Index of Schools AnalysisAbout the Site 2012 20112010 20092008 2007all years
The chart will appear within this DIV. This text will be replaced by the chart.
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:

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

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 ($).

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 $)

hotfuss 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: 4 year Honours degree in economics at a major Australian university
Undergrad GPA: First Class Honours (ranked first in Honours class)
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q
Math Courses: First and second year advanced maths courses, differential calculus, integral calculus, discrete mathematics, first and second year linear algebra, vector calculus, PDEs
Econ Courses: Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, International Trade, Applied Economics, Industrial Organisation, Mathematical Economics
Other Courses: First year psychology
Letters of Recommendation: One Fellow of the Econometric Society and two other economics professors with US PhDs (these LORs knew me very well; two of these had marked my thesis, including one who was my adviser, and I had taken one course with one letter of recommendation and two courses with another letter of recommendation (coming first in everything (including thesis), except one course))
Research Experience: Honours thesis and one other game theory paper
Teaching Experience: TA for undergrad economics courses, including intermediate microeconomics
Research Interests: Microeconomic theory and its applications, behavioural economics
SOP: Standard
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
Waitlists: Boston
Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
Attending: Northwestern
What would you have done differently? Not much. I think I should have applied earlier (I worked for a few years after my undergraduate degree) or done more maths courses at university. I would have also applied for a few business schools and a couple more top 10 places.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Northwestern ($$), Wisconsin Madison ($$), Penn State ($$), Maryland (?), Oxford (MPhil in Economics), LSE (MSc in Economics (Research))
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: admitted Funding: TA, $24k for five years if good academic progress Notification Date: Feb 12 (but this is really Feb 13 Australian time) Notified: email from a faculty Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: A referee suggested I apply to PSU as a safety.
  • Institution: Penn State Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $24k for five years (TA) Notification date: 2/12 (2/13 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Always good to get the first offer under your belt. This is a safety school though so I'm waiting on other results.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: $20.9k for first 4 years, $15.7k in 5th, but this includes summer Notification date: 2/22 (2/23 Australian time) Notified through: I checked the website. I received an email with funding details etc a couple of days later. Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Yay, top 10!!!!!!!
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded. Notification date: 2/26 Australian time Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This was in the email: "We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid. We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of that period."
  • Institution: London School of Economics MSc Economics (Research) Decision: Accepted Funding: I didn't apply for any yet, so this is unfunded. Notification date: 2/26 Australian time Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: I didn't apply for funding yet because I was waiting to see if I could get offers from better universities in the US.
  • Institution: Maryland Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: Not right now, but not all funding decisions have been made Notification date: 03/03/2010 (03/04 Aust time) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: This was in the email: "We have not, however, made all of our final decisions on financial aid. We have reviewed your record carefully and believe that there is some probability that we will eventually be able to offer you financial aid. We will be making decisions on financial aid on an ongoing basis throughout the next six weeks, but hope to contact you before the end of that period."
Rejects:
    Rejections: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UCSD and many other places
  • Institution: LSE MRes/PhD Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: I checked on 02/10/2010 Notified through: I just checked LSE for you Posted on Gradcafe: No Comment: My first result; even though it was a fallback and my research interests don't match up well with LSE, it still hurts. Waiting on the decision on my second choice at LSE still.
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 (i.e. 2/19 Australian time) Notified Through: Email to check website Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: I wasn't going to post this, but I decided to so it can be used for reference. Despite some good early results, a few rejections has made me start to worry.
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 (2/19 Australian time) Notified through: email to check website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Damn. Started to get worried.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections. Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3 (3/4 here in Aust) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: My status says my transcripts haven't been received, so that may have contributed. But it's good having other offers because shields you emotionally from rejections. Edit: they mis-spelt my name so these emails are definitely personalised.
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comment: Columbia mustn't like Australian students.
  • Institution: University of Chicago Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/05/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: I have a love-hate relationship with Illinois. I am also beginning to doubt whether UW-M's predictions will come true.
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: A few rejections in a row. This is really an emotional rollercoaster!
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Boston

AppliedEcon 2010:
Profile
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Double Major in Math/Econ. Public liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: A couple B’s but Phi Beta Kappa and probably Summa Cum Laude and honors in both majors
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: None
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 5.0AWA (only took once)
Math Courses: Standard undergraduate courses including Real Analysis and Topology. Two A’s in Real Analysis
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Standard undergraduate program with quantitative emphasis
Other Courses: Some science related to resource and environmental econ
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors and 1 math professor. I had small classes and they know me so I expect that the recommendations are good
Research Experience: Paid summer science intern in mathematics researching a topic related to econometrics. Currently performing honors research applying econometrics to a resource issue
Teaching Experience: None
Other: Officer/Member of four honor societies. Partially self supporting as Head Resident of a medium sized dorm
Research Interests: Applied economics, resource and environmental issues
Statement of purpose: I applied to a small number of schools (only ones I would happily attend if accepted). I used my research in finding these schools to write a statement relating their programs to my interests
Concerns: Few. I feel prepared and am comfortable with the programs to which I’ve applied.
In: NC State Econ(no$), Ohio State ARE($$$+), Miami U (Florida) Econ ($$$+), Maryland ARE ($$$)
Out: Duke Econ
Waiting: Florida International Econ, Georgetown Econ, UNC Regional Planning.
Accepts:
  • Institution:Ohio State Environmental and Resource Economics Decision:Admit Funding: TBD. Notification date:Today Notified through:website/letter (dated Feb 4)
  • Institution:NC State Economics Decision:Admit Funding: TBD. Notification date:Today Notified through:Email
  • Institution: Maryland Resource and Environmental Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: March 12 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:Graduate Assistantship+Tuition+Health
  • Institution: Miami of Florida Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: Late Feb Notified through: Email/phone Posted on GF: No Comments: Fellowship
  • Institution: Ohio State Resource and Environmental Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: Late Feb Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Proposed for two Fellowships
  • Institution: NC State Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: March 12 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Wait listed for funding
  • Institution: Ohio State Resource and Environmental Economics Decision: Admitted Notification date: Late Feb (admission), 3/15 (Fellowship) Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: University Fellowship
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Late Feb Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
Waitlists:

econlaw 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Math and Econ from a large state univeristy
Undergrad GPA: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 540V, 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I II III, Advanced Calculus I II, ODE, PDE, Real Analysis I , Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics, Numerical Analysis, all A or A+
Econ Courses (PhD-level): N/A
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Game Theory, Intermediate Micro and Macro Theory, Advanced Micro and Macro Theory, Mathematical Economics (in progress) All A's and A+
Other Courses: None
Letters of Recommendation: 2 econ professors (1 very good from a well-known economist, 1 fairly good from a junior economist) 1 very good from a Math professor
Research Experience: Except for term papers and thesis, none.
Teaching Experience: TA in Math Department
Research Interests: Not sure but currently Micro Theory
statement of purpose: Standard
Concerns: I don't know. I have studied hard and done everything that I can but feel that I'll have a lot rejections.
Other: None.
Applying to: Princeton, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford, Berkeley, UPenn, UCSD, NYU, Cornell, UCLA , Penn State, Maryland, Minnesota, UW-Madison, Carnegie Mellon, Arizona State.
Accepts:
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics Decision: accept Funding: no info yet Notification date: February 11 Notified through: email and website Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: Released. I think they will give info on funding later. Good luck everyone.
  • Institution: Arizona State University Economics PhD Decision: Accepted via email on 2/11 Funding: 25k+summer for 1st yr, 19k+possible summer for 2nd to 5th yr Notification date: funding letter dated on 2/18 Notified through: mail Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Minnesota Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20k for 1st yr including summer, 15k for 2nd to 5th yr +possible partial summer fundings Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: email Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: accepted Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Glad:)
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: accepted Funding: 18k fellowship 1st yr, TA after Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Glad
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Funding: no first year funding. Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: I really wish they could give me a funding..
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: To arrive via e-mail this week Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Financial info to arrive later this week! Very very happy!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Yale PHD Econ Decision: Rejected Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: no Comments: Expected. But still hurt
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Reject Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I would love to go to California, but...well...
  • Institution: Princeton Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: sad...
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: sigh...
  • 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 PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/25/10 Notified through: Mass email Comments: Don't care anymore.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/30/10 Notified through: seems like mass Email

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.

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:

Caroline_x 2010:
Institution: University of Michigan
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Admitted
Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing.
Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st)
Notified through: Email with pdf attachment
Posted on grad cafe: Yes
Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st) Notified through: Email with pdf attachment Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Admit Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.". Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: Tuition Waiver + Health Coverage. 17.5K for the first year. 16K stipend guaranteed after first year, conditional on good standing. Notification date: 02/28 (the attached letter was dated March 1st) Notified through: Email with pdf attachment Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: So Excited! Good luck to all TMers!
  • Institution: Columbia University Ph.D. Economics Decision: Admit Funding: Waitlisted for first year funding Notification date: 1st March Notified through: Email (Mass email) Posted on GF: No Comments: It says this is a "Deferred Funding"-"Deferred Funding means that you will receive funding from Columbia in years 2-4, but not in year one.". Does anyone no how hard is it to get off the waitlist for first year funding?
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Some probability" Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Looks like they are sending out emails one by one.
  • Institution: Texas-Austin Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: May be available on or after April 15th Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: Quote:"We know that you have other offers to consider, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would let us know whether you are still interested in our program. " Gee...How did they know that I had other offers to consider?????? Why didn't they offer me any financial aid then?What kind of strategy is this?
  • Institution: UBC MA Economics Decision: Admitted Funding: Partial Tuition Waiver+10k TAship Notification date: 03/18/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: They are so generous in such a poor year!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: no Comments: I knew it was coming.
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: March 3rd 2010 Notified through: Email from Kelly Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL? Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."
  • Institution: Penn Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: March 3rd 2010 Notified through: Email from Kelly Comments: So this means all their admits are done and they are starting to send out WL? Quote:"Your application is strong, but the pool of about 870 applicants from over 60 countries for admissions to our program in the fall of 2010 is very strong."

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).

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

yichen426 2010:
Institution: Michigan
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding:
Notification date: 03/03
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Columbia
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
Institution: Chicago
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/05
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/15
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/15 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Michigan Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Notification date: 03/03 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
  • Institution: Chicago Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/05 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:


Rejections:

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.

decision09 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 overall, top 15 econ
Undergrad GPA: 3.75/4.00 Graduated High Honors Economics
GRE: 760Q, 580V, 5.0 AW (last year 740Q)
Math Courses: Analysis I (B)(blew first 2 exams but aced final to save myself), Modern Algebra (B+), Probability Theory (A-), Ord Diff Eq (A), Combinatorics(Winter 2010), CalcI,II,II,LA(A)
Math Courses (Grad): Intro Topology (Winter 2010)
Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econometrics (A-), Random Field Courses (A), Research Seminars (B+(due to ULWriting) and A), Game Theory (A), Time series Analysis (A-)
Econ Courses (Grad): Micro I (B+), Micro II (B), Econometrics I (B), Math for Economists (B)
Letters of Recommendation: Well-known senior professor from research seminar
The other from a younger associate prof, said he wrote me an A+ letter (took game theory with him + unofficial adviser)
Research Experience: Financial econometrics research for senior thesis(publication: in process); experimental micro theory research. Labor research paper that will likely become my third year paper for my PhD, it caught the interest of a Senior person at my undergrad institution.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: Everything but Theoretical Econometrics.
Statement of Purpose: Much better the second time around but still about 1800 words, I had a few things to write about my career outside of econ and how it will influence my research.
Other:
Concerns: Poor performance in critical math classes, test jitters!
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Wisconsin Madison, Cornell
Rejects:
    Rejections: Umich, Penn, Yale, Texas, Penn State, BU, Maryland, Mich State, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, CalTech, Stanford, Northwestern, Duke
Waitlists:

zjg 2010:
Type of Undergrad: Large, mediocre state university. Econ/math double major.
Undergrad GPA: 3.5 overall, 4.0 economics, 3.0 math
GRE: 780Q/720V/5.0A
Math Courses: Real analysis, linear algebra, probability, statistics, operations research, diff eq, calc.
Econ Courses: Took 2 grad courses (1 field course in public finance, plus grad micro) as an undergrad. Had electives in experimental economics and public choice.
Other Courses: 4.0 in my general education classes.. like anyone cares!
Letters of Recommendation: 3 professors, all taught me as an undergraduate for multiple courses and were highly encouraging
Research Experience: After graduation, worked at a DC think tank evaluating health policy and got listed on some policy papers, presentations. Worked as an undergraduate RA but no publishing credit, just "thank ___ for excellent research assistance" type stuff.
Teaching Experience: None. Did some grading.
Research Interests: Empirical public choice. Behavioral.
SOP: Pretty specific. I finished undergrad in 2006 so I've had a lot of time to think about what I want to research.
Other: I have sort of an unusual list. I chose schools that recently or historically have had successful job placements for people doing research similar to what I want to do and/or had some faculty I really wanted to work with.
Tangentially, after graduating in 2006 I worked at a think tank and then worked 3 years as a systems engineer doing some modeling and statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: George Mason ($15k, accepted), West Virginia ($16k)
Waitlists: Virginia (declined, but I suspect I would not have gotten in)
Rejections: Rochester, Maryland
Pending:
Last year I applied only to George Mason, I was accepted with no $ offer. Pretty stupid move, I applied to a larger net and had a much better result this year. I knew I intended to accept if I got a good offer, and they were able to make one.
If I would have done things differently I wouldn't have taken a senior year of nothing but upper level math classes (I feel I could have performed much better). Also, I wouldn't have bothered getting a taste of the real world after graduation - the real world sucks!
Accepts:
    Acceptances: George Mason ($15k, accepted), West Virginia ($16k)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Rochester, Maryland
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: Virginia (declined, but I suspect I would not have gotten in)

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

romeoagogo 2010:
Type of Undergrad: B.S. Econ, Applied Math and Physics Minors at a top 10 (in the north) masters granting institution
Undergrad GPA: 3.53
GRE: 800Q 520V 3.5 AWA
Math Courses: At the time of application: Calc 1-3, Multivariable Calc, Differential Equations, Probability, Complex Variables, Differential Geometry, Math Physics I-III (vector calc, linear algebra, group theory with physics applications), Math for Economists. All A's and B's. To be taken later (addressed in SOP): Real Analysis, Formal Linear Algebra.
Econ Courses: Intro & Intermediate Micro and Macro, Game Theory, Intl Trade and Finance, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Applied Metrics, Monetary Policy, Industrial Organization, Managerial Economics. Mostly A's a few B's.
Grad Courses: None
Letters of Recommendation: Pretty good. One from an established stochastics/environmental guy, two are from relative unknowns from top 20 and 50 programs and one from the department head. All but the established professor knew me well.
Research Experience: Physics research. Independent research using stochastic models.
Research Interests: Experimental/Behavioral, IO, GT.
Statement of purpose: Described what type of work I wanted to do, how my background helps me, etc.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Arizona, UCSB unfunded
Waitlists: UNC-CH
Rejections: NYU, Cornell, Maryland, Pittsburgh
What would you have done differently? Wish I would have started econ related math earlier and tried a bit harder in physics (mostly B's and a C) so my GPA didn't suffer. It would have been easier if I started out as an econ major and had gotten to do research with our big name guy so he could have written a better letter of recommendation. Lastly, I didn't really know what I was doing when I applied to undergrad. I applied to mostly engineering/technical schools and I think with my HS resume I could have gotten into some well-known research universities. My current school has only produced a few econ PhD's and that probably hurt me.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Arizona, UCSB unfunded
  • Institution: UC Santa Barbara Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: nothing yet Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Wooooo.
Rejects:
    Rejections: NYU, Cornell, Maryland, Pittsburgh
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: nothing yet Notification date: 02/24/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Meh, was a long shot
  • Institution: Cornell Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: nothing yet Notification date: 02/24/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Meh, was a long shot
  • Institution: University of Pittsburgh Econ Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notified through: E-mail Date: 3/8 Comment:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UNC-CH

shy_student 2010:
Type of Undergrad: One of the top universities in economics in my country
Undergrad GPA: 3.3
GRE: 770Q/450V/4.5A
Math Courses: Calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, game theory, differential equations, dynamic optimization, linear programming, stochastic calculus
Econ Courses: Too many actually. Vast majority of them being applied, but standard intermediate micro-macro and econometrics present. I've also taken time series and discrete choice models, though they were very introductory. A lot of introductory field courses: IO, Public, Labor, Financial Markets etc.
Grad degree: Best MA in economics program in my country, intended as a step to PhD
Graduate courses: Math for Economists, Advanced Macro, Advanced Micro, Intermediate and Advanced Econometrics, Contract theory, IO. Letters of Recommendation: 3 professors of my school, including my adviser.
Research Experience: I worked in a think tank for a year, but was doing policy project. Also joined a University Economics Lab for several projects as an undergrad
Teaching Experience: Worked as an instructor in basic micro at evening school for bright high school students. Also was TA at my MA program.
Research Interests: Applied microeconomics and econometrics, labor, contracts
SOP: Quite standard I suppose. I describe development of my ideas, touch some skills gained and explain, why I'd like to do empirics.
Concerns: low GPA, not perfect quantitative GRE. Worried that my SOP was not impressive enough.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Duke (attending), Boston University (no $), Boston College, Rutgers (no $)
Waitlists: UCLA
Rejections: Maryland, Northwestern, NYU, Cornell, Michigan, CMU
Accepts:
    Acceptances: Duke (attending), Boston University (no $), Boston College, Rutgers (no $)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Maryland, Northwestern, NYU, Cornell, Michigan, CMU
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: UCLA

2pm 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.B.A, Econ concentration from large state university with no PhD program
Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Type of Grad: M.A. Econ, same school
Grad GPA: 4.0
GRE: 790Q, 640V, 4.0AWA
Math Courses: Cal I (AP test), II (Community College), III, Intro to Proofs, Matrices and Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Real Analysis I
Econ Courses (master level): Macro, Micro, Metrics, International Finance, Health Econ, Time Series, Research Methods, Forecasting
Econ Courses (undergrad): Intermediate Macro, Micro, Metrics, Money & Banking, Math for Economist (same class with graduate level)
Other Courses: Mostly in business
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors , been told they are all strong
Research Experience: Honors undergrad thesis & master thesis. Nothing spectacular
Teaching Experience: Tutor in the Econ dept
Research Interests: Applied micro
Statement of purpose: Standard, did not customize
Concern: (somewhat) inadequate math background. Realized I wanted to do a Ph.D. in econ too late & tried to cram as much required math courses as possible while finishing my M.A.
RESULTS:
Acceptances: UT Austin ($$) (attending), Houston ($$), Michigan State (no $), BU (no $), UVA (no info on $ yet)
Waitlists: BC, UW-M long waitlist -> rejection
Rejections: let me count the way…Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, UMN, Duke, PSU, Maryland, WUSTL
Pending: Ohio State (the earliest deadline, still nothing yet. Oh the irony!)
What would you have done differently? Hard to say, since I know beforehand there will be lots of noise in my results anyway. Probably take more math and get 800Q in GRE? Perhaps spend more time on my SOP, although I don’t feel comfortable discussing my research goals & ideas in details since I don’t even know which field I am interested in at the time of the application process. One thing I won’t regret is not transferring. I have made some fantastic friends and built tremendous relationship w/ the faculty at my current university. Overall, I’m extremely happy. 2 years ago when I decided to go for a Ph.D. in economics I didn’t think I could even make it to a mid-rank program, so UT is definitely a step up from my expectations.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: UT Austin ($$) (attending), Houston ($$), Michigan State (no $), BU (no $), UVA (no info on $ yet)
  • Institution: UT Austin economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship, details TBA Notification date: 03/9/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment: Thrilled! First offer after going 0 for 7...
  • Institution: Houston economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TAship + Fellowship Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: very flattered but will likely decline due to better offer...
  • Institution: Michigan State Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: no first year $ Notification date: 3/22 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: unlikely to attend w/out funding
  • Institution: Boston University Economics Decision: Admit Funding: nada Notification date: 3/24/10 Notified through: Email Comments: a strong ego-boost. But will probably decline since there is little chance I'm getting financial aid
  • Institution: UVA Economics PhD Decision: Admit Funding: No information on the letter Notification date: 03/24 Notified through: randomly checked website Comments: Happy
Rejects:
    rejection Rejections: let me count the way…Yale, Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, UCSD, UMN, Duke, PSU, Maryland, WUSTL
  • Institution: Penn State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No.
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/17 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: one of my dream schools...
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/19/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comment: expected...
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Randomly check Testudo website Posted on GC: No Comments: bleh...
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: WUSTL Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/06/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment: Took them long enough...
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: BC, UW-M long waitlist ->
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Same email as EconDev. It seems very uncertain though, who knows what will happen after 4/15?
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 2-28-2010 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Same email as EconDev. It seems very uncertain though, who knows what will happen after 4/15?

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)

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

helpzwouldbenice 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts college
Undergrad GPA: 3.79/4.00
Type of Grad:-
Grad GPA:-
GRE: 800Q 710V 5.0AWA
Math Courses: Multivariable Calc (A); Linear Algebra (P); DiffEq (A-); Intro Proofs (A-);
Econ Courses: Intro Econ (B+), Intermediate Micro (A), Intermediate Macro (A), Econ Stats (A), Econometrics (A), Trade (A-), Public Econ (A-)
Other Courses: Took a year of physics, lots of random courses. Lots of A's in courses an econ student typically wouldn't take, like Religion and Chinese.
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Math Dept. Prof, 1 Econ Dept. Prof, 1 External Prof who I RA'd for
Research Experience: Fair amount in health services research. Have a paper up for submission, and another one that my supervisor and I are working on.
Teaching Experience:None
Research Interests: Health, Labor
SOP: Very tailored to my interests. Definitely proved to be hit or miss with regard to schools.
Other: Rejected from NSF
RESULTS:
Acceptances: University of Virginia ($$), Rice University ($$), UNC ($$), Michigan ($$)
Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Texas, WUSTL, Duke, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Wharton Applied Econ, Maryland
Never heard from: Wharton Healthcare (interviewed, then never heard back)
Atttending: Michigan
What would you have done differently? Taken more math classes and pushed harder for A's instead of A-'s. My school doesn't have the greatest reputation when it comes to elite grad schools but the teachers are really supportive. I did pretty well here and there's no telling what would have happened if I had gone to a different school.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: University of Virginia ($$), Rice University ($$), UNC ($$), Michigan ($$)
Rejects:
    Rejections: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Texas, WUSTL, Duke, Caltech, Berkeley, Northwestern, Wharton Applied Econ, Maryland
Waitlists:

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 $)

Mpianatra 2010:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 20 econ program
Undergrad GPA: 3.56/4
Type of Grad: MS in same major/university
Grad GPA: none at time of application
GRE: 780/580/5.5
Math Courses: Calc I/II (A-), Real Analysis (in progress during app), Calc III (A+), Linear Algebra (A), Ord. Diff. Eq. (A) [last three courses taken as non-degree student at state school w/o econ phd]
Econ Courses: Intro Micro/Macro (A), Inter Micro (B+), Inter Macro (A), Labor Economics (B), Income Distribution (A), Developing Country Labor Markets (A-), Applied Econometrics (A-), Econ Dev't (A-), Public Finance (A-), Economic Data (B), Grad Micro Theory I (in progress), Grad Econ of Education (in progress)
Other Courses: Intro Stats (A-)
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis Adviser- known for a long time (pretty strong), Second Thesis Adviser-mostly knew from a course (positive but probably pretty generic), RA prof (also probably pretty generic)
Research Experience: Master's thesis but hadn't done much for it at time of application
Teaching Experience: Just short of teaching credential
Research Interests: Development, Political Economy, Labor
SOP: Nothing special. Run of the mill about why I like econ, why I was qualified, and why I liked the school.
Other:
RESULTS:
Acceptances: American ($?), BU (no $), CUNY (Fellowship), Fordham ($?), Colorado ($$$), UI-Chicago ($?), Washington (no $), Wisconsin ($$)
Waitlists: BC
Rejections: Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, George Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA, Maryland, UNC, Notre Dame, USC, Texas,
Attending: Wisconsin
What would you have done differently?
What I wouldn't have done differently was apply to so many schools. I had a lot of reach schools on my list and all it takes is one of them to accept you. Some rejections from very lowly-ranked schools with some acceptances from relatively high-ranked so it can be hard to predict. Obviously getting better grades would always help but I'm very satisfied with the overall results.
Accepts:
    Acceptances: American ($?), BU (no $), CUNY (Fellowship), Fordham ($?), Colorado ($$$), UI-Chicago ($?), Washington (no $), Wisconsin ($$)
  • Institution: UIllinois-Chicago Decision: Accepted Funding: will hear in March Notification date: 2/10 Notified through: Postal Service Posted on GF: yes Comments: At least I got one in the bag
  • 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 + More info by mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Anyone else accepted know if they reimburse for flyout?
  • Institution: CUNY Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Short list" for an 18k fellowship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Likely will withdraw due to better offer.
  • Institution: Fordham University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: I hadn't researched the program well. Just picked it b/c it's in NYC.
  • 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 + More info by mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Anyone else accepted know if they reimburse for flyout?
  • Institution: CUNY Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: "Short list" for an 18k fellowship Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: Likely will withdraw due to better offer.
  • Institution: Fordham University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email Comment: I hadn't researched the program well. Just picked it b/c it's in NYC.
  • Institution: UC-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: ~15k TA, 5k Fellowship Notification date: 03/09/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comment:
  • Institution: BU Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/29 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Funding: $0 Comments: Out at GWU and in at BU? This is a weird process.
  • Institution: U of Washington Economics Decision: Accepted Notification date: 3/30 Notified through: email Posted on GF: no Funding: no Comments:
Rejects:
    Rejections: Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, George Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA, Maryland, UNC, Notre Dame, USC, Texas,
  • Institution: Duke Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/17 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Minnesota Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Oh well...
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/04/2010 Notified through: Email to check website Comment: No surprise there.
  • Institution: Minnesota Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: Oh well...
  • Institution: University of Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Notre Dame Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail to check Website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: Email to Check Website Posted on GC: no Comments:
  • Institution: Emory University Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: no Comments: got an early interview so this surprised me a bit
  • Institution: NYU Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: email response from Marjorie Lesser Comments: zero surprise but still a bummer
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: Mar 15 Notified through: Postal Service Funding: N/A Posted on GF: no Comments:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: E-mail to Check Website Posted on GC: No Comments: C'est la vie.
  • Institution: George Washington Phd Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/27 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Funding: n/a Comments: Seriously? Definitely didn't expect this.
  • Institution: University of Texas Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/05/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comment:
Waitlists:
    Waitlists: BC
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 12:30am ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not sure if I'll put my name on the list or not...
  • Institution: Boston College Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Waitlisted Notification date: 12:30am ET 3/1 Notified through: Email Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Not sure if I'll put my name on the list or not...

2010app9357 2010: Profile:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Econ, Politics top 15 US LAC
Undergrad GPA: 3.92 = probably top 2 or 3 % at my school
Type of Grad: None
GRE: 800Q, 740V, 6.0 AWA
Math Courses (undergrad-level): Real I, Real II, Linear, Calc 1-3, ODE, Probability Theory (calc based) ~ all A or better
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro and Inter Micro and Macro, Trade, M+B, Comparative Labor, Mathematical Econ (simon + blume), Game Theory (gibbons), IO, Honors Thesis, ~ all A or better. Econometrics B+
Letters of Recommendation:3 econ professors from LAC, all actively researching, popular probably only in select circles but they know me well and will probably say nice things
Research Experience: RA one year during undergrad, honors thesis (the department liked it & was impressed), currently RA at regional fed
Teaching Experience: volunteered as peer tutor for econ, stats, politics
Research Interests: micro theory, political theory
Statement of Purpose: Working on one.
Concerns: No graduate courses, average amounts of math, from LAC
Schools: mit, princeton, stanford, berkley, yale, NW, UCSD, U Mich, caltech,wisconsin, duke, MD, rochester, UVA, ohio, UC-Irvine
Accepts:
  • Institution: Georgetown University Economics PhD Decision: Admitted Funding: $$$ Notification date: Feb 19th Notified Through: E-mail Comments: YAY!!
  • Institution: Rochester Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20K Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: If only it weren't so cold :(
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 18.5K Notification date: 1/19 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: YAY!!!
  • Institution: JHU Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: tuition waved Notification date: 3/01 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: No
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: No $ :(
  • Institution: Michigan Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ??? Notification date: 3/01 Notified through: Website Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: Best Yet!
  • Institution: Rochester Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: 20K Notification date: 2/25 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: If only it weren't so cold
  • Institution: Wisconsin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None Notification date: 2/27 Notified through: E-mail Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: No $
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: TBD Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through:E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: decisions decisions...
Rejects:
  • 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: well that was fun
  • Institution: Yale Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/18 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Oh well.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: oh well
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: oh well:(
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: No Comments: oh well
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: oh well
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: me too!!
  • Institution: CalTech Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Finally!
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: UVA Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/30/10 Notified through: I called them Comments: I mostly wanted to see if they lost my application or something. Very very late...
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: Notification date: Feb 19th Notified Through: E-mail Comments: eh
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Still feels good.
  • Institution: Duke Economics PhD Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: E-mail to check site Posted on grad cafe: Yes Comments: Still feels good.
  • Institution: MIT Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: Mar 17 Notified through: email Funding: Another NSF hopeful...

walt526 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Political Science from UC Davis (started at a well-regarded LAC in the Midwest)
Undergrad GPA: 3.50/4.00 (combined)
Type of Grad: MA in Economics from lower-tier public university
Grad GPA: 3.92
GRE: 800Q, 600V, 6.0AWA
Math Courses: Calculus I-III (high school with AP, plus C from Fall 1998), Linear Algebra (A), Intro to Statistics (A), Math for Economists (A), Intro to Formal Math (A-), Numerical Analysis (A), Axiomatic Set Theory (B+), Real Analysis (in process), Mathematical Statistics MA-Level (in process), Operations Research (Spring 2010), Applied Linear Algebra (Spring 2010)
Econ Courses (MA-level): Advanced Micro Theory (A-), Advanced Macro Theory (A), US Economic History (A), Cost-Benefit Analysis (A), Applied Econometric Analysis (in process), Econometric Theory (in process)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Economics (B+ from spring 2000), Intermediate Micro (A+), Intermediate Macro (D), Public Microeconomic Theory (A+), Economics of Development (A-), US Economic History (A-), World Economic History (A), Economics of Education (A), Econometrics (A), History of Economic Thought (Spring 2010)
Political Science Courses:
- High School: AP American Government, AP Comparative Government
- LAC: International Relations (A-), American Political Thought (B+), Central European Politics (A), Russian Politics (A-), Soviet and Russian Foreign Policy (A)
- UC Davis: Systematic Political Science (A-), The Legislative Process (A-), The Politics of Interdependence (A-), National Security Policy (A), Intro to Judicial Politics (A), Judicial Politics: First Amendment (A), Judicial Politics: Equality (A-), Seminar in American Political Behavior (A+)
Letters of Recommendation: 3 econ professors (1 WUSTL, 1 UC Davis ARE, 1 Stanford)
Research Experience:
- Research assistant to LAC political science professor (developing new course in environmental international politics)
- Research assistant to UC Davis political science professor (judicial politics--read a sample Supreme Court decisions and classified the argument type of each paragraph)
- Masters Thesis: Does State Support for Public Four-Year Universities Decrease as Minority Enrollment Increases?
Teaching Experience: TA to Intermediate Micro
Research Interests: My research interests lie along the intersection of political science and economics. I am interested in Public Choice (Law and Economics and Institutional Factors), Industrial Organization, and Miscellaneous Applied Microecomics
Statement of Purpose: Should be strong
Concerns: The D in Intermediate Macro came in a semester wherein I received incompletes in my other courses (personal issues) in winter quarter of 2004). I completed the two lower-division courses that I needed to fulfill the BA in Political Science at community college (statistics and history of western civilization). No topology, possibly weak advanced math grades.
Other: Have a career certificate in Accounting from a community college, worked for 2 years as an accounting administrator and 3 years as a purchasing agent for an electrical contractor.
Applying to: UC Berkeley, Northwestern, Stanford, Michigan, UPenn Wharton (Applied Econ), WUSTL, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, Texas, UIUC, Maryland, Virginia, UC Davis, George Mason, Vanderbilt, Rochester, Michigan State, Georgetown, UC Irvine, UMass-Amherst, Arizona, Colorado, Syracuse, Kentucky (might whittle down the list some)
Accepts:
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics/Economics of Education Decision: Accepted ($$$) Notification date: 2/21/10 Notified through: Personal email from co-directors of the Economics of Education program (have not heard officially from Economics Department yet) Posted on GF: No. Comments: I am beyond delighted. MSU is a perfect fit for my interests and the funding (mostly coming from a US Department of Education grant) is unrivaled by pretty much any place other than Yale. Hoping to attend a flyout sometime in March.
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics-Public Choice Decision: Acceptance ($$) Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I'll probably decline in favor of the Michigan State offer. But UC Irvine is a great place for public choice (and Southern CA is a nicer place to spend 4-5 years than Central MI).
  • Institution: Michigan State University Economics/Economics of Education Decision: Accepted ($$$) Notification date: 2/21/10 Notified through: Personal email from co-directors of the Economics of Education program (have not heard officially from Economics Department yet) Posted on GF: No. Comments: I am beyond delighted. MSU is a perfect fit for my interests and the funding (mostly coming from a US Department of Education grant) is unrivaled by pretty much any place other than Yale. Hoping to attend a flyout sometime in March.
  • Institution: UC Irvine Economics-Public Choice Decision: Acceptance ($$) Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I'll probably decline in favor of the Michigan State offer. But UC Irvine is a great place for public choice (and Southern CA is a nicer place to spend 4-5 years than Central MI).
  • Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted ($$) Notification date: 3/10/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comments: One of my safeties, I will most likely decline in favor of MSU.
  • Institution: U Arizona Economics Decision: Admit Funding: No first year funding Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: I don't see an unfunded offer from U Arizona as worth considering. And I'd probably prefer MSU or UCI to U Arizona even if it the latter were funded.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: Email Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: First official response, so I'm a little disappointed--not exactly surprising, as I figured that I was a long-shot. My wife really didn't want to live in North Carolina, so she'll be relieved.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 2/16/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised. I knew if was a reach.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 2/25/10 Notified through: Website (did not receive an email to check) Posted on GF: No. Comments: Not surprised, but disappointed.
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I am aware that this may sound like sour grapes, but I only applied there because the application was free. My interest in the school was pretty minimal (I prefer MSU to Rochester).
  • Institution: U Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: This one stings a little, but not entirely unexpected.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Of all the rejects so far, this was the toughest--even though it was anticipated.
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: If it weren't for geography, then I probably wouldn't have even applied to UC Davis. But I'm still a little surprised and annoyed, considering it was my alma mater.
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 2/16/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GF: No Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised. I knew if was a reach.
  • Institution: Northwestern Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 2/25/10 Notified through: Website (did not receive an email to check) Posted on GF: No. Comments: Not surprised, but disappointed.
  • Institution: Rochester Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: I am aware that this may sound like sour grapes, but I only applied there because the application was free. My interest in the school was pretty minimal (I prefer MSU to Rochester).
  • Institution: U Michigan Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No. Comment: This one stings a little, but not entirely unexpected.
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Of all the rejects so far, this was the toughest--even though it was anticipated.
  • Institution: UC Davis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 03/03/2010 Notified through: Website Posted on GF: No Comments: If it weren't for geography, then I probably wouldn't have even applied to UC Davis. But I'm still a little surprised and annoyed, considering it was my alma mater.
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10/10 Notified through: Postal Mail Posted on GC: No Comment: As expected.
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/12/2010 Notified through: email Comments: As expected. Only surprised that it took them this long.
  • Institution: George Mason Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/15/10 Notified through: Postal letter. Comments: A little surprised that I didn't get at least a non-funded offer, but oh well. This was a school that I was on the fence about applying to. I prefer all three of my other offers to GMU anyway.
  • Institution: U Illinois-Urbana Phd Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/17/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: Disappointed, but not surprised. MSU is looking more and more likely.
  • Institution: Caltech Social Science Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Assumed rejection about a month ago.
  • Institution: Wharton (U Pennsylvania) Applied Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Not surprised, pretty much knew that this was a non-starter. Only applied because it looked interesting and thought that a business school might look at my application a little differently than traditional Economics departments.
  • 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: Assumed as much over a week ago.
  • Institution: U Virginia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/22/10 Notified through: Randomly checked the website Posted on GC: No Comments: Not really surprised given that I hadn't heard anything for so long.
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/25/10 Notified through: Email Comments: Only surprised that it took them this long...
  • Institution: U Texas-Austin Economics Decision: Rejection Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/25/10 Notified through: Email Comments:
  • Institution: Vanderbilt Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 03/29/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: This was one of the schools that I was considering withdrawing my application from. Like Rochester, I might not have applied had there been an application fee (also their L&E made them a better fit). But alas, unfortunately they didn't receive my UCD transcripts, so I had to resend them rush back in early February for ~$50 (a few days before I had heard from MSU), so it's almost like I did have to pay a fee... but I digress.
  • Institution: Washington U - St Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/05/2010 Notified through: Mass Email Posted on GC: No Comment: Glad to finally know definitively that my choices are between MSU and UCI, but still a little disappointed. When I went back to earn my MA two years ago, I did so in the hopes of winding up at WUSTL. But I think how my interests have evolved over the past two years as well as a better sense of what type of environment I need to be successful, MSU is probably a better fit even if WUSTL's placements are better.
Waitlists:

far 2010: PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. in Econ and Math, History minor from a large public university
Undergrad GPA: 3.71/4.0 Econ: 4.0/4.0 Math: 4.0/4.0
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 800Q, 620V, 5.0AWA
Math Courses: A lot
Econ Courses (PhD-level): None
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Econometrics, Economic Stats, Game Theory, IO, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, International Macro, Principles
Other Courses: Intro to programming
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Econ professors (1 very well known senior the other a tenure track, both should be excellent) and 1 Math professor
Research Experience: Two years RA-ing for well known recommender, Econ REU internship (other econ recommender was my mentor)
Teaching Experience: None
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Environmental Economics
Statement of Purpose: General template modified for each school. Talked about my background and interests, reasons for applying, mentioned specific faulty members
Concerns: 3rd recommendation probably isn't that good.
Other: None
Applying to: Arizona, Berkeley, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Stanford, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, Yale
Accepts:
  • Institution: UCSB Econ Decision: Accepted Notification date: 17 February, 2010 Notified through: website Posted on Gradcafe: (yes or no) no Comments: They flew me out there last month so if they had rejected me the world would be wayyyy too screwy :)
  • Institution: Penn State University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 25k/year Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments: :)
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling! :)
  • Institution: Penn State University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 25k/year Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: email Posted on GF: No Comments:
  • Institution: Northwestern University Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist first year, 21k thereafter Notification date: 2/24 Notified through: email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: so happy I cant stop smiling!
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: email next week Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: chilly Chicago or sunny San Diego...
  • Institution: Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted (informally) Funding: Assistantship Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Email from Dr Fishback (I work for him) asking if I'd want to stick around and offering an assistantship but recommending I don't
  • Institution: UCLA Economics Decision: Accepted Notified through: e-mail Funding: no first year funding. Notification date: 3/16/10 Posted on GC: No Comments: I'm so happy I have a tough decision ahead of me, it's been a tough season for everyone and I just feel really thankful right now
Rejects:
  • Institution: Duke Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/16 Notified Through: Email Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: First official decision, a little bit surprised -.-
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Email to check site Posted on Grad Cafe: No Comment: :(
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics, PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: na Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email to check website
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/11/2010 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: can't wait for this to all be over -.-
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/20/10 Notified through: Email to check website Posted on GC: No
Waitlists:

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:

blackwhite 2010:
Institution: Georgetown
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/22
Notified through: Mail
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
Institution: Pittsburgh
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Decision is still being made
Notification date: 2/26
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: yes
Comments:
Institution: Carnegie Mellon
Program:PhD Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 2/19
Notified through: Personal email
Posted on GF: No
Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...
Accepts:
  • Institution: NC State Economics Decision: admitted Funding: None Available Notification Date: February 12 Notified: website Posted on Gradcafe: yes, February 12 Comments: Does anyone know what "none available" means for assistantship part?
  • Institution: Pittsburgh Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Decision is still being made Notification date: 2/26 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: UC Riverside Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Waitlisted for fellowship Notification date: 3/10/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comment: "due to the California budget crisis, the number of fellowships we are able to offer has been severely reduced". I need funding man!..
  • Institution: Claremont Graduate University Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 35% tuition, 2k RA-ship for a year Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GC: No Comments: Their funding offer is really interesting... But better than having nothing...
Rejects:
  • Institution: UC Davis ARE PhD Decision: Reject Funding: Notification date: 2/12 Notified Through: website Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/12
  • Institution: Rice University Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/16 Notified Through: E-mail Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/16
  • Institution: Yale Economics Decision: Rejected Notification Date: 2/18 Notified Through: Checked Online Status Posted on Grad Cafe: Yes, 2/18 Comment: I am sooo sad
  • Institution: Georgetown Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 2/22 Notified through: Mail Posted on GF: yes Comments:
  • Institution: Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 6th rejection :(
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: expected but still sad... :(
  • Institution: Rochester Ph.D. Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/1 Notified through: E-mail Posted on GF: No Comments: 6th rejection
  • Institution: UC Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/02/2010 Notified through: email Comments: expected but still sad...
  • Institutioninstitution: Emory Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/5/2010 Notified through: e-mail Posted on GF: no Comments: unexpected
  • Institution: Stanford Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/10 Notified through: Mail Posted on GC: No Comment: As expected... but still hurts
  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: - Notification date: 3/12/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No.
  • Institution: Arizona Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/15 Notified through: Email Comment: Soooo sad.... I was so hopeful....
  • Institution: CalTech Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/19 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Finally!
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Reject Notification date: 03/19/10 Notified through: Randomly check Testudo website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: Arizona State Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: checked website Posted on GC: No Comments:
  • Institution: UCSD Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: email Posted on GC: No
  • Institution: Washington U - St Louis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: n/a Notification date: 04/05/2010 Notified through: Mass Email Posted on GC: No Comment:
  • Institution: CMU Economics Decision: Rejected off the waitlist Funding: NA Notification date: 4/12/10 Notified through: E-mail Comments: No Comment
  • Institution: UCI Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 4/13/10 Notified through: Randomly checked website Comments: No Comment
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: Personal email Posted on GF: No Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...
  • Institution: Carnegie Mellon Economics Decision: Waitlisted Funding: N/A Notification date: 2/19 Notified through: Personal email Posted on GF: No Comment: Those who were admitted to CMU please tell them that you don't wanna got there asap if you have better option. Many thanks...

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

HopefulFutureEcon 2010:
Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: waitlist
Notification date: 3/10/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments: I just missed the cut-off for funding, but do have an outside shot. I hear they use a combination of GRE scores (verbal and Q) for funding.
Institution: Berkeley
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/2/10
Notified through: Email/then website a few days later
Posted on GF: No
Comments:meh.....
Institution: UC-Davis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/3/10
Notified through: Email/Website
Posted on GF: No
Comments:meh.....so much for Econ History there.
Institution: Pitt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 3/9/10
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: No
Comments:meh...program not really compatible with my research interests so no worries
Institution: Maryland
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification date:
Notified through: the fact they sent out all their offers and their grad coordinator confirmed it
Posted on GF: No
Comments: meh....
Accepts:
  • Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: waitlist Notification date: 3/10/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments: I just missed the cut-off for funding, but do have an outside shot. I hear they use a combination of GRE scores (verbal and Q) for funding.
Rejects:
  • Institution: Berkeley Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/2/10 Notified through: Email/then website a few days later Posted on GF: No Comments:meh.....
  • Institution: UC-Davis Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/3/10 Notified through: Email/Website Posted on GF: No Comments:meh.....so much for Econ History there.
  • Institution: Pitt Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: 3/9/10 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: No Comments:meh...program not really compatible with my research interests so no worries
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Rejected Funding: N/A Notification date: Notified through: the fact they sent out all their offers and their grad coordinator confirmed it Posted on GF: No Comments: meh....
Waitlists:


Waitlists:

Econ_PhD_hopeful 2010:
Institution: Maryland
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Waitlisted
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid."
Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here
Accepts:
  • Institution: UT-Austin Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: None at this time because they think I will receive strong fellowship offers from higher-ranked programs, but would put together an attractive package if I am interested Notification date: 03-11 Notified through: email Posted on GC: no
  • Institution: UC San Diego Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: to be announced this week Notification date: 3/16/2010 Notified through: E-mail Comments: hoping to get sufficient $ today
  • Institution: University of Arizona Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: maybe next week Notification date: 3/17/2010 Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: UNC-CH Economics PhD Decision: Accepted Funding: ~$19,000 for 5 years Notification date: 03/19 - responded after prompting, 03/14 - asked if I am still interested in the program Notified through: E-mail
  • Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: 2 years fellowship of $17K, TA years 3-5 $17k + tuition & fee waiver for 5 yrs Notification date: 3/23/2010 Notified through: Email Posted on GC: No Comments: Wow, 2 years of fellowship! That's a really sweet deal, better than other offers I got
Rejects:
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: zilch
  • Institution: Columbia Economics Decision: Rejected Notification date: 3/4 Notified through: E-mail to check website Funding: zilch
  • Institution: NYU Economics PhD Decision: Rejected Funding: NA Notification date: 03/09 - replied to my email asking about status; 3/18/2010 - official rejection Notified through: E-mail
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid." Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here :(:(
  • Institution: Maryland Economics Decision: Waitlisted Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Funding: "There is also some probability that we may be able to offer financial aid." Comments: "there is some probability that we may be able to extend an offer of admission some time between now and April 15." Ouch, I was really hoping I would be admitted here

yichen426 2010:
Institution: Michigan
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding:
Notification date: 03/03
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Waitlist
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments:
Institution: Columbia
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/04
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
Institution: Chicago
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: REJ
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/05
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Institution: Maryland
Program:Phd Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Economics
Notification date: 03/15
Notified through: Email
Posted on GF: Yes
Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Accepts:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/15 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: (@,@) (>,<) (!,!) Suburb of DC!
Rejects:
  • Institution: Michigan Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Notification date: 03/03 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
  • Institution: Columbia Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Uppertown Manhatten is so cute....
  • Institution: Chicago Phd Economics Decision: REJ Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/05 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments: Sad!! Got my heart broken by UChicago and Columbia, esp. considering NYC and Chicago have the best pizza of america...!
Waitlists:
  • Institution: Maryland Phd Economics Decision: Waitlist Funding: Economics Notification date: 03/04 Notified through: Email Posted on GF: Yes Comments:
Admit summary statistics:
As submitted and recoreded from Test Magic:
There were 12 accepted out of 34 applicants.Of those accepted, average GPA was 3.92, average GREQ was 800.0.
From the Department webpage in 2010 (please send me a link if this is wrong!)
The median GRE test scores of our admitted students were: Quantitative=800; Verbal=620; Analytical Writing=4.5... We expect to receive about 700 applications. We anticipate sending acceptance letters to approximately 120 applicants and we expect to have an entering class of 30 to 35 students.Approximately 2/3 of our entering class will receive funding of some kind (assistantship or fellowship) in the first year of our Ph.D. program. The ultimate number of acceptance letters we send and the ultimate number of students who receive funding is subject to budgetary considerations.
(Source)

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