clairelb1

Thanks for this- if this is true, then econ would be my top choice of program. I saw that you are in a similar situation - what cycle are you applying for? I'm curious to see if they're "talking big game" or very genuine- I'll admit the econ forum is less friendly than the soc one!

Thanks- I had tried at urch, but it was a bit dead this summer. I'll try again now that school's starting!

Thanks!

Thanks for your answer. I've looked at some poli sci and soc programs, and while their faculty sometimes publishes things that I find interesting, the core curriculum (particularly in poli sci) is not for me, and I don't think I would excel. I am also going to apply to public policy phds (at higher ranked schools). My SO is doing his phd in the USA, so europe would be a bit far, unfortunately. My main weaknesses: lack of math and lack of research experience I hope to tackle by going back to my undergrad for a year. With 8 classes, I feel I could take 5 maths, 2 econs, 1 seminar, meet some profs and volunteer as an RA (this is the ideal plan) I also am considering rewriting my masters thesis for publication in a development journal, my adviser and I are close. My marks are pretty good - except for a B in development macro theyre in the A- and A range (one b+ in dvpt econ in undergrad). I also had high marks in stats in grad school. With this profile would a top,say, 35 school be within reach? Higher in applied econ? (rank is not the most important thing, but the best development programs are at the top schools...) Who should i contact? admissions comittees or profs in the department, to discuss this? Any further advice, as I am really in no rush to apply

Hi all, I had initially posted in the econ forum, looking for advice on development economics programs, but someone suggested I should look at sociology phds. I recently finished Masters at a well-known european school in Development studies (with a strong econ focus) with a minor in quantitative methods. I am interested in pursuing a research career studying poverty, policy and labour/household decision making in the developing world. I have an interdisciplinary undergrad from a well-ranked school in latin american studies and international development (i took several anthros but no sociology unfortunately!) I do not have the adequate math background to continue in econ, but i enjoy quantitative methods! Can anyone suggest US schools which have programs that fit my interests? What are the job prospects in sociology of development? Do I need a stronger math background? (I have stats and advanced stats, but no advanced cal) Can someone with my inter-disciplinary background get into soc programs?? Thanks! I would be delighted,also, to hear from anyone in a soc phd with similar interests to mine!

Hi all, I am interested in applying for a phd econ at a midrange school (top 50) or an applied econ at a higher range school (berkeley , minnesota, etc) with the idea to specialize in development. I just finished my masters in international development with a specialization in global economic policy and quantitative methods at sciences po paris. i took 3 development econs (macro and micro), stats and advanced stats, intro to econometrics, public finance, impact evaluation and a couple development courses. I did a quantitative econ thesis under a known (non-academic) economist and received honors for it. I did my undergrad in development at mcgill where i only took micro 1, macro 1 and 2 intermediate development econs. I have 2 relevant 6 month internships, one with a competitive scholarship. I speak 4 languages (3 fluently). I am considering taking from Jan - Dec of next year to work parttime and brush up on math (cal 1, cal 2, linear, multivariate, real analysis) (some of which i took in CEGEP, the pre-university system in quebec, but i didnt do great in cal at the time). My GPA was 3.62 in undergrad and at least A- in masters. My question is: with this profile plus maths, do i have a chance at a decent econ program? If my exams for a couple classes are in december and i apply in december- will this be a problem? Does anyone have suggestions to increase my chances?