Index of Schools AnalysisAbout the Site 2012 20112010 20092008 2007all years
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Most Recently Selected profile:

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


Acceptances:

pevdoki1 2008:
Type of undergrad: Mid-sized state university (SUNY Binghamton)
GPA: 3.99 (math/econ double major)
Type of Grad: none
GRE: Q800, V470, AWA 4.5
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, Intro to Higher Math, Complex Analysis, Real Analysis I-II, Mathematical statistics I-II
Econ Courses: The usual. No graduate level courses.
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation: 1 really good one from an economics professor who knows me well, 2 from math professors
Research Experience: Virtually none. Started a thesis, never finished
Teaching Experience: TA intermediate macro for 1 semester. 1 year of tutoring experience.
Research Interests: Macro and monetary, but these can change
SOP: Pretty good, I think. Standard 1st page, customized second (mentioning professors and all)
RESULTS:
Acceptances:
University of Minnesota ($)
WUSTL ($)
UT Austin ($)
U Toronto (MA, $)
UBC (MA, $)
Indiana ($)
Rutgers ($)
Purdue ($)
Virginia (no funding)
Cornell (no funding)
Waiting list: none
Rejections: University of Western Ontario
No word: Queen's
What I would have done differently:
Applied to less lower ranked schools. However, I'm quite happy with getting into Minnesota (and WUSTL, for that matter).s
Accepts:
    Acceptances: University of Minnesota ($) WUSTL ($) UT Austin ($) U Toronto (MA, $) UBC (MA, $) Indiana ($) Rutgers ($) Purdue ($) Virginia (no funding) Cornell (no funding)
Rejects:
    Rejections: University of Western Ontario
Waitlists:
    Waiting list: none

Thesus 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BSc Econ, minor in math. School does not appear on econphd.net.
Undergrad GPA: 3.97, 4.00 in math/econ
Type of Grad:n/a
Grad GPA:n/a
GRE: 800Q, 770V, 5.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I,II,III, Linear Algebra, Vector Calc, Intro Stats, Mathematical Stats, Real Analysis I,II, Integration & Metric Spaces, ODE, Discrete Math
Econ Courses: Micro I,II,III (not very rigourous), Macro I,II,III (ended with Romer), Math Econ I,II, Econometrics I,II, another ten electives or so, honours essay in progress.
Other Courses: nil.
Letters of Recommendation: Used four econ profs and a math prof, depending on school. None of them are well-published or
Research Experience:n/a
Teaching Experience: TA, three semesters.
Research Interests: Growth, economic dynamics.
SOP: Short, succint. Didn't reference names of professors. Briefly discussed interests but admitted I wasn't committed to the field.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Rochester(fellowship), UBC(MA,TA)
Waitlists: Minnesota
Rejections: Brown, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton
Pending: Queen's, Toronto
What I would have done differently: I think I should've transferred to a different undergrad after two years. Now unsure whether to do the MA and reapply or head directly south.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Rochester(fellowship), UBC(MA,TA)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Brown, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Minnesota

mogelsworth 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Well ranked US research university (public). Major in economics with a minor in math.
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: None
GRE: 720Q/510V/5.0AW
Math Courses: Calculus I,II,III, Advanced Multivariable Calc, Differential Equations, Matrix Algebra, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Thinking (proof-based course), Real Analysis I
Econ Courses: Advanced Micro/Macro, lots of undergrad field courses, Intro Math Stats
Other Courses: Logic
Letters of Recommendation: 2 from well-known professors at my undergrad institution, 1 from non-academic consultant with an econ phd
Research Experience: 2 years a econ consulting firm
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: International, macro, development
SOP: Discussed background and research interests, very thoughtful.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UVA(no$), Univ. Washington-Seattle (no$), UBC MA (no$)
Waitlists: UT Austin
Rejections:
Pending: Cornell, Syracuse, BU (MA), Penn State
What would you have done differently? I wish I had taken my GRE earlier to allow time for a retake. I should have taken Real Analysis II, topology, and optimization.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UVA(no$), Univ. Washington-Seattle (no$), UBC MA (no$)
Rejects:
    Rejections:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UT Austin

canecon 2008:
School: UBC
Major: Econ (Hons)
GPA: 3.5 (3.98 upper-econ, 3.98 math (excluding failed calc 1))
GRE: 800q 480v 5.0 AWA (despite the awful verbal I am native English speaker / English background)
Courses:
Econ:Hon micro/macro I (A+'s) Game Theory (Hon) A, Hon Macro II A+, + intro metrics I/II (A+) + lots electives (mostly A+)
Math: Calc 1 (F first time then A), Calc 2, linear, multivariable, ODE's, probability(calc based), intro proof A+'s intro analysis A
Now Taking: Honours Thesis, Advanced Macro, Econometrics
Research: Thesis
letter of recommendation: 3 Assistant Profs, I say mediocre since I had no special relationship, just took their classes.
SOP: Pretty bad I think... that might just be me - but I didn't have any professors read it since I thought it was crappy (very bad reason I know - I expect I might have had spelling/grammar errors as well ). But I guess for Master's it doesn't matter that much.
Interests: Macro, Int trade/finance/development.
Schools:
Decided to apply only for Masters:
LSE, UCL, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, UPF, UBC, Toronto, Queens, UWO, Stockholm.
My Concerns:
First year really sucked, second year was average. Only have 1.5 years of good grades.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE Msc (1 year, Res), UCL MSc, Warwick MSc, Oxford M.Phil (??), UPF MSc($$), Queen's MA ($$), Toronto Doc. Stream MA ($$), UBC MA ($$), UWO MA ($$),
Still Waiting: Cambridge M.Phil (B), Stockholm University MSc (Research)
Rejections: None (yet)
What would you have done differently?
-known that I was going to go for grad school (in econ) earlier
-started preparing to apply in the summer, or early sept, or early october. (didnt start applications earlier because very math-packed semester. No time in summer though b/c courses and GRE - basically crammed all the math I needed in last 8 mths I would have grades for).
-Looked into scholarship opportunities for study in UK (many seem to have deadlines around sept/oct. ) I started looking the next february/march.
-Basically I did what I could. Maybe should have applied to some PhD straight away, but still not sure what I want to do and I didn't really have time to put together good apps.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE Msc (1 year, Res), UCL MSc, Warwick MSc, Oxford M.Phil (??), UPF MSc($$), Queen's MA ($$), Toronto Doc. Stream MA ($$), UBC MA ($$), UWO MA ($$), Still
Rejects:
    Rejections: None (yet)
Waitlists:
    Waiting: Cambridge M.Phil (B), Stockholm University MSc (Research)

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

bigleaguechew 2009:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ / B.S. Math from a top 100 econphd.net public school
Undergrad GPA: 3.5 Overall, 4.0 Econ, 4.0 Math
GRE: 790Q, 610V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: One year of real analysis (A+'s); two quarters each of theoretical linear algebra (A+'s), numerical analysis (A+'s), math prob stat, nonlinear dynamics and chaos; one quarter each of PDE's, abstract algebra and complex analysis
Econ Courses: applied metrics (A+'s), public finance (A+'s), labor, game theory (A+), and a few others in addition to intermediate micro/macro
Letters of Recommendation: It seems as though I had one very respected letter writer, and other letters were more or less ignored at many schools (just what I gathered from my conversations with grad directors where I was accepted)
Research Experience: Virtually none. Started an undergrad research project that was never finished
Work Experience: 2 years in consulting (business, but not econ)
Research Interests: Applied micro, IO
SOP: Talked about how my experiences and coursework have influenced my research interests. Tailored last paragraph to each school I applied to. I cannot say this with enough emphasis... THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE DEFINITELY MATTERS AT SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF THE TOP 10. IF YOU DO NOT COME FROM AN IVY AND YOU DON'T HAVE A SPOTLESS MATH/ECON RECORD WITH SOLID RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO SPEND SOME TIME ON YOUR SOP AND START WORKING ON IT EARLY!
Concerns: I had about a year straight of abysmal grades (yes, we're talking about F's and W's here people) in my sophomore year of college due to some family issues. I think it was important that this occurred when I was an english major, and I made up for it by excelling in all of my econ and math courses. So, if you have screwed up and permanently marred your transcript like I did, HOPE IS NOT LOST! It just means that you have to work extra hard to outperform your classmates from here on out.
RESULTS:
Attending: UCSD ($)
Admitted, Declined: Stanford GSB Marketing ($$$$$$$$), Penn State ($$), WUSTL ($), UNC ($/2), UVA ($), Texas ($$), ASU ($$), Arizona ($$), Pittsburgh ($), Ohio State ($), U of Washinton ($), Maryland (stiffed me)
Waitlists: Minnesota, BU
Rejections: Top 10, NYU, Columbia, UCLA, Michigan, JHU, Wharton (but it doesn't count in my mind cuz I hardly showed up for the interview)
Never heard back from: USC (not that I care anymore, but seriously WTF?)
What would you have done differently?
Nothing really. I had a huge black spot on my record with that one atrocious year, and nobody knew how that would affect me. My letter writers were extremely supportive in helping me apply to as many places as I could afford, and cover a broad spectrum of programs. I thought UCSD was a long shot heading into this process, and I am thrilled to be going there. I can honestly say that I would have been happy at just about any of the programs that I was accepted to, and it was incredibly difficult for me to turn down so many attractive offers. Obviously, this is a problem that I am happy to have, but you'd be surprised how gut wrenching it is to turn down a fellowship offer from a school that you had been day-dreaming about attending just a few weeks earlier. Still, I would advise everyone who isn't a superstar with stellar letter of recommendation's to adopt a similar strategy and apply to as many places as you can afford.
Accepts:
    Attending: UCSD ($) Admitted, Declined: Stanford GSB Marketing ($$$$$$$$), Penn State ($$), WUSTL ($), UNC ($/2), UVA ($), Texas ($$), ASU ($$), Arizona ($$), Pittsburgh ($), Ohio State ($), U of Washinton ($), Maryland (stiffed me)
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding:24k Assistantship Notification date: Feb 18 Notified through: Email Comments: Suck on that Duke!
  • Institution: Washington University, St. Louis Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship Notification date: 2/25/09 Notified through: email
  • Institution: UNC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TBA Notification date: 2/26/09 Notified through: email
  • Institution: Univ. British Columbia MA Decision: Accepted Funding: No word yet Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: email
  • Institution: University of Maryland Decision: accepted Funding: waitlist Notification date: 3/10/2009 Notified through: email
Rejects:
    Rejections: Top 10, NYU, Columbia, UCLA, Michigan, JHU, Wharton (but it doesn't count in my mind cuz I hardly showed up for the interview)
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: Feb 18 9:07 AM EST Notified through: Email Comments: Easier to take since I already have some other options.
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: -100 Notification date: 2/25/09 Notified through: Website Comments: Decision available through ApplyYourself website - not the separate link they sent for decision status.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02 Notified through: E-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Chicago Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: snail mail
  • Institution: NYU-Stern Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: -100 Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: checked website after seeing other posts here (no email)
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: randomly checked website Comments: Not at all surprised. I had lost interest in this program prior to my interview, and I pretty much let that be known to them.
  • Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Website
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Minnesota, BU
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24/09 Notified through: E-mail

EconDev137 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Quantitative Economics. & B.A. Political Science
Undergrad GPA: 3.36
GRE: 770Q 570V 4.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III, (AP, AP, A) Linear Algebra (A), Real Analysis (D), Probability (B+)
Econ Courses: Intro Micro (C), Intro Macro (C), Elementary Econometrics (A), Econometrics (A), Advanced Econometrics (A), Intermediate Micro (A+), Intermediate Macro(A+), Economic Growth (A), Economic Development (B+), Environmental Economics (B+), International Monetary Policy (A)
Grad Courses: Advanced Micro (A), Advanced Macro (A-)
Letters of Recommendation: All very good, from top 10.
Research Experience: Work at a public policy think tank. Thesis in Political Science.
Research Interests: Applied micro, development
Statement of purpose: Way better than average
Other: LORs are the most vital part of your application. Do not overlook the importance of building quality relationships with a few profs. However don't use this as an excuse to be a kissa$$.
RESULTS:
PhD Accepts: Arizona (tuition waiver and assistantship for years 2-5), Purdue (nothing official, but presumed tuition plus 18k), Colorado-Boulder (waitlisted for $),
PhD Waitlists: Boston College (Decent Chance of admit, but won't know until after deadlines for other schools), OSU (acceptance not probable)
PhD Rejections: Duke, Maryland, Penn State, Vanderbilt and Indiana,
Masters Accepts: Michigan, Boston University, Tornoto
Masters Rejections: Tufts (really?)
Masters Pending: UBC
What would you have done differently? The most glaring thing would be not to have gotten a D in real analysis, I think I could have pulled vanderbilt without that. Other than that I think I had a pretty solid plan. Take the most useful classes you can, do as well as you can and spend your free time having fun. I think people on TM get too worked up about not having an 800Q or a 4.0 at the expense of living life.
Accepts:
    Accepts: Arizona (tuition waiver and assistantship for years 2-5), Purdue (nothing official, but presumed tuition plus 18k), Colorado-Boulder (waitlisted for $), PhD
  • Institution: Boston University Masters Decision: Accepted Funding: Not available for Masters Students Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Very happy. While my goal is still to go to a PhD program at least I have a backup plan now!! :D
  • Institution: Boston University Masters Decision: Accepted Funding: Not available for Masters Students Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Very happy. While my goal is still to go to a PhD program at least I have a backup plan now!!
  • Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not now, but I am being considered Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: Not Yet
  • Institution: Purdue Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TBD Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Email and Postal Posted on GC:Not Yet
  • Institution: Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Details will come within the week Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Now I have an excuse to fly to Arizona for a few days
  • Institution: Michigan Economics MAE Decision: Admitted Notification date: 4/1 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Funding: No Idea Comments: Baring some amazing funding package or unreal placements, I'm pretty sure I'm going to decline, but the email said to wait a week before responding because they are going to be so busy.
  • Institution: U of Toronto Masters Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Can apply for a TA in July Notification date: 4/6 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comment: Will decline
  • Institution: UBC Masters Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Details at all, but I think I will get some Notification date: 4/13/10 Notified through: Email and Postal to follow within 24 hours Comments: Will Decline,
Rejects:
    Rejections: Duke, Maryland, Penn State, Vanderbilt and Indiana, Masters
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
  • Institution: Duke Economics, PhD Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2-16-2010 Notified through: Email to Link Posted on GF: Yes Comments: So happy that TM is back
  • Institution: Duke Economics, PhD Decision: Rejection Notification date: 2-16-2010 Notified through: Email to Link Posted on GF: Yes Comments: So happy that TM is back
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 3/10/201 Notified through:Email Posted on GC:Not Yet
  • Institution: Tufts Masters Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through:Personal e-mail Posted on GC:Not Yet Sorry I took so long to post these. I was out of the country with no internet all week.
  • Institution:Vanderbilt Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Funding: ... Comments: Very Upset
  • Institution: Indiana Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/31 Notified through: Email Response to an inquiry Posted on GF: Yes Funding: - Comments: Looking more and more like Arizona
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Boston College (Decent Chance of
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Said I will remain waitlisted until at least April 15th when more spots could become available. It was sent really late on sunday night as well.
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Said I will remain waitlisted until at least April 15th when more spots could become available. It was sent really late on sunday night as well.

SlowLearner38 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics, Medium Less-Selective Midwest State School (no PhD)
Undergrad GPA: 3.52
Type of Grad: Masters-level ECON courses during undergrad.
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 790Q 350V 3.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III (B,A,B), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A-), Discrete Math (B)
Stat Courses: Intro Stats (A), Regression and Variance I-II (A,A-), Probability Theory (B+)
Econ Courses: Intro/Inter Micro and Macro, Senior Research Seminar, Honors Thesis, Managerial Econ, Econ Forecasting, History of Econ Thought, Public Econ, Econ of Crime, Econ of Sports
Grad Courses: Math Econ I-II (using Simon/Blume), Managerial Econ
Letters of Recommendation: 4 ECON Professors -- None are very well known, but their letters were very strong. They coordinated it so that each focused on different aspects of my ability to do graduate studies in economics in their LORs {1 research ability, 1 teaching ability, 1 classroom ability, 1 summarizing letter from the department chair with a focus on personality}.
Research Experience: Presented undergrad honors thesis at ASSA/AEA conference (won 2 awards at my school for it), Contracted research for a non-profit economic education organization, and 2nd undergrad thesis underway during the time of application.
Research Interests: Applied Micro, IO, Behavioral, Experimental
Statement of purpose: Told an elegant story about how I used to suck at college and now I don't. Tailored the last 1-2 paragraphs to each school.
RESULTS:
Ph.D. Accepts: Emory($$$), UT-Dallas($$), Arizona(Tuition Waiver), Oregon(?-Withdrew)
Ph.D. Rejects: Iowa, Vanderbilt, Virginia
Masters Accepts: UBC M.A.(Partial Tuition Scholarship), Tinbergen M.Phil.(no $)
M.A. Withdrawls: Toronto, Queen's, Simon Fraser
ATTENDING:
Emory University
What would you have done differently? Considering the constraints I was up against, coming from a low ranked state school with only a B.A. in Econ, I think I did very well for myself. Emory is a great fit for me!
Accepts:
    Accepts: Emory($$$), UT-Dallas($$), Arizona(Tuition Waiver), Oregon(?-Withdrew) Ph.D.
  • Institution: Emory University Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $17k + $4k Fellowship Nomination Notification date: 02/23/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Awesome.
  • Institution: U Oregon Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decision Pending Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Nice.
  • Institution: University of Texas - Dallas Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Funding: $10.5k TA + Tuition Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Must give notice in 8 days! I will turn it down in favor of Emory at this point. If I was more confident in my interest in Experimental, I would give them much more thought.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute Mphil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Funding 1st year. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Should I move to the Netherlands?
  • Institution: U Oregon Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decision Pending Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Nice.
  • Institution: University of Texas - Dallas Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Funding: $10.5k TA + Tuition Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Must give notice in 8 days! I will turn it down in favor of Emory at this point. If I was more confident in my interest in Experimental, I would give them much more thought.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute Mphil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Funding 1st year. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Should I move to the Netherlands?
  • Institution: University of Arizona Economics Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver only in 1st year. Graduate assistantship available after passing core exams. Notification date: 3/15/2010 Notified through: UNOFFICIAL E-mail from outside the department. Relax everyone.
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Great!
Rejects:
    Rejects: Iowa, Vanderbilt, Virginia Masters
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: Feb 19th Notified Through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: No Comments: Meh...
  • Institution: University of Iowa Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Website (no email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Who wants to live in Iowa anyways?
  • Institution: University of Iowa Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Website (no email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Who wants to live in Iowa anyways?
  • Institution: U Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejection Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: Randomly checked website. Posted on GF: No Comments: Oh well, I'm happy with my results thus far.
Waitlists:

icebear 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, Colorado State University
Undergrad GPA: 3.89 (magna cum laude)
Type of Grad: courses during UG: Foundations of Quant Econ Analysis, Political Economy 1
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 790/560/6.0 (2009), 750/570/4.5 (2006)
Math Courses: Calc 1 (A), Calc 2 (B+), Statistical Methods (A), Matrices and Linear Equations (A), Foundations of Quant Econ Analysis (8 week grad math-econ course which covered Simon & Blume) (A+)
Econ Courses: Micro Prin & Inter, Macro Prin & Inter, Econometrics, Independent Study x 2, Comparative Economic Systems, Recent Economic Thought (i.e. History of Academic Economics), Transformation of Central and Eastern European Countries, Privatization and Foreign Capital (B), Globalization - Social and Economic Aspects (B), Games and Decisions (B), Senior Seminar on Globalization and Trade, Political Economy I (graduate level) [Note: all A's except where noted].
Other Courses: Java Programming, freshman year of Electrical Engineering sequence (A's)
Letters of Recommendation: PhDs from MIT, Cambridge, Harvard, Kansas. 1 is a Lead Economist at a international organization, other three are professors; two recent and enthusiastic (regarding research), two enthusiastic but dated (regarding coursework, especially math ability).
Research Experience: Consulting in the private sector and international organizations for ~ 2.5 years, always in close collaboration/supervision with PhD economists.
Teaching Experience: ~1 year teaching English.
Research Interests: International (trade/finance/macro)
SOP: Standard, with a few lines on my grad econ-math course and how my working experience shaped my interests
Other: Intermediate level Chinese, strong experience/knowledge of Chinese development and trade policy, international trade policy, international organizations.
Knew my chances were almost zero at top 10s, but was strongly encouraged to apply to some anyway, given the relatively low costs of additional apps.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: CEMFI ($$), UBC MA ($), Barcelona GSE MSc, Toulouse M2, Carlos III MA ($$)
Waitlists: -
Rejections: Duke PhD, Columbia PhD, JHU PhD, Harvard PhD, UVa PhD, UCSD PhD, NSF GRFP
Pending: Georgetown PhD
Attending: CEMFI
What would you have done differently?
I probably should have taken grad micro/metrics following my grad math-econ course (as typical grad students did), as that signal would have been much stronger than Political Economy 1. More formal math, of course, but I didn't realize that in UG and have never found a schedule complimentary with my working hours since then (I've lived in non-English speaking countries since graduating, so math courses taught in English are pretty limited). Those two things would have done the most to improve my profile, although I wasn't too concerned about it at the time and am happy with how my UG and professional experience has been since then.
That said, I've had talks with my LORs and done some soul searching and am not exactly certain that sinking 5 years into a PhD is the best way to get me where I want to go. Academia is one interesting career path to me, but economic policy research (government, international orgs) or working in China again (in consulting or similar) also hold my interest, and for the later two a MA coupled with 3 more years of working experience and/or language training make more sense. I initially was set on UBC, unfunded, over UC3M, funded, for reputation issues and a better fit with regards to research interests (plus a bad feeling on UC3M's faculty responsiveness from my interactions with them and students), but had a last minute change...
...long after assuming CEMFI had implicitly rejected me I received a invitation to Madrid for an interview in early May to clear up some question marks in my profile (several years of professional experience and goals with pursuing the MA). Apparently I made a good impression, because I was admitted with the standard (?) CEMFI scholarship and stipend. CEMFI made a great impression on me also, with the faculty very warm, responsive and expressing a genuine interest in and support for my several competing career goals and providing clear examples of how CEMFI is well placed to get me there. I was really impressed with the detail they could provide on professional and academic placements relative to most other master's programs' vagueness at this question. So, the main take away is that it isn't over till its over and I'm very pleased to be moving to Madrid next fall!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: CEMFI ($$), UBC MA ($), Barcelona GSE MSc, Toulouse M2, Carlos III MA ($$)
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (B-GSE) MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: January 26 2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Notified within several days of all supporting documents being received. 500 Euro deposit required by late February to maintain offer/status. Good to have a 'safety' as the next six weeks of waiting come; hoping for a better funded option in the meantime (although going elsewhere will be a hard decision - I'm a huge, huge fan of the city).
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) MSc Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: January 26, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Wouldn't mind a year there at all :whistle:
  • Institution: Toulouse School of Economics M2 - Economic theory and econometrics (ECOMATH) Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: February 25, 2010 Notified through: Mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: More affordable than BGSE... but I'm not sure about spending a year in France...
  • Institution: Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) MSc Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: - Notification date: January 26, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Wouldn't mind a year there at all
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Great!
  • Institution: Universidad Carlos III Masters in Economic Analysis Decision: Admitted Funding: $$ Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: CEMFI Master in Economics and Finance Decision: Accepted Funding: $$ Notification date: Notified through: Posted on GF: No Comments: Killer
Rejects:
    Rejections: Duke PhD, Columbia PhD, JHU PhD, Harvard PhD, UVa PhD, UCSD PhD, NSF GRFP
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: February 16, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Not at all surprising.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: February 16, 2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Not at all surprising.
  • Institution: John Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: -
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: - Notified through: Post Posted on GC: No Comments: Shocking
  • Institution: U Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: -
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: -

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."

hulk86 2010:
Institution: Duke
Program: AM Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: no mention of tuition waver; will contact
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check Web site
Posted on GC: Yes
Comments: Really excited, though funding status will be very important.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke AM Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no mention of tuition waver; will contact Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check Web site Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Really excited, though funding status will be very important.
  • Institution: University of Western Ontario MA ("Direct-entry Ph.D.") Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TA + 18k Notification date: 3/15/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: totally surprised, considering I don't have intermediate macro!
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Very good news, though if I go the MA econ route I'll probably decline in favor of UWO
Rejects:
  • Institution: Queen's University MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: no biggie
Waitlists:

ah1217 2010:
Institution: UBC
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: 10k TAship
Notification date: 03/18/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Very Happy! But also considering Queen's offer...
Accepts:
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: 10k TAship Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Very Happy! But also considering Queen's offer...
Rejects:
Waitlists:

asmithb 2010:
Institution: UBC
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver
Notification date: 03/18/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Awesome! But I still have to wait for Barcelona GSE and CEMFI. I havent made a decision yet.
Accepts:
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Awesome! But I still have to wait for Barcelona GSE and CEMFI. I havent made a decision yet.
Rejects:
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:
    Waitlists: none

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

gkhn 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:Econ (one of the top state universities in my country) and Math
Undergrad GPA:Econ CGPA:4/4, math CGPA:3.86/4
Type of Grad:n/a
Grad GPA:n/a
GRE:780Q 550V AWA(3.5)(rescore 3.0),First try was 760Q 530V 3.5 AWA
Math Courses:Calculus 1-2,Advanced Calc.1-2(all AA except Adv. calculus 1 CB) linear algebra 1-AA,Basic linear algebra AA,Differential equations AA, Real Analysis BA,point set topology(AA),Lebesgue Integral(AA)
Econ Courses (grad-level):n/a
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):Mathematical economics 1-2,intermediate macro,micro, Mathematical statistics for economist 1-2,Intro to Econometrics 1-2,International Trade courses(1-2),and other standard courses all AA
Other Courses:-
Letters of Recommendation:1 from stanford phd,1 from upenn phd,1 from university of manchester.
Research Experience:No experience.
Teaching Experience:TA-intermediate micro,and econometrics
Research Interests:Micro theory,Game theory,Mechanism design
SOP:ordinary.I described my research interests and some papers I appreciate.
Concerns:GRE score,and no research experience.
Other:
RESULTS:
Attending: Minnesota
Acceptances: Toulouse M2(ecomath)($$), UBC MA($$), CEMFI($$),
Waitlists: UCLA(rej), Uminnesota($$,eventually)
Rejections: Yale, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, NYU, Northwestern(on hold,rej afterwards), Upenn, JHU
Comments:
(i) I do not know which school got which GRE score as I rescored my AW, and ETS did not send my second scores to some places.(UCLA got my first try scores).In the nutshell, I can say that GRE destroyed me completely. First, my classmate with less stellar math grades, similar econ grades got into places where I was wait-listed. In such a case, it is important to make yourself known to DGS. After an inquiry regarding my rejection, UMN put me on short-list for admission(they said they had made a clerical mistake). Northwestern put my application on hold for a while although I was rejected eventually. So, GRE myth is true in some sense.
(ii) For internationals, having a master's degree is very important. This is what I heard from the ad-com member working at Top10 after his seminar.
(iii) Initially, my plan was to apply only top places and master programs in order to have a chance to strengthen my profile for the next cycle. However, this process turns out to be too long and stressful. For this reason, I avoided attending master program to improve my profile.
Accepts:
    Attending: Minnesota Acceptances: Toulouse M2(ecomath)($$), UBC MA($$), CEMFI($$),
  • Institution: Toulouse school of economics M2 ecomath Decision: accepted Funding: Eiffel candidate Notification date: 17 december Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UMinnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: accepted from the waitlist Funding: TA Notification date: April 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
    rej), Uminnesota($$,eventually) Rejections: Yale, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, NYU, Northwestern(on hold,rej afterwards), Upenn, JHU Comments: (i) I do not know which school got which GRE score as I rescored my AW, and ETS did not send my second scores to some places.(UCLA got my first try scores).In the nutshell, I can say that GRE destroyed me completely. First, my classmate with less stellar math grades, similar econ grades got into places where I was
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Feb 16 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: no Comments: first official rejection...I feel that attending a master program will be the final result of this cycle for me..
  • Institution: Upenn Economics Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA(
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: ? Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of Minnesota Economics Decision: waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: First, they posted rejection on the website, but after e-mailing them regarding why they rejected me, they say they have made a clerical mistake, and I am on the waitlist, they can make an offer..Strange

eiad77 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Business Economics from UBC
Undergrad GPA: 3.8
Type of Grad: Law degree from UBC
Grad GPA:3.4
GRE:800 math/670 verbal/4.5 writing
Math Courses: Calc 1 A+, Calc 2 A-, Calc 3 A-, Calc 4 B- (Vector Calculus), Proofs B, Differentials C, Econ Stats 1/2 (A), Econ Math A-
Econ Courses (grad-level): None (Law and Economics in law school (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): 15 Courses with A/A+ (top student in several classes)
Other Courses: Mostly Business classes
Letters of Recommendation: One from well known economics professor, one from sessional lecturer, one from well known law professor (feminist law, ie completely unrelated to economics), not sure how enthusiastic they are.
Research Experience: 2 years for law professor (unrelated to economics), 1 year at business school, one peer reviewed publication, one short co-authored non-peer reviewed publication.
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Not sure
SOP: Average
Concerns: Math marks, had a business degree, took a break to do a law degree, recommendation letters, no research experience
Other:
Applying to: UBC (MA), Toronto (MA), McGill (MA), Queen's (MA), Ottawa (MA)
Accepts:
  • Institution: Toronto MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no money, but I can inform them if I get financial offers from other places, also I can apply for a teaching position Notification date: 3/2/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Really Exciting! I am glad and very surprised that I got accepted even thought I have some very mediocre math marks (C/B/B-).
  • Institution: Queen's University MA in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $8700 TAship Notification Date: 3/09/2011 Notified through: email (PDF of acceptance letter dated March 10) Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Pleased, it would have been nice to get more money, but I think my poor math grades limited me. I just need to hear back from UBC now.
  • Institution: UBC MA Decision: Accepted Funding: None (Notified March 22) Notification date: March 17 Notified through: Mail, then email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: I first got notified by the graduate school then got an email from the department about five days later. Moderately disappointed about the lack of funding.
Rejects:
Waitlists:

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

daniprami 2011:
Institution: University of Toronto.
Program: MA Economics.
Decision: Accepted.
Funding: N/A.
Notification date: 3/16/11
Notified through: E-mail.
Posted on GF: Yes.
Comments: Regular stream.
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Toronto. MA Economics. Decision: Accepted. Funding: N/A. Notification date: 3/16/11 Notified through: E-mail. Posted on GF: Yes. Comments: Regular stream.
  • Institution: UBC. MA Economics. Decision: Accepted. Funding: 10,914$ TA, tuition fees lowered to domestic ones. Notification date: 3/17/11. Notified through: E-mail. Posted on GC: Yes.
Rejects:
Waitlists:

zahra3842 2011:
I am new in urch,maybe my results help upcoming year students:
Institution:Berkeley
Program: Phd Economics
Decision:Rejected
Funding:
Notification date:2 march
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution:Upenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision:Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification date: 28 feb
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution:Penn State
Program: PhD economics
Decision:Admitted
Funding:yes
Notification date: 21 feb
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution:Maryland
Program: PhD economics
Decision:Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 8 march
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution:ASU
Program: PhD Economics
Decision:Admitted
Funding:yes
Notification date: 24 feb
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Institution:UBC
Program: Master Economics
Decision:Admitted
Funding:yes
Notification date:17 march
Notified through:
Posted on GF:
Comments:
Accepts:
    Admitted Funding:yes Notification date: 21 feb Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments: Institution:Maryland Program: PhD economics Decision:
  • Institution:Penn State economics Decision:Admitted Funding:yes Notification date: 21 feb Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:
  • Institution:ASU Economics Decision:Admitted Funding:yes Notification date: 24 feb Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:
  • Institution:UBC Master Economics Decision:Admitted Funding:yes Notification date:17 march Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejected Funding: Notification date:2 march Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments: Institution:Upenn Program: PhD Economics Decision:
  • Institution:Berkeley Phd Economics Decision:Rejected Funding: Notification date:2 march Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:
  • Institution:Maryland economics Decision:Rejected Funding: Notification date: 8 march Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 28 feb Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments: Institution:Penn State Program: PhD economics Decision:
  • Institution:Upenn Economics Decision:Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 28 feb Notified through: Posted on GF: Comments:

Econ Bob 2011:
Sorry for the delayed post. Hopefully helpful to future applicants.
Institution: Toronto
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Possible TA; Option to submit other funding offers
Notification date: March/2/2011
Notified through: email from econ dept
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Regular stream. PHD Stream wait listed.
Institution: Queen's
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Lots
Notification date: March/4/2011
Notified through: email from econ dept
Posted on GC: No
Institution: UBC
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Lots
Notification date: March/16/2011
Notified through: email from econ dept
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: Toronto MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Possible TA; Option to submit other funding offers Notification date: March/2/2011 Notified through: email from econ dept Posted on GC: No Comments: Regular stream. PHD Stream wait listed.
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Lots Notification date: March/4/2011 Notified through: email from econ dept Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Lots Notification date: March/16/2011 Notified through: email from econ dept Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
Waitlists:

whatdoido 2012:
I think its time to start the Roll Call for 2012. After reading last year's roll call introduction, it seems as though it is easiest for untitled to scrape the profiles for analysis if all three sections of the GRE are reported here, and the GPA is reported as first on a 4-point scale, and then in your native scale. So, let's get it going, here's the template.
EDIT: Also, let's do our best to keep this thread clean of everything except profiles.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad:
Undergrad GPA:
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE:
Math Courses:
Econ Courses (grad-level):
Econ Courses (undergrad-level):
Other Courses:
Letters of Recommendation:
Research Experience:
Teaching Experience:
Research Interests:
SOP:
Concerns:
Other:
Applying to:
Accepts:
  • Institution: BU Economics Phd Decision: Accepted Funding: Years 2-5 Notification date: 03.14.2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ~11K + partial tuition waiver Notification Date: 3/19/2012 Notified Through: Email Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: $36K, They're paying me NOT to go, Notification date: 2.22.2012 Notified through: Checked website after posts here. Posted on GC: no Comments: Hey, it sucks, but what can you do! On to the next one!
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: NA Notification date: 2-24-2012 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Sad, I thought I had a good shot here.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: February 29 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
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: --- Notified: 3/13 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Brown Economics PhD Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UMich Economics PhD Decision: rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/15/2012 Notified Through: Mail Posted to GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification Date: 3/21/2012 Notified Through: E-mail Posted to GC: nope Comments:
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 4/2/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: Apparently I was on an unofficial waitlist.
  • Institution: University of Toronto Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: --- Notification date: 5/4/12 Notified through: email Comments:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: University Of Minnesota Econ PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification Date: 3/1/12 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: At least its not a rejection.
  • Institution: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Decision: Honorable Mention Funding: No Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:

7ien 2012:
Institution: Queen's
Program: MA Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: n/a
Notification date: 4/2/12
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Same thing with waitlist.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Boston University MA in Global Development Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 4/2/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: not attending... really love the city and the program though!
  • Institution: Vanderbilt University MA in Economic Development Decision: Accepted Funding: 75% tuition scholarship (notified on 3/23) Notification date: 2/29/12 (the admission letter was dated 2/29, but I didn't get an email until 3/7) Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: didn't expect to get any funding from them
  • Institution: Simon Fraser University MA in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ~16k of TAship Notification date: 3/17/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of British Columbia MA in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: partial tuition waiver Notification date: 3/20/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 4/2/12 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No Comments: Same thing with waitlist.
Waitlists:


Rejections:

Texcards 2009:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Minor Economics and Math at very large state school (top 15 engineering, top 50 economics)
Undergrad GPA: 3.35/4.0 (3.65 Math, 4.0 Econ)
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 550V, 4.0AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III(A,B,A), Differential Equations (B), Linear Algebra (A), Mathematical Probability and Statistics (A), Fund Discrete Math (Spring 09)
Econ Courses: Principles of Micro and Macro (A, CR by exam), Intermediate Micro and Macro theory, Econometrics (A,A,A)
Other Courses: Lots of engineering
Letters of Recommendation: 2 not well known assistant econ professors (UT-Austin, Rice) but excelled in their classes, 1 associate engr professor (Berkeley) that I went on a study abroad trip with
Research Experience: none
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: International and Development
SOP: Paragraph about why I wanted to do econ even though I did engineering as an undergrad, another on my interests, and another on why I wanted to be an academic. Slightly altered my interests paragraph depending on the school, but for the most part the same for each one.
Other: Didnt start considering this until fall of last year.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UC Riverside (Fellowship), University of San Francisco MA in International and Development Economics (1/2 tuition remission + TA), UC Davis, University of Washington, UC Santa Cruz, Colorado, Oregon, UI-Chicago
Waitlists: Oregon fellowship, eventually notified of no funding
Rejections: Maryland, Boston University, Boston College, UT Austin, Michigan State, Georgetown, UBC MA
Pending: Toronto MA, Queens MA
What would you have done differently?
I wouldnt have applied to the Canadian MAs (1 year wouldnt have been enough to help me), Michigan State, UCSC, or UI-Chicago and maybe applied to a couple more reaches instead, but I really didn't think I would get into as many as I did. I dont know if it would have changed anything though, after really thinking about it I think an MA is a very good choice for me. Ive realized that my 3 economics courses hasnt given me enough of a background in general economics knowledge. Yes I could learn it in the course of a PhD but I think strengthening my economics background will allow me to have more focus on what field I want to go into and give me more ideas when I eventually start to write my dissertation. An MA will also allow me to improve 3 big weaknesses in my profile: (1) Do some research which will allow me to have (2) stronger letter of recommendations and (3) a more focused SOP.
I think I learned a lot in this application process and feel like I will be able to put together a much better application in 2 years after an MA.
Attending:
University of San Francisco MA in International and Development Economics
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UC Riverside (Fellowship), University of San Francisco MA in International and Development Economics (1/2 tuition remission + TA), UC Davis, University of Washington, UC Santa Cruz, Colorado, Oregon, UI-Chicago
  • Institution: UC-Riverside Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship: 13.5K stipend first year, 16.6K TA/RA next 4 + Health Insurance Notification date: 1/22/09 Notified through: E-mail Comments: My super safety
  • Institution: UC-Davis Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: End of March Notification date: 2/4/09 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Very Excited! Especially if I get funded!
  • Institution: UC Santa Cruz International Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "I regret that I am unable to offer you any financial support at this time" Notification date: 2/20/09 Notified through:Email Comments: Surprised again... too bad there is no funding
  • Institution: Oregon Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: "Currently being evaluated for a graduate teaching fellowship" Notification date: 3/5 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Kind of expected after the UCSC and Davis admits. I'm hoping it will replace Riverside as my best funded offer. Even if I am funded, will likely decline in favor of Davis
  • Institution: UI-Chicago Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Mid-March Notification date: 3/6/09 Notified through: USPS letter dated 2/26, postmarked 3/3 Comments: I applied to far too many safeties.
  • Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder Economics, PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: Email Comments: I was hoping I would get funded...
  • Institution: Washington-Seattle Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: "Cannot offer you funds right now" Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: e-mail Comments: I e-mailed the grad director and got a response saying I was "very appealing" and if I wanted an unfunded offer they would send me a letter of admission "right away."
  • Institution: University of San Francisco International and Development Economics (IDEC), Master's Decision: Accepted Funding: Didn't say anything about it Notification date: 4/11/2009 Notified through: Postal Mail Comments: Would actually consider this if they fund me...but will definitely decline if not (EDIT: No funding, will decline)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Maryland, Boston University, Boston College, UT Austin, Michigan State, Georgetown, UBC MA
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: Website Comments: Oh well...
  • Institution: Maryland Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected...
  • Institution: UBC Economics, MA Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/18 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Wasn't ever really sure I would want to go this route and go through this whole process again anyways...
  • Institution: Boston College Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Agora Comments: Grad A+S Decision Letter mailed, I am assuming this is a rejection but I'm on spring break so I can't check my mail! Edit: officially a rejection!
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/25 Notified through: response to my inquiry email Comments: I don't think I would have liked living in East Lansing anyways
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/27 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Continuing the trend of no East Coast love
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/13/2009 Notified through: E-Mail Comments: Finally after sending 2 e-mails.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Oregon fellowship, eventually notified of no funding

JBDonges 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: German Diplom in Economics from a University that is a Top5 in Germany but 200-300 worldwide.
Undergrad GPA: exp. 1.9 on a scale from 1.0-5.0 where 1.0 is best
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 750Q, 420V, 4.5AWA (second take), 740Q, 400V, 4.0AWA (first take)
Math Courses: Mathematics for Economists I and II (passed), Statistics I, II and III (2.0)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Advanced Macro I (2.3), Adv. Macro II (1.3), Monetary Theory (1.3)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Economic Policy, International Economics, Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, Public Economics, Growth, Labour, and many more, all between 1.0-3.3 (average about 2.0)
Other Courses: pre-degree in business
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 Northwestern PhD, 1 former Harvard fellow, 1 unknown)
Research Experience: 3 years RA for an unknown prof.
Teaching Experience: Introductory micro
Research Interests: Macro
statement of purpose: Standard - template taken from Italos.
Concerns: GRE scores.
Other: MA application only
Applying to: NYU MA, Yale IDE, UBC MA, UofT MA, UMich MAE, McGill MA, U Illinois Chicago MA
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UIC MA (no $)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: UBC MA, Toronto MA Doctoral/Regular Stream, McGill MA, UMich MAE, Yale IDE
Pending: NYU MA (expect nothing)
What would you have done differently?
Mmmh... my GRE was horrible... not well prepared for the first time, nervous for the second... so I guess taking more time to learn for GRE would be quite useful... In the end I think that most adcoms were not able to evaluate my degree... What to do now? Maye I take UIC or I'm looking for a Master's in Germany... suggestions welcome...
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UIC MA (no $)
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago M.A. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decision in March Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Good start anyway...
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago M.A. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decision in March Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Good start anyway...
  • Institution: NYU Master in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 05/11 Notified through: E-Mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: This is so sick! Rejected by UBC, UofT, McGill and accepted by NYU? I don't get that...
Rejects:
    Rejections: UBC MA, Toronto MA Doctoral/Regular Stream, McGill MA, UMich MAE, Yale IDE
  • Institution: Yale MA IDE Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comment: I don't care... didn't get a fellowship from Germany, so was no real option anymore.
  • Institution: McGill MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: I considered this to be one of my safeties... now I lost hope for the remaining decisions Posted on GC: Yes.
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: I sent an e-mail to the department asking for my status and got the reply... Comments: This really depresses me... I really wanted to go there Posted on GC: Yes.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

oleador 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA International Economics, unknown Eastern European school
Undergrad GPA: 3.4/4
Type of Grad: MSc Economics, Barcelona GSE
Grad GPA: 6.78/10
GRE: 780Q, 560V, 3.5AW
Math Courses: Advanced math for economists(B) one year course which includes uni- and multivariate calclulus, linear algebra, difference and differential equations, set theory and basic topology, intro to real analysis; Probability and Statistics (B), Theoretical Statistics (A), Optimization (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro theory (D ), Advanced Micro theory (A some improvement over micro ), Econometrics (B), Advanced Econometrics I (C), Macroeconomics (A), International Economics (B), Experimental Economics (B), Econ growth (A).
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Microeconomics (B), Macroeconomics (B), other standard courses
Letters of Recommendation: All from BGSE, should have been quite good.
Research Experience: Macroeconomic research analyst at an investment bank (2.5 years)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, international economics and finance, economics of information
SOP: Standard, focused on research interests and ideas
Concerns: Many My profile has many drawbacks as you can see.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: U Houston ($$), Warwick (no $)
Rejections: Maryland, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, LSE MSc, UBC MA, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, McGill, Simon Fraser, WUSTL, USC
Attending: University of Houston
COMMENTS:
I realized that I want to do a PhD only after I finished my BA and started working. If I knew this since my first year of undergrad I would study much harder and would have a much better GPA. To some extent getting an MSc from a top European school helped me, though my performance there was quite mediocre (due to poor undergrad preparation). I have made a large progress by now and studied a lot on my own, so now I am confident that now I am well prepared to study at a PhD level.
Finally, given my terrible profile, it's good that I got into U of Houston, which could not be a top school, but fits my interests and has quite decent placement.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: U Houston ($$), Warwick (no $)
  • Institution: University of Warwick Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: not mentioned, I suppose I should apply for it separately Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: First admission!!! Extremely excited!!!
  • Institution: University of Houston Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: April 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Hoping for funding...
Rejects:
    Rejections: Maryland, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, LSE MSc, UBC MA, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, McGill, Simon Fraser, WUSTL, USC
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: website Posted on GC: no Comments: expected
  • Institution: Emory University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: LSE MSc in Economics (Research, L1U3) and MSc in Economics (L1U1) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GradCafe: no Comments:
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/17/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: University of Pittsburgh Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/24/2011 Notified through: E-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Simon Fraser University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: April 12 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Washington University St. Louis (WUSTL) Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: April 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: expected
  • Institution: University of Southern California Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/15/2011 Notified through: called them to find out my status Posted on GC: yes Comments: Finally the uncertainty is over. Going to Houston!
Waitlists:

Refused 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 5 undergrad, top 10 econ - Physics and Economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Type of Grad: Top 10 math, non-degree
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800q 680v 5.0aw
Math Courses: Real analysis, ODE, PDE, stats, probability (grad)
Econ Courses (grad-level):
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Advanced micro, econometrics, &c.
Other Courses: physics
Letters of Recommendation: 2 top 10 profs and one 1 top 5 PhD now in industry
Research Experience: RA one summer, economics research group at investment bank since college, 1 working paper
Teaching Experience: no
Research Interests: Macro
SOP: yes
Concerns: B- in real analysis
Other:
Applying to: NYU, NYU Stern, Wisconsin, UCLA, UCSD, Boston University, Duke, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins, UC Davis, Georgetown, Boston College, Penn State, UC Santa Barbara, University of Southern California, University of Washington, Virginia, Duke MA, UBC MA, Oxford MSc in Economics for Development
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: "before the end of March" Notification date: Feb 11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes
  • 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: yes Comments: Not sure if I got an email as it's blocked at work
  • Institution: Duke AM Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 3/09/11 Notified through: email to check website Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: University of Washington, Seattle Economics Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist for partial funding Notification date: 04/01/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Email asking if I would like to be put on a waitlist for partial funding - doesn't actually mention acceptance but presumably they wouldn't give me partial funding to not attend
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 02/28/2011 Notified through: website (saw above and checked) Posted on GC: yes Comment:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/2011 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Checked website, though I had done this an hour ago after seeing others had and nothing was there, so they seem to be trickling out Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/10/11 Notified through: Post Comments: Letter dated 3/7
  • Institution: NYU Stern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: yes Comments: Email to check website; 1100 applications for 20 spots
  • Institution: Brown University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2011 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Penn State Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: yes Comment: first letter of surname is 75th percentile
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GradCafe: yes Comments: last name starts with 's'
  • Institution: University of Oxford Economics for Development MSc Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/17/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/11 Notified through: Website Posted on GC: yes Comments: No email, I just checked the website as I saw someone else had. The decision was available 3/18, apparently.
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified through: Official e-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Decision: Rejected Funding: No Notification date: 4/5 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCSD Ph.D. in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 04/06 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: April 13 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/15/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments:
  • Institution: University of Southern California Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/23/2011 Notified through: Postal Posted on GC: yes Comments:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait list Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: No Notification date: 4/4/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments:

phystoecon 2011:
Institution: Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Program: Economics, MA
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes, TA. Just enough to live off
Notification date: 03/09/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: Simon Fraser University (SFU) Economics, MA Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes, TA. Just enough to live off Notification date: 03/09/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Queens MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $12,000 Notification date: 03/17/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Very happy.
Rejects:
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/17/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Relieved the rejection arrived several hours after the above admit.
Waitlists:


Waitlists:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 23 accepted out of 28 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.75, average GREQ was 783.3.
No link to department posted statistics has been added, please let me know if these exist and I will add them.

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