leaning toward econometrics and computational economics lately
SOP: Mostly addressed my background and suitability for graduate study
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
Pending: LSE(MSc-Research)
What would you have done differently? I probably should have bothered another Fed economist rather than asking my math prof, but I was worried about my mediocre math GPA. I also ought've interacted more with professors as an undergraduate, but nearly all of my economics courses were taught by graduates, and I made a decision to go to econ school fairly close to graduation. All of this considered I'm perfectly satisficed and looking forward to relaxing over the summer before putting my shoulder to the wheel in September.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
  • Institution: Ohio State University Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Nominated for fellowship Notification date: 2/04 Notified through: web site; confirmed by USPS on 12/13 Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 12/13 Comments: Delighted! profile
  • Institution: University of Texas - Austin Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: E-mail Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Have to think about this.
  • Institution: UW-Seattle Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Unfunded Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: This calls for a celebratory evening of working until midnight No really I'm very pleased
  • Institution: NYU MA Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: None Comments: Applied as part of a JD/MA application. Received notification an hour or so after asking for my application to be withdrawn. Not sure whether the two events were connected.
  • Institution: London School of Economics Economics MSc (Research) Decision: Admitted Notification date: 4/1 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: Nada Comments: They really took their time. Submitted my application in late November.
Rejects:
    Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
  • Institution: LSE MRes+PhD (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2 February Notified through: Site Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) n/a Comments: No sweat... five years in London would have been hard. Still waiting on my second choice.
  • Institution: Northwestern University JD/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: yes Comments: Unsurprised
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Penn State University (PSU) Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: This was a safety. Back to the girl scout cookies.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: surprise! no not really
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: My odds of ever living in Rhode Island have diminished further. My wildest dreams are coming true.
  • Institution: CalTech Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: assumed
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Was unaware California still attached to US mainland
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: Mass (or at least wholly impersonal!) email Comments: no sweat, pretty happy with my situation
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. :doh: Not told I was high on the waitlist.
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. Not told I was high on the waitlist.

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

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

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

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

epinefrin 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Mathematics, one of the best in my country
Undergrad GPA: 3.35 (it is hard to get it: the graduation average is 2.78)
Type of Grad: M.A Economics (one of the other best
Grad GPA: 3.87
GRE: 800Q / 400V / 3.5AWA. TOEFL: 101 (R:27 L:27 S:22 W:25 )
Math Courses: Undergrad: Calculus I-II-III (BA), Real Analysis I-II (CB-DC!!!), Linear Algebra (AA), Algebra I-II (AA-BA), Statistics (BA), Probability (BA), Differential Eqns (AA), Calculus of Variations (AA), Matrix Theory(The GRE Big Book), other courses like Numerical Analysis-Mathematical Logic-Discrete Math I,II-Coding Theory are ranging between AA and The GRE Big Book.
Grad: Math for Econ (A-)
Econ Courses: Undergrad: Intro-Intermediate Micro (AA-BA), Intro-Inter-Advanced Macro (AA-BA-BA), Mathematical Statistics I-II(AA), Econometrics I-II (AA-BA)
Grad: Macro I-II (A), Econometrics I-II (A), Micro I-II(A-, B+), Time Series (A), Independent Study about econometrics and Time series (A)
Other Courses: U/G: Lots of German and French Courses, lots of Physics and Chemistry, and Seminar Course where I presented my (some kind of) undergrad thesis (or graduation project)
Grad: Financial Markets and Institutions (A), from the Industrial Eng. department Stochastic Processes and their Applic. (Intro and Adv) (non-credit)
Letters of Recommendation: 4 professors. A good reference (I hope!) from my thesis advisor but he is from Europe, thus not known much in US. Others are moderate ref. letters.
Research Experience: Master thesis and undergrad thesis.
Teaching Experience: Undergrad & Grad Econometrics I-II TA (4 semesters), instructor in the math camp for the 1st year master students.
Research Interests: (both theoretical and applied) Econometrics, Time Series, Macroeconometrics and Monetary Economics.
SOP: How my math undergrad contributed my career, explained my theoretical master thesis
Concerns: Not much research experience, bad Real Analysis grades (!), and not much known ref. letters.
Applying to: Yale, LSE, UCSD, Northwestern, UPenn, Columbia, Duke, Cornell, Wisconsin-Madison, Ohio State, Boston U, Boston College, UNC Chapel Hill, Michigan State, Washington Uni St.Louis, UNC State Raleigh, Pompeu Fabra, Tinbergen, Carlos III
In: Ohio State (waitlisted for funding)
Waitlist: Boston College
Out: Yale, LSE, Northwestern, UPenn(implicit), Columbia, Duke, Cornell, Wisconsin-Madison
Accepts:
  • Institution: Ohio State University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Later Notification date: 02/09/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on Gradcafe: Yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 02/09/2010
  • Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $19,000 for the 1st year; min $15,000 for the remaining years Notification date: 03/19 (03/14 asked me if I am still interested in) Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $13,400 Assistantship + $2,000 fellowship + tuition + health insurance Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes Comments: happy, but also confused between UNC and MSU
  • Institution: North Carolina State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ? (Assistantship: None Available) Notification date: 3/25 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: will decline soon.
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Track 1 Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/09/2010 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: yes
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/08/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on Gradcafe: yes
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: This dream is over as the others...
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/31 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Funding: - Comments:
Waitlists:

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

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

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

SASsy 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small Public U (~12K UG & G) comparable to liberal arts college; top 5 party school
Undergrad GPA: 3.38 overall, 3.81 econ, 3.76 Spanish, 3.35 intl studies
Type of Grad: same as UG
Grad GPA: 3.50
GRE: 800Q/760V/4.5W (12/2010)...but 700Q/700V/3.5W (11/2010 - obviously I had to study harder)
Math Courses: Cal I (B), Cal II-IV (As), Foundations (B), Linear Algebra I (B), Intro to Stat Methods (B), Differential Equations I (A), Intro to Math Stats (A), Advanced Cal I-II (As)
Econ Courses: Honors Principles Micro (A), Honors Principles Macro (A), Int Micro (A), Int Macro (B), Honors Global Econ (A), International Trade (A), Game Theory (A), Managerial (A), Econ for Engineers (B), Econ Stats II (A)
Grad Econ Courses: all taken with PhD students, Micro I (A), Macro I (B), Econometrics I (A), Price Theory (A), Managerial (A), IO (A), Math Econ (A), Econ History (A), Math Methods for Econ (B), Stat Methods for Econ and Business (B), three Econ seminars, and a course that I failed 5 years ago due to very odd circumstances...hence the low grad GPA.
Other Courses: 6 senior history courses, 2 senior sociology courses, 1 law school course, several heterodox courses (polisci/history/sociology/philosophy/law) for intl studies; lots of language courses, including graduate level spanish (but other languages as well)
Letters of Recommendation: I used a mix of 5 professors, to reduce the burden on them. 1 prof recommended me to all schools with what I assume was a very strong letter of recommendation. I asked all of my grad-level theory professors (micro, macro, metrics) plus the two professors I had written research papers for (and who had taught many electives to me). None were extraordinarily well-known (to my knowledge) but knew me very well and knew my understanding of applications of econ.
Research Experience: My Formal experience was very limited; At time of application I had just accepted RA job at a university, in an unfamiliar field. Otherwise, had collected my own data for papers and had done all research independently.
Teaching Experience: TA for campus-wide service during MA, more like a math tutor; tutored for 8 years
Research Interests: micro/labor/health, IO, public finance, behavioral, development...isn't it all related on some level?
SOP: It was ever-evolving. The "best" SOP (the one that yielded my Chicago acceptance) was very professional, very direct, and discussed all research papers I had written previously. The others talked more about my one big idea. I also took a more "persuasive" tone in them. All mentioned that I want to teach.
Other: I have won several scholarships and fellowships in the past, for which I think I provided a pretty good ROR on the investment. I also worked 40 hours/week for the last 3 years while bringing my grades up significantly. During this time I made sure to be one of the top, if not the top, students in each class. (Except macro. Damn.) Also my Chicago writing sample was a paper in which I disproved my undergraduate thesis.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago with level one fellowship
Waitlists: Rice
Rejections: Harvard, NYU, Princeton, Northwestern, UT-Austin, Rochester, Georgetown, Duke, Maryland, Cornell, Brown, UVA and LSE
Incomplete: Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Melon, American, George Mason
What would you have done differently?
This is a difficult topic. Obviously I did something right. I also did many things wrong. Points (1) and (2) are changes that would've made me an entirely different person. These are more like life lessons, that required trial and error with my own life to discover. On the other hand, I like to think that if I had only enacted (3) and (4) from below, I would have had a much better application season in spite of my past.
(1) I would have taken my academic destiny into my own hands years ago. I let my course load and academic interests be chosen by well-meaning advisers instead of determining what I actually wanted to learn. Thus I was disinterested in many of my courses, and I underperformed. I also let exogenous factors affect my grades too much. I would have been more mature about accepting life's hardships rather than taking a few semesters to mope about it. I would not have partied so much.
(2) I would have been proactive about research with professors. This problem started with my undergrad thesis. I continually chose "interesting" rather than "executable" topics. My adviser at the time encouraged me to be intellectually curious. I should have asked to continue research under his specialty so the paper would have been easier. Instead, I spent the past 6 years chasing down data about a seemingly irrelevant topic. It makes me unique to have this expertise, but it also makes me OLD.
(3) I would not have experimented with my SOP. Really, what the hell was I thinking? I could've been shut out entirely this year. Clearly I am a strong candidate, but I really shot myself in the foot with the changes I made to my SOP at the end of December. While the SOP may not help an applicant, it surely can hurt him/her; I am a good example. I should've been professional, straightforward, and commanding in all of the SOPs.
(4) I would have planned to rock the GRE by mid fall. I cut it really close by taking the GRE in November and then again in mid December. If I had given myself a little more study time between the two exams, I think I could've aced the verbal and significantly improved my AWA. I took the exam late because I didn't expect to do so well, preventing myself from the possibility of applying to many excellent schools. I applied to Harvard at the last minute, and it was the only Dec. 15 deadline I met. I like to think that if I had taken more time to prepare that application, I'd be going to Cambridge in the fall.
Note: I would not have changed my initial course of study or UG institution. I believe that my background gives me a true appreciation for economics, and without it, I'd be a physicist (true story). I tried out the other social sciences first, as I chased down my interests in foreign cultures and varying governance systems. Writing research papers for other social science courses left me utterly frustrated because I could never prove what I said. My senior thesis left me utterly dissatisfied. Enter economics. It was a natural fit for my data and research. I am proud to say that I am passionate about economics.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Chicago with level one fellowship
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 5 year fellowship Notification date: 3/7/11 Notified through: email from dean of students Posted on GF: yes Comments: WOOT! I thought this day would never come. A good research match (though I'm still waiting for that rejection from the perfect match before I accept).
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, NYU, Princeton, Northwestern, UT-Austin, Rochester, Georgetown, Duke, Maryland, Cornell, Brown, UVA and LSE Incomplete: Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Melon, American, George Mason
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: nil Notification date: 2/22/11 Notified through: email from grad school Posted on GF: yes Comments: meh. I applied because of their reputation in IO, but I study applied micro theory/labor.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: nada Notification date: 2/25/11 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GF: yes Comments: ouch. Our reasearch doesn't match though.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 3/4/11 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GF: yes Comments: started to worry I was going to be shut out.
  • Institution: UVA Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/09/11 Notified through: website Posted on GF: yes Comments: I wanted to go there. Dreamed of going there since I was an undergrad. Research matched the DGS so closely. I have the weirdest record.
  • Institution: UT - Austin Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 3/9/11 Funding: n/a Notified through: Website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Man, was my judgement way off. Clearly I don't know how to market myself.
  • Institution: LSE Track 1 and Track 2 Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 3/9/11 Funding: n/a Notified through: Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Expected. Never turned in the 1500-word research proposal. It took them long enough.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Email Comments: I appreciate their promptness, too. The email had multiple fonts though. Everyone else get odd formatting too?
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Snail Mail (Didn't look at the date) Comments: The letter was solely from the graduate school and mentioned something like 8000 total applicants to the grad school. I read that as, "We didn't even send your file to the department." It was expected by now, but still feels like a slap in the face. Until last fall, GTU was my dream school.
  • Institution: Brown U Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11 Notified through: Email to check Embark website. Posted on GF: no Comments: "We regret that we have to disappoint many bright and talented students."
  • Institution: Penn State University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Think they'd send me a few bucks anyway? Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comment: I was wondering. The post immediately before mine on GC has almost the same GPA/GRE mix. I thought that was interesting.
  • Institution: Harvard University Economics PhD Decision: (rejected) Funding: rien!! Notification date: 3/14/11 (dated 3/11) Notified through: la poste Posted on GC: ouais Comments: "When you are a skunk, you learn how to hold your breath for a long time." Alors... Thus ends my Pepe le Pew obsession with the Harvard Econ Department. Stay tuned for the sequel in 5-7 years..
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: can i has money n e way? Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified through: Official e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: A polite letter. Have been waiting for it for 2-3 weeks though.
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: -($80 application fee + $23 ETS score report + some fraction of the favors I inevitably owe my letter of recommendation writers) Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through: Email Posted on GradCafe: Yes, in a sec Comments: Not a surprise at all. It's a nice touch that the email came from the DGS rather than the Dean of the Grad School.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Rice
  • Institution: Rice Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: implied that it goes with an offer Notification date: 2/13/11 Notified through: email from DGS Posted on GF: yes Comments: It was a nice email. Not super attached to the department, but Houston is nice.

ukeconhopeful 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS Economics from Small liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.5
Type of Grad: MA Ag Economics
Grad GPA: 3.2
GRE: 780Q, 600V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Multivariable calculus
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): tons
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 2 college profs
Research Experience: RA for 3 yrs at international organization after masters
Teaching Experience: TA'd for 2 classes in masters
Research Interests: International development
Applying to: LSE MRes (Track 1), Oxford MSc in Econ Dev, Oxford MPhil, Sussex DPhil (1+3)
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE MRes in Econ (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 01/27/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Disappointed. one down. three more to go (still hopeful!)
Waitlists:

Ineedanap 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small, women-only, liberal arts college (double major in Econ/Poly Sci; won honors thesis prize for both depts and school-wide)
Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4.0
Type of Grad: Top 3 US program (Policy MA, took grad econ/extra math courses while there)
Grad GPA: 3.9/4/0
GRE: 800Q/710V
Math Courses: Linear algebra (A), Ordinary Diff Eqs (A), Multivariable Calc (A), Calc-based probability (A), Analysis (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro (A), Micro (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A lot... all A's (major GPA: 3.98/4.00)
Other Courses: A lot of Poly Sci/ Policy coursework...
Letters of Recommendation: Both from well-respected, top 50 economists globally. Worked as an RA for both.
Research Experience: Honors thesis in undergrad, 3 years of quant-intensive RA experience since then.
Teaching Experience: grad-level economic growth course
Research Interests: International economics, macroeconomics
SOP: Strong (doesn't everyone think so??)
Concerns: I worked for a couple years in the private sector and then got a policy MA... may come across in my application as "unsure of what I want to do with my life so I'm defaulting to a PhD in Econ"
Other:
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Berkeley, LSE, UCSD, Columbia
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of California at Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention yet.. Notification date: 2/25/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I checked the website this morning - https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/grdappl/welcome. Went to "login to your online application account." On the left hand side, at the bottom is a hyperlink that reads "Admit with Awards SIR." And yes, I'm very excited. Update: Just talked to the Cal admissions people - apparently there's some glitch in the system and I was not supposed to be able to see the offer online yet. The formal offer is being mailed.
  • Institution: University of California at Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: No mention yet.. Notification date: 2/25/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I checked the website this morning - https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/grdappl/welcome. Went to "login to your online application account." On the left hand side, at the bottom is a hyperlink that reads "Admit with Awards SIR." Update on funding - snail mail offer arrived today- full funding + stipend for four years.
  • Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science Economics MRes Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Uninterested.
Rejects:
  • Institution: London School of Economics & Political Science Track 1 PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Was last in my list of preferences.
  • Institution: Stanford University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/06/2011 Notified through: postal Posted on GC: yes Comments: Not unexpected, also not a good fit for my specialization
  • Institution: MIT Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -- Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: This one was a bit more painful than the others...
Waitlists:

Irrational 2011:
Institution: Barcelona GSE
Program: MSc in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Partial tuition waiver (9,000 €)
Notification date: 01/24/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Decision until 23/02/2011, which is very early. Still, it's my first admit, so I am kind of happy :-)
Accepts:
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Partial tuition waiver (9,000 €) Notification date: 01/24/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Decision until 23/02/2011, which is very early. Still, it's my first admit, so I am kind of happy :-)
  • Institution: University of Warwick MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 01/27/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Another safety accept, which is nice. However I would probably prefer UPF as Warwick does not have any experience with placements into US PhD programs.
  • Institution: University of Oxford Master of Philosophy in Economics (MPhil) Decision: Accepted Funding: Not yet specified Notification date: 03/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Does Oxford offer an exchange semester/year? Edit: Called them, they don't.
  • Institution: Duke University AM Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No information yet Notification date: 03/10/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: Sweet. But it felt strange, when they sent me my password in plain text.
  • Institution: University of British Columbia MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TA (10,914$) and possibly reduced tuition fees Notification date: 03/17/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: -
  • Institution: Boston University Master of Arts in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nope Notification date: 03/23/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: University of Cambridge MPhil in Economic Research Decision: Accepted Funding: no Notification date: 03/31/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 1.5/5.0. This was the same for Oxford, might be interesting for future applications from my country who consider applying to Oxbridge.
  • Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science MSc Economics and Philosophy Decision: Accepted Funding: no, will not apply for funding. Notification date: 04/19/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 2.2/5.0. This was my second preference after the EME. They asked me via e-mail to shortly state the reasons for my interest into the program, since my SOP did not mention any philosophy.
  • Institution: University College London MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no Notification date: 04/26/2011 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GC: no Comments: It is conditional on finishing my Bachelors with minimum 1.5/5.0.
Rejects:
  • Institution: London School of Economics Master of Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (2-year) Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 03/07/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Queen's University Master of Arts Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 04/13/2011 Notified through: e-mail after I inquired about my application status Posted on GC: no Comments: I guess they have only very few places for international students. Maybe, I should've said in the application, that I do not require funding.
  • Institution: University of Toronto MA Economics (Doctoral stream) Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 05/05/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
Waitlists:

Saoirse 2011:
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: email to check website
In: ---; Out: Yale, Oxford, LSE; Waiting: 10 others
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/16/2011 Notified through: email to check website In: ---; Out: Yale, Oxford, LSE; Waiting: 10 others
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: yes Comments: -
Waitlists:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/03/2011 Notified through: via E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: My first (rather) positive result! So happy

obsequious 2011:
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics MA
Decision: Wait Listed
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/09/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No (what does this mean?)
Comments: Better than I expected
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of San Francisco M.A. International and Development Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification Date: March 21, 2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: I may be going back to Cali.
Rejects:
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme) Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/11/11 Notified through: Checked LSE For You Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Was a long shot
  • Institution: Tufts University M.S. Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified through: Checked the website Posted on GC: No Comments: I really thought this was the program for me. I guess they did not agree.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Duke Economics MA Decision: Wait Listed Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/09/11 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No (what does this mean?) Comments: Better than I expected

moonwalker 2011:
Institution: LSE
Program: MRes/PhD Econ
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comment: I thought I had a shot there...
Institution: Essex
Program: MPhil/PhD Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comment: Hope I can get into a better program anyway...
Institution: CEMFI (Spain)
Program: Master in Econ & Finance
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comment: Seems like a backup...
Waiting: BU, UCL & Warwick
Accepts:
  • Institution: Essex MPhil/PhD Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: Hope I can get into a better program anyway...
  • Institution: CEMFI (Spain) Master in Econ & Finance Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: Seems like a backup... Waiting: BU, UCL & Warwick
  • Institution: Essex MPhil/PhD Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: No. Notification date: Notified through: e-mail Comments: Mmm...
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: I thought I had a shot there...
Waitlists:

octane90 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ, BS Physics, Math minor (Large Top 25 Public)
Undergrad GPA: 3.92
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 780 Q 630 V 4.5 AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Diff Eq, Intro Stat, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Stochastic Methods, Financial Mathematics, Math Methods for Theoretical Physics I & II (all A’s)
Econ Courses: Intro Micro, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Game Theory, Intro Econometrics, Antitrust Policy, Public Choice, International Trade, 2 Honors Seminars, Honors Thesis, Environmental Economics(@LSE Summer School) (all A’s)
Other Courses: Physics Major
Letters of Recommendation: Honors Thesis Advisor(well known, old guy), Econ Professor(Chicago grad), Physics Professor
Research Experience: Honors Thesis on empirical micro, some minor physics/material science co-authored publications
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Applied Econometrics, Sports Economics, Political Economy
SOP: standard I guess?
Other: Phi Beta Kappa
RESULTS:
Acceptances: BU($$)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, LSE, Duke, NSF
Pending: none
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more programs in the 10-20 range. I also would have got a 3rd letter from an econ professor, taken Real Analysis, and perhaps retaken GRE for a perfect Q score.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: BU($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, LSE, Duke, NSF
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

Pho 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Economics (major), Maths & East Asian Studies (minors) from top 20 LA college
Undergrad GPA: 3.8/4.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 790Q (91%), 580V (79%), 4.0 AWA (wanted to retake the GRE but did not have time to study)
Math Courses: Calc II-III (A,A), Linear Algebra (A), Intro. to Prob. and Stats. (A-), Real Analysis (A-), ODE (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A
Math Courses (grad-level): Mathematical Statistics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): The usual, mostly A, a few A-
Other Courses: Many
Letters of Recommendation: PhD OSU (very strong), PhD Michigan (strong), 2 Math Professors (strong, strong), 1 PhD MIT (work supervisor)
Research Experience: Senior research project
Teaching Experience: TA/tutor for Intro to Stats & Probability, Metrics, and Intermediate Macro
Research Interests: Monetary as of now, might change later
SOP: Decent, I think. I tried to tailor for each school (specific research topics of the faculty that I am interested in working with, but not mentioning names, research centers...)
Other: I studied abroad for a year in London. Have been working for 2 years at an economic consulting firm. As an undergrad, I never thought I would want to pursue a PhD, so I filled my summers and work study assignments with banking and consulting gigs in the private sector.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MA: Duke ($$), Oxford MPhil (???) PhD: WUSTL ($$$), JHU (off the waitlist - tuition waiver, but no 1st year stipend)
Waitlists: PhD: JHU (later off the waitlist), MA: Columbia Statistics
Rejections: Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Northwestern, Georgetown, Maryland, OSU
Pending:
Attending: Duke for Masters
What would you have done differently?
- Once I realized that I wanted to do a PhD, I should have actively sought out for RA positions, instead of staying in the private sector (even though the visa issue might complicate this).
- Took more Math classes in undergrad. Maths never hurts, regardless of what direction/sector I would go later. Also, majoring in Maths would give me extra OPT months, hence solving the visa issue.
- Took Econ classes with more professors (I took more than half of my classes with the PhD OSU professors), so that I didn't have such a hard time asking for recs.
Anyway, happy that I got such choices and I am excited to head to Duke!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: MA: Duke ($$), Oxford MPhil (???) PhD: WUSTL ($$$), JHU (off the
  • 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: In cloud 9 - thank you TMers =).
Rejects:
    Rejections: Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Northwestern, Georgetown, Maryland, OSU
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Application website Posted on GC: No Comments: NU was one of my favorites. Did not want to wake up (early) for this .
  • Institution: UChicago Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 2/29/12 Notified Through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Illinois, y u no love me?
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc. EME Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification Date: March 1 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: WTF man
Waitlists:
    waitlist - tuition waiver, but no 1st year stipend) Waitlists: PhD: JHU (later off the waitlist), MA: Columbia Statistics
  • Institution: JHU Econ PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification Date: 3/1/12 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Good luck to everyone!

michicon 2012:
Have benefitted a lot from this forum, finally time to contribute
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top-10 Liberal Arts College, BA in Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.4/4.0, Major GPA 3.5/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 166Q, 151V, 4.5 AW
Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Math Models
Econ Courses: Micro Theory, Macro Theory, Econ Stats, Regression, Applied Econometrics, Econ Development, Public Finance
Other Courses: Some Sociology courses
Letters of Recommendation: Should have been pretty strong, fairly well known economists in their fields. Have publications in the pipeline with all of them
Research Experience: Honors in undergraduate thesis, three papers in the works, (almost) three years of full time RA experience in development economics, one summer of research internship.
Teaching Experience: TA/grader for undergraduate regression class
Research Interests: Development (Health, Education, Migration), Labor, Public Finance
SOP: Fairly standard. Talked about field experience from a developing country
Other: A fair bit of volunteer experience
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Michigan ($, attending), BU ($ 2nd year onwards, declined)
Waitlists: Maryland (rejected)
Rejections: Chicago, Northwestern, Harvard, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, Berkeley ARE, LSE, Brown, Duke
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I wished I realized earlier in my undergrad that I wanted to do a PhD. Until junior year, I thought I wanted to be a development practitioner and not a researcher. Would have worked much harder and taken more Math courses. Given my credentials, I aimed a bit too high, but then I was betting on a strong set of LoRs. Fortunately, it paid off.
Advice for future applicants with similar profile(s): Get an RA job for a few years, work hard and get some solid recommendations out of it
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Michigan ($, attending), BU ($ 2nd year onwards, declined)
Rejects:
    rejected) Rejections: Chicago, Northwestern, Harvard, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, Berkeley ARE, LSE, Brown, Duke
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Maryland (

epsilon 2012:
Institution: LSE
Program: Economics MSc
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ?
Notification date: 02/03/12
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: First notification from any grad school, certainly a disappointment. Better apply to some safety schools too.
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: LSE Economics MSc Decision: Rejected Funding: ? Notification date: 02/03/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: First notification from any grad school, certainly a disappointment. Better apply to some safety schools too.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Cambridge MPhil Econ Decision: Waitlist until April Funding: Notification Date: Feb. 21 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: Comments: Two more months...

pop 2012:
Institution: NYU Stern
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: ---
Notified: 3/12
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: first rejection
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: --- Notified: 3/12 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: first rejection
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Track 2 Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notified: 13 March Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
Waitlists:


Waitlists:

Cricketer 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics - Top British Uni
Undergrad GPA: First Class
Type of Grad: MA Economics - Top Brit. Uni
Grad GPA: (Exp. Distinction)
GRE: 780Q, 600V, 5.5AWA
Econ Courses: Lots of courses + Grad Micro, Macro, Metrics, Networks.
Letters of Recommendation: 3 economic professors. All know me pretty well
Research Experience: Not much - only undergrad dissertation
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Micro Theory, Development
SOP: Wrote what I am interested in and who I would like to work with. Why that uni
Other: Cricket.
RESULTS:
Attending: MIT
Accepted: MIT($$) - after waitlist, LSE ($$$), Cambridge ($$$)
Rejections: Stanford, Chicago, Harvard
Comments: Was apparently very close at Stanford.
What would you have done differently? Nothing much, except apply to a few more places perhaps. Twas a tad risky only applying to four US places I guess
Accepts:
    Attending: MIT Accepted: MIT($$) - after
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford, Chicago, Harvard Comments: Was apparently very close at Stanford.
Waitlists:
    waitlist, LSE ($$$), Cambridge ($$$)

thegunners 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Engineering. Top university in my country (Asia) and quite reputed worldwide.
Undergrad GPA: 7.73/ 10
Type of Grad: MS in Economics from a very well-known institution in my country.
Grad GPA: 82% (class rank 2)
GRE: Q800, V620, AWA 6.0
Math Courses: Math 1 & 2 (Consists of calculus, vector calculus, numerical methods), Transform calculus, ODE and PDE, Real Analysis, Linear Algebra
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, macro, econometrics, stats, game theory etc etc.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):
Other Courses: none relevant
Research experience: Worked with a professor at a reasonably well-known European university over the summer of 2009. Worked on political economy. Produced a writing sample.
Working as an RA since June, 2010. Working on experiments.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Game theory profs - very well known. Very famous. 1-from the prof I worked with over the summer of 2009. He is quite famous too.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Micro theory, political economy, social choice theory.
SOP: standard
Concerns: Low undergrad GPA. Less math courses in undergrad.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UPenn (with 1st yr funding waitlist), LSE, Penn State
Waitlists: Princeton, NYU
Rejections: Yale, Duke
What would you have done differently? If I had known long ago, the importance of math courses, then I would have taken more at the undergrad level. But apart from that there is very little that I think I did wrong. However, if there was something that I could have done to counter some unfortunate events that affected my application (I can't talk about them here), tough though it was, I could have worked a bit harder on producing a research material of a better quality. I think if your recommenders are well connected, impressing them with a stunning research work would boost your chances significantly. That's a very subjective thing though.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UPenn (with 1st yr funding
  • Institution: Penn State (PSU) Decision: Accepted Funding: Slightly more than riskaverse (don't know if quoting the amount is legal) Notification date: 2/19/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Happy for my first admit. Hope to get better offers. RA is a bit of a
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Accepted, waitlisted for funding in first year. Placed very high Funding: yes Notification date: 02/24/2011 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comment: I hope guys like eds and all get placed at better schools and I make it here.
  • Institution: LSE PHD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: +3 Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship which provides full fee remission and maintenance support of 18,590 a year for four years subject to satisfactory progress in your studies. Notification date: 02/25/2011 Notified through: e-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Extremely happy.
  • Institution: Cornell University Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Acceptance Funding: Sage Fellowship Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through: Email Comments: Happy. Now, its the decision time. With 2 big waitlists and one funding waitlists, its going to be a long drawn one.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Duke
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/17/2011 Notified through: Email -> website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: 1 down. Hoping that the future's bright. One of the letter of recommendation had warned me that people aren't very connected from here to Yale so it will be tough.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: via email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/08/11 Notified through: EMail Posted on GF: No Comments: Top choice gone
Waitlists:
    waitlist), LSE, Penn State Waitlists: Princeton, NYU
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/5/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Very long E-mail, 1000 applicants for 18 slot.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Did the univs mistake my application for the post of a waiter? :P

3yellowroses 2011:
I'm an international applicant that has been lurking around. Time to disclose my results:
Accepted:
Institution: American University
Program: Phd Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: will be notified mid march.
Notification date: 9 March 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Waitlisted:
Institution: Tilburg University
Program: Research Master, Economics
Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april
Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if admitted
Notification date: 14 March 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Institution: Cambridge University
Program: DPhil Economics
Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april
Funding: haven't heard a word
Notification date: 10 Feb 2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Rejections: NYU, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Brown, Maryland, Tinbergen, Oxford.
Haven't heard of: Umass, Cornell, WUSTL, Michigan State, Paris School of Economics, Bonn GSE, LSE (Econ & Phil Msc)
Accepts:
    Accepted: Institution: American University Program: Phd Economics Decision:
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE Economics MSc Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial tuition waiver (3000 euros off) Notification date: 04/11/11 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics and Philosophy Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notification date: April 12 Notified through: Emailed enquiry last week; received e-mail today Posted on GC: No Comments: don't know how hard it is to get to a PhD in Economics from here, don't know if I will attend then.
Rejects:
    Rejection Funding: will be notified mid march. Notification date: 9 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: American University Phd Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: will be notified mid march. Notification date: 9 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Waitlisted:
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejection FUnding: N/A Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through:Email Comments:
  • Institution: University College London Economics MSc Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 04/09/11 Notified through: snail mail Comments:
  • Institution: Washington University St. Louis (WUSTL) Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: April 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: finally
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/18/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Paris School of Economics Master APE M2 Decision: Rejected Notification date: 04/18/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Dream school!!!! damn!
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted: Institution: Tilburg University Program: Research Master, Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if
  • Institution: Tilburg University Research Master, Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: there's a chance to get a TA if admitted Notification date: 14 March 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Cambridge University DPhil Economics Decision: Waitlisted. will hear from them in mid april Funding: haven't heard a word Notification date: 10 Feb 2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Rejections: NYU, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Brown, Maryland, Tinbergen, Oxford. Haven't heard of: Umass, Cornell, WUSTL, Michigan State, Paris School of Economics, Bonn GSE, LSE (Econ & Phil Msc)
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 46 accepted out of 82 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.84, average GREQ was 796.8.
No link to department posted statistics has been added, please let me know if these exist and I will add them.

Links:
Test Magic Econ Forums
econphd.econwiki.com
Last Updated: 14:58:27, Fri May 11, 2012