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microtheory1227 2012:
Type of Undergrad: Dual-degree BS/BA in Accounting and Economics from flagship state school. Top 30 econ.
Undergrad GPA: 4.000/4.000
Type of Grad: Economics PhD program at a non-top-50 state school; will leave with MA
Grad GPA: 3.96/4.00
GRE: Q 800 V 630 AWA 5.0
Math Courses: Calculus I+II, Applied Prob+Stat I, Math for Economists I+II (Graduate)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Full micro and macro sequences; passed both PhD theory comps, including micro with honors; Econometrics I+II; 6 credits independent study
Econ Courses (undergrad): Intermediate Micro+Macro, Game Theory, IO, Development, Banking, Econometrics I+II
Other Courses: Lots of business courses
Letters of Recommendation: PhD Rochester (Micro Theory); PhD UToronto (Macro, Labor, Search); PhD CMU (Applied Micro, IO) - all graduate professors
Research Experience: Nothing formal beyond my own work
Teaching Experience: TA in accounting and game theory while undergrad
Research Interests: Behavioral Theory
SOP: Honest expression of my previous experience and research interests
Concerns: Got rejections all around from top schools in 2010, presumably because of inadequate mathematical background and ill-defined research interests.
Other: Had to "serve time" for two years in a relatively crappy program, but my concerns from two years ago are largely remedied. Got tremendous letters because I was a big fish in a lousy program. Also decided to put in applications very late and missed out on schools with December 15 deadline.
Applying to: Kellogg MECS, Cornell, Brown, Rochester, Wash U, Purdue
Results:
Accepted:Kellogg MECS ($$$), Rochester ($$)
Rejected:Brown, Cornell, Wash U (implicit - never heard back)
Other: Purdue (declined interview)
Attending:Kellogg MECS
What would you have done differently?
Not much I could do differently for this cycle, but I'm very pleased with my result. The program I am attending is arguably my best research fit of any program in the country. It would have been nice not to have missed the 12/15 deadline so I could have applied to places like CMU SDS, but I have no regrets ex post. As many other people have said, I suspect my LORs played a very significant role. In particular, I had a respected mathematical economist vouch for my quantitative abilities, which helped cover up my dearth of formal mathematics courses. Back in the 2010 cycle, I should have done pretty much everything differently. If I had known what I was doing, I would have double majored (or at least minored) in math and written an honors thesis. If I had done that, I suspect I could have gotten into a top 20 program back then. All's well that ends well, though.

vcb 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.Sc. in Economics in one of the best universities in a small EU country
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Type of Grad: research masters in economics in the same university
Grad GPA: 3.7
GRE: Q: 170, V: 159, AW: 4.5
Math Courses: Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, Mathematics I and II, Advanced Mathematics, Probabilities, Statistics
Econ Courses (grad-level): - Microeconomics, Microeconomic Theory I and II, Game Theory I and II, Macroeconomics, Macroeconomic Theory, Macro Theory I and II, Development Economics, Tools for Applied Policy Analysis.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro I-III, Macro I-III, Global Economy, Information and Games, European Economic Policy, Comparative Political Economics
Other Courses: -
Letters of Recommendation: Should be strong.
Research Experience: R.A. for 3 professors.
Teaching Experience: 3 years as T.A.
Research Interests: "Applied" Macroeconomics, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Debt Management and Internacional Finance (pretty much open to everything).
SOP: Standard.
Other: -
Results:
Accepted: Duke ($), Rochester($$), LSE (EME Program, no funding)
Waitlisted: JHU (declined)
Rejected: Harvard, MIT, NYU, Chicago, Northwestern, Yale, Michigan
Attending: Duke!
What I would have done differently?
I would have taken a B.Sc. in Mathematics and I would have gone for a masters in economics (research track) in a major european program such as the Barcelona GSE or LSE.

lexeg 2012:
Institution: WUSTL
Program: Econ. Ph.D
Decision: Waiting Listed
Funding: N/A
Notification date: 02/15/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: not what i expected, still better than being rejected

littletotoro 2012:
PROFILE
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Liberal Arts College
Undergrad GPA: Economics Major - 3.72; Cumulative - 3.69; double Philosophy and Mathematics minor
Type of Grad: N/A
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 800Q, 660V, 5.0 AW
Math Courses: Calc 1 (A+), Calc 2 (A), Vector Calculus (B+), Linear Algebra (B), ODE (A), Probability Theory (B-), Intro to Analysis (A-), Operations Research (A-), Combinatorics (A)
Econ Courses: Principles of Micro/Macro (A,A); Intermediate Micro/Macro (A-,A-); International Economics (A), Technology and Growth (A), Game Theory (B), Econometrics (A+), Labor Economics (A), Senior Seminar (B)
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Econ professors, 1 whom I co-authored a political economy paper with in a 4th tier journal
Research Experience: RA for environmental economist over a summer, co-author as mentioned above
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Behavioral Economics, Political Economy, Economics of Education, Labor Economics (Economics of Family, Unemployment)
SOP: In retrospect, not very well written, lacked direction.
Results:
Acceptances (Master's): Duke, Tufts($), UBC
Rejections: PhD - Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Minnesota, Johns Hopkins, Boston University, Cornell, Rochester, Brown, Maryland, Master's - Queen's, Toronto
Waitlists: Wisconsin (rejected)
Attending: Duke
What would I have done differently?
I really should not have been afraid of taking advanced math courses earlier, even though my comparative advantage is not in Math (because I was too obsessed with my GPA). So I should have taken Real Analysis and the Probability-Statistics sequence earlier. If I didn't do well in those courses, then it would have given me a better signal into my comparative advantage. As it stands, I'm still not sure. Should not have taken so many economics elective courses. I should also have done a computer science course (because nowadays facility with computing languages seems to be becoming more crucial for cutting edge economics research). Two words for all applicants: Mathematical Maturity. Build that up in your undergrad, while you have friends and faculty around you to help, as much as you can.
Having said that, I'm happy I got into Duke and I'm going to put myself through as many math, statistics and PhD courses as I can stomach (in the words of Greg Mankiw). My GPA has a high likelihood of tanking. But if an Econ PhD is meant to be, then taking all these technical courses will be the best preparation that I can hope for. If not, then at least I would have challenged myself and learned valuable quantitative skills in the process before heading into the private sector.

ptf 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA Economics (Minor: Mathematics) from an unknown SE Asian university (Top 2 in my unknown country)
Undergrad GPA: 3.83 (Econ: 3.76, Math: 3.81)
Type of Grad: MSc Economics from a Top 3 UK university
Grad GPA: Pass (Average: 58.5%)
GRE: 800Q/320V/3.5AW, 800Q/500V/3.0AW
Math Courses (Undergrad): Calculus 1-3 (A, B+, A), Logic and Set Theory (A), Abstract Algebra (B+), Linear Algebra (A), Ordinary Differential Equation (A), Partial Differential Equation (A), Mathematical Analysis (B+), Vector Analysis (A), Statistics 1-2 (A, B+)
Econ Courses (Undergrad): Principles of Microeconomics (A), Principles of Macroeconomics (A), Microeconomic Theory (A), Macroeconomic Theory (B+), Mathematical Economics 1-2 (B, A), Econometrics 1-2 (B, B+), Public Economics 1-2 (A, B+), Seminar in Public Economics (A), International Economics 1-2 (B+, A), Seminar in International Economics (A), Monetary Economics 1-2 (A, A), Industrial Organization (A), Agricultural Marketing (B+)
Econ Courses (Grad): Microeconomics (Merit), Macroeconomics (Merit), Econometrics (Pass), Public Economics (Pass)
Letters of Recommendation: 1 from senior lecturer at my grad program (PhD Harvard) + 1 from assistant professor at my undergrad program (PhD ANU) + 1 from lecturer at my undergrad program (PhD Indiana)
Research Experience: 2 years of part-time RA in public economics and international economics during my undergrad
Teaching Experience: 2 semesters of TA in microeconomics during my undergrad
Research Interests: public finance, education, inequality, macroeconomics
SOP: Standard statement talking about my preparations, explaining bad grades in my master's degree, and describing my research interests with some (minor) modifications for each school (Not so specific in terms of research topics and hardly mentioned any particular names)
Other: (1) Participated in a summer internship at the central bank (2) Got funding for my graduate studies from the government scholarship (3) Had a second bachelors in political science and is currently doing a second masters in political theory
RESULTS:
Acceptances: Chicago
Waitlists: Pennsylvania, UC-Davis, Washington
Rejections: UC-Berkeley, Northwestern, Columbia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, UCLA, UCSD, Duke, CMU, Marryland, Rochester, UT-Austin, Oxford, UCL
Pending: UIUC
Attending: Chicago
What would you have done differently?
Well, I've always thought that my life would be much easier if I did my undergrad in the US. Anyway, I'm more than happy -- and very surprised -- with this bizarre result.
Some advices from my experience!
If you're from an unknown country, a master's degree from a well-known program does help a lot! Coming from a university outside the US, you'll get more chance if there've been some students from that university in a program to which you are apllying. Also, things get easier if you've got external funding. Another important thing is to note that all this process is extremely subjective; therefore, you should apply to quite a wide range of schools. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pray hard... I think it helps!

huneba 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: International bachelor (me and the degree)
Undergrad GPA: ~3.7
Type of Grad: Masters
Grad GPA: ~3.9
GRE: 166Q, 156V, 4.5 AWA
Math Courses: Calculus II (A)
Econ Courses (grad-level): ​Microeconomics I (A), II (B), Macroeconomics I (A), II (A), Econometrics I (A-), II (A), Thesis (A)
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Microeconomics (A), Macroeconomics (A-), Econometrics (B-), Advanced Microeconomics (B), Advanced Macroeconomics (B), Advanced Econometrics (A-), Time Series (A), Microeconometrics (A), Maths Econ (A)
Other Courses: N/A
Letters of Recommendation: Thesis advisor and a couple of other professors that taught me (reasonably well-known)
Research Experience: Research assistant
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Interests: Microeconomics, industrial organization, econometrics
SOP: 2 pages -- mainly discussed my research experience and interests
Concerns: Isn't it obvious? The only maths on my transcript is calc 2!
Applying to: Chicago, Northwestern, Yale, Penn, NYU, Columbia, UCSD, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Duke, Maryland, Boston, Cornell, Brown, Penn State

ASManess 2012:
Good morning, everyone. I figured it couldn't hurt to register for this forum. I hope you all are well.
Good post? |

MojiMoji 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BA in Economics with minor in Mathematics at a "Public Ivy" with no graduate level Economics program.
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Type of Grad: NA
Grad GPA: NA
GRE: 164Q 165V 4.5A
Math Courses: Calc I-III, Proof Theory, Linear Algebra, Applied Statistics, Operations Research
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro Micro (B), Intro Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (B-), Intermediate Macro (B+), Econometrics (B-), Time-Series Econometrics (A), Cross-Section Econometrics (A-), Trade Theory (A), Labor Economics (A), Game Theory (A-), Development & Industrialization (A), Open Macro (A-), Advanced Micro (A), History of Economic Thought (A).
Letters of Recommendation:
1- Professor Emeritus, who I've worked with for almost two years & the former graduate dean at my university. More known for his public policy research than economic research.
2- Assistant Professor who taught Labor Economics, very fresh out of (a top 5) grad school, so not super well published yet.
3- Professor who taught Trade Theory, pretty well known among development economists and well published in development journals.
Research Experience: Two years with letter of recommendation writer #1. Unfortunately, because he's more of a public policy person, this work has mostly yielded government reports for various agencies, though some have been submitted for publication in public policy journals.
Teaching Experience: None.
Research Interests: International Labor Migration, Game Theory, Microeconomics.
SOP: I was told it was very strong by my letter of recommendation writers, but I didn't mention who I wanted to work with at specific schools, which has now started to worry me.
Concerns: I had a rough first two years of undergraduate, and it shows in my Intro/Intermediate grades. Also, most of my math courses were taken in my first two years and as such are almost all B/B- grades. Also, I got a C+ in Linear Algebra, but I'm hoping that the advanced econometrics classes cancel that out. I haven't done any original research outside of term papers, and most of the research I've done as an RA has been public policy related. Also, my school is fairly well known for having less grade inflation than most schools, but I'm nervous that some adcoms may not know of this reputation.
Other: I'm starting to think that it would be better to go to one of my MA programs for a gap year and reapply, since most of my schools didn't get to see my Advanced Micro, Cross-Section and Game Theory grades. Also, I'm pretty sure I could now get better/more well known LORs in place of #2 and #3, because at the time I didn't have great relations with many professors (I'm rather introverted).
Applying to: Wisconsin, NYU, UPenn, Chicago, U-Washington, UT Austin, UNC-Chapel Hill, UI-Chicago, BC, UBC [MA], U Toronto [MA], SSE, UCD [MA], U-Edinburgh [MA]

kekecib 2012:
Institution: Texas Tech
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TAship (~$15K)
Notification date: 1/23/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: NO
Comments: One of my safety schools. Good to know that I am in. However, they want me to let them know by 2/17/2012 about my decision. I'll try to extend the decision deadline.

anibalem 2012:
Institution: University of Rochester
Program: PhD Finance
Decision: Rejected
Funding: -
Notification 2/23/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No

axiomatic 2012:
Institution: Rochester
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/28
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No

bigtooth81 2012:
Institution: Rochester
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/28
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No

ifailatphd 2012:
Institution: WUSL
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/15 at 15:25 East Time
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: They said I should send them an e-mail as soon as I get another offer.
Institution: Rochester
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding: N/A
Notification Date: 2/28 at 14:36 East Time
Notified Through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I send a very strong application... Gues I'll swich carrer path. If there is transitivity then I won't be sending any e-mail to WUSL people.
In: None Out: Rochester Waitlisted: WUSL. The rest: UCLA, Columbia, Michigan, Northwestern, Princeton, Wisconsin.