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marlow 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: BCS Computer Science, Econ Minor
Undergrad GPA: 3.75
Type of Grad: MA Economics
Grad GPA: 3.41
GRE: Q:800 V:620 AWA:4.0
Math Courses: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Combinatorics.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro (Phd), Macro (MA), Development, Monetary, Econometrics.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Public, International.
Letters of Recommendation: Two very strong (profs I RAd for). One good.
Research Experience: RA for two econ profs, Research Analyst at non-profit, RA for political science prof.
Teaching Experience: TA stats for econ.
Research Interests: Development, Political Economy, Public.
SOP: Interests, background, one custom paragraph for each school.
Concerns: Low Grad GPA, low Analytical GRE, out of school for three years.
RESULTS:
Accepted: UofToronto ($$), UCSC($)
Waitlists: Georgetown (withdrew), Bocconi
Rejected: Duke, Brown, Michigan, Northwestern, UBC, UCL, McGill
Attending: Toronto
What would you have done differently?
Worked harder during my MA. Taken Real Analysis. Maybe applied to a few more schools. -- Happy with Toronto though.

to2012 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Above-average state school (flagship)
Undergrad GPA: 3.0 econ / 3.0 overall
Type of Grad: US MA that has placed a couple students in top fives and regularly in top 15 - 20
Grad GPA: 3.9+
GRE: 800Q/790V/5.0 AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (HS), Calc II-III, Linear Algebra, ODE, Proofs, Numerical Analysis I (Grad.), Probability Theory (Grad.). PDE (grad) and Intro to Real Analysis I in progress. 4.0 math gpa.
Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro, Macro, Metrics I (A-), Metrics II (A-), Forecasting, Math Econ. (B+), Literature-oriented electives (2). MA Thesis (in progress). A except where noted.
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Not going to list. 3.0 gpa here. Not a stellar record.
Other Courses: None relevant.
Letters of Recommendation: One from professor I have served as an RA for and know very well. Should be stellar. Not a famous economist, but actively publishes in his field.
Second from another professor I worked with and took grad micro from. Should be very positive.
Third undecided -- have a few options. Should be strong.
Research Experience: At the time of application, will be three semesters and a summer of RA work. MA thesis will be completed in time to submit a writing sample for schools that request them.
Teaching Experience: TA Math. Econ, Micro, Macro, Stats.
Research Interests: Macro, finance. No more specific at this time. Not interested in hard-headed uncompromising DSGE macro because I have little faith in the value of its contributions.
SOP: Haven't started. Obviously I need to address my abysmal undergrad grades; they aren't an accurate reflection of my ability. Highlight success in math courses and upward trends in academic performance. I would like to avoid making excuses but I still feel it is in my best interest to make some remarks about my shortcomings.
Concerns: Bad undergrad grades. Institutional prestige. Will discuss B+ in grad math econ in SOP (took it first semester of grad school before necessary math requirements. 890ncurved wasn't good enough for an A- I guess) and contrast to grades in math courses.
Other:
Applying to: Undecided. A handful of 6-15s and some schools ranked slightly below that range with strong placement records. Perhaps Chicago as well and Stanford only because it is my dream school (obviously, my chance for acceptance there is very, very low). I am also applying to fin.math. and fin.eng. programs as a fallback. I am not naive about my chances at top schools; I will apply for econ phds knowing that my chance of getting admitted even to one is perhaps 50-50. This is fine with me. While econ phd is my first choice, I have interests in fields other than academic economics and I am not willing to spend 5+ years of my life in a phd program if I am unlikely to ultimately land a decent academic job. I know many disagree with this outlook on phd applications, but I have decided that in order for the investment of 5+ years of my 20s to be worth it, I must have a reasonable expectation of a good job at the end of the road. This is why I am not applying to "safety schools".
I am also considering applying to some Finance phd programs if I can get a handle on what range of schools is appropriate for me to apply to. I will more strongly consider relatively-lower-ranked finance programs than Econ.

chr1908 2012:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Bs in Economics. Top University in Peru
Undergrad GPA: 63%
Type of Grad: ---
Grad GPA: ---
GRE: Q 165 (93%); V 146 (31%); AW 3.0 (11)
TOEFL: Overall score:100
Reading: 28
Listening: 24
Speaking: 23Writing: 25
Math Courses: four courses of Mathematics for Economists; Topics of Mathematical and computational Economics; Intermediate Methematical Economics (non degree graduate level course)
Econ Courses (grad-level): Advanced Macroeconomics
Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Standard sequence of an economics undergrad program, including electives courses on advanced topics in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics.
Other Courses: I got the highest grades on thesis-preparation courses
Letters of Recommendation: four recommenders, depending of the universities I am aplying.
1) PhD, top university outside US. Renowned in Peru, several papers on monetary policy. Head of an important research center. Taught me one course, in which I actively participated and got one of the hughest grades. Also knows about my research done so far.
2) PhD, top university outside US. Renowned in Peru, several papers on monetary policy. Runs a policy department in a renowned institution. Taught me two courses; I actively participated and got one of the hughest grades in both of them. Also knows about my research done so far.
3) PhD (c), top university outside US. Not as renowned as recommenders 1 or 2, but also has several papers on monetary policy. Runs a policy department in a renowned institution. Knows closely my research done so far, because I used to ask him for advice and guidance.
4) PhD (c), mid-tier university at USA. Director of an economics degree program. Knows my teaching activities closely.
Research Experience:
Two projects funded by a research institution in Peru as RA
First place in the most important Research Contest in Peru (revising for possible publication)
Second Place in one of the most important research contests in Peru (published)
Best thesis in the last semester I coursed.
Teaching Experience: Taught in four different universities, mainly macroeconomic courses.
TA in Advanced Macroeconomics, Introduction to macroeconomics, Introduction to microeconomics, Macroeconomic Analysis 2, Academic Research and Macroeconomics 2.
Experiences as head professor in Introduction to macroeconomics, Dynamic macroeconomics and and introductory course of economics.
I received a proposition for a full-time teaching position.
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, International Finance and Monetary Theory and Policy
SOP: Standard.
Concerns: I did really bad on my undergraduate studies, but I had an excellent performance on teaching and reasearch activities once out university. All my recommenders are aware of this situation.
Other:
Applying to: Phd programs: UCSC, UCLA, U Michigan, Rutgers, Duke, Maryland, George Washington, George Mason, Stony Brook.I apologize for not reporting my grades; they are on a different scale.

econphdhopeful2 2012:
Institution: Vanderbilt
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding: na
Notification date: 2/10/2012
Notified through: email
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Expected but still a bummer, plenty more to go I suppose

jzir11 2012:
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Program: PhD Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification Date:2/15/2012
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: no
Comments: Let the rejections begin!

econtp 2012:
Institution: Vanderbilt
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: $21,200
Notification date: 02/10
Notified through: Email
Comment: My first admit with quite generous funding!
Institution: WUSTL
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Waitlisted
Funding: Waitlisted
Notification date: 02/16
Notified through: Email
Institution: UCSB
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Email to check website
Comment: Quite surprised..
Institution: Stanford GSB
Program: EAP PhD
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Email to check website
Institution: UT Austin
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: If I want, I have to contact them ASAP.
Notification date: 02/23
Notified through: Email
Comment: Hm.. I prefer Vandy to UT since my interest is Macro

rivera 2012:
Institution: UC Santa Cruz
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "I am unable to guarantee you financial support at this time. Should you have questions about future financial support, please contact your department."
Notification: 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: No funding...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

magonfru 2012:
Institution: UC Santa Cruz
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: "I am unable to guarantee you financial support at this time."
Notification: 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: No
Comments: Very happy....

supernerd32 2012:
Institution: UC Santa Cruz
Program: Economics PhD
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Yes
Notification date: 2/24/12
Notified through: E-mail
Posted on GC: Nope
Comments: Juiced

jrains 2012:
Institution: University of Oregon
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: TBD
Notification date: 3/6/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: I am very excited about this program but am waiting for funding.
Institution: Claremont Graduate University
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Accepted
Funding: Only part of tuition
Notification date: 2/29/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments:
Institution: UC Santa Cruz
Program: PhD in Economics
Decision: Rejected
Funding:
Notification date: 2/24/2012
Notified through: Email
Posted on GC: No
Comments: