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Rejections:
commodore 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: top 20 private research university with an average econ department
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800 Q/750 V/ 6.0 AW
Math Courses: calc I & II (A), linear algebra (A), diff eq (A), advanced calc (A), stats (A), applied stats (in progress)
Econ Courses: everything, all A's
Letters of Recommendation: three good ones, two from people who are somewhat known. It turns out that one of my recommenders is a friend of Truman Bewley, Yale's DGS. I didn't know that until last week. I certainly hope that's not the reason I got in, but in looking at the results, I have to wonder.
Research Experience: undergraduate honors thesis (to be submitted for publication)
Teaching Experience: 2 semesters as a TA for intro micro & macro
Research Interests: development, labor, economics of education, IO, trade
SOP: I really don't think it matters much. I talked about wanting to do development. I hid my love of teaching and played up my love of research.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
Yale ($)
Northwestern (no funding)
Michigan (no funding)
Kennedy School ($)
Duke PubPol ($)
Waitlists:
Brown
Rejections:
Princeton
Berkeley
Stanford
Cornell
Attending: Yale
What would you have done differently? I'm not really sure what was wrong with my application, but I'm very glad to have gotten into Yale, and I'm sure I'll be happy there. I guess that if I had it to do over again, I'd apply to even more good schools, because admissions really are random sometimes. Cast a wide net and don't take anything for granted. I really thought Cornell and Brown were my fallbacks, and I didn't even get in. Doing it over again, I'd probably pick 3 or 4 more schools to apply to.
Accepts: Acceptances:
Yale ($)
Northwestern (no funding)
Michigan (no funding)
Kennedy School ($)
Duke PubPol ($)
Rejects: Rejections:
Princeton
Berkeley
Stanford
Cornell
Waitlists:
Zoethor2 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Large public state university, no reputation in economics or mathematics. I will be the 3rd graduate ever from the economics department to pursue a PhD in Economics.
Undergrad GPA: 3.93 overall, 4.0 economics, 3.85 math
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 780Q, 660V, 4.5A
Math Courses: Intro Calc, Intro and Theoretical Linear Algebra, Intro Proofs sequence, 2 semester Theoretical Stats sequence, 2 semester Real Analysis sequence, Theoretical Complex Variables, Intro to DiffE
Econ Courses: Intro and Advanced Econometrics, Intro and Intermediate Macro and Micro, Managerial, Monetary, International Trade, Experimental (Game Theory), 6 Independent Studies doing my own research (fun!)
Other Courses: Majored in Psych, also, so a whole slew of those, but I doubt they hugely impacted my application.
Letters of Recommendation: Very strong, but by relatively unknown professors. Two econ, one math.
Research Experience: Did about 6 independent (though overseen by faculty) pieces of research, each culminating in a paper. 2 in experimental economics, several in economics of education, and one in game theory and conflict situations. Each paper was presented at a professional conference, mostly in non-student sessions.
Teaching Experience: Was a TA for Johns Hopkins CTY for 2 summers for the Probability and Game Theory course.
Research Interests: applied microeconomics/econometrics, experimental economics, economics of education
SOP: I think it was reasonably strong. My advisors and I revised it quite a bit.
Other: Triple-majored in economics, mathematics, and psychology. This meant a lot of semesters with 6 courses, as well as taking me 5 years to graduate.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: U of Maryland (no funding), UCLA (no funding), U Michigan (no funding), Georgetown (funded), Boston College (funded), CMU's Decision Science PhD (funded)
Waitlists:
Rejections: MIT, UPenn, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech, Princeton, NYU (presumably), UPitt (presumably), GMU (presumably)
(Presumably = I still haven't heard either way from these schools as of 4/12.)
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more schools in the top 20. When all my results were in, I was choosing between unfunded offers from top 20 schools and funded offers from schools ranked below 40. I wish I had looked into and applied to more schools in the 10-30 range, where it seems I could've performed well. As I said, pretty much no one from my school has applied to graduate programs before, so I had very little information to go on as far as my chances at top programs. Overall, though, I'm ecstatic about my results. I was expecting to get into GMU, UPitt, BC and maybe one other school. Getting into UMD, UCLA, UMich was a fantastic surprise.
Accepts: Acceptances: U of Maryland (no funding), UCLA (no funding), U Michigan (no funding), Georgetown (funded), Boston College (funded), CMU's Decision Science PhD (funded)
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, UPenn, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech, Princeton, NYU (presumably), UPitt (presumably), GMU (presumably)
(Presumably = I still haven't heard either way from these schools as of 4/12.)
Waitlists:
peterB 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top public univeristy, excellent econ dept.
Undergrad GPA: 3.1; 3.95 continuing ed. program
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: math 780 verbal 780
Math Courses: stat and probability, real analysis, calc II and III, linear algebra
Econ Courses: inter'l trade, monetary econ., 20th century econ. history, development economics, history of development economics, econometrics
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ people and one poli sci prof, no big names. Two of them knew me very well, and this must have helped a lot.
Research Experience: summer RA
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: development, IO, applied micro
SOP: explained the circumstances for my low GPA, other than that pretty standard
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT, BU, Davis, UCLA, Riverside, Penn State
Waitlists:
Rejections: lots, NYU, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley ARE, UCSD, U Mich, Cornell
What would you have done differently? If I had more time and money, I would have taken a grad-level micro course. Overall I feel really lucky to be in at UCLA; anyone else headed there?
Accepts: Acceptances: UT, BU, Davis, UCLA, Riverside, Penn State
Rejects: Rejections: lots, NYU, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley ARE, UCSD, U Mich, Cornell
Waitlists:
indyecon 2007:
I've been avoiding posting my profile because of slight paranoia (and the fact that I do not compete with most of these profiles), but I guess now that I know where I'll be next year what is there to lose?
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: small liberal arts college no one has heard of (unless you're from Indiana - and even then it's a stretch). Majors: Economics, Math Education (I'm licensed to teach 5-12...basically a math degree plus student teaching)
Undergrad GPA: 3.85 (overall), 3.95 (Econ), 3.75 (Math Ed), summa cum laude, top 10%
GRE: 800Q/570V/4.5A
Math Courses: Calc I (high school), Calc II & III, Linear Algebra, Math Models, College Geometry, Discrete Math, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis
Econ Courses: Intro to Micro, Intro to Macro, International, Intermediate Micro, Money & Banking, Topics in Contemporary Econ (focused on corporate tax policy)
Letters of Recommendation: two from professors (one math and one econ) - I'm pretty sure they were good and spoke very highly of me - they're just from lesser-known profs, and one from my boss at my current job (consulting) - also good, and I know because he asked me to proof it
Research Experience: none to speak of, other than a research paper (junior year) on none other than...college admissions
Teaching Experience: only tutoring at the college level (math and econ), but LOTS if you include middle and high school (math and history). I also taught linear algebra when I student taught (at an IB school in Australia).
Research Interests: mainly economics of education, lots of areas of public economics
SOP: I think it was good, but who knows? I tailored it for every school (for the most part)
Other: I'm a white female from the states, which I've heard is rare and might help, although I don't think it did. I was awarded the top econ student of my class and graduated with honors in math ed. I've been working for three years, but not in the field of econ.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Georgia State ($26K + tuition), Indiana (no money at first...then$13K...then it was $15K...then $17K)
Waitlists: well, I'm waiting on Purdue
Rejections: Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Stanford (School of Education - Economics of Education PhD)
I'll be attending Georgia State in the fall!
What would you have done differently? I probably would have branched out of the 'I want to go to a Big 10 school' mentality. It just so happens that the Big 10 is more competitive than I had considered, which I didn't realize until the rejections started rolling in. I think I got caught up in reading posts on this site and the idea of a 'safety' for many on here is just not realistic for those of us who went to no-name schools and have little research experience. I probably would apply to more schools, but I'm happy with my final result, so I guess the money I saved can go towards moving to Atlanta.
Accepts: Acceptances: Georgia State ($26K + tuition), Indiana (no money at first...then$13K...then it was $15K...then $17K)
Rejects: Rejections: Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Stanford (School of Education - Economics of Education PhD)
I'll be
Waitlists: Waitlists: well, I'm waiting on Purdue
Jhai 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 40-ish ranked American LCA
Undergrad GPA: 3.70
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800 M, 690 V, 5.0 A
Math Courses: Calc I through III (taken while in high school, mix of A's & C's), Linear Algebra (A), Analysis (A-), Differential Equations (B+), Operations Research I (A), Operations Research II (A-), Probability & Statistics I (A), currently in Probability and Statistics II
Econ Courses: Intro (A), Int Micro (B-), Int Macro (A-), Quantitative Analysis (A-), Math Econ (A), International Finance (B+), Nobel Laureates & Their Work (A), International Econ (A), Game Theory (A-), Econometrics (A-), Advanced Micro (A)
Other Courses: Advanced Logic (A-) - it was pretty proof-intensive
Letters of Recommendation: Three from econ profs at my undergrad (head of the dept from Southern Methodist, assistant prof from Minnesota, and associate prof from Stanford) plus a new math professor from U of Indiana. I expect (and in some cases know) them to be very, very strong, but none of the professors do much research since they're at a teaching college.
Research Experience: two summers of research (at undergrad in international finance and at Georgia State in urban), plus a big project in Econometrics, which then developed into my senior thesis this semester (on H-1B applications)
Teaching Experience: 3 years of tutoring econ, math, and logic classes at undergrad. Also TAed a freshman seminar on ethics & leadership, which was taught by the chair of the econ department
Research Interests: International (trade) and development. Some interest in labor & political economy
SOP: I think it was a pretty well-written SoP, with the last paragraph customized for each school (mentioning professors, strong research groups, facilities, etc). Said I was interested in the overlap of development, labor, and international, with different emphasis depending on the school's strengths.
Other: American female student. Partially Hispanic. Applied as a senior in college. Philosophy as a second major.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
UC Davis (no funding)
UC Santa Cruz ($21k fellowship for two years followed by TA/RA)
Georgetown ($27k fellowship for five years, two with work responsibilities, includes summer research work with a professor/mentor) Accepted!
Waitlists:
None
Rejections:
Stanford
Stanford GSB
UC Berkeley
UCSD
UCLA
Duke
Johns Hopkins
What would you have done differently?
I think I probably should have applied to a few more schools in the 30 range - I guess I overestimated my chances. I suppose I could have given up my philosophy major and taken more math, but you're only an undergrad once, and I really, really like philosophy. I think part of the problem was that my professors are pretty unknown, as is the school. I'm very happy with where I'm headed, though, so I guess it doesn't matter too much. In the end, I doubt I would have changed much at all.
Accepts: Acceptances:
UC Davis (no funding)
UC Santa Cruz ($21k fellowship for two years followed by TA/RA)
Georgetown ($27k fellowship for five years, two with work responsibilities, includes summer research work with a professor/mentor) Accepted!
Rejects: Rejections:
Stanford
Stanford GSB
UC Berkeley
UCSD
UCLA
Duke
Johns Hopkins
Waitlists:
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:
phdphd 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Business Administration
Undergrad GPA: 7.5/10
Type of Grad: MSc Business Administration
Grad GPA: -
GRE: 790Q / 580V / 3.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III / Operations Research I-II / Stats I-II / Linear Algebra / Advanced Probability (Grad)
Econ Courses: Econometrics I, II, IV (Grad), Stochastic Economics I-II (Grad) (kind of asset pricing courses, devoted specially to derivative pricing).
Other Courses: Micro I, Macro I, Mathematical Analysis - First year PhD courses, I didn't have the grades at the time of the application
Letters of Recommendation: One supposed to be strong, finance PhD from Stanford GSB; the other two good ones I think (PhD North Carolina, local)
Research Experience: Two papers presented at a National Conference in Finance, MSc dissertation thesis.
Teaching Experience: TA for the MBA courses in my university.
Research Interests: Finance, applied micro, political economy.
SOP: I did the following: first I explained my interest in finance, second why pursuing a PhD in economics and not in business, third I mentioned three professors that I would like to work with at the university that I was applying.
Other: Male, 26, Latin America.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
University of Southern California ($)
UNC ($)
Minnesota (no $)
Penn State (no $)
Boston University (no $)
UC Davis (no $)
Waitlists:
Cornell (I suppose) - rejected in the end
Rejections:
MIT
Princeton
Stanford
Chicago
Columbia
Northwestern
UCLA - Anderson
Rochester
Maryland
Wisconsin
Caltech
Going to: University of Southern California
What would you have done differently?
First of all, a good MSc in economics, not only because it would increase my chances of being admitted at better places but to feel more comfortable with the courses in the first year; second, I should have participated more in this forum, I remember that I asked for the evaluation of profile stuff but only this. I should have gathered more information about the places that I would fit better with the TM's; I'm happy with the school that I'm going to but a little bit frustrated being rejected in all the top 15 schools. What I mean is that the idea of applying to a lot schools can hurt a lot. Now I have kind of mixed feelings about all of this: should I wait one more year, finish the PhD core couses sequence in my program right now and apply again? Or this is just a dream? I don't know...
Accepts: Acceptances:
University of Southern California ($)
UNC ($)
Minnesota (no $)
Penn State (no $)
Boston University (no $)
UC Davis (no $)
Rejects: rejected in the end
Rejections:
MIT
Princeton
Stanford
Chicago
Columbia
Northwestern
UCLA - Anderson
Rochester
Maryland
Wisconsin
Caltech
Waitlists: Waitlists:
Cornell (I suppose) -
Econ07 2007:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International, Top in the country
Undergrad GPA: 9.3/10.0
Type of Grad: MSc
GRE: Q800, V550, A4.5
Math Courses:Undergrad: Calculus I-III, 2 semester Lin Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Real Analysis
Grad: Real Analysis II, Measure Theory, Statistics
Econ Courses: Lots of undergrad, core grad sequence in Micro, Macro and Econometrics
Electives: Contract Theory, Finance, Advanced Theory
Letters of Recommendation: All domestic based. Two tenured, two junior. All had PhDs from top 7.
Research Experience: MSc thesis in progress, Undergrad thesis
Research Interests: Theory, Public Finance
SOP: Discussed my background and interests
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago(Ext fund), Columbia($), MIT($, not immediately), Northwestern (waiver, Ext fund), NYU($), Princeton($), Penn($), Yale (lots of $)
Rejections: Chicago GSB-Econ, Stanford GSB-Econ, Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford
What would you have done differently?
Not have applied for the Fulbright. Focused more on the GSBs, emphasizing theory or not have applied to those.
Advice: Relax. Focus on every aspect of the app (LORs, courses, research exp). Now, I believe this forum overemphasizes math (but, still, you should have Real Analysis). Having recomendants that are known by the Adcom seems to be important.
Accepts: Acceptances: Chicago(Ext fund), Columbia($), MIT($, not immediately), Northwestern (waiver, Ext fund), NYU($), Princeton($), Penn($), Yale (lots of $)
Rejects: Rejections: Chicago GSB-Econ, Stanford GSB-Econ, Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford
Waitlists:
Chicunomics 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Honours bachelor's degree at a big international university (econphd.net top 100)
Undergrad GPA: 89/100-ish, 1st of 149
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q 700V 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Advanced streams of first year linear algebra, calculus, also core undergrad probability, statistics subjects (As in subjects completed so far). For semester before I start: vector analysis, real & complex analysis.
Econ Courses: up to grad level micro, macro, econometrics, auction theory, search theory, industrial organization (all As)
Other Courses: Nothing any adcom would care about.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 full professors, quite senior and relatively well known, 1 junior academic (honours thesis advisor) -- all economics.
Research Experience: Thesis prize; theoretical IO paper (to be submitted to Information Economics and Policy soon co-authored with advisor), co-author on another paper to be submitted to Journal of Labour Economics soon. RA since 2004 - both empirical and theoretical stuff.
Teaching Experience: TA in intro Micro and Macro, advanced undergrad IO and micro.
Research Interests: IO and micro theory.
SOP: Nothing special, just discussed my interests and research.
RESULTS:
Attending: Northwestern University
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), NYU ($$), Wisconsin ($$), MIT (No $), UCLA (No $)
Waitlists: Yale ($$), Pennsylvania (No $), Princeton ($$)
Rejections: Stanford GSB (EAP), Columbia, Maryland, Harvard, Stanford Economics, Berkeley
What would you have done differently? Nothing really. I did the best I could. I can't help but feel that with another year's math preparation, I would have gotten admits to a better selection of schools. However, NWU was a really high personal preference, so it was worth cutting the math short a year!
Accepts: Attending: Northwestern University
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), NYU ($$), Wisconsin ($$), MIT (No $), UCLA (No $)
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford GSB (EAP), Columbia, Maryland, Harvard, Stanford Economics, Berkeley
Waitlists: Waitlists: Yale ($$), Pennsylvania (No $), Princeton ($$)
Internationalstudent08 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: top U.S. school
Undergrad GPA: 3.7+
GRE: 800q, 670v, 4.5w (yeah, me knows how to writing)
Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Groups and Topology (intro proofs), Mathematical Probability. In my senior fall I took optimization and now in the spring I take analysis.
Econ Courses: many...
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from econ profs (1 of them is famous, the other is well-known)
Research Experience: 2 summers
Teaching Experience: I have some. does it count anyway???
Research Interests: Macro, Pol. Economy, Public stuff.
SOP: I bet they don't read it
Other: International student, good at foosball.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
Waitlists:
Rejections: Northwestern, Columbia, Duke, Stanford, Brown, Berkeley
Pending: Princeton, Chicago, NYU, UCSD,
What would you have done differently? I could write an essay about this, but I'll do it at the end
Accepts:
Rejects: Rejections: Northwestern, Columbia, Duke, Stanford, Brown, Berkeley
Waitlists:
representative_agent 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, ranked 12/189 in my year
Type of Grad: MSc (econ) in Europe
GRE: Q 790, V 580, AW 4.0
Math Courses: Everything my undergrad school had to offer, but no real analysis (didn't have much choice).
Econ Courses (Graduate level): Micro (1+2), Macro (1+2), Econometrics, Incentives, Auction Theory, Several courses in public econ, Growth, ...
Other Courses: Several undergrad statistics courses
Letters of Recommendation: 1 well-known, 3 known in their field, 1 thesis advisor (relatively unknown)
Research Experience: undergrad thesis
Teaching Experience: undergrad macro
Research Interests: game theory, information econ, applied micro
SOP: hard to judge - does anybody read it?
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago ($$), NWU ($$), NYU($$), UPENN($$), UCL($$)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: Yale, Stanford, MIT, Princeton
Accepts: Acceptances: Chicago ($$), NWU ($$), NYU($$), UPENN($$), UCL($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Stanford, MIT, Princeton
Waitlists:
gregobad 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Research university w/ top 5 econ program
Undergrad GPA: 4.9/5
Type of Grad: none.
GRE: 770V/800Q/5.5AW
Math Courses: calc I & II, differential equations, linear algebra, probability, linear programming / optimization
Econ Courses: intermediate micro and macro, econometrics, game theory, various field courses
Other Courses: Minor in physics
Letters of Recommendation: Two from econ profs, neither of whom are well-known but both know me well (one was my thesis advisor, another my undergrad advisor). One from a manager at my job (econ consulting firm). Pretty sure all three are very strong recs, but the third probably doesn't count for much because it's non-academic.
Research Experience: Was an RA for a summer in a physics lab. Did an undergrad thesis. Worked for 1.5 years doing semi-relevant stuff at an economic consulting firm - I have a lot of experience with Stata, Matlab, other programming languages
Teaching Experience: tutored undergrads in physics and econ
Research Interests: Game theory, political economy, behavioral economics
SOP: talked about possible research interests and what I had worked on
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT, Stanford GSB (political economy), Princeton, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Chicago
Waitlists: Harvard
Rejections: Stanford economics
What would you have done differently? Not much, really. Maybe taken an academic RA job instead of working in economic consulting, and applied for last year instead of this year. Although, there's nothing like having a boring job to motivate you to get back to school.
Accepts: Acceptances: MIT, Stanford GSB (political economy), Princeton, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Chicago
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford economics
Waitlists:
nergal 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Econ and BS in Math, Double Major in top university in my country
Undergrad GPA: 3.77/4.00 (at the time of application)
Type of Grad: na
Grad GPA: na
GRE: 700V 800Q 5.0AW
Math Courses: Too many :P Highlights: Real Analysis I&II (BA&pending), Complex Analysis I (The GRE Big Book), Calculus of Variations (BA), Mathematics of Finance (graduate math course, AA), Number Theory (CC), Algebra I&II (CB&AA), Differential Equations (AA), Linear Algebra (AA)
Econ Courses: Graduate level Econometrics (AA), Advanced Micro (AA), Public Finance (AA), (Undergrad) Econometrics I&II (AA), Mathematical Statistics I&II (AA), Intermediate Micro and Macro (AA), Game Theory (AA) among other things ...
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: Four LoRs, three from econ professors with whom I studied as RA, and one from a senior math professor. Two of the econ professors are senior and one of them is pretty famous. Submitted three LoRs in each application.
Research Experience: RA for two years in two different projects.
Teaching Experience: TA for Intermediate Micro for one term.
Research Interests: Micro Theory, Game Theory, Political Economy
SOP: Delineated my research interests, talked about my motivation for a phd degree in economics, detailed my research experience
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech ($$), Michigan-Ann Arbor (??), Northwestern ($$), UPenn ($$), Yale ($$)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Duke, MIT, Stanford
Pending: Princeton, Harvard (most likely rejected)
What would you have done differently?
I would not have taken the elective Number Theory Maybe would have taken the graduate level Topology course.
One problem with our Math department is that the faculty is really stingy with grades! For instance, I was the second ranked student out of some 100+ people in the Complex Analysis I course and I still got The GRE Big Book. The first guy got BA. No AA to no one, no sirrie. The mean of the cumulative grades was 35 (out of 100). This is just one case among many. I hope one of my professors managed to communicate this issue.
Accepts: Acceptances: Caltech ($$), Michigan-Ann Arbor (??), Northwestern ($$), UPenn ($$), Yale ($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Duke, MIT, Stanford
Waitlists:
Julius 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad&Grad: BA in Econ and 2 semesters in MA course, Both in the top university in my country (East Asia)
Undergrad GPA: 4.13/4.30
Grad GPA: 4.18/4.30 (At the time of application, 4.10/4.30)
Honors : Top in my graduating class (1/201)
2 Grand prizes in paper contests (one in my school, one nationwide)
GRE: 740V 800Q 4.0AW
Math Courses: Calculus 2, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Analysis, Real Analysis, Topology, Mathematical Statistics, Theory of Statistics 1 & 2 (Grad level) , Probability Theory (Grad level) - All A+ except Probability(A0)
Econ Courses: Bunch of them. Some highlights are: Grad Micro, Grad Macro, Grad Stat in Econ dept, Grad Advanced Micro, Grad Advanced Time series, Game theory, Some finance related courses,... (All A+ except Grad Macro(A0) for aforementioned courses)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: Four LoRs, three from econ and one from stat. I was ranked on the top(or near the top) in at least one class of each professor. Two of them knows me very well and probably wrote their letters enthusiastically.
Research Experience: RA for a macro paper of my adviser, programming for cointegration analysis and stuff.
Teaching Experience: TA for Econometrics, Statistics and Time Series Econometrics. Instructed regular TA sessions.
Research Interests: Applied Micro, Econometrics
SOP: Devoted a lot of space for my motivation and my preparation.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT, Princeton, U of Chicago, Yale
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Stanford GSB, Harvard(99%, Stanford(99%), Berkeley, NYU(??)
Others: UPenn, NWU - Stopped the review process before decisions.
What would you have done differently?
Maybe more math.
I really appreciate all the supports and infos from fellow TMers and I think this is the best service I can do for the TM next generation Good luck to everyone!
Accepts: Acceptances: MIT, Princeton, U of Chicago, Yale
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford GSB, Harvard(99%, Stanford(99%), Berkeley, NYU(??)
Others: UPenn, NWU - Stopped the review process before decisions.
Waitlists:
octavio 2008:
Type of Undergrad: Large US state university, econ program ranked very low
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Type of Grad: Currently enrolled in econ masters at a US public university
Grad GPA: 4.0 through first semester
GRE: 800Q, 690V, 6.0 AW
Math Courses: Undergrad: Calc 1-4, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Real Analysis; Grad: Topology, Optimization (IP)
Econ Courses: Undergrad: All the standard intro/intermediate, econometrics, electives; Grad: Micro, Macro, Econometrics
Letters of Recommendation: All three were from economists and should be very positive. Nobody famous, that I know of... but I get the impression that they were very specific.
Research Experience: Summer RA for econometrics professor, currently an RA for a couple of professors working in applied micro
Teaching Experience: None, except some grading
Research Interests: Development, trade, applied micro
SOP: It was very conservative, about a page long, talking about what I had done as a research assistant, what my general research interests were, and my desire to work in academia after graduation. For the AREC programs, I added a short paragraph about my experiences studying abroad in a developing country and my eagerness to do field work (without sounding naive).
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ARE ($, will be attending), UCSD ($), Maryland ($), Michigan (no $), Wisconsin AAE ($), Michigan State ($), UC Davis ($)
Waitlists: Brown
Rejections: Stanford, Yale
What would you have done differently? Things worked out well given that my pedigree was so poor. I got into Berkeley ARE, which is a perfect match for my interests, so I can't think of much to do differently. Probably shouldn't have applied to Stanford and chosen a different reach instead, not that I would have gotten in.
Accepts: Acceptances: Berkeley ARE ($, will be attending), UCSD ($), Maryland ($), Michigan (no $), Wisconsin AAE ($), Michigan State ($), UC Davis ($)
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, Yale
Waitlists:
Elly 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small liberal arts college (women's college)
Undergrad GPA: 3.91
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 720V/790Q/5.0A
Math Courses: Math Major: Linear, Advanced Linear, Multivariate, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra I and II, Grad Analysis and Topology
Econ Courses: Econ Major: Micro, Macro, Int'l Trade, Int'l Finance, Econometrics.. etc.
Other Courses: Intermediate Programming
Letters of Recommendation: all strong- one from my math advisor, one from my econ advisor (who I also did research with and TA'd for), one from a respected economist at a top department at which I took classes
Research Experience: Summer REU in Game Theory, Senior Thesis
Teaching Experience: TA'd for Calculus, Linear Algebra, Intro to Econ, Macro, MBA Micro Theory, MBA Statistics and Econometrics
Research Interests: Development, Micro Theory
SOP: I took it seriously but it wasn't too long
[B] Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT($), NYU(off of waitlist), UCLA ($), LSE (MRes/PhD Track 1, $), Toronto (Research MA, $), NSF
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, Brown
What would you have done differently? Nothing! I will be attending MIT.
Accepts: Acceptances: MIT($), NYU(off of
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, Brown
Waitlists:
Antonio 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Good Italian University (not Bocconi, but good)
Undergrad GPA: 28/30
Type of Grad: Italian School of Excellence (oooooh)
Ggrad GPA: 30/30
GRE: 800Q 540V 2.5AWA
TOEFL: 107/120
Math Courses (undergrad and grad): Mathematical Methods, Mathematics for Economics I&II, Statistics I&II, Advanced Statistics, Generalised Linear Models.
Econ Courses(undergrad and grad): Advanced Micro/Macro, Game Theory, IO, Advanced Econometrics I&II, Public Finance, Corporate Finance, Applied Econometrics, Financial Economics, Experimental Economics, Advanced Topics in Macro (PhD Course).
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from Economics professors, my graduate academic tutor and a guy from LSE (summer school). The others changed with respect to the target. However they were all economists but one (math).
Research Experience: Undergrad Thesis, one Working Paper and visiting researhcer at ENS-PSE for my grad thesis.
Teaching Experience: Undergraduate Micro.
Research Interests: Applied Micro, IO and Applied Econometrics.
SOP: Pretty good...I think.
Other: GMAT; LSE Summer school (A+); Visiting for 6 months at University of Southampton in UK. Italian, 22 (almost 23).
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Northwestern ($$), BC ($), Toulouse (M2).
Waitlists: NYU.
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, UChicago, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, UCSD, Brown, Duke, UPenn.
Pending: BU.
What would you have done differently?
I really have not understood almost anything!
My results show a lot of randomness (i.e. MIT was wrong in rejecting me) and/or luck (i.e. Berkeley was wrong in accepting me).
On one hand I think that waiting another year, with another master from a well reputed European University and with two more well known LORs I could have had some better shots for Cambridge MA or Princeton.
On the other hand, I could say that I have been very lucky and that I must take this opportunity as soon as possible.
Just some advices for European and, more in dept, Italian guys since this forum is too American-oriented: there is always a trade off between time (apply just during my last year of school) and odds (wait one year in order to improve my chances). And only you can decide upon this. You can speak with your profs and they will suggest you. But in the end it is just a matter of your own preferences.
However I have learnt two things:
1) Getting accepted in a very good US School (Berkeley or Northwestern) is less difficult than I used to think.
2) Getting accepted in a TOP US School (MIT or Princeton) is more difficult than I used to think.
Accepts: Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Northwestern ($$), BC ($), Toulouse (M2).
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, UChicago, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, UCSD, Brown, Duke, UPenn.
Waitlists:
ForTheWin!_08 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International, best in South Africa (University of Cape Town for those in the know)
Undergrad GPA: We don't use the GPA system. About 80%, which is 4.0 according to the WES conversion scale.
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 5.0 A, 670 V
Math Courses: A year and a half of calculus, Linear Algebra, Algebra I and II, Real Analysis, Metric Spaces, Complex Analysis, Measure Theory, Functional Analysis I + II, Differential Geometry, Topology I + II. All above 75%, so I guess A- to A+ range.
Undergrad thesis: Explained the Delbaen-Schachermayer version of the "Fundamental Theorem of Asset Pricing" (basically, a financial market satisfies No Arbitrage iff there exists an equvalent martingale ["risk-neutral"] probability measure). Essentially, it was just a whole lot of functional analysis and a little bit of stochastic integration.
Econ Courses: Intro macro/micro/game theory, Intermediate Macro/Micro, Honours Macro/Micro (i.e. 4th-yr level - we used adult Varian for micro, to give you an idea of the level), Undergrad Metrics and Quantitative Methods, Computational Political Economy (4th-yr elective on simulation methods and behavioural econ), Masters Econometrics, Masters/PhD Microeconometrics. All A- to A+ range.
Other Courses: 3 years of Mathematical Statistics, including stuff on: basic probability theory, regression analysis, stochastic processes/time series (not that I remember much of it!), Bayesian statistics, generalised linear models/qualitative regression models. Some basic applied math courses on ordinary differential equations (A's).
Letters of Recommendation: One should be very enthusiastic, from the one of the country's most hardcore empirical microeconomists (though his PhD is local)... another is likely to be good (I mean, I'm certain the guy thinks I'm smart, I got the second-best grade in his class), from quite a big-shot macro guy (PhD Cambridge, and he's co-authored some stuff with Phillip Aghion), but he's only taught me once. I'll probably use my honours thesis supervisor for the third one.
Research Experience: Not a lot... I've ostensibly been an RA for one professor for a summer, but I'm not sure how much work you should do to say this of yourself... I attempted to solve this game theory problem for him (he kind of gave me a half-finished paper of his and said "Can you fix this up?"... I couldn't). So not so impressive on this front I think.
Teaching Experience: Tutor for intermediate micro for two years, rewrote some of the problem sets for the same course.
Research Interests: Development micro, game theory, criminology
SOP: Decent, I thought. I posed a few questions that I thought were interesting and tried to show how my personal background led me to be interested in them. Customised one paragraph to mention which fields at the respective schools were strong, and why I thought they should want me.
Weaknesses: No research experience, from a relatively unknown university; no money to live off of if financial aid is denied.
Results:
Admissions: Michigan ($16k + tuition + health insurance), Chicago ($20k + tuition + health insurance) [attending]
Waitlists:Northwestern, Pennsylvania, Princeton
Rejections:Yale, MIT, Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard
No Reply:NYU
What would I have done differently: Not much. I wish I had gotten my undergraduate degree from a more prestigious place. Other than that, I'm not sure there was much that I could have done differently. But I'm not at all unhappy with what I got...
Accepts: Admissions: Michigan ($16k + tuition + health insurance), Chicago ($20k + tuition + health insurance) [attending]
Rejects: Rejections:Yale, MIT, Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard
No Reply:NYU
Waitlists: Waitlists:Northwestern, Pennsylvania, Princeton
needeconhelp 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: large US public university(SUNY-SB), Econ and applied math Major
Undergrad GPA: overall GPA: 3.79; eco: 3.89 ; math:3.88.
GRE: 800Q, 510V,AWA 4.0
Math Courses: Calc 1-3 (A), differential equations(A),Logic, Language and Proof (B), Introduction to Real Analysis (A), Mathematical Statistics(A), Data Analysis(A), Finite Mathematical Structures (B+),Applied Linear Algebra (A), Linear Algebra(fall), Real Analysis(fall),
Econ Courses: A's: Intro, Micro, Macro, Strategic thinking, Regional, Mathematical Statistics, Applied Microeconomics, Financial; Econometrics (A-), Money and Banking (B+)
Grad classes: Graduate Data Analysis (A), Introduction to Probability(B-), Microeconomics(fall)
Other Courses: Intro to comp. sci.(A)
Letters of Recommendation:
4 strong letters(Yale, Stanford,LSE )
Research Experience: Independent research(fall) with Economics honors thesis
Teaching Experience: Grading assistant for intro to economics.
Research Interests: economics of education, family ( i guess labor, developement), applied microeconomics
SOP: probably below standard.
Other: I have been part of a scientific research on arsenic in drinking water in bangladesh. Thus, I have been co-authored in a few science publications. I can get some very strong recommendations from some of these professors who are really well-known in their fields.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UVA($$), Ohio state($$),Duke (no stipend), Wisconsin(no $$ or tuition), Pittsburgh(no $)
Rejections: Berkeley, Columbia, Michigan, yale, brown, harvard, stanford, wharton, Upenn, UCLA, Maryland
What would you have done differently?
-more Pure math classes and actually work harder
-not send my Honors thesis to some school, because it was not that great.
Accepts: Acceptances: UVA($$), Ohio state($$),Duke (no sti
Rejects: Rejections: Berkeley, Columbia, Michigan, yale, brown, harvard, stanford, wharton, Upenn, UCLA, Maryland
Waitlists:
crutchboy3 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 20 Private University
Undergrad GPA: 3.81
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q/600V/5 A
Math Courses: Honors Calculus I-IV (A's), Honors Linear Algebra I,II (B+,A-), Intro to Probability (A), Honors Algebra III (A), Honors Analysis I (A-), Graduate Topology (A-), Graduate Optimization (A), Measure Theory (B), Functional Analysis (B+), Galois Theory (B+), Number Theory (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro/Macro (A), Game Theory (A), Econometrics (A), Graduate Econ Prob and Stats (A), Grad Micro I (A),
Letters of Recommendation: Two professors that had taken several classes from and had done research with, One that had just taken classes from, all econ
Research Experience: Math REU, Summer REU to begin work on thesis project, Honors thesis, 2 years of RA
Teaching Experience: Some tutoring
Research Interests: Micro theory, game theory
SOP: Nothing Special
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($)(Attending), NYU ($), Duke ($), UIUC ($), Caltech($), Chicago (Tuition Waiver + Health), Wisconsin (No $), Penn (No $)
Waitlists: Penn (Eventually Accepted, no $)
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern ($)(Attending), NYU ($), Duke ($), UIUC ($), Caltech($), Chicago (Tuition Waiver + Health), Wisconsin (No $), Penn (No $)
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton
Waitlists: Waitlists: Penn (Eventually
wcd123 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 25 American research University
Undergrad GPA: 3.97
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: none
GRE: 800/510/6.0
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A's), Linear Algebra (A), Probability and Statistics (A), Introduction to Math Reasoning (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Math for Economists (A--graduate course), Public Economics (A), Health Economics (A), and a bunch more
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 1 assistant prof that I RA for, 2 senior faculty that I was in class with. All 3 are actively publishing, and both senior faculty are well established in their fields
Research Experience: 1 year RA, Honors essay
Teaching Experience: Tutoring
Research Interests: Applied micro--more towards public/labor/health than IO, but I generally like empirical research and applied econometrics.
SOP: I thought it was pretty good. Don't know if it helped or not. Talked about why I like empirical work, some current research I'm working on, and tried to signal that I know what I'm getting into.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale (going there), Michigan, Columbia, Duke, Brown, Maryland, Wisconsin
Waitlists: Chicago
Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley
Pending: none
What would you have done differently? Not much. I would have liked to have gotten in to Princeton or MIT, but I am extremely happy with my outcomes.
Accepts: Acceptances: Yale (going there), Michigan, Columbia, Duke, Brown, Maryland, Wisconsin
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley
Waitlists:
tm0 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 3yrs, unfinished first degree in Europe, Business/Econ, at **** school.
Undergrad GPA: good
Type of Grad: Top 5 UK Master in Econ
Grad GPA: high
GRE: 800q, 670v, 4.5w (two years before that: 780q, 630,v, 4.5w)
Math Courses: one term of math for soc science in 1st year undergrad, one term of math for econ during masters.
Econ Courses: Enough though not too extensive either.
Letters of Recommendation: grad prof, thesis supervisor, undergrad prof.
Research Experience: 1 year part-time RA during UG, 6 month RA in research institution in Washington DC, one working paper (=master thesis)
Teaching Experience: TA micro & econometrics one semester each in UG
Research Interests: dev econ, applied micro, microeconometrics
SOP: Ok
RESULTS:
Attending: UMich
Acceptances: Duke ($ but no 1st year stipend), Brown ($$), Cornell (no $), UMich ($$), LSE (no $), UCL ($$), Oxford ($?)
Rejections: Yale, MIT, Stanford, UCLA
Other: Never heard from Boston U
What would you have done differently?
Dunno. Work harder. Make connections to get good recomm from more well-known people.
More math before surely wouldn't have hurt. But when? Given the little I had, the marginal benefit should have been high.
Think about location harder before applying.
Spend more time (>> 3 days of reading plus 1 night of writing) on Res Proposal at LSE to get funding.
Alternatively: Relax. Not try to get into good schools. Be happy with less.
Accepts: Attending: UMich
Acceptances: Duke ($ but no 1st year sti
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, MIT, Stanford, UCLA
Other:
Waitlists:
Chess is life 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Public University BA
Undergrad GPA: 3.94/ 4.0 Math/ Economics
Type of Grad: Public University MA
Grad GPA: 4.0/ 4.0 Economics
GRE: 670 V 800 M 5.0 Writing (I took it when I was 19 to get a job at Kaplan and it worked!)
Math Courses: Topology, Real Analysis, Linear Algebra, Calculus 1-3, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Econ Courses: International Economics I and II (MA), Math for Economists (MA and PhD), Microeconomics (MA and PhD), Urban Economics (MA), Econometrics (MA and PhD), Health Economics (MA), Macroeconomics (MA), Intro. to Econometrics, Statistical Methods, Intermediate Micro and Macro, Industrial Organization (Best Class ever), Seminar in economics, Money and Banking, several independent studies,
Other Courses: Physics 1 and 2 (I seriously considered majoring in it). Computer science 1.Letters of Recommendation: Math and Economics professors. I did research with the economics professors.
Research Experience: A lot. Washington, DC think tank work for almost a year now, mainly immigration and trade issues. However, I am currently doing research on state policies that effect economic growth and presented at the CATO Institute on microcredit. I also have done research on child abuse, social capital, fed policy and housing prices, a senior thesis on NAFTA's effects on Mexico, municipal government efficiency (Global Perspective), and the fed challenge (Rutgers won our district).
Teaching Experience: Tutor for my University 2 years and tutor/teacher for Kaplan test and prep.
Research Interests: Probably Microeconomics, most likely something very game theoretical. This is subject to change given that I have yet to take a PhD level economics course in Macroeconomics.
SOP: General but adapted to each university I applied to.
Other: I think being affiliated with the CATO Institute (libertarian think tank) hurt me. Also, Rutgers has a tendency of sending students to programs and watching them promptly fail the qualifier. This couldn’t have helped me.[/font]
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Rochester (24k Fellowship), Duke (17k fellowship), Washington University, St. Louis (TA/ RA 20k), Rutgers (30k Presidential Fellowship), Michigan (Nada), UCLA (Nada), Wisconsin (Nada), Georgetown (Wait-list for funding), UCSD (TA and after a complicated formula 7k), Cornell (Nada)
Waitlists: Minnesota, NYU (High whatever that means), MIT (later rejected)
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern,
Pending: Nothing
Concerns: My letter writers are not very well-known
What would you have done differently?
Maybe take more math? I really don’t know what else I could have done. I think I will regret not taking more computer science courses.
Accepts: Acceptances: Rochester (24k Fellowship), Duke (17k fellowship), Washington University, St. Louis (TA/ RA 20k), Rutgers (30k Presidential Fellowship), Michigan (Nada), UCLA (Nada), Wisconsin (Nada), Georgetown (
Rejects: rejected)
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern,
Waitlists: Wait-list for funding), UCSD (TA and after a complicated formula 7k), Cornell (Nada)
Waitlists: Minnesota, NYU (High whatever that means), MIT (later
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:
econphilomath 2008:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Economics from top institution in my country.
Type of Grad: M.A. in Economics from the same institution
GPA: Graduated 1st in my class, both programs.
GRE: 800Q, 730V, 4.5AWA
TOFEL: 118/120
Courses: Tons of econ, some math, no formal real analysis.
TA: Lots of undergrad macro courses and some graduate macro courses.
Teaching: I teach undergrad macro.
Research: Several published papers. All applied. (average to low/mediocre national and international journals)
RA: Current job is as an RA at Central Bank and lecturer at my university.
LORS: One senior, one semi-senior and one junior. I know them all really well (for over two years) and with all I have co-authored different research.
Interests: Macroeconomics, Labor and Development.
SOP: Tried to be serious, signal I know what I'm getting into. No BS, no talking about whats in my CV, no naming professors and not very long.
Schools: Shooting for the top 10 schools.
Other: Male, 27
RESULTS:
Attending: Yale ($$)
Acceptances: NorthWestern ($$), Columbia ($$), UMinn ($$), UPenn (), UChicago ()
Waitlists: Harvard and MIT. Later rejected.
Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.
What would you have done differently?
Applied earlier. Would not have stressed so much and spent less time on TM! The extra stuff on your CV doesn't make all that much of a difference. Past decent grades and GRE, basic math requirements, its all LORs. Its how you get the LORS that differs among applicants. Randomness that I was worried about was confirmed but its not that big once you know the underlying decision making structure.
Also I would have gone with more famous professors LORs who didn't know me as well, but who were willing to write beaming letters, instead of my junior professor/coauthor.
ALSO wait-lists suck. They do move around (not for me) but the wait is terrible.
Last Recommendation: Try as hard as you can to go to fly-outs. It can make a huge difference when you have to choose on the margin. Talk with professors and students as much as you can. It helped me a lot.
EDIT: See my buddy asianecon's next post. To avoid confusion, I recommend visiting (something usually done at fly-outs). However as asianecon suggests, it might be more informative to go on a regular day and sit in at classes talk with people etc as he has done and skip the marketing. Either way try and go get a feel for the program in person.
Accepts: Attending: Yale ($$)
Acceptances: NorthWestern ($$), Columbia ($$), UMinn ($$), UPenn (), UChicago ()
Rejects: rejected.
Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.
Waitlists: Waitlists: Harvard and MIT. Later
99luftballoons 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Large Private University, Top 10 Econ/Top 5 Math
Undergrad GPA: 3.82 (4.0 Econ, 3.9 Math)
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: 790Q, 640V, 6.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc Sequence, Linear Algebra, Number Theory, Real Analysis I, Real Analysis II, Algebra I, Combinatorics, Topology, Math Stats, Grad. Linear
Econ Courses: Intros, Micro Theory, Macro Theory, Econometrics, Senior Seminar, International Econ (1 yr), Organizational Analysis, Finance, Math Econ
Other Courses: Ind. study in Game Theory and Math Econ, Intro Operations Research
Letters of Recommendation: 2 really good ones, 1 fairly good one
Research Experience: Spent a summer RAing and trying to write a paper
Teaching Experience: Grading
Research Interests: Micro theory, decision theory, game theory, mech. design, experimental... list keeps growing actually
SOP: Wrote about what I liked, what I'd done, I got comments on being "very specific" in my SOP from schools that I've gotten in to
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Harvard, Caltech, Rochester, Cornell, PSU, Northwestern, UMinn
Waitlists: UPenn
Rejections: Princeton, Stanford GSB, Stanford Econ, Berkeley
Pending: NYU, BU
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to less safeties, but that's really an ex-post judgment. I think I had a good year, though Stanford GSB was my dream school, but oh well, life goes on.
Comments: I think italos is right, letter of recommendation is everything!
Accepts: Acceptances: Harvard, Caltech, Rochester, Cornell, PSU, Northwestern, UMinn
- Institution: CalTech Ph.D. Social Science
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 28k + tuition + fees
Notification date: Feb. 5
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Go Beavers! (No seriously... come on...)
- Institution: Northwestern University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 20K
Notification date: 2/24/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Hooray!
- Institution: Harvard Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding:
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: Phone
Comments: Jeez, my letter of recommendation writers must have REALLY liked me.
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/5,
Funding: $26,000
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Really attractive offer, hopefully they pass it on to someone else
Rejects: Rejections: Princeton, Stanford GSB, Stanford Econ, Berkeley
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Guess I'm not going to Palo Alto
Waitlists:
ImProcrastinating 2009:
Profile:
Type of Undergrad: Top 25 with a top 40ish econ program. BA in econ.
Undergrad GPA: Overall: 3.74, Econ: 3.8ish, Math: bad.
Type of Grad: Not highly ranked, top 100ish. MS in applied math.
Grad GPA (at application time...): 3.9
GRE: 790Q / 740V / 5.0 AWA.
Math Courses:
Undergrad: Calc III (B+), ODE (C- (Ouch...)), Real Analysis (A-), Linear Algebra (A).
Grad: Analysis (A-) (taken at the summer school of a top 10), Measure Theory (A-), Math Stats (A), ODE (A), Functional Analysis (A), General Topology (In progress at application time...)
Econ Courses:
Undergrad: Intro. Micro (A), Intro. Macro (A), Money and Banking (A), Economy of China (A-), Intro to Econ Stats (B+), Mathematical Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (B+), Econometrics (A), International Trade (A), Distinguished Majors Seminar (A), Independent Study (A)
Grad: PhD Micro I (A-), PhD Micro II (A), PhD Micro III (IP)
Letters of Recommendation:
1 from an undergraduate econ professor, not well known.
1 from a graduate math prof, very well known among mathematicians but I don't know if that counts...
1 from a graduate econ prof, very well known.
Research Experience: Summer at the Fed, senior thesis, 1 year + 1 summer as an RA for a professor, RAing at the IMF while applying.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Micro Theory, I/O, International Finance
Results:
Acceptances: NYU ($$$)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: A lot, Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, and UPenn.
Pending: None.
What would you have done differently? If I could do it ALL over again, I'd probably go to an undergrad that was stronger in econ, take more math courses earlier on, and work as hard my first couple years in college as I did my last couple. But I was expecting to get rejected everywhere I applied this time around, so I'm ecstatic to be going to a dream school like NYU.
Accepts:
Rejects: Rejections: A lot, Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, and UPenn.
Waitlists:
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:
ilikefreefood 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ major from a top 5-10 liberal arts college.
Undergrad GPA: 3.73/4, magna cum laude with distinction in major for senior thesis research.
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q 640V 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc II-III (A,B+), Linear Algebra (Pass), Statistics (A), Mathematical Structures (A-), Real Analysis (B, taken as a non-degree student at a local school this Fall)
Econ Courses: Principles Micro/Macro (A-,A), Intermediate Micro (A) Intermediate Macro (B), Econometrics (B+), pre-thesis seminar (A-), Ag. & Food Econ. (A), Development Econ. (B+), Econ. of Inequality (A), Econ. of Water Policy (B+), British Econ. history (B+)
Other Courses: A pass/fail seminar on game theory, a Poli. Sci. course on agent-based computer modeling (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 ECON professors (liberal arts college profs but with Chicago/Stanford Ph.Ds), including my thesis adviser who has previously stated that my thesis was one of the best he's ever advised. Where possible, 1 VP at my Econ. consulting firm with whom I've worked extensively on econometric analyses.
Research Experience: ~3 years as an RA in a major Econ. consulting firm; I specialize in statistical and econometric analysis within my office.
Awards: Thesis award from state Economics association, thesis presentation award from state science association, college fellowship for (non-research) work in development related to microfinance.
Research Interests: Development, environmental/resource economics, urban economics, general applied micro.
SOP: Well-written but fairly standard; mentioned specifically my interest in development and applied micro fields.
Other Concerns: Didn't anticipate the B in analysis and received it after I had submitted applications; I don't think I have enough additional math coursework to make up for exercising a pass/fail option in linear algebra way back when.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Minnesota ARE ($$)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Berkeley, Columbia, Harvard, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, MIT, NWU, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, Yale
Pending: Chicago, Cornell
What would you have done differently? Applied to Berkeley ARE and not Berkeley ECON when they made me pick just one; applied to more schools in the 20-30 range and not limited myself by the fact that I applied to 15 programs; discounted the advice of my former professors w.r.t. how far my school's reputation would get me; learned of and read the TestMagic forum earlier in the process.
Accepts: Acceptances: Minnesota ARE ($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Berkeley, Columbia, Harvard, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, MIT, NWU, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, Yale
Waitlists:
Internationalstudent08 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top-5
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800, V670, A4.5
Math Courses: Real Analysis, Optimization (As)
Econ Courses: Typical undergrad courses, intro+field courses
Letters of Recommendation: 3 good ones
Research Experience: 1 year RA (+2 summers as an undergrad)
Teaching Experience: Some tutoring
Research Interests: Mostly applied micro
SOP: Must have been good
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UChicago (waiting to hear about funding), UMaryland (18k), Penn State (25k)
Waitlists: Wharton AE
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, Brown
Total Score: 10-1-3
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I really didn't take advantage of my undergrad school as I should have. I should have started RAing earlier, and I should have taken graduate-level courses as an undergrad, instead of being a chicken. Also, I made some bad thesis-related choices hehe
However, since last year's admission cycle, I did everything that I could to improve my profile, and ended up working with some great people. I learned a lot- perhaps more than what I'm going to learn in grad school.
The only significant econ-phd-related mistake I made was to apply to all top-10 schools and almost none of the schools between 10 and 20 (except for UMaryland). I rejected most of the schools in that range based on location preferences. Since my profile was not clear-cut top10, I should have been more careful.
Anyway, I'm glad I made it!!!!!
Accepts: Acceptances: UChicago (waiting to hear about funding), UMaryland (18k), Penn State (25k)
- Institution: Penn State
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25k
Notification date: Today
Notified through: Email
Comments: Very happy
- Institution: UMaryland Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted, 18k
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Third admit!
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, Brown
Total Score: 10-1-3
- Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: Website
Comments:The battle rages on
- Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100
Notification date: a few days ago
Notified through: E-mail to check website.
(Kinda worried that not only top-5 is impossible, but top-10 is a stretch too)
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: They should never complain that I didn't give them a second chance . These days I celebrate the anniversary of the last rejection they sent me!!!
- Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Another donation to support the top 10 schools
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail directing me to website.
Comments: Same sweet letter
- Institution: Harvard Business School Business Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Letter
Comments: Not a surprise...
Waitlists:
Swingkid 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: University of California, BA Econ & Applied Math, French Minor
Undergrad GPA: 3.85
Type of Grad: micro
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800/700/6.0
Math Courses: Multi-var Calc, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Probability
Econ Courses: Grad Micro, Intermediate Micro and Macro, Metrics, Applied Metrics, Corporate Finance, Game Theory, Contract Theory, Development
Other Courses: a lot of French
Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, one of which was from a fecund researcher that I've worked with for two years. The other two are from my grad micro professor and my undergrad development professor; the former barely knows me, the latter I've spoken to about my research ideas.
Research Experience: Two years undergrad RA. Thesis (?)
Teaching Experience: Does dance count? =P
Research Interests: Development, Applied Micro
SOP: I don't think it was that special. In any case, it probably didn't carry much weight.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCLA, Yale, Berkeley, Brown
Waitlists: U Penn
Rejections: MIT, Columbia, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, NYU
What would you have done differently?
I would have definitely submitted a better-prepared application for the NSF, since funding is kind of an issue for me. I found out about the fellowship a week before the deadline and decided to apply anyway. That said, I wouldn't have done much else differently, since I'm really ecstatic about my acceptances! :-)
Accepts: Acceptances: UCLA, Yale, Berkeley, Brown
- Institution: UCLA Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: nominated for Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship
Notification date: Feb 13, 2009
Notified through: Website, email
- Institution: Yale University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 36.5K altogether
Notification date: 2/19/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I am still in shock...
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no first year funding, then TA
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I almost cried from happiness!
- Institution: Brown Economics, PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: 19k + summer stipend
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: e-mail (personal)
Comments:
I will probably decline soon though.
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Columbia, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, NYU
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: HA!
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: 20-22 spots, 700 or so applicants
Waitlists:
scrobles 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ and Math, MIT
Undergrad GPA: 4.7/5.0 (equivalent to 3.7)
Type of Grad: none
GRE: 800Q/740V/5.5W
Math Courses: Calc 1&2, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Real Analysis, Intro to Discrete Math, Modern Algebra, Intro to Stochastic Modeling (Grad course). About half As and half Bs, with more As in the later years.
Econ Courses: Intro and Intermediate Micro and Macro, Econometrics, Education, Development, Behavioral, Public Policy, Environmental, Econ research class. Mostly As.
Other Courses: Chinese
Letters of Recommendation: 3 profs with PhDs from MIT. The first was my development teacher and I RA'd for her a couple of semesters. I worked for the second two doing field research for 2 years after graduating.
Research Experience: Working at a econ research NGO for 2 years after college. RA for a bit in college.
Teaching Experience: Tutoring probability course in university, and general tutoring stuff.
Research Interests: Development, Behavioral, applied micro
SOP: My experiences and my interests. Why I like econ.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD, UCLA, UC Davis ARE, Northwestern, Chicago, Duke, USC, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford
Waitlists: nope
Rejections: MIT, Columbia, Brown
What would you have done differently?
My results were great, I think mostly because of my LORs so I think my after-college job really saved me. If I had to do it again, I would get As in key courses (mostly math) and do an economics thesis, but this is just theoretical since it wasn't necessary.
Accepts: Acceptances: UCSD, UCLA, UC Davis ARE, Northwestern, Chicago, Duke, USC, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford
- Institution: Duke University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: will be sent via USPS
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: email with link to applyyourself website
- Institution: Harvard Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: I don't know and I'm not thinking straight enough to care
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: E-mail from susan athey(I was away from the phone)
Comments: I am so happy.
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Don't know
Notification date: 2/27/09 8 AM
Notified through: Looked on applyyourself no email yet
Comments: I can't believe it
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: funded, but details in the mail
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: woohoo!
- Institution: USC Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fellowship and stuff
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I meant to withdraw my application today, but oh well. At least it tempers the MIT rejection...a little
- Institution: U Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: USPS
Comments: I am out of town so my mother checked the mail late at night.
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Columbia, Brown
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: bummed.
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision:Rejected
Funding:bah humbug
Notification date:March 5
Notified through:E-Mail
Comments: I emailed them last week asking them to please withdraw my application from consideration, but I guess they wanted to say "You're not dumping me, I'm dumping you"
- Institution: Stanford University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected, then Accepted
Notification date: 3/6/09 2:50pm for the reject, then 6:15 pm for the admit
Funding: details in the mail
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: WTF
- Institution: Brown Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: This is the final school I had pending since I withdrew my app from NYU. Final count: 3 rejections, 10 acceptances.
Waitlists:
treblekicker 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ (Honors I think) and Math Double Major; U.S. Private University ranked 35th overall by US News (the one that isn't a top 20 Econ School)
Undergrad GPA: Overall: 3.65/4.0, Econ: 3.71/4.0, Math: 3.89/4.0 (at time of application)
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 790Q 590V 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I-III (B+/A/A), Linear Algebra (A), ODE (A), Probability (A), Math Stats (A), UG Analysis (A-), Complex Variables (A), Topology (took in the fall, B, did not submit the grade), PhD Analysis (W), Abstract Algebra (currently taking), Intro to Proof Writing (currently taking)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A-), Money and Banking (A-), Labor (B+), Antitrust and Regulation (A), International Trade (A-), Econ Stats I & II (B, A), Metrics (A), PhD Micro (took in the fall, A, did not submit)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 PSU, 1 Duke, 1 UNC; All three knew me very well, two I have had significant research experience with; I am sure all were strong.
Research Experience: Independent Study on Nonparametric Statistics; Senior Thesis on Monetary Policy; Research Assistant for Health Econ.
Teaching Experience: n/a
Research Interests: Metrics Theory
SOP: nothing special
RESULTS:
Attending: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (Fellowship)
Acceptances: UNC
Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU, Yale, Penn, Columbia, UCSD, Duke, Berkeley
Waitlist: PSU (will withdraw)
What would you have done differently? I knew I wanted to do a PhD early enough that I could have transferred to a Top 15 department. However, I would never in a million years regret staying at my current school. I love my professors and have made some fantastic friends and memories.
I would not have taken the course load that I did in the past fall. I would have taken Financial Calculus and PDEs instead of Topology and PhD Analysis. That way, I would have better grades in the fall (and no W) and I could have gotten the chance to submit my PhD Micro A. That probably would have gotten me into at least one school that I got rejected from, but whatever.
Accepts: Attending: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (Fellowship)
Acceptances: UNC
- Institution: UNC Chapel Hill Econ PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Will be notified in Mid-March
Notification date: Feb 3rd; Feb 13th
Notified through: By Email from Econ Dept.; By Mail from Grad School
Comments: Hooray!
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU, Yale, Penn, Columbia, UCSD, Duke, Berkeley
- Institution: Duke Econ
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: Feb 18 9:07 AM EST
Notified through: Email
Comments: Knew a rejection was going to come, but it still stinks.
- Institution: Yale University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Website
Comments: Another one bites the dust
- Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: Website
Comments: Same as previous posters.
I'm drunk and loren connors is playing so i don't care.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
I never really liked Krugman's Op-Eds anyway
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail directing me to website.
Comments: at least they finally got around to sending it out.
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09, 2:45 PM EST
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: well that was expected.
- Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Come on UCSD, give me your decision so I can be over with this horrible process.
- Institution: UCSD Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: 'bout time.
Waitlists: Waitlist: PSU (will withdraw)- Institution: PSU Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: ?
Notification date: 3/2
Notified through: email
Comments: "I am writing to update you regarding your application to the Economics Ph.D. program at Penn State for Fall 2009.
Our admissions committee has finished the first-round of evaluations.
We have found you to be certainly well qualified for our program but due to the many applications we received, have placed you, for the moment, on our waiting list.
We hope to communicate a final decision to you by April 1 once we have a better idea of how many of our first-round of offers are likely to be accepted.
In the meantime, please let us know if receive an offer of admission from another university, and whether or not you wish to continue to be on our waiting list."
FilleNouvelle 2009:
I'll post this now, since my decision is not going to be made especially soon, and it could eventually change.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Economics MA (Hons), Scottish University (ranked overall #23 in the world)
Undergrad GPA: 1st Class (distinction), ranked 1 (tied with one other student) out of 98.
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q, 580V, 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Mathematical Methods (A), Applicable Mathematics (A), Linear Algebra (A), self-study of Real Analysis, private tutoring (Economics classes were very math-based as well)
Econ Courses: Everything there was to take, pretty much
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Oxford, 1 Cambridge, 1 LSE (2 with US teaching experience)
Research Experience: Econometrics research papers, senior thesis on convergence
Teaching Experience: TA for Econometrics
Research Interests: Development, Applied Econometrics, IO
SOP: standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UNC ($$), UVA ($?), UT-Austin (no $), BU (no $), Michigan (no $, off waitlist)
Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU (initially waitlisted), Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, MIT, Harvard, Cornell (assumed), UChicago
Waitlist: UPenn, Georgetown
Withdrawn: LSE
What would you have done differently? Obviously, when choosing my undergraduate institution, I didn't know I wanted to do a PhD. If I had known, I probably would have chosen a different undergrad. Also, I think staying in the US may have made things a bit easier. My results show that it's very possible to get good results when your institution is international and perhaps not that well-known, but that sometimes schools do not know how to view you. I ended up with 4 waitlists this cycle and a few unfunded admits. Anyway, other than that, wouldn't have done anything differently.
Accepts: Acceptances: UNC ($$), UVA ($?), UT-Austin (no $), BU (no $), Michigan (no $, off - Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 02/03/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: University of Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: UT Austin
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not at this time
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: Email
Comment: Fiddlesticks...I love UT, but I need $$!
- Institution: Boston University Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: E-mail
Funding: None
Comments: Really needed money...doesn't sound like there's any chance of funding
- Institution: University of Michigan
Programme: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification Date: 31/03/2009
Funding: None
Comments: They said their budget makes it 'impossible' to offer me even a tuition waiver.
I don't know what to do here.
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU (initially - Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Couldn't care any less...Berkeley was probably my top choice, but I was drunkenly celebrating handing in my dissertation, so nothing could've knocked me down, lol.
- Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Good to know
- Institution: Northwestern Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: check the website
Comments: Soooo disappointed
Waitlists: waitlist)
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email
First waitlist...dunno how I feel about that!
- Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted for admission
Notification date: 3/6
Funding: Full funding if accepted
Notified through: email
Comments: Gah...admissions make no sense to me!
- Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: Phone
Comments: That makes 4 waitlists I've received this cycle...
wind up bird 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Large Public University, Top 50 Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.82
Type of Grad: Masters in Statistics at same school
Grad GPA: 3.75
GRE: 800Q, 700V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc Sequence, Linear Algebra, Intro to Abstract Math (Baby proofs), Cryptology (Baby Number Theory), Real Analysis I & II, Algebra I, Lots of probability and stats.
Econ Courses: Intro, Intermediate sequences, Econometrics, Public econ, Game Theory, Asymmetric Info, Economic Anthropology, Economic History (graduate), Empirical Methods (graduate), Math camp
Other Courses: Sociology of Sexuality
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Berkeley, 1 UCSD, 1 Stanford. All apparently pretty strong.
Research Experience: 2+ Years of RAing, summer research internship at Fed, crappy honors thesis and undergrad presentations
Teaching Experience: Tutoring for intermdiate micror, TA-ing for stats (only made it to my Cornell application)
Research Interests: Micro theory, decision theory, game theory, mech. design, experimental, economic history, social choice, public economics, etc etc. Short answer is "not macro"
SOP: It was kind of bad, I'm not going to lie. Mostly I tried to demonstrate how I have been gearing myself up for research. Then the last paragraph was tailored for each school; I dropped names at all of them.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech($$$), Northwestern(WL$), UCSD(No$), BU($$$), University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign($$), UNC-Chapel Hill (?$), Boston College($$), UW-Seatte(WL$)
Waitlists: None! Awesome.
Rejections: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Chicago, UCLA, Cornell
What would you have done differently? Besides working harder in school? Probably nothing. I have an acceptance with funding at my dream school and have some other ego-boosting admits as well.
Comments: Italos is right, letter of recommendation is everything
Might as well document some of my weird admissions cycle happenings as well:
- Boston College sends me an email saying I am not being offered admission because I will get into "superior" schools.
- UW-Seattle pulls the same thing
- Northwestern rejects me, then admits me a week and a half later. Looks like my one top 10 admit really did involve a clerical error.
Attending: Caltech!
Accepts: Acceptances: Caltech($$$), Northwestern(WL$), UCSD(No$), BU($$$), University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign($$), UNC-Chapel Hill (?$), Boston College($$), UW-Seatte(WL$)
- Institution: Caltech Social Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 28k fellowship first year, TA/RA next four years
Notification date: Feb 5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Still stunned and ecstatic.
- Institution: UNC Chapel Hill Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Will be decided in March, apparently.
Notification date: 2/26/09 11:14 am
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Surprised again. It'll take the edge off Athey not calling me too
- Institution: University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition waiver + fellowship
Notification date: 3/09/2009
Notified through: Post
- Institution: UC San Diego Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Admitted (Provisionally)
Funding: Not mentioned
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Yay!
- Institution: BU Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: e-mail
Funding:$18700+tution waiver+summer stipend($5000)
Rejects: Rejections: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Chicago, UCLA, Cornell- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/a
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: website
Comments: Not surprising, hehe
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Well at least they were snappy about it.
- Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: email
- Institution: UCLA Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Heh.
Notification date: Today (5 minutes ago)
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Man, UCLA really hates me. Second time I've been rejected. Luckily I MUCH prefer Caltech.
- Institution: Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/09
Notified through: Mail
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Postal Service
Comments: Letter dated March 13
- Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 4/6/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Wasn't gonna go here anyway!
Waitlists: Waitlists: None! Awesome.
mermel 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math, B.S. Econ honors from top 40 public school, Math semester abroad at strong Russian math program
Undergrad GPA: 3.94, Econ 4.0, Math 3.93
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Multivar Calc, DiffEq, Number Theory, Matrices (Linear Algebra), Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Probability, Topology, Complex Analysis, Computability and Complexity (all A's), Combinatorics (B), Integer Partitions (B+)
Econ Courses: All those required for undergrad econ, was in Honors Economics program my senior year
Letters of Recommendation: 3 from econ professors, one from Econ PhD partner at the firm where I work, PhD's from Chicago, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley, 2 I am sure are very strong, and others are probably strong as well
Research Experience: Not any good research experience undergrad. Have been working in econ consulting since, so that sort of counts.
Teaching Experience: just tutoring
Research Interests: Micro theory, game theory, decision theory
SOP: I'm not really sure how to judge my SOP, I think it told a good story of why I want to get econ PhD.
Concerns: Lack of research experience, I had a withdrawal passing from graduate level analysis when I decided to do a second major in econ rather than doing a masters in math. I stated this in many of my essays, so hopefully that's ok.
Other: Working for past 2.5 years in economics litigation consulting
RESULTS:
Attending: Northwestern
Admitted, Declined: UPenn
Waitlists: Princeton(eventually rejected), Chicago(Admitted without funding for first 2 years)
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, NYU, Berkeley, Stanford, NSF
What would you have done differently?
I think some RA'ing as an undergraduate would have helped, but I am very happy with Northwestern and don't really have any regrets.
Accepts: Attending: Northwestern
Admitted, Declined: UPenn
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ? Application site doesnt say, maybe waitlisted like others?
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: Checked the application website
Comments: First one, woohoo
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25k a year or so, they make it confusing
Notification date: March 2
Notified through: e-mail
- Institution: Chicago Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No funding first 2 years
Notification date: April 15, 5:07 pm
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: I emailed them last week saying they could take me off the waitlist. I figured if I got anything after that it would be a spiteful rejection.
Rejects: rejected), Chicago(- Institution: Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: March 2
Notified through: email
Comments: Gotta give them kudos for getting rejects out so fast after accepts, but I still gotta say .... damn hippies.
- Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: e-mail
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: NYU Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: I e-mailed and asked
Comments:If you haven't heard I would recommend e-mailing Marjorie, she replied in short time and said to take one of my other offers (which I didn't say I had any)
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Postal Service
Comments:
Waitlists: Waitlists: Princeton(eventually - Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
25,750 if admitted
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: They said they are targeting admitting 22-23 people, 15 people are on waitlist and number that get offers varies by year
- Institution: Chicago
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: some sort of funding if admitted, but it's unclear
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: snail mail
Comment: "In a normal year, I would be offering you admission and financial aid at this time."
funkychinamen 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Econ program, transfer from top 40 Econ program, Econ major
Undergrad GPA: 3.892 /4.000
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 780Q 480V 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I, Calc II, Calc III, Vector Calc, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability Theory, Linear Algebra - proof-based, Intro to Proofs, Real Analysis, Math Stats (Spring)
Econ Courses: Intermed Micro, Intermed Macro, Topics in Macro, Analysis of Econ Data, I.O., International Micro, International Macro, Labor, Intro to Mathematical Econ, Game Theory, Econometrics, Grad Micro I, Applied Econometrics (Spring)
Letters of Recommendation: One from an associate professor in the Ag Econ department who I researched with, one from an assistant professor at Business School who I researched with, one from professor who taught grad course
Research Experience: One year with an associate professor in the Ag Econ department, One semester with assistant professor in Business school, senior thesis in progress
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: I.O., Micro Theory, Labor
SOP: Looked back at it the other day. I HOPE they didn’t read it.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
USC Marshall ($), Duke ($), Northwestern ($), UCSD (No $), Texas (No $), Boston U (No $)
Waitlists:
UPenn (rejected), Caltech (rejected)
Rejections:
Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Minnesota, Maryland, UCLA Anderson, Harvard, Michigan, NYU, Cornell, Brown
What would you have done differently?
I would have studied harder for the GRE, finished a major in applied math, and applied to UCLA econ.
(Not-so) Fun Facts:
-Not accepted to any Ivy League school (UPenn waitlist)
-Not accepted to any school that used the Embark system (Caltech waitlist)
Attending: Northwestern!
Accepts: Acceptances:
USC Marshall ($), Duke ($), Northwestern ($), UCSD (No $), Texas (No $), Boston U (No $)
- Institution: Duke University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: In the mail
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: email to website
Comments: Hoo- and -ray!
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Doesn't say
Notification date: 2/26/09 9:00PM PST
Notified through: Checked applyyourself
Comments: Take that, Minnesota!
- Institution: UC San Diego Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Admitted (Provisionally)
Funding: Not mentioned
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: YAY! One of my top choices! Feels good after a whole week of Top 10 rejections
- Institution: UT Austin Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Dunno... still confused.
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Website
Comments: No e-mail...just checked the website. It says:
"We're pleased to inform you that you've been accepted to The University of Texas
at Austin. We recommend that you contact your graduate adviser as soon as possible.
It's a pleasure to welcome you as a graduate student."
Although, I did receive an e-mail from Eugenio J. Miravete making a correction to an e-mail he sent earlier regarding the date of the flyout...I never received the first e-mail...
- Institution: Boston University Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Financial Aid Alternate"
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I think getting accepted without aid to schools that are lower on your list than ones you've already been accepted to is absolutely great. You don't feel bad about being rejected, but it doesn't really change the set of schools you have to make a decision on. Will probably decline soon.
Rejects: rejected), Caltech (rejected)
Rejections:
Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Minnesota, Maryland, UCLA Anderson, Harvard, Michigan, NYU, Cornell, Brown
- Institution: Stanford University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail AND Postal
Comments: What a better way to end a week of 5 rejections and 1 wait-list (not to mention 2 problem sets, and a Stat lab report), except with, not only another rejection from my dream school, but the official rejection letter in my mailbox when I come home? YAY!
- Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Website
Comments: Kind of feeling like Northwestern was a fluke...granted, the most AMAZING fluke of my life.
- Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 4/6/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Not an Ivy-Leaguer
Waitlists: Waitlists:
UPenn (- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email
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 ($$$), Cambridge ($$$)
Nebuchadrezzar 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: european, gpa scale
Undergrad GPA: 3.8/4.0
Type of Grad: european masters
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800 q, 440 verbal, 4.0 awa
Math Courses: calculus 1, 2, 3, diff eq, real analysis 1 2, topology, lin alg
Econ Courses: int mic, int mac, labor, game theory, io, phd micro 1 2, phd macro 1,2 , phd metrics 1, 2, optimization
Other Courses: -
Letters of Recommendation: 3 from home inst, at least 2 of them should be good
Research Experience: term paper, honors thesis
Teaching Experience: ta in several courses
Research Interests: micro-macro theory, game theory
SOP: standard sop summarizing my profle
Other: -
RESULTS:
Acceptances: rochester($), wisconsin(no $), michigan($)
Waitlists: wustl
Rejections: harvard, mit, chicago, nw, upenn, nyu, columbia, stanford, berkeley, caltech, cornell, yale, princeton...!!
Pending: -
going to: university of michigan
What would you have done differently?
i could study more in masters and send my transcript and get a letter of recommendation from there maybe. i don't know if that would help with the top 10. but i am happy to go to michigan!
Accepts: Acceptances: rochester($), wisconsin(no $), michigan($)
Rejects: Rejections: harvard, mit, chicago, nw, upenn, nyu, columbia, stanford, berkeley, caltech, cornell, yale, princeton...!!
Waitlists:
Mankins 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Very large US public university
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Mathematical Structures, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Probability, Advanced Calculus I, and Intermediate Real Analysis I (all A or A+). Topology and Mathematical Statistics (Spring 2009).
Econ Courses: The usual, plus Econometrics , Advanced Honors Micro (uncertainty), Advanced Honors Macro (taught by Nobel Laureate). All A or A+, except Econometrics where I got an A-. Game Theory (Spring 2009).
Letters of Recommendation: One from a Nobel Laureate (not sure how solid it was). One from a well-known economist in micro theory and information (probably knows me better than any of my other professors). One from my Advanced Calc professor.
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Experience: Some preliminary work on an undergraduate thesis (never finished), Econometrics paper co-authored with two other students
Research Interests: micro theory, advertising, economics of information, behavioral/neuro/experimental, IO, development
SOP: Standard
Concerns: Very little research experience, no graduate courses
Applying to: Yale, Duke, Stanford, MIT, Northwestern, Chicago, Illinois Urbana, Berkeley, Texas, Minnesota, Arizona State, Carnegie Mellon, and Duke Decision Sciences
RESULTS:
Attending: Minnesota ($$)
Acceptances, declined: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), U Texas at Austin ($), U Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ($$), Arizona State ($$)
Rejections: MIT, Berkeley, Yale, Stanford, U Penn, U Chicago, Northwestern (on the waiting list, briefly), Duke Economics, Duke Decision Sciences
What would you have done differently? There's not much more I could have realistically done. Maybe I could have gone to more office hours and talked to professors more outside of class. I think I may have had better results if I had taken PhD Micro, but I don't know where I would have fit that into my schedule. I transferred schools and switched majors halfway through my junior year, and it took 5 years to finish my Bachelor's degree because of it. I hadn't finished Calc I until the summer of 2007, so I had to catch up quickly on the math required for graduate economics. Considering what a tough year it was, things could have turned out much worse.
Accepts: Attending: Minnesota ($$)
Acceptances, declined: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), U Texas at Austin ($), U Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ($$), Arizona State ($$)
- Institution: Arizona State Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TA/RA, $17,500 for 9 months
Notification date: Feb 5, Feb 16 for funding
Notified through: Website, email
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ?
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Website
Comments: Hooray.
- Institution: UT Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None for now, reevaluated April 15
Notification date: 3/10/09
Notified through: Email
Comments: Bummed about funding, but I understand there's a lot less to go around this year.
- Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Economics, PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Fellowship for 3 semesters and TAship afterward ($17k)
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: Email
Comments: I'm much happier with my options now, but I'm still very disappointed being shut out of the top ten.
- Institution: University of Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TA, $20k, first year teaching duties
Notification date: 4/15/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I'm really excited about this!
Now I have a decision to make.
They want to hear from me by April 17/18.
Yikes!
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Berkeley, Yale, Stanford, U Penn, U Chicago, Northwestern (on the - Institution: Duke Econ PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification date: 2/17/09
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: I am extremely disappointed.
I thought I had a good shot at Duke, and would have been very happy to attend.
- Institution: Yale University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Email directing me to status on website
Comments: Crap.
- Institution: Duke Decision Sciences, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/25
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: No love from Duke this year.
I doubt I would have accepted an offer anyway.
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-Mail
Comments: Uggh
- Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: email
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email with an attached letter
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I really liked the idea of studying with Kyle Bagwell, but apparently Stanford thinks there are 72 applicants that are better than me.
I'm not too happy about that.
- Institution: U Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Ha!
Notification date: 3/10/09
Notified through: Snaily mail
Comments: This is a crappy year to apply
- Institution: Northwestern Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: check the website
Comments: F@%#!
There goes my last shot at the top ten.
I don't know what more I could have done.
Waitlists: waiting list, briefly), Duke Economics, Duke Decision Sciences- Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Happy to not be rejected.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Waiting list
Funding: No idea
Notification date: 3/6
Notified through: E-mail response from Mercedes
Comments: This is unofficial and there are several others in this same situation, but I'm so happy to still be in consideration.
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:
untitled 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math, BA International Studies (mid ranked Midwest Flagship State School)
Undergrad GPA: 3.65
Type of Grad: M.S. Math (mid ranked but slightly better Midwest Flagship State School)
Grad GPA: 3.6
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 5.5AW (scored 800, 590, 6 before MS degree)
Math Courses (undergrad): Lots, some Bs, B+/A- average
Math (grad): Lots, still a couple Bs, A- average
Econ Courses (grad): Few
Econ Courses (undergrad): None
Other Courses: Physics Minor, once, lots of Poli Sci before I realized math + poli sci =~ econ
Letters of Recommendation: Two Math, One Poli Sci, One Econ. Econ was extremely strong
Research Experience: Math Thesis, RA at academic leaning econ consulting firm
Teaching Experience: Taught micro, macro, math econ, and econ stats principles courses during two year stint at local university while working as a consultant
Research Interests: Econometrics, Resource Economics, Decision Theory, Development
SOP: Focused on work/research experience - probably would have done it differently
Concerns: yes, mostly private.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Washington - Seattle
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Duke, Boston University, Davis, Pittsburgh, UCSD, UBC
What would you have done differently?
I can think of one or two classes where an A might have made a difference. Also, it might have been helpful to take at least some econ classes as an undergrad, but I'm glad I didn't, as I enjoyed my undergrad enough. Many private things.
Accepts: Acceptances: University of Washington - Seattle
- Institution: University of Washington - Seattle Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Pending (I hope)
Notification date: 3/14
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Duke, Boston University, Davis, Pittsburgh, UCSD, UBC
- Institution: Duke Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/17
Notified through: E-mail / Website
Comments:
- Institution: Yale Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/20
Notified through: E-mail/Website
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: UC-Davis Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: Pittsburgh Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: UCSD Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:There were a couple other top 10 schools, but you get the picture.
Waitlists:
Mobius Strip 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Mathematics and Economics from a top 10-15 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.87/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 5.0AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Linear Alg, Modern Alg, Adv Modern Alg, Real Analysis, Game Theory (in Math Dept), Topology, Chaos Theory. Received department honors in Math.
Econ Courses: Basically all of them, 4.0 GPA, Thesis (A), Department Honors, Brownell Prize for Distinction in the Study of Political Economy
Other Courses: NA
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from Federal Reserve, 1 Math from Undergrad
Research Experience: RA for 3 years at FRB in DC. Co-authored published paper on racial discrimination in credit markets.
Teaching Experience: NA
Research Interests: Labor (Education), Real Estate, Financial Markets
SOP: Talked about my volunteer activities in tough, urban schools and how it shaped my interests in research in education. Transition to work at the Fed regarding discrimination in the credit markets. Final, throw-away paragraph naming some profs at schools who I'd be interested in working with.
Other: Crushed by NSF
RESULTS:
Acceptances: U Michigan (off waitlist, after 0-14 start)
Waitlists: NA
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Chicago, Chicago Booth, Northwestern, Wharton, U Penn, NYU, Columbia, Duke
Pending: NA
Outside Fellowship: Received a $20k fellowship from undergrad college to supplement lack of funding from UM
What would you have done differently?
After receiving NSF results and reading Jeeves's posts, spelling out the broader impacts to make it easier to checklist. I scored fairly well on intellectual merit, but only average on the broader impacts.
Other than that, it's hard to say. I had nearly a 3.9 GPA with a Math and Econ double major, 3 years at the Federal Reserve, a published paper, and a presented working paper. I did spend 3 years in the private sector at a major bank, which probably hurt my admissions results, but gave me a broader personal, real-world experience that I do not regret taking.
Attending: U Michigan - Ann Arbor
Accepts: Acceptances: U Michigan (off - Institution: University of Michigan
Programme: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification Date: 31/03/2009
Funding: None
Comments: Now 1 for 15!
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Chicago, Chicago Booth, Northwestern, Wharton, U Penn, NYU, Columbia, Duke
- Institution: Yale University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: Did Yale and Duke have to be my first two responses?
- Institution: Chicago Booth Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/24/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Getting frustrated ...
- Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: ApplyYourself Website, No email
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Checked website
Comments: Probably was my last shot:
800Q, 3.9 GPA, Math/Econ double major, and 3 years at the FRB -- but no graduate school in the Fall.
$#@!
Waitlists: waitlist, after 0-14 start)
Waitlists: NA
- Institution: Michigan Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: snail mail
Comments: Tease!
Just when I got past anger and denial and into acceptance ...
jito32 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Finance from Univ Florida
Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc Sequence (A), Sets & Logic (A) Diff. Eq, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Statistics next semester
Econ Courses: Principles (As) Intermediate Micro (A) Urban next semester
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors, one great one good, 1 from finance lecturer
Research Experience: RA for a year
Teaching Experience: TA for a year
Research Interests: Macro, public, interational
SOP: Boiler plate
Concerns: Just decided to pursue the degree this summer, so lacking in math/econ classes.
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
Waitlists:
Rejections:
Pending: Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, Rochester, Boston U, Texas, Virginia, WUSTL, Iowa, George Mason
What you would have done differently: Started applying sooner. I knew all semester what I was doing but somehow everything got pushed back with my late GRE date of November 1st. Wish I would have read this forum earlier.
Accepts: Acceptances:
- Institution: George Mason Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: Mail
Comments: 1st admit, kinda neat...just not sure I'm going to attend.
- Institution: University of Texas Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 4/7/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: No funding... probably going to stay at UF and take math classes.
Rejects: Rejections:
- Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Pretty much expected. Now I miss not having any notifications in my inbox...
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Was unsure about this one. Too bad
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Expected.
- Institution: Stanford Econ
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6
Notified through: Email
Comments: Oh-fer-four. Time for a plan B?
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: Checked website
Comments: -
- Institution: Boston University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/27
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Yyyyep.
Waitlists: Waitlists:
- Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: It didn't say rejected!
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
dancerdf 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ from top-ranked university in the Netherlands
Undergrad GPA: 3.9, Summa Cum Laude
Type of Grad: M.S. Econ, LSE
Grad GPA: -
GRE: 790Q, 550V, 5AWA
Math Courses: Standard, although no separate courses, everything included into quantitative methods 1-3
Econ Courses (Master-level): Micro, Macro, Metrics, Development
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Public, International Economics, Micro, Macro, Competition Policy, Growth Theory, Financial Economics, Development Economics, History of Economic Thought, Auction Theory
Other Courses: Finance, Strategy, Marketing, Sociology
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (2 from Maastricht, 1 from LSE)
Teaching Experience: Tutor for microeconomics at student association in cooperation with the university
Research Interests: Development
SOP: Standard
Concerns: 790Q GRE, no course in real-analysis
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Chicago, UPenn, Stanford, Berkeley, NYU, Columbia, Brown
Can't wait for the results!!!
Accepts: - Institution: Brown Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: fellowship covering tuition fees, health insurance,... + 19K in the first year.
- Institution: Chicago Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No funding first 2 years
Notification date: April 15
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Can't believe it. But where should I take all that money from
Rejects: - Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: ApplyYourself Website
Comments:
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-Mail
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: Upenn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: Link on website
Comments: After sending them an e-mail, link appeared without any other reply
Waitlists: - Institution: U Chicago Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: If admitted, funding.
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Letter dated 3/06
Comments: Same text as for other wailisted people
irancontra 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Grad: BS in Economics Liberal Arts University
Grad GPA: Summa Cum Laude
GRE: 770Q, 630V, 5.0 AWA
Letters of Recommendation: 3 undergraduate econ professors (1 well known)
Research Experience: None
Teaching Experience: Undergraduate TA
Research Interests: development, resource economics, remittances.
SOP: pretty standard
Concerns: I have been out of academics for 5 years. Two spent working abroad in development, not the Peace Corps, and 3 in business.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSB, UCSC
Rejections: ASU
Waiting: Stanford, U Washington, U Oregon, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Riverside (Masters), USC (Masters), UCSD, U Arizona
Accepts: Acceptances: UCSB, UCSC
- Institution: Oregon
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: I asked them, they told me.
Comments: It was strange, I emailed to make sure that they had recieved my GTF application and they said, oh yeah we have it and by the way your admitted with funding pending.
- Institution: UW-Seattle Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No Funding at this time.
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: Email
Comments: Rain = good study weather.
Rejects: Rejections: ASU
- Institution: UCLA Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail/attachment
Comments: Rats, I really like Westwood.
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09, 11:58 AM Pacific
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I much prefer rejection to lingering uncertainty.
- Institution: University of Arizona Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Would be ironic if there were.
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: Email
Comments: I like the sun.
- Institution: UCSD Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: You have been judged and found wanting.
Waitlists: Waiting: Stanford, U Washington, U Oregon, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Riverside (Masters), USC (Masters), UCSD, U Arizona
dodora 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Physics (HK)
Undergrad GPA: 3.95/4
Type of Grad: Physics (TOP 20 US)
Grad GPA: 3.97/4
GRE: 800Q, 640V, 4W
Math Courses (undergrad): math required for physics major undergrad
Math (grad): advanced mathematics for physics (A+)
Econ Courses (grad): Macro I (A+), Econometrics (A+), Computational Macro (didn't take for grade)
Econ Courses (undergrad): None
Other Courses: a lot physics courses and a few biology courses...they're irrelevant, i guess
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors and one physics professor and one math professor
Research Experience: RA for a condense matter physics lab; doing research in biophysics/computational bio labs...again, irrelevant
Teaching Experience: TA for two years
Research Interests: Macroeconometrics
Concerns: obvisously, tooooo few econ courses. And I should apply to more places...
Applied to: Stanford, UPenn, Cornell, UCSD, UMD, JHU, Georgetown, UBC, UToronto
Accepts: - Institution: Georgetown Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellow
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fellow
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
- Institution: UBC Economics M.A
Decision: Admitted
Notification date: 03/9
Notified through: email
Comments:
- Institution: UCSD Economics, PhD
Decision: Admitted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: Email
Comments:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: more or less expected...
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: more or less expected..but it still hurts...i'm not going to the gym today...i need to eat something really really sweet~~~
- Institution: Johns Hopkins University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/11
Notified through: email
Comments: the rejection email is so short and unfriendly(?)~~~
Waitlists: - Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email
italos 2009:
In this thread please post only your results.For further comments please refer to other threads in the forum
Institution:
Program:
Decision:
Funding:
Notification date:
Notified through:
Comments:
Accepts: - Institution: UC Santa Cruze In International Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBA
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through:Email
Comments: European Union citizen, Security school where I also have a personal connection
- Institution: UW-Madison Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding:
unable to offer financial support for the first year of study.They can provide support in the three years of study following the first year,conditional to satisfactory progress
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Email
Comments: I need funding also for the first year!!!!
- Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 0
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:WTF I need funding!!!!!
- Institution: University Of Maryland, College Park Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 0
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: I emailed Vickie
Comments:WTF once again! I need funding!!!!
- Institution: European University Institute(EUI) Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted for Interview
Funding: full if admitted
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: I called
Comments:Going to Florence!
- Institution: JHU Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding None
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: I emailed
Comments: WTF once again no funding.I think I deserve the Antichorn award for the most unfunded applicant!!!
Rejects: - Institution: UC Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100+DHL
expenditures
Notification date: Today(10 minutes ago)
Notified through: Email
Comments: A kinda of expected. It seems to be a mass email
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -100 +DHL cost
Notification date: Today (10 minutes ago)
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: that was something I was expecting since December as they were already in posses of last years LORs..
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5,
Funding -51 Euro paid to DHL
Notified through: I emailed Jody
Comments: At least I saved my money on the application fee as I preferred to sent later a check.I was told that they were going to read my file anyway and if admitted I could pay it later
- Institution:Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6
Cost: Application fee+GRE and TOEFL score reports +DHL
Notified through: email
Comments :I I was expecting that.....
- Institution: University of Chicago
Decision: Rejected
Cost:
application fee+TOEFL+GRE reports+ DHL
Notification date: Today, Letter dated March 6 2009
Notified through: postal service
- Institution: NYU Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Cost: usual application fee +TOEFL and GRE reports +DHL
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: I emailed Marjorie Lesser(very nice lady)
Comments:I was hoping something more from NYU as I had a stellar letter of recommendation from an NYU alumni who happens to be also my coauthor.But just let me say that I know what is the real reason not only for NYU but for all the other outcomes
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through:
postal service
Comment : Not much to say
- Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: Website
Comments: I had an alumni as a letter of recommendation writer who has strongly supported me but I think it has more to do with another issue on my profile which is also confirmed by the other results
- Institution: University of Minnesota
Programme: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected (e-mail)
Notification Date: 04/01/2009
Comments: I was on the waiting list and just got the email form Kara that I am out.I am disappointed but my options now seem to be clear!Let's say that the only thing that makes me laugh is that I will not have to spend
the next 5 years under -40 °C!
Waitlists:
Jaktu 2009:
Institution: Caltech
Program: Social Science, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/27
Notified through: Email
Institution: Penn State
Program: Economics, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/25
Notified through: Email
Institution: Minnesota
Program: Economics, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/25
Notified through: Email
I miss the days when I was applying to engineering schools. I felt like a king with all the funded offers and flyouts.
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Caltech Social Science, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/27
Notified through: Email
- Institution: Penn State Economics, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/25
Notified through: Email
- Institution: Minnesota Economics, Ph.D
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/25
Notified through: Email
I miss the days when I was applying to engineering schools. I felt like a king with all the funded offers and flyouts.
- 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: email
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4/09
Notified through: Website
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Not looking good
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Would be sad if I don't get in anywhere. It's not looking good at all .
- Institution: Chicago Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: Mail
- Institution: Maryland Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Website
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: phone
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists: - Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: First non-rejection. Really hoping I will be able to study economics in the fall.
filroz 2009:
Institution: Berkeley
Program: Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-Mail
Comments: no
Accepts: - Institution: BU Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: e-mail
Funding:waitlisted
Rejects: - Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-Mail
Comments: no
- Institution: NWU Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: ask by email
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision:Rejected
Notification date:March 6
Notified through:E-Mail
- Institution:Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6
- Institution: Columbia Economics, PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: check the website
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
pun_dit 2009:
Institution: Stanford
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Good luck if you haven't heard yet; congratulations to those who made it.
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Good luck if you haven't heard yet; congratulations to those who made it.
- Institution:
NYU Economics PhD
Decision:
Rejected
Funding: -
Notified through: (personalized?) email Mar. 27
Comments:
Waitlists:
Morxjez 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: University of Chicago
Undergrad GPA: 3.83
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: Q800 V540 W4.0
Math Courses: Analysis in Rn 1,2,3 , Abstract Algebra 1,2 , Numerical Analysis, Complex Analysis, Theory of ODE (involved use of complex variable) All A's except complex analysis (A-)
Stat Courses: Mathematical Statistics (A-), and mathematical probability (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro and Macro (all A's), International trade and finance (A-,A), Econometrics (intro and advance) (A, B+,A), Advanced Macro 1, 2 (A+,A+), Auction Theory (A), Game Theory (A), a graduate class in numerical methods in economics (A)
Other Courses: Computer Science (A,A)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Harvard, 1 Minnesota, 1 Princeton (They are all pretty strong)
Research Experience: 1 Year part time RA, 1 Summer RA at central bank in my country
Teaching Experience: TA for math and econ
Research Interests: Asset pricing and macro
SOP: normal with customized to each program
Other: I am currently a junior year student.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago($), Northwestern (WL), UPenn ($$), Columbia($$), Minnesota ($$), Wisconsin($$), Boston U($$)
Waitlists: MIT
Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, UMich
Pending: nothing
What would you have done differently? I should not apply this year. I should instead work as an RA for a year or two and then apply. I think then I would have a clear shot at top 5 schools. But well, graduating in three years save me 50,000US worth of tuition fee and now I am happy with Penn, which is very good at Asset Pricing.
Accepts: Acceptances: Chicago($), Northwestern (WL), UPenn ($$), Columbia($$), Minnesota ($$), Wisconsin($$), Boston U($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, UMich
Waitlists:
saucyapples 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts college, majored in Math and Econ (class of 2008)
Undergrad GPA: 3.69
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 630V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: The usual , plus some high level statistics classes. Mostly As, some B's.
Econ Courses: 12 or so, mostly A's and some A-'s.
Other Courses: Some random classes, several about law since when I got to college I wanted to be a lawyer. A's and B's.
Letters of Recommendation: Only from people who know me well and (I think) like me. Two from econ professors with PhD's from top-5 places and one from a reasonably famous math prof.
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis (won an award), RAed for two summers including once abroad, and did field research in Latin America for almost two years after graduation
Teaching Experience: TAed and tutored a couple of math and econ courses. I've also tutored at an underachieving elementary school near my house (which is remarkably similar to tutoring underachieving college students, actually)
Research Interests: Development, IO, Game Theory, Education
SOP: Had it vetted by various economists, they said that it was fine. I wrote about three pages and then for each school only kept the 1-1.5 pages that were most relevant to that program. I'm not really sure how much it matters
Concerns: Had no idea what my LORs actually said.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: HBS($$$, pretty sure that I'm going to take it), Harvard ($$), Cal($$), Michigan ($), BU($), Maryland()
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Duke, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford GSB, Columbia, NYU, Stanford, MIT
What would you have done differently? I got into my dream school, so I'm ecstatic.
Accepts: Acceptances: HBS($$$, pretty sure that I'm
Rejects: Rejections: Duke, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford GSB, Columbia, NYU, Stanford, MIT
Waitlists:
tommyg28 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top UK BA econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.85(ish) equivalent
Type of Grad: MA econ, same uni
Grad GPA: 3.9
GRE: 800Q, 720V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: The usual (real analysis I, II, Topology, functional analysis, linear algebra, ODE I, II, advanced statistics and probability theory, etc.) Mostly As, one A-
Econ Courses: Many: Micro I-IV; Macro I-IV; Econometrics I, II; Economic theory; IO, etc. All As, some A+
Other Courses: None, econ all the way
Letters of Recommendation: From people who knew me well, but alas, few people know them. Nice letters though.
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis and Grad dissertation - they were OK.
Teaching Experience: Coached various sports, but pretty sure this counts for squat
Research Interests: Everything. Probably IO, stock-flow macro dynamics and labour if I had to narrow it down.
SOP: Bland
Concerns: Interpretation of UK grades
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke ($$), U Washington-Seattle ($), Georgetown ($$)
Waitlists: UCLA
Rejections: A lot: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, Yale, Penn, etc.
What would you have done differently? it's been said many times before, but I didn't pay sufficient heed: LORs matter! Unless you have Slightlyconfused's profile you need to get well-known profs to write decent enough LORs. I'm a little disappointed with my outcome. My faculty is pretty weak at the mo, so I don't think I could've done much better. But I should've done my MA elsewhere to get access to better letter of recommendation writers. Shucks.
Accepts: Acceptances: Duke ($$), U Washington-Seattle ($), Georgetown ($$)
Rejects: Rejections: A lot: MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, Yale, Penn, etc.- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: "Don't care anymore."
Enough said.
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Trying to tell myself that I had forgotten about this one.
Alas....
Waitlists:
dale_albo 2010:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, Top South American University.
Undergrad GPA: 6.02/7 (Highest in my Class)
Type of Grad: MSc, Economics, Top South American University.
Grad GPA: 6.5/7 (Highest in my Class)
GRE/TOEFL: 790Q/780V/5.5AWA. 120 TOEFL.
Math Courses: Calculus I-III, Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Inference, Mathematics for Economists (Linear Algebra, some Dynamic Optimization), Advanced Calculus (Should be Real Analysis I), Real Analysis. All A's, except for Calculus I.
Econ Courses (u/g): Intro Micro, Intro Macro, Micro I-II, Macro I-II, Industrial Organization, International Economics, Econometrics. All equivalent to A's or A+
Grad courses: Macro Theory I, Micro Theory I-II, Econometric Theory I-II-III. In my university, I is a joint M.Sc. and Ph.D. course, while the others are Ph.D. courses. Also, Industrial Organization, Public Economics, Enviromental Economics. All equivalent to A's or A+, except for IO, B+.
Letters of Recommendation: All strong, I believe/hope. I moved them around according to the program, but the summary is 2 MIT, 2 Chicago,1 Harvard, 1 UCLA, 1 Georgetown.
Research Experience: Honors thesis, won the poster contest in the annual meeting of my country's economic society. A co-authored working paper, with a classmate, that I have presented a few times and has been submitted for publication. Also, a couple of other co-authored working papers, including one with a professor from my university. Also, a year and a half of being a research assistant for that professor.
Teaching Experience: Been a TA since 2nd year of undergrad for a bunch of courses. Of note, TA for a core Ph.D. econometrics course and for a graduate enviromental economics course. Also, have been teaching Introduction to Economics for a year.
Research Interests: IO, mostly empirical work.
Statement of Purpose: The usual, I talk about my research, what I have done and what I want to do.
Concerns:
No published or in the pipeline research. Just submitted one working paper to a journal, but I haven't heard back from them so I decided not to mention that I had submitted it.
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UPenn, Northwestern, UCLA, Yale.
RESULTS:
Will Attend: MIT.
Acceptances: Chicago, Northwestern ($?), UPenn ($$), UCLA. All declined.
Waitlists: Yale, declined.
Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.
What would you have done differently? Wouldve tried harder to get published last year. Still, I got into my top choice, which is all that matters.
Accepts: Attend: MIT.
Acceptances: Chicago, Northwestern ($?), UPenn ($$), UCLA. All declined.
- Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for first year, 21k 2nd year on.
Notification date: 02/24/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: UPenn Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 22k
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Just got the email, so excited!!
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: None
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: :-D
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision:Accepted
Funding: Samsung Scholarship???
Notification date: 3/15
Notified through: Email
Comments: Blessed.
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notified through: e-mail
Notification date: 3/16/10
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Will decline promptly.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, NYU.- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 04/04
Notified through: Email
Comments: Not surprised, I messed up with my SOP and mentioned at length the work of two professors that had just left the department. Ouch.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: blah blah blah
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 04/04
Notified through: Email
Comments: Not surprised, I messed up with my SOP and mentioned at length the work of two professors that had just left the department. Ouch.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: blah blah blah
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Expected. Congrats to all the admits!
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mailed Susie Madsen.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: She answered quickly, but I think it was because of the fact that there was an earthquake here and Im not going to be getting mail from the US any time soon.
Waitlists: Waitlists: Yale, declined.
- Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/19/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
triple_sec 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: MA in Econ in a small country in Eastern Europe; univ is among the best in the country but has little, if any, international renown
Undergrad GPA: 4.92/5.00, 1st out of 182
Type of Grad: MPhil Econ at another, English-speaking, univ in the same country
Grad GPA: 3.94/4.00
GRE: 800Q, 660V, 4.0AWA (Nov 2007); 800Q, 630V, 4.0AWA (Nov 2009)
TOEFL: 112/120 (30R, 27S, 27L, 28W)
Math Courses: Calculus (actually, it was more like real analysis; 5/5), Linear Algebra, Linear Programming, Multivariate Analysis (4/5, the last three went under the same course), Probability Theory (5/5), Operations Research (5/5), Advanced Math (A, actually Measure Theory)
Econ Courses: Micro (A,A,A), Macro (A,A), Metrics (A,A,A-,5/5), Monetary Theory (5/5), Recursive Macro (5/5), Time Series Analysis (A,5/5), Intl Macro (5/5), Game Theory (5/5), Public Econ (A), Behavioral (A), Metrics Intro (5/5), Public Econ (5/5), Labor (5/5,4/5), IO (5/5), Micro (5/5,5/5), Macro (5/5,5/5), Corporate Finance (5/5)
Other Courses: Statistics minor, plus some Political Science, Accounting, Law (the first two years of my undergrad were rather a joint social sciences—business—econ program before specialization to econ)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 MIT PhD, 1 Harvard PhD), 1 math prof; I guess they were solid
Research Experience: MA thesis (mainly a survey but contains also a standalone RBC model) plus a preliminary project for a series of research seminars
Teaching Experience: a lot, TA for 7 courses altogether (4 math, 1 grad macro, 1 undergrad micro, 1 undergrad macro) and much, much tutoring
Research Interests: econ of information, mechanism design, macro
SOP: Enthusiastic as it should be, emphasizes eagerness for research
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Northwestern, Duke (declined)
Waitlists: Princeton, UPenn (asked them to take me off)
Rejections: MIT, MIT Operations Research, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, Stanford
What would you have done differently? I don't know. What could I have done differently to get into my absolute, unsurpassable dream school, MIT? Probably nothing. I have to come to terms with the fact that either I'm not *that* good or this year has been unusually competitive (or both). Anyways, I'm extremely delighted with my actual offers—I would be a moron if I weren't, of course.
Accepts: Acceptances: Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Northwestern, Duke (declined)
- Institution: Yale Econ
Decision: Acceptance
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: Northwestern Econ
Decision: Acceptance
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: Duke Econ
Decision: Acceptance
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: University of California, Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not specified yet
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Interview over the phone
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: I'm really in a dilemma, in a good sense. Also in at Yale.
- Institution: University of California, Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not specified yet
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Interview over the phone
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: I'm really in a dilemma, in a good sense. Also in at Yale.
- Institution: New York University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 03/09/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: Yes
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, MIT Operations Research, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, Stanford
- Institution: MIT Operations Research
Decision: Rejection
Notification date: 2/20
Notified through: First called for interview, the program director told me they were impressed but I don't fit in; then also in email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: Harvard Econ
Decision: Rejection
Notification date: ?
Notified through: No admission letter
Posted on GF: No
- Institution: Columbia Econ
Decision: Rejection
Notification date: ?
Notified through: No admission letter
Posted on GF: No
Waiting: MIT Econ, Princeton, NYU, Penn, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: It has been obvious to me since all admitted applicants (including one of my schoolmates) received info last week.
- Institution: The University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail (breaking the alleged tradition)
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: It's OK.
- Institution: Columbia Econ
Decision: Rejection
Notification date: ?
Notified through: No admission letter
Posted on GF: No
Waiting: MIT Econ, Princeton, NYU, Penn, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: It has been obvious to me since all admitted applicants (including one of my schoolmates) received info last week.
- Institution: The University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail (breaking the alleged tradition)
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: It's OK.
- Institution: Stanford University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Expected
- Institution: Harvard University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/12/2010
Notified through: Postal mail
- Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: OK, I know but this one hurt. Congrats to all admits, anyways. My admiration (and envy ) will haunt you.
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Rejected from the wait list
Notification date: 4/14/10
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists: Waitlists: Princeton, UPenn (asked them to take me off)
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: $25,750 p.a. if accepted (weird that waitlistees are offered less than those guys admitted in the first place)
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: Congrats to those admitted! :-)
askua 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. (honours)-Econ and Math, large Canadian University
Undergrad GPA: Overall: 3.85, excluding first year: 4.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 780Q 580V 6.0AWA
Math Courses (undergrad-level): Calc 1-4, Math stats 1-2, analysis 1-2, linear 1-2, analysis for econ, math for econ 1-2 (if this counts?); All A's or A+
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro 1-4, macro 1-4, econometrics 1-2, IO 1-2, international trade 1-2, money and banking; All A's or A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): IO (A)
Other Courses: a few German courses
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ profs (1 Berkeley, 1 Minnesota, 1 Toronto) ... all taught me one or more courses.
Research Experience: Barely any ... just one paper for the grad IO.
Teaching Experience: tutor for 4 years
Research Interests: applied micro (health, IO)
statement of purpose: Preparation, goals, research interests
Concerns: reputation of undergrad
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Davis (no first year funding), UW Madison (no first year funding), UBC (PhD, $$) Toronto MA (doctoral stream, $$)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Yale, Columbia, Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, UCSD
Pending: None
What would you have done differently? I would have only gone to a different undergrad if I had known four years ago that I wanted to do a PhD in Economics. However, in retrospect, I might have tried to get more RA experience and done a double degree in Math and Econ rather than just a minor in math. Although I am pretty happy with my results given what type of a student I was in high school (not good). I am very lucky and not complaining. I think out of most of the top 20s, UBC and Madison are the best two fits for me so I think I was appropriately placed. Good luck to everyone in future cycles!
Accepts: Acceptances: UC Davis (no first year funding), UW Madison (no first year funding), UBC (PhD, $$) Toronto MA (doctoral stream, $$)
- Institution: UC Davis Economics
Decision: Admitted.
Notification Date: 2/15
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes
- Institution: Davis Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None for first year
Notification date: 2/15
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/15
Comments: Relieved
- Institution: University of Toronto MA doctoral stream
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 15K (TA/fellowship) + 3K (summer) + tuition
Notified through: E-mail
Date: 3/8
Comment: And so the dilemma begins ...
- Institution: UBC Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/25
Notified through: Email and mailing
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Funding?
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Columbia, Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford, UCSD
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2010
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes, 02/18
Comments: Expected
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/18
Comments: Expected
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I wish I could say I didn't see this coming. Oh well.
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Not exactly heartbroken, but not thrilled either. I guess you could say I am indifferent...
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: Yes, today
Comment: Getting used to rejection.
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: Yes, 2/18
Comments: Expected
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I wish I could say I didn't see this coming. Oh well.
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Not exactly heartbroken, but not thrilled either. I guess you could say I am indifferent...
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: Yes, today
Comment: Getting used to rejection.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email, and letter.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: At least I get my money's worth. International postage!
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Don't mind.
Waitlists:
econslave 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics from top 15 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.7ish
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q / 630V / 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I/II, Intro to Statistics, Probability Theory, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Discrete Math, Ordinary Differential Equations, Real Analysis (Note: Some grades were good, but most were not.)
Econ Courses (Undergraduate): A lot of basic field courses, but also econometrics and advanced theoretical econometrics
Econ Courses (Graduate): N/A
Letters of Recommendation: (1) RA-ed for 2.5 years; (2) RA-ed for, co-authored decent article with, advised for thesis, and took two courses with; (3) Took an advanced economics course with as an undergraduate and did very well in the class (Note: None of the letter-writers are well-known, but all went to top 10 PhD programs.)
Research Experience: 2.5 years RA for one professor, 1 year RA for another professor, undergraduate thesis (ranked best), summer RA at prestigious policy think-tanks, 1 year full-time RA position with top 10 school professor
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Behavioral/experimental, decision theory, micro theory, applied micro
Concerns: Lacking in math (not many classes and less-than-stellar grades). Didn’t graduate with any honors or anything.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
Waitlist: Minnesota
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth
What would you have done differently? Besides getting better grades as an undergraduate, not much. I applied to all of the top 20 and several others, and got into a few great schools. Perhaps I would’ve taken a different RA position, but it seems to have worked out anyway.
Accepts: Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Don't know
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: Checked website
Posted on GF: No
Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Don't know
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: Checked website
Posted on GF: No
Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Accepted!!
Funding: To arrive via e-mail next week
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Flyout March 31-April 1 ... Financial info to arrive next week. It was a personalized message. So happy!
- Institution: Boston University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Nice, but I'll probably turn down the offer soon.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/16
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: First "official" rejection. Trying to keep the faith.
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: None
Notified Through: Checked online status
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: No good news yet...
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis and Policy
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified Through: E-mail to check website
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: Not surprised, still worried
- Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/16
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 1
- Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 2
- Institution: Stanford GSB Ph.D. Economic Analysis & Policy
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 3
- Institution: Chicago Booth Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 4
- Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Checked website
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: 5
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Funding: Laughing to hide the tears...
Comments: This is old news by now.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: See decision.
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Funding: Laughing to hide the tears...
Comments: This is old news by now.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: See decision.
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ...
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail (unofficial personalized rejection)
Posted on GF: No
Comment: This one really really sucks.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Don't care anymore
- Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Not surprised at this point.
- Institution: Penn State University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ...
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: E-mail (from Lynn Sebulsky)
Posted on GC: No
Comment: More rejections --> disutility
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ...
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: Snail mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Hm.
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ...
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: Postal mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Big shocker...
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Expected by now.
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Everything is alright.
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I'm so surprised...
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: E-mail (with PDF attachment)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: It's ok.
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: ...
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Oh well.
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Reject
Funding: ...
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not surprised by now.
- Institution: U Maryland Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/20/10
Notified through: E-mail to Check Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not new news.[/QUOTE]
- Institution: UT-Austin Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Oh well.
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/25
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists: Waitlist: Minnesota
- Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one)
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.
- Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one)
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.
decision09 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 overall, top 15 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.75/4.00 Graduated High Honors Economics
GRE: 760Q, 580V, 5.0 AW (last year 740Q)
Math Courses: Analysis I (B)(blew first 2 exams but aced final to save myself), Modern Algebra (B+), Probability Theory (A-), Ord Diff Eq (A), Combinatorics(Winter 2010), CalcI,II,II,LA(A)
Math Courses (Grad): Intro Topology (Winter 2010)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (A-), Random Field Courses (A), Research Seminars (B+(due to ULWriting) and A), Game Theory (A), Time series Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (Grad): Micro I (B+), Micro II (B), Econometrics I (B), Math for Economists (B)
Letters of Recommendation: Well-known senior professor from research seminar
The other from a younger associate prof, said he wrote me an A+ letter (took game theory with him + unofficial adviser)
Research Experience: Financial econometrics research for senior thesis(publication: in process); experimental micro theory research. Labor research paper that will likely become my third year paper for my PhD, it caught the interest of a Senior person at my undergrad institution.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Everything but Theoretical Econometrics.
Statement of Purpose: Much better the second time around but still about 1800 words, I had a few things to write about my career outside of econ and how it will influence my research.
Other:
Concerns: Poor performance in critical math classes, test jitters!
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Accepts: Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejects: Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Waitlists:
whoisdg 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Math and Economics, Tufts U
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 Math, 4.0 Econ (Summa/PBK)
GRE: 800Q 780V 5.0 AWA
Math Courses (UG): Standard lower level curriculum, all A/A+; Real Analysis (A); Abstract Alg (B+); Complex Variables (A-); Probability (B – explained in SOP); Math Stats (A)
Econ Courses (UG): Principles of Economics (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Quant. Intermediate Macro (A), Advanced Econometrics (A), Financial Economics (A), International Trade (A), Quant. International Finance (A), State and Local Public Finance (A)
Letters of Recommendation: Michigan PhD, Stanford PhD, Duke Math PhD (two were advisors, both of whom know me very well; none are especially well known)
Research Experience: Theoretical-Empirical term paper in international trade; RA at policy research organization. **No THESIS. No academic RA.**
Research Interests: Diverse. Mostly applied micro.
Statement of purpose: Don’t have any standard for comparison...but I actually think it mattered, contrary to popular opinion. More on that below.
Other: Worked in management consulting for six months after college; a couple of national scholarships in college (e.g. NMSP); solid programming background.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Michigan ($$), Penn (Waitlisted “very high” for $$), UCSD ($$), Wisconsin (withdrew before funding offer made), UT (withdrew before funding offer made)
Waitlists: MIT, awaiting rejection
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Chicago, Yale, NWU
NSF: Honorable mention (Intellectual Merit: 2 Excellent, 1 Good; Broader Impacts: 2 Excellent, 1 Very Good. Argh!)
What would you have done differently? Lots to say here. First of all, a THESIS. The one reviewer that submarined my NSF proposal clearly wanted to see more independent research experience. I’m pretty sure that was the deal breaker. Even though undergraduate theses (or “first papers”, more generally) are usually pretty bad, they are (1) an important signal of interest in and ability to do independent research, and (2) a significant learning experience. It might have been useful to take grad-level core courses, but I don’t think they’re necessary – the math courses convey the necessary skill set. Similarly, it might have been useful to RA as an undergrad, but again, from what I understand those roles are usually menial unless you have good programming/data skills.
I've also spent two years in the working world. For me, this experience was incredibly valuable. It's not for everyone, but I think it has a lot to offer - exposure to lots of interesting situations and questions, confirmation of your interest in research career, personal growth, big dollar.
Important note: I think the adcoms took the SOP more seriously than I had anticipated. Several possible explanations for this observation. The increase in applications probably leaves marginally admissible candidates indistinguishable from one another, and the statement might therefore be used as a second- or third-order criterion. Or maybe they really do sort applicants according to fit. Or maybe I’m just imagining things! In any case – I called out my interests in applied fields more than theory, and in some more specific topics that interest me (e.g. tournaments, peer effects, evaluation), and the decisions I got seemed to sort themselves accordingly. If I could change anything, I'd probably shift a little weight from applied to theoretical micro.
Overall, I’m thrilled with Berkeley. Ex-post,it’s my third-most desired program, behind the Cambridge contingent. My only disappointment is NSF – I really thought I could snag it. In any case, I now have a well-developed idea to embark upon this summer, so the process is valuable in and of itself.
Good luck to all future applicants. I hope this information is helpful!
Accepts: Acceptances: Berkeley ($$), Michigan ($$), Penn (
Rejects: rejection
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Chicago, Yale, NWU
NSF:
Waitlists: Waitlisted “very high” for $$), UCSD ($$), Wisconsin (withdrew before funding offer made), UT (withdrew before funding offer made)
Waitlists: MIT, awaiting
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:
in_limbo 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ and Math from a top U.S public with a good Econ PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 640V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses(undergrad): Calculus(I-III), Linear Algebra, Diff eq, Discrete, Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Chaotic Dynamical systems, Probability, Topology
Math Courses(grad): Analysis, Measure Theory
Econ Courses(undergrad): standard, including Econometrics and Advanced Macro
Econ Courses (grad): Quant Methods, Macro I and II.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ, 1 Math. Did some good RA work for one of them
Research Experience: RA for about a year and currently doing an honors thesis
Teaching Experience: Principles, Intermediate Micro
Research Interests: Macro theory and public finance
statement of purpose: pretty standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Minnesota($$), LSE-EME(no$)
Waitlists: UCLA (Withdrawn)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, NYU, Northwestern
Attending: Minnesota
What would you have done differently?
I am extremely happy with my outcome. Minnesota was always a top choice for me given my research interests and I probably would have chosen to go there over most of the other schools I applied to. That being said, in retrospect it was probably a good idea to apply to some safeties given the tough admissions season. Also, my grades in some classes weren't stellar which is probably why I was rejected at many of the other top places. My advice to those applying in the future is to really concentrate on getting As in important math classes. The margin for error is minimal and the difference between a B+ and an A is larger than you might think. I think its also extremely helpful to have a good idea of what you might want to study as you can then apply to schools that may not be top 5 overall by have fantastic programs in your chosen field. However, the most important part of your application are your recommendation letters and these can very often make up for other parts that are lacking.
Accepts: Acceptances: Minnesota($$), LSE-EME(no$)
- Institution: LSE EME(Research)
Decision: Admitted
Funding: None
Notification date: 3/23/10
Notified through: website
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, NYU, Northwestern
- Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Track 1
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/9/10
Notified through: website
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 2/18
Notified Through: Checked Online Status
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: damn..
- Institution: Northwestern
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: still no admit :(
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Website
Comments: still no acceptance, this is depressing
- Institution: Northwestern
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: still no admit
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Website
Comments: still no acceptance, this is depressing
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists: Waitlists: UCLA (Withdrawn)
- Institution: Minnesota
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: 20K, if accepted
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Notification date: 3/17/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: hmm..
roadvirusss 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Liberal Arts College.
Majors: BA Math, BA Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.93/4 (3.93 math, 3.97 econ)
GRE: 800 Q, 610 V, 6 AW
Mathematical Courses: Linear Algebra (A-), Vector Calculus (A), Cryptography (A-), Combinatorics (A), Intro to Analysis (A), Differential Equations (A), Real Analysis I (A-), Real Analysis II (A), Probability Theory (A), Statistical Theory (A), Complex Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra I (A), Deterministic Ops Research (Spring), Topology (Spring)
Econ Courses: Intro Macro (A-), Intro Micro (A), Empirical Methods (A), Econ Stats (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), International Econ (A), Energy Economics (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Advanced Micro (Spring)
Other Courses: Took five semesters of Chinese (didn't have time for the minor), though I doubt this will help.
Letters of Recommendation: One econ prof (did research with, took three classes with), chair of math department (took several classes with, academic advisor), math professor who was director at summer REU (worked with for two months). None are particularly reputable, but all three I know fairly well and will write solid recs.
Research Experience: Summer grant for econ research, math REU in graph theory (I'm continuing both projects for senior theses right now)
Teaching Experience: None aside from grading
Research Interests: Micro Theory
Concerns: No graduate level courses offered at my school, lack of big-name recs.
Work Experience: "Head Statistician" for the school's football and basketball teams, tutoring calculus, four semesters of grading (calc, multivariable, prob theory, real analysis), and those two research positions.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: BU($$), UW($), Cornell(no$)
Rejections: Yale, Kellogg, Berkeley, Princeton, NYU-Stern, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Caltech, UCSD
Waitlists: UCLA (rejected)
Attending: None. A tough decision, but for a number of reason's I'm going to take a year off. Has just as much to do with wanting to make certain of what I want to do with my life, as with increasing the number of options.
Done differently?: Perhaps I could have spent more time researching schools and individualizing my essays. Going way back, I should have been more active finding research opportunities, or maybe chosen to attend a more prestigious school
Accepts: Acceptances: BU($$), UW($), Cornell(no$)
- Institution: Boston University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: Yearly stipend of $19,300 (requires TAing starting second year), summer funding
Notification date: 1st March
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: A great birthday present
- Institution: University of Washington Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: $
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: In the running
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision:
Admit
Funding:
No chance
Notification date: 03/17/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Kellogg, Berkeley, Princeton, NYU-Stern, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Caltech, UCSD
- Institution: Yale Econ
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 19 February 2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No
Comments: A day late, but expected.
- Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 19th Feb February
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Definitely hurts less now
- Institution: Kellogg MEcS PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: March 1st
Notified through: Randomly checked website (letter dated 2/28)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Figured I was out after not getting an interview
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: There goes that dream... just seems to be the way things are going though.
- Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 19th Feb February
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Definitely hurts less now
- Institution: Kellogg MEcS PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: March 1st
Notified through: Randomly checked website (letter dated 2/28)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Figured I was out after not getting an interview
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: There goes that dream... just seems to be the way things are going though.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: Meh
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Not surprising after my other decisions. But ex ante I thought I had a chance at some of these top schools...
- Institution: NYU Stern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: email to check online
Posted on GF: No
Comments: pwned!
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email, and letter.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: No surprises.
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: And it's over
Waitlists: Waitlists: UCLA (- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Notification date: 3/17/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Disappointing, but at least I'm still in the hunt
Springsteen 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Management, European university
Undergrad GPA: 17/20 - ranked 2nd out of 116
Type of Grad: M.Sc. Economics, same university
Undergrad GPA: 17/20
GRE: 800Q, 410V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses(undergrad): Mathematics I, Mathematics II, Mathematics III, Statistics I, Statistics II (covers linear algebra, calculus, ODE, probability theory, etc...)
Econ Courses(undergrad): Microeconomics I, Macroeconomics I, Microeconomics II, Econometrics
Math Courses(grad): Advanced Mathematics (covers topology and optimization theory)
Econ Courses(grad): Microeconomic Theory, Advanced Macroeconomics, Advanced Econometrics, IO, Regulation, International Money and Finance, Game Theory, Information and Uncertainty, Microeconometrics
Other Courses: Some Management courses that I hated
Letters of Recommendation: 1 senior econ (phd MIT), 1 senior econ (phd Chicago), 1 junior econ (phd MIT)
Research Experience: graduate thesis (completing)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Micro theory: Game Theory, Contract theory, Mechanism Design, Auctions
SOP: standard
Concerns: Low AWA,
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NW (waitlisted for first year funding), UPenn (waitlisted for first year funding)
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UW-M, UMichigan, LSE, Cornell
Comments: I am extremely happy with this outcome!! But, since I have been rejected at 13 universities out of 15, and many universities ranked lower than NW rejected me, I guess I was lucky to ge in NW!
What would you have done differently? Take real analysis (although it was not offered at my university...), RA to get stronger LORs
Attending: Northwestern University!
Accepts: Acceptances: NW (waitlisted for first year funding), UPenn (waitlisted for first year funding)
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist for first year
Notification date: Feb 24, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: [dance]
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "very high on the wait list for first year"
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Comment: :)
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist for first year
Notification date: Feb 24, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "very high on the wait list for first year"
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email
Comment:
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, UW-M, UMichigan, LSE, Cornell
Comments: I am extremely happy with this outcome!! But, since I have been rejected at 13 universities out of 15, and many universities ranked lower than NW rejected me, I guess I was lucky to ge in NW!
- Institution:Cornell Econ
Decision:Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date:8th Feb 2010
Notified through:email
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 8th feb
1st rejection (feels preetty bad)
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Yeah Right
Notification date: 18 feb
Notified Through: email to check online status
Posted on Grad Cafe: no
Comment: Who will be the next to reject me?
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Yeah right
Notification date: Feb 08, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: :smack: So early in the game...
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Yeah right
Notification date: Feb 18, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: :doh:
- Institution: LSE Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: Feb 23, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: :eek:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Couldn't care less:)
- Institution: U Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: lol
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: ---
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: ...
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Yeah right
Notification date: Feb 08, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
So early in the game...
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Yeah right
Notification date: Feb 18, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: LSE Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: Feb 23, 2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Couldn't care less
- Institution: U Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: lol
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: ---
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: Yeah right
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Oh Crap
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Expected
- Institution: MIT Economics Phd.
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Notification date: 03/16
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Northwestern, here I come
Waitlists:
dauntilus 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in econ & math at top 10 econ dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.88
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA: 4
GRE: 800q, 660v, 5w
Math Courses: Linear algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Complex Analysis (A-), Probability (A)
Econ Courses: Undergrad: Intermediate Micro, Macro (A, A), Game Theory (A), Financial Econ (A), Metrics (A)
Grad: Micro (A), Game Theory (A), Psych in Econ (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 great letters from good economics faculty with a record of putting students into top schools. 2 knew me very well, 1 not as well.
Research Experience: 2 years RA experience for 1 professor, no publications
Research Interests: Applied micro, Behavioral econ
SOP: More or less polished, minor changes for each school. I found 1 small typo in 1 school's SOP after submitting.
RESULTS:
Attending: MIT
Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern Waitlists: NYU
Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
What would you have done differently? I would have started taking grad classes my third year- I thought they would be harder than they are.
Accepts: Attending: MIT
Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern - Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 28k
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: Yale
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 37k
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon)
Notified through: Email
Funding: 23k for 4 years
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon)
Notified through: Email
Funding: 23k for 4 years
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision:Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for funding
Notification date: 3/15
Notified through: Email
Comments: Should have applied for NSF
Rejects: Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
- Institution: Harvard Business School Busec
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: Phone + email, after I interviewed
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: Harvard
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: MIT Sloan
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Expected
Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
- Institution: MIT Sloan
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
Expected
Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
Waitlists:
dsdoodle 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ/B.A. Math from large state/30ish ranked Econ PhD program in US
Undergrad GPA: 3.72/4
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 760Q, 500V, 6.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc I, II, III, Multivariate Calc I, II, Linear algebra, Differential equations, Math reasoning, Linear analysis, Real analysis (I, II), Linear optimization, discrete modeling (avg gpa 3.71, upper level classes 3.9)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro I, II (B) (skipped undergrad version of micro theory and first micro class since Freshman year... which is somewhat of an excuse for the poor grade)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Monetary (2 classes), Econometrics, Biological resources, International trade, International macro, Applied econometrics.. all As
Letters of Recommendation: My honors thesis adviser (Harvard PhD), prof whom I am RAing for right now (Harvard PhD), prof whom I took two monetary classes from who thinks I'm one of his best student in the last few years (Rochester PhD), prof whom I took an applied econometric class and will be RAing for starting in January (Yale PhD)
Research Experience: Summer internship at non-profit economic research organization, Honors thesis that won an award, RAing with a professor in macro - did work on two papers and coauthoring on a third, RA'd for two professors in labor, editing a macroeconomics textbook for a new edition
Teaching Experience: Grader for econometrics and international trade classes
Research Interests: Environmental, monetary, macro
Statement of purpose: Discussed how I'm taking a year off to do research, made a slight mention of my lower GRE score but high math grades
Concerns: Too much competition!! And maybe the fact that I didn't do well in my grad level micro classes.
Other: Thy will be done.
Applying to: Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, UCSD, UC-Irvine, Washington, WUSTL, Hong Kong University, Boston College, Virginia
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Hong Kong University, UC-Irvine, Texas-Austin, Minnesota (off the long waitlist)
Rejections: Everywhere else (was withdrawn at UW because I work there and the DGS found out I got a better offer and thus withdrew me..oh well)
Attending: University of Minnesota (TA-ship funding)
What would you have done differently?
Section in bold is my updated response after getting an offer from Minnesota on 4/20.
Wow! I am so, so thankful and am so blessed to have a chance to go to my first choice school. I think what made a huge impact was getting the top professor at my school to send a quick note about me to the department and Minnesota. Why do I think this? Because the DGS actually responded and thanked him for recommending me! It's amazing... so if you are in a similar situation as I am where you are on a long waitlist, there are things you can do to get a shot at the incoming class. These things are (these are things that I did):
1) Have a few professors vouch for you. In my case, I had a lot more stuff going on with research after I've applied... and the professors I was working for could send in a note about what I'm doing now or have done for them. Let them know about the waitlist situation and see if they can email or call the department on your behalf. Anything for them to look at your profile again is good.
2) Visit the school. They probably won't pay for your visit, but going there is helpful to first see whether this is the place you want to go and to show that your interest is more than just talk. Obviously anyone can say a school is their first choice school but not everyone will back that up with the money and time it takes to make a visit.
3) Keep in close contact with the school. Don't overdo this... I wouldn't send one email everyday but keep the contact going. I sent two emails that were not responded to asking about the waitlist, but I sent one today (the 20th, so it was after the deadline) and I think it made the DGS look at my application one more time - because he mentioned that he looked at my application again and their situation this year and decided to make me an offer.
4) Pray! I don't presume everyone to believe in the Christian God as I do, so this may not apply to you. But from the beginning, I've prayed that God will send me where I can be best used. Honestly, the morning I got the email accepting me to the program, I thought to myself that everything so far has seemed like God is calling me to Minnesota... from my interests, things I was doing in my RAships, talks with current students, and so on... everything pointed to UMN. Like I said, I trusted that God will bring me where He wanted me to be... and whether that's Texas or Minnesota, I was completely at peace with it. In fact, my interest in Minnesota started out with the reason that there's a pastor, whom I respect very much, who had a church very close to the UMN campus. But I can't stress the importance of prayer and can't fully comprehend God's grace in all of this.
I'm not positive about this, but I may have jumped over some people on the short waitlist (or maybe they all already got offers to come, who knows?). Regardless... I'm very happy to have a chance to get my PhD at Minnesota. Please PM me if you are in a similar situation and need some help.
Now below is the stuff I wrote before I got into UMN... which I'm going to keep here since there are still some good (I hope) information in there.
I am pretty pleased with the results. I think my GRE score and a low grad micro score probably kept me out of most places, as people in the forum said. I don't think a GRE score of 760 will mean you are automatically out, but because there are many others with the exact same grades and research experience (and even better) than you, you really don't want to have a disadvantage in anything. So I guess I may have tried to do better on the GRE (I did, but got the same score) and probably either not take grad micro or know that it was a bad idea to take grad micro when the last micro class you had was 3 years ago in freshman year.
I also may have looked into applying to more target schools instead of reaches.
My first choice was Minnesota, so I am grateful to have been waitlisted and I actually went to visit and had a few professors contact the department to vouch for me. Texas is a great place as well so I am blessed to have that as my "backup", when having it as a first choice would have been more than exciting.
I would also want to repeat what my professor said about applying for econ phd programs - that it's a random process and the only way to increase your chances is to increase the number of trials. Apply to more schools! If you are thinking about applying to less schools to save like 500-1000 dollars, then think about this: $1000 is nothing compared to getting full funding from a school for 5 years. You really, really don't want to miss out on a school that might have given you full funding just because you wanted to save $100. I would recommend everyone to apply to at least 12 programs - 2 reaches, 8 targets, 2 safeties... but it's probably better to apply to 4 reaches, 8 targets, and 4 safeties.
Don't be shocked if a safety school rejects you. It happens.. and in my case those schools were probably very borderline safety schools.
And the most important advice: There's still time to network with professors. It goes a long way if you have good connections with the professors at your school. They are willing to help those they know and think is capable. So look for research opportunities and attend departmental events!
In the end, God provided me with a great place to go and a great experience visiting schools... I'm very happy with the results.
Accepts: Acceptances: Hong Kong University, UC-Irvine, Texas-Austin, Minnesota (off the long - Institution: Hong Kong University Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Either 2.5k a year or 15k a year, depending on whether I get a fellowship I was nominated for
Notification date: 2/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Not planning on going
- Institution: UC-Irvine Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16.5k TAship, +registration and educational fees and health insurance
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: Pretty relieved that the worst I can do is UC-Irvine with full funding. 13 more to go!
- Institution: UC-Irvine Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16.5k TAship, +registration and educational fees and health insurance
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: Pretty relieved that the worst I can do is UC-Irvine with full funding. 13 more to go!
- Institution: Texas (Austin) Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: TAship... will know in a few days
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Awesome!!
Rejects: Rejections: Everywhere else (was withdrawn at UW because I work there and the DGS found out I got a better offer and thus withdrew me..oh well)
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Mass email it seems like, was definitely a reach!
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: My last name starts with a W, so they are probably getting to the end of the list!
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Finally... last name starts with a W (might as well stand for Wait-a-long-time-for-any-news) :)
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: Well, knew for a few days since someone posted that all offers/waitlists have been sent out. Already had this one as an "out" but I was actually pretty impressed with their letter. Very nicely written!
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Mass email it seems like, was definitely a reach!
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: My last name starts with a W, so they are probably getting to the end of the list!
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Finally... last name starts with a W (might as well stand for Wait-a-long-time-for-any-news)
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: Well, knew for a few days since someone posted that all offers/waitlists have been sent out. Already had this one as an "out" but I was actually pretty impressed with their letter. Very nicely written!
- Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Waiting is over!
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Can't say I didn't expect it!
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: Got email back from Marge
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Oh well.
Waitlists: waitlist)
- Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: If I got waitlisted at Minnesota, that significantly increased my hopes at other schools in that same tier or a bit below.
kimbanator 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Business Economics, B.A. in History from top 50 overall undergrad, top 40ish econ phd program
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00 (same for both majors)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 670V, 5.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I (A), Calculus II (A-), Intro Stats (A+), Applied Stats for Econ (A+), Linear Programming (A), Calc III (taken in fall, A), Vector Analysis (winter), Linear Algebra (winter), Intro Proofs (winter), Advanced. Calc (i.e. RA I) (spring), Probability Theory (spring)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles Micro (A+), Principles Macro (A+), Intermediate Micro I (A+), Intermediate Micro II (A+), Econometrics (A+), Intermediate Macro (A+), Corporate Finance I (A), Corporate Finance II (A+), International Trade (fall, A), Applied Econometrics (Master's level, fall; A)l
Other Courses: Financial Accounting (A+), Managerial Accounting (A+), Federal Tax Accounting (A+), Operations Management (B+), Business Law (A+); lots of history courses; primarily modern US/Europe, some Latin American
Letters of Recommendation: 3-5 per school; at least 2 were very strong; others strong. one letter of recommendation is very well known but he didn't know me that well at the time.
Research Experience: Senior Thesis (International Trade), RA beginning in fall
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: International Trade, Industrial Organization, Economic History, applied micro in general...
Statement of Purpose: Probably a bit long. Justified the history degree and explained I'd have all the requisite math done.
Work Experience: Two summers of work in treasury (private sector), one summer in corporate finance.
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, Stanford, Chicago, UCLA, UCSD.
Other: Lots of awards/scholarships won within the department. Applied to NSF unsuccessfully.
RESULTS:
Attending: {}
Acceptances: {}
Waitlist: MIT
Rejections: everywhere
What would you have done differently?
At the time of my application, I only had completed Calc II. That's it. My advisors pressured me to apply in this cycle, and with a great job offer in my pocket, I could afford to be very risky. And it didn't pan out, as expected. Interestingly, MIT waitlisted me and I received very positive feedback from their adcom. Yes, the lack of math killed me. I imagine my argument for my history background might have been a bit polarizing too, I don't know (but NSF liked the diversity, and I think MIT did, too). The bottom line is that I will apply next fall to a much broader portfolio of schools with the math all done and I'm confident the results will be much better.
Accepts: Attending: {}
Acceptances: {}
Rejects: Rejections: everywhere- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: Well, rats.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: I don't care about this one. Highly unlikely I would have attended, anyway.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: Well, rats.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: I don't care about this one. Highly unlikely I would have attended, anyway.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Meh, didn't want to move to New Jersey anyway. lol.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: Postal mail
Comments: Bummer.
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Postal Service
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Would have been shocked if it were otherwise
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: E-mail (with PDF attachment)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: 0/7.
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Somewhat surprised.
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/12/10
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Working for a year, finishing an RA project over the summer, and taking more math. Applying in the fall and expecting much better results.
Waitlists: Waitlist: MIT
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: Mar 17
Notified through: email
Funding: N/A
Comments: So NSF is my MIT application.
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:
PerfectMarkets 2010:
Profile
Type of Undergrad: BS in Econ, minor in math at MIT
Undergrad GPA: 4.7/5.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 790V, 5.5AW
Math Courses (+/- grades aren't recorded): Multivariable Calculus (Pass) Probability/Statistics (B); Differential Equations (B); Linear Algebra (B); Advanced Statistics (A); Real Analysis (A); Discrete Applied Math (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Macro (B); Intermediate Micro(A) ; a bunch of field courses (all A's); Econometrics (A); Economics Research/ Paper writing (A); Game Theory(B); grad labor (A);
Other Courses: Some computer science classes, some finance
Letters of Recommendation: 1 senior lecturer who had worked on a project with me, 1 senior prof who I RA's for back in freshman year, 1 senior prof who I took grad labor with, 1 senior prof who I took two classes with.
Research Experience: RA'd for freshman summer and 2 semesters in junior year
Publications: None.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Applied micro and central bank policy
Statement of purpose: Uninteresting, talked about how I like applied micro and was good at Stata. Didn't really mention the macro interest at all.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$) (Attending), Cornell ($$$), NSF fellowship
Waitlists: MIT (eventually rejected, got so close)
Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago, Michigan, NYU, Princeton
What would you have done differently? Ouch, lots of rejections. I would have done better on my math classes, and moved the order I took them around. I should have taken analysis earlier and linear algebra later to free up my schedule. I could maybe have taken some of the intro grad sequence, but I feel like I would've just gotten a B against the grad students here and it would just look worse, so hard to say. My recommenders were very well known, and I think the letters should have been solid, if not completely glowing. I don't know if this helped or hurt me; certainly they have been very supportive throughout this process, but maybe I would have been better off working with a junior faculty and getting a very effusive review. I pinned a lot of hope on the NSF award, but it didn't reverse any decisions, even though it got me much closer to getting off the MIT waitlist. So, the NSF isn't magical. Though money is nice. I also spent two summers working in consulting, which was bad in terms of apps but good in making me realize that I wanted to apply to grad school. I have to chalk up my results to an insanely competitive year and spotty math grades in important classes.
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern ($$) (Attending), Cornell ($$$), NSF fellowship
- Institution: Northwestern econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Waitlisted for first year funding
- Institution: Northwestern econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Waitlisted for first year funding
Rejects: rejected, got so close)
Rejections: Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, Chicago, Michigan, NYU, Princeton- Institution: Yale Econ
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists: Waitlists: MIT (eventually - Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: Mar 17
Notified through: email
Funding: sup NSF, I'm banking on obscure home state
Comments: I've never had luck with waitlists, but it's better than a rejection
msu2010 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Big Ten School
Undergrad GPA: 3.7/4.0
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 790Q 550V
Math Courses: I did a math major, the typical math courses
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Grad Metrics, nothing else outstanding
Other Courses: Some science courses (physics)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 very well known, 1 well know, 1 newer prof (all econ)
Research Experience: Wrote and presented paper at a conference, no publications or anything outstanding
Teaching Experience:TA for intro econ
Research Interests: Labor/Micro/Metrics
SOP: Very odd statement
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Boston College ($), University of Virginia ($), Ohio State ($$), Illinois ($$), Boston University, Arizona, UCSB, UC Davis, George Mason
Rejections: Too Many
Stanford, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, a lot more, I really am drawing a blank...
What would you have done differently? Gotten a better GPA. I guess a few things, but its over and I am happy, two years ago I didn't think I would be here. I am happy to be going to Boston College in the fall. Its not Stanford, but it suits me
Accepts: Acceptances: Boston College ($), University of Virginia ($), Ohio State ($$), Illinois ($$), Boston University, Arizona, UCSB, UC Davis, George Mason
- Institution: UCSB Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 02/26/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: Where is the money?!
- Institution: UCSB Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 02/26/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: Where is the money?!
- Institution: George Mason University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: hmmm...
- Institution: U Arizona Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: No first year funding
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Sad that I don't have funding anywhere
- Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TA 5 years 17,000
Notification date: 3/23/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: N0
Comments: FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Institution: Boston University Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: prob not
Notification date: 3/24/10
Notified through: Email
Comments: Suprise
Rejects: Rejections: Too Many
Stanford, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, a lot more, I really am drawing a blank...
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: No one wants me :/
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: I give up
- Institution: Penn State University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: E-mail (from Lynn Sebulsky)
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Email (check website)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I have taken enough of a beating to expect this
Waitlists: - Institution: Boston College Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 03/01/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: ugh
helpzwouldbenice 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.79/4.00
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800Q 710V 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Multivariable Calc (A); Linear Algebra (P); DiffEq (A-); Intro Proofs (A-);
Econ Courses: Intro Econ (B+), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econ Stats (A), Econometrics (A), Trade (A-), Public Econ (A-)
Other Courses: Took a year of physics, lots of random courses. Lots of A's in courses an econ student typically wouldn't take, like Religion and Chinese.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Math Dept. Prof, 1 Econ Dept. Prof, 1 External Prof who I RA'd for
Research Experience: Fair amount in health services research. Have a paper up for submission, and another one that my supervisor and I are working on.
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Health, Labor
SOP: Very tailored to my interests. Definitely proved to be hit or miss with regard to schools.
Other: Rejected from NSF
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Virginia ($$), Rice University ($$), UNC ($$), Michigan ($$)
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Texas, WUSTL, Duke, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Wharton Applied Econ, Maryland
Never heard from: Wharton Healthcare (interviewed, then never heard back)
Atttending: Michigan
What would you have done differently? Taken more math classes and pushed harder for A's instead of A-'s. My school doesn't have the greatest reputation when it comes to elite grad schools but the teachers are really supportive. I did pretty well here and there's no telling what would have happened if I had gone to a different school.
Accepts: Acceptances: University of Virginia ($$), Rice University ($$), UNC ($$), Michigan ($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Texas, WUSTL, Duke, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Wharton Applied Econ, Maryland
Waitlists:
TeaMania 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 25 liberal arts college but the econs department is at least top 10 among LACs. BS in Econs, Physics and Maths
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800Q 720V 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Multivariable calculus, Intro to Abstraction, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Maths Method for Physics, a few more senior year.(all As
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro , Intermediate Macro, Econometrics, Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Macro, Game Theory, International Finance, Labor Econs, (all As)
Other Courses: Physics Major, Japanese Minor
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econs professors, of which two are well-known, at least by liberal arts college standard. One knows me very much, and said extremely good things about me. Another said something like " the best in the past 15 years". Not sure about the last one.
Research Experience: for a professor, since summer of sophomore year. Coauthor a paper. R&R at the time of application (I only said "submitted" in the applications, because I didn't know the distinction.) Now forthcoming at a top field journal.
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Development, Labor
SOP: Standard and did not customize
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the waitlist), BU(no $)
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn
Atttending: Maryland
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more and a wider range of schools. I was ignorant of the process, and didn't spend enough time researching schools, partly because I was taking a lot of classes. I overestimated where I stood in the competition, because I underestimated the importance of grad classes and undergrad/letter of recommendation reputation. Nevertheless, I am glad to make it and will make the most out of my education at UMD. Hope my case will serve as a warning to top students from LACs: this game is very difficult to play, even after taking my warning into account.
Accepts: Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the - Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Some probability"
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Some probability"
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn
Atttending: Maryland
Waitlists:
keano 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ, top 5 UK university
Undergrad GPA: First (not sure how this translates)
Type of Grad: MSc in Competition Economics, part-time UK university
Grad GPA: On course for distinction
GRE: 800Q, 790V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Maths for economists courses: calculus, linear algebra etc
Econ Courses (Ma-level): A lot of micro-based + econometrics: mostly As
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Lots
Letters of Recommendation: 2/3 econ professors (not well known) Current Employer (Economic consultant with Econ PhD). Hopefully v.positive but names probably won't be known in US.
Research Experience: 3.5 years in economic consultancy
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Micro theory, IO
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech (from waitlist), EUI, LSE (MSc), Oxford (MPhil), BGSE (MSc), Toulouse (M2)
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Kellogg, Wharton (Applied Econ), MIT, UCSD, Berkeley, Wisconsin-M, PSU, Chicago, NYU
What would you have done differently? At the time of the applications process not sure I could done have lot a lot more. Looking at my results, I was a lot more successful in Europe which I would speculate is due to a lack of formal maths courses. So going back a few years, I would have tried to address that somehow.
Accepts: Acceptances: Caltech (from - Institution: LSE Economics (MSc (Res))
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification date: 19th January
Notified through: Email
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No
Comments: Lack of funding may be an issue
- Institution: BGSE MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition waver + TA-ship
Notified through: Email
Date: Jan-21
Comment: Really exciting!
- Institution: Toulouse M2
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notified through: Post
Date: Early feb
Comment: Not sure of funding options
- Institution: EUI (Florence) Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: No information
Notification date: 03/12/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: No interview required
- Institution: Oxford MPhil Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: No information
Notification date: 03/17/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Really pleased
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Accepted from the wait list
Notification date: 4/09/10
Notified through: E-mail from faculty followed by official email
Comment: Really surprised and really happy.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Kellogg, Wharton (Applied Econ), MIT, UCSD, Berkeley, Wisconsin-M, PSU, Chicago, NYU
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 2/18
Notified Through: Email to check site
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: oh dear
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economics Analysis and Policy PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: Feb 19th
Notified Through: email to check website
Posted on Gradcafe: No
Comments: another one goes down
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Not a surprise by now
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Not a surprise by now
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notified through: Email to check website
Date: Feb-19
Comment: Sad news
- Institution: Kellogg MECS
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notified through: Checked website
Date: Feb-26
Comment: Another
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notified through: Email
Date: Mar-2
Comment: Sad news
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:NA
Notification date: Mar-9
Notified through: Emailed admissions coordinator
Posted on GF: No
Comment:
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: None
Notification date: 3/23/10
Notified through: e-mail
Comments:
- Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/29/10
Notified through: Email
Comments: Think I was on an implicit waitlist before this, so not a surprise.
Waitlists: waitlist), EUI, LSE (MSc), Oxford (MPhil), BGSE (MSc), Toulouse (M2)
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: NA
Notified through: Email
Date: Mar-5
Comment: Assumed I'd been rejected
asdfjkl 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from a Public University, top 10 Economics Department
Undergrad GPA: 3.77 overall, 3.94 Economics GPA
Type of Grad: 1 second-year field sequence in the Economics Department
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: Q: 800, V:640, AWA:4.5
Math Courses: Analysis (B), Linear Algebra (Pass), Multivariable Calculus (A-)
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro (A), Advanced Macro (A+), Game Theory (A), Auction Theory (A-), Advanced Econometrics (A-), along with Econ History, International Monetary Economics, Research Economics (all As), also Psych and Econ, Behavioral Corporate Finance
Letters of Recommendation: 2 very strong letters from Professors from the Economics Department at my undergraduate university (with a history of sending undergraduates to top Economics departments), 1 from the Business School, 1 from the Federal Reserve Board
Research Experience: Summer RA/Intern at the Federal Reserve Board, RA for a Professor at the Business School and RA to another professor in the Economics Department at my university, also worked for a graduate student in the Economics Department
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied Micro - beyond that Labor? IO? Development? Psych and Econ?
SOP: nothing special and I did not bother making it specific to the schools I applied to
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UMichigan (attending! no funding initially, $$$$$ at the end), Northwestern (waitlist for funding, ultimately would've received a tuition waiver), UCSD ($$), UCLA ($$)
Waitlists: UPenn Wharton - Applied Economics (would've been accepted to the program off the waitlist with $$)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, UPenn, NYU, Columbia, Yale, ChicagoWhat would you have done differently? A LOT more math. My letter writers had told me I had sufficient math to competitive at all schools; however I think that my lack of strong math background really hurt me on the margin. I think I may have gotten into better schools if I'd taken more math and done better, but I preferred to work on research projects for professors and graduate students throughout my undergrad - so I can't say I regret my decision for get more research experience at the expense of a stronger math background.
Accepts: Acceptances: UMichigan (attending! no funding initially, $$$$$ at the end), Northwestern (
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, UPenn, NYU, Columbia, Yale, Chicago
Waitlists: waitlist for funding, ultimately would've received a tuition waiver), UCSD ($$), UCLA ($$)
Waitlists: UPenn Wharton - Applied Economics (would've been
Fantiki 2010:
Type of undergrad:
1. B.Sc. Finance from the best business school in a mid-size European country. In terms of financial research output the school is usually ranked as Top 10 European/Top 100 worldwide
2. (concurrently) B.Sc. Systems Science from the best university in the same European country
Undergrad GPA: not obvious to translate, somewhere between 3.6 and 3.9, Top 5%
Type of Grad:
1. M.Sc. Finance, same business school as above
2. (concurrently) M.Sc. Computer Science, same university as above
Grad GPA: again hard to translate, I would say between 3.8-4.0, Top 5%
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 3.5AWA
Math Courses (undergrad): Introductory mathematics I (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Analytical Geometry) (B+/A-), Introductory mathematics II (Theory of continuity, Measures and Integrals) (A), Introductory mathematics III (Functional analysis, DE) (A), Introductory mathematics IV (PDE, IE), Introduction to optimization (A), Introduction to statistical inference (A), Time series analysis (B+/A-)
Math Courses (grad): stochastic processes (A), optimization theory (B), mathematical investment theory (B+/A-), game theory (A), decision making (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad): Introductory, Intermediate micro, Intermediate macro, International economics and finance, Money & Banking - A:s
Other Courses: Finance & Computer Science (theory courses may be relevant), LSE summer school (A)
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Finance full professor, thesis advisor, many A publications
2. Computer science full professor, thesis advisor, many A publications (in comp science)
3. Circulating weakly positive letters from semi-famous full professors in finance and economics
Research Experience:
1. B.Sc. thesis in finance
2. B.Sc. thesis in systems science
3. M.Sc. thesis in finance - on decision making under information asymmetries in finacial markets (game-theoretical model+empirical evidence)
4. M.Sc. thesis in computer science - empirical part (as a chapter in an article) accepted in a top general interest journal, but the publication is not related to economics/finance (biology), I am a coauthor, but there are many others
5. RA for the computer science professor
6. Research internship at an internationally well-known company, also 1 paper from there, but published in a professional journal
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Information economics, financial economics (theory + empirical)
Statement of purpose: http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/119180-post-your-statement-purpose-sop-here.html#post789723
Other: graduated in advance, some good awards (placed third nationwide in math competition, scholarship for publishing thesis etc.), strong technical skills (Assembler and similar hardcore stuff)
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Columbia finance ($) -> accepted this offer, LBS finance ($), UNC-CH finance ($), UBC finance ($), LSE finance (external EU funding)
Rejections: Stanford finance, UCLA finance, Stern finance, Wharton finance, Haas finance, Kellogg finance, CMU finance, INSEAD finance, MIT economics, Penn economics (out of the waitlist)
What would you have done differently?
Probably not much, may be would establish better relationships with a couple of professors at my school. The application process to US universities is difficult for European applicants because information asymmetries are pretty large. I would recommend to establish good relationships with professors who have strong ties to schools you are applying (e.g. coauthoring, previous academic positions etc.). Also if you are coming from a less known educational system/school try to get short but informative course descriptions for the key courses as an attachment to your transcripts (e.g. course names like Math I-IV are not very helpful for admissions commiteas). I have received the feedback from some schools that these two things helped my case.
Overall I did much better than I expected.
Accepts: Acceptances: Columbia finance ($) -> accepted this offer, LBS finance ($), UNC-CH finance ($), UBC finance ($), LSE finance (external EU funding)
- Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Stipend + Research scholarship (26k) + optional TA (4.5k)
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Well, me in a top 10 finance program... I just was jumping around my flat for probably 2 hours this morning.
- Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Stipend + Research scholarship (26k) + optional TA (4.5k)
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Well, me in a top 10 finance program... I just was jumping around my flat for probably 2 hours this morning.
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford finance, UCLA finance, Stern finance, Wharton finance, Haas finance, Kellogg finance, CMU finance, INSEAD finance, MIT economics, Penn economics (out of the
Waitlists:
cluelessness 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Ivy league, major in economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0
GRE: 800Q/780V/5.0Writing
Math Courses: multivariable calculus, linear algebra, statistics, optimization, introductory real analysis, probability
Econ Courses: intro+intermediate+1semester of grad micro, intermediate macro, econometrics, law and econ, an applications course, public finance
Other Courses: a few in hard sciences, engineering, humanities
Letters of Recommendation: 3 professors from undergrad institution (took classes from them, one was my thesis advisor)
Research Experience: undergrad thesis and a junior year research project
Teaching Experience: none at college level (tutored a middle school kid though)
Research Interests: uncertain
SOP: was probably on the weak side
Other: I didn't apply directly from undergrad; spent some time working after graduation
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NYU, Berkeley
Rejections: Yale, Penn, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, MIT
What would you have done differently?
I think stronger evidence of research potential would have helped (an RAship maybe). I also think my SOP was on the weak side.
Accepts: Acceptances: NYU, Berkeley
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Penn, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, MIT
Waitlists:
hotfuss 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 4 year Honours degree in economics at a major Australian university
Undergrad GPA: First Class Honours (ranked first in Honours class)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q
Math Courses: First and second year advanced maths courses, differential calculus, integral calculus, discrete mathematics, first and second year linear algebra, vector calculus, PDEs
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, International Trade, Applied Economics, Industrial Organisation, Mathematical Economics
Other Courses: First year psychology
Letters of Recommendation: One Fellow of the Econometric Society and two other economics professors with US PhDs (these LORs knew me very well; two of these had marked my thesis, including one who was my adviser, and I had taken one course with one letter of recommendation and two courses with another letter of recommendation (coming first in everything (including thesis), except one course))
Research Experience: Honours thesis and one other game theory paper
Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad economics courses, including intermediate microeconomics
Research Interests: Microeconomic theory and its applications, behavioural economics
SOP: Standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
Waitlists: Boston
Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
Attending: Northwestern
What would you have done differently? Not much. I think I should have applied earlier (I worked for a few years after my undergraduate degree) or done more maths courses at university. I would have also applied for a few business schools and a couple more top 10 places.
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
- Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: admitted
Funding: TA, $24k for five years if good academic progress
Notification Date: Feb 12 (but this is really Feb 13 Australian time)
Notified: email from a faculty
Posted on Gradcafe: no
Comments: A referee suggested I apply to PSU as a safety.
- Institution: Penn State Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $24k for five years (TA)
Notification date: 2/12 (2/13 Aust time)
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Always good to get the first offer under your belt. This is a safety school though so I'm waiting on other results.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $20.9k for first 4 years, $15.7k in 5th, but this includes summer
Notification date: 2/22 (2/23 Australian time)
Notified through: I checked the website. I received an email with funding details etc a couple of days later.
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Yay, top 10!!!!!!!
- Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded.
Notification date: 2/26 Australian time
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
- Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made
Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time)
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: This was in the email:
"We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We
have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some
probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid.
We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis
throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of
that period."
- Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded.
Notification date: 2/26 Australian time
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
- Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made
Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time)
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: This was in the email:
"We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We
have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some
probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid.
We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis
throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of
that period."
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
- Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: I checked on 02/10/2010
Notified through: I just checked LSE for you
Posted on Gradcafe: No
Comment: My first result; even though it was a fallback and my research interests don't match up well with LSE, it still hurts. Waiting on the decision on my second choice at LSE still.
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18 (i.e. 2/19 Australian time)
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: I wasn't going to post this, but I decided to so it can be used for reference. Despite some good early results, a few rejections has made me start to worry.
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18 (2/19 Australian time)
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Damn. Started to get worried.
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust)
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections.
Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust)
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections.
Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: I have a love-hate relationship with Illinois. I am also beginning to doubt whether UW-M's predictions will come true.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: A few rejections in a row. This is really an emotional rollercoaster!
Waitlists:
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:
2010app9357 2010:
Profile:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Econ, Politics top 15 US LAC
Undergrad GPA: 3.92 = probably top 2 or 3 % at my school
Type of Grad: None
GRE: 800Q, 740V, 6.0 AWA
Math Courses (undergrad-level): Real I, Real II, Linear, Calc 1-3, ODE, Probability Theory (calc based) ~ all A or better
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro and Inter Micro and Macro, Trade, M+B, Comparative Labor, Mathematical Econ (simon + blume), Game Theory (gibbons), IO, Honors Thesis, ~ all A or better. Econometrics B+
Letters of Recommendation:3 econ professors from LAC, all actively researching, popular probably only in select circles but they know me well and will probably say nice things
Research Experience: RA one year during undergrad, honors thesis (the department liked it & was impressed), currently RA at regional fed
Teaching Experience: volunteered as peer tutor for econ, stats, politics
Research Interests: micro theory, political theory
Statement of Purpose: Working on one.
Concerns: No graduate courses, average amounts of math, from LAC
Schools: mit, princeton, stanford, berkley, yale, NW, UCSD, U Mich, caltech,wisconsin, duke, MD, rochester, UVA, ohio, UC-Irvine
Accepts: - Institution: Georgetown University Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: $$$
Notification date: Feb 19th
Notified Through: E-mail
Comments: YAY!!
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 20K
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: If only it weren't so cold :(
- Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18.5K
Notification date: 1/19
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: YAY!!!
- Institution: JHU Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition waved
Notification date: 3/01
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification date: 2/27
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: No $ :(
- Institution: Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ???
Notification date: 3/01
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Best Yet!
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 20K
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: If only it weren't so cold
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification date: 2/27
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: No $
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: decisions decisions...
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/18/2010
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
Comments: well that was fun
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: Oh well.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: oh well
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: oh well:(
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: oh well
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: oh well
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: me too!!
- Institution: CalTech Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Finally!
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 03/20/10
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UVA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/30/10
Notified through: I called them
Comments: I mostly wanted to see if they lost my application or something.
Very very late...
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/12/10
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists: - Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification date: Feb 19th
Notified Through: E-mail
Comments: eh
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: Still feels good.
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: Still feels good.
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: Mar 17
Notified through: email
Funding: Another NSF hopeful...
walt526 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Political Science from UC Davis (started at a well-regarded LAC in the Midwest)
Undergrad GPA: 3.50/4.00 (combined)
Type of Grad: MA in Economics from lower-tier public university
Grad GPA: 3.92
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 6.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I-III (high school with AP, plus C from Fall 1998), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Statistics (A), Math for Economists (A), Intro to Formal Math (A-), Numerical Analysis (A), Axiomatic Set Theory (B+), Real Analysis (in process), Mathematical Statistics MA-Level (in process), Operations Research (Spring 2010), Applied Linear Algebra (Spring 2010)
Econ Courses (MA-level): Advanced Micro Theory (A-), Advanced Macro Theory (A), US Economic History (A), Cost-Benefit Analysis (A), Applied Econometric Analysis (in process), Econometric Theory (in process)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Economics (B+ from spring 2000), Intermediate Micro (A+), Intermediate Macro (D), Public Microeconomic Theory (A+), Economics of Development (A-), US Economic History (A-), World Economic History (A), Economics of Education (A), Econometrics (A), History of Economic Thought (Spring 2010)
Political Science Courses:
- High School: AP American Government, AP Comparative Government
- LAC: International Relations (A-), American Political Thought (B+), Central European Politics (A), Russian Politics (A-), Soviet and Russian Foreign Policy (A)
- UC Davis: Systematic Political Science (A-), The Legislative Process (A-), The Politics of Interdependence (A-), National Security Policy (A), Intro to Judicial Politics (A), Judicial Politics: First Amendment (A), Judicial Politics: Equality (A-), Seminar in American Political Behavior (A+)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 WUSTL, 1 UC Davis ARE, 1 Stanford)
Research Experience:
- Research assistant to LAC political science professor (developing new course in environmental international politics)
- Research assistant to UC Davis political science professor (judicial politics--read a sample Supreme Court decisions and classified the argument type of each paragraph)
- Masters Thesis: Does State Support for Public Four-Year Universities Decrease as Minority Enrollment Increases?
Teaching Experience: TA to Intermediate Micro
Research Interests: My research interests lie along the intersection of political science and economics. I am interested in Public Choice (Law and Economics and Institutional Factors), Industrial Organization, and Miscellaneous Applied Microecomics
Statement of Purpose: Should be strong
Concerns: The D in Intermediate Macro came in a semester wherein I received incompletes in my other courses (personal issues) in winter quarter of 2004). I completed the two lower-division courses that I needed to fulfill the BA in Political Science at community college (statistics and history of western civilization). No topology, possibly weak advanced math grades.
Other: Have a career certificate in Accounting from a community college, worked for 2 years as an accounting administrator and 3 years as a purchasing agent for an electrical contractor.
Applying to: UC Berkeley, Northwestern, Stanford, Michigan, UPenn Wharton (Applied Econ), WUSTL, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, Texas, UIUC, Maryland, Virginia, UC Davis, George Mason, Vanderbilt, Rochester, Michigan State, Georgetown, UC Irvine, UMass-Amherst, Arizona, Colorado, Syracuse, Kentucky (might whittle down the list some)
Accepts: - Institution: Michigan State University Economics/Economics of Education
Decision: Accepted ($$$)
Notification date: 2/21/10
Notified through: Personal email from co-directors of the Economics of Education program (have not heard officially from Economics Department yet)
Posted on GF: No.
Comments: I am beyond delighted.
MSU is a perfect fit for my interests and the funding (mostly coming from a US Department of Education grant) is unrivaled by pretty much any place other than Yale.
Hoping to attend a flyout sometime in March.
- Institution: UC Irvine Economics-Public Choice
Decision: Acceptance ($$)
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I'll probably decline in favor of the Michigan State offer.
But UC Irvine is a great place for public choice (and Southern CA is a nicer place to spend 4-5 years than Central MI).
- Institution: Michigan State University Economics/Economics of Education
Decision: Accepted ($$$)
Notification date: 2/21/10
Notified through: Personal email from co-directors of the Economics of Education program (have not heard officially from Economics Department yet)
Posted on GF: No.
Comments: I am beyond delighted.
MSU is a perfect fit for my interests and the funding (mostly coming from a US Department of Education grant) is unrivaled by pretty much any place other than Yale.
Hoping to attend a flyout sometime in March.
- Institution: UC Irvine Economics-Public Choice
Decision: Acceptance ($$)
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I'll probably decline in favor of the Michigan State offer.
But UC Irvine is a great place for public choice (and Southern CA is a nicer place to spend 4-5 years than Central MI).
- Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder Economics
Decision: Accepted ($$)
Notification date: 3/10/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
Comments: One of my safeties, I will most likely decline in favor of MSU.
- Institution: U Arizona Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: No first year funding
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I don't see an unfunded offer from U Arizona as worth considering.
And I'd probably prefer MSU or UCI to U Arizona even if it the latter were funded.
Rejects: - Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/16
Notified Through: Email
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: First official response, so I'm a little disappointed--not exactly surprising, as I figured that I was a long-shot.
My wife really didn't want to live in North Carolina, so she'll be relieved.
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 2/16/10
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised.
I knew if was a reach.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 2/25/10
Notified through: Website (did not receive an email to check)
Posted on GF: No.
Comments: Not surprised, but disappointed.
- Institution: Rochester Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I am aware that this may sound like sour grapes, but I only applied there because the application was free.
My interest in the school was pretty minimal (I prefer MSU to Rochester).
- Institution: U Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
Comment: This one stings a little, but not entirely unexpected.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Of all the rejects so far, this was the toughest--even though it was anticipated.
- Institution: UC Davis Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: If it weren't for geography, then I probably wouldn't have even applied to UC Davis.
But I'm still a little surprised and annoyed, considering it was my alma mater.
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 2/16/10
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised.
I knew if was a reach.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 2/25/10
Notified through: Website (did not receive an email to check)
Posted on GF: No.
Comments: Not surprised, but disappointed.
- Institution: Rochester Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I am aware that this may sound like sour grapes, but I only applied there because the application was free.
My interest in the school was pretty minimal (I prefer MSU to Rochester).
- Institution: U Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
Comment: This one stings a little, but not entirely unexpected.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Of all the rejects so far, this was the toughest--even though it was anticipated.
- Institution: UC Davis Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: If it weren't for geography, then I probably wouldn't have even applied to UC Davis.
But I'm still a little surprised and annoyed, considering it was my alma mater.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10/10
Notified through: Postal Mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: As expected.
- Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/12/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: As expected.
Only surprised that it took them this long.
- Institution: George Mason Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/15/10
Notified through: Postal letter.
Comments: A little surprised that I didn't get at least a non-funded offer, but oh well.
This was a school that I was on the fence about applying to.
I prefer all three of my other offers to GMU anyway.
- Institution: U Illinois-Urbana Phd Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/17/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised.
MSU is looking more and more likely.
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Assumed rejection about a month ago.
- Institution: Wharton (U Pennsylvania) Applied Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not surprised, pretty much knew that this was a non-starter.
Only applied because it looked interesting and thought that a business school might look at my application a little differently than traditional Economics departments.
- Institution: U Maryland Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/20/10
Notified through: E-mail to Check Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Assumed as much over a week ago.
- Institution: U Virginia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/22/10
Notified through: Randomly checked the website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not really surprised given that I hadn't heard anything for so long.
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/25/10
Notified through: Email
Comments: Only surprised that it took them this long...
- Institution: U Texas-Austin Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/25/10
Notified through: Email
Comments:
- Institution: Vanderbilt Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/29/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: This was one of the schools that I was considering withdrawing my application from.
Like Rochester, I might not have applied had there been an application fee (also their L&E made them a better fit).
But alas, unfortunately they didn't receive my UCD transcripts, so I had to resend them rush back in early February for ~$50 (a few days before I had heard from MSU), so it's almost like I did have to pay a fee... but I digress.
- 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: Glad to finally know definitively that my choices are between MSU and UCI, but still a little disappointed.
When I went back to earn my MA two years ago, I did so in the hopes of winding up at WUSTL.
But I think how my interests have evolved over the past two years as well as a better sense of what type of environment I need to be successful, MSU is probably a better fit even if WUSTL's placements are better.
Waitlists:
yougotaparabola 2010:
PROFILE:
type of undergrad: B.A. Econ top 10 public university, no grad econ
undergrad GPA: 3.69/4, econ 3.95, math 3.74
type of grad: NA
grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 5.0AWA
math courses: Calc 3 (A-), ODE (A), Linear Algebra (A-), Probability Theory (B+), Real Analysis I (A), Game Theory (A-)(through the math department)
econ courses (undergrad-level): intermediate micro, advanced micro (economics of incentives), intermediate macro, advanced macro (international finance), econometrics, time series econometrics, mathematical economics (all A)
econ courses (grad-level): sadly, none.
other courses: Irrelevant.
letters of recommendation: 3 econ professors
research experience: Minimal.
teaching experience: None
research interests: The role of micro incentives in development.
statement of purpose: Pretty standard, nothing substantial.
other: on the bright side you really only need one admit.
concerns: Potentially weak recommendations, no idea how I stack up against the competition, no idea how my undergrad will be perceived,
applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, NYU, Columbia, Maryland, WUSTL, Rochester, UCLA, UVA, Duke, Wisconsin, BU, BC, etc....
Accepts: - Institution: BC Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16k
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: Yep
Comments: Relieved
- Institution: Rochester Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship?
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
- Institution: BC Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16k
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: Yep
Comments: Relieved
- Institution: Rochester Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship?
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
- Institution: Texas (Austin) Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Waitlisted for TAship
Notification date: 3/10/2010
Notified through: Unofficial Email
Posted on GC: Nope
Comments: Pretty jazzed, curious what the likelihood of getting a TAship is.
- Institution: UVA Economics PhD
Decision: Admit
Funding: No information on the letter
Notification date: 03/24
Notified through: randomly checked website
Comments: Nice to have another option
Rejects: - Institution: Duke Econ
Decision: rejected
Funding: no
Notification date: 02/16/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
- Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: website
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification date: 2/16
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification date: forget
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Mass email.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/4/10
Notified through: Email to Check Website
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: Expected
- Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Nope
Comments: Mass email.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/4/10
Notified through: Email to Check Website
Posted on GF: Yes
Comment: Expected
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 03/09/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email.
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email to Check Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: a little sad
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Email (check website)
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notified through: Email
Notification date: 3/16/10
Comments: Response to email for an update.
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/19/2010
Notified through: E-mail telling me to check the website
Comments: Was doubtful after the interview.
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
lycinsg 2010:
well, since everyone is doing this. here goes. kinda embarrassing
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ B.S from Top 30ish Econ department
Undergrad GPA: cum 3.78/4 Econ 3.78/4 Math 3.58/4 >.<
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 780Q, 500V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I,II,III, Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, math reasoning, real analysis I, probability
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A undergrad equivalent
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): International trade, international macro, advanced micro, advanced macro, 2 econometrics, money. in progress: game theory, public finance
Other Courses: Not worth mentioning
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors all fairly well know i guess
Research Experience: Nada. Term papers and honors thesis in progress
Teaching Experience: Nada.
Research Interests: International economics, trade
statement of purpose: The usual
Concerns: Weird grades. It oscillates a lot. I didn't bother to explain in my statement. bad decisions, got destroyed by flu or just plain evil teacher etc.
Other: Why so much supply so little demand for econ applicants? Makes me pale in comparison to others. Most schools turn to reach schools after seeing this forum
Applying to: Stanford (just for fun), Wharton applied economics (praying real real hard), Columbia, U Minn, NYU, Michigan, UCSD, Brown, Maryland, Penn State, UW
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 02/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Website
Comments: Expected... Sigh
- Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 02/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
- Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Website
Comments: Expected... Sigh
- Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/09/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Game over this year. sigh
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Wasn't expecting anything good anyways
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: e-mail to check website
Notification date: 3/16/10
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/18/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: meh
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/19/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: No interview, of course
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
econlaw 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math and Econ from a large state univeristy
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 540V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I II III, Advanced Calculus I II, ODE, PDE, Real Analysis I , Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Analysis, all A or A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Game Theory, Intermediate Micro and Macro Theory, Advanced Micro and Macro Theory, Mathematical Economics (in progress) All A's and A+
Other Courses: None
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 very good from a well-known economist, 1 fairly good from a junior economist) 1 very good from a Math professor
Research Experience: Except for term papers and thesis, none.
Teaching Experience: TA in Math Department
Research Interests: Not sure but currently Micro Theory
statement of purpose: Standard
Concerns: I don't know. I have studied hard and done everything that I can but feel that I'll have a lot rejections.
Other: None.
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, UPenn, UCSD, NYU, Cornell, UCLA , Penn State, Maryland, Minnesota, UW-Madison, Carnegie Mellon, Arizona State.
Accepts: - Institution: Arizona State University Economics
Decision: accept
Funding: no info yet
Notification date: February 11
Notified through: email and website
Posted on Gradcafe: no
Comments: Released. I think they will give info on funding later. Good luck everyone.
- Institution: Arizona State University Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted via email on 2/11
Funding: 25k+summer for 1st yr, 19k+possible summer for 2nd to 5th yr
Notification date: funding letter dated on 2/18
Notified through: mail
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 20k for 1st yr including summer, 15k for 2nd to 5th yr +possible partial summer fundings
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Glad:)
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Glad
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notified through: e-mail
Funding: no first year funding.
Notification date: 3/16/10
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I really wish they could give me a funding..
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: To arrive via e-mail this week
Notification date: 3/16/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Financial info to arrive later this week! Very very happy!
Rejects: - Institution: Yale PHD Econ
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: website
Posted on Gradcafe: no
Comments: Expected. But still hurt
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: No
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/09/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: sad...
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: sigh...
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/24
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/25/10
Notified through: Mass email
Comments: Don't care anymore.
Waitlists: - Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/30/10
Notified through: seems like mass Email
confusedgrad 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Economics (one of the best universities in the country but not known extremely all over the world. still, it is recognized at some schools).
Undergrad GPA: 3.98/4 - 1st rank among 145 students.
Type of Grad: M.S. in Economics from the same university.
Grad GPA: 3.95/4.0 - 2nd rank
GRE: Took it three times: Q:800, 800, 800, V:430, 350, 390, AWA: 5.5, 3.5, 4.5,
TOEFL: IBT:110 (R:29, L:29, S:24, W:28)
Math Courses: allmost no math. Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Mathematics for Economists, Mathematical Statistics I and II, Econometrics I and II, Econometric Theory I an II, Time Series Econometrics and only auditing RG Real Analysis this semester. All AAs (no grade for real anal.)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Microeconomic Theory I and II, Macroeconomic Theory I and II,, International Macroconomics. All AA except for one BA.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A lot of courses with straight AAs.
Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ professors (mostly 3 or only 2 of them were used). All from my university. They tried to write strong letters but none of them are knon actually.
Research Experience: Several years in Research department of the Central Bank. However, nothing published in good journals. Only some empirical work.
Teaching Experience: TAship at my ug university for the Statistics courses.
Research Interests: Macro including Int'l macro, monetary economics...
Statement of purpose: Not well tailored for each university. A standard one for all.
Concerns: 1. Almost no math. No advanced calculus, no differential equations, no real analysis. 2. letters from unknown profs and no special efforts from the referees, 3. not enough research experience, 4. age (i'll be 29) 5. that stupid visa issue.
Other: One positive concern: My employee might support 1st year expenditures so I can go with an unfonded offer for the first year.
Applying to: 3 types in US: 1) The ones I got accepted before: UMN, BC, BU, UCLA, UMD. 2) The ones I got rejected last year: Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, UCSD, 3) The ones I am applying for the first time (mostly dream school, just a fantasy): MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Brown. Also some European schools in case the visa becomes a problem again: LSE, LBS, Oxford, TI, UPF, CEMFI, EUI. Seems like I am a professional applicant. I made 51 applications so far. (6 in 2003, 23 in 2009, 22 in 2010). God, so much money, so much effort. Best luck, everyone...
Accepts: - Institution: University of Maryland, CP Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not now, maybe later..
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail.
Comments: At least they accepted me again. Thanks. This year I have only one acceptance. Hope there ill also be some funding later.
- Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
- Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition+fees only for the 1st year.
Notified through: e-mail
Notification date: 3/16/10
Comment:they
just renewed the offer from the last year. i was waiting stupidly instead of asking them poreviously, despite their commitments. now, i am relaxed. and i am sure that if i applied this year for the first time, i would not get this offer as this year is really a hard one!
- Institution: Boston University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Does no funding mean no funding forever? and why they ask you to confirm acceptance till May 15th? Is it because of the offer being unfunded?
- Institution: Boston College Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 16K RA'ship+possible 4K in summer
Notification date: 03/29/10
Notified through: Email
Comments: Off the waitlist...
Rejects: - Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: -
Notified through: Website. They never bothered for sending an e-mail.
Posted on GF: No, but who cares this any more?
Comments: Rejected last year as well and applying again, which was a last minute decision, was completely nonsense. No surprise!
- Institution: Minnesota Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 02/26/2010
Notified through: e-mail.
Comments: I knew this was coming as they implicitly asked me whether i will accept this year or not. I could not make a commitment of course and two days later they announced the fellowship offers. I was not at that list. Still, I was expecting some offer with no funding or assitantship. However, they are completely right! They cannot tie their resources to someone who is unlikley to attend once more. It was a mistake to re-apply to a school that you had rejected and give them a second chance to reject you.
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/05/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: no surprise, i never expected an acceptance indeed. and this year everything just sucks...
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Email (check website)
Comments: At this point it was totally expected. However, at the very beginning I was considering it as a sfatey. Who would know that this year will be a complete failure for me with so many rejections?
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notified through: Postal Mail
Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010
Comments: God, I am surprised
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/19/2010
Notified through: E-mail (same above, no inquiry)
Comment: I hope I will not have to apply to NYU for a fourth time in the future... My second dream school and my dream city does not want me. Ok! I got it!
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/24/10
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: It would not make any difference anyways...
- Institution: European University Institute Economics
Decision: Rejected (i guess?)
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/30/10
Notified through: Email
Comments: The most awkward letter I received during the whole process. First, I thought I was rejected, then it sounded like I am accepted and then wait listed... In the end, I really did not understand whether I am waitlisted or rejected. Still, the word "regretfully" makes me think that yes I am rejected....
- Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/11/10
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: A rejection letter on late sunday? Interesting... BTW, I always find LSE rejection letters quite straightforward, direct and a bit rude...
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/12/10
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Finally I know where I'll be going. It was an honor to get even waitlisted and I was not expecting anything more...
Waitlists: - Institution: Boston College Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: NA
Notification date: 01/01/2010
Notified through: A personal e-mail.
Comments: An e-mail stating "we totally remember you from last year.. we have limited resources and many excellent candidates from your country so we cannot offer you admission at this time". I can understand their point. They are totally right.
- Institution: London Business School Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/10
Notified through: Email
Comment: "very high on waitlist". even though i don't think it is likely to get off the waitlist, i would definitely like to go this school. i love london, school is great and funding is generous. i hope i can make it...
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/17/10
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Now this is a real surprise after so many rejections. I think my first year external funding has played a role. Seems like a long-list.
far 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Econ and Math, History minor from a large public university
Undergrad GPA: 3.71/4.0 Econ: 4.0/4.0 Math: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: A lot
Econ Courses (PhD-level): None
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Economic Stats, Game Theory, IO, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, International Macro, Principles
Other Courses: Intro to programming
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ professors (1 very well known senior the other a tenure track, both should be excellent) and 1 Math professor
Research Experience: Two years RA-ing for well known recommender, Econ REU internship (other econ recommender was my mentor)
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Environmental Economics
Statement of Purpose: General template modified for each school. Talked about my background and interests, reasons for applying, mentioned specific faulty members
Concerns: 3rd recommendation probably isn't that good.
Other: None
Applying to: Arizona, Berkeley, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Stanford, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, Yale
Accepts: - Institution: UCSB Econ
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 17 February, 2010
Notified through:
website
Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
Comments: They flew me out there last month so if they had rejected me the world would be wayyyy too screwy :)
- Institution: Penn State University Phd
Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25k/year
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: :)
- Institution: Northwestern University Phd
Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling! :)
- Institution: Penn State University Phd
Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25k/year
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern University Phd
Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling!
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: email next week
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: chilly Chicago or sunny San Diego...
- Institution: Arizona Economics
Decision: Accepted (informally)
Funding: Assistantship
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Email from Dr Fishback (I work for him) asking if I'd want to stick around and offering an assistantship but recommending I don't
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notified through: e-mail
Funding: no first year funding.
Notification date: 3/16/10
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I'm so happy I have a tough decision ahead of me, it's been a tough season for everyone and I just feel really thankful right now
Rejects: - Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/16
Notified Through: Email
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: First official decision, a little bit surprised -.-
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 2/18
Notified Through: Email to check site
Posted on Grad Cafe: No
Comment: :(
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email to check website
- Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email to check website
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: can't wait for this to all be over -.-
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 03/20/10
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
blackwhite 2010:
Institution: Georgetown
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
Institution: Pittsburgh
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Decision is still being made
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
Institution: Carnegie Mellon
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: Personal email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...
Accepts: - Institution: NC State Economics
Decision: admitted
Funding: None Available
Notification Date: February 12
Notified: website
Posted on Gradcafe: yes, February 12
Comments: Does anyone know what "none available" means for assistantship part?
- Institution: Pittsburgh Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Decision is still being made
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
- Institution: UC Riverside Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship
Notification date: 3/10/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: "due to the California budget crisis, the number of fellowships we are able to offer has been severely reduced". I need funding man!..
- Institution: Claremont Graduate University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 35% tuition, 2k RA-ship for a year
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Their funding offer is really interesting... But better than having nothing...
Rejects: - Institution: UC Davis ARE PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding:
Notification date: 2/12
Notified Through: website
Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/12
- Institution: Rice University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 2/16
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/16
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 2/18
Notified Through: Checked Online Status
Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/18
Comment: I am sooo sad
- Institution: Georgetown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Rochester Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 6th rejection :(
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: expected but still sad... :(
- Institution: Rochester Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/1
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 6th rejection
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/02/2010
Notified through: email
Comments: expected but still sad...
- Institutioninstitution: Emory Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GF: no
Comments: unexpected
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: As expected... but still hurts
- Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No.
- Institution: Arizona Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/15
Notified through: Email
Comment: Soooo sad.... I was so hopeful....
- Institution: CalTech Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Finally!
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: Randomly check Testudo website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Arizona State Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/23/2010
Notified through: checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UCSD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/23/2010
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
- 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:
- Institution: CMU Economics
Decision: Rejected off the waitlist
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/12/10
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: No Comment
- Institution: UCI Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 4/13/10
Notified through: Randomly checked website
Comments: No Comment
Waitlists: - Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: Personal email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: Personal email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...
Caroline_x 2010:
Institution: University of Michigan
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing.
Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st)
Notified through: Email with pdf attachment
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
Accepts: - Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing.
Notification date: 02/28
(the attached letter was dated March 1st)
Notified through: Email with pdf attachment
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding
Notification date: 1st March
Notified through: Email (Mass email)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.".
Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Some probability"
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
- Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing.
Notification date: 02/28
(the attached letter was dated March 1st)
Notified through: Email with pdf attachment
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding
Notification date: 1st March
Notified through: Email (Mass email)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.".
Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
- Institution: Maryland Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Some probability"
Notification date: 03/03/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
- Institution: Texas-Austin Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: May be available on or after April 15th
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Quote:"We know that you have other offers to consider, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would let us know whether you are still interested in our program. "
Gee...How did they know that I had other offers to consider?????? Why didn't they offer me any financial aid then?What kind of strategy is this?
- Institution: UBC MA Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver+10k TAship
Notification date: 03/18/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: They are so generous in such a poor year!
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: I knew it was coming.
Waitlists: - Institution: Penn Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: March 3rd 2010
Notified through: Email from Kelly
Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL?
Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."
- Institution: Penn Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: March 3rd 2010
Notified through: Email from Kelly
Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL?
Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."
Arash2060 2010:
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not expected at all before applying, totally expected recently
Institution: Penn State U
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Disappointed. I'm really sorry that I grew up in a country where there aren't any schools ranking lower than 1000. Not my fault, I will do another masters in math or econ, make a paper out of my great thesis, build my profile and reach the places that I truely deserve. However at the moment I hate it that there are not standardized tests to show what I'm really capable of and that they have to ignore my GRE 800 and TOEFL 105 and fabulous LORs.
Accepts: - Institution: University Of Illinois, Urbana Champaign (UIUC) Economics
Decision: Admit
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: Email
Funding: 17000 TA
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: So Excited, Finally!
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not expected at all before applying, totally expected recently
- Institution: Penn State U Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Disappointed. I'm really sorry that I grew up in a country where there aren't any schools ranking lower than 1000. Not my fault, I will do another masters in math or econ, make a paper out of my great thesis, build my profile and reach the places that I truely deserve. However at the moment I hate it that there are not standardized tests to show what I'm really capable of and that they have to ignore my GRE 800 and TOEFL 105 and fabulous LORs.
Waitlists:
Econg 2010:
Institution: UC Davis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:Personal e-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: OSU
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 20K stipend
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 1/19/2010
Notified through:E-mail to check site
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UPitt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 15K Stipend
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Harvard
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Wyoming
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Assistantship, 15K stipend
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Accepts: - Institution: UC Davis Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:Personal e-mail
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: OSU Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 20K stipend
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: UPitt Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 15K Stipend
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Wyoming Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Assistantship, 15K stipend
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 1/19/2010
Notified through:E-mail to check site
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: e-mail to check website
Notification date: 3/16/10
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
yes_no_maybe 2010:
Institution: USC
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 21k, 5 years
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC:Yes
Institution: Boston College
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/1/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Maryland, College Park
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k, 4-5 years
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Princeton
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: UPenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Accepts: - Institution: USC Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 21k, 5 years
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC:Yes
- Institution: Maryland, College Park Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k, 4-5 years
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution:Stockholm School of Economics Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: SEK 15000 /month after tax
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Boston U Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 4/7/10
Notified through: E-mail
Funding: None
Posted on GC: No
Rejects: - Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: Postal Mail
Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Harvard Political Economy & Government
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: Postal Mail
Notification date: Mail dated 3/5/2010
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/17/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/19/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Washington U in St. Louis Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 4/6/10
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Brown University Economics
Decision: Rejected from the wait list
Notification date: 4/15/10
Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists: - Institution: Boston College Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/1/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
papachara 2011:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Economics from unknown Latin-american university
Undergrad GPA: N/A (First place of graduating class)
Type of Grad: M.S. Economics from well-known Latin-american University
Grad GPA: Average: 9.66/10.00 (first of classs)
GRE: 800Q / 570V / 4.0AWA (1st try) 800Q / 600V / 4.0 AWA (2dn try)
Math Courses: Real Analysis I and II (A+), Measure Theory (A+), Topology (A), Convexity and Optimization (A), Dynamic Sistems (A-), Probability (A), Intro to Stochastic Processes.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Microeconomic Theory (A+), Game Theory (A), Macro I and II (A+), Mechanism Design (A), Political Economy, General Equilibrium, Macroeconometrics, Microeconometrics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I and II, Macro I and II, IO, International Economics I and II, Growth, Development, Econometrics I and II, Topics in Micro Theory, Topics in Mathematical economics, Monetary, Econometrics I and II, Public Economics. Basically A's and A+'s
Other Courses: Agent-Based modelling
Letters of Recommendation: 1 prof from NYU, 1 from UCLA and 1 from Urbana-champaign (knows me very well and should be an excellent letter)
Research Experience: RA in political economy research for 3 years, thesis in political economy
Teaching Experience: TA in econometrics, microeconomics and computational economics
Research Interests: Micro theory, computational economics and development
SOP: Very short, only 400 words long. No names mentioned and very general ideas.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Princeton ($$$), Yale($$$), Northwestern MECS ($$$), Columbia($$), UPenn($$), BU($$)
Waitlists: None.
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Berkeley, .
Pending: NYU (I think this a reject).
What would you have done differently? Not much. Getting into top programs depends on the people writting your LORs, that is why I got into Princeton. Not much to be done about this. If I had really wanted to go to MIT or Harvard I would have had to chose another MA. Conclusion: Good grades and LORs are fundamental.
Accepts: Acceptances: Princeton ($$$), Yale($$$), Northwestern MECS ($$$), Columbia($$), UPenn($$), BU($$)
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: A letter containing the details of our offer has been sent via mail.
Notification date: Feb 15
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: 11 more to go!
- Institution: Northwestern Kellogg (MES)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 32k
Notification date: 2/23/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 23k + 3k summer stipend + health insurance
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 23k + 3k health insurance
Notification date: 2/24/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 03/10/11
Notified through: Email
Comment:
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Berkeley, .
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Policy and Analysis
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: February 18
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: This was a hard one. 10 more to go!
- Institution Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
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
Waitlists:
Elliephant 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: business (Canadian school, econ dept. ranked >100 worldwide)
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4.0 or 3.98/4.0, depending on conversion scheme
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800, V790, AWA 6.0
Math Courses: calc I-III, linear algebra I-II, applied stats, real analysis I-II (all A or higher)
Econ Courses (grad-level): none
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): intro micro, intro macro, international econ, advanced micro, advanced macro, metrics (all A+); supply-side macro (B+); did a term in China's top econ department (roughly speaking, >85 = A): international trade (90), information econ (91), Chinese development (93), urban and regional econ (98); applied metrics and forecasting (spring); managerial econ (spring)
Other Courses: none relevant
Letters of Recommendation: micro prof (reasonably well-known in IO and a past department chair); research supervisor in Beijing (used to be tenured at UNC, well-connected in health policy); UG director at b-school
Research Experience: summer fellow at an econ think tank in Beijing, one RAship at my home school, two conference presentations of my sole-authored papers
Teaching Experience: TAed micro and business statistics
Research Interests: still fluid; currently economics of human capital (education, health), transition economies, other applied micro
SOP: standard
Concerns: credibility of LORs; insufficient math background; low visibility of UG econ department
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wharton health, Kellogg MECS, Penn, UMich, Toronto MA, Queen's MA, UBC MA
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU (implicit)
What would you have done differently? If I had known in high school that I wanted this, I would have gone to a better UG school and done a double major in math and econ. However, given my constraints, I'm very happy with my results, and it's entirely possible that I would not have ended up with equally good offers if I'd had the option of slacking off in UG (by being in a better department, say). I'll write up a detailed "lessons learned" thread for applicants from low-ranked UG departments, non-quantitative majors, and internationals without a master's in the next couple of weeks.
Accepts: Acceptances: Wharton health, Kellogg MECS, Penn, UMich, Toronto MA, Queen's MA, UBC MA
- Institution: Northwestern - Kellogg Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences (PhD)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBA
Notification date: 2/21/2011
Notified through: phone (unofficial)
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
- Institution: Penn - Wharton Health Care Management and Economics (PhD)
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 2/21/2011
Notified through: email/phone
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
absolutely awesome department
- Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment:
- Institution: Toronto MA
Decision: accepted
Funding: no
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: no
Comments: waitlisted for doctoral stream
- Institution: Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition waiver, funding after first year
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Queen's MA economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes, lots
Notification Date: 3/14/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UBC MA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBA
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: email from the grad school
Posted on GC: No
Comments: still no word from the department (on funding, etc.)
- Institution: UBC MA Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes, TA
Notification date: 3/24/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: apparently they were having email issues last week
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Berkeley, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU (implicit)- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 16 February
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
c'est la vie
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date:
3/09/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GF:
no
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: certainty is good
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/11/11
Notified through: Email
Comments:
- Institution:
Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: snail mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: March 22, 2011
Notified through: Official e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: finally!
Waitlists:
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
econchef 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Small Liberal Arts University, Atlantic Canada (Honors Econ, Minor Math)
Undergrad GPA: 3.95 (4.0 Econ) (4.0 Math) (Converted) (top graduate in Econ)
Type of Grad: MA Econ, Queen's University
Grad GPA: 4.0 (Converted) (top graduate)
GRE: 800Q 570V 5.5AW
Math Courses: calculus (I,II,III), linear algebra, ODE, Discrete, Intro Stats, History of Math, Intro to Game Theory (All A or higher)
Econ Courses (grad): Micro, Macro , Econometrics, Resource, Applied Econometrics, Research Problems and Methodology, Empirical Micro (All 90%+)
Econ Courses (u/g): Adv Micro, Adv Macro, Uncertainty and Strategy (Adv Micro II), Econometrics (full-year), All intermediates and Intros, a bunch field courses (All A or Higher)
Letters of Recommendation: All positive, 2 full professors (1 resource econ, very well established; 1 applied time series), 1 associate professor (gaining a big rep in time series), I supplement with three other profs who know me well at universities where they have contacts.
Research Experience: master's essay, summer research paper in u/g, Internship at Inter-American Development Bank (Poverty Research / HH Exp'd Surveys), 3 applied metrics courses in Grad, very strong STATA programming skills and LATEX knowledge
Teaching Experience: Taught tutorials for principles (Micro and Macro) for 2 years in u/g; environmental econ and principles macro at Queen's
Research Interests: Econometrics, Labor, Education
Concerns: Could have taken more math; Small unknown undergrad
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($$$), Princeton ($$$), BU ($$), U Toronto ($$$), Queen's ($$$), Chicago (3rd year)
Waitlists: MIT, U Penn, U Mich
Rejections: Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, NYU, Yale, Columbia
What would you have done differently? Well if I had a time machine, I would have gone back to the start of first year and convinced myself not to take any political science courses in second year and instead replace them all with math courses. I also might have convinced myself that I should have taken more math in fourth year instead of taking basic sciences for med school (I applied and got in but decided to continue with econ grad school). The only other thing I might have changed regarding my record with said time machine would have been to write my MA essay on a time series theory topic as opposed to one in applied micro but I'll be honest these wouldn't be the first things I would do with a time machine. Perhaps with those changes I might have had a better shot at Harvard but there's always some noise in the dgp so who knows. Overall, I'm very excited by my results and can't wait to visit my top two offers.
Accepts: Acceptances: Berkeley ($$$), Princeton ($$$), BU ($$), U Toronto ($$$), Queen's ($$$), Chicago (3rd year)
- Institution: UofT Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fellowship/teaching assistant/ra-ship ($31K first year, $28K 2-4)
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: First acceptance albeit expected. Exciting nonetheless!
- Institution: Queen's University (Kingston) Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship/TAship/Summer Stipend
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Good to know I have a couple fall back options.
- Institution: Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25000 for first year + tuition/fees
Notification date: 3/6/2011
Notified through: E-mail (attached letter is dated 1 March 2011)
Posted on GC : no
- Institution: Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No funding until phase two (3rd year)
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Really exciting to get in to Chicago but no funding first and second year is a hard sell with other funded offers.
- Institution: BU Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: tuition/fees and stipend
Notification Date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I'm surprised. I thought this would come much later.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 03/10/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: Incredible!
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford, NYU, Yale, Columbia- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: On the bright side, the rule of complements holds true - much rejoicing ensues.
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: certainty...at last
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: The sign off on the reject letter is first class
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I haven't read White Man's Burden...they must have known...
- Institution:
Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/16/11
Notified through: Post
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Unfortunately I'm not a 6'5" crew star nor did I revolutionize social networking. Ex post I should have spent more time trying to prove the Riemann Hypothesis before applying.
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: March 22, 2011
Notified through: Official e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: certainty..at last!
- 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.
Waitlists: Waitlists: MIT, U Penn, U Mich
- Institution: U Penn Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 02/25/2011
Notified through:
email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: placed high on the waitlist for admission (I'm sure they say that to everyone)
- Institution: UMich Economics
Decision: waitlisted
Funding: 1st year tuition waiver, TA/RA 2nd year onward (if admitted)
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Enthusiastically placed on the waitlist!
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: I hope it's not a fake
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
LAecon 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International Student, Joint Econ and Math + Computer Science double major at a top US Econ PhD granting school. (Transferred in Junior Year from no name east coast business school)
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA:N/A
GRE: 790 Q, 590 V, 3.5 AWA / 740 Q, 610 V, 3.0 AWA
Math Courses: At business school: Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, Calc I-III, Intro to Prob and Statistics (All A's). At PhD school: Analysis I (A), Probability and Statistics (B), Topology (A), Scientific Computing (A), Analysis II (Current Semester)
Econ Courses: At business school: Intro Micro/Macro, Intermediate Micro/Macro, Money and Banking (All A's). At PhD School: Intro to Econometrics (A-), Public Econ (A), Africa in the world Economy (A), International Econ (A), Advanced Macroeconomics and Finance (A).
Other Courses: Whole Computer Science Major (As(, Plus Honors Thesis (A and Current Semester)
Letters of Recommendation: Great (I expect) one from a really well known economist who I've taken classes and worked for. Great one from political scientist I've worked for and are currently trying to get a paper published with. I have no idea one from the chair of my department who didn't know me that well.
Research Experience: Worked the whole summer for my main letter writter, a really well known economist, also for my number two letter, will end up coauthoring a paper with him. Writing my own honors thesis.
Teaching Experience: Nothing.
Research Interests: Macro, DSGE, Finance, Development and International.
SOP: Pretty bland, just changed Universities and sometimes faculty I'm interested in. One page and a half. Actually sent a couple in with a small grammatical mistake. Talked about my research experiences, a little bit about my interests, and about my thesis.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UPenn ($$$), Minn ($$$), UCLA ($$), Duke ($$$).
Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Chicago, Booth, Stanford GSB, Brown, NYU, Princeton, Stern and Yale.
Pending:
What would you have done differently?
The only thing in my opinion that could have gotten me into higher ranked places in my opinion would have been to get a better third letter of recommendation, which is something that I could have done in my department in retrospect; or a master's abroad. This last one IMO, is not worth my time, as I got into great schools.
I will make a post in the Getting into PhD's from low ranked schools thread, but I hope my example here shows that if you care about the two years you will invest in a masters and will not get funding, if you have the grades try to transfer to a department with a good PhD. From my previous department I wouldn't have been able to enter a top 50 place. My money / time was better invested in an undergrad where access to great economists is commonplace.
Accepts: Acceptances: UPenn ($$$), Minn ($$$), UCLA ($$), Duke ($$$).
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Chicago, Booth, Stanford GSB, Brown, NYU, Princeton, Stern and Yale.
Waitlists: Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon
tcttc 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: University in China ranked between 3-5. Econ department is not so famous.
Undergrad GPA: 3.79 overall, 3.92 last 2 years
Type of Grad: Master of economics in US university with top 20 econ department
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: V640+Q800+AW3.5
Math Courses (undergrad-level): calculus, linear algebra, ODE, probability, statistics, complex analysis, functions of real variables, stochastic process, intro to topology, abstract algebra, measure theory, numeric analysis, dynamic programming
Math Courses (grad-level): measure and probability, linear models, Functional analysis
Econ Courses (PhD-level): RA for economists , Micro 1 & 2, metrics 1,2, Metrics 3.a & b
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): primary + intermediate micro, macro and metrics sequence, several math econ courses
Other Courses: Finance 1 in B-school
Letters of Recommendation: 1 young Associate professor from UCSD (know me quite well, took class with him),
1 new hired assistant professor from Northwestern (took class with him and get an A+),
1 young associate professor from Univ of Florida (took class with him and get an A),
1 senior full professor from Harvard (my director, know me well, work with him).
None of my references are famous economists. But they are all very kind persons. Two of them think I am strong. I didn't talk with the other two too much.
Research Experience:1. undergraduate thesis (excellent thesis award),
2. 2 course projects in my first year in US.
3. worked with my director on a conference project. And finally he converted it to a working paper and put my name on it. not published and not theoretical. I feel very grateful for him to put my name on it but I didn't talk it too much in my sop.
4. Now RAing for a professor in Law school. mainly coding in R and run all kinds of regressions.
Teaching Experience:none in english, undergraduate metrics in Chinese
Research Interests: metrics theory
SOP: Pretty good I guess. Although my AW is low, I ask for help from my friend who is good at writing proposals and my directors.
Concerns: Low AW, funding
Others: TOEFL 110
Applying to: (all econ PhD) USC, U Washington, UC Davis, UT Austin, BU, Duke, NYU, Berkeley, Stanford, Northwestern, UCSD, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, MIT
Results:
Acceptances: Duke($$), BU(waitlisted for 1st year/$$ from 2nd year), UT Austin($$), USC($$$),UC Davis(?), U Washington Seatle(asked about my other offers, then withdrew),
Rejections: NYU, Berkeley, Stanford, Northwestern, UCSD, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, MIT.
Accepts: Acceptances: Duke($$), BU(waitlisted for 1st year/$$ from 2nd year), UT Austin($$), USC($$$),UC Davis(?), U Washington Seatle(asked about my other offers, then withdrew),
- Institution: UC-Davis Economics
Decision: Accept
Funding: will decide at the end of March
Notification date: Feb. 17
Notified through: E-mail from Paul Bergin
Posted on GC:No
Comments: Yes, after reject by Yale
- Institution: Duke Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Now I am relieved
Rejects: Rejections: NYU, Berkeley, Stanford, Northwestern, UCSD, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, MIT.
Waitlists:
spaceship earth 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Double major in Business Economics & Environmental Studies; Top 10 public, top 40 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.88
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 780Q 640V 4.5AW
Math Courses: calc series (A+/A), diff equations (A)
Econ Courses: intro micro (A+), intro macro (A-), Micro I (A), Micro II (A), Macro (A+), Nat Resource Econ (A), Env Econ (A+), Data Analysis (A)
Other Courses: lots of ecology & environ science for my environ studies major; relevant because of my research interests, but no substitute for more math/stats/econ
Letters of Recommendation: 1 tenured prof known for resource econ, 1 tenured prof who i performed research under (also known in env/resource econ), 1 recent phd in env econ who was probably unknown but was close to me (TA'd several of my econ classes & guided me through admissions process, now teaches at another unranked school)
Research Experience: employed about 9 months doing econ research part time; also got course credit another time for doing not very technical research related to role of competitive social pressures in mitigating climate change
Teaching Experience: nothing formal; just tutoring on & off for a while
Research Interests: Resource Econ, Environmental Econ, Sustainable Development, Energy Econ/Policy, etc
SOP: Talked about why I wanted to be a economist studying environmental issues. Emphasized extra-curriculars & research.
Other: Was president of an undergrad campus org. Also, I've been working at a global financial services firm since undergrad and I got a CPA license. It probably would have been relevant if I wanted an MBA, but I'm thinking it was no use in this PhD application
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Davis ARE ($), UC Santa Barbara (wl$), U Maryland AREc ($)
Waitlists: None.
Rejections: Stanford, UC Berkeley ARE, Columbia, NYU, Yale, Cornell AEM, UC San Diego
Pending: None.
What would you have done differently? No regrets; I was appropriately placed given my research interests. I reached high and the results were similar to my expectations. Also, you only need 1 good admit. That said, if I knew I was going to get a PhD earlier on here's what I would change (in no order):
1) Take the GRE earlier, so I could retake for an 800Q (I took it in Nov, just weeks before the app deadlines; I'm confident i could have gotten an 800Q since I did on several practice exams)
2) Get a straight "econ" major instead of a "business econ" major (this would mean more math/econ/stats/econometrics instead of more finance/accounting)
3) Get a job post-undergrad that is a better stepping stone to PhD (ie: research job, econ thinktank, econ analyst, certain consulting positions) instead of a job that is a stepping stone to an MBA (ie: finance, accounting, certain banking positions)
4) Realize the importance of LORs earlier and connect with more professors who have connections at top institutions (& do more research under them)
5) Regarding top straight econ depts, I also think I was out competed by alot of people w/ masters degrees. It might have served me well to get a masters to bulk up on econ/math/stats/etc.
Accepts: Acceptances: UC Davis ARE ($), UC Santa Barbara (wl$), U Maryland AREc ($)
- Institution: UC Davis , Agricultural and Resource Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: TA/RA, but details will come later.
Notification date: 1/30/2011
Notified through: Phone
Comments: very happy with this one.
- Institution: UC Santa Barbara Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No mention yet... hopefully that will come later.....
Notification date: Feb 14
Notified through: website
Comments: I was expecting this, but I am still very excited to see it :-)
- Institution: University of Maryland Agricultural and Resource Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: graduate research assistantship, tuition waiver, health insurance.
Notification date: 03/29/2011
Notified through: Letter attached to Email
Comments: This came out of nowhere... I had heard they do "semi-rolling admits" but this was so late I thought it was over.
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, UC Berkeley ARE, Columbia, NYU, Yale, Cornell AEM, UC San Diego
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/16
Notified through: Email to check status on website
Comments: Kinda like flirting with a supermodel out of my league. Expected rejection, but I had to know for sure so I never thought "what if..." 10yrs from now.
- Institution: Cornell , Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/28/2011
Notified through: Email w/ attached reject letter
Posted on GC:
no
Comment:
I hold offers that better fit my research interests so its no big deal. Still, since I originally expected to get in here, the rejection is a dismal sign of more results to come...
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2011
Notified through: Mailed letter
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Expected this unfortunate rejection.
Also, my mailing address is close to the school, so if they sent them all on then same day then most people should get them in 1-2 days. Good luck.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Agricultural & Resource Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/15
Notified through: e-mail to check status
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Obviously disappointed since this was my dream school, even though a rejection was expected.
Waitlists:
goose88 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 15 undergrad, Top 30 Econ PhD
Undergrad GPA: 3.5/3.76 for econ
Type of Grad:n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 4AW
Math Courses: Calc(I-III: B+,B-,B-), Linear Algebra(B+), Intro to proofs(A-), Real Analysis(A), Lebesgue Integration (In progress with an A so far)
Econ Courses (grad-level):
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro and Macro, IO, Property Rights, Intro and Applied Econometrics, Game Theory etc. (all A-/A's except for one B)
Other Courses: MATLAB(in progress)
Letters of Recommendation: All econ PhDs...2 well Known professors (one Stanford and another from Rochester), and one ok recommendation (Stanford)
Research Experience: Award winning Honors thesis, summer fellowship
Teaching Experience: Teaching Assistant for a intro level macro class
Research Interests: Development econ, Applied Micro/IO
SOP: Good but didn't bother to customize it for each school...highlighted my diverse background
Concerns: Weak GPA and Math grades...I was not the best student for the first two years of my college career and my grades suffered...hopefully they can also see the radical change in my grades from B's to A's
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern($$), WUSTL($$), ASU($$), UWO-PhD stream MA($$)
Rejections: Brown, Duke, Georgetown, Michigan, NYU, Queens, Rochester, Stanford, U Minnesota, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, U Wisconsin, Yale
Withdrawn: Columbia, Purdue
Attending: Northwestern
What would you have done differently? So, so many things. I think I was ridiculously lucky given how marginal my profile looks (but I promise, I am not as bad as I look on paper)
i) I would have started out as an Econ major instead of waiting till junior year to switch out of the Business school (no offense to business majors but that place drained my soul and made me super lazy)
ii) I would have taken my Calculus classes seriously or at the very least attended them for more than the first week
iii) I would have taken some more stats classes than the basic courses such as Stochastic Processes or Probability Theory
iv) I would have done more research/get to know more professors but then again, this is tied to (i)
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern($$), WUSTL($$), ASU($$), UWO-PhD stream MA($$)
- Institution: Arizona State University Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No info on funding yet
Notification date: 03/01/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: yes
Comment: Some good news finally
- Institution: Washington University (WUSTL) Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship ($$)
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC:
Yes
Comments: Feeling better already
- Institution: University of Western Ontario Economics, Masters (doctoral stream)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 03/09/2011
Notified through: Personal call
Posted on GC: yes
Comment: Good to have options
- Institution
nstitution: Northwestern Ph.D. in
Economics
Decision: Accepted, off of the waitlist
Funding: more info next week
Notification date: 04/06
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: YESSSSSSSS!!! Hopefully, I will get something for the first year.
Rejects: Rejections: Brown, Duke, Georgetown, Michigan, NYU, Queens, Rochester, Stanford, U Minnesota, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, U Wisconsin, Yale
Withdrawn: Columbia, Purdue
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: I seriously overestimated my chances.
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 02/28/2011
Notified through: via email
Posted on GC: yes
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: Nicest rejection letter so far
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
- Institution: Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Worst Rejection Letter Ever!
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: postal mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: SHOCKER...not
- Institution: Brown University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Georgetown Econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 03/11/2011
Notified through: postal
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Somewhat surprised but could not care less
- Institution: NYU Econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 03/18/2011
Notified through: postal
Posted on GC: No
Comments: oh well
- Institution: Brown Econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 03/18/2011
Notified through: postal
Posted on GC: No
Comments: meh
- Institution: Wisconsin Econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 03/18/2011
Notified through: postal
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Brutal day
oh and a postal rejection from UCLA just in case I didn't get the message from their email rejection
Waitlists: - Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Wait list
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: E-mail, said it is an unofficial notification and the official one will come later.
Posted on GC : yes
Comments:Second unofficial wait list but still happy
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
Potica 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA econ and psych from top 10 liberal arts college. Post-BA math classes in continuing studies program at top 20 University
Undergrad GPA: 3.5 (overall), 3.4 (BA institution), 3.8 (post-BA), 3.6 (econ classes), 3.6 (final two years of UG at liberal arts college)
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q780, V650, AWA 5.0
Math Courses: Calc I-III (C, A, A), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A-), Game Theory (A-), Probability I-III (A, A, A-), Real Analysis I-III (B+, A, A-), Math Stats I (B-). All but Calc I taken post BA.
Econ Courses: Intro Micro (B+), Intro Macro (B+), Intermediate Micro (A-), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (B+), IO (A), Decision Making (A-), IO Seminar (A), Trade (B+), Managerial Econ (A-), Law and Econ (P)
Other Courses: lots of psychology courses, a few history classes.
Letters of Recommendation: Two young (well known) economists at top 10 econ PhD program for whom I had a 1.5 year RA job. One economist who previously had a senior position at the FTC who supervised me at a consulting firm for 5 years. Letters were clearly strong.
Research Experience: Undergrad thesis (both econ and psych), work at econ consulting firm (5 years), full time RA job at top 10 university (1.5 years), co-authored working paper with supervisors at RA job, and a little bit of very preliminary work on a couple of my own ideas
Teaching Experience: TA for 2 quarters of intro micro and 2 quarters of intro macro
Research Interests: Applied micro (changed the fields a bit from school to school)
SOP: Probably strong. Good argument for why I want to study econ and why I am prepared. Wrote extensively about two research ideas. Customization varied from school to school.
Concerns: Relatively old, weak undergraduate grades, no grad classes.
Other: Presented co-authored paper as a poster at a conference in late March (a mention that the paper was accepted for the conference made it onto about half of my apps)
RESULTS
Acceptances: UW Madison ($), Cornell ($), UT Austin ($), UVA ($), OSU (unclear), Vanderbilt ($), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), Notre Dame ($)
Waitlists: U Chicago Booth econ (accepted), U Michigan Ross econ (accepted), Brown (accepted), U Maryland (accepted, no $), U Michigan (withdrawn, prob could have gotten in at last minute), UNC (withdrawn), U Minnesota (rejected)
Rejections: Yale, Harvard PEG, Berkeley ARE, Stanford, Princeton, UPenn, Wharton Applied Econ, U Chicago, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, CMU, Duke, JHU, Rochester, University of British Columbia, UCSD, Wash U
Attending: U Chicago Booth econ
What would you have done differently?
Not much. Would have changed my mix of schools slightly and not applied to UBC (with its $150 application fee). Obviously I could have done better as an undergrad, but at the time I had no interest in graduate school. I think the RA job was hugely beneficial (for a number of reason). My results would have been much worse without it. The last five months have been very busy and stressful, so I'm happy it's done even, especially given how well it turned out.
Accepts: Acceptances: UW Madison ($), Cornell ($), UT Austin ($), UVA ($), OSU (unclear), Vanderbilt ($), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), Notre Dame ($)
- Institution: Notre Dame Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ~$17k/year
Notification date: 2/9/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: UC - Irvine Economics
Decision: Accepted ("unofficially")
Funding: a few quarters of fellowship with TAship
for the rest
Notification date: 2/9/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: UC Davis Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted (conditional on OK from Grad Admissions office)
Funding: Decision "before the end of March"
Notification date: Feb 11
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Very happy about this one.
- Institution: UVA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ?
Notification date: 2/21/2011
Notified through: Email to Check Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: They let me in even though the grad school listed two of my three transcripts (including the one for my BA) as incomplete
- Institution: Vanderbilt Economics (PhD)
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes (1st year fellowship, later years TA)
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TA-ship (not much money)
Notification date: 03/01/2001
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: 14 other people copied on email.
Indicated they previously made 13 fellowship offers
- Institution: UT - Austin Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Unclear
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No.
- Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted (off waitlist)
Funding: Not currently, but they indicate they may be able to offer me funding
Notification date: 3/17/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: One waitlist down, four to go!
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Sage Fellowship: 22.25k stipend +4.7k summer stipend + tuition waiver, health insurance, etc. (required to RA or TA after first year)
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: Personalized email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: A very nice offer...looks like I'll have some decisions to make after all
- Institution: U Chicago Booth Ph.D. Business Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Full
Notification date: April 8
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Was waitlisted
Rejects: rejected)
Rejections: Yale, Harvard PEG, Berkeley ARE, Stanford, Princeton, UPenn, Wharton Applied Econ, U Chicago, Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, CMU, Duke, JHU, Rochester, University of British Columbia, UCSD, Wash U
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 10
Notified through:Email
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 16 February
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: University of Rochester Economics (PhD)
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Harvard Kennedy School Political Economy and Government (PhD)
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: Letter
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UPenn Phd in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
N/A
Notification date: 02/25/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: UChicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Washington U. in St. Louis Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Somewhat surprised by this rejection.
I guess it's evidence of the randomness of the process.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date:
3/08/11
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: CMU (Tepper) Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejection
Notification Date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Agricultural & Resource Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/14
Notified through: e-mail to check status
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Johns Hopkins University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: March 22, 2011
Notified through: Official e-mail
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: I was looking forward to getting this one after all the waiting.
- Institution: University of British Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/29/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GradCafe: No
Comments:
The application fee was steep.
Probably should have just skipped this one.
- Institution: UCSD Ph.D. in
Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 04/06
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists: Waitlists: U Chicago Booth econ (- Institution: Minnesota Economics (PhD)
Decision: Wait List
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/23/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: University Michigan Economics
Decision: Waitlisted (indicate that last year I would have been admitted without funding and there is a reasonable chance of being admitted this year)
Funding: if admitted tuition waiver, TA after first year
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: first two sentences of the letter: "I am happy to report that the Admissions Committee of the Department of Economics has enthusiastically recommended you for our Ph.D. program. I would like to inform you that you have now been placed on a waitlist for admissions."
Thought I was in until I read it more carefully!
- Institution: Chicago Booth Economics
Decision: Waitlist ("...you are highly ranked on the Economics waitlist.")
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Pretty happy about this one.
Because I excpected a rejection. No idea what my chances are of getting off the waitlist.
- Institution: University of Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Wait List
Funding: "...There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid"
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
- Institution:
University of Michigan (Ross) Business PhD (international business and business economics)
Decision: Waitlist
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: Response to email asking about my status
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: I think it's yes if admitted
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: Email to check Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Waitlist number 6 (this must at least put me in a tie for the most waitlists)
- Institution: UNC Ph.D. Economics
Decision: waitlist
Funding: ?
Notification date: April 13
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
JerseyBoy89 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Economics, B.A. Mathematics (Top ~10 Econ Dept / Top ~5 Math Dept)
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4
GRE: 800Q/700v/5.0a
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Multivariate Calculus, Intro Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics, Stochastic Calculus, Numerical Analysis, Analysis I, Topology, Vector Analysis, Abstract Algebra (Overall, 3.85 GPA)
Econ Courses: Basic Microeconomics Course, Math for Economists, Micro Theory, Macro Theory, Global Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Adv. Macro and Finance, Adv. Micro Theory, Independent Study (Overall, 3.9 GPA)
Other Courses: Finance Courses (foundations financial markets, corporate finance), Business Core (don't wish to list these )
Letters of Recommendation: I received one recommendation from an extremely well known econ professor. Other two recs from well known econ academics that are very successful as well.
Research Experience: RA work sophomore and junior summers. Also worked on independent thesis project senior year.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Macro-Finance (consumption-based asset pricing, term structure models), Corporate Finance in macro setting, Monetary Economics, Business Cycles
SOP: My statement was pretty straightforward - I discussed my research interests and motivations, coursework, research experiences, and my broad fit with each program.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), UMN ($), UPenn ($$), Wharton Finance ($$$), UCLA ($$ eventually)
Waitlists: Michigan, Princeton (eventually rej), Columbia Business
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Stanford, among others
Attending: Wharton
What would you have done differently? I am very very happy with my results and am really pumped to go to Wharton. That said, I think the one thing I should have considered is attending an MA program in econ (eg. Toronto, LSE) or an RA job at one of the regional Federal Reserve banks. Given my relatively strong recommendations, either one of these would have solidified my candidacy for a higher-ranked program (not that I didn't get into a great program already!). Looking back, coming from an undergraduate program, I also wouldn't mind some more economics training before I start a PhD program - it would certainly make me more economically mature as well. Nonetheless, I am very very happy with my results.
Accepts: Acceptances: Carnegie Mellon ($$$), UMN ($), UPenn ($$), Wharton Finance ($$$), UCLA ($$ eventually)
Rejects: rej), Columbia Business
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Stanford, among others
Waitlists: Waitlists: Michigan, Princeton (eventually
HealthEconGirl 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ from top-30 U.S. university
Undergrad GPA: 3.76 / 4.0, magna cum laude
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q800, V720, AW5.5
Math Courses: Calc I&II (AP), Multivariable Calc (A), Diff Equ (A), Intro to Proofs (A), Upper-level Probability Theory (A), Lin Alg (A), Intro to Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): None
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Regular econ major courses (mostly A's, one B+ and one B), IO (B+), African Development (A-), Econ Reforms and Corruption (A-), Pol Econ of Growth, Redistribution and Poverty (A-), Intermediate Econometrics (A), Senior thesis seminar (A)
Letters of Recommendation: Senior thesis advisor (Columbia Ph.D.), one Assoc Prof (Foreign Ph.D.), one Epidemiologist (Berkeley Ph.D.), one former supervisor
Research Experience: Senior thesis, RA for epidemiologist since August 2010, Paid Internship where I basically do standard RA work (data cleaning, analysis) since June 2010
Teaching Experience: none really, but LORs talked about my potential for teaching
Research Interests: economics of global health, specifically HIV and sexual behavior in developing countries
SOP: Highlighted my senior thesis, significant time working in a developing country, and well defined research interests; customized to each school
Concerns: While I have extensive work experience that is relevant, it's not the standard econ RA work; no graduate econ classes despite being in a research univ.
RESULTS:
Attending: UCSD
Acceptances: UCSD ($), UBC ($$$)
Waitlists: U Mich (Withdrawn), UCLA (Withdrawn)
Withdrawn: BU, U Toronto
Rejections: UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, NYU, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Cornell, Northwestern, Duke, UPenn, UMD College Park, NSF (Honorable Mention)
Comments:
Overall, I am very pleased with this result. Even though I had a lot of rejections (and that was hard), you only need one good admit, and I am extremely excited about UCSD. I applied to all of the top ten on the advice of my undergrad advisor, but I knew that cracking the top ten was a long shot.
The best thing I did was apply for the NSF GRFP. The application process, and particularly the process of developing a research proposal, really helped me crystallize my objectives and research interests, and I believe the experience made my SOPs that much stronger.
Taking my choice of undergrad institution, GPA, GRE, and work experience as given, there isn't much I would have done differently. However, writing the SOPs took me much, much longer than I expected. If I could do it again, I would start drafting SOPs over the summer.
A note about my LORs: a lot of people say that LORs from non-economists are useless. But I decided to go with an letter of recommendation from an epidemiologist who is extremely well know both within and outside her field, knows me really well, has a good sense for my research ability, and wrote me a glowing recommendation. I believe that if they are relevant to your research interests, LORs from disciplines that are close to econ, such as math, poli sci, or epidemiology, can be acceptable, and may even be preferable to letters from econ profs who barely know you.
I'm so glad the waiting is over!
Accepts: Attending: UCSD
Acceptances: UCSD ($), UBC ($$$)
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not yet specified
Notification Date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Didn't get an official admission letter, but an invitation to their open house that says "Congratulations on being nominated for admission to the Economics Doctoral Program at the University of California San Diego for Fall 2011.
You should receive a formal admission email from the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) soon and we want to welcome you!" I am so, so happy.
- Institution: University of British Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 25k
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GradCafe: no
Comments: Deadline to respond is Mar 29!
Rejects: Rejections: UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, NYU, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Cornell, Northwestern, Duke, UPenn, UMD College Park, NSF (- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/28/2011
Notified through: website (saw above and checked)
Comments: really disappointing, I thought I had a good chance of getting in
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: My first choice. This sucks.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Finally!
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2011
Notified through: Mailed letter
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Expected but still disappointing, as this was my last shot at staying in the SF Bay Area.
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Expected.
- Institution: UMD College Park
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Testudo website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Still no admits.
- 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: N/A
Notification date: 03/11/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: I appreciate their promptness. Take note, NYU.
- Institution: Brown University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Harvard University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/14/11
Notified through: mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: The letter finally came.
- Institution:
NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/17/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Finally.
- Institution: Cornell Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/25/2011
Notified Through:Email
Comments: Waiting on two more.
Waitlists: Waitlists: U Mich (Withdrawn), UCLA (Withdrawn)
Withdrawn: BU, U Toronto
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Even though it's only a waitlist, feeling better about my chances.
- Institution: UMich Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: Yes, if accepted
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:That letter is seriously confusing. Like others, it says I would have been admitted without funding last year. I wonder what happens if I am able to find an external source of funding (will call tomorrow).
- Institution: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Decision: Honorable Mention
Funding: No
Notification date: 4/5
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Obviously funding would have been great, but I knew it was a long shot, so I'm happy with this result.
dr12 2011:
PROFILE
Type of Undergrad: BS economics and physics from top 10 university
Undergrad GPA: 3.95
GRE: 800Q 620V 5.0AW
Math Courses: Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Diff EQs, Complex Analysis, Data Analysis
Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics (3 terms)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Macro, Micro, IO, Game Theory, Econometrics, Auctions, Finance, Options, Organization Design
Other Courses: Lots of physics courses
Letters of Recommendation: 1 famous, 1 well-known, 1 assistant prof (all econ)
Research Experience: Job in private industry focused on econ analysis, research, and data work
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Micro theory
SOP: Standard
Concerns: No research within academia or published papers
Other: Worked for several years in private industry after undergrad
RESULTS
Acceptances: Northwestern, UCLA, UCSD
Waitlists: MIT
Rejections: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, Chicago, Princeton, Yale
Attending: Northwestern
Comments: I think working in private industry the last five years likely prevented me from cracking the top-5. I think it is legitimately viewed as a risk (e.g., potential for rusty math skills, concern of going back into private industry, added likelihood of personal distractions) - a friend I have in graduate school says that the older graduate students tend not to do as well on average (at least in his class). Additionally, it becomes harder to get academic letters of recommendation. I would recommend that people who have worked for a few years and are thinking about pursuing an econ phd to take a graduate economics course or two through a local university's extension program (if you can fit it in while working). Outside of being informative/beneficial for you, it will strengthen your application and maybe set you up for a fresher letter of recommendation. That being said, I am very excited about Northwestern as my interests are in micro theory and it has always been in my personal top-5. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know anything else.
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern, UCLA, UCSD
- Institution: Northwestern Economics (PhD)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: not clear
Notification date: 2/23/2011
Notified through: I checked the site after having seen the posts here
Posted on GF: no
Comments: Feels good after the Yale rejection.
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: none
Rejects: Rejections: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, Chicago, Princeton, Yale
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: February 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Sorry for late post, been away for a few days. Congrats to the admits!
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Waitlists:
ggoofer 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ, Math at Non-HYP Ivy
Undergrad GPA: 3.89 overall, 3.94 Math, 3.97 Econ (out of 4)
GRE: 790 Q, 660 V, 4.5 AWA
Math Courses (undergrad level): Baby Linear Algebra (A+), Multivariable Calc (A), Honors Analysis (A), Linear Algebra (A-), Honors Algebra (A-), Topology (A), Stochastic Processes (A+)
Math Courses (grad level): Measure Theory (A+), Applied Functional Analysis (A), Algebra (A), Probability (A), Topics in Group Theory (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad level): Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Prob & Stat (A+), Intro to Econometrics (A+), Money and Banking (A-), Financial Economics (A+), Game Theory (A), Intertemporal Economics (A+), Trade (A+)
Econ Courses (grad level): Micro I (A), Micro II (A), Decision Theory II (A+), Contract Theory (in prog)
Other Courses: Stochastic Calculus for Finance (A-)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ, 1 math. I know these people well. Expecting strong letters.
Research Experience: Econ, none worth mentioning. Spent a summer working on finite group theory with a math prof here. Learned how much I hate group theory.
Teaching Experience: TAing is not allowed. I have done a lot of tutoring for the department since sophomore year.
Research Interests: Micro theory topics
SOP: Weak. Did not spend much time.
RESULTS:
Attending: Northwestern
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$$$), Berkeley ($$), Princeton ($$$), Yale ($$$$), UMN ($), Cornell ($$$)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, Chicago
What would you have done differently? Not much really. Very happy with my results. I should have spent more time on my SOP probably. Wish I could have gotten econ research in somehow, but it is borderline impossible to get anything that is not applied/data monkey work (and any theory stuff you do yourself e.g. for thesis most likely sucks). Also would have stopped taking undergrad econ courses a lot sooner. Most are a waste of time.
Accepts: Attending: Northwestern
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$$$), Berkeley ($$), Princeton ($$$), Yale ($$$$), UMN ($), Cornell ($$$)
- Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: $$
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comment:
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comment:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: so excited!!!!!!!
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 03/10/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: Choices!
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, Chicago- Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comment:
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: snail mail
Posted on GC : yes
Comments: A little disappointing, but oh well.
- Institution: Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : yes
Comments: Mostly bruises the ego, I doubt I would have attended.
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I am really doing much worse than I thought would, but I have a stellar funded admit, so it doesn't matter much at this point (thank God!).
I'm just curious why my expectations were so off
Waitlists: - Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comment:
philecon 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS Business Economics, relatively unknown university in Southeast Asia
Undergrad GPA: no idea how to convert it, but I graduated magna cum laude (Rank: 7/150)
GRE: 800Q, 590V, 5.0AW
TOEFL:112/120
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis and Math Stats
Econ Courses: the standard Econ courses, nothing special
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Northwestern PhD, 1 Ohio State PhD, 1 PhD from my uni
Research Experience: undergrad thesis (won an award, forthcoming in local journal), RA for six months
Research Interests: Health Economics, Industrial Organization
SOP: Pretty standard
Concerns: I shifted from Accounting to Economics, and I took a leave for a year to take a break; first to apply as an undergrad from my school (never been done ever)
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Georgetown, LSE EME, BGSE MS Economics, CEMFI MSc Economics and Finance, PSU (from waitlist)
Waitlists: PSU (eventually admitted, but without funding), Michigan (rejected off the WL though)
Rejections: Northwestern, Columbia, Brown, Penn, Virginia, Stanford, Duke, Singapore Management
COMMENTS:
I wasn't an economics major when I entered college, and I left school for a year after sophomore year (since something happened to me) to evaluate myself, and the direction I was going. I accidentally stumbled upon economics, and I found out that I loved it. Like the previous poster, however, I decided to do a PhD only around my junior year, so I had to cram a lot of math during my last two years, plus take the economics classes. I knew it was a huge risk, applying with only an undergrad degree, as most students from my university had at least a year of graduate coursework before applying to even European masters. I am very pleased with my results, though, and I look forward to attending the program that I chose. The only things that I probably would've done differently are: (1) I would've probably majored in math when I first thought about it (since my Math average is significantly higher than my Business average), or that I would've done my undergrad in the US when I had the chance and (2) I would've probably applied to mainly masters programs.
I guess I'll be back again for Fall 2013 PhD admissions.
Accepts: Acceptances: Georgetown, LSE EME, BGSE MS Economics, CEMFI MSc Economics and Finance, PSU (from - Institution: UPF MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification Date: 2/25/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I wish I had funding. Haha.
- Institution: Georgetown Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification Date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I don't think I will attend Georgetown, even if I can sweet talk my parents into funding me.
- Institution: CEMFI Master in Economics and Finance
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition waiver, plus 10,000 euros per academic year
Notification Date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: first admit with funding! Yay!
And I think I'd love to go to CEMFI.
- Institution: LSE MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
Decision: Admitted
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Happy, but I didn't get funding though. Have to talk it out with the parents.
- Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 03/15/11
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: WTF. No funding for the first year though.
Rejects: rejected off the WL though)
Rejections: Northwestern, Columbia, Brown, Penn, Virginia, Stanford, Duke, Singapore Management
COMMENTS:
I wasn't an economics major when I entered college, and I left school for a year after sophomore year (since something happened to me) to evaluate myself, and the direction I was going. I accidentally stumbled upon economics, and I found out that I loved it. Like the previous poster, however, I decided to do a PhD only around my junior year, so I had to cram a lot of math during my last two years, plus take the economics classes. I knew it was a huge risk, applying with only an undergrad degree, as most students from my university had at least a year of graduate coursework before applying to even European masters. I am very pleased with my results, though, and I look forward to - Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/26/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I knew I was a long shot.
- Institution: Penn Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/25/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: One of the schools I was hoping to get into, but okay.
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: as expected.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: This broke my heart.
- Institution: University of Virginia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: last minute application
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: as expected.
- Institution: Brown Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: as expected.
- Institution: Singapore Management University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 05/03/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: If the thread on highest ranked admit vs. lowest ranked rejection is still around, I'll probably win the award. Hahaha. But no worries, I think I'm all set for September. All I have to do is post my profile.
Waitlists: waitlist)
Waitlists: PSU (eventually - Institution: Michigan Economics and Public Policy
Decision: Waitlisted
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Should I even try to wait and see if I'll eventually get an admit?
ryanmagic 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Rank 3 University in China (Fudan), B.A. of econonmics, with one semester exchange experience in UC Davis.
Undergrad GPA: 3.57 in Fudan, top 10%; 4.0 in UC Davis (courses with * below).
Type of Grad: N/A.
Grad GPA: N/A.
GRE: 800Q 540V 3.0 AWA, TOEFL 105.
Math Courses: Advanced Math (differential calculus, integrals, a little differential equations)(B&A-), Linear Algebra(B+), Probability Theory(A), Statistics(A-).
Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Political Economics(A), Micro(A), Macro(B+), International Trade(B+), History of Economic Thoughts(A), Econometrics(A+*), Macro Development(A*), Money and Banking(A+*), Financial Management(A-), Industrial Economics(A), Investment(B), Economic History of China(A), Accounting(B), Contemporary Chinese Economy(B+), Theory on Capital(C+).
Other Courses: C programming(A).
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from UC Davis, 1 from Fudan.
Research Experience: RA for a term, one independent project and one team project in progress.
Teaching Experience: Representative for a course.
Research Interests: Labor, Development, IO.
SOP: So so.
Other: Awarded the National Scholarship in China (for top 1tudents).
RESULTS:
Acceptances: BU MA, UC Davis ARE MS.
Waitlists:
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Rochester, Maryland, Berkeley AREC, BU, JHU, UC Davis, Georgetown, U Colorado - Boulder, UC Davis ARE PhD.
Pending: Syracuse, Columbia QMSS.
What would you have done differently?
I would apply to Canadian master programs, Duke master and Tufts master.
Accepts: Acceptances: BU MA, UC Davis ARE MS.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Rochester, Maryland, Berkeley AREC, BU, JHU, UC Davis, Georgetown, U Colorado - Boulder, UC Davis ARE PhD.
Waitlists:
LUDuckling 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 30 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 4.0 Economics/Maths/International Relations
GRE: Q 800 V 730 AW 4.0
Math Courses: Calculus, Linear Algebra, ODE, Probability, Math Stat, Real Analysis
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, IO, Economic Thought, Development, Money Banking
Letters of Recommendation:professor of grad micro class; econ prof; math thesis advisor - all mentioned my originality & ability to abstract from real world happenings. One talked about I am "one of the most impressive students during his 40+ years of teaching at Harvard & xx university."
Research Experience: RIPS student industrial math research@IPAM; RA; math thesis in game theory
Teaching Experience: TA math & econ for 2 years
Research Interests: micro, behavioral, not really set
Other Experience: Co-founded a company and initiated an int'l summer school; various volunteering experiences, mainly has to do with (re)building houses for poor people(write about in diversity statement)
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Yale, Columbia, NYU, UCB, Chicago, etc.
Waitlists: MIT, UCLA, CMU
Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Brown, Caltech, etc.
What would you have done differently?
Applying straight from a non-top liberal arts college and with no significant grad course work/ research job, I am very content with my result. I think I really put everything I could reach together. I have no regrets.
Accepts: Acceptances: Yale, Columbia, NYU, UCB, Chicago, etc.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Brown, Caltech, etc.
Waitlists: Waitlists: MIT, UCLA, CMU
noa 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Economics, specialized in Quantitative Econ (basically lots of Econometrics) from unranked European Univ
Undergrad GPA: 9.27/10 (top of 300+ class)
Type of Grad: One year Master in Economics from the same uni (taking it now)
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q 660V ?A
Math Courses: linear algebra, topology, calc and advance calc, real analysis, matrix algebra, linear and non-linear programming (all A+ save for linear algebra, A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): macroeconomics, microeconomics, quant methods, energy markets, labor markets, monetary markets
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I-IV, Macro I-IV, game theory, tons of Econometrics and Statistics courses (mostly As, a couple of Bs)
Other Courses: Some applied econ courses, business courses, operations research
Letters of Recommendation: Should be quite good, from teacher whose PhD is from Harvard, UPenn, SUNY, CEMFI, Stanford, and whose Post-Doc was from Berkeley, Princeton,... (I think asking for approx. 10 LORS is a lot so I'm splitting the work a bit)
Research Experience: TA/RA Scholarship for a semester, I wasn't allowed to do much however, university system in Spain is not flexible at all...
Teaching Experience: High School Math and English tutor
Research Interests: Applied Econometrics, Macroeconomics, Micro Theory
SOP: Not finished yet, hopefully decent
Concerns: Adcoms not knowing my uni, not knowing how to interpret grades, etc. Also I'll be applying as a US student but I have more of a Int'l profile (I have dual citizenship)
Other: Any suggestions welcome!
Applying to: assorted top 20 and some safeties, also applying for several RA positions
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: not yet
Comments: expected, but still disappointed since it was one of my top choices
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: oh well
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: -
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Postal mail, postmarked March 4th
Posted on GC: No
Comments: The letter got here quick... I live in Spain
- Institution: UMD Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Postal mail, postmarked March 4th
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Deserved. I said Berkeley once in the SOP. Still no admission though, and I don't think I'll be getting one. Life goes on...
- Institution:
Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9/11 (not really sure about this one...)
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution:
Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution:
Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: Snail Mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution:
NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/11
Notified through: Unofficial e-mail after I asked about my status
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
Guess I'll be staying home this year!
Waitlists: - Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 2/28
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF: no
Funding: N/A
Comments: Honestly, a bit surprised. This proves you shouldn't listen to your professors when they say "don't worry, they've [Adcom at Penn] already assured me you're in".
caledonian2011 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BS from a large Asian Uni (ranked in top 60 in econphd.net), majored in Economics and Applied Mathematics
Undergrad GPA: 3.82 (top undergraduate)
Type of Grad: MS in Economics from a top European uni
Grad GPA: Highest honors, ranked top 5 graduates of about 80 people in cohort
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 5.0AW
Math Courses: Linear algebra I (B), Linear algebra II (A-), Calc (B+), Multivariate Calc (B+), Diff Eq (B-), Mathematical Stats (A+), Probability (A+), Numerical Computation (B-), Real Analysis I (A), Real Analysis II (A-), Complex Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I, II, II (All A+) .. (intermediate micro is micro II), Macro I, II, III (All A), Econometrics I, II, III (all A+), International econ (A+), Game Theory (A+), IO (A+), Monetary Econ (A-), Financial Econ (B+), Math econ (A+), Health econ (B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD micro (A-), Phd macro (A), PhD Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A+), price theory (B+), master IO (A), PhD IO (B+), Empirical IO (A-), dynamic optimization (A+), Mircoeconometrics (A+)
Other Courses: None relevant
Letters of Recommendation: 1 master thesis supervisor, 1 undergrad thesis supervisor, 1 from master program... None of them is famous, but all letters should be good or very good
Research Experience: Undergrad Honors thesis (grade A-) and Master thesis (grade A, and currently polishing under my sup to send for publication), and some term papers
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Theoretical and empirical IO, applied microeconometrics
SOP: explained reasons for doing PhD, career goal, and talk (at a rather shallow level) about research interest... did not mention any names of professors
Concerns: Some poor math grades (but math dept in undergrad uni is very stringent in grades), no 800Q (but not retaking), letter of recommendation from not famous people, lack of RA experience
Applying to: (I only have "sufficient money" to apply to around 10 schools). Looking to apply to 4 top 10s (probably MIT, Stanford, Yale, NU) , 4 top 20s (probably Columbia, NYU, UPenn, UCSD)... and 2 "safeties": UIUC and Penn State
Others:I posted my profile on a seperate thread to ask for comments but I didn't get many. If anybody has any advice or comment, please PM me. I will appreciate it very much!
Accepts: - Institution: UIUC Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fellowship and TAship
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution:Penn State economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding:yes
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: Boston University economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: UC San Diego economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ?
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: Northwestern economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted for 1st year funding
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: -
- Institution: Chicago economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: -
- Institution: Columbia economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: yes
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Most likely will attend
Rejects: - Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: -
Waitlists: - Institution: MIT economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: ?
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Not hopeful at all
tsimonoce 2011:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Joint (not double) Math / Econ major - Top 15 for Econ.
Undergrad GPA: 3.70 Cumulative, 3.96 in Econ, 3.63 in Math.
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800q / 610v / 4.5awa
Math Courses: LOWER DIV: Calc 1-3 and DiffEq taken in HS. Vector Calc (B), Linear Algebra (B). UPPER DIV: Probability (B), Stochastic Processes (B), Statistics (A-), Math Reasoning (A-), Analysis 1 (A+), Analysis 2 (A+), Applied Linear Algebra (A).
Econ Courses: Micro 1 (A+), Micro 2 (A), Micro 3 (A+), Macro 1 (A+), Macro 2 (A-), Metrics (A), Game Theory (A+), Micro Research Class (A), Grad Micro (IP), Senior Thesis (IP).
Letters of Recommendation: All three got PhDs from Stanford and I did research with. 2 really well-known and one assistant prof.
Research Experience: Small Micro class research, independent research project over summer (with a prof), and Senior Thesis.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Micro - especially Game Theory / Contract Theory
Concerns: Feeling pretty good
Other: All 3 letter of recommendation writers think I will crack top 5.
Applying to: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford GSB, Stanford Econ, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, Yale, U Penn, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, NSF.
Accepts: - Institution: Caltech Social Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $28k/year
Notification date: Feb 10
Notified through: email
Comments: Notified first through phone. It was a private/blocked call so I didn't answer! Got a voicemail and email. Ecstatic!!!
- Institution: Northwestern Economics (PhD)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: not clear
Notification date: 2/23/2011
Notified through: I checked the site after having seen the offer post here
Posted on GF: no
Comments: awesome!
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: on the "very high" waitlist
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comment: gmail put it in my spam filter! i got the offer a little over an hour ago.
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fellowship
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: not quite understanding how much money the stipend is?
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not yet specified
Notification Date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Same as all above.
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Policy and Analysis
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: February 18
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not fun.
- Institution: Michigan Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Somewhat surprised but I'll live.
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Not surprised.
- Institution: Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: awesome...on top of the implicit stanford rejection, i'm pretty upset.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date:
3/08/11
Notified through: Postal
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: Really really wanted it. Cruel that they teased me and it took 3 days to go 30 miles in the mail. Ouch.
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/21/2011
Notified through: emailed Marj about status
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
thesparky 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ with honours, top 4 Canadian
Undergrad GPA: ~3.9X/4.0 (converted)
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: -
GRE: 800Q 650V 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A-, A, A+), Honours Linear Algebra (A-), Proofs (A), ODE (A+), Probability (A+), Stochastic Processes (A+)
Econ Courses: Inter. Micro I-II (A, A+), Inter. Macro I-II (A-, A-), Stats-Metrics (A+, A+, A+), Development Econ (A+), Game Theory (A+, A+), Human Behaviour (grad; A+), Honours Thesis (A, A), Math Econ (A, A)
Other Courses: some commerce courses (As), some relevant non-econ courses (A, A+), several unofficial grad course audits
Letters of Recommendation: econ/psych prof; current boss (well known); econometrics prof
Research Experience: A couple of directed studies (A+s), thesis, some years RA for first letter of recommendation writer, currently full-time RA for second letter of recommendation writer.
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Behavioural econ
SOP: Its a statement of purpose alright.
Concerns: No real analysis. Oh well.
Other: Had a SSHRC (Canadian NSF) last year.
Applying to: Some top 5 (with B-schools) and a few others
Accepts: - Institution: Caltech Social Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $28k/year
Notification date: Feb 10
Notified through: email
Comments: All accepts probably today. [edit]phone also[/edit]
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Sage Fellowship
Notification date: 03/11/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: Glad to have it.
Rejects: - Institution: Chicago Booth MOB
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- 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: Was never going to happen.
- Institution: MIT Sloan Economic Sociology PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Email to check website = reject. No B-school for me :/
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: another one bites the dust.
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: Probably none
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: figures.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/11 (mailed)
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: Finally able to check what I knew was there.
- Institution: Harvard University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/14
Notified through: mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: there's the end of it. all official notifications received.
Waitlists: - Institution: UMich Economics
Decision: waitlisted
Funding: 1st year tuition waiver, TA/RA 2nd year onward (if admitted)
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: they ask us to keep them updated about our other offers.
riskaverse 2011:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. Economics at Top10 South American university; B.A. International Relations (not the same university as Economics)
Undergrad GPA: 7.5/10 for Economics (Top 5%); 8.46/10 for International Relations
Type of Grad: M.A. Economics at Top10 South American university (not the same as undergrad).
Grad GPA: 7.98/10
GRE: 800Q/540V/4.0A (2nd try)
Math Courses (undergrad): Calculus I and II
Math Courses (grad): Real Analysis, Measure Theory, Linear Algebra (audit)
Econ Courses (undergrad): a lot of them
Econ Courses (grad): Micro Theory I to IV (entire MWG), Macro Theory I to III, Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Corporate Finance, Empirical Microeconomics, Mathematical Economics I and II (some chapters of Stokey&Lucas).
Other Courses: lots of them too because of International Relations
Letters of Recommendation: A total of 4 letters, all from my MA professors. I think all of them like me, but I'm pretty unsure about the strenght of the letters. Two of them are somewhat well known, specially in their fields. I sent the letter from my advisor to all universities and rotated among the other recommenders.
Research Experience: My MA Dissertation. I have some works from undergrad published (co-authored), but not in academic journals (they were mainly directed to policy makers in my country - only one of them written in English).
Teaching Experience: TA for Microeconomic Theory II and Statistics II at the graduate level; TA for International Finance and IO in MBA courses; TA for Micro and Trade for undergrads.
Research Interests: Microeconomics, Contract Theory, Corporate Finance
SOP: very honest. I liked it in the end.
Other: TOEFL 106, but a low grade in the speaking portion. Although I applied to all parts of the US, I have very strong personal reasons for wanting to be in the East Coast.
Concerns: my first GRE try was a disaster, the second try was in December 2010, which made me really afraid of my results getting to the universities very late. My profile seems sometimes a Frankstein for me and I'm really concerned about my letters of recommendation. I don't have the minimum score for the TOEFL speaking portion that many universities require. I'm not the strongest applicant from my country this year, which makes me very pessimist about my dream schools. Also, I worked some time before entering my MA, so I'm kind of older I think... well, lots of concerns!
Accepts: - Institution: Penn State (PSU)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: yes (RAship)
Notification date: 2/20/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: Totally unexpected for a Sunday! Really relieved!
- Institution: Minnesota Economics (PhD)
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes (TAship)
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: email with formal acceptance (pdf)
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: very very happy!!!
- Institution: Arizona State (ASU) Economics (PhD)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: not mentioned
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
- Institution: University of Rochester Economics (PhD)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no funding
Notification date: 2/23/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: wrote the department to ask about my results. They replied with a letter attached saying I was accepted but no funding...
- Institution: U Penn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "very high on the wait list for a first year fellowship"
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: yes
Comment: kind of worried about funding but very very happy . Great school!!
- Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 02/25/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: yes
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: I am very very happy!! The program seems very nice and l would love to live in Philadelphia!!
- Institution: Wisconsin - Madison Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no first year funding, support guaranteed for the next three years
Notification date: 03/14
Notified through: Email (informal)
Posted on GC: yes
Comment: without funding, even only for the first year, is impossible for me
- Institution: UIUC Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 3/14/11
Notified through: Email
Posted on GradCafe: yes
Comment: very nice, specially after a week of rejections
- Institution: Cornell Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification Date: March 23, 2011
Notified through: Official e-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: no funding for 5 years as well... but I'm really surprised to be accepted
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: I cried... one of my very top choices. Already expected from not hearing from them, but it is still hard...
Congrats for the ones accepted and waitlisted!
- Institution: Harvard Kennedy School Political Economy and Government (PhD)
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/22/2011
Notified through: Postal service (the letter was dated 2/18)
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: long long shot, but still
- Institution: Duke PHD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/25/2011
Notified through: e-mail to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: kind of expected
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution : Chicago
Program : Economics PhD
Decision : Rejection
Funding : N/A
Notification date : 3/7/2011
Notified through : E-mail
Posted on GC : yes
Comments : soooo sad... I thought I had a good chance
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date:
3/08/11
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: it was a long shot
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: This one hurt a lot...
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/11/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: never really thought I had a chance, but I had to try... it was my dream school, both for academic and personal reasons
- Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: Finally... they replied my email
- Institution: Boston University Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: Rejection
FUnding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/25/2011
Notified Through: Email
Comments: Mass email with no care about privacy...
- Institution: Washington University St. Louis (WUSTL) Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: --
Notification date: April 13
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: finally^2
- Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics
Decision: Rejected (from wait list)
Funding:
N/A
Notification date: 04/19/2011
Notified through: e-mail to see website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: I happened to know that I was waitlisted from the rejection letter.
Waitlists: - Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: I think it's yes if admitted
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: Email to check Website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: short wait list
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:
econger 2011:
Institution: LSE
Program: EME 2y
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no "graduate support scheme" - other available scholarships pending till July...
Notification date: 01/21/11
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: if I don't get any form of financial support, I cannot afford the fees (plus living expenses London!) - so I guess I hope for PhD-admits or other Master-programs, which are more generous
Accepts: - Institution: LSE EME 2y
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no "graduate support scheme" - other available scholarships pending till July...
Notification date: 01/21/11
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: if I don't get any form of financial support, I cannot afford the fees (plus living expenses London!) - so I guess I hope for PhD-admits or other Master-programs, which are more generous
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: nothing for the first year, then salary via assistentships plus tuitions but not including the enormous non-residential fee
Notification date: 3/6/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Well... happy on the one hand to get my first admit... but sad on the other hand that I will hardly be capable to finance this...
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: sad - but not suprising, since obviously all admits were already made yesterday
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Quite expected - why do they vary so much in how they inform the applicants? Anyway, I think it is very respectful from them to send a real letter as rejection-notification... (esp. seen in contrast to some other universities that obviously think that they are too brilliant to send official rejections at all...)
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding: --
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: E-mail (I asked them)
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Not really suprising
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Reject
Funding: --
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
- Institution:
Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/15/11
Notified through: mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: well, at least it's nice that they did answer at all.
Waitlists: - Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Wait list
Funding: dunno
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: E-mail, unofficial
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Actually, one of my absolute favourites - so happy to be still part of the race (is this an English saying? anyway...)
thirty 2011:
Institution: Yale
Program: Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Started thinking about applying next year if I don't get any offer.
Accepts: - Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: very high on the wait list for a first year fellowship
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: yes
Comment: So happy.
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: Feb 16
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Started thinking about applying next year if I don't get any offer.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: California dreaming...
- Institution: Harvard Kennedy School of Government Public Policy
Decision: Reject
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/03/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/4/2011
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: 3rd reject this week.
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/08/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Columbia University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Columbia Business School Finance PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: 9th straight rejection. Only Princeton rejection is left, and I'll be relieved after that.
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: End of the season for me (with implicit rejections from Harvard, NYU). I'm happy for my only offer, hoping funding comes through.
Waitlists:
kida 2011:
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: email to check site
Posted on GF: no
Comments: sad to start with rejection..
Institution: Duke
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: email to check site (yesterday department also sent email with funding details)
Posted on GF: no
Comments: soooo happy
Institution: Northwestern
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes /edit: called them and apparently my first email with details on funding got lost... /
Notification date: 02/23/2011
Notified through: no notification, checked site after seeing post here
Posted on GF: no
Comments: yay!
Accepts: - Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: email to check site (yesterday department also sent email with funding details)
Posted on GF: no
Comments: soooo happy
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: accepted
Funding: yes /edit: called them and apparently my first email with details on funding got lost...
/
Notification date: 02/23/2011
Notified through: no notification, checked site after seeing post here
Posted on GF: no
Comments: yay!
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding:
yes
Notification date: 3/6/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: very very happy
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: yes
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: speechless...
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: email to check site
Posted on GF: no
Comments: sad to start with rejection..
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/8/2011
Notified through: email
GC: no
Comment: oh well
- Institution: Columbia University Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification Date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Very nice letter though
- Institution: Princeton University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: and with this I got all my decisions (except the implicit rejections from Harvard and BU), good luck to all those still waiting!!
Waitlists: - Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/28/2011
Notified through: via email
Posted on GC: no
Comment: finally a decision... I thought it will never come
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: waitlisted
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: I cannot believe it, wow...
Pinkee 2011:
My apology for posting late too.
Institution: Penn State
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Full fellowship
Notification date: really early
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: One of the earliest decisions.
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD in ARE
Decision: Recommended for admission
Funding: Nominated for competition
Notification date: 02/04/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Email saying a more formal letter would follow, but haven't received it yet.
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: My top choice, perfect match for my research interests (development and political economy). I thought I had a shot, but got to know the sad result about a week before the official notification, so kinda prepared for it.
Institution: Stanford GSB
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Super long shot. I actually regret applying...
Institution: Penn - Wharton
Program: PhD in Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: Email to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: I think my research interests do not really match.
Institution: Penn
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: One of my top choices. Hoping for the best.
Accepts: Accepted
Funding: - Institution: Penn State Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Full fellowship
Notification date: really early
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: One of the earliest decisions.
- Institution: UC Berkeley ARE
Decision: Recommended for admission
Funding: Nominated for competition
Notification date: 02/04/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Email saying a more formal letter would follow, but haven't received it yet.
- Institution: Penn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: One of my top choices. Hoping for the best.
Rejects: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Super long shot. I actually regret applying...
Institution: Penn - Wharton
Program: PhD in Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: Email to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: I think my research interests do not really match.
Institution: Penn
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/16/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: My top choice, perfect match for my research interests (development and political economy). I thought I had a shot, but got to know the sad result about a week before the official notification, so kinda prepared for it.
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Super long shot. I actually regret applying...
- Institution: Penn - Wharton Applied Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/22/2011
Notified through: Email to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Comment: I think my research interests do not really match.
- Institution: Duke University Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/25/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Expected.
- Institution: Chicago Booth Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Long shot.
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: 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:
- Institution: UMD Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC : no
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC : no
Waitlists: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/24/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: One of my top choices. Hoping for the best.
- Institution: UMich Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: Yes, if accepted
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: A bit confusing letter.
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/5/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: 3 wl's in a row... a bit disappointed
vidamilonga 2011:
I just got an account, so I'll post my results so far in chronological order. Somewhat schizophrenic results...
Institution: Yale
Program: econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: mid Feb
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GF:no
Comments: not surprised, but a little disheartened
Institution: UPenn
Program: econ PhD
Decision: waitlist
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: high on waitlist
Institution: Harvard
Program: econ PhD
Decision: accepted!
Funding: not specified, but I did submit my documents late
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: phone call
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: total surprise! but super excited
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 3/2
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: surprised at this, especially given my Harvard admit. my recommenders told me I had a very good chance, and they're very well-connected to Berkeley. Oh, well, at least it makes my decision even easier
Accepts: accepted!
Funding: not specified, but I did submit my documents late
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: phone call
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: total surprise! but super excited
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: econ PhD
Decision: - Institution: Harvard econ PhD
Decision: accepted!
Funding: not specified, but I did submit my documents late
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: phone call
Posted on GF: yes
Comments: total surprise! but super excited
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 03/10/11
Notified through: Email
Comments: Incredible!
Rejects: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: mid Feb
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GF:no
Comments: not surprised, but a little disheartened
Institution: UPenn
Program: econ PhD
Decision: - Institution: Yale econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: mid Feb
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GF:no
Comments: not surprised, but a little disheartened
- Institution: UC Berkeley econ PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 3/2
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: surprised at this, especially given my Harvard admit. my recommenders told me I had a very good chance, and they're very well-connected to Berkeley. Oh, well, at least it makes my decision even easier
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: oh, well
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2011
Notified through: postal mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: oh, well
- Institution: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 4/5
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: It would have only meant an extra $4k for me, so I'm glad it went to people who got admissions/funding from it. Congrats to all the new fellows!
Waitlists: waitlist
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: high on waitlist
Institution: Harvard
Program: econ PhD
Decision: - Institution: UPenn econ PhD
Decision: waitlist
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on GF: no
Comments: high on waitlist
- Institution: U Michigan Economics
Decision: waitlisted
Funding: if admitted, at least tuition/healthcare for 1st year, GSI thereafter
Notification date: 3/3/2011
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Letter says everyone not offered funding was waitlisted. Funding offers were made based on balancing out fields and likelihood of acceptance.
jzir11 2011:
Institution: Stanford
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2011
Notified through: Mailed letter
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Bummed, but not unexpected (like several others here, I hoped to stay in the bay area). Curious if anyone has any insight into the "special sauce" Stanford is looking for.
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2011
Notified through: Mailed letter
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Bummed, but not unexpected (like several others here, I hoped to stay in the bay area).
Curious if anyone has any insight into the "special sauce" Stanford is looking for.
Waitlists:
Brusegadi 2011:
Institution: Stanford
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/6/2011
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Letter postmarked March 04
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/6/2011
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GC : no
Comments: Letter postmarked March 04
Waitlists:
Milo2010 2011:
Rejections:
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/16/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution: UPenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/24/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: A bit shaken, as this is the second reject.
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/2/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: As expected. Been told that we tend not to take our own undergrads.
Institution: Northwestern
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/11
Notified through: Checked the website.
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/6/11
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: The most painful reject thus far. I was hoping not to leave the Bay Area.
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/7/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: Very much expected. It was a long shot anyways.
Admits:
Institution: UCLA
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Acceptance
Funding: No first year funding.
Notification date: 3/2/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: Really not thrilled with the "no first-year funding" part.
Accepts: - Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Acceptance
Funding: No first year funding.
Notification date: 3/2/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: Really not thrilled with the "no first-year funding" part.
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Unspecified.
Notification Date: 3/10/2011
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Invitation to open houseonly. Details will come in the official admission letter later.
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/16/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments:
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/24/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: A bit shaken, as this is the second reject.
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/2/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: As expected. Been told that we tend not to take our own undergrads.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/4/11
Notified through: Checked the website.
Posted on GF:
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/6/11
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: The most painful reject thus far. I was hoping not to leave the Bay Area.
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: -
Notification date: 3/7/11
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GF:
Comments: Very much expected. It was a long shot anyways.
Admits:
- Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification Date: 3/09/2011
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Quite painful reject. Thought that this would have been within reach. Perhaps my expectations in general were off.
- Institution: Princeton Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Dream school. Sad it didn't work out.
- Institution: Brown University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/11/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Oh well.
- Institution: NYU Ph.D. in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 3/18/11
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: Finally scrambled up the courage and emailed them...prompt reply.
Waitlists:
MathEcon12 2012:
Since it seems like the season is coming to an end for some TMers, and because last year's thread was also started on the second Saturday of March, I think it's a good time to get the annual Profile and Results Thread started.
I'll take a page out of Italos' playbook and quote asquare's post from the 2009 thread:
"This thread is meant to be a reference thread only. Please fill out the information below, but post any comments or questions in a separate thread. Other comments will be deleted from this thread. Note that you can only edit your posts for about one hour after you make them. This means that if you are still waiting on admissions decisions, you should wait to post your profile on this thread. Otherwise, your profile will be incomplete."
Without further ado,
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:
Undergrad GPA:
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE:
Math Courses:
Econ Courses:
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation:
Research Experience:
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests:
SOP:
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
Waitlists:
Rejections:
Pending:
What would you have done differently?
Accepts: admissions decisions, you should - Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted?
Funding: No first-year tuition waiver; no stipend. TA/RA yrs 2-4.
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Whoooooaaaaaaa! (But I fear I have now lost the "Chron Award")
- Institution: Boston University Econ
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Only years 2-5.
Notification date: March 12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Official decision to come in the mail.
Rejects: Rejections:
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through: Email to check website.
Posted on GC: No
Comments: On to the next one...
- Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Checked website (no e-mail)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Expected after all the admits were notified last Friday.
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I don't like Philadelphia anyways.
- Institution: UC-Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: 0 for 4 - starting to freak out.
- Institution: Chicago-Booth Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/28
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Sad face emoticon.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29
Notified Through: Checked website at 1:30 a.m. EST
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Sincerely, thanks for the heads up gemmy.
- Institution: UChicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: February 29
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: 0 for 7...
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: February 29
Notified through: Email to check website.
Posted on GC: No
Comments: ...0 for 8.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Used to it by now...
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Coach Krysheckweiskschki was one of my letter writers, wtf?
- Institution: Minnesota Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Darn it! I loved the first Mighty Ducks movies and wanted to reshoot it with my fellow Twin City dwellers.
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notified: 3/13
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: Absolutely not.
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/16/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted to GC: No
Comments: Had plenty of time to prepare for the inevitable.
- Institution: Harvard Business School Business Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/16/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted to GC: No
Comments: Letter dated March 9, 2012
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Glad this is my last post in the Admissions and Rejections thread.
Waitlists: waiting on - Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: 18K stipend + health/dental insurance if admitted
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Want this soo bad!
delimitless 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 60 Economics UG
Undergrad GPA: 3.75 (3.85 math & econ)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 790Q/640V/5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc series; Linear Algebra; UG Analysis; Grad Analysis I; Grad Topology I-II; Dynamical Systems
Econ Courses: Grad Macro; Grad Micro; Grad Metrics; standard UG classes
Other Courses: Philosophy minor
Letters of Recommendation: Grad Macro Professor; two economists at regional fed where I worked
Research Experience: 2 Years at Regional Fed. Couple co-authored papers in the works. Felt this was instrumental to my intent/results
Teaching Experience: Tutoring and Grading at UG
Research Interests: Macro, Labor, Computational
SOP: Customized for a little while then just got lazy and sent the same one
Other: good to be moving on
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NSF; UPenn(after NSF); UCLA($); Ohio State($$)
Waitlists: Maryland (Accepted after NSF); WUSTL
Rejections: Yale; Northwestern; NYU; Chicago; Stanford; Minnesota; Columbia; Duke
Pending:
Attending: U Penn
What would you have done differently? Probably would have customized my SOP a bit more. It just got so dull. Second-guessing the past is easy...I guess work harder in UG is the easy answer; but I wasn't so sure that I wanted a PhD at that time.
Accepts: Acceptances: NSF; UPenn(after NSF); UCLA($); Ohio State($$)
- Institution: Ohio State Univ. Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not decided yet
Notification date: 2/3/2012
Notified through: Website status
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Nice to know it won't be a shutout. Thx to Smmoo's post for letting me know I should look.
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 4 year fellowship
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Agree with Peot, vague language for the funding. Word fellowship is mentioned, but unclear whether it's in addition to tuition and health insurance.
Rejects: Rejections: Yale; Northwestern; NYU; Chicago; Stanford; Minnesota; Columbia; Duke
Waitlists: Waitlists: Maryland (- Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: "some probability"
Notification date: 03/08/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: the term "some probability" makes me laugh
Peot 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Math/Econ double major at a Top 40 Econ, top something US News... too lazy to check. We like experimental econ and college basketball.
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad: Just classes
Grad GPA: 3.9
GRE: 760Q/640V/4.0 Attempt #1, 165Q/161V/5.0 Attempt #2
Math Courses: Calc 1-3, Intro to Analysis I-II, Abstract Algebra, Honors Linear Alg, Honors ODEs, Applied Stat, Probability Theory, Math Stat, Stochastic Processes, Grad Analysis I, Topology, Combinatorics, Number Theory. All A's except an A- in ODEs and a B in Grad Analysis
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I, Micro II, Political Economy, Topics in Micro Theory. All A's except an A- in Micro II
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A whole bunch
Other Courses: A bunch of English classes
Letters of Recommendation: 1 extremely well known (multiple publications in AER/'metrica/JET), 1 very well known (publications in AER, 'metrica, JET), 1 not as well known. All 3 are micro theorists and have had me for at least one grad Econ class and at least two are advising me with my thesis/research projects.
Research Experience: 2 summer research grants from my university to work on independent projects in micro theory/game theory, another grant to work on that same project during this academic year, some independent studies over the years, all of which will be aggregated into a special degree/honors thesis
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: Game Theory, Mechanism Design, Formal Political Theory, Algorithmic Game Theory. How information affects games and how mechanisms can incentivize information acquisition.
SOP: Cookie cutter with one paragraph tailored to each place.
Other: Varsity letterman/spent 4 years on a perennial top 15-25 Division I team in my sport. That made this all so much harder than it needed to be!
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Caltech, Wisconsin, Kellogg MECS, UT-Austin, UCLA, NYU, Berkeley (no first year fellowship), Penn (wl for first year funding)
Waitlists:
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB Econ Analysis + Policy
Attending: Caltech
What would you have done differently?
Can't say I could have changed anything drastically. Maybe done marginally better in a course or two, or not messed up my first GRE. But those are ninth or tenth order concerns. RA or a Masters wouldn't have done anything for me. I'm thrilled and fortunate to be where I am!
Accepts: Acceptances: Caltech, Wisconsin, Kellogg MECS, UT-Austin, UCLA, NYU, Berkeley (no first year fellowship), Penn (wl for first year funding)
- Institution: California Institute of Technology Social Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuiton Waiver + 28k stipend
Notification date: 1/27/2012
Notified through: Got a phone call. Completely caught me off guard. Absolutely thrilled!
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I'm on cloud nine!
- Institution: University of Wisconsin- Madison Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship first two years + guaranteed funding for 2 more
Notification Date: 2/14/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment: 2 for 2 at places I'd like to be.
- Institution
nstitution: Northwestern- Kellogg School of Management MECS PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + Health Insurance + 32k
Notification Date: 2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Yahoo!
- Institution: UT- Austin Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None as of now because I'm told they think I will have competitive offers
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: If my preference ordering was based solely on disc golf and SXSW I'd be set....
- Institution: UPenn Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Very high" on the waitlist for fellowship
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Hm.
- Institution: Berkeley Ph.D Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: No funding for 1st year. Full funding for years 2-5.
Notification Date: 2/27/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC:
No
Comments: Awww come on
- Institution: NYU
Decision: Admitted
Funding: at least 24k + summers
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: NICE.
Comments: yea
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 4 year fellowship
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: The funding details are kinda vague.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB Econ Analysis + Policy
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Dang.
- Institution: Stanford GSB EA&P PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: Hoo boy.
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Checked website (no e-mail)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Let's go Stanford Econ!
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments: WHO NEEDS 'EM?
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Tough to be disappointed with what I have but this one stings a whole lot.
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: That just about wraps up the season for me. On to flyouts!
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/20/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted to GC: No
Comments: Good riddance Econ PhD applications. On to decisions!
Waitlists:
laca 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Econ from top 10 US, top 5 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.77/4.00
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: 800Q 690V 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Honors Calculus I-III (A,B-,A), Real Analysis I-III (A-,B+A-), Math Probability (A-), Stat Methods/Theory (A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Price Theory I (B), Social Interactions and Inequality (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate micro (A-,A), intermediate macro (A,A-), game theory (A-), IO (A), honors metrics I-II (B+, A), macro modeling (B+), reading/research (A,A)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ, 1 finance, 1 accounting prof, all highly regarded in their field. I have RAd for at least a year for each, two of them have seen me in a classroom setting as well. Coauthored an unpublished working paper with two of them. They all reassured me that the letters would be strong.
Research Experience: 1 year undergrad RA, 1.5 year as full time researcher at highly ranked business school.
Teaching Experience: for a short while I tutored math to freshmen in college
Research Interests: applied micro
SOP: Nothing too exciting.
Concerns: Math grades could be stronger; GRE AWA could be better. Hoping that research experience and strong LORs will compensate for it.
Other: Some poli sci electives and required college core courses
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago Booth finance ($$), Chicago ($), Stanford GSB political econ ($$), NYU Stern finance ($$), UCLA ($)
Waitlists:
Rejections: Berkeley, Brown, Columbia GSB finance and econ, Cornell, Harvard, Kellogg finance, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Stanford, Yale
Attending: Chicago Booth finance
What would you have done differently?
Overall, I am very happy with my results, although I was really not expecting the composition of the acceptances to be so tilted towards finance instead of econ - I originally applied with the expectation that I would end up at an econ program. I think that the take home point is that recommendations matter; having two biz school recs provided me with excellent results at other business schools, but possibly doomed my applications at econ departments. So in hindsight I should have added an additional econ recommender. I also wonder a bit if I somehow messed up my econ sop, despite the fact that I have much less familiarity with finance research topics.
However, I am quite excited to take a step outside of my comfort zone, and learn about a whole new field!
Accepts: Acceptances: Chicago Booth finance ($$), Chicago ($), Stanford GSB political econ ($$), NYU Stern finance ($$), UCLA ($)
- Institution: Stanford GSB Political Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Standard package
Notification Date: 2/17/12
Notified through: phone
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Amazing.
- Institution: Booth Finance PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 35K
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
- Institution: NYU Stern Finance PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Don't know yet, but assume full funding
Notification Date: 2/28
Notified Through: Unofficial email from professor
Posted on GC: Yes
- Institution: UChicago. Econ PhD.
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship (23k + 3k summer)
Notification Date: 2/29
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: I finally have a pure econ acceptance!
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: Berkeley, Brown, Columbia GSB finance and econ, Cornell, Harvard, Kellogg finance, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Stanford, Yale
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 12.22.2012
Notified through: Checked website after posts here.
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: February 22
Notified through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Although I always thought it was a long shot, it's still disappointing; was my top choice without question.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Like Peot, this just about wraps up the season for me. I am a tad ambivalent about the results - I was hoping for more econ and received (apart from Chicago) a bunch of finance and PE instead. Suppose a little career shift might not be so bad. Conclusion: unless your coursework clearly conveys you're a genius, who writes your recs will make it or break it.
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/15/12
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/20/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted to GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/21/2012
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted to GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Business School Finance and Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/21/12
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Cornell
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 4/4/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Whatever.
Waitlists:
Blerg 2012:
Thanks, TM community for being such a valuable resource. I was a lurker, but I'll submit my results for posterity and such. All of the results below are what was put on my applications, i.e. the first 6 semesters of college.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Flagship Public (Top 5 math, Top 10 econ)
Undergrad GPA: 3.63
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q/680V/5AWA
Math Courses: Intro Bus. Stats (A-)/Calc III (B+)/Linear Algebra (B)/Discrete Math (A-)/Numerical Analysis (B)/Probability (A)/Intro to Analysis (B)/Linear Algebra (B+)/Stochastic Processes (A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A-)/Intermediate Macro (A)/Transition Economics (B-)/Mathematical Economics (A-)/Econometrics (A)/International Trade (A-)/Advanced Microeconomics (A)/Development (In Progress as of Fall)/International Monetary Econ (IP as of Fall)/Thesis (IP as of fall)
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from the guy who taught me mathematical economics/1 from a guy I was a RA for/ 1 from the guy who taught advanced micro, with whom I also wrote my thesis. All are well respected Microeconomists who are still publishing
Research Experience: Several semesters as RA for various profs, Was writing my thesis while applying
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Development, Micro
SOP: Cookie cutter, nothing special at all
Other: I had been worried about that 1 really bad grade on an econ class, as well as my rather average grades in math classes
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD (ATTENDING!) (full tuition, 25% TAship first year, 50% after), BU (Nothing first year, full tuition and ~18k TAship years 2-5)
Waitlists: UCLA (I asked to be removed)
Rejections: NYU, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Michigan, Penn, NW, Chicago, UCB, Columbia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown
Pending: N/A
What would you have done differently?
Let me count the ways...The main point would have just been doing better in classes. I don't know that I could have gotten A's in all of those classes, as the math department is very competitive and very bright, but I'm sure I could have bumped Bs up to B+s, etc. Writing a thesis was key, as I think it got my by far my best letter of rec. I also would have lowered my expectations, and applied to some lower ranked schools.
Regardless, I am ecstatic with my outcome. La Jolla is going to be glorious.
Accepts: Acceptances: UCSD (ATTENDING!) (full tuition, 25% TAship first year, 50% after), BU (Nothing first year, full tuition and ~18k TAship years 2-5)
Rejects: Rejections: NYU, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Michigan, Penn, NW, Chicago, UCB, Columbia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Cornell, Brown
Waitlists: Waitlists: UCLA (I asked to be removed)
art_vandelay 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BS in Econ/Math
Undergrad GPA: 3.9 (4.0 Econ , 3.9 Math)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q 730V 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calculus (1-3), Probability, Math Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Real Analysis I , Real Analysis II. All As except an A- in Analysis 1 and a B+ in Probability
Econ Courses: Standard courses + some electives (A), Phd Micro (A) , Phd Metrics (A), Phd Math for Econ (A)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 2 well-known, pretty strong. 1 probably somewhere between lukewarm-strong, in retrospect.
Research Experience: RA'd for two summers + a few papers
Teaching Experience: TA'd a couple of courses
Research Interests: Education, IO, Health, Development ... in that order
SOP: A little too standard
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Michigan ($), Duke ($), BU (none first year), Texas ($) , UVa ($)
Waitlists: Maryland
Rejections: Harvard, Yale, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, Stanford, NYU
What would you have done differently?
Would have started writing this paper I have due in 2 hours, last night... Apart from that, not much.
I pulled schools I expected to get into, and got shafted at places I didn't. Yale stung a bit, but I'm otherwise quite happy with how the cycle turned out.
To future generations of TMers, temper your expectations, it really makes the cycle a lot more tolerable.
Accepts: Acceptances: Michigan ($), Duke ($), BU (none first year), Texas ($) , UVa ($)
- Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not as of now, since they think I'll get a higher-ranked offer
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Nice
- Institution: Duke University Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Standard
Notification date: 2/28
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Awesome
- Institution: University of Virginia Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition, health, 20k TAship
Notification date: 03/05/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Just declined
- Institution: Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Nice
- Institution: BU Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: from the 2nd year
Notification date: March 12
notified through: Email
posted on GC: NO
Comments: damn unfunded admits.
Rejects: Rejections: Harvard, Yale, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, Stanford, NYU
- Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -(Cost of the two six-packs I'm going to need now)
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through:
Email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: On the plus side, it's in New Jersey...
Waitlists: Waitlists: Maryland
- Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
backtowork 2012:
Type of undergrad: BA in Econ and Math from non-HYP Ivy
Undergrad GPA: 3.94/4.00
GRE: 800Q/710V/5.0W
Math courses: honors calc (B), honors linear (A), honors ODE I and II (A, A), operations research (A), statistical inference (B), information theory (A), real analysis (A+), grad stochastic processes (A-)
Econ courses (all undergrad): intro (A), micro (A), macro (A), health (A), int'l (A), financial institutions (A), corp finance (A), honors econometrics (A), economic growth (A), theory of general equilibrium (A), public econ (A), Labor (1st-taken at an oxbridge), Political Econ (1st-taken at an oxbridge)
Other courses: mostly random poli-sci
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from my thesis adviser (not well known). 1 from my former boss as an intern at the Fed Board (pretty well known, but I only worked there for a couple months and he didn't know me all that well). 1 from my current boss at regional fed who is somewhat well known and knows me quite well.
Research Experience: thesis, a little RA work in UG, internship at the Fed BoG, currently an RA at a Fed Bank. No publications.
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interest: Macro, labor, IO, pretty much open to anything
SOP: eh
Other: elected phi beta kappa junior year, magna cum laude, honors;
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Penn (wl for funding, asked to be removed), UCLA ($$$), Princeton($$$)
Waitlists: Minnesota (asked to be removed)
Rejections: NYU, Harvard, HBS, MIT, Stanford, Stanford GSB, UC Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Chicago, Columbia,
Attending: Princeton!
What would you have done differently?
I would have decided during college that this is what I wanted to do and made an effort to work with some of the big name professors at my UG institution. I was very fortunate to get such favorable results without having done so. After going through the whole admissions process, it has become abundantly clear that it's all about the letters; not just what's in them, but also who writes them. Not that your letter writers have to be famous or anything, but they need to be well-connected. Looking at my admissions results, the process looks almost random (rejected from Columbia, accepted at Princeton?), but in fact my results were quite predictable; if one of my letter writers personally knew someone on the admissions committee, I was accepted. If they did not, I wasn't. Simple as that. So my advice to the next generation of applicants is the same that has been given all over this board: LETTERS ARE EVERYTHING! If I had followed that advice a little earlier, I might have cracked the Harvard/MIT barrier, but Im certainly not complaining!
Accepts: Acceptances: Penn (wl for funding, asked to be removed), UCLA ($$$), Princeton($$$)
Rejects: Rejections: NYU, Harvard, HBS, MIT, Stanford, Stanford GSB, UC Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Chicago, Columbia,
Waitlists: Waitlists: Minnesota (asked to be removed)
revilo 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top Australasian University, BA/BE(Hons) in Economics and Engineering Science (Operations Research)
Undergrad GPA: 7.8/9 on my university’s scale (about 3.8 on US scale)
Type of Grad: Same university, BA(Hons) in Economics, MA in Economics
Grad GPA: 8.25/9 on my university’s scale (about 3.88 on US scale)
GRE: V 164, Q 167, AWA 5 (on third attempt...)
Math Courses: Engineering Maths 1-3, Real Analysis 1-2, Measure Theory, Functional Analysis
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro Theory 1-2, Macro, Econometrics, Energy Economics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Trade, Game theory, Environmental, Financial Economics
Other Courses: 4 Grad operations research courses, 3 grad statistics course (inc time series and probability theory), Some other engineering stuff
Letters of Recommendation: Emeritus Professor at Northwestern, Head of Department, Thesis Supervisor
Research Experience: 1.5 years of RA work on electricity markets for two different professors includes co-authoring two papers. One summer of RA work on nutrient trading schemes. Honours Dissertation on climate change IAM modelling.
Teaching Experience: Two semesters introductory micro, Three semesters introductory macro, One semester introductory programming for engineers
Research Interests: Applied Micro, IO
SOP: full of typos!
Concerns: a smattering of crappy grades
Other: Semester on exchange to Hong Kong
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UChicago (attending), Columbia, UC Berkeley ARE, U British Columbia, U Toronto
Rejections: Stanford, Yale, Northwestern, NYU, Penn, Michigan, Duke, Maryland
Accepts: Acceptances: UChicago (attending), Columbia, UC Berkeley ARE, U British Columbia, U Toronto
- Institution: UChicago Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 23k Fellowship
Notification Date: 2/29
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
yea, Chicago!
- Institution: UBC Economics
Decision: Accepted.
Funding: ?
Notification Date: March 1
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Yay for Canada!
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Accepted!
Funding: Full Funding
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: NEW YORK,NEW YORK- FRANK SINATRA - YouTube
- Institution: UC Berkeley Agricultural and Resource Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ???
Notified: 14/3
Notified through: Unoffical Email
Posted on GC: No
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, Yale, Northwestern, NYU, Penn, Michigan, Duke, Maryland
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date:
23 Feb
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 29 Feb
Notified Through: Application website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Duke University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/5/2012
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: University of Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/7/2012
Notified Through: Email
to check website
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
unfallible 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 50 State School (flagship), BS Econ, BA Philosophy
Undergrad GPA: 3.9
Type of Grad:N/A
Grad GPA:N/A
GRE: 800Q, 760V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Intro Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Intro to Proofs, Linear Algebra, Intro Real Analysis (All As, except for A- in Linear Algebra)
Econ Courses: Intro/Intermediate Micro/Macro, Econometrics, Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Labor (All As); Grad Level: Math for Economists (B+)
Other Courses: Intro Probability
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Economics Professors I had in class + one administrator that I did something significant with (vague to protect anonymity)
Research Experience: Senior Thesis
Teaching Experience: 2 semesters TA (Intermediate Micro and Labor)
Research Interests: Labor, IO
SOP: brief, with a 'cutesy' anecdote about incentives
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT Austin ($$), Ohio State ($$), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), UArizona($), UNC Chapel Hill (?)
Waitlists: Berkeley(rejected), Georgetown (declined)
Rejections: MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA,UCSD,Cornell,CMU,Maryland,Penn State
Pending: UIUC(Never responded. Maybe my application didn't fully go through?)
Attending: UTAustin
Accepts: Acceptances: UT Austin ($$), Ohio State ($$), UC Davis ($), UC Irvine ($), UArizona($), UNC Chapel Hill (?)
- Institution: Ohio State Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ?
Notification Date:2/10/2012
Notified through: Online status change
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Anyone know if they have posted financial packages?
- Institution: UC Irvine Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: online status change. Followed by email the following day.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Was not expecting this one! Just decided to check status randomly.
- Institution: UT Austin Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: ??
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: website, checked after saw reddavies post
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I'm getting more admits than I expected for it being so early!
- Institution: University of Arizona Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ~7k (I think this is per semester. Otherwise this is a joke...)
Notification date: March 26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Rejects: rejected), Georgetown (declined)
Rejections: MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA,UCSD,Cornell,CMU,Maryland,Penn State
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 3/1/12
Notified through: application
Posted on GC: no
Comments: ^econphdhopeful2 says it all
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/2/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Thought I had this one...
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified through: Website Status
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Surprised by this. Thought I had a good shot here
- Institution: Penn State Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: March 9
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification date: March 23.
Notified through: email.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: I had hoped to get in here...
Waitlists: Waitlists: Berkeley(- Institution: Berkeley Ph.D Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/27/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Best I could have hoped for...
- Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: NA
Notification date: March 9
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
reddavies 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA/BS International Affairs and Economics, Math minor at top 50 U.S.
Undergrad GPA: 3.92
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 168Q, 164V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calc III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Proofs (A), Computing in Math (A), Math Finance (A), Real Analysis (A-), Math Stat I-II (A,A)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Game Theory (A), Economics of Crime (A), Money and Banking (A); Taken Abroad: Public (1st), Econometrics (1st), Dynamic Optimization (1st), International (1st), Advanced Macro (1st)
Other Courses: C/C++ (A), plus a bunch for my international affairs major that probably aren't relevant
Letters of Recommendation: two economics professors, one stat professors. Think they were okay.
Research Experience: one semester RA, the work wasn't very technical though
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Applied Micro (education, crime, etc.)
SOP: okay, definitely could have been better
Other: Studied abroad for a year in the UK
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke ($$), Cornell ($$), UT Austin ($), Brown (no $)
Waitlists: Penn (eventually rejected off the list)
Rejections: NYU, Yale, Caltech, UCLA, Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, Northwestern
Attending: Duke!
What would you have done differently?
Hard to say. I'm really happy with my results. Personally, I wish I had dropped my international affairs major and done just econ and math, but I'm not sure that would have necessarily helped my profile. I went into the process thinking it was almost all about the math background you had, but I think more and more that your letters and research background count for a lot more. I think schools look at fit as well. The schools I got into seemed to fit me really well and a few that I thought I'd get into but didn't, turned out not to fit me all that well. Also, I wish I had been more active in finding research opportunities. My results might have been better if I took a year or two offer to work as an RA, but honestly I really want to move straight into the PhD and Duke is an amazing place with great placements so I'm really happy with how things turned out.
Accepts: Acceptances: Duke ($$), Cornell ($$), UT Austin ($), Brown (no $)
- Institution: UT Austin Economics
Decision: admitted
Funding: no idea?
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: website, decided to check to see and saw the admission
Posted on GC: No
Comments: No word on funding and never got an email, but it's great to finally have an admission!!!
- Institution: Duke Economics Phd
Decision: Admitted
Funding: $18K + other stuff
Notification date: 2/28/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Yay!!!!!!
- Institution: Brown Economics (technically an MA for the first-year. If I pass, then I enter into the second-year of the PhD.)
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No first-year funding, TA-ship next years
Notification date: 3/5/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: A little confused on the offer, but really excited to get another admit!
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 5 Year Funding
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted to GC: No
Good to finally be done!
Rejects: rejected off the list)
Rejections: NYU, Yale, Caltech, UCLA, Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, Northwestern
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Things are looking bleaker...
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 29 Feb
Notified Through: Application website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: bummer...
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Shouldn't have been surprised I guess, but still...
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Thought I had a chance
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Kind of expected it :-(
- Institution: University of California, San Diego Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notified: 3/13
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: UMich Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/15/12
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comment: Looks like it's going to be Duke!
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/21/2012
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted to GC: No
Waitlists: Waitlists: Penn (eventually - Institution: Penn Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I hope, I hope, I hope...
Pburg 2012:
Type of Undergrad: US, top 30
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 (3.9 econ, 3.6 math)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q 167 V 161 AWA 5.5
Math Courses: Calc II and III (A-, B+), Lin Alg (B+), Intro to Proofs (B), Math Stats (A-), Applied Stats (A), Bayesian Stats (B+), Diff Eq (A-), Nonlinear ODE (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Analysis (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles of Micro, Macro (A-, A), Hon Intermediate Micro, Macro (A, A-), History (A), Intro & Intermediate Econometrics (A-, A), IO (A), Math for Econ (A), Information (A), Regulation/Antitrust (A)
Letters of Recommendation: good to great, from Stanford, Michigan, and UCLA econ PhDs
Research Experience: summer RA, kind of light
Teaching Experience: TA 4 semesters
Research Interests: applied micro
SOP: average
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin ($), Vanderbilt ($$)
Waitlists: UVA (withdrawn)
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern, UCSD, Cornell, Duke, Penn State, UC Berkeley ARE
Attending: Wisconsin
What would you have done differently? Better math grades. If I had developed an interest in econ sooner, I might have avoided some mediocre grades and snagged a couple more research opportunities.
Accepts: Acceptances: Wisconsin ($), Vanderbilt ($$)
- Institution: Vanderbilt econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: First year fellowship + TAship
Notification date: 2/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: how nice
- Institution: U. Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TAship
Notification date: 2/26/2012
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern, UCSD, Cornell, Duke, Penn State, UC Berkeley ARE
- Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/5/2012
Notified through: randomly checked website, no email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: no interview
Waitlists: Waitlists: UVA (withdrawn)
dbeef 2012:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 US University, econ + math double major.
Undergrad GPA: 3.82 (3.83 econ, 3.58 math)
Type of Grad: 3 math field courses, and a masters/advanced undergrad micro theory course; additional econ field course at a top 10 program while working.
Grad GPA: 3.62
GRE: 163Q, 163V, 5.5AW
Math Courses: Random undergrad (calc, odes, etc... mostly As), Analysis (B), Algebra (B-), Probability theory (B+), Grad complex w/ some functional (A-), Other grad math (A,A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Labor (A), Micro(B-), Asset pricing (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate micro and macro (A+,A+,A), metrics (A-), some other honors courses (As)
Other Courses: Some chem and physics + some businessy CS courses (As)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from a well known econ professor I took a grad course with (top 1 0EAS ranking), 2 additional strong (hopefully?), detailed letters from fairly well known economists who observed me in a research setting (one regional fed economist and one thesis advisor), a 4th letter from a math professor I took grad courses from.
Research Experience: A ton. In econ: a few undergrad RAships (over 3.5 years), a solid undergrad honors paper, and 1.5 years as an RA at a regional Fed... a couple of published papers as a coauthor in decent field journals plus a few coauthored working papers, some policy papers, and a couple self-authored (under the guidance of my letter writers) working papers. Other: was part of a math/theoretical physics research team for a while and also did some material chemistry research as an undergrad.
Research Interests: Lots, but mainly labor, health, and theory.
SOP: Standard-ish with some sections individualized for each school.
Concerns: bad math grades and a marginal GRE score
Applying to: Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Penn, Wisconsin, Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, NSF
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern (wl $), Wisconsin ($$$$), Michigan ($$$$), NSF($$$$$), Penn (off wl post NSF)
Waitlists: Penn
Rejections: Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Carnegie Mellon
Attending: Northwestern
Accepts: Acceptances: Northwestern (wl $), Wisconsin ($$$$), Michigan ($$$$), NSF($$$$$), Penn (off wl post NSF)
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: University Fellowship
Notification date: 2/14/2012 & 2/22/2012
Notified through: Email from department
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: wait list
Notification Date: March 7th
Notified Through: email
Posted on GC: nope
Comments: very very very happy
- Institution: Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Rackham Merit Fellowship"
Notification Date: March 8th
Notified Through: email
Posted on GC: nope
Comments:
Rejects: Rejections: Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Carnegie Mellon
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through: Email to check website.
Posted on GC: Yes
- Institution: UC-Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: 2 emails
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UChicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: This day is a pile of turds.
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 8th
Notified Through: email
Posted on GC: nope
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2nd
Notified Through: email to check website
Posted on GC: nope
Comments:
Waitlists: Waitlists: Penn
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/27/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: nope
Comments:
ecoetz 2012:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics with Mathematical Economics Concentration (Minor?) from Private Latin American University (Five year degree) (Not well known internationally, known locally).
Undergrad GPA: 4.8/5.0 (Graded on a 5.0 scale, but graded on a percentage basis) (~4.8/5.0 last two years) (~4.8/5.0 maths) (Ranked first in my class).
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q164 (790, 91%) / V161 (620, 89%) / AWA 5.5 (96%).
Math Courses: Differential Calculus (5.0), Integral Calculus (4.5), Multivariable Calculus (5.0), Linear Algebra (4.7), Statistics I,II (4.7, 5.0), Advanced Math for Econ (Covers Intro to Proofs, Elementary Topology and RA) (5.0), Dynamic Optimization (4.9), Stochastic Processes (4.5).
Econ Courses (grad-level): Topics in Modeling (Grad Econometrics) (4.5).
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I,II,III (4.8, 4.8, 4.7), Macro I,II,III (4.5, 4.2, 4.3), Econ History and Thought (4.3, 4.7, 4.4), International Econ (4.9, 4.9), Game Theory (4.9), Public Sector Econ (4.8), Monetary Theory and Policy (4.8), Dynamic Macroeconomics (4.7), Business Cycles and the Firm (IO) (5.0), Econometrics I,II (5.0, 4.7), Time Series Econometrics (4.7), Advanced Econometrics (Multiple Time Series Econometrics) (4.7), Applied Econ and Math Seminar (Microeconometrics) (5.0). There is some grad content in the more advanced courses, but they are still UG-level.
Other Courses: Economic Theory (Epistemology) (5.0), Financial Mathematics (4.9), Financial Analysis (4.8), Five course Politics Sequence, and some other not-as-relevant courses.
Letters of Recommendation: Harvard Prof (PhD Yale, well known), Local Econometrics Prof (PhD UCSD, Co-author, was his TA for grad macro course, former supervisor at work), Local Macro Prof (Former head of Econ Department at my UG school, was his TA for five semesters), and, where a fourth letter could be sent in, Local Summer School Prof (Recent PhD MIT, RAing for him now, TAing for his Fiscal Policy course). All should be strong (hopefully!).
Research Experience: Co-authored paper in top local Journal. RA for over a year at my UG school, with co-authored working paper. Currently RA at top local University in Econ Department. Worked as regional macro research analyst for Citibank for a year after a six-month internship (don't know if this counts towards research experience, since it is not academic. Lots of writing though!).
Teaching Experience: Intermediate Macro TA for five semesters. Advanced Macro (Grad) TA, Fiscal Theory and Policy TA (at top local University).
Research Interests: Political Economy, Comparative Development, Macro Policy.
SOP: Talked about my research interests and how a PhD would be appropriate right now. Run-of-the-mill IMHO.
Concerns: UG school is not very well known, though hopefully LORs will make up for it, since 3 of the 4 recommenders are not from my UG school, but do know it well. Very few grad courses for an international applicant (as mentioned above, while many courses do have grad content, the grad program at my UG school is not as big and, since the UG program is long, grad content is taught at UG level, which is hard to signal to adcoms).
Other: \end{anxiety}
RESULTS
Acceptances: UPenn
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Yale, Berkeley, Northwestern, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Columbia, Harvard, NYU.
Attending: UPenn
What would you have done differently? Well, the plan was to apply to the top 10 (didn't apply to Chicago though) and see what happened. If I got shut out, I would have gotten an MA in my home country at a good school with good placements and tried again. As fellow TMers have said before, I just needed the one, and I got it. So, in that regard, I played my cards right. However, I went to a very unknown UG school, so in retrospect I probably should have gone to a more known school. I won't say a better school because I believe my undergrad education was very good. I had excellent classmates and I'm sure the more advanced undergrad content was at least, in part, at the MA level, so I don't regret doing my UG there. However, a better known school would have meant better LORs, although I got a very good one from a very good professor I hope to keep working with. For sure more math. I'm still dreading that one going into a PhD program like Penn's. I hope to get caught up in their long math camp though! All in all, I'm thrilled!
Accepts: Acceptances: UPenn
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist for fellowship
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: First Admit! Going to grad school!
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, Berkeley, Northwestern, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Columbia, Harvard, NYU.
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 12.22.2012
Notified through: Checked website after posts here.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: One down. Others will be better!
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29/12
Notified Through: Application website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ---
Notified: 3/13
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
- Institution: Harvard Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ----
Notification date: 3/13/2012
Notified through: Postal Service
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Letter is dated March 1st
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/21/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Done with the cycle. Decision time!
Waitlists:
wantchi 2012:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5, Top 5 Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.58
Type of Grad: A few courses at a top 5 program while working
Grad GPA: 3.33
GRE: 800Q, 700V, 4.0W
Math Courses: Real Analysis (B+,A,A-), Abstract Algebra (A,B), Complex Analysis (B+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics (B,B) Microeconometrics (A), Game Theory (B-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro (B,A-), Intermediate Macro (B,B+), Game Theory (A)
Other Courses: Stat Methods and Applications (A), Stat Theory and Methods (A-, A-), Mathematical Probability (A-), Applied Linear Statistical Methods (Grad Course, B+), Categorical Data (A), Probability Models (Grad Course, A)
Letters of Recommendation: Best from Professor in Top 20f IDEAS rankings, 2 very strong letters from well published economists at a regional Fed (each program received only one of these), 1 decent letter ("He got an A in my class which was a tough class") from a Very Famous economist ("just" top 50n IDEAS but a big name)
Research Experience: Lots. Undergrad Honors Thesis Paper, 2 Years as an undergrad, 2+ years at a regional Fed. Coauthored paper accepted at a good journal and several other coauthored projects in the works.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Inequality, Labor, Econometrics, Public
SOP: Individualized to each school. Mentioned a few professors whose research I'm interested in.
Concerns: Grades (obviously!).
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: NWU (Fellowship starting 2nd year), Wisconsin ($$), Harris School of Public Policy ($$), UCL MSc
Waitlists: Penn (Rejected), UCLA (Withdrew), Maryland (Withdrew), Washington (Withdrew)
Rejections: Chicago, Booth, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Berkeley, Michigan, UCSD
Attending: Harris School of Public Policy
What would you have done differently?
I'm actually quite happy with how things worked out. The Harris School is a perfect fit for my research interests. I am really excited about every aspect of the program. It is more flexible than most econ programs, so they are letting me take whichever Econ department courses I want, but I can skip the one's I'm not interested in (i.e. Macro). Now, I just need to prove that you can get a job coming out of a policy school!
I probably would have done better for myself by taking 2nd year courses while working instead of the core econometrics courses. The grading would have been less brutal (decently high above median = B) and I would have been able to talk to the professors more and maybe gotten a better letter.
Accepts: Acceptances: NWU (Fellowship starting 2nd year), Wisconsin ($$), Harris School of Public Policy ($$), UCL MSc
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship first two years + guaranteed funding for 2 more
Notification Date: 2/14/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Yes (Grad School Admissions Results, Discussions, Tips, Forums, Help • thegradcafe.com for people who don't know)
Comment: First admit! Super excited! I was freaking out about Yale today and definitely wasn't expecting to hear from Wisconsin!
- Institution: Harris School of Public Policy at Chicago Public Policy PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: around 19k
Notification Date: 3/2/12
Notified Through: Unofficial e-mail from professor
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Not an econ phd, but the faculty includes economists so I'll post it.
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: e-mail
Posted to GC: yes
Comments: Soooo happy!
- Institution: University College of London Economics MSc
Decision: Accepted
Funding: -17500 pounds
Notification date: 04/13/2012
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: So much for letting me know 6 weeks after I submitted the application. Declined already.
Rejects: Rejected), UCLA (Withdrew), Maryland (Withdrew), Washington (Withdrew)
Rejections: Chicago, Booth, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Berkeley, Michigan, UCSD
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22/2012 (11:51 am Eastern Time)
Notified through: Email to check website.
Posted on GC: Yes
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution:
Booth Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/28
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: Yep
Comments: Depressing.
- Institution: UChicago Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Really, really sad about this one.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: Yep.
Comments:
- Institution: Princeton Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UC San Diego Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notified: 3/13
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/16/12
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: I wish they'd just send out a batch e-mail.
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/21/2012
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted to GC: Yes
Comments: Wanted to be in Chicago anyway!
- Institution: Penn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected off waitlist
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 04/10/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Waitlists: Waitlists: Penn (- Institution:
University of Pennsylvania
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/27/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
A weekly kick in the face after my 1st year
Notification Date: 3/2/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: I responded to the e-mail and asked to be removed from the waitlist.
- Institution: University of Maryland Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
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!
The Blueprint 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: U.S. Public University Top 50 Econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.94 (4.0 Math, 4.0 Econ)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 790Q 800V 6.0 (first time) / 170Q 170V 6.0 (retake)
Math Courses: Calc I-II (exam), Intro. Computer Science (A), Linear Algebra (A), Calc III (A-), ODE (A+), UG Real Analysis (A+), Prob. and Stats (A), Grad Analysis I (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Math. Stats I (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (A+)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro. Micro (A+) & Macro, Intermediate Micro & Macro, Public Sector Economics, Game Theory, Industrial Organization (A+), Intro. Econometrics, Labor Economics (A+)
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 2 well known senior faculty who advised me on research, 1 AP who taught the grad micro course
Research Experience: One year as RA, senior thesis
Teaching Experience: Math tutor
Research Interests: Theory or applied micro
SOP: Standard, but well-written
Other:
Concerns: Reputation of institution, strength of rec. letters (explained below)
Applying to: All Top 10, Some Top 20
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Penn ($$), Minnesota ($$), Duke ($), Princeton ($$$, from WL)
WL: Princeton
Rejections: Stanford, Northwestern, S. GSB, Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Columbia, Wisconsin, Michigan
Attending: Princeton
THOUGHTS:
First of all, I am over the moon to be attending Princeton given my background. I think that for students who come from lesser-known U.S. schools, it's incredibly important to apply to a broad range of programs; I could not have predicted, when the process began, that Michigan and Wisconsin would reject me. I was unsure that my rec. letters would be strong enough to crack the Top 10not because the content was weak, but because my recommenders (who are wonderful) might not have as much influence or credibility as "famous" people from top institutions who write many letters. However, if your recommenders are willing to go to bat for you, I think that you will have a shot at most programs.
If I had realized my ambitions in economics earlier, I would have made sure to serve as an RA for a famous professor at a top department (during a summer or academic term). I had no desire to spend time after my bachelor's researching for a top professor or for a Fed in order to dress up my resume for future application cycleswhich I am sure would have helpedbut that is personal preference.
Finally, a thought about the Princeton waitlist. I kept in good touch with the department and sent them notes intended to demonstrate (1) that the program was an excellent fit for me, and (2) my writing style, which, while trivial compared to "real" qualifications for the PhD in economics, should at least set me apart from the field of candidates. While I am sure that many waitlisted candidates send notes explaining point (1), I would encourage them also to pick out some aspect about their candidacy which is unique or different, and express that as well. It just might make a small but material difference.
Also, I should have applied for the NSF. What was I thinking?
Accepts: Acceptances: Penn ($$), Minnesota ($$), Duke ($), Princeton ($$$, from WL)
WL: Princeton
- Institution: U. Minnesota Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship & TAship
Notification date: 2/17
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: 1st offer :-)
- Institution: UPenn Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship 24k
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: great way to start my Friday!
Rejects: Rejections: Stanford, Northwestern, S. GSB, Chicago, Harvard, MIT, Yale, Berkeley, NYU, Columbia, Wisconsin, Michigan
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: It is what it is. Congrats to those who were admitted
- Institution: U. Chicago Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website; letter still has not been uploaded. I emailed Mandy, who sent me my letter. For anyone who cannot view their letter online--just contact Mandy. She was able to resolve this problem quickly.
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: U. Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Waitlists: waitlist. I kept in good touch with the department and sent them notes intended to demonstrate (1) that the program was an excellent fit for me, and (2) my writing style, which, while trivial compared to "real" qualifications for the PhD in economics, should at least set me apart from the field of candidates. While I am sure that many waitlisted candidates send notes explaining point (1), I would encourage them also to pick out some aspect about their candidacy which is unique or different, and express that as well. It just might make a small but material difference.
Also, I should have applied for the NSF. What was I thinking?
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Excited to make the waitlist! Does anyone care to decline their Princeton offer? :-)
csalriv 2012:
PROFILE
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics of a Chilean university (best in Chile, top-3 in Latin America).
Undergrad GPA: 6.1/7.0, Maximum Distinction and Highest Honors (ranked 1st).
Type of Grad: MA in Economics of the same Chilean university (top-3 MA Economics Program in LatAm, probably best).
Grad GPA: 6.5/7.0, Maximum Distinction and Highest Honors (ranked T-1st).
GRE: Q 170 (99%); V 148 (40%); AW 4.0 (48%).
TOEFL: 112 overall. 30 R, 30 L, 23 S, 29 W.
Math Courses: Calculus I-II, Algebra I-II, Statistics I-II, Operations Research + 4 Grad School courses + 1 courses in a Summer Exchange in a top Math Grad School in Brazil.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Microeconomics I-II, Macroeconomics I-II, Econometrics I-II, Financial Economics.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): All usual.
Other Courses: Accounting and Management stuff.
Letters of Recommendation: 6 Recommenders total: 4 professors at my University (2 outstanding letters, 1 very good, 1 quite good) + 2 other research economists (1 quite good letter plus a standard one).
Research Experience: RA for a top Chilean economist (known worldwide) and for a young University economist. MA Thesis approved with honors. Currently working at the Econ Research Dept. of a top Chilean facility.
Teaching Experience: Professor of Microeconomics I at the best Chilean university, plus over 10 TAs in Undergrad School and 1 Grad School TA.
Research Interests: Game and Contract Theory, Financial Economics.
SOP: Bloody long.
Concerns: Almost no own research (but MA Thesis). Disperse interests and experience. Few years ‘lost’ working. Being Chilean.
Other: Useless but cool stuff: political leadership, a second foreign language and Math Olympics honors, among others.
Applying to: Econ PhD at 9 of the top-15 places. Social Sciences PhD at Caltech. PhD in Economic Analysis and Policy at Stanford GSB. MEDS PhD at Kellogg.
RESULTS
Acceptances: NYU, UCLA, Penn. Finance PhD at Kellogg (redirected from MEDS). Caltech (off the waitlist). All fully-funded with stipend, luckily.
Waitlists: Caltech.
Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Chicago, Stanford GSB.
Attending: NYU!
Random Thoughts
I am really happy with my decision, though I had a hard time deciding between NYU and Caltech. I appreciate weather a lot (and being from the Pacific coast of South America, California's climate conditions are quite similar), even more than living in THE big city. Besides, Caltech's Social Science Program is outstanding, specialized in my main Econ interests, with good placement records and close interaction between (the few) students and Faculty. Nevertheless, NYU is quite good as well and their placements are improving constantly... but most importantly, there is a rich interaction between Theory and Macro and I can have a close link to Finance just by crossing the street to Courant or Stern. Besides, I really loved the Faculty-students relationship. And all students I met were really nice and easygoing, with high social skills (maybe that's because they're living in NYC!).
My advice for all admitted, if possible: go to the visit days, without any doubt you'll have a good time and you'll collect relevant information for your decision (eventually unknown before).
What would I have done differently?
- Applying 1 or 2 years earlier instead of losing time working (in a Research unit, but still).
- Taking more time to apply: I just took the GRE by mid-October and wrote my SOP in late-November!
- Because of the latter, writing an specific SOP. I am totally sure that some features of my profile were cons in some places. You don't need (want) to lie, but sometimes you should hide some (potentially irrelevant) information. It could be misleading.
- Apply to UC Berkeley and to more Business Schools.
Accepts: Acceptances: NYU, UCLA, Penn. Finance PhD at Kellogg (redirected from MEDS). Caltech (off the - Institution: Kellogg SoM. Finance.
Decision: Admitted.
Funding: FF + 32k.
Notification date: February 20. Funding notified on February 24.
Notified through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: First applied to Kellogg MEDS (I thought Id had a better shot in there). But both departments agreed that my application would be considered by Finance Dept. Helluva change!
- Institution: Penn. Economics PhD.
Decision: Admitted.
Funding: FF + 23,7k.
Notification date: February 24.
Notified through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: First good news in Econ! Lovely.
- Institution: NYU. Economics.
Decision: Recommended for Admission.
Funding: FF + 26k.
Notification Date: March 2.
Notified Through: Phone Call.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Happy as f*ck! Started spreading the news... (Even though I will have a hard time deciding where to go!)
- Institution: UCLA. Economics.
Decision: Admitted.
Funding: FF + 20k.
Notification Date: March 2.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: I think this will be my last offer of admission...
- Institution: Caltech. Social Science PhD.
Decision: Admitted (off the waitlist).
Funding: FF + 28k.
Notification date: March 14.
Notified through: Phone call, then e-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Great! But now I’m having even more conflict deciding where to go. Not to complain anyway. I think I’d be declining UCLA this week.
Rejects: Rejections: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Chicago, Stanford GSB.
- Institution: Yale. Economics PhD.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification date: February 22.
Notified through: E-mail to check website.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: If it wasnt for Kellogg, I would have shot myself after failing this one. Disappointed as f*ck.
- Institution: Stanford GSB. Economic Analysis and Policy.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification date: February 23.
Notified through: E-mail to check website.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Well
- Institution: UChicago. Econ PhD.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: February 29.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: I didn't want to go there anyway... but a bit disappointed 'cause it was a little unexpected.
- Institution: MIT. Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: February 29.
Notified Through: E-mail to check website.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Even though it was expected, I'm still disappointed. Especially with the use of the word "elsewhere".
- Institution: Stanford. Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2.
Notified Through: E-mail to check website (around half an hour before my letter was available on the website).
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: This one hurts. Especially considering the failure in their information system.
- Institution: Princeton University. Economics PhD.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: March 8.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: So frustrated.
- Institution: Harvard. Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification date: March 22.
Notified through: Mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Letter dated March 9. Not a rough letter anyway. With this, I'm definitely done.
Waitlists: waitlist). All fully-funded with stipend, luckily.
Waitlists: Caltech.
- Institution: Caltech. Social Science PhD.
Decision: Waitlisted.
Funding:
Notification date: February 6.
Notified through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: By April 1st you shall hear from us either way. It wasnt a nice start.
TA89 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Dual Major in Economics/Mathematics from Top 10 liberal arts college. Transfer from a top public after one year, Summer Coursework at an ivy, top 15 national university, and another top public.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85 (Math: 3.90, Economics: 3.85)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: Q:780 V:570 AWA:6.0 (second attempt)
Math Courses: Calculus I (A+), Calculus II (B+), Calculus III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A-), Introduction to Analysis (A), Analysis & Optimization (A), Probability (Fall 2011), Principles of Real Analysis I (Fall 2011)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Microeconomics I (A), Advanced Microeconomics II (A): The first semester course used MWG and covered consumer theory/producer theory/GE topics. The second semester course used half the class to cover Gibbons' Game Theory, and the second half covered Contract Theory using Bolton and Dewatripont, as well as Berkeley lecture notes. Both were Ph.D. level courses.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles of Microeconomics (A), Principles of Macroeconomics (A), Experimental Economics (B+), Intermediate Microeconomics (A-), Intermediate Macroeconomics (A-), Economics Statistics (A), Econometrics (A-), International Trade (A),
Other Courses: Not sure what to say here, but I took a year of Chinese (A/A), and a Philosophy Seminar/Tutorial double course (A-/A-)
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Adviser. TA'd his UG Advanced Microeconomics class. I will be doing my thesis under him and have spent this summer working on a research project for him.
2. Advanced Microeconomics I-II Professor. Took both my Ph.D. Micro classes and have discussed my graduate school plans with him.
3. Analysis Professor: I took intro Analysis and Principles of Real Analysis I with him.
All should have been very good.
Research Experience: Summer research project in Health Economics for adviser. Will continue this project as my senior thesis. The plan is to submit as a co-author.
Teaching Experience: TA'd undergraduate Advanced Microeconomics.
Research Interests: Micro Theory, International Trade, Applied Micro (very open)
SOP: I haven't written in yet, but will be good.
Concerns: Typical concerns of a liberal arts applicant. Not really sure what to think or expect.
Other: Again, not really sure what to put here. Unlikely it's relevant, but President of Model UN for two years, and lots of Model UN awards.
RESULTS:
Accepted: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences ($$$), Wisconsin ($$), Cornell ($$$), WUSTL ($$$), UT-Austin (?), LSE MsC Econ (-)
Waitlists: Michigan (high on WL, but withdrew), UCLA (rejected), Penn (rejected), UVA (withdrew)
Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern MEDS, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD, Duke Econ, Brown, LSE MsC EME
Attending: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences
What would you have done differently?
Nothing. I could not be happier with the way the process turned out. I am so fortunate to have been presented with so many great offers. Thanks TM for all the guidance along the way.
Accepts: Accepted: Duke Fuqua School of Business: Decision Sciences ($$$), Wisconsin ($$), Cornell ($$$), WUSTL ($$$), UT-Austin (?), LSE MsC Econ (-)
- Institution: LSE MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted (Conditional)
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/10/2012
Notified through: Email/Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Good to know I'll be going to Grad school!
- Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship: (Tuition Waiver/Fellowship (24K for first year))
Notification Date:2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
Absolutely ecstatic...I love WUSTL!
- Institution: Duke, Fuqua School of Business Decision Sciences PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Standard Fuqua Package (to be decided)
Notification Date: Feb. 21
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Incredible program, and one of my top choices. I feel like I'm dreaming.
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship (20K 1st year, TA/RA years 2-4)
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: This is very unexpected as I didn't have my application in by the funding deadline. I would have been happy with one funded offer, and I am extremely fortunate to have what I have so early.
- Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not as of now, since they think I'll get a better offer.
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Austin is an awesome city!
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 5 Years (Amount TBA)
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: A great option to have! First ivy league acceptance!
Rejects: rejected), Penn (rejected), UVA (withdrew)
Rejected: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Stanford GSB, Chicago, Yale, Northwestern MEDS, Columbia, NYU, Caltech, UCSD, Duke Econ, Brown, LSE MsC EME
- Institution: LSE MSc EME
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 1/16/2012
Notified through: E-mail/Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Was counting on this as a "safety" of sorts, so I feel this doesn't bode well for my chances for the rest of my applications.
- Institution: Northwestern MEDS
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Online status change without an e-mail warning.
Posted on GC: no
Comments: No big deal, Fuqua made me happy yesterday!
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Oh well, moving on.
- Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: checked website
Posted on GC:
Comments:
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I really liked Caltech but life goes on.
- Institution: UChicago Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Berkeley Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/1/12
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Would've been nice if they had rejected me with everyone else last week instead of making me wait it out.
Waitlists: Waitlists: Michigan (high on WL, but withdrew), UCLA (- Institution: Penn Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/28/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Bummer
- Institution: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: 18K stipend + health/dental insurance
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Read it as an accept at first...-_- But "short list" it seems.
roadvirusss 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5 Liberal Arts College
Majors: BA Math, BA Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.94/4
GRE: 800Q, 610 V, 6.0 AW
Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A-), Vector Calculus (A), Cryptography (A-), Combinatorics (A), Intro to Analysis (A), Differential Equations (A), Real Analysis I (A-), Real Analysis II (A), Probability Theory (A), Statistical Theory (A), Complex Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra I (A), Operations Research (A), Topology (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Macro (A-), Intro Micro (A), Empirical Methods (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), International (A), Energy Economics (A), Econometrics (A), Game Theory (A), Advanced Micro (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Econometrics I (A-)
Research Experience: Departmental honors for theses in both majors; Math thesis will be published. Did econ and math research during undergrad summers.
Research Interests: Applied Micro, IO
SOP: Spent no time on fluff; focused on a particular project.
Letters of recommendation: Four active Harvard PhD economists.
Concerns: Did poorly when I applied two years ago (Profiles and Results 2010).
Work Experience: Two years working as an RA at a top 5.
Results:
Accepted: Princeton, Northwestern, Chicago Booth, Columbia, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Duke
Waitlists (all declined): Penn (vh), NYU, Michigan
Rejected: Wharton (Interviewed), Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, GSB, Chicago, Stern, HBS, Cornell
Never Heard from: UW
Attending: Princeton
What would you have done differently?
Nothing. I was very well informed about the process this time around. I'm definitely happy with my results, and in the end the decision between Princeton and Northwestern was a tough one. It was odd that the only Top 7 I got into was the one worst in IO even though my SOP was spent entirely on an IO topic. My decision to take two years off was in the end vindicated, even though I largely slacked off during this time and at one point almost gave up on the PhD route. I can't help but be an advocate of the liberal arts college -> RA -> PhD route, as the improvement in rec letters alone earned me a jump from the top 25 to the top 5.
Accepts: Accepted: Princeton, Northwestern, Chicago Booth, Columbia, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin, Duke
- Institution: Booth Econ Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 35k
Notification Date: 2/23/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Shocked!
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 19k
Notification Date: 2/28/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 26.5k
Notification Date: 3/2/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: I need to ask for it?
Notification Date: 3/2/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Withdrawn
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 22k
Notification Date: 3/5/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Wow!
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 30k
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Absolutely stunned.
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 19k
Notification Date: 3/14/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Declined
Rejects: Rejected: Wharton (Interviewed), Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, GSB, Chicago, Stern, HBS, Cornell
- Institution: Yale Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/17/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford GSB Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/23/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Berkeley Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Disappointed...
- Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/2/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/5/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution:NYU Stern - Econ Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notified: 3/12
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Wharton Applied Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected (Interviewed)
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/16/2012
Notified Through: E-mail to check website.
Posted to GC: No
Comments: Didn't take it as a good sign that my interviewer never got back to me with the follow-up emails he promised. My results have had a pretty high variance so far.
- Institution: Cornell
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 4/4/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: NSF waiting list?
Waitlists: Waitlists (all declined): Penn (vh), NYU, Michigan
- Institution: Penn Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/24/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 3/6/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Waitlist size is "in the tens."
- Institution: Michigan Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notified: 3/13/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
snowyday 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA magna cum laude in Econ and History from top 30 US undergrad, top 30 econ dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.8
Type of Grad: n/a
Grad GPA: n/a
GRE: 800Q / 800V / 6.0 AWA
Math Courses: AP BC Calculus 5, AP Statistics 5, online courses in Linear Algebra and Multivariate Calculus, both As
Econ Courses: Honors Micro Theory A-, Honors Macro Theory A-, Econometrics B+, Game Theory A, Money Banking & Financial Markets A-, Capital Markets A-, Monetary Theory & Policy B+, Senior Thesis A
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis adviser (econ professor, not well known), director of economics honors program for undergraduates (economics professor), senior administrator at another University (PhD in social work)
Research Experience: Received thesis prize for best economics thesis senior year
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests: Various, capital markets, Monetary Theory, Macro - subject to change
SOP: Discussed my current situation, and how I came to be seriously interested too late in my undergrad career to pursue more math
Other: Working for last two years in finance job.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke (tuition remission for 1st year), Brown (MA offer w/ no funding), Wisconsin (no funding 1st year), UCSB (waitlist for funding), BU (no funding 1st year)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: Yale, MIT, Berkeley, UCSD, Stanford, Caltech, WUSTL, UVA, Michigan
Pending:
What would you have done differently? No regrets, and am extremely pleased with my results all things considered. I had been thinking about applying to RA jobs to beef up the profile, but am not sure with offers from some top 20 schools if it would be worth another 2 years of my life. If I had been thinking of this possibility during my formative years in undergrad, I would definitely have taken more math, and probably some grad econ classes / pursued other research opportunities, but I didn't really become interested in econ until my junior year. Take heart all those with little formal math preparation! Some admissions committees will be willing to take a chance!
Attending: Duke (!!)
Accepts: Acceptances: Duke (tuition remission for 1st year), Brown (MA offer w/ no funding), Wisconsin (no funding 1st year), UCSB (
Rejects: Rejections: Yale, MIT, Berkeley, UCSD, Stanford, Caltech, WUSTL, UVA, Michigan
Waitlists: waitlist for funding), BU (no funding 1st year)
Waitlists: Minnesota
INTJ 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: State school with no PhD program - Econ/Finance
Undergrad GPA: 3.82
Type of Grad: MS. Economics at same school as Undergrad; MS Math at a top 50 Math dept.
Grad GPA: 3.79/ 3.62
GRE: 780 Q 590 V 4.5 W
Math Courses: Linear Algebra (A), DiffEq (B+), Analysis I, II (A,A) Number Theory (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Probability (B), Statistical Theory (B), Applied Stats II (A), Game Theory (B), Grad Analysis (fall 2011), Grad Probability (fall 2011), Grad Linear Inference (fall 2011)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Master's level: Micro I, II (A-, A), Macro (B+), Econometrics I, II (A, A), Math for Economics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): pretty much all of them
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: one from Thesis adviser, one from econometrics professor, one from a math professor. All should be solid.
Research Experience: Master's Thesis
Teaching Experience: TA for Econ and Math
Research Interests: economic theory, behavioral, the theory side of IO
SOP: Short and straightforward. Talk about my research interests and ideas.
Concerns: Unknown school, B's in Stat courses. Hopefully, I can remedy those with A's in grad courses.
Other:
Applying to: some in top 20, some in top 50, a couple outside the US.
Accepts: - Institution: UT Austin Econ PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Don't know
Notification Date: 3/1/12
Notified Through: Checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: University of Washington (Seattle) Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: TA
Notification date:
3/6/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Tilburg University Ecomics Research Master
Decision: admitted
Funding: tuition waiver + stipend
Notification date: March 12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comment:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Waitlists:
smartcookie 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Quantitative Economics (summa cum laude) with minors in Mathematics and Political Science from a large state university (top 100 university)
Undergrad GPA: 3.7 (overall), 3.9 (econ), 3.5 (math)
Type of Grad: PhD- and MA-level non-degree-seeking coursework
Grad GPA: 3.7
GRE: Q800/V570/A5.5
Math Courses: Calc I, II, and III, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Statistics, Abstract Math, Real Analysis; 1 semester of MA-level Statistics (Casella and Berger) for credit (A-)
Econ Courses (grad-level): PhD-level Microeconomic Theory (MasColell, Whinston and Green) for credit (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Micro and Macro, Intermediate Micro and Macro, International Finance, International Trade, Development Economics, Mathematics for Economists, Econometrics (I & II), Honors Thesis Seminar (I & II)
Other Courses: lots of Political Science (honors) and Spanish
Letters of Recommendation:
1. Department chair and honors thesis advisor;
2. PhD-level Microeconomic Theory professor;
3. Current employer (prominent health economist).
Research Experience: Senior honors thesis (summa cum laude), 6 m as an undergraduate RA for NBER project, 3 yr as Senior Research Assistant for the federal government, and 1.5 yr as Research Associate for health economics think tank
Teaching Experience: undergraduate tutor in Economics and Mathematics
Research Interests: Applied micro with an emphasis on behavioral economics, health & nutrition, and agricultural economics
SOP: need to write my SOP
Concerns: I graduated from university 4 years ago and will be somewhat older (27) than most applicants; relatively low GRE Verbal score; could have taken a few more math courses (Topology, Differential Equations, Number Theory, etc.)
Other: Economics publications (including some under review at peer-reviewed journals)
Applying to: Yale, Stanford, Berkeley & Berkeley ARE, Harvard, Cornell, Maryland, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, and others (likely 15-18 programs)
Accepts: - Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TA + fellowship, tuition, and health insurance
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Home sweet home!
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "Five-year financial aid package"
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: YIPPEEE!!!
Rejects: - Institution: MIT Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 2/29/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Stanford Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/2/2012
Notified Through: Webpage
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/2/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC:
Comments: I expected this after not being invited for an interview, but it hurts nonetheless.
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/7/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Expected
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Harvard Health Policy, Economics Phd
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: University of Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified Through: Website (testudo.umd.edu)
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Noticiation Date: 3/15/2012
Notified Through: email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Harvard Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/16/2012
Notified Through: Mail
Posted to GC: No
- Institution: Boston University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: University of California at Berkeley Agricultural and Resource Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/20/2012
Notified Through: Email to check webpage
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists: - Institution: Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health Health Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: n/a
Notification Date: Posted to application portal 2/10/2012
Notified through: Application portal
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I am disappointed, but I know that the department has funding for only two PhD students.
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: NA
Notification date: 2/29/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: "In a normal year, I would be offering you admission and financial aid at this time. Due to the economic realities of the current year, however, we must place you on a short wait list." Thank goodness for some good news!
AusEconGuy 2012:
Another data point (for Australians)
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:Econ with first class honours from Go8 Australian Uni
Undergrad GPA: 3.8 for standard Bachelor, 4.0 in Honours (Converted to US scale)
Type of Grad: M Phil in Economics
Grad GPA: Coursework: 4.0 (US converted)
GRE: 159V, 168Q. 5.0 AW
Math Courses: Math for Economists (B, undergrad), econ students dont do pure math courses in my institution
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro (A+), Micro (A), Metrics (A+)
Econ Courses (honours-level): Macro (A+), Metrics (A+), Advanced Math Econ (A+); Behavioural Game Theory (A+); Micro (B; whoops!)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I/II (B+; A+); Macro I/II (A+, A+); Metrics I/II/II (A+;A+;B); Econ Theory (B); Trade II/II (A+;A+); Econ History (A); Development (A); Money & Banking (A); Public Econ (A);
Other Courses: Finance I/II (A+;A) and some politics stuff
Letters of Recommendation:
- thesis supervisor for Hons and MPhil thesis, also taught me
- Prof I RA'd for over 2 years
- Assist Prof whom i tutored with for three years
- Head of School .... All should be positive
Research Experience: 6 years as RA for various profs (since 2nd year undergad); 3 conference presentations in 2011 for MPhil thesis; 2 thesis in experimental econ
Teaching Experience: TA for 4 years in range of courses from first year through third year
Research Interests: Behavioural Econ and Experiments, Political Econ, Information Econ
SOP: These are hard work! But its over
Concerns: Lack of obvious maths training (hons and Mphil courses are all at graduate level... LORS hopefully mention this), occasional B's in theory classes - These aren't horrible grades, I was still in top few students in these courses but no scaling
Applying to:
Phd: Northwestern, NYU (Econ and Stern), Cornell, Brown, UCSD, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Stanford ,Caltech, U Penn
Masters: Oxford; U College London; Autonoma, UC3M; Barcelona GSE; LSE; Toronto
Accepts: - Institution: LSE EME
Decision: Accepted conditional on a distinction average in my current MPhil
Funding: Can apply for needs based funding
Notification date: 21/01/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: nice indeed, though an expensive program
- Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 6000 euro tuition waiver
Notification date: 13/12/2011
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: first admit, was happy at the time. dont like the short expiry date of the offer!
- Institution: UC3M Master+PHD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: fees, first year health insurance and 1150 euro per month
Notification date: 2/18 (17th on other side of the date line)
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: First admit that doesnt ask for tuition fees, nice indeed. exploding offer with 30 day deadline
- Institution: Oxford MPhil
Decision: acceptted
Funding: TBA after college selection
Notification date: 03/15/12
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: pumped -- probably going to go here
- Institution: UAB IDEA (autonoma barcelona) master in economic analysis + phd
Decision: accepted
Funding: tution waiver + 1000 euro per month
Notification date: 03/21/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: seems europe is the place to be for me this year
- Institution: UCL (London) MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: seems like nothing
Notification date: 4/3/12
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Interesting option
Rejects: - Institution: caltech social science phd
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 24/2/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: a very polite email, disappointed coz was a top choice for me
- Institution: UC Berkeley phd in Econ
Decision: rejected, twice to be sure I understood!
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 24/2/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: u penn phd Econ
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 24/2/2012
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: nope
Comments:
What a tough three hours!
- Institution: northwestern Econ phd
Decision: rejected
Funding:n/a
Notification date: 29/2/2012
Notified through: website after seeing decisions here
Posted on GC: nope
Comments: looks like I'm going to europe! The USA doesn't like my 'no name' institution.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: 'I can only assure you that all files were read at least twice and decisions were made with care'
maybe they should have read it a third time!?.... so back to europe and my EME offer
- Institution: Princeton University Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/8/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UCSD Economics PhD
Decision: rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: March 8
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: NO
Comment: Learned to expect this.... im going for zero north american admits, only cornell and UoT to hear back from
- Institution: NYU Stern Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: ---
Notified: 3/12
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: totally expected
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/15/12
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: OK - so i've given up on the usa now... obviously my app is a lil random for them
- Institution: NYU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 03/21/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision:Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 04/12/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: i'm out of the USA... hopefully Toronto can give me my one north american admit
Waitlists:
econobot 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Economics at a top LA University
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: M.A. in Economics, same institution
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: Q: 800, V: 480, AW: 3.5
Math Courses: Calc. I-III, Algebra, Probabilities, Statistics, ODE, Introductory Real Analysis.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Microeconomic Theory I, Macroeconomic Theory I, Econometric Theory I-II, Asset Pricing, Financial Economics, Financial Econometrics, Applied Macroeconomics.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro. Micro., Micro. I-II, IO, Intro. Macro, Macro. I-II, International Economics.
Other Courses: Finance I-II, Seminar of Finance.
Letters of Recommendation: Should be very strong. Several Professors from Chicago, MIT, UCLA, Cornell.
Research Experience: 1 year as R.A. in different projects + 1.5 year doing applied research in the public sector.
Teaching Experience: Several years as T.A. (grad and undergrad. courses), two semesters teaching Introductory Microeconomics.
Research Interests: Behavioral Finance, Financial Economics, Asset Pricing.
SOP: Partially tailored for each school.
Concerns: GRE: low Verbal and AW scores (although a pretty decent TOEFL), solid but not stellar grades.
Other: Unpublished co-authored paper.
Applying to: Ph.D. Econ: Top 10 + BU, UCLA, Cornell, Duke, Brown, JHU. Master Econ: Toulouse, LSE, Toulouse, PSE
Accepts: - Institution: TSE M2
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not mentioned
Notification date: 02-17
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: TSE M2
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Doesn't mentioned
Notification date: 02-17
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Duke Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k
Notification date: 2/28/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: awesome
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 23k
Notification date: 2/29/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: completely happy right now!!!!!!!!!
- Institution: Boston College Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 17k
Notification Date: March 1
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: will decline the offert soon.
Rejects: - Institution: LSE EME
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 01/17/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: one of my safeties just got burned :S
- Institution: Berkeley Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02-24
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: very sad
- Institution: Berkeley Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ---
Notification date: 02-24
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: MIT Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: very sad...
- Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ---
Notification Date: 03/08
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ---
Notification Date: 03/02
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: NYU Stern Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: ---
Notified: 3/12
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ---
Notified: 3/13
Notified through: email to check website
Posted on GC: no
Comments: very sad
- Institution: NYU Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 3/19/2012
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: expected, but still very sad.
- Institution: Cornell
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 4/4/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: So, annoyed because I hadn't heard about Cornell's decision, yesterday I decided to write to the graduate office asking for my status. Two hour ago, I received an email saying I was rejected. Then, people started to post Conrnell's rejections here. It seems to me they had forgotten about us, and my email made them recall they had some rejections left to send.
Waitlists: - Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification date: 02-23
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: ---
Notification date: 02-23
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: UPenn Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: ---
Notification date: 02-27
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
Hubble 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in economics and BS in mathematics from top undergraduate institution in my country (Double degree)
Undergrad GPA: 3.98/4.0 (ranked first in my class)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: 4.0/4.0 (just took a few classes)
GRE: 690V, 800Q, 4.0AW
Math Courses(undergrad-level): Cal, Vector Cal(A+,A), Linear Algebra 1,2(A+,A+), Abstract Algebra 1,2(A+,A+), Applied Algebra(A+), Real Analysis 1,2,3(A,A+,A), Topology(A+), Intro/Diff eq,Ordinary Diff eq1,2, Partial Diff eq1(A+,A+,A+,A), Probability theory(A+), Stochastic Processes(A), Set theory(A+), Mathematical Reasoning(A+), Scientific Computing(A+)
Math Courses(grad-level): Stochastic Processes(A), Mathematical Statistics(A+)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro1(A+), Topics in Macro(A+)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): a whole bunch
Other Courses: a few programming classes with all A+
Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ professors
Research Experience: summer research internship at top 15 Econ program in the U.S., 2 working papers
Teaching Experience: TA for an undergraduate math class
Research Interests: applied macro, time-series analysis
SOP: standard. I talked about how my previous research experience led me to have current research interest.
Concerns: didn't take graduate micro classes
Other:
Applying to: MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, Upenn, NYU, UCLA, UCSD, Wisconsin-Madison, Brown
Accepts: - Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 34k
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: can't believe it... my dream school !! XD
- Institution: Upenn Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 23k
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: two admissions in a row! wow!
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding:
TAship
Notification: 2/26/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I sent an e-mail to decline my application to UW-Madison today and a few hours later they sent me an offer.... -_-;
- Institution: Berkeley
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no funding for 1st year, full funding afterwards
Notification date: 2/27/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comment:
Rejects: - Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 02/29/12
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Chicago Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 02/29/12
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: bye bye windy city~~
- Institution: MIT Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 02/29/12
Notified Through: E-mail to Check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: good bye Boston..!!
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Waitlists:
nickilla 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc. in Economics at Top 3 German University, 2 semesters exchange at Top 2 Canadian University.
Undergrad GPA: 1.2 ~ 3.9 (if counted by ECTS grades); 94% avg in Canada.
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 170Q 162V 4.5A
Math Courses: Probability and Statistics I and II (A, A), Linear Algebra I (A), Analysis I (B), Differential Eqs. (A), Maths for Economists (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro (A), Advanced Micro (A) Intermediate Macro (A), Advanced Macro (A), Econometrics (A), Advanced Econometrics (B), Trade Theory (A), Labor Economics (A), Game Theory (A), Development Economics (A), Capital Market Theory (A), History of Economic Thought (A), Optimization and Economics Theory (A), Public Finance (A), Taxation (B), Political Economics (A).
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Game Theory (A), Experimental and Behavioral Econ (A), Advanced Maths for Economists (A)
Other Courses (undergrad): Bunch of Commerce classes (compulsory for my degree - mostly As, one B), some soft skills stuff (also compulsory, A and C).
Letters of Recommendation:
1 - Advanced GT Prof. Worked for him for almost 2 years, also had im in undergrad advanced micro. Well known in his field, some top 5 pubs.
2 - Behavioral Econ Prof. Started working for him this fall. (Well) known in his field, some top 5 pubs.
3 - Theory of Capital Markets Prof. Relatively unknown, was post-doc at #1's chair.
Research Experience: Two years with letter of recommendation writer 1, 6 mths with letter of recommendation writer 2. I work however almost exclusively with their PhD students. Wrote a long seminar thesis and recently a honors thesis.
Teaching Experience: Two semesters Intermediate Macro.
Research Interests: Information Economics, Game Theory, Networks, Labour, Experimental.
SOP: Solid, slightly adjusted for different schools (whom I would like to work with, which courses interest me).
Concerns: Coming from Europe w/o MA, B in Analysis I (first semester at uni) and Advanced Econometrics; don't know how well letter of recommendation writers are connected at US universities.
Other: Grad courses don't show on transcript (university policy), however hope that the letter of recommendation writers whom I took the courses with mentioned my relative performance.
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Yale, UCBerkeley, UCLA, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, NYU, NYU Stern, Columbia, UPenn, Chicago, Princeton, Caltech, U Toronto [MA], UPF (BGSE) [MA], BonnGSE
Accepts: - Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None for first; TA/RA afterwards
Notification date: 3/7/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Seriously thinking about it...
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification 2/22/12
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: UC Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Caltech Social Science
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: MIT. Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: February 29.
Notified Through: E-mail to check website.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: Oh, well...
- Institution: University of Chicago Economics.
Decision: Rejected.
Funding:
Notification Date: February 29.
Notified Through: E-mail.
Posted on GC: No.
Comments: They seem to be running out of funds?
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: NA
Notification Date: 03/03/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2012
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Hm, a lot easier to take this after UW admit...
Waitlists:
tim22 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics/Mathematics, mid-size us university without econ grad program
Undergrad GPA:3.89
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 170Q, 166V, 4.5AW
Math Courses: 3 quarters calculus, 2 quarters linear algebra, 2 quarters math stats, differential equations (all A- or higher)
Econ Courses (grad-level): NA
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate micro/macro, 2 quarters econometrics
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: All from econ professors, not especially strong
Research Experience: none
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: not sure, possibly development
SOP: Generic
Concerns:
Other:
Applying to: Stanford, Berkeley, U Wisconsin, U Michigan, U Maryland, Davis, Brown, Cornell, Santa Barbara, Irvine
Accepts: - Institution: Davis Economics PhD
Decision: Recommended for Admission
Funding: Not in the first round, waitlisted for TAship
Notification date: 2/28/12
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Nope
Comments: I wish I had guaranteed funding, but I'm still excited to get in!
- Institution: U Colorado - Boulder Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TAship + Fellowship for first year, no guaranteed funding afterwards
Notification date: March 8
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Rejects: - Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Bummer!
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: March 7
Notified through: Email to check status
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: Cornell Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: March 8
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
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:
Anexpor 2012:
Institution: Vanderbilt
Program: Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: First year fellowship followed by TAing
Notification date: 2/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Yay, cool to know that after all this time/effort I really will be going to grad school!
Accepts: - Institution: Vanderbilt Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: First year fellowship followed by TAing
Notification date: 2/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Yay, cool to know that after all this time/effort I really will be going to grad school!
- Institution: University of Virginia Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TAship
Notification date: 03/05/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Yay, puts me at two so I'll actually get to make a decision!
Rejects: - Institution: Chicago Econ PhD.
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 2/29
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Unsurprisingly it looks like the lottery ticket didn't pay off.
- Institution: MIT Econ
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: 2/29/12
Notified Through: Email to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Can't blame a guy for dreaming, right?
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: It would have been cool, congrats to the admits though!
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/5/2012
Notified through: Checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Strangely, not as sad about this one as the others.
Waitlists: - Institution: Minnesota Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/1/12
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Cool, I had honestly already written them off as an implicit rejection. Excited to be a sorta/kinda MN quality applicant!
jzir11 2012:
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date:2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Let the rejections begin!
Accepts: - Institution: UC Davis Economics
Decision: recommended for admission
Funding: Find out in March
Notification date: 2/17
Notified through: email from department official acceptance to follow
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
A VERY pleasant surprise!
- Institution: UC Irvine Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Out of State Tuition Remission + 17k TA stipend
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: UC Santa Cruz Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition Reimbursement + 16K
Notification: 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Rejects: - Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date:2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Let the rejections begin!
- Institution: Stanford GSB EAP PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: checked website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Berkeley Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/29/12
Notified Through: Application website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
This was the one school where I really hoped to say "Holy s
t, they actually let me in!"
Such is life.
- Institution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding:
Notification Date: 3/2/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments
- Institution: Minnesota Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/5/2012
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: no
Comments:
expected
- Institution: UC San Diego Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N.A.
Notification Date: 3/9/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
That's all she wrote.
Funny, my first three notifications were acceptances, all the rest rejections...
Waitlists:
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
devmicro 2012:
Long time lurker, first time poster...
Institution: Wisconsin AAE
Program: PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: University fellowship - full funding for 1st and final year + 18.8k; RA opportunities for middle years
Notification Date: Feb. 20
Notified Through: Phone
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Probably not where I'll end up going, but super excited - it's the first place I've heard from!
Accepts: - Institution: Wisconsin AAE
Decision: Accepted
Funding: University fellowship - full funding for 1st and final year + 18.8k; RA opportunities for middle years
Notification Date: Feb. 20
Notified Through: Phone
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Probably not where I'll end up going, but super excited - it's the first place I've heard from!
- Institution: UBC Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification Date: March 1
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Official notification + funding info to follow. Nice to get an admit after a slew of rejections!
- Institution: Cornell
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Sage fellowship/guaranteed RA/TA positions for 5 years (can be replaced with NSF funding)
Notification date: 3/30/12
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Said they were going to reject me, and then saw the NSF results.
Excited! This dominates my other offers.
- Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: NSF + 25k for final 2(3) years
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: UMD Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: NSF + ? for final years
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
- Institution: Berkeley Agricultural & Resource Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: NSF + fellowship for final 2 years
Notification date:
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Attending! Super excited.
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Bummed. I was excited about this one.
- Institution: Stanford GSB PE PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Checked website (no e-mail)
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Not surprised.
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Website
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Dream school.
- Institution
nstitution: UCLA Economics
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/02/12
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
wbuelow 2012:
Institution: Yale
Program: Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: First decision. 12 more to go. Too bad, I wanted to do metrics.
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Yale Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: First decision. 12 more to go. Too bad, I wanted to do metrics.
- Institution: UPenn Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification 2/24/12
Notified through: e-mail to check website
Posted on GC: yes
Comments:
- Institution: Northwestern Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Checked website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: ugh
- Institution: Chicago Econ PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: February 29
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: One acceptance would be nice...
- Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments:
- Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: One admit would be nice
- Institution: University of Minnesota Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: March 2
Notified through: Website
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: FML
Waitlists:
chengchengjia 2012:
Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waiting for first year funding, TA or RA in 2-4 years
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: This one makes me feel better after Yale's rejection...
Accepts: - Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waiting for first year funding, TA or RA in 2-4 years
Notification date: 2/22/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: This one makes me feel better after Yale's rejection...
- Institution: Columbia Economics
Decision: Accepted!
Funding: None for first year, full funding for 2-5 years
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I cried for 10 mins...SO HAPPY!!!
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Really doesn't matter since I dont like west coast and I've got Columbia!!!
Waitlists:
kinzaman 2012:
Institution: University Of Minnesota
Program: Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/01/12
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: After four straight rejections, a welcome change.
Accepts:
Rejects: - Institution: Stanford Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date: March 2
Notified Through: Email to check website
Posted on GC: No
- Institution: University of Wisconsin Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Rejection
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/7/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Unexpected. Looks like it's going to come down to WUSTL, who appear to have forgotten about my application, and getting in off the UMN wait list...
Waitlists: - Institution: University Of Minnesota Econ PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 03/01/12
Notified Through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: After four straight rejections, a welcome change.
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