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:

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Application withdrawn: LSE philosophy and economics (I always knew LSE was both a long shot and impractical for other personal reasons; once I got an offer from UMass in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

akmandal 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 100 liberal arts college, Midwest
Undergrad GPA: 2.83, 3.1 in Econ Major, CS minor
Type of Grad: MS Applied Econ Illinois State University
Grad GPA: 3.24
GRE: 730 Q 650 V 4.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (A), Calc-II (B+), Stats and Data Analysis-I (A-), Adv Stats for Social Sciences: A, Discrete Math: C+
Econ Courses (grad-level): Macro, Micro, Econometrics I, II, III; Advanced Public Finance, International Trade, International Finance
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Whole bunch, includes Math Econ, Intermediate Macro Micro
Other Courses: Security Analysis
Letters of Recommendation: 1 prof from Chicago, 1 a Harvard fellow from Colorado, 1 Stats professor from UIUC
Research Experience: RA for Public Finance prof, Research Paper on Ricardian Equivalence published in 2nd tier journal
Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad stats
Research Interests: Energy economics, Macro, Econometrics
SOP: Should be alright
Concerns: Low GPA, GRE
Other:
Results:
In: UKY (wl$, withdrew application), Clemson, UWyo ($$), Auburn, Utah State ($$), UGA ($), Western Michigan, UNM
Out: GSU, Oregon State, West Virginia, Rhode Islan, RAND Pardee, MSU
Attending: University of Wyoming
What would I have done differently: I should have thought about graduate school during undergrad and about a PhD during my Masters. All in all, given my marginal grades and GRE scores, I am very happy how I ended up. I think letters of recommendation can do wonders for one's profile.
Accepts:
    Attending: University of Wyoming
  • Institution: Clemson University Applied Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ? Notification date: Feb 04 Notified through: Randomly checked status online Comments: My first admit... I would love to go there, funding is a ? though.
  • Institution: Utah State University Applied Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: In the process Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comment: Yay! It feels so good to be wanted!
  • Institution: Auburn Applied Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 3/10/11 Notified through: Email from DGS Posted on GC: yes Comments: No funding at this time means I will not be able to attend. I hope something works out.
  • Institution:U Wyoming Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Full + 16K assistantship Notification date: 3/14 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes
  • Institution: New Mexico Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None at this time Notification date: 3/16/11 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Although the warmth sounds nice, cannot afford w/o aid
  • Institution: Kentucky Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not decided Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Almost a wildcat!
  • Institution: University of Georgia Ph.D. Applied Economics Decision: Admit FUnding: Not mentioned in email from grad school Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through:Email Comments: Have to see if and what they offer
  • Institution: Western Michigan University Applied Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/31/2011 Notified through: Mail Comments: Nice to get another admission
Rejects:
  • Institution: Michigan State University Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 01/28/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Very disappointed. Really wanted to study under Wooldridge.
  • Institution: RAND Pardee Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: February 18 Notified through: email Posted on GC: yes Comments: Did not even bother to change the font of my name to match the rejection template. Oh well, disappointed but not surprised.
  • Institution: Rhode Island Environmental and Natural Resources Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/8/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: At least they were polite
  • Institution: Oregon State Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/18/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Who cares!
  • Institution: UIUC ACE Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification Date: March 22, 2011 Notified through: Official e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: Not quite a good fit anyway.. was quite a struggle writing the SOP. UIUC is an awesome school, so a little disappointed.
  • Institution: Georgia State University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification Date: 03/25/2011 Notified Through:Checked website Comments: Hmmm
  • Institution: West Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 04/01/2011 Notified through: Mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists:

ssoRBttaM 2011:
Type of Undergrad: Large Public University (Not Flagship).
Undergrad GPA: 3.2 (3.4 for Econ)
Undergrad Major/Minor: Economics Major
Type of Graduate: Regional Economic Development
Graduate GPA: 4.0 (Expected Near 4.0)
GRE:730 Q 590 V 5 AW
Math Courses:
UnderGrad: Calculus I, II, Stats I,II, and Linear Algebra
Graduate: Econometrics, Quantitative Research Methods
Econ Courses: Letters of Recommendation: Rec. from two well known/ highly published heterodox graduate professor, Rec. from the director of the research center I am employed in.
Teaching Experience: T/A one course.
Research Interests: Political Economy, Labor Economics, Regional Development.
Research: 1 report published, 1 article under review w/ peer edited journal, and 1 in process.
Other Resume Stuff: Lots of volunteer work and multiple conferences presentations
Applied: University of Utah, American University, CSU, UMass, UKCM, University of Manitoba, UNH, and UCONN.
Accepts:
  • Institution: American Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Decisions made in March Notification date: Feb 11 Notified through: mail Comments: Really excited!!!
  • Institution: University of New Hampshire Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments: Unofficial offer and apparently funding details will follow next week.
  • Institution : CSU Program : Economics PhD Decision : Accepted Notification date : 3/8/2011 Notified through : E-mail Posted on GC : no Comments : Niche program... excited.
  • Institution: University of Utah Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $$ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments: the funding is unexpected...
  • Institution: UMKC Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes
  • Institution: UConn Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $$$ Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes
  • Institution: Manitoba Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $? Notification date: 3/15/11 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: yes Comments:
Rejects:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: UMass Amherst Phd Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: 5 years if accepted Notification date: 3/3/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: Waitlisted at my top choice... Oh the horror and anxiety that will ensue over the course of next month!

Rblivingstone 2011:
Institution:Utah State University
Program: PhD
Decision: Accepted!!
Funding: Soft Commitment on full tuition waiver with the possibility of an assistantship to cover living expenses. Will be confirmed and solidified at the first week of April. This covers the first 3 years.
Notification date: 3/9/2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I actually only applied to this one program. I wasn't planning on Grad school but then
i applied and they did! And they are giving me money too!
Accepts:
  • Institution:Utah State University Decision: Accepted!! Funding: Soft Commitment on full tuition waiver with the possibility of an assistantship to cover living expenses. Will be confirmed and solidified at the first week of April. This covers the first 3 years. Notification date: 3/9/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I actually only applied to this one program. I wasn't planning on Grad school but then i applied and they did! And they are giving me money too!
Rejects:
Waitlists:

manfromthemoon 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA (Honors) in Philosophy
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Type of Grad: MA in Economics
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: Q800; V 760
Math Courses: Math for Econ (A); Statistical Analysis (A). Both were graduate courses.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (A); Micro II (Research based) (A); Macro I (A); Macro II (A); Econometrics I (A); Econometrics II (A). Econ Courses (undergrad-level): None.
Other Courses: Wrote a thesis for the masters degree.
Letters of Recommendation: All very strong, but none of the recommenders are high-profile.
Research Experience: Did an independent research project on the classical Post-Ricardian theories of value and distribution..
Teaching Experience: Graduate Assistant for three semesters
Research Interests: Macroeconomics; International Political Economy
SOP: Focused on my research interests and career plans beyond the PhD
Other: There hardly is a proper math course on my transcript.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UMKC, Oregon, Utah, UMass Amherst
Waitlists: None
Rejections: Princeton, Claremont
Pending: None
Attending: UMKC for Interdisciplinary PhD in Econ and PolSci
What would you have done differently?
It was quite difficult to do well in the masters program, considering that my undergrad background was in Philosophy. So in that sense there was a lot of "catching up" to do with economics and I'm happy that I got out of it alive. I really wanted to get into UMKC because there really is no other school in the US with so many faculty with whom I share my research interests. I ended up applying to fewer schools than I intitally planned to. But that's okay, I guess, and I am quite excited about going to UMKC.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UMKC, Oregon, Utah, UMass Amherst
  • Institution: University of Missouri - Kansas City I PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: Postal mail Posted on GC: no Comments: Really happy considering that this was my first choice school, but uncertainty about funding is freaking me out.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Princeton, Claremont
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None


Rejections:

heconomics 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, from a little known university in South Asia
Undergrad GPA: Couldn't convert it into GPA. Overall score was 73 per cent
Type of Grad: MA Development Studies from a premier social sciences institute of my country
Grad GPA: Couldn't convert it into GPA. Overall score was 70 per cent
GRE: 157 Q (Yes, I know), 161 V, 4.0 AW
Math Courses: Mathematical Economics, Quantitative Techniques (These courses had very heavy loads and covered most of the relevant topics)
Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate/Advanced Micro, Intermediate/Advanced Macro, Development Economics, Monetary Economics, International Economics, History of Economic Thought, Econometrics
Other Courses: Advanced Quantitative Research
Letters of Recommendation: All of them should be decent. One from Harvard PhD, well known, especially in heterodox circles. Another one from my MA thesis advisor. Final one from well known economist from my country.
Research Experience: 1 year RA work - climate change economics
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Philosophy of Economics, Heterodox (Left-wing) Economics
SOP: Wrote about my exposure to a various schools of economic thought, discussed the research skills I gained while doing RA work, mentioned my self-study of advanced mathematics
Concerns: Abysmally low GRE quant score. It was a bad day. But too late for a retake. Limited formal training in mathematics. Virtually unknown undergrad institute
Applying to: UMass and UMass (Resource Economics), University of Utah, American Univ, New School of Social Research, University of Wyoming, Simon Fraser Univ (MA), University of Oxford (MSc Economics for Development)
Accepts:
  • Institution: UMass, Amherst Resource Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TA or RA not decided yet, but amount is given as almost 21k. Notification 2/24/12 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: First admit. Very happy!
  • Institution: American Univeristy Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Will be informed by mid-March Notification date: March 2 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Second admit. Delighted. Waiting for funding offer.
  • Institution: New School for Social Research MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 50 per cent tuition waiver Notification date: 03/21/12 Notified through: Postal Mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Not enough funding
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Utah Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N.A. Notification Date: 3/5/2012 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Disappointed. Although I wasn't planning to go there, I still wanted to get through.
Waitlists:


Waitlists:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 5 accepted out of 6 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.66, average GREQ was 765.0.
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