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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:

Pedxs 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts college (It used to be top 5!!) - Double Major Math & Econ - Graduated in 3 years
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
GRE: 800Q/650V/4.5AWA
Math Courses: lots of statistic courses + a few applied math + Calc + RA + Abstract Algebra
Econ Courses: the usual undergrad with emphasis on finance courses
Other Courses: two years equivalent of undergrad physics
Letters of Recommendation: 1 each from home institution econ prof and math prof + 1 from prof at top econ phd program
Research Experience: College Math Thesis + College Econ Thesis + 0.5 year at economic consulting (I think this is meaningless) + 1.5 years RA at top econ phd program
Teaching Experience: TA for lots of math and econ classes in college
Research Interests: Finance, Development
SOP: Quite long -my full version was 1500 word. It was necessary for me because I was out of school for 2 years. I felt that I was able to make my SOP interesting enough that they will spend the time to read the entirety. I talked about what inspired me to become interested in finance/development. What I did to gain exposure to these fields and to prepare myself for grad school.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: MIT, Chicago, Minnesota, Cornell, Brown, JHU, BU
Waitlists: Harvard
Rejections: a couple in the top 5
Pending:
What would you have done differently?
Nothing much. I got into my top choice.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: MIT, Chicago, Minnesota, Cornell, Brown, JHU, BU
  • Institution:Minnesota Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 2/25/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: JHU Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 2/26/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5/10 Notified through: Email
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5/10 Notified through: Email
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/5/10 Notified through: Email
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Admitted Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Admitted Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision:Accepted Funding: 28k fellowship first two years - TA/RA the rest Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comments: I still ponder why they chose me
Rejects:
    Rejections: a couple in the top 5
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Harvard
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Wait Listed Notification date: 2/26/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: I would really appreciate it if anyone who has been wait listed last year could offer me some insight into the chances of getting in from the wait list (through PM).
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Wait Listed Notification date: 2/26/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: I would really appreciate it if anyone who has been wait listed last year could offer me some insight into the chances of getting in from the wait list (through PM).

blablabla 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Economics, top South American University
Undergrad GPA: 7.9/10.0
Type of Grad: M.A in Economics, same University
Grad GPA: 3.95 (converted). 8 A's and 1 B
GRE: 800Q 490V 3.5 AWA
TOEFL: 103
Math Courses: Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Math Economics I and II, Math Economics (grad level: sort of a real analysis course)
Econ Courses (undergrad level): A lot.
Econ Courses (grad level): Micro I and II, Macro I, Econometrics I and II, Microdevelopment I and II, Contract Theory
Other Courses: NA
Letters of Recommendation: 1 PhD UCLA and 1 PhD BU (probably very good ones), 1 PhD Yale and 1 PhD Chicago (probably not so good ones)
Research Experience: Nothing special. 1 year in a research foundation
Teaching Experience: 1 semester as TA for grad Econometrics I, 1 semester as TA for undergrad Econometrics II
Research Interests: Development Economics, Microeconometrics
SoP: Standard, I think.
Other: NA
RESULTS:
Acceptances: A few. Wisconsin-Madison (no $ 1yr), Maryland ($), Brown ($), LSE MRes/Track 1 (no $)
Waitlists: None
Rejections: A lot. MIT, Yale, Northwestern, Berkeley, NYU, Duke, Michigan, BU, UCL, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Cornell
Pending: None
Attending: Brown
What would you have done differently?
1. Get higher grades as an undergrad.
2. Lack of math. I would have taken real analysis/measure theory
3. One of the probably-not-so-good letter of recommendation is my currently advisor. HUGE mistake.
Anyway, I am happy with my outcome! Good luck to all future applicants!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: A few. Wisconsin-Madison (no $ 1yr), Maryland ($), Brown ($), LSE MRes/Track 1 (no $)
Rejects:
    Rejections: A lot. MIT, Yale, Northwestern, Berkeley, NYU, Duke, Michigan, BU, UCL, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Cornell
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: None

socialcapital 2010:
Type of Undergrad: International Economics from top-50 econ PhD
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
GRE: 800Q/730V/5.5
Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Proofs, Real Analysis (Got all As)
Econ Courses: Standard (Got all As)
Grad Courses: First-Year PhD Macro (Got an A)
LORs: Professor of Grad Macro Course, Professor who got me a job one summer, boss from that job (writing a paper with him), Math professor
Research Experience: Writing paper with summer boss
Teaching Experience: 5th semester as TA for intro econ course
Research Interests: Labor, IO, Econometrics, International Trade
SOP: Standard
Concerns: Low quality of econ program at my school makes my grades less impressive; unknown letter of recommendation writers
Applying to: Stanford, Berkeley, Northwestern, Harvard, MIT, Brown, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Princeton, Penn
Accepts:
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for First Year Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Checked Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Waiting: UPenn, Berkeley, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Brown, Stanford (Implicit Rejects: Harvard, Columbia)
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for First Year Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Checked Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Waiting: UPenn, Berkeley, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Brown, Stanford (Implicit Rejects: Harvard, Columbia)
  • Institution: Brown Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: 19.5k per year Notified through: E-mail Date: 3/8
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Not surprising, but still sucks
Waitlists:

nobigdeal 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.F.A (!) dbl major in acting and economics (from one of the top acting programs, and a top (15) econ department.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4 over all, 3.9 econ; received the senior year econ dept. award.
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-II (AP). Only linear algebra (A) in undergrad. Since then, calc III (A), real analysis (A+), math stats (A+), probability (A)
Econ Courses (undergraduate): two intro classes plus micro, macro, international trade, labor, public, development, statistics, econometrics, thesis. All A's, except an A- in my first intro course.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (worked for one over a summer, co authored a paper with the other -- top marks in their classes), one economist at a fed (he does more academic research than policy work).
Research Experience: A senior thesis, which grew into a paper that was recently accepted into a top (sub)field journal. Over 2 years at a fed working pretty closely with an economist with who I coauthored a paper we submitted to an interdisciplinary policy journal.
Teaching Experience: Very little. Worked in a statistics lab in college where I gave a lesson on STATA.
Research Interests: Labor, behavioral
Statement of Purpose: Discussed my background and research experiences. Also wrote two paragraphs outlining my research interests in applied microeconomics, labor, and behavioral. So, fairly specific. Hardly addressed the school's strengths at all--only mentioned the school's name once, in the last paragraph.
Concerns: I have a B.F.A, and I didn't take much math in college.
Applying to: Harvard, MIT, Princeton, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Yale, Penn, Duke, Cornel, NYU, Brown, Northwestern, Stanford, U Chicago, U Michigan
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes Notification date: 2/22/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2/23/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" w/ details to come later Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Still waiting: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, NYU, Michigan, UPenn, U Chicago
  • Institution: Columbia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Full funding" w/ details to come later Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Still waiting: Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, NYU, Michigan, UPenn, U Chicago
  • Institution: Michigan Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Funding on 03/07/10 Notified through: Postal Posted on GF: no Comment: Impossible to fund my first year. Oh well.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email -- Checked Online Status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: (fill in)
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/18/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF:yes
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Funding on 03/05/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes
Waitlists:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: unlikely I'm sure Comments: Maybe they think I have a shot at the NSF?

Churchill 2010:
Institution: Cornell
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification date: 02/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments:
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k
Notification date: 02/22
Notified through: Email / Website
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments:
Institution: Northwestern
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Waitlist
Notification date: 02/24
Notified through: Website
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Minnesota
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 02/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments:
Accepts:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Accepted! Funding: Financial award in letter Notification date: 19 February 2010 Notified through: Website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: :D:D:D
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k Notification date: 02/22 Notified through: Email / Website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlist Notification date: 02/24 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Hope I get financial aid
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Hope I get financial aid
  • Institution: Brown Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 19.5k Notified through: E-mail Date: 03/08 Comment: Awesome!
  • Institution: BU Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: None Notification date: 3/23/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/10/2010 Notified through: email Posted on Gradcafe: No Comment:
  • Institution: Cornell Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/10 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments:

DSGE_Macro 2010:
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Econ
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + 19.5k +Summer Stipend
Notified through: E-mail
Date: 03/08
Comment: Expected.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Brown Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 19.5k +Summer Stipend Notified through: E-mail Date: 03/08 Comment: Expected.
Rejects:
Waitlists:


Rejections:

good_tea 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA, Joint Econ/Math at Top 30 Econ department (I am an international student, though)
Undergrad GPA: 3.83/4.00
GRE: 760Q/670V/4.5A
Math Courses: Calculus (B, B, A), Linear Algebra (B+), Differential Equations (A), Analysis (A,A), Operations Research (A), MA Statistics in economics department (A).
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (B), Econometrics (A), Economics of Information (B+), MA Micro (A), MA Macro (A), and many electives (As).
Letters of Recommendation: One famous economics prof., wrote term paper (not sure about strength of the letter but not bad), one somewhat famous economics prof., senior thesis advisor (should have been quite solid), one analysis professor (should have been very good).
Research Experience: Senior thesis.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Development, trade.
SOP: Nothing special.
Other: Had been working for an international organisation for a few months during the time of application.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Cornell AEM MS (no $), UVA (wl-$), UMD AREC ($$), Michigan (no $), BU (wl-$).
Rejections: Yale, Harvard KSG, UCB ARE, Princeton, PSU, UMD, Brown, NYU, UCSD.
What would you have done differently?
I am very happy with my outcome but realise that with a bit of bad luck, it could have been a lot worse. I am answering this question not so much in retrospect but in terms of how my a priori thinking/information could have been better (e.g. in retrospect it wouldn't make sense to apply to Princeton but a priori it was reasonable to do so just in case my recommendation letters were extremely strong).
1. I would not have applied to Maryland Economics b/c it really didn't match my interests very well. I would not have applied to Cornell AEM b/c it turns out it is very difficult to get admitted directly into the PhD program and I didn't want to do a MA/MS. I might have applied to Cornell's economics instead, though. I would have applied to at least one more place outside the top-20, maybe University of Washington.
2. A higher GRE score would have been good but I tried and didn't manage (canceled my score after taking it the second time), so it is not something I regret. I am not so good at that kind of test.
3. In terms of the longer run, I should have considered how I could do better in math classes earlier on. I am naturally quite good at math but had been doing only ok since late high school and never really thought about how I could improve. I learned (while studying for my Linear Algebra final exam, which took my grade for that class from a B- to a B+), that it is very useful to study by writing/typing out explanations to make sure one understands everything properly. Studying in this way, I did very well in all my subsequent math classes.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Cornell AEM MS (no $), UVA (wl-$), UMD AREC ($$), Michigan (no $), BU (wl-$).
  • Institution: Cornell AEM Decision: Accepted for MS. Funding: None. Notification date: 23rd of February. Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes. Comments: Email said that getting into the PhD program after successfully completing MS should be of no difficulty. Not sure what to be make of this.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is very good news.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Checked the website but did not receive an email. On the website, it says I will be contacted soon. Posted on GF: Going to very soon. So Yes, basically. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is really excellent!
  • Institution: University of Maryland AREC Decision: Accepted Funding: Graduate Assistantship, tuition remission Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Excellent...
  • Institution: BU economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Basically waitlisted for funding. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No, maybe I will, in which case I will put my TM name. Comments: Good to know, though I am unlikely to choose it at this point.
  • Institution: Cornell AEM Decision: Accepted for MS. Funding: None. Notification date: 23rd of February. Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes. Comments: Email said that getting into the PhD program after successfully completing MS should be of no difficulty. Not sure what to be make of this.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email to check website. Posted on GF: Yes. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is very good news.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Nothing yet. Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Checked the website but did not receive an email. On the website, it says I will be contacted soon. Posted on GF: Going to very soon. So Yes, basically. Date posted on Gradcafe: 03/02/2010 Comment: This is really excellent!
  • Institution: University of Maryland AREC Decision: Accepted Funding: Graduate Assistantship, tuition remission Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Excellent...
  • Institution: BU economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Basically waitlisted for funding. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No, maybe I will, in which case I will put my TM name. Comments: Good to know, though I am unlikely to choose it at this point.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Harvard KSG, UCB ARE, Princeton, PSU, UMD, Brown, NYU, UCSD.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected. Notification date: 18th of February, I think. Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: No Comments: Wasn't expecting to get in anyway.
  • Institution: Harvard KSG Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/03/10 Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Not particularly bothered.
  • Institution: Harvard KSG Public Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/03/10 Notified through: Email. Posted on GF: Will do. Comments: Not particularly bothered.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Ag & Resource Econ (ARE) Decision: Rejected Notified through: E-mail to check website. Date: 03/09 Comment: I feel I had a fair shot here. If it is true that NYU and Brown are also out (and Princeton is almost certainly out anyway), then none of the offers I could still get are better than the ones I already have.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: No surprise...
  • Institution: PSU Econ Phd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: Email. Comments: I would not have attended even if I got admitted with funding at this point. It was meant to be safety though, so that seems to have been a miscalculation!
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Marjorie Lesser got back to my email, that was nice of her since it was from several days back. Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised at this point. Only UCSD to go...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: I wouldn't have gone anyway, but I am really glad I got into Michigan and in retrospect, seem to have been lucky since I was rejected by other similar programs!
Waitlists:

econslave 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics from top 15 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.7ish
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q / 630V / 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I/II, Intro to Statistics, Probability Theory, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Discrete Math, Ordinary Differential Equations, Real Analysis (Note: Some grades were good, but most were not.)
Econ Courses (Undergraduate): A lot of basic field courses, but also econometrics and advanced theoretical econometrics
Econ Courses (Graduate): N/A
Letters of Recommendation: (1) RA-ed for 2.5 years; (2) RA-ed for, co-authored decent article with, advised for thesis, and took two courses with; (3) Took an advanced economics course with as an undergraduate and did very well in the class (Note: None of the letter-writers are well-known, but all went to top 10 PhD programs.)
Research Experience: 2.5 years RA for one professor, 1 year RA for another professor, undergraduate thesis (ranked best), summer RA at prestigious policy think-tanks, 1 year full-time RA position with top 10 school professor
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Behavioral/experimental, decision theory, micro theory, applied micro
Concerns: Lacking in math (not many classes and less-than-stellar grades). Didn’t graduate with any honors or anything.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
Waitlist: Minnesota
Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth
What would you have done differently? Besides getting better grades as an undergraduate, not much. I applied to all of the top 20 and several others, and got into a few great schools. Perhaps I would’ve taken a different RA position, but it seems to have worked out anyway.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCSD (TA $), Michigan (no $), Boston University (no $)
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments I'm so thrilled about this. My first admit!!!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted!! Funding: To arrive via e-mail next week Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Flyout March 31-April 1 ... Financial info to arrive next week. It was a personalized message. So happy!
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Nice, but I'll probably turn down the offer soon.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, Wisconsin, Caltech, Brown, Cornell, Duke, CMU, Maryland, Texas, PSU, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: First "official" rejection. Trying to keep the faith.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: None Notified Through: Checked online status Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: No good news yet...
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Economic Analysis and Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified Through: E-mail to check website Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Not surprised, still worried
  • Institution: Duke Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 1
  • Institution: Yale Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 2
  • Institution: Stanford GSB Ph.D. Economic Analysis & Policy Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: 3
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 4
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: 5
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: Laughing to hide the tears... Comments: This is old news by now.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: See decision. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Not surprised, but very disappointed. Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: Laughing to hide the tears... Comments: This is old news by now.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: See decision. Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comment: Looks like Illinois does not like me.
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail (unofficial personalized rejection) Posted on GF: No Comment: This one really really sucks.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Don't care anymore
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Not surprised at this point.
  • Institution: Penn State University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: E-mail (from Lynn Sebulsky) Posted on GC: No Comment: More rejections --> disutility
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Snail mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Hm.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: ... Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Postal mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Big shocker...
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Expected by now.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: Everything is alright.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm so surprised...
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail (with PDF attachment) Posted on GC: No Comments: It's ok.
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Reject Funding: ... Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Reject Funding: ... Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised by now.
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Not new news.[/QUOTE]
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Oh well.
Waitlists:
    Waitlist: Minnesota
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one) Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.
  • Institution: Minnesota Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlist (not the "priority" one) Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Lots of rejections, and even more implicit ones. Hopefully one will work out.

eigenman 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BS Economics/Biochemistry from US R1 school, Top 10 economics
Undergrad GPA: 3.59
Type of Grad: Non-degree math/stats coursework
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 800V/800Q/5.0W
Math Courses: Undergrad-level: calc 1-2; multivariable calc; linear algebra; "applied" linear algebra; differential equations; series, sequences, and foundations (proofs intro). Grad level: stat theory I-II, applied linear regression, analysis II, time series analysis I, advanced linear algebra. Even mix of As and Bs.
Econ Courses: Intermediate macro/micro, econometrics, Latin American economics, + honors in: macro policy, quantitative macro, international trade, game theory, urban economics, money and banking. As and Bs.
Other Courses: lots of biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology, intro physics, physical chemistry, organic chemistry. As and Bs throughout.
Letters of Recommendation: Varied. Two from regional Fed economists, one from Analysis professor were generally used. For more behavioral places had letter from coauthor; for programs requiring a letter from an undergraduate instructor, tapped my quantitative macro graduate instructor. I'm sure they had nice things to say about me but perhaps they were not so influential.
Research Experience: First author on an experimental animal behavior paper published in medium-tier journal. Unpublished undergraduate thesis in behavioral neuroscience. 1.5 years (as of now) RAing at a regional Fed, one publication (another pending) in our in-house journal. Two semeters in a biochemistry lab.
Teaching Experience: Nil
Research Interests: At the time I submitted my applications, behavioral economics and evolutionary game theory, but I'm leaning toward econometrics and computational economics lately
SOP: Mostly addressed my background and suitability for graduate study
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
Pending: LSE(MSc-Research)
What would you have done differently? I probably should have bothered another Fed economist rather than asking my math prof, but I was worried about my mediocre math GPA. I also ought've interacted more with professors as an undergraduate, but nearly all of my economics courses were taught by graduates, and I made a decision to go to econ school fairly close to graduation. All of this considered I'm perfectly satisficed and looking forward to relaxing over the summer before putting my shoulder to the wheel in September.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT-Austin (wl-$), OSU(wl-$), UW-Seattle(wl-$), Duke (MA), NYU (MA)
  • Institution: Ohio State University Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Nominated for fellowship Notification date: 2/04 Notified through: web site; confirmed by USPS on 12/13 Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) 12/13 Comments: Delighted! profile
  • Institution: University of Texas - Austin Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: E-mail Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Have to think about this.
  • Institution: UW-Seattle Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Unfunded Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: This calls for a celebratory evening of working until midnight No really I'm very pleased
  • Institution: NYU MA Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: None Comments: Applied as part of a JD/MA application. Received notification an hour or so after asking for my application to be withdrawn. Not sure whether the two events were connected.
  • Institution: London School of Economics Economics MSc (Research) Decision: Admitted Notification date: 4/1 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: Nada Comments: They really took their time. Submitted my application in late November.
Rejects:
    Rejections: UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, UPenn, U-Michigan, Caltech, PSU, LSE(MRes/PhD Track 1), CMU-Tepper
  • Institution: LSE MRes+PhD (Track 1) Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2 February Notified through: Site Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) n/a Comments: No sweat... five years in London would have been hard. Still waiting on my second choice.
  • Institution: Northwestern University JD/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: yes Comments: Unsurprised
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 1:05pm ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Domestic student. First?
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: crunch
  • Institution: Penn State University (PSU) Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: This was a safety. Back to the girl scout cookies.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No Comments: surprise! no not really
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: My odds of ever living in Rhode Island have diminished further. My wildest dreams are coming true.
  • Institution: CalTech Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: assumed
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Was unaware California still attached to US mainland
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: Mass (or at least wholly impersonal!) email Comments: no sweat, pretty happy with my situation
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UMN, UW-Madison (bad waitlists in both cases)
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. :doh: Not told I was high on the waitlist.
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments: SNAP, my own alma mater. Not told I was high on the waitlist.

nnweconphd 2010:
Type of Undergrad: BS in Mathematics and Economics, Top 80ish public university
Undergrad GPA: 3.5-3.6
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 350V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus Sequence(A/A+), Linear Algebra(A), Discrete Math(A), Abstract Algebra(B), Geometry(A), Real Analysis(A), Graph Theory(A), Intro to Statistics(A-), Probability Theory(B), Differential Equations(In progress), Optimization(In progress)
Econ Courses (Undergraduate): Intro Micro(A-), Intro Macro(B), Intermediate Micro(A-), Intermediate Macro(A), Econometrics(A-), some others, grades vary, two A+, one B+, and one C+(sigh), three in progress
Econ Courses (Graduate): None
Letters of Recommendation: I don't think any of them is really well known and I actually have no idea how the letters are.
Research Experience: None
Teaching Experience: Tutor math and hold review sessions
Research Interests: Micro theory, econometrics, international
Concern:
1.Bad GRE Verbal and writing grade. I am international and graduating in three years with double major so I didn't have time preparing for the test. I might have been better off taking a TOFEL test at least to show that I don't have trouble with English.
2.Bad Econ grades. My econ gpa should be around 3.5, very bad. I even got a C+ in one course. I was too aggressive and took too many courses each semester which resulted in bad grade.
3.LORs. I had a hard time finding professors that can write me good letters. I rarely talked with econ professors but spent more time in the math department. So I don't think the letters were good.
4.No research experience, not even senior thesis
RESULTS:
Acceptances:None
Rejections: Cornell, Brown, UW-Madison, UPitt, BU,UW-Seattle, UCI(they said my GRE Verbal was too low and it's not likely that I be accepted)
Pending: Purdue
What would you have done differently?
Except for the listings above under Concern, I would have done some more research before choosing schools, say, at least wouldn't have put UCI on the list since they are strict with students' verbal and TOFEL grades. I would also have applied to a larger number of schools and put some more safeties.
It's a very disappointing result but I am not despair. I am not waiting for Purdue and I've decided to stay at school for one more year to take some graduate level econ courses to convince adcoms that I can do well in economics. Hopefully with the grades of current semester and next fall, my GPA can go up a little bit. And my summer might mostly be contributed to GRE Verbal and AWA.
Accepts:
    Acceptances:None
Rejects:
    Rejections: Cornell, Brown, UW-Madison, UPitt, BU,UW-Seattle, UCI(they said my GRE Verbal was too low and it's not likely that I be
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: email Comments: eventually, very disappointing, no acceptance so far
  • Institution: Cornell University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: email Comments: eventually, very disappointing, no acceptance so far
  • Institution: University of Pittsburgh Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notified through: E-mail Date: 3/8 Comment: still no acceptance so far...
  • Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: expected, no acceptance so far
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Comments: only 3 more to go, still no acceptance
Waitlists:
    Pending: Purdue

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

shadowprice 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 undergrad; top 15 graduate econ program
Undergrad GPA: 3.46
Type of Grad: some master-level classes
Grad GPA:
GRE: 780 (1st time 690 - yikes!), 620, 5.0
Math Courses: Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Analysis and Optimization, Real Analysis 1-3, Probability, Statistical Inference, Stochastic Processes, Sample Surveys
Econ Courses (PhD-level):
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Development, Public, Poverty and Inequality, International Monetary Theory, Intro to Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Advanced Micro
Letters of Recommendation: 1 U Chicago - took class, very strong; 1 U Chicago - RA for three years at regional Fed; 1 UCLA - RA for one year in undergrad
Research Experience: 5 years - 2 in undergrad , 3 years at a regional Fed. Extensive programming, coauthoring 2 papers (although not at the time of applying)
Teaching Experience: none
Research Interests: Applied micro - public and IO.
Statement of purpose: 2 pages double-spaced (~650 words). Did not tailor to schools.
Concerns: Very low undergrad GPA with a few B's and B+'s in important classes
Other:
RESULTS:
Attending: University of Wisconsin ($$)
Acceptances: University of Wisconsin ($$), Boston University (none), Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins (tuition - off of waitlist), UC-Davis (none), University of Pittsburgh ($$), University of Washington (could have if wanted), University of Colorado ($$), Georgetown (wl funding)
Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon (econ)
Rejections: Columbia, NYU, Brown, Chicago Booth, Michigan, Maryland
What would you have done differently?
Definitely do better as an undergrad. I went to a prestigious university that typically sends students to MIT (and NSF), so I feel like I let an amazing opportunity slip by. That being said, I am ecstatic with my admits and think that Wisconsin is a great fit for my interests. I know for a fact that one of my letters played a HUGE role in getting funding, so for anyone who does not have a stellar GPA - if you forge a great relationship with your professors, your chances of landing a top 20 admission are completely possible. Good luck all future classes!
Accepts:
    Attending: University of Wisconsin ($$) Acceptances: University of Wisconsin ($$), Boston University (none), Boston College ($$), Johns Hopkins (tuition - off of
Rejects:
    Rejections: Columbia, NYU, Brown, Chicago Booth, Michigan, Maryland
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Carnegie Mellon (econ)

takethemoneyandrun 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Mid-ranked liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.7/4.0
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 770Q/700V/5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I-III (A/B/A-), Linear Algebra (A-), Probability Theory (B+), Mathematical Statistics (B+), ODEs (A-), PDEs (A), Advanced Calculus (A), Real Analysis (A), Topology (IP), Complex Analysis (IP)
Econ Courses : Intermediate Micro (B+), Intermediate Macro (A-), Intro to Econometrics (B), Labor Economics (A), Senior honors thesis (A)
Other courses: Nothing of value
Letters of Recommendation: Three econ professors (PhDs from top 30 programs) who advised me on research papers that turned out pretty well and one statistics professor with whom I did summer research. They are all very nice, helpful people and I get along well with them.
Research Experience: Two econ term papers and a senior honors thesis that I am proud of; one co-authored statistics publication based on summer research.
Teaching Experience: TA for 2 sections of introductory statistics and 2 sections of introductory economics.
Research Interests: Economics of labor, health, aging, and education.
Statement of purpose: I made it clear that I want to become an academic economist, discussing my math preparation and research interests.
Concerns: Low GRE Q and limited undergrad econ background with very shaky grades.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Virginia(wl-$), Texas(wl-$), Washington-Seattle($$), Indiana($$), UC-Davis($$), UC-Irvine($$), Rice($$), Colorado($0), Maryland AREC($$), Cornell AEM($0), Oregon($$)
Rejections: Brown, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, WUSTL
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more schools in the 15-30 range. I didn't expect to be accepted to at least half of the programs that admitted me and was biased towards lower-ranked schools. I have heard this over and over, but it's worth repeating: The MC of sending out an additional application is extremely low; apply to any and every school that you think matches your research interests!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Virginia(wl-$), Texas(wl-$), Washington-Seattle($$), Indiana($$), UC-Davis($$), UC-Irvine($$), Rice($$), Colorado($0), Maryland AREC($$), Cornell AEM($0), Oregon($$)
  • Institution:UC Davis Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: full tuition waiver + TAship Notification date: 8th Feb 2010 Notified through:email Posted on Gradcafe: Yes Date of Gradcafe post: 8th Feb 2010 Comments: I'm very grateful to have an offer from a school that I thought was out of my league.
  • Institution: Cornell Applied Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None available :( Notification date: 18 February 2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: I'm honored, but I can't attend without funding.
  • Institution: University of Maryland AREC Decision: Accepted Funding: "Graduate Assistanship" with tuition remission + health insurance + 21k Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No word yet Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No word yet Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $0 Notification date: 3/10/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I'm very surprised that I wasn't offered funding. It was probably due to my low GRE score.
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None "at this time" Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email Comments: I'm very happy, but shocked; I thought they were all done with offers.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Brown, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, WUSTL
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Fully expected
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Also expected, but this one really stings.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Fully expected
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Also expected, but this one really stings.
  • Institution: Washington U. in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 4/6 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: My last one
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Rice University Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:

bluebucket 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 2 Econ PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 4.4/5
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 790Q, 630V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: multi-var calc, diff eq, linear alg, real analysis
Econ Courses: I was an econ major so alot
Letters of Recommendation: 1 very well known, 1 known within field, 1 senior lecturer, 1 math prof
Research Experience: interned at regional fed
statement of purpose: explained why I want a phd in econ, what my research interests are, and more in depth description of research and other experience
Concerns: grades
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Berkeley ($), U Chicago($)
Waitlists: none
Rejections: Michigan, Brown, Yale, Harvard, MIT, Brown
Attending: U Chicago
What would you have done differently?
Applied to schools where more of my letter writers would be recognized. I didn't apply to Stanford and one of my letter writers got his phd there. But I probably would have chosen Chicago regardless.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Berkeley ($), U Chicago($)
  • Institution:UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Admitted!:tup: Notification date: 2/27/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: yes Comments:Email was from graduate dean, no word on funding or flyout yet.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Yay!
  • Institution:UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Admitted! Notification date: 2/27/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: yes Comments:Email was from graduate dean, no word on funding or flyout yet.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Yay!
Rejects:
    Rejections: Michigan, Brown, Yale, Harvard, MIT, Brown
  • Institution: Harvard economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/09/2010 Notified through: Snail Mail
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Email Notification date: 3/16/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC:No
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: none

dauntilus 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in econ & math at top 10 econ dept
Undergrad GPA: 3.88
Type of Grad:
Grad GPA: 4
GRE: 800q, 660v, 5w
Math Courses: Linear algebra (A), Real Analysis (A), Abstract Algebra (A), Numerical Analysis (A), Complex Analysis (A-), Probability (A)
Econ Courses: Undergrad: Intermediate Micro, Macro (A, A), Game Theory (A), Financial Econ (A), Metrics (A)
Grad: Micro (A), Game Theory (A), Psych in Econ (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 great letters from good economics faculty with a record of putting students into top schools. 2 knew me very well, 1 not as well.
Research Experience: 2 years RA experience for 1 professor, no publications
Research Interests: Applied micro, Behavioral econ
SOP: More or less polished, minor changes for each school. I found 1 small typo in 1 school's SOP after submitting.
RESULTS:
Attending: MIT
Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern Waitlists: NYU
Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
What would you have done differently? I would have started taking grad classes my third year- I thought they would be harder than they are.
Accepts:
    Attending: MIT Acceptances: Berkeley, Yale, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, UCSD, Cornell (no funding), NYU Stern
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Accepted Funding: 28k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Yale Decision: Accepted Funding: 37k Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 4 (afternoon) Notified through: Email Funding: 23k for 4 years
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision:Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for funding Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comments: Should have applied for NSF
Rejects:
    Rejections: HBS, UPenn, Columbia, NYU, MIT GSB, Harvard, Princeton, Northwestern, Stanford, Brown
  • Institution: Harvard Business School Busec Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: Phone + email, after I interviewed Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Harvard Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: MIT Sloan Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
  • Institution: MIT Sloan Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Expected Implied rejections from Northwestern and Columbia
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: NYU

ilikefreefood 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ major from a top 5-10 Midwestern liberal arts college.
Undergrad GPA: 3.73/4, magna cum laude, distinction in major for senior thesis research.
Type of Grad: first semester of PhD microeconomics at Maryland
Grad GPA: 3.00/4.00 (B+)
GRE: 800Q 640V 5.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc II-III (A,B+), Linear Algebra (Pass), Statistics (A), Mathematical Structures (A-), Real Analysis (B, taken as a non-degree student at a local school Fall 2008), Probability (A, taken as a non-degree student at a local school Summer 2009)
Econ Courses: Principles Micro/Macro (A-,A), Intermediate Micro (A) Intermediate Macro (B), Econometrics (B+), PhD Micro Theory I (B+), pre-thesis seminar (A-), Ag. & Food Econ. (A), Development Econ. (B+), Econ. of Inequality (A), Econ. of Water Policy (B+), British Econ. history (B+)
Other Courses: A pass/fail seminar on game theory, a Poli. Sci. course on agent-based computer modeling (A)
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ. professors (liberal arts college profs but with Chicago/Stanford PhDs), including my thesis adviser who has previously stated that my thesis was one of the best he's ever advised. 1 Partner at my Econ. consulting firm with whom I've worked extensively on econometric analyses (PhD Cornell).
Where possible, a third Econ. professor (PhD Chicago).
Research Experience: ~3.5 years as an RA in a major Econ. consulting firm; I specialize in statistical and econometric analysis within my office.
Awards: Thesis award from state Economics association, thesis presentation award from state science association, college fellowship
for (non-research) work in development related to microfinance.
Research Interests: Development, environmental/resource economics, urban economics, general applied micro.
Statement of Purpose: Well-written but fairly standard; mentioned specifically my interest in development and applied micro fields.
Other: This is my second time applying, and I am reapplying to several schools with the additional Probability and PhD micro courses and a new letter of recommendation. I am deferred at Minnesota ARE from last year.
Applying to: Maryland, Maryland AREC, Duke, UC Berkeley ARE, Washington, Wharton Applied Economics, Michigan, Penn, Yale, Chicago, Michigan State, Northwestern, WUSTL, Georgetown, Texas, Boston University, UCSD, Cornell, Brown, UC Davis ARE, Illinois, Penn State, Virginia
RESULTS:
Attending: Boston University
Acceptances: Boston University (no $), U. of Washington ($), Michigan State ($ waitlist), Illinois ($), UC Davis ARE ($), Maryland AREC ($).
Rejections: Maryland Econ., Duke, UC Berkeley ARE, Wharton Applied Economics, Michigan, Penn, Yale, Chicago, Northwestern, Washington U. in St. Louis, Texas, UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Penn State, Virginia
No Response: Georgetown
What would you have done differently?
I would have taken more care to keep my grades in key courses consistently high in college to avoid a few potential red flags. I would have started my math education earlier and taken more classes as an undergrad. I would have worked only 2 years as an economic consultant and timed the business cycle to avoid applying in 2009 and 2010. I would have applied last year to a few schools that just missed my 2009 list (BU, Washington, and Illinois were all nearly on it), and potentially avoided the annoyance of waiting another year. I would have done more research to discount the advice of my advisors who said I would definitely get into schools on my 2009 list. All those things said, i feel that BU is really a fabulous program for my interests, and I am very, very excited to be headed there.
Accepts:
    Attending: Boston University Acceptances: Boston University (no $), U. of Washington ($), Michigan State ($
  • Institution: UC Davis ARE Decision: Accepted Funding: "We are going to offer you funding" Notification date: January 28th Notified through: Phone (Voicemail) Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes Comments: This feels good.
  • Institution:UC Davis (ARE) Agricultural & Resource Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16K RA/TA Notification date: 1/28 Notified through: Phone Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: A solid first offer to start the season.
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for TAship Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comment: The plot thickens.
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: First year fellowship 8.5k, TA years 2-5 17k + tuition & fee waiver Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Booyah.
  • Institution: Maryland (AREC) Agricultural & Applied Economics (AREC) Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for assistantship Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Official letter said no possibility of funding, but it was followed by an email saying "Under normal budgetary conditions, we would have made an offer of financial assistance in the form of a graduate assistantship ... our ability to support incoming graduate students is severely limited at this time. I wanted you to know that your name has been place on a waiting list for just such an assistantship."
  • Institution: Boston University (BU) Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Funding: No funding. Comments: Given my interests, this is a tempting option. Lots of thinking to do.
  • Institution: University of Washington, Seattle Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "we are in a position to make you a funded offer" Notification date: 4/15 Notified through: Email (at 1:15am Pacific!) Comments: UW never really officially told me I was in before this because I told them I wouldn't come without funding. However, I have given this eventuality a lot of thought in the past few days, and I will decline their funded offer for an unfunded offer at BU. In spite of the funding-related antics, I really liked UW, I love Seattle, and this was a tough decision to make.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Maryland Econ., Duke, UC Berkeley ARE, Wharton Applied Economics, Michigan, Penn, Yale, Chicago, Northwestern, Washington U. in St. Louis, Texas, UCSD, Cornell, Brown, Penn State, Virginia No Response: Georgetown
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes
  • Institution: Yale Econ PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: email to check website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) yes Comments: expected
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Bummer. As with many other posters, I'm going to try not to read into this one too much.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: More or less expected.
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Very disappointing. Last year they held my application until April, and since then I have added a letter of recommendation from a Cornell Ph.D.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Never really expected to get in, but boy I wish it hadn't taken so long to determine that I hadn't.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Not surprised to get re-rejected, but this was a program at which my advisor thought I had a good shot, so it's still a bummer.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: More or less expected.
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Very disappointing. Last year they held my application until April, and since then I have added a letter of recommendation from a Cornell Ph.D.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Never really expected to get in, but boy I wish it hadn't taken so long to determine that I hadn't.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/3 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Not surprised to get re-rejected, but this was a program at which my advisor thought I had a good shot, so it's still a bummer.
  • Institution: Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/05 Notified through: Email Comment: Got the email during a presentation at a flyout. So expected I didn't even flinch.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Ag & Resource Econ (ARE) Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notified through: E-mail Date: 03/08 Comment: This one is a major disappointment. I really wanted to go here, and my advisor thought I had an excellent shot.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Bummer. I'm pretty sure my family would've loved to see me as a Nittany Lion.
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Not really.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Posted on GC: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Interesting program, but I didn't think I was going to get in anyway.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Obviously this one was assumed at this point, but it's especially disappointing because I took a graduate course in this department to beef up my application recently. C'est la vie.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comments: -
  • Institution: University of Texas, Austin Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: Yes Comments: Bummer. I'm hanging out with friends from Austin today and had to break the news to them that I won't be joining them anytime soon.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/31 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: Yes Funding: - Comments: Charlottesville would have been nice.
  • Institution: Washington U. in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 4/6 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes Comment: The field narrows.
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 4/16/10 Notified through: Letter Comment: Maybe Georgetown's objective in waiting till after April 15th is to ensure that no one cares if they're rejected?
Waitlists:
    waitlist), Illinois ($), UC Davis ARE ($), Maryland AREC ($).

Le_Walrus 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Engineering, top three university in a small, but well known Latin American country
Undergrad GPA: 5.2/7
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 570V, 3.5AWA
TOEFL: 109/120
Math Courses: Advanced Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Complex Analysis, Optimal Control Theory, Probability and Statistics, Operations Research I and II
Econ Courses: Micro and Macro Theory
Other Courses: Lots of Engineering courses.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ professors, 1 math professor, 1 computer programming professor
Research Experience: Research assistant in several economics projects, undergraduate thesis in macro involving dynamic programming
Teaching Experience: TA of computer programming, Micro theory and Dynamic Macroeconomics
Research Interests: Macro theory, growth
SOP: The usual, maybe a little different because of my engineering background
Other: My grades may seem low, but in fact they are really high, and my recommenders avail that.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Rochester ($)
Waitlists: JHU
Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Northwestern, Minnesota, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Duke, UCSD, WUSTL, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Indiana
Pending: Texas, UWO
What would you have done differently?
It was an somewhat expected outcome, coming from an relatively unknown university with an engineering background. My advice to other people with similar background? Get a masters degree. And start talking to people who know people...
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Rochester ($)
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Nice!!!! What a relief!!!!
Rejects:
    Rejections: Princeton, Berkeley, Northwestern, Minnesota, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Duke, UCSD, WUSTL, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Indiana
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 17 February, 2010 Notified through: email -> website Comments: was wondering why there were taking so much to reject me...
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/19/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Safety reject... That hurted
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I really liked Minnesota...
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Big reach...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Too cold :)
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Too cold
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through:E-mail -> Website Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Pittsburgh Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: U Penn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through:E-mail -> Website Posted on GC:No General Comment: Glad i'm in at Rochester
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: JHU
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Waitlisted at a very selective program... not bad at all

msu2010 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Big Ten School
Undergrad GPA: 3.7/4.0
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 790Q 550V
Math Courses: I did a math major, the typical math courses
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Grad Metrics, nothing else outstanding
Other Courses: Some science courses (physics)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 very well known, 1 well know, 1 newer prof (all econ)
Research Experience: Wrote and presented paper at a conference, no publications or anything outstanding
Teaching Experience:TA for intro econ
Research Interests: Labor/Micro/Metrics
SOP: Very odd statement
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Boston College ($), University of Virginia ($), Ohio State ($$), Illinois ($$), Boston University, Arizona, UCSB, UC Davis, George Mason
Rejections: Too Many
Stanford, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, a lot more, I really am drawing a blank...
What would you have done differently? Gotten a better GPA. I guess a few things, but its over and I am happy, two years ago I didn't think I would be here. I am happy to be going to Boston College in the fall. Its not Stanford, but it suits me
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Boston College ($), University of Virginia ($), Ohio State ($$), Illinois ($$), Boston University, Arizona, UCSB, UC Davis, George Mason
  • Institution: UCSB Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: Where is the money?!
  • Institution: UCSB Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: Where is the money?!
  • Institution: George Mason University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TBD Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: hmmm...
  • Institution: U Arizona Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No first year funding Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Sad that I don't have funding anywhere
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TA 5 years 17,000 Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: N0 Comments: FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Funding: prob not Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Suprise
Rejects:
    Rejections: Too Many Stanford, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, a lot more, I really am drawing a blank...
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: No one wants me :/
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: I give up
  • Institution: Penn State University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: E-mail (from Lynn Sebulsky) Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Posted on GC: No Comments: I have taken enough of a beating to expect this
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/01/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: NO Comments: ugh

TeaMania 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 25 liberal arts college but the econs department is at least top 10 among LACs. BS in Econs, Physics and Maths
Undergrad GPA: 3.96/4.00
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800Q 720V 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Linear Algebra, Multivariable calculus, Intro to Abstraction, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Maths Method for Physics, a few more senior year.(all As
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro , Intermediate Macro, Econometrics, Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Macro, Game Theory, International Finance, Labor Econs, (all As)
Other Courses: Physics Major, Japanese Minor
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econs professors, of which two are well-known, at least by liberal arts college standard. One knows me very much, and said extremely good things about me. Another said something like " the best in the past 15 years". Not sure about the last one.
Research Experience: for a professor, since summer of sophomore year. Coauthor a paper. R&R at the time of application (I only said "submitted" in the applications, because I didn't know the distinction.) Now forthcoming at a top field journal.
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Development, Labor
SOP: Standard and did not customize
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the waitlist), BU(no $)
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn
Atttending: Maryland
What would you have done differently? I would have applied to more and a wider range of schools. I was ignorant of the process, and didn't spend enough time researching schools, partly because I was taking a lot of classes. I overestimated where I stood in the competition, because I underestimated the importance of grad classes and undergrad/letter of recommendation reputation. Nevertheless, I am glad to make it and will make the most out of my education at UMD. Hope my case will serve as a warning to top students from LACs: this game is very difficult to play, even after taking my warning into account.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: University of Maryland($$, off the
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 1st admit. What a relief.
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Northwestern,Rochester, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Upenn Atttending: Maryland
Waitlists:
    waitlist), BU(no $)

yougotaparabola 2010: PROFILE:
type of undergrad: B.A. Econ top 10 public university, no grad econ
undergrad GPA: 3.69/4, econ 3.95, math 3.74
type of grad: NA
grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 650V, 5.0AWA
math courses: Calc 3 (A-), ODE (A), Linear Algebra (A-), Probability Theory (B+), Real Analysis I (A), Game Theory (A-)(through the math department)
econ courses (undergrad-level): intermediate micro, advanced micro (economics of incentives), intermediate macro, advanced macro (international finance), econometrics, time series econometrics, mathematical economics (all A)
econ courses (grad-level): sadly, none.
other courses: Irrelevant.
letters of recommendation: 3 econ professors
research experience: Minimal.
teaching experience: None
research interests: The role of micro incentives in development.
statement of purpose: Pretty standard, nothing substantial.
other: on the bright side you really only need one admit.
concerns: Potentially weak recommendations, no idea how I stack up against the competition, no idea how my undergrad will be perceived,
applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, NYU, Columbia, Maryland, WUSTL, Rochester, UCLA, UVA, Duke, Wisconsin, BU, BC, etc....
Accepts:
  • Institution: BC Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: Yep Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship? Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
  • Institution: BC Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 16k Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: Yep Comments: Relieved
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship? Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: A solid admit for me, I'm excited.
  • Institution: Texas (Austin) Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Waitlisted for TAship Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Unofficial Email Posted on GC: Nope Comments: Pretty jazzed, curious what the likelihood of getting a TAship is.
  • Institution: UVA Economics PhD Decision: Admit Funding: No information on the letter Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: randomly checked website Comments: Nice to have another option
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: rejected Funding: no Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: Notification date: forget Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: They really made me wait this one out.
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Nope Comments: Mass email.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4/10 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GF: Yes Comment: Expected
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email. Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GC: no Comments: a little sad
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Email Notification date: 3/16/10 Comments: Response to email for an update.
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail telling me to check the website Comments: Was doubtful after the interview.
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

lycinsg 2010: well, since everyone is doing this. here goes. kinda embarrassing
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Econ B.S from Top 30ish Econ department
Undergrad GPA: cum 3.78/4 Econ 3.78/4 Math 3.58/4 >.<
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 780Q, 500V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I,II,III, Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, math reasoning, real analysis I, probability
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A undergrad equivalent
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): International trade, international macro, advanced micro, advanced macro, 2 econometrics, money. in progress: game theory, public finance
Other Courses: Not worth mentioning
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors all fairly well know i guess
Research Experience: Nada. Term papers and honors thesis in progress
Teaching Experience: Nada.
Research Interests: International economics, trade
statement of purpose: The usual
Concerns: Weird grades. It oscillates a lot. I didn't bother to explain in my statement. bad decisions, got destroyed by flu or just plain evil teacher etc.
Other: Why so much supply so little demand for econ applicants? Makes me pale in comparison to others. Most schools turn to reach schools after seeing this forum
Applying to: Stanford (just for fun), Wharton applied economics (praying real real hard), Columbia, U Minn, NYU, Michigan, UCSD, Brown, Maryland, Penn State, UW
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected... Sigh
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 02/26 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: oh noes! losing hope 1 down 10 more to go
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: Expected... Sigh
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Game over this year. sigh
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Wasn't expecting anything good anyways
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: meh
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: No interview, of course
  • Institution: UCSD Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

confusedgrad 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. in Economics (one of the best universities in the country but not known extremely all over the world. still, it is recognized at some schools).
Undergrad GPA: 3.98/4 - 1st rank among 145 students.
Type of Grad: M.S. in Economics from the same university.
Grad GPA: 3.95/4.0 - 2nd rank
GRE: Took it three times: Q:800, 800, 800, V:430, 350, 390, AWA: 5.5, 3.5, 4.5,
TOEFL: IBT:110 (R:29, L:29, S:24, W:28)
Math Courses: allmost no math. Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Mathematics for Economists, Mathematical Statistics I and II, Econometrics I and II, Econometric Theory I an II, Time Series Econometrics and only auditing RG Real Analysis this semester. All AAs (no grade for real anal.)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Microeconomic Theory I and II, Macroeconomic Theory I and II,, International Macroconomics. All AA except for one BA.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): A lot of courses with straight AAs.
Letters of Recommendation: 4 econ professors (mostly 3 or only 2 of them were used). All from my university. They tried to write strong letters but none of them are knon actually.
Research Experience: Several years in Research department of the Central Bank. However, nothing published in good journals. Only some empirical work.
Teaching Experience: TAship at my ug university for the Statistics courses.
Research Interests: Macro including Int'l macro, monetary economics...
Statement of purpose: Not well tailored for each university. A standard one for all.
Concerns: 1. Almost no math. No advanced calculus, no differential equations, no real analysis. 2. letters from unknown profs and no special efforts from the referees, 3. not enough research experience, 4. age (i'll be 29) 5. that stupid visa issue.
Other: One positive concern: My employee might support 1st year expenditures so I can go with an unfonded offer for the first year.
Applying to: 3 types in US: 1) The ones I got accepted before: UMN, BC, BU, UCLA, UMD. 2) The ones I got rejected last year: Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, UCSD, 3) The ones I am applying for the first time (mostly dream school, just a fantasy): MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Brown. Also some European schools in case the visa becomes a problem again: LSE, LBS, Oxford, TI, UPF, CEMFI, EUI. Seems like I am a professional applicant. I made 51 applications so far. (6 in 2003, 23 in 2009, 22 in 2010). God, so much money, so much effort. Best luck, everyone...
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Maryland, CP Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Not now, maybe later.. Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail. Comments: At least they accepted me again. Thanks. This year I have only one acceptance. Hope there ill also be some funding later.
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
  • Institution: Tinbergen Institute MPhil Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 1000 euro per month Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: Given that all the schools I declined last year rejected me or made unfunded offers, this is surprising now. Thanks!
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition+fees only for the 1st year. Notified through: e-mail Notification date: 3/16/10 Comment:they just renewed the offer from the last year. i was waiting stupidly instead of asking them poreviously, despite their commitments. now, i am relaxed. and i am sure that if i applied this year for the first time, i would not get this offer as this year is really a hard one!
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 3/26 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Does no funding mean no funding forever? and why they ask you to confirm acceptance till May 15th? Is it because of the offer being unfunded?
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 16K RA'ship+possible 4K in summer Notification date: 03/29/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Off the waitlist...
Rejects:
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: - Notified through: Website. They never bothered for sending an e-mail. Posted on GF: No, but who cares this any more? Comments: Rejected last year as well and applying again, which was a last minute decision, was completely nonsense. No surprise!
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 02/26/2010 Notified through: e-mail. Comments: I knew this was coming as they implicitly asked me whether i will accept this year or not. I could not make a commitment of course and two days later they announced the fellowship offers. I was not at that list. Still, I was expecting some offer with no funding or assitantship. However, they are completely right! They cannot tie their resources to someone who is unlikley to attend once more. It was a mistake to re-apply to a school that you had rejected and give them a second chance to reject you.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: Ok I knew it for days. But still this is the one that really hurts me. My dream school at my dream city. Perfect combination! But it does not want me...
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: This year everything is much tougher than last year...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: no surprise, i never expected an acceptance indeed. and this year everything just sucks...
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Comments: At this point it was totally expected. However, at the very beginning I was considering it as a sfatey. Who would know that this year will be a complete failure for me with so many rejections?
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Comments: God, I am surprised
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail (same above, no inquiry) Comment: I hope I will not have to apply to NYU for a fourth time in the future... My second dream school and my dream city does not want me. Ok! I got it!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: It would not make any difference anyways...
  • Institution: European University Institute Economics Decision: Rejected (i guess?) Funding: NA Notification date: 03/30/10 Notified through: Email Comments: The most awkward letter I received during the whole process. First, I thought I was rejected, then it sounded like I am accepted and then wait listed... In the end, I really did not understand whether I am waitlisted or rejected. Still, the word "regretfully" makes me think that yes I am rejected....
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/11/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: A rejection letter on late sunday? Interesting... BTW, I always find LSE rejection letters quite straightforward, direct and a bit rude...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Finally I know where I'll be going. It was an honor to get even waitlisted and I was not expecting anything more...
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: NA Notification date: 01/01/2010 Notified through: A personal e-mail. Comments: An e-mail stating "we totally remember you from last year.. we have limited resources and many excellent candidates from your country so we cannot offer you admission at this time". I can understand their point. They are totally right.
  • Institution: London Business School Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/10 Notified through: Email Comment: "very high on waitlist". even though i don't think it is likely to get off the waitlist, i would definitely like to go this school. i love london, school is great and funding is generous. i hope i can make it...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: NA Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Now this is a real surprise after so many rejections. I think my first year external funding has played a role. Seems like a long-list.

helloworld09 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. statistics, NE Asia
Undergrad GPA: approx 3.7/4, econ avg 3.9ish
GRE: 800Q, 7X0V, 5.0A
Math Courses: many statistics courses & enough math to fulfill requirements
Econ Courses: 7 incl micro, macro, metrics
Letters of Recommendation: among 2 econ professors and 3 statistics professors
Research Experience: nada
Teaching Experience: nope (some tutoring..)
Research Interests: open-economy macro, international, monetary.
statement of purpose: nothing too special.
Concerns: I have no research experience and have been working at a bulge-bracket IB for the last 3.5yrs, not too sure how adcoms would see that. UMN seems ok with that so i'm not as concerned as before..
Applying to: NWU, UPenn, Columbia, UMN (accepted!!), NYU, UCLA, Brown, Maryland, Rochester, BU, JHU, PSU, WUSTL, BC, UW-Seattle.
Accepts:
  • Institution: U of Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: nominated for grad school fellowship, with result to come out late feb / early march Notification date: January 26th Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) Yes Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) January 27th (gave my TM ID) Comments: thrilled :D
  • Institution nstitution: BU Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: none Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: unlikely to attend but happy to get a sort of approval stamp on my profile Posted on GC : no
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: now official. love the school, NY, and i've people from UG @ Columbia it'd have been great to hang out with, but oh well.. likely headed to UMN. phew..
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: now official. love the school, NY, and i've people from UG @ Columbia it'd have been great to hang out with, but oh well.. likely headed to UMN. phew..
  • Institution: PSU economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/10/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Wouldn't have attended, but still..
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: ? Notified through: ? Posted on GC: No Comment: weird, can't find any record.
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: ..
  • Institution: JHU Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/13 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: ..
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: 3/12 Notification date: Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: .. phew.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website) Posted on GC: No Comments: Bleh. 6 to go now.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: ...........
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: not surprised, but wow - so my only admit is a UMN fellowship offer? how weird..
  • Institution: U Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: Bleh..
  • Institution: BC Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GF: no Funding: Comments: first snail mail received - a hardcopy with the school seal affixed feels more formal, which i like - but still, preference is slow formal mail <<< quick informal email, regardless of the admit result
  • Institution: Washington U. in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 4/6 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: My last one
Waitlists:

sjmm 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA math and econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.9/4
Type of Grad: ND, gpa 3.9/4
GRE: 780Q, 610V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: calc 1+2, linear, vector, diffeq, pde, topology, real analysis 1+2, algebra 1+2, game theory
Econ Courses: micro, macro, international, development, econometrics, math econ
Other Courses: politics
Letters of Recommendation: 1 econ, 1 politics, 1 math
Research Experience: REU
Teaching Experience: TA throughout undergrad
Statement of Purpose: Standard
Concerns: total lack of research
Applying to: CSU, NCSU, Duke, Cornell, Columbia, JHU, Brown, Georgetown, Drexel, AU, UMD
Accepts:
  • Institution: NCSU, Duke, Drexel Economics PhD Decision: Accepted, Rejected, Accepted Funding: Waiting, n/a, $ Notification date: Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 16 Notified through: email to check website, email to check website, email from director Posted on grad cafe: no Comments: Need funding to attend, Sad, Expected
  • Institution: NCSU, Duke, Drexel Economics PhD Decision: Accepted, Rejected, Accepted Funding: Waiting, n/a, $ Notification date: Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 16 Notified through: email to check website, email to check website, email from director Posted on grad cafe: no Comments: Need funding to attend, Sad, Expected
  • Institution: American University Econ Decision: Accepted Funding: yes Notified through: Phone Date: 3/5
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Sad
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: denied.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: glad we made it official
  • Institution: Cornell Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: denied.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Website Comments: glad we made it official
  • Institution: JHU Econ PHd Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
Waitlists:

divikid 2010:
Institution: Oxford
Program: DPhil in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Post
Posted on GF: No
Comments: At least wasn't in my top 5 choices
Institution: Northwestern
Program: Ph.D in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/27
Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails)
Posted on GF: No
Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted
Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Post (postmarked Mar 3 - I live in London) Funding: None Posted on GF: not yet, but will do Comments: Oh man, no funding. They wrote: "We understand that you will be awarded agency funding. Congratulations! Support for your program must come entirely from that funding." However, I have only APPLIED for agency funding, not SECURED (2 very different things), and even if I get it, it does not even cover HALF of tuition fees!!! And I detailed this in my application. So, I guess I won't be going to Chicago... __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
Rejects:
  • Institution: Oxford DPhil in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Post Posted on GF: No Comments: At least wasn't in my top 5 choices
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails) Posted on GF: No Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
  • Institution: Northwestern Ph.D in Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Website (randomly checked it, did not received any emails) Posted on GF: No Comments: That was too bad, thought I had some chance of getting at least waitlisted Waiting: MIT, Chicago, Princeton, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown, London Business School
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 9 Notified through: Email from Dean of Graduate School Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Oh well, sh it happens... __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
  • Institution: London Business School Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 10 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: not yet, will do Comments: Definitely a reach, very disappointed __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School Accepted: Chicago (no funding) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Brown
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 16 Notified through: Email to check website Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Expected __________________________________________________ __ Rejected: Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($$) Waiting: MIT, Cornell, Texas at Austin
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 16 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: Finally the torture is over. Had a strong letter of recommendation, but whatever. Chicago here I come!! :-D __________________________________________________ _________________ Rejected: MIT, Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($) Waiting: Cornell, Texas at Austin
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 19 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: yes Comments: whatever... __________________________________________________ _________________________ Rejected: MIT, Northwestern, Oxford, Princeton, Cornell, London Business School, Brown Accepted: Chicago ($) Waiting: Texas at Austin
Waitlists:

nse 2010:
Institution: Arizona State University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No Info!
Notification date: 04/03/2010
Notified through: Checked the website.
Comments: Sort of a relief, first admit. But no info on funding is making me nervous.
Out: Duke, Michigan
Accepts:
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Info! Notification date: 04/03/2010 Notified through: Checked the website. Comments: Sort of a relief, first admit. But no info on funding is making me nervous. Out: Duke, Michigan
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Info! Notification date: 04/03/2010 Notified through: Checked the website. Comments: Sort of a relief, first admit. But no info on funding is making me nervous. Out: Duke, Michigan
  • Institution: U Virginia Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No info, but most probably none as it is pretty late in the cycle. Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: Randomly checked the website. Posted on GC: Yes
Rejects:
  • Institution:Carnegie Mellon U Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: Yes Comments: nth rejection
  • Institution: U Iowa - Tippie Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes.
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: Yes.
  • Institution: PSU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: Email.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt U Economics Decision: Wait Listed Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: NA Comments: Slim chances.

anonymous123 2010:
Institution: Columbia University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Posted on GF: No
Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
Accepts:
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: One of the PhD students at my current institution told me that Columbia economics has reduced the target size of its incoming class.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email (check website)
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 17 March Notified through: Email Comments: None.
Waitlists:

jenferlizbeth 2010:
Institution: Columbia University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 03/04/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: I had already counted them out anyway...
Institution: UC Irvine
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes! $$
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier
Comment: Very happy
Institution: Yale University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/18/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: ah well.
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes! $$ Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier Comment: Very happy :)
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Yes! $$ Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: unofficial e-mail from director Dale Poirier Comment: Very happy
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To be decided Notification date: 3/10/2010 Notified through: e-mail Comment: Happy, but I prefer Irvine, I think.
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: accepted Notified through: e-mail Notification date: 3/10/10 Posted on GC:No
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: I had already counted them out anyway...
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: ah well.
  • Institution: Yale University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: ah well.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC:No
Waitlists:

econgirl19 2010:
Institution: Rutgers
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: None
Notification date: 1/27/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: Not going without funding.
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:N/A
Notification date: 2/18/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: Oh well.
Institution: Penn State
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $24k stipend
Notification date: 2/22/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: :-)
Institution: Duke
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend + $2k stipend for the summer
Notification date: 2/22/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: Definitely high up on my list.
Institution: Johns Hopkins
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $17k stipend
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: Email with attachment
Comments: Another good option.
Institution: University of Maryland
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: Email
Comments: Excited!
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/4/2010
Notified through: Email to check website
Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
Accepts:
  • Institution: Rutgers Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 1/27/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Not going without funding.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $24k stipend Notification date: 2/22/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: :-)
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend + $2k stipend for the summer Notification date: 2/22/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Definitely high up on my list.
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $17k stipend Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: Email with attachment Comments: Another good option.
  • Institution: University of Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + $18k stipend Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: Excited!
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Sage Fellowship (Tuition + $21.8k stipend + $4.6k stipend for the summer) for all 5 years Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through: Email with attachment Comments: Definitely in the running
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding:N/A Notification date: 2/18/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/4/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comments: I wasn't really planning on going there anyway….
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: Email Comments: "We chose to advise you of our decision via email on the assumption that a timely response would outweigh the informality of this means of communication. I would be happy to provide a formal letter upon request." Now can someone please tell me why I would want a formal rejection letter? Oh well, this was expected anyway.
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Postal Comments: I 100 0.000000e+000xpected this.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: I expected this one also. I wasn't planning on going there anyway =P
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: Can't say I didn't expect this one either….
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail in my response to my e-mail Comments: Not surprised.
  • Institution: Wharton Applied Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail telling me to check the website Comments: I wanted to get into this one, but oh well. Probably for the best.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Waitlisted (high on waitlist) Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/18/2010 Notified through: E-mail with attachment Comments: Very excited! I hope I get in (with funding).

Econg 2010:
Institution: UC Davis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: No
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:Personal e-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: OSU
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 20K stipend
Notification date: 1/15/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Yale
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 1/19/2010
Notified through:E-mail to check site
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UPitt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Fellowship, 15K Stipend
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Harvard
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:Letter
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Wyoming
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Assistantship, 15K stipend
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: No Notification date: 1/15/2010 Notified through:Personal e-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: OSU Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship, 20K stipend Notification date: 1/15/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: UPitt Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Fellowship, 15K Stipend Notification date: 3/5/2010 Notified through:Letter Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Wyoming Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Assistantship, 15K stipend Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 1/19/2010 Notified through:E-mail to check site Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:Letter Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:Letter Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: e-mail to check website Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

yes_no_maybe 2010:
Institution: USC
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 21k, 5 years
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC:Yes
Institution: Boston College
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/1/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Maryland, College Park
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k, 4-5 years
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Princeton
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: UPenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: USC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k, 5 years Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:Yes
  • Institution: Maryland, College Park Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k, 4-5 years Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution:Stockholm School of Economics Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: SEK 15000 /month after tax Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Boston U Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 4/7/10 Notified through: E-mail Funding: None Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Harvard Political Economy & Government Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/5/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Washington U in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/6/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Brown University Economics Decision: Rejected from the wait list Notification date: 4/15/10 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/1/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No

Whitney 2010:
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Email
Funding: N/A
Posted on GF: no
Comments: longest of long shots ~ congrats to all you ninjas out there who made the cut.
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 3/16
Notified through: Email
Funding: N/A
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
Institution: Boston College
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Reject
Notification date: 3/24
Notified through: post
Funding: N/A
Posted on GF: no
Comments:
Institution: Boston University
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Admit
Notification date: 3/24
Notified through: Email
Funding: no
Posted on GF: no
Comments: Delighted, but funding will be pivotal. (Otherwise, it's back to being a boring old lawyer). Lighting a candle for the NSF . . .
Accepts:
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: Email Funding: no Posted on GF: no Comments: Delighted, but funding will be pivotal. (Otherwise, it's back to being a boring old lawyer). Lighting a candle for the NSF . . .
Rejects:
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: no Comments: longest of long shots ~ congrats to all you ninjas out there who made the cut.
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 3/16 Notified through: Email Funding: N/A Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 3/24 Notified through: post Funding: N/A Posted on GF: no Comments:
Waitlists:


Waitlists:

MorgieLilly 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.A in Economics-Philosophy and Mathematics from top 10 undergrad with a top 15 econ department.
Undergrad GPA: 3.85
GRE: 780Q, 640V, 4.0W
Math Courses (undergrad):Cal I, Calc III, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Probability and Statistics, Advanced Logic, (all As)
Econ Courses (PhD-level): Micro-econometrics (A-), Graduate Macroeconomics (A-)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intermediate Micro/Macro(A-,B+), Advanced Econometrics (B+), Advanced Macro (A), Game Theory (A-), Economic History (A-), International (C, took abroad in Ghana)
Letters of Recommendation:
Economics. Well Known. My boss.
Economics. Well Known. Professor. (I wrote an empirical research paper for his course.)
Philosophy of Science. Professor. (I took two classes with him. I wrote a paper that I presented at a philosophy conference. He advised me on a documentary that I made as a senior.)
Mathematics. Professor. (Adviser for my senior research project.)
Geophysics. Researcher. (Adviser for my REU research project. )
Research Experience: REU Intern in geophysics at Lamont Earth Observatory, summer 2007 (My paper was accepted to the 2008 ASLO Conference). I also published a paper in the philosophy of science when I was a sophomore, but I'm not so proud now of what I said and the journal was not a big deal at all. Full-time economics RA since July 2008 for one of my letter writers. I've made a bunch of documentaries and I included one in my application.
Research Interests: Development, Growth Theory, Economic History.
Statement of Purpose: Talked about my background, why I chose to pursue interdisciplinary undergraduate study. Talked about my experiences abroad in Ghana, my research experience at Lamont and as an RA and my motivation for studying development and poverty issues.
Applied to: MIT, NYU, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, UMich, Princeton, Yale, UCLA, UC Davis, BU, Duke, Brown, Northwestern, U Penn
Admitted: BU(wl/$), UCLA(wl/$), UC Davis($$), Michigan($$/Regents Fellowship), Brown(wl/$)
Rejected: MIT, NYU, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Duke, Northwestern, U Penn
Attending: Brown(no first year funding, 19.5K+health+tuition years 2-5)
What I would have done differently: I don't think I would have gone to any other school over Brown. I would have considered MIT, Yale or Harvard. But honestly, I couldn't be happier. The debt will be worth it. I know it.
Accepts:
  • Institution:UC Davis Econ Decision: Admitted! Funding: TBD in March. Notification date: 8th Feb 2010 Notified through:Informal email. Posted on Gradcafe: Nope. Don't know how. Date of Gradcafe post: N/A Comments: Hooray!
  • Institution: UC Davis Phd Economics Decision: Admitted! Funding: 16K for first two years (and I'm hoping after if I'm doing alright.) Notification date: 2/8 Notified through: Unofficial E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I was so excited and happy that I cried.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited! Hoping for 1st year stipend.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited! Hoping for 1st year stipend.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Funding: Wait-list for first year funding. Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: Cool! However, I really wish they'd sent this yesterday. I asked and begged and asked and now I'm leaving LA in three hours. =(
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Funding: None Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 02/16/2010 Notified through: Email alerting online decision Posted on Gradcafe: no
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 02/18 Notified Through: Checked online status randomly. Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: Bummer.
  • Institution: Duke University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/16 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I was really interested in this department, so this was disappointing.
  • Institution: Yale University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Rejections are a bummer.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Chicago is cold. (That's what I'm telling myself to feel better.):)
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Auro-reply from Jody: "If you are inquiring about Admission results for the PhD program, be advised that students who have been recommended for admission have been notified. If you have not received notification, I'm sorry, but it means you were not admitted. Official notification will come later from the Admissions Office. Please do not contact the Economics Department to inquire about results."
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Confirmation that all who have not heard are implicitly rejected. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I saw this as kinda like buying a one time lottery ticket. Even though I sort of knew I wouldn't get in. If I hadn't applied, I'd always wonder.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This one didn't hurt as much. Maybe I'm getting used to this process.
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Chicago is cold. (That's what I'm telling myself to feel better.)
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: Auro-reply from Jody: "If you are inquiring about Admission results for the PhD program, be advised that students who have been recommended for admission have been notified. If you have not received notification, I'm sorry, but it means you were not admitted. Official notification will come later from the Admissions Office. Please do not contact the Economics Department to inquire about results."
  • Institution: Harvard Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: March 1st Notified through: Confirmation that all who have not heard are implicitly rejected. Posted on GF: Yes Comments: I saw this as kinda like buying a one time lottery ticket. Even though I sort of knew I wouldn't get in. If I hadn't applied, I'd always wonder.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This one didn't hurt as much. Maybe I'm getting used to this process.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: It's chill.
  • Institution: University of Pennsylvania Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Got email back from Marge Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Phd. Decision: Rejected Notified through: E-mail Notification date: 03/16 Posted on GC: Nah
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed for Funding Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8

48chec 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Economics Latin American University
Undergrad GPA: 3.5
Type of Grad: M.A. Economics Latin American University
Grad GPA: 3.5
GRE: 800Q 570V 3.0 AWA
Math Courses: Multivariate Calculus, Mathematical Statistics
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Grad Micro, Grad Micro, Grad Econometrics
Other Courses: Lots of History Courses
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Berkeley who teaches at my Uni, 1 Michigan who teaches at my Uni, 1 MIT who teaches at an Ivy League Uni.
Research Experience: R.A. since I was a third year undergrad. Last two years I was a full time instructor working on three papers.
Teaching Experience: I have been a full time instructor for the last two years. I have been teaching Probability and Econometrics.
Research Interests: Labor, information, applied econometrics.
SOP: Made emphasis on my love for academia and my teaching and research experience.
Other: Highest national grade on an economics exam.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Waitlists: UPenn, Brown
Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Pending: None
What would you have done differently?
I would have taken more math courses. I would also have taken more care of my GPA. I wish I had realized that I wanted to be an academic earlier in my undergraduate studies.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UCLA($), British Columbia
Rejects:
    Rejections: Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, NorthWestern, Columbia, LSE, Michigan, Texas Austin.
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UPenn, Brown

publicecon 2010:
Institution: Duke
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Tuition + 18k
Notification date: 2/18
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: Excited!
Institution: Johns Hopkins
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: tuition waver + stipend if I "decide to attend"
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: don't know much about JHU
Institution: Minnesota
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/25
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: They said I am on a "short" waitlist. Seemed legit because they provided information on potential funding
Institution: Chicago Booth
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlist
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24
Notified through: email
Posted on grad cafe: No
Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
Accepts:
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: before end of march Notification date: 02/04/10 Notified through: Email Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Date of Gradcafe post: (if yes) Comments: good luck to everyone, doesn't seem like a lot of people on TM applied to Davis.
  • Institution: University of Virginia Economics PHD Decision: Accepted Funding: no info Notification date: 02/17 Notified through: Website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) No Comments: Randomly checked out the website. I hope I get an email about funding!!
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition + 18k Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Excited!
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition waver + stipend if I "decide to attend" Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: don't know much about JHU
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Just got the same email as thesparky. Sat night emails. crazy!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments: REALLY EXCITED!!! considering I am into public econ
  • Institution: Wisconsin-Madison Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Tuition waiver + $12.5K TAship 1st year, something guaranteed for 3 more years Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Just got the same email as thesparky. Sat night emails. crazy!
  • Institution: Michigan Ph.D. Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Don't know Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: Checked website Posted on GF: No Comments: REALLY EXCITED!!! considering I am into public econ
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Admitted Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8
Rejects:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: They said I am on a "short" waitlist. Seemed legit because they provided information on potential funding
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: "We have made fewer than usual funded offers of admission this year, so it could be that we will have a few more offers to make" Invitation to open house.. hmmm....
  • Institution: Chicago Booth Economics PhD Decision: Waitlist Funding: Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: email didn't seem too enthusiastic compared to minnesota
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: "We have made fewer than usual funded offers of admission this year, so it could be that we will have a few more offers to make" Invitation to open house.. hmmm....
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed for Funding Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8 Notes: They want me to enroll in the masters program

econrocker 2010:
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait Listed for Funding
Notified through: e-mail
Date: March 8
Accepts:
  • Institution: Cambridge MPhil Economic Research Decision: Admitted Funding: Did not apply Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Great to have another option. Staying in Europe could be a plus for this one.
  • Institution: University of Oxford MPhil Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: 03/31 Notified through: snail mail Posted on GF: No Funding: ? Comments: Nice!
Rejects:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed for Funding Notified through: e-mail Date: March 8

PoliticalEcon 2010:
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait Listed
Notified through: E-mail
Date: March 8
Notes: E-mail asked me how I was placed in terms of other offers, and solicited my interest in their MA programme. Brown admits on TM seem to have other comparable admits so I'm hoping someone would be kind enough to make place for me! Please please please, Brown's one of my favourites! :-)
Accepts:
Rejects:
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait Listed Notified through: E-mail Date: March 8 Notes: E-mail asked me how I was placed in terms of other offers, and solicited my interest in their MA programme. Brown admits on TM seem to have other comparable admits so I'm hoping someone would be kind enough to make place for me! Please please please, Brown's one of my favourites! :-)

yes_no_maybe 2010:
Institution: USC
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 21k, 5 years
Notification date: 2/26/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC:Yes
Institution: Boston College
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/1/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: UC Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Maryland, College Park
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: 18k, 4-5 years
Notification date: 3/3/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Columbia
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/5/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Brown
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Wait listed
Funding: Yes if out
Notification date: 3/8/2010
Notified through:E-mail
Posted on GC:No
Institution: Princeton
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/9/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: MIT
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/11/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: Stanford
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/12/2010
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Institution: UPenn
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Notification date: 3/13/2010
Notified through: E-mail to check the website
Posted on GC: No
Accepts:
  • Institution: USC Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 21k, 5 years Notification date: 2/26/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC:Yes
  • Institution: Maryland, College Park Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 18k, 4-5 years Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution:Stockholm School of Economics Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: SEK 15000 /month after tax Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Boston U Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 4/7/10 Notified through: E-mail Funding: None Posted on GC: No
Rejects:
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/3/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/9/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UPenn Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/13/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check the website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Harvard Economics Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/8/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Harvard Political Economy & Government Decision: Rejected Notified through: Postal Mail Notification date: Mail dated 3/5/2010 Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Washington U in St. Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 4/6/10 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Brown University Economics Decision: Rejected from the wait list Notification date: 4/15/10 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Boston College Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/1/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
  • Institution: Brown Economics Decision: Wait listed Funding: Yes if out Notification date: 3/8/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC:No
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 6 accepted out of 38 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.92, average GREQ was 800.0.
No link to department posted statistics has been added, please let me know if these exist and I will add them.

Links:
Test Magic Econ Forums
econphd.econwiki.com
Last Updated: 14:57:55, Fri May 11, 2012