|  | 
 Acceptances:
 
 
 
    FilleNouvelle 2009:
 
Accepts:I'll post this now, since my decision is not going to be made especially soon, and it could eventually change.
 PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: Economics MA (Hons), Scottish University (ranked overall #23 in the world)
 Undergrad GPA: 1st Class (distinction), ranked 1 (tied with one other student) out of 98.
 Type of Grad: n/a
 Grad GPA: n/a
 GRE: 800Q, 580V, 5.5 AWA
 Math Courses: Mathematical Methods (A), Applicable Mathematics (A), Linear Algebra (A), self-study of Real Analysis, private tutoring (Economics classes were very math-based as well)
 Econ Courses: Everything there was to take, pretty much
 Letters of Recommendation: 1 Oxford, 1 Cambridge, 1 LSE (2 with US teaching experience)
 Research Experience: Econometrics research papers, senior thesis on convergence
 Teaching Experience: TA for Econometrics
 Research Interests: Development, Applied Econometrics, IO
 SOP: standard
 RESULTS:
 Acceptances: UNC ($$), UVA ($?), UT-Austin (no $), BU (no $), Michigan (no $, off waitlist)
 Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU (initially waitlisted), Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, MIT, Harvard, Cornell (assumed), UChicago
 Waitlist: UPenn, Georgetown
 Withdrawn: LSE
 What would you have done differently? Obviously, when choosing my undergraduate institution, I didn't know I wanted to do a PhD. If I had known, I probably would have chosen a different undergrad. Also, I think staying in the US may have made things a bit easier. My results show that it's very possible to get good results when your institution is international and perhaps not that well-known, but that sometimes schools do not know how to view you. I ended up with 4 waitlists this cycle and a few unfunded admits. Anyway, other than that, wouldn't have done anything differently.
 
 Acceptances: UNC ($$), UVA ($?), UT-Austin (no $), BU (no $), Michigan (no $, off Rejects:Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 02/03/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
 Institution: University of Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail
 Institution: UT Austin 
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Not at this time
Notification date: 3/10
Notified through: Email
Comment: Fiddlesticks...I love UT, but I need $$!
 Institution: Boston University Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: E-mail
Funding: None
Comments: Really needed money...doesn't sound like there's any chance of funding
 Institution: University of Michigan
Programme: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification Date: 31/03/2009
Funding: None
Comments: They said their budget makes it 'impossible' to offer me even a tuition waiver.
I don't know what to do here.
 Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, NWU (initially Waitlists:Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Couldn't care any less...Berkeley was probably my top choice, but I was drunkenly celebrating handing in my dissertation, so nothing could've knocked me down, lol.
 Institution: MIT Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Good to know
 Institution: Northwestern Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: check the website
Comments: Soooo disappointed
 waitlist)
Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding:
Notification date: 3/4
Notified through: Email
First waitlist...dunno how I feel about that!
 Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted for admission
Notification date: 3/6
Funding: Full funding if accepted
Notified through: email
Comments: Gah...admissions make no sense to me!
 Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: Phone
Comments: That makes 4 waitlists I've received this cycle...
 
 
    mjsmith1986 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: B.A. Econ from small but respectable liberal arts college with well known Econ researchers; they don't do minors but I have taken enough math to qualify for a "minor" at other schools
 Undergrad GPA:  3.67 cumulative, 3.83 econ
 GRE: 800Q, 590V, 5.5 AWA
 Math Courses:  Calc I (A-), Calc II (A), Calc III (A), Linear Algebra (A), Proofs and Fundamentals (B), Stats (A), Real Analysis I (A), Topology (A), Real Analysis II (Spring '09), Dynamical Systems (Spring '09)
 Econ Courses (undergrad-level):  The relevant ones: Intermediate Micro (B+), Intermediate Macro (A), Advanced Micro (A), Econometrics (A), Senior Thesis (A)
 Other Courses: Some political studies/physics
 Letters of Recommendation: Two from Econ Profs (UT-Austin and Yale), one from Math Prof (head of Math dept.)
 Research Experience: RA for Econometrics professor; Awarded summer research grant (co-authored a paper with a professor, in publishing stages); senior thesis
 Teaching Experience: TA for intro micro
 Research Interests: Labor Economics (specifically Economics of Education), Behavioral Economics, basically Applied Micro and Econometrics stuff.
 SOP: Just talked about my research experience and interests.
 Other: Applied for an NSF grant to build on some conclusions from my undergraduate thesis.
 Concerns: That my Verbal score might be a little low. I was easily testing in the high 600s but I basically rushed through it on the GRE to get to the Quant. I also declared a late major in Econ (in my junior year) and have spent the last year and a half rushing to make up the appropriate math/econ courses for grad school, so I don't know whether that sends a good or bad signal to the adcomms. Also, high volume of apps this year with rather homegenous profiles.
 What I would have done different: Majored in math from the start. Curse my fickle interests!
 Applying to: Princeton (Woodrow Wilson School), Cornell, Brown, Johns Hopkins, Maryland, George Mason, Carnegie Mellon, Boston U, Boston College, Virginia, Duke
 RESULTS:
 Acceptances: Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins ($), UVA ($?)
 Rejections: Princeton, Brown, Maryland, George Mason, Boston U, Duke, CMU
 Pending: Cornell (Probably rejected)
 ATTENDING: Boston College
 What could I have done differently?
 As I said before, I would have majored in math from the start rather than rushing in my last semesters to make up the appropriate coursework. Aside from that, not much; I am pleased to have the offer that I do and am looking forward to graduate school!
 
 
 Acceptances: Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins ($), UVA ($?)
Rejects: Rejections: Princeton, Brown, Maryland, George Mason, Boston U, Duke, CMU
Waitlists: Pending: Cornell (Probably  
 
    JasonEcon 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: B.S. Industrial Engineering with honors; U.S. top 5 engineering program
 Undergrad GPA: Overall: 3.2/4.0, Econ: almost none, Math: 3.1/4.0
 Type of Grad/Post-Bac: M.S. Economics at large state non-Ph D granting university
 Grad/Post-Bac GPA: 3.9/4.0
 GRE: 800Q 630V 5.0AWA
 Undergrad Courses: Calculus II-III (A/B), Linear Algebra (B)
 Grad & Post-Bac Courses: Grad Micro (A), Grad Macro (A), Grad Metrics (A), 3 grad field courses (As); Diff Eq (A), Adv Calc (A), Grad Analysis (B)
 Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econ, 1 Math, good professors but not well known.
 Research Experience: Only a directed study on growth at the time of application.
 Teaching Experience: none
 Research Interests: International/Development
 SOP: discussed my very late interest in Economics and thus my five year hiatus between undergrad and returning to school, other than that boilerplate.
 RESULTS:
 Attending: Vanderbilt (Fellowship year 1, TA years 2 - 5)
 Acceptances: Vanderbilt ($), NC St ($), Virginia
 Rejections: Duke, Maryland, UNC-CH, Arizona St, Georgetown (never heard)
 What would you have done differently? I would of done more research with professors as part of my grad program. I think my professors were able to write solid but not exceptional recommendations because they just did not know me well enough to elaborate extensively. That said, Vanderbilt is the best fit for me in terms of fields and as a personal fit, so I am thrilled with going there!
 
 Attending: Vanderbilt (Fellowship year 1, TA years 2 - 5)
Acceptances: Vanderbilt ($), NC St ($), Virginia
Rejects:Institution: NC St Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD in March
Notification date: 2/1/09
Notified through: Grad coordinator
Comments: Notified at open house
 Institution: Vanderbilt Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $15.9 fellowship 1st year/assistantship next 4
Notification date: 2/9/09
Notified through: Email
Comments:
 Institution: UVA Economics Ph.D.
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: Website
Comments: Just randomly checked the website. I expect there will not be funding, but don't actually know that.
 Rejections: Duke, Maryland, UNC-CH, Arizona St, Georgetown (Waitlists:Institution: Duke Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 2/17/09
Notified through: Email
Comments:
 Institution: Arizona St Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: NA
Notification date: 2/23/09
Notified through: Website
Comments:
 Institution: University of Maryland Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: ~
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Website
Comments:
 Institution: UNC Chapel Hill Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 4/9/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
 
 
    Zmoney 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: Large U.S. Public University ranked 40-55 (best in state) typically known for Football not Economics
 Undergrad GPA: 3.93 overall  4.0 in Econ  3.69 in Math  Graduating Summa
 GRE: 800 Q  540 V  5.0 AWA
 Math Courses: Calc 1-3 1,2 tested out 3(B+), Differential Equations(B), Stat 1(A), Probability(A) Lin Alg (A) Math Stats 2 in Spring
 Econ Courses: Intros, Intermediates, Public Econ, Sports Econ, Empirical Research, Independent Study (for research) Labor, Empirical Public Econ I (PhD field)  All A's
 Other Courses:  Minors in Food and Resource Economics, and History
 Letters of Recommendation: 3 LORS 2 excellent letters from pretty well known Econ faculty in their concentrations (one Phd Chicago the other Wisconsin) and 1 very good letter from a senior member of the Ag Econ Department (Purdue well known in Ag econ)
 Research Experience: 2 written empirical papers one for the class in research and the other (to be my thesis) I want to get published. Database work and research at Fed
 Teaching Experience: N/A
 Research Interests: Public Econ, Public Choice, Taxation Policy, Political Economy
 SOP: Solid i think, had multiple profs say they wouldn't change a thing
 Other: Internship at the Federal Reserve,  Strong Undergraduate leadership positions
 Concerns: My B in Diffy Q, Coming from a big public school, No Real Analysis.
 RESULTS:
 Attending: Virginia
 Admitted, Declined: Michigan State, Boston College, Florida
 Waitlists: none
 Rejections: Northwestern, NYU, Penn, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, Texas-Austin, Cornell, Duke
 What would you have done differently?
 Started taking math freshman year as opposed to junior year.  Double majored in Stats
 
 Attending: Virginia
Admitted, Declined: Michigan State, Boston College, Florida
Rejects:Institution: University of Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No word on funding should be last week of march though
Notification date: 2/13/2009
Notified through: WEBSITE
Comments: ITS MY FIRST ADMIT!!!!!!!
Tears in my eyes
 Institution: University of Florida Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No word but historically fund all candidates
Notification date: Feb 18
Notified through: Mail
Comments:
2 for 3 so far.
Admitted student day March 27th
 Institution: Boston College Economics Ph.D
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $$$ 15.6K RAship
Notification date: 02/28
Notified through: Email. with a formal letter in the mail
 Institution: Michigan State Economics Ph.D
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition+health insurance+13.4Kmin TAship
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: email from dept.
 Rejections: Northwestern, NYU, Penn, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, Texas-Austin, Cornell, Duke
Waitlists:Institution: Duke Econ PhD
Decision: Rejection
Funding: I funded their loss endowment
Notification date: 2/17/09
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: sigh... Had connections there too...
 Institution: Northwestern Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/01
Notified through: checked apply yourself
Comments: sigh there goes my number one choice
 Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Comments: sigh.... another rejection
 Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: Website
Comments:
soul crushing....
 Institution: NYU Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/18
Notified through: E-mail, personalized though
eh figured as much
 Institution: Texas Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/19
Notified through: Website
Comments: glad I didnt pick them in my march madness bracket
 Institution: Cornell Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 4/15/2009
Notified through: E-Mail
Comments:
UVA thats all sorry Cornell
 
 
    crangeon8214 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics, large top 25 American research university
 Undergrad GPA: 3.4
 Type of Grad: none
 Grad GPA: none
 GRE: 760Q, 620V, 5.0AWA
 Math Courses: Calc I-III (A,A,B), Linear Algebra (C), Diff Eq's (C), Probability and Statistics (D,B (retaken... )), Real Analysis (C)
 Econ Courses: Introductory Economics (A), Principles of Microeconomics (A), Principles of Macroeconomics (A), Intermediate Micro Theory (B), Intermediate Macro Theory (A), Game Theory (B), Econometrics I,II(B,A)
 Other Courses: physics up to quantum mechanics
 Letters of Recommendation: 3 full professors (2 very strong, 1 medium..strong?)
 Research Experience: Honors economics thesis paper, not published (got one of very few scholarship awards at graduation), physics research fellowship
 Teaching Experience: None
 Research Interests: Micro, behavioral, environmental
 SOP: Primarily talking about my research experience
 Other: Expert with SAS, worked at a notable consulting firm, not sure if that even helps
 Concerns: Math grades suck. Econ grades are just ok. GRE nothing to write home about.
 RESULTS:
 Attending: UC Irvine($$)
 Admitted, Declined: UVA, Boulder ($$), Washington, Oregon State ($)
 Waitlists: none
 Rejections: UMD-AREC, Davis-AREC, Penn State, GMU
 Lost in space: JHU, UCSB
 What would you have done differently?
 As far as the application process goes - I wish I had exhaustively researched faculty interests before applying, I feel as though I might have let some potentially good schools (for me) like Iowa and Arizona slip through. On the whole, I am very pleased - my profile is all over the place, and Irvine matches me very, very well. As for undergrad, well, it is what it is.
 
 Attending: UC Irvine($$)
Admitted, Declined: UVA, Boulder ($$), Washington, Oregon State ($)
Rejects:Institution: UVA Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ??
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: E-mail (5am EST)
Comments: Doubleplusgood
 Institution: UC Boulder 
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition waiver, 15k TAship, 5k fellowship
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: Email
Comments:
 Institution: Oregon State ARE 
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: physical mail
Comments:
 Institution: U Washington - Seattle Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted, Rejected
Funding: No
Notification date: March 12, April 20
Notified through: Email
Comments: On March 12th, UW sent:
"I am writing to you to get more information about your admission plans. We are very impressed by your file, but since we are trying to assess a good match without full information, we have not been able to make you a funded offer yet.
We presume that you have alternatives, so we thought we would verify with you if you would like to receive an offer of admission without funding at this point.
We would like to keep in touch with you in anticipation that our situation will change and hoping that you would still be keen on us.
We would be happy to send you an offer of admission (without funding). If you would like us to do so, please let us know.
We would much appreciate it if you would kindly respond to this email as soon as possible."
Then on April 20:
"Unfortunately, the committee has decided not to recommend your admission and I have accepted that decision.
The number and quality of graduate applicants to the University of Washington is extraordinary and these difficult decisions are reached through careful consideration of all applicants to a given program.
In many cases, enrollment restrictions are also a factor, limiting our ability to accept all qualified applicants.
I realize that this outcome is disappointing..." Hah!
 Institution: UC Santa Barbara Econ PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: who knows
Notification date: April 21
Notified through: Email
Comments: I contacted the department about the status of application three separate times, and get notified on the 21st...Irvine is better anyhow
 Rejections: UMD-AREC, Davis-AREC, Penn State, GMU
Lost in space: JHU, UCSB
Waitlists:Institution: PSU Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Got the UVA admit earlier, s'alright.
 
 
    bigleaguechew 2009:
 
Accepts: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.
 
 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)
 Rejects: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
 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)
Waitlists: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: Minnesota, BU
Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/24/09
Notified through: E-mail
 
 
    eggman 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: Top Public University (William & Mary)
 Undergrad GPA: 3.87 Overall, 4.0 Econ, 3.9 Math
 GRE: 760 Q, 550 V, 4.5 A
 Math Courses: MultiVar. Calc (A), Linear Algebra (A), Intro Proofs Class (A), Real Analysis (B+), Ordinary Differential Equation (A), Probability (A), Mathematical Statistics (in progress)
 Econ Courses: Econ of Information (A), World Trade Theory (A), Econometrics (A), Time-Series Econometrics (A), Cross Section Econometrics (A) (advanced econometric courses are part of my schools MPP program, but are cross-listed in Econ)
 Letters of Recommendation:
 -Assistant Professor I was a TA for
 -Professor that is my Honors Thesis Advisor
 -Professor I worked for on a theoretical paper, well known in his subfield.
 Research Experience:
 -RA for one summer doing grunt work data collection
 -Empirical Honors Thesis on a topic in pubic economics (decentralization)
 -Worked on a Theoretical Paper in social choice theory, attempted to prove a theorem the professor could not solve. Even though I couldnt finish the paper for him, I was able to make enough progress that he could see that I had some talent, greatly improving my letter of recommendation.
 Teaching Experience:
 TA for an Econ 101 class, graded assignments and held review sessions.
 Research Interests: Public, Labor, Applied Micro
 SOP: I think it was fine, matched up my interests with some professors, nothing noteworthy to say about it
 RESULTS:
 Will be Attending: UVA
 Acceptances: UVA($$), Indiana ($$)
 Waitlists: UNC
 Rejections: Princeton, Yale, UPenn, Rochester, Penn State, Maryland, JHU, Duke, Michigan, Minnesota, UCLA
 What would you have done differently?
 I wish I would have started math earlier and had been a Econ/Math double major instead of just a math minor. I believe I had enough Math to make me competitive, but a little bit more could have been nice. I also wish I had done better on the GRE, but I studied a lot and only got a 760Q, so I dont think taking it again would have improved my score, thus I dont regret not retaking the GRE.
 Comments: Im surprised I got so many rejections, but ultimately I am very happy with the final outcome. I really like UVAs Program and they gave me good funding.
 
 Attending: UVA
Acceptances: UVA($$), Indiana ($$)
Rejects: Rejections: Princeton, Yale, UPenn, Rochester, Penn State, Maryland, JHU, Duke, Michigan, Minnesota, UCLA
 Waitlists: 
 
    brettm84 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: U.S. Large Public University, maybe top 150 econ. B.A. Philosophy and History (2007), B.S. Economics (2008)
 Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00 (4.00 Econ and Math)
 Type of Grad: 1 yr. masters at same university as undergrad.
 Grad GPA: 3.70/4.00
 GRE: 780Q, 630V, 5.0 AW
 Math Courses: Undergrad: Calc. 1-3, Linear Algebra, ODE, Intro to statistical methods (I & II), finite math, discrete math.
 Graduate: Probability theory (B), Intro to stochastic processes (in progress)
 Econ Courses: The usual undergraduate classes.
 Graduate Econ Courses: Math for Economics (A-), Micro theory I (A), Macro theory (A), Econometrics (A), Micro theory II (in progress), Econometrics seminar (in progress), Monetary Economics (in progress).
 Other Courses: the first 75% of my transcript is largely irrelevant (mostly philosophy and history courses).
 Letters of Recommendation: All 3 from econ professors. Only 1 is from someone who is active researching/publishing.
 Research Experience: none
 Teaching Experience: grader/TA for math department.
 Research Interests: macro, development, financial
 SOP: straightforward and informative. I am uncomfortable saying anything nice about myself, so it may have been too "humble".
 Other: My undergraduate career got off to a rocky start, and includes being suspended for disciplinary reasons. I included an explanation of the "incident" in each application. Six years having elasped probably reduced the negative impact. UNC, however, did make me pay for a criminal background check.
 RESULTS:
 Acceptances: UNC($), Duke (Tuition only), UVA (no $), Univ. Wash. (no $)
 Waitlists: WUSTL
 Rejections: UPenn, Yale, JHU
 Pending:
 Attending: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
 What would you have done differently? I have only been doing economics for a year and a half, and my pre-econ career included no math, so my record is limited. Obviously, if I had decided to pursue a PhD in Econ earlier, I could have done more to improve my application. I should have chosen my reach schools from a little further down the rankings, since it probably took Upenn and Yale all of 2 min to toss my application in the trash. When I submitted the applications I gave myself a 1 hance to get into Upenn and Yale, a 10 hance for JHU and Duke, and 50 0.000000or the rest, so E[# of acceptances]=2.22. I exceed my expectations so I am very happy, and I'm sure I'll love UNC.
 
 Acceptances: UNC($), Duke (Tuition only), UVA (no $), Univ. Wash. (no $)
Rejects:Institution: University of Virginia economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: decision in march
Notification date: 2/13/09
Notified through: Email/website/letter
Comments:
 Institution: UNC Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: decision in march
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: e-mail w/ letter attached
Comments:
 Institution: Duke Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition waiver, health insurance, and on the waitlist for a stipend
Notification date: 02/28
Notified through: Mail, no change on the application website
Comments:
I wish the best of luck to everyone with a fellowship offer from Duke who are waiting to hear from Chicago, Princeton, etc.
 Rejections: UPenn, Yale, JHU
Waitlists:Institution: Yale economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Email/website
Comments: expected
 Institution: UPenn Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6/09
Notified through: E-mail to check website
Comments: expected
 Institution: Johns Hopkins 
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11
Notified through: email
Comments: It looks like i'll be going south.
 Waitlists: WUSTL
Institution: WUSTL Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: Email
Comments:
 
 
    econ oh nine 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: BS Econ from small liberal arts college
 Undergrad GPA: Overall 3.6 (upward trend); Econ 3.8; Math 3.6
 Type of Grad: n/a
 Grad GPA: n/a
 GRE: 800Q, 490V, no AWA yet
 Math Courses: Calc 1-multi, stats, intro discrete, linear alg, real analysis
 Econ Courses (PhD-level): n/a
 Econ Courses (undergrad-level): All the usual for the major
 Letters of Recommendation: Very enthusiastic, from my professors at my liberal arts college
 Research Experience: RAed twice; two conference presentations; senior thesis will be submitted for publication
 Teaching Experience: TAed once, tutoring three years
 Research Interests: Micro (probably applied rather than theory), but beyond that Im not sure Ive always enjoyed game theory and decision/information topics
 SOP: On my to-do list
 Concerns: liberal arts college; lack of math; low gpas
 Other: I feel my verbal score is not an accurate depiction of my abilities, so I hope my SOP and LORS will quell any concerns admission committees may have. Also, American female, for what its worth
 Applying to: Two top 15s just to say I did (not sure which yet), Maryland, Virginia, Penn State, U of Arizona, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Virginia Tech
 
 Rejects:Institution: U Pittsburgh Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship
Notification date: 2/17/2009
Notified through: Phone
Comments: American--I posted on Grad Cafe.
 Institution: Texas A&M (TAMU) Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Assistantship
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: Email
Comments:
 Institution: UVA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/27
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: American, waitlisted for funding.
I haven't kept up with this thread or the board in general, I just wanted to post this in case there's anyone out there who thought all hope was gone for UVA.
Evidently they are still making offers!
 Waitlists:Institution: PSU Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: Mass email
Not all that surprised, but still disappointed.
Nonetheless, I'll direct my frustrations towards the department only and continue to cheer on JoePa.
 
 
    mathy backpack 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: Large Public University, BA Economics
 Undergrad GPA: 3.75 Overall, 3.9 Econ, 4.0 Math
 Type of Grad: MA Economics (1/2 of credits were math though)
 Grad GPA: 4.0
 GRE: 800Q, 690V, 5.0AWA
 Math Courses: Calc I, Calc II, Vector Calc, Linear Algebra, Logic, Probability/Statistics (multivar calc), Real Analysis, Linear Algebra(grad), Probability Theory(grad)...All A's   Taking: Statistical Theory(grad)
 Econ Courses (grad): Micro(MA), Macro(MA), Econometrics(MA), Labor(MA), Public Finance(MA), GameTheory(MA), Optimization I(PhD)...All A's  Taking: Adv Macro(PhD), Optimization II(PhD)
 Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermed. Micro & Macro, plus 12 other Junior/Senior semester courses for the major...All A's in these, but with a spicy little B and a C in intro Micro and Macro(101 and 102) as a Freshman
 Other: English Minor, Drum & Bass show on student radio
 Letters of Recommendation: Different combos of 5 Econ profs from master's program
 Research Interests: Micro Theory, Game Theory, Behavioral, Micro-ish Development
 SOP: Spent way too much time, 1 1/2 pages, standard I'm sure
 Concerns: Picked a great year to apply!?!
 Other:  Despite the random attacks of anxiety, I am pretty excited. Trying to prepare myself to not take the rejections too personally. I have faith that I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be.
 Applying to: The usual suspects...Princeton, Yale, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Penn, WUSTL, Duke, Carnegie Mellon.... hopefully enough!
 Fingers: crossed
 Good Luck to everyone.
 
 Rejects:Institution: University of Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Admit
Funding: TBA?
Notification date: 2/18/2009
Notified through: Website
Comments: Anyone know of their funding schedule?
 Institution: Washington University, St. Louis Economics
Decision:
Accepted
Funding:
Fellowship
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: email.
By coincidence, I am actually in STL this week and I was studying in their library yesterday. The campus and facilities are top notch!
 Institution: Duke University Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: details in the mail
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Long enough in limbo???
 Institution: UW-Madison Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No first year funding
Notification date: 3/12
Notified through: Email
 Institution: Cornell Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Sage Fellowship
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: Email
Comments: jeepers, I'm happy!
 Institution: University of Illinois - UC Economics, PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Snail Mail
 Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/17
Notified through: website
Funding: details in the mail.
 Waitlists:Institution: UC Snerkeley Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/02
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: My grandpa will be happy...he's an old school nuclear engineer, and every time I mentioned Berkeley on my list he would say something about those damn hippies!
 Institution: Northwestern 
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/9
Notified through: email
Comments: joining the club!
 Institution: Brown Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: Said they fund everyone and sort of implied they are expecting some people to turn them down, so I plan to to check them out while I am up visiting Cornell.
 
 
    unatkozom 2009:
 
Accepts:Institution: UVA
 Program: Economics
 Decision: Admit
 Funding: Unknown
 Notification date: 2/18/09
 Notified through: Website
 Comments: My gf just checked website and I'm in. I'm international with US degree.
 
 Rejects:Institution: UVA Economics
Decision: Admit
Funding: Unknown
Notification date: 2/18/09
Notified through: Website
Comments: My gf just checked website and I'm in. I'm international with US degree.
 Waitlists:Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/25/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Got email to check website
 
 
    sk0325 2009:
 
Accepts:Institution: UVA
 Program: PhD Economics
 Decision: Accepted
 Funding: don't know yet
 Notification date: 2/13
 Notified through: website
 Comments: open house is 3/13. it will be a pain to get there though since the charlottesville airport is probably not even a real airport.
 Institution: Georgetown
 Program: PhD Economics
 Decision: Accepted
 Funding: 18.5 K fellowship plus tuition and health ins and maybe summers
 Notification date: 2/25
 Notified through: Email with attached letter
 Comments: open house is 4/3. will reimburse you for some expenses
 
 Rejects: 
    Waitlists:Institution: UVA Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: don't know yet
Notification date: 2/13
Notified through: website
Comments: open house is 3/13. it will be a pain to get there though since the charlottesville airport is probably not even a real airport.
 Institution: Georgetown Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18.5 K fellowship plus tuition and health ins and maybe summers
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: Email with attached letter
Comments: open house is 4/3. will reimburse you for some expenses
 | 
|  | 
 Rejections:
 
 
 
    corolla09 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: Math/Econ Good Eastern liberal arts college
 Undergrad GPA: 3.28 (3.45ish for Econ & Math)
 GRE: 720Q, 470V, 5.5AWA
 Math Courses: Calculus Sequence, Vector Calculus, Intro to Proofs, Linear Algebra, Ring Theory, Real Analysis, Applied Stats, Probability, Mathematical Statistics, Stochastic Processes
 Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro & Macro, Labor, IO, Econometrics, Environmental, Experimental, Behavioral, Econ of Conflict
 Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ, 1 math all senior faculty whom I knew very well
 Research Experience: Senior thesis in Probability Theory/Stochastic Processes
 Teaching Experience: none
 Research Interests: Public, Labor, Experimental/Behavioral
 SOP:  I think this was a 'good' deciding factor for some schools showing a fit/common research interest with their program and I believe it matters a lot more for smaller non top-30 programs.
 Concerns: A lot, low GRE/GPA low grade in Analysis
 Other: had to wait a year to apply for good senior grades, take GRE
 RESULTS:
 Attending:  Florida State Univ ($$)
 Admitted, Declined: Binghamton ($), Kentucky (WL$), Oregon (WL$), NC State (no$), Mississippi ($), UNH-masters
 Waitlists: Va Tech
 Rejections: Vanderbilt, Virginia, Syracuse (never heard back)
 No Word: Louisiana State
 What would you have done differently? A lot, actually study in undergrad for one.  Had difficulty figuring out where to apply with my profiles and increase in apps, should've applied to places like Purdue, Pitt, Riverside and research schools with experimental more.   Results almost identical to what I thought they would be.  Had random safety's.  Originally started with math major then added econ very glad I did both.  Very happy with results considering my profile and for those similar to mine it is possible to get a decent funded offer without perfect transcript especially if you're looking for a LACish placement like me.
 
 Attending:  Florida State Univ ($$)
Admitted, Declined: Binghamton ($), Kentucky (WL$), Oregon (WL$), NC State (no$), Mississippi ($), UNH-masters
 Rejects:Institution: Oregon 
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/5/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Very glad...details TBA
 Institution
nstitution: Florida State Economics, PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: TAship + Fellow!
Notification date: 3/13
Comments: Stunned!!
not top 50 but with my profile it'll be of serious consideration
 Institution: NC State Econ (pure side), PhD
Decision: Admit
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through:
website
Comments: Interesting...no details yet
 Rejections: Vanderbilt, Virginia, Syracuse (Waitlists: Waitlists: Va Tech
Institution: Virginia Tech Economics, PhD
Decision: wait-listed
Notification date: 3/23
Notified through: e-mail (I e-mailed the grad secretary)
Comments: ehhh, very very small program
 
 
    hawksfanatic 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: U.S. Top 30 Public, B.A. Philosophy and Economics
 Undergrad GPA: ~3.4
 Type of Grad: Econ
 Grad GPA: ~3.5
 GRE: 740 Q, 470 V, 5.0 AW
 Math Courses: Calc I-III, Intro to Stats, Linear Algebra, Theory of Probability
 Econ Courses: Standard Micro Macro sequence all the way through the PhD level, Econometrics I and II, Public Choice, Math for Economists, International Finance, Antitrust, Theory of Gov't Regulation
 Other Courses: A lot of philosophy courses
 Letters of Recommendation: One well known econ professor from UVA, 2 lesser known econ professors (Chicago and Brown). All very excited.
 Research Experience: None
 Teaching Experience: None
 Research Interests: Undecided, but leaning towards econometrics at the moment
 SOP: Body was generic for every school, changed a few things for each school
 Other:
 RESULTS:
 Acceptances: NCSU ($$), TAMU ($-wl), UGA($-wl), GMU(no $)
 Waitlists: None
 Rejections: UVA, Vanderbilt, ISU
 Pending: None
 What would you have done differently? Maybe study for the GRE more. Hard to say that when I came to college that I wanted to pursue a PhD, it never crossed my mind until the 2nd part of my junior year which is hardly enough time to take all the recommended math courses. In the end I got what I wanted, a place that wants me and is large enough to accommodate any possible changes in my fields of interest. I will be attending NCSU.
 
 Acceptances: NCSU ($$), TAMU ($-wl), UGA($-wl), GMU(no $)
Rejects: Rejections: UVA, Vanderbilt, ISU
Waitlists: 
 
    jito32 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: B.S. Finance from Univ Florida
 Undergrad GPA: 3.89/4
 Type of Grad: n/a
 Grad GPA: n/a
 GRE: 800Q, 650V, 4.5AWA
 Math Courses: Calc Sequence (A), Sets & Logic (A) Diff. Eq, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Statistics next semester
 Econ Courses: Principles (As) Intermediate Micro (A) Urban next semester
 Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors, one great one good, 1 from finance lecturer
 Research Experience: RA for a year
 Teaching Experience: TA for a year
 Research Interests: Macro, public, interational
 SOP: Boiler plate
 Concerns: Just decided to pursue the degree this summer, so lacking in math/econ classes.
 RESULTS:
 Acceptances:
 Waitlists:
 Rejections:
 Pending: Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, Rochester, Boston U, Texas, Virginia, WUSTL, Iowa, George Mason
 What you would have done differently: Started applying sooner. I knew all semester what I was doing but somehow everything got pushed back with my late GRE date of November 1st. Wish I would have read this forum earlier.
 
 Acceptances:
Rejects:Institution: George Mason Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: Mail
Comments: 1st admit, kinda neat...just not sure I'm going to attend.
 Institution: University of Texas Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 4/7/2009
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: No funding... probably going to stay at UF and take math classes.
 Rejections:
Waitlists:Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Pretty much expected. Now I miss not having any notifications in my inbox...
 Institution: Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Was unsure about this one. Too bad
 Institution: Princeton Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Expected.
 Institution: Stanford Econ
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/6
Notified through: Email
Comments: Oh-fer-four. Time for a plan B?
 Institution: Brown Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: E-mail
Comments:
 Institution: Virginia Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/26
Notified through: Checked website
Comments: -
 Institution: Boston University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/27
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: Yyyyep.
 Waitlists:
Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 3/20
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: It didn't say rejected!
 
 
    bellman 2009:
 
Accepts:PROFILE:
 Type of Undergrad: top uni in my country in south asia, unknown outside. BSc Economics
 Undergrad GPA: 3.87 Overall, 3.97 Econ, 3.82 Math
 Type of Grad: MA Economics (on-going, top prog in Canada)
 Grad GPA: Average 85%
 GRE: 790Q, 730V, 5.5AWA
 Math Courses: Calc I (A-), Calc II (A), Vector Calc (A-), Linear Algebra (A), Probability (A), Statistics (A), Adv Stats (A) , Real Analysis (B+), Functional Analysis (B+), Set Theory (A-), ODEs (A), Number Theory (A-), OR-I (A)
 Econ Courses (grad institute): Micro(MA) (B+) (this is gonna hurt me alotttt), Macro(MA) (A+), Econometrics(MA) (A+), Math for Econ(MA) (A),
 Econ Courses (undergrad institute): Micro-I, II, grad (A+, A, A), Macro I, II, grad (A+,A, A), Econometrics I,II,grad (A+,A, A+), Adv Game Theory (A), Adv Math Econ (A) and various other courses of undergrad level.
 Letters of Recommendation: diff combo of profs 2 from masters and 2 from undergrad prog.
 Research Interests: Applied Econometrics, Labor, IO
 SOP: Was told to not exceed one page by my referee. standard I'm sure
 Teaching Experience: TA for econometrics for an entire year at my undergrad institute. currently TAing at my grad school but wasnt able to include this in my app file.
 Concerns: My B+s in real and functional plus esp my B+ in grad Micro are gonna hurt me big time. its strange how one bad day can jeopardize things so badly.
 Applying to: Yale, Michigan, Austin, Cornell, Wisconsin, Duke, Virginia, WUSTL, Rochester, Vanderbilt, Queens, UWO, Maryland, Minnesota
 Rejections: Cornell, Duke, Yale
 
 Rejects:Institution: UT Austin Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: ??
Notification date: 3/3
Notified through: unofficial E-mail
Comments: I am over the moon, this is my first offer, absolutely thrilled!!
 Institution: Univ. of Rochester Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Notification date: 3/6
Funding: fellowship with TAship requirements starting from year 3.
Notified through: email
Comments: simply ecstatic, my first funded offer and it feels great. i slept last night looking at a rejection from wisconsin and woke up to this great news...
 Waitlists:Institution: Yale University Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/20/09
Notified through: Website
Comments: 2nd year in a row...
 Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 2/26/09
Notified through: e-mail
Comments: another one...
 Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: thats strange, getting a rejection at this time, 9 PM PST. Alas, we are not safe at any time of the day!
 Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Economics, PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: E-mail
Comments: a bit strange!
 Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Website
 Institution: Maryland Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13
Notified through: Website
 Institution: UWO Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/27
Notified through: postal mail
Comments: i am happy with the admits i have secured!
 Institution: UVA
Programme: PhD
Decision: Rejected (Website)
Notification Date: 04/03/2009
Comments: they took so long!
 Institution: Vanderbilt Economics, PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/27
Notified through: Email
 |