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:

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)

CC_Blood 2008:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Economics at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland (quite prestigious for Business in Germany/Switzerland, less so for Economics), I´m German so St. Gallen might even count as experience abroad
Undergrad GPA: 5.16/6, including a bachelor´s thesis (5.5/6)
TOEFL: 118/120
GRE: Not required for Warwick, but did it anyway for fun (without any preparation ). Q:780, V:580, Writing: 5.0
Math Courses: Maths 1 and 2 during the assessment year covering what a German student with a focus on maths would do in his final 2 highschool years, then econometrics, basic statistics, applied statistics, 2 courses featuring statistic/econometric papers (Health economics and population economics), linear models and variance analysis
Econ Courses: The usual stuff (Macro 1-3, Micro 1-3), international macroeconomics, economic history of the 19th and 20th century (2 courses), Public Finance I, Economic policy.
Other Courses: That´s where St. Gallen "excels"... basics of International Affairs, basics of Political science, several courses in Law, several courses in management theory, several courses in "critical thinking", "cultural awareness" and "leadership skills" (like PHP programming, rhetoric and philosophy of money).
Letters of Recommendation: 2, one from a visiting professor and one from a lecturer. Both barely knew me (had the the professor in 2 courses, and he supervised my bachelor´s thesis, but hardly spoke more than 10 words with him in 1 year, lecturer taught only one course with a written exam for 2 credits...), I don´t even know what they wrote in their letters.
Research Experience: Several papers and a bachelor´s thesis about the profitability of Imperial Germany`s colonies (if that counts =) )
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Warwick, MSc in Economics-->going to attend this fall. University of St. Gallen, MA in Economics (they had to take me in since I did a sufficiently good BA at St. Gallen)
What would you have done differently?
Maybe attending Mannheim or Bonn in Germany as their Economics reputation is better in Germany, but I doubt I could have started a BA there back in 2004, so i would have done a Diplom (~Master), probably with no foreign experience at all and tougher chances for going abroad for the PhD.
Currently I´m doing a gap year with several internships (UBS IB, PwC, Deutsche Bank Research) before Warwick starts this fall, I tried to go to Warwick immediately after graduating from St. Gallen, but the final transcripts weren't available till late October which was too late for 2007 admission to Warwick.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Warwick, MSc in Economics-->
Rejects:
Waitlists:

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

verio16 2009:
Type of Undergrad: BA (Honours) Economics from University of Delhi, India
Undergrad GPA: The university does not have a GPA system. My aggregate over 3 years is 72.4% (60 0s 1st division, the highest grade), roughly in the top 5 percentile(out of around 1000 students) in the university and ranked 3rd in college
GRE: Q800, V610, AWA 4.5
Math Courses:
Linear Algebra,multi variate Calculus, Constrained optimization(covered in a single course titled Mathematical methods for economics)
Reference books -Knut Sydsaeter and Peter J. Hammond, Mathematics for Economic Analysis and Alpha C. Chiang, Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics
Statistics
Distribution, probability, regression,hypothesis testing (covered under statistical methods for economics)
Reference books - P.H. Karmel and M. Polasek, Applied Statistics for Economists and M.R. Spiegel, Theory and Problems of Statistics
Also had an Econometrics paper
A.S. Goldberger (1998), Introductory Econometrics
Econ Courses: Principles of economics, Micro, Advanced Micro (game theory), macro, development theory, money, public economics, economy state and society, other courses specific to the Indian Economy
Other Courses: Formal Logic (Others of hardly any importance)
Letters of Recommendation: From my college professors, but i doubt any of them are internationally recognised (potentially a serious hurdle)
Research Experience: Worked as an intern with an NGO for 2 months, was RA for a paper that later got published. Worked for 6 months in the research wing of Watson Wyatt Worldwide(consultancy).
Teaching Experience: NIL
Research Interests: Macroeconomic modelling
Other: Good bunch of extracurricular s (I dont really know if it matters though)
Results
Acceptances: Warwick (Msc), Bocconi (Msc, $$), Tilburg (Msc, $?)
Pending: Tinbergen, Paris school of economics, UCL
What would you have done differently? should have taken the GRE earlier. Missed a lot of deadlines and sent in hurriedly assembled application.
Would have been more careful about being on good terms with my professors during my unergrad.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Warwick (Msc), Bocconi (Msc, $$), Tilburg (Msc, $?)
Rejects:
Waitlists:
    Pending: Tinbergen, Paris school of economics, UCL

ecuaecon 2009:
Type of Undergrad: international student with a a degree from a local university
Type of Grad: MS econ from a mid-size private american university
Undergrad GPA: 3.6/4
Graduate GPA: econ 3.6, econ + math 3.4
GRE: 770Q, 470V, 4.0 AW
Math Courses: Calculus I, II, III. Statistisc I, II. Linear Algebra. Math for econ (undergrad and grad). Advanced Calculus (Analysis). Not so great grades
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro (A-) and econometrics (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ profs (graduated at UT, Brown, Cornell), I think these will be good recommendations.
Research Experience: RA for a professor, RA local central bank, master's thesis
Teaching Experience: instructor (econometrics)
Research Interests: Institituions, Econ history, behavioral econ
Concerns: I don't have a 800-gre, not so great grades for math courses
Applying to: Caltech, Michigan, Maryland, WUSTL, Barcelona School of Econ, Warwick, Oxford, European University Institute, Queen's, British Columbia, Toronto.
Accepts:
  • Institution: BGSE-UPF MSc Economic Decision: Accepted Funding: no Notification date: 2/3/2009 Notified through: E-mail Comments:
  • Institution: Warwick Economics MSc Decision: Accepted Funding: no word (most likely nothing) Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: e-mail (official letter will come through regular mail) Comments: In: BGSE-UPF (MSc), Warwick (MSc)
Rejects:
  • Institution: Caltech Social Sciences Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/28/09 Notified through: email Comments: Saw it coming, but still hurts In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MS
  • Institution: Maryland Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: checked website Comments: In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MSc Out: Caltech, Maryland
  • Institution: WUSTL Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: e-mail Comments: starting to worry if I'm going anywhere next fall In: BGSE-UPF, Warwic, both MSc Out: Catlech, Maryland
  • Institution: European University Institute Economics, PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: e-mail. Comments: sad. In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MSc Out: WUSTL, Maryland, Michigan (not official yet)
  • Institution: Oxford Economics, MPhil Decision: rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/23 Notified through: e-mail Comments: In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MSc Out: Caltech, Maryland, WUSTL, EUI, Oxford
  • Institution: Michigan Economics, PhD Decision: rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/23 Notified through: e-mail (I e-mailed the grad secretary because I couldn't log-in the university webpage) Comments: Admission Gods: I would like a funded offer In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MSc Out: Caltech, Maryland, WUSTL, EUI, Oxford
  • Institution: University of British Columbia Programme: Economics MA Decision: Rejected (e-mail) Notification Date: 04/01/2009 Funding: None Comments: am I going anywhere? In: BGSE-UPF, Warwick, both MSc Out: Caltech, Maryland, WUSTL, Michigan, EUI, Oxford
Waitlists:

beatenia 2009:
Institution: University of Warwick
Program: Economics, Msc
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/24
Notified through: e-mail
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Warwick Economics, Msc Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: e-mail
Rejects:
Waitlists:

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

hecka88 2010:
PROFILE:
(at the time of application)
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Mathematics and Finance, Minor in Economics from a large public school in Midwest, overall top 80 by USNEWS
Undergrad GPA: overall 3.794/4, Econ 4.0, Math 4.0
GRE: 800Q 360V 3.5AWA
Math Courses: Calculus 1-4, Liner Algebra, Differential Equations 1-2, Probability Theory 1-2, PDE 1, Numerical Analysis 1, Real Analysis 1, Honor Real Analysis 1 (in progress), and Intro to Statistical Theory, all A/A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Econometrics 1
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Micro, Intro to Macro, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Development Economics, all A/A+
Other Courses: intro to programming, java, some finance and accounting courses, and some physics and astrophysics courses as GE.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 finance assistant professor (WUSTL) and 2 math full professor (NYU and MIT)
Research Experience: senior honor thesis on executive compensation
Teaching Experience: TA for one semester for an honor business technology class
Research Interests: Development Economics, Macroeconomics, and Financial Economics
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE Msc Economics (1 year), UCL Msc Economics, Warwick Msc Economics (2 years), UWO direct entry PhD (18000 plus tuition)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: (all PhD) Northwestern, Brown, John Hopkins, Cornell
Pending: Toronto MA (Don’t care anymore)
What would you have done differently?
I have decided to attend LSE and apply again next year. Overall, I think I should apply to more schools and retake the GRE for higher verbal score. And I should have taken more Econ classes and obtain at least one recommendation from Econ professor. Anyway I’m quite satisfied with my LSE offer.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE Msc Economics (1 year), UCL Msc Economics, Warwick Msc Economics (2 years), UWO direct entry PhD (18000 plus tuition)
Rejects:
    Rejections: (all PhD) Northwestern, Brown, John Hopkins, Cornell
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

Lachis 2010:
Institution: Yale
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Not surprised. At least I gave it a shot!
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship: 18k + health insurance
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: E-mail to check site
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Yay!!! My first admission! Very excited!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship: 18k + health insurance Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Yay!!! My first admission! Very excited! :D
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet (decision is made in April) Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: No. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: My acceptance is subject to completing my Masters program in Applied Mathematics this July. Happy :)
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship: 18k + health insurance Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Yay!!! My first admission! Very excited!
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet (decision is made in April) Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: No. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: My acceptance is subject to completing my Masters program in Applied Mathematics this July. Happy
  • Institution: University of Warwick MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None (This offer of a place does not constitute an offer of a scholarship or funding. For details on the options available for funding your studies please visit our Graduate School portal at University of Warwick :: Academic Office :: Services :: Graduate School Portal) Notification date: 3/11/10 Notified through: Email Comment: Offer conditional on completing my current Masters program. UVa placed the same condition... seems they like my Masters program
  • Institution: Texas at Austin Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship - 14k + Tuition scholarship + health insurance Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: LSE MSc in Economics and Philosophy Decision: Accepted Funding: none Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Randomly checked website... received email a few minutes later Comments: Really, really love this program!!!, but think maybe it is better to start right away with the PhD in Economics ...
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not surprised. At least I gave it a shot!
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: I was just waiting the formal rejection from this one...
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I did had hope with this one! :(
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I did had hope with this one!
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/21/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: "Surprise, surprise"
  • Institution: Syracuse University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 4/19 Notified through: Email Comments: Thought it was a safety ...
Waitlists:

teddypicker 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from a somewhat-known non-US, non-EU university, (ranking 100+ in Times Higher Education)
Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4.0 (Class Rank:5)
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: none
GRE: Q800 V450 AWA4.5
Math Courses: Calculus I&II (A, which is the highest grade you can get), Mathematics for Economists (A), Introduction to Linear Algebra (A), Probability and Statistics I&II (A), Programming for Social Sciences (A)
Econ Courses: Macro-Micro Theory (A), , International Economics I&II (A), Econometrics I&II (A), Transition Economics (A), Theories of Growth and Development (A), Institutions and Development (A), History of Economic Thought (B+, A), Finance (A), Principles of Accounting (A-), Fiscal Economics (A), Monetary Economics (A-), World Economy in 20th Century (A), Analytical Writing for Economists (A), Game Theory I (A), Advanced Economic Theory (A), International Political Economy (A), Political Economy of Natural Resources (A), International Money (A-), Seminar in Macroeconomic Policy (A)
Other Courses: Selected Topics in Law (C+ basically why my GPA got lower), Social Transformation and Political History of my country (both A), History of Civilization (B-), Sociology and Social Psychology (both A)
Letters of Recommendation: All three are macro-economists. One got his PhD from Princeton (among top 6ited economists), one from Minnesota (considered to be the top economist of my country) and one from Maryland.
Research Experience: Currently conducting one with the professor who got his PhD from University of Minnesota. (A proposal on the Brazilian capital controls). I also wrote some papers for my previous professors; the most "credible" one is something I wrote for Sweder van Wijnbergen when I was an exchange student in the University of Amsterdam.
Teaching Experience: Worked as a TA for Introduction to Economics and Macroeconomic Theory classes over the summer.
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, Growth and Development, Political Economy
SOP: Talked about my previous research, my extra-curricular activities and my interests. Took 3 pages. It might have been shorter.
Others: TOEFL ibt: 114 (26R, 30L, 28S, 30W)
Concerns: Math courses are not sufficient.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE (MSc Economics -Research-), BGSE (MSc Economics), Warwick (MSc Economics), CEMFI Madrid (MSc Economics and Finance), King's College London (MA International Political Economy), University of Bristol (MSc Economics, Management and Finance), University of Edinburgh (MSc Economics)
Waitlists: UCL (MSc Economics)
Rejections: Warwick (MA International Political Economy)
What Would You Have Done Differently?
I like the outcome of my results, as my only rejection is from a program I considered to be of low priority. Still, I would have
-taken more math courses during my undergraduate
-wouldn't be so scared of getting a rejection so maybe applied for some US Universities as well as Oxbridge
-would have pressured my professors for an RA position.
-would have studied more for the verbal section of GRE
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE (MSc Economics -Research-), BGSE (MSc Economics), Warwick (MSc Economics), CEMFI Madrid (MSc Economics and Finance), King's College London (MA International Political Economy), University of Bristol (MSc Economics, Management and Finance), University of Edinburgh (MSc Economics)
  • Institution: BGSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver (half) Notification date: 2/27/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: Will consider if rejected from LSE and Cambridge.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Warwick (MA International Political Economy)
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCL (MSc Economics)

kushluk 2011:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics at a Top 10 South American University
Undergrad GPA: Don't know the conversion, but approximately 90th(ish) Percentile
Type of Grad: MSc Economics at the same SA University as above
Grad GPA: Don't know the conversion, but approximately 90th(ish) Percentile
GRE: 790Q 580V 4.5 AW
Math Courses:
Undergraduate: Calculus I, II; Algebra I,II;
Graduate: Mathematics for Economists (Vohra), Mathematical Methods (introductory maths for graduate course)
Econ Courses: Undergraduate and Graduate Macro, Micro, Econometrics, Development, Monetary Policy, Economic Policy, Labour Economics, International Trade
Other Courses: Graduate Microeconometrics (Advanced and Applied)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Oxford PhD graduates (in the early 2000s), one of them well known in liberal arts college development/innovation economics circles and 1 MIT Phd graduate unknown (but who knew me best)
Research Experience: Have been working at an International Development Bank for 7 months now. Also in the process of publishing my graduate thesis at a second tier european journal.
Teaching Experience: 1 semester as lecturer of Introduction to Macroeconomics for undergrads
Research Interests: Labour Economics, Microeconometrics, Macroeconomics, Political Economy
SOP: Don't know how to describe it, but I tried to be funny.
Other: I have had my share of political participation in my country, and made a note of it on my SOP
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Oxford (MPhil Economics), LSE (MSc Economics Research), Warwick (MSc Economics)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: None
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I would have applied to more programmes. Should of taken a chance with the USA programmes. But my dream school is LSE and will probably attend. Funding is sketchy though.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Oxford (MPhil Economics), LSE (MSc Economics Research), Warwick (MSc Economics)
  • Institution: Oxford MPhil in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waiting for Clarendon Scholarships in early April Notification date: Friday March 4 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Warwick MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: Wednesday March 9 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Took them long enough PD: Still waiting for LSE MSc Economics (Research)!!
  • Institution: LSE MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Accept Funding: No Graduate Support Scheme Notification date: 04/01/2011 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GradCafe: No Comments: VERY HAPPY!!! Also thought it was an April fool's day joke at first. Now I have to make some decisions. Also, man it took them long! I submitted my application on Jan 4!!
Rejects:
    Rejections: None
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:

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

Neshamah 2011:
Institution: Warwick
Program: MSc Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Will know more in March/April
Notification date: 12 January 2011
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: Good to get some feedback. Quite expensive course, will only attend with funding...
Accepts:
  • Institution: Warwick MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Will know more in March/April Notification date: 12 January 2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Good to get some feedback. Quite expensive course, will only attend with funding...
  • Institution: Barcelona GSE MSc in Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 01/24/2011 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Very happy! Lack of funding is a problem.
  • Institution: University College London MSc Economic Policy Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 1/27/2011 Notified through: Post Posted on GF: No Comments: Applied for MSc Economics and got this offer instead. Probably insufficient math for economics program.
  • Institution: Simon Fraser University MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 04/21/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: First funded offer... so excited!! Going to SFU!
Rejects:
  • Institution: University of Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: Disappointing... but not unexpected. Waiting to hear from MSc Economics for Development.
  • Institution: University of Oxford MSc Economics for Development Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/17/11 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Guess that means I'm not going to Oxford...
  • Institution: Queens MA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: April 14 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
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:

Gouverneur 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics, minor in Mathematics (Rutgers: >50 econ department)
Undergrad GPA: 2.9 (cumulative of four colleges); 3.7 (school I will graduate from)
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA:
GRE: 161Q, 159V, 4.0AW
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Intro Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Intro to Proofs, Probability Theory, (Abstract) Linear Algebra, Intro Real Analysis
Econ Courses: Intro/Intermediate Micro/Macro, Econometrics, Industrial Organization, Financial Economics, Market Discipline, Development, Game Theory
Other Courses: intro stats
Letters of Recommendation: All 3 from econ professors who I took 1-2 classes with
Research Experience: none
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: game theory, io, labor, development
SOP: brief
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Warwick, Oregon, Western Ontario ($), Cornell ($$)
Waitlists: Washington
Rejections: Tilburg, Queen's, Cemfi
Attending: Cornell
What would you have done differently?
For undergrad studies, not failing out of college twice would've been better. Also, it would've been nice to have taken more than two econ classes before the spring semester of my junior year. For the application process, I should've applied to more schools. But I am very pleased with the school I will be attending.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Warwick, Oregon, Western Ontario ($), Cornell ($$)
  • Institution: Warwick MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 2/15/12 Notified through: email Comments: Nice to be accepted but with 17k tuition I can't see myself attending My profile (Roll Call 2012)
  • Institution: University of Oregon Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TBD Notification date: 3/6/12 Notified through: email Comments: Might not hear about funding until May... My profile (Roll Call 2012)
  • Institution: University of Western Ontario MA (PhD stream) Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition + 13k Notification date: 3/12/12 Notified through: email Comments: Western is mostly macro-labor/structural-labor; I wonder how tough it would be to do micro there. I also wonder if it's possible to live on 13k. My profile (Roll Call 2012)
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Ph.D. Decision: Accepted Funding: "five-year financial aid package" Notification date: 3/19/12 Notified through: email Comments: I wonder how much funding has been in past years.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Tilburg, Queen's, Cemfi
  • Institution: Tilburg MRes Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/20/12 Notified through: email Comments: Less decisions to make.
  • Institution: Queen's MA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/30/12 Notified through: email Comments: It seems I was on a waiting-list.
  • Institution: Cemfi Master in Economics and Finance Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 4/16/12 Notified through: email Comments:
  • Institution: University of Washington Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 4/26/12 Notified through: email Comments:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Washington

ophelie 2012:
Institution: Warwick
Program: Econ. Ph.D
Decision: Accepted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/15/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: Warwick Econ. Ph.D Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/15/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
Waitlists:


Rejections:

teddypicker 2011:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics from a somewhat-known non-US, non-EU university, (ranking 100+ in Times Higher Education)
Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4.0 (Class Rank:5)
Type of Grad: none
Grad GPA: none
GRE: Q800 V450 AWA4.5
Math Courses: Calculus I&II (A, which is the highest grade you can get), Mathematics for Economists (A), Introduction to Linear Algebra (A), Probability and Statistics I&II (A), Programming for Social Sciences (A)
Econ Courses: Macro-Micro Theory (A), , International Economics I&II (A), Econometrics I&II (A), Transition Economics (A), Theories of Growth and Development (A), Institutions and Development (A), History of Economic Thought (B+, A), Finance (A), Principles of Accounting (A-), Fiscal Economics (A), Monetary Economics (A-), World Economy in 20th Century (A), Analytical Writing for Economists (A), Game Theory I (A), Advanced Economic Theory (A), International Political Economy (A), Political Economy of Natural Resources (A), International Money (A-), Seminar in Macroeconomic Policy (A)
Other Courses: Selected Topics in Law (C+ basically why my GPA got lower), Social Transformation and Political History of my country (both A), History of Civilization (B-), Sociology and Social Psychology (both A)
Letters of Recommendation: All three are macro-economists. One got his PhD from Princeton (among top 6ited economists), one from Minnesota (considered to be the top economist of my country) and one from Maryland.
Research Experience: Currently conducting one with the professor who got his PhD from University of Minnesota. (A proposal on the Brazilian capital controls). I also wrote some papers for my previous professors; the most "credible" one is something I wrote for Sweder van Wijnbergen when I was an exchange student in the University of Amsterdam.
Teaching Experience: Worked as a TA for Introduction to Economics and Macroeconomic Theory classes over the summer.
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, Growth and Development, Political Economy
SOP: Talked about my previous research, my extra-curricular activities and my interests. Took 3 pages. It might have been shorter.
Others: TOEFL ibt: 114 (26R, 30L, 28S, 30W)
Concerns: Math courses are not sufficient.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: LSE (MSc Economics -Research-), BGSE (MSc Economics), Warwick (MSc Economics), CEMFI Madrid (MSc Economics and Finance), King's College London (MA International Political Economy), University of Bristol (MSc Economics, Management and Finance), University of Edinburgh (MSc Economics)
Waitlists: UCL (MSc Economics)
Rejections: Warwick (MA International Political Economy)
What Would You Have Done Differently?
I like the outcome of my results, as my only rejection is from a program I considered to be of low priority. Still, I would have
-taken more math courses during my undergraduate
-wouldn't be so scared of getting a rejection so maybe applied for some US Universities as well as Oxbridge
-would have pressured my professors for an RA position.
-would have studied more for the verbal section of GRE
Accepts:
    Acceptances: LSE (MSc Economics -Research-), BGSE (MSc Economics), Warwick (MSc Economics), CEMFI Madrid (MSc Economics and Finance), King's College London (MA International Political Economy), University of Bristol (MSc Economics, Management and Finance), University of Edinburgh (MSc Economics)
  • Institution: BGSE MSc Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver (half) Notification date: 2/27/2011 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comment: Will consider if rejected from LSE and Cambridge.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Warwick (MA International Political Economy)
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCL (MSc Economics)

terryliu 2012:
Institution:Barcelona GSE
Program: Msc in Economics
Decision:AD
Funding:None
Notification date: 1/12/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC:no
Comments: my first admission, and really glad they gave me more time to consider.
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution:Warwick Msc in Economics Decision:Rej Funding: Notification date: 1/24/2012 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Comments: First rejection. More intense competition this year, apparently.
Waitlists:


Waitlists:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 17 accepted out of 19 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.58, average GREQ was 791.8.
No link to department posted statistics has been added, please let me know if these exist and I will add them.

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