kicpatl17

Many thanks for replying! Regarding TOEFL and the Math background you mentioned, as I wrote, I have a BS in Electrical Engineering from a US university (which takes care of the TOEFL requirement) and therefore have taken as part of the core curriculum, Calc 1-3 (Calc 2 is linear algebra) plus a Differential Equations class and a Grad Level Mathematical Statistics class, my grades are really mixed (A, C, A, C, A respectively). Concerning the holistic evaluation of undergrad and grad GPA you' re mentioning, my undergrad GPA is low throughout almost all semesters (essentially all apart from the first and last), but my grad GPA is consistently high. Now based on your analysis, assuming they give equal weight in considering both grad and undergrad GPA, then I would pass the "fizzling-out" test, since I am finishing out strong. My concern however, is that they will give far more weight in my undergrad GPA, since it is from a well known US institution, whereas my grad GPA is from a much lesser known (relatively unknown in the US to be honest) university, and hence they might trust it less as an indicator resembling potential. I was thinking that if I do a semester abroad (at a US university) and take some challenging classes earning a high GPA, that might serve as indicator reassuring them that my entire grad GPA is a genuine mirror of my potential, and not just a result of an easy grading policy by the university. Here is the thing - I am relatively certain that unless my grad degree is given considerable consideration in the admission process, I have very little chance of getting accepted. The math background thing does represent a worry in my mind due to the inconsistent performance I've had in some of the classes, however I definitely have all the technical requirements in terms of classes, covered. Main worries are the low performance in many econ classes, and even more, the degree to which my high grad GPA will cancel out my terrible undergrad overall performance. If you have an more thoughts on any of the above, please do add them, the advice is really helpful.

Hi guys, I am a non US-citizen interested in applying for Economics PhD programs in the US and need some advice, I’ll try to make this no longer than needed. I have a B.S. Electrical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from a top 10 Engineering School in the US. Currently I am midway (nearing the end of the first year) of a two year Masters in Finance program in a European University. The specific program is relatively highly ranked (top 25 Master of Finance FT rankings) but the university itself is not as well known. My undergraduate GPA is very low (slightly above 2.5) for a variety of reasons including being in the wrong major and not switching (I won’t get into why for the time being). Specifically on my math and statistics classes however, my grades are A’s in 4/6 such classes (including a grad level mathematical statistics class, and a game theory class). My econ class grades are mixed ranging from C’s to highest performance in class. I currently have an honors level GPA in my Masters Program and a tuition waiver scholarship, which I expect to maintain. I am also a research assistant with one of the professors. The program has a thesis requirement which I will be writing in the final semester (Spring 2017), and also allows the option to study abroad for the last semester. My GMAT score is 730 and my GRE is 165M/153V (taken a year ago with very little preparation, confident I can improve if needed). I’d like some input on the following: - Do I stand any chance if I apply this fall (to start Fall 2017) or should I wait one more year in order to have a more extensive record of high performance (GPA-wise) to counterbalance my poor undergrad GPA, plus a thesis paper under my belt? (will this improve my chances of being accepted or am I misjudging?). - If I apply this year and get rejected, does reapplying at the same places I got rejected, the following year affect positively/negatively my then chances? - Do these programs have a preference over GRE vs GMAT and should I retake the respective one? - What’s the relative importance of Test Scores vs Undergrad GPA vs Masters GPA vs Recommendation letters vs Research Experience? - Would doing the study abroad option my program offers (at a US university), affect positively my chances? - In case you think I have a decent chance (either for applying this year or the next) what caliber schools would you be talking about? And finally - Since I am specifically interested in Financial Economics, should I rather go for applying at Finance PhD programs (would I have better chances of getting accepted given my background)? If I could choose I’d prefer going for an Econ PhD. Thank you for your time reading, I would greatly appreciate input from anyone in a position to give an opinion on any of the above -C

Hi guys, I am a non US-citizen interested in applying for Finance PhD programs in the US and need some advice, I’ll try to make this no longer than needed. I have a B.S. Electrical Engineering with a Minor in Economics from a top 10 Engineering School in the US. Currently I am midway (nearing the end of the first year) of a two year Masters in Finance program in a European University. The specific program is relatively highly ranked (top 25 Master of Finance FT rankings) but the university itself is not as well known. My undergraduate GPA is very low (slightly above 2.5) for a variety of reasons including being in the wrong major and not switching (I won’t get into why for the time being). Specifically on my math and statistics classes however, my grades are A’s in 4/6 such classes (including a grad level mathematical statistics class, and a game theory class). My econ class grades are mixed ranging from C’s to highest performance in class. I currently have an honors level GPA in my Masters Program and a tuition waiver scholarship, which I expect to maintain. I am also a research assistant with one of the professors. The program has a thesis requirement which I will be writing in the final semester (Spring 2017), and also allows the option to study abroad for the last semester. My GMAT score is 730 and my GRE is 165M/153V (taken a year ago with very little preparation, confident I can improve if needed). I’d like some input on the following: - Do I stand any chance if I apply this fall (to start Fall 2017) or should I wait one more year in order to have a more extensive record of high performance (GPA-wise) to counterbalance my poor undergrad GPA, plus a thesis paper under my belt? (will this improve my chances of being accepted or am I misjudging?). - If I apply this year and get rejected, does reapplying at the same places I got rejected, the following year affect positively/negatively my then chances? - Do these programs have a preference over GRE vs GMAT and should I retake the respective one? - What’s the relative importance of Test Scores vs Undergrad GPA vs Masters GPA vs Recommendation letters vs Research Experience? - Would doing the study abroad option my program offers (at a US university), affect positively my chances? - In case you think I have a decent chance (either for applying this year or the next) what caliber schools would you be talking about? And finally - Since I am specifically interested in Financial Economics, do my chances (given my background) of getting accepted in a Finance PhD program differ significantly from my chances of getting accepted in an Economics PhD program? Thank you for your time reading, I would greatly appreciate input from anyone in a position to give an opinion on any of the above -C