hubris

This is one of those things that you can overcome, but in my experience will never be natural if you are an introvert. Just put a bit of effort into it,eg, do the myspace thing and give conversation a go every so often, and you will be fine. That said, self promotion will start to play a role in your life now and you might have to be a bit more bold than you are comfortable with. Don't worry you will do fine, if you try.

When you say that you are thinking of only applying to two schools, does mean two schools total, or two schools in the US? Also, now and likely for the next few years is going to be a not so great time to apply to graduate schools in the US. So, applying to 2-4 schools is opening yourself up to a lot of that "randomness". That said NYU's program is excellent, NW's is very good. You might want to take a look at Cornell. However, to a certain extent, we are the blind leading the blind.

Might seem intrusive, but fairly common information. I think this information is used to cross-check your id.

UH is fine and less costly than Rice. They do some decent math there. However, I think you making things too hard for yourself. Might need to think about that. Also, the suggestion for the MS at UH seems more plausible. But you should ask someone at UH what the requirements are (big boy/girl now).

Cutting to the chase: go for the MBA. PhD will be a liability if you want to maximize your decision making power.

Enjoying two parallel thoughts process: 1) Slowly packing and getting everything ready 2) Slowly planning what to do instead of going to grad school. Fun, fun, fun.

I assume you are reasonable for the whole shebang and not just leading discussion sections. Seems ridiculous!Total drain from research, once you hit that level. Good luck with this.

So still a doubting "philo gal"?

Doubt is normal, but roughly 50% of those in a generic PhD program will not finish for various reasons. While there is a good faith involved in accepting I would not worry about vague legalities if it seems like a no go (fwiw the few letters I have read only place a gpa constraint on the grad student). You have a bit more time to think it over.

In true blind leading the blind style, I think you have a reasonably strong application. No weak points jump out and you did fine your in analysis class (aside from terrible economic conditions). So, roll the dice!

Your grades look good, what about GRE scores? Also, econometrics is basically applied stats, which might allow you to use your econ professors recs (there is an interesting feud between each camp as to who is real and true). As for funding, you get to do some of the work ,too However, usually MA/MS are not funded.

Okay so you interned in banking, then I will be brief and to the point: No one will care about work experience at such a low level.

It might be possible that you are expected to be the "PR man" for the group. I like talking to the DGS, but I would try to indirectly bring this up with the current PI first.

Nova is/was the new king ( on testmagic anyway) .

Might want to take the calculus sequence at a local college to get a feel for if you have a stomach for such things at a relatively low level. My experience with people from business backgrounds is that they are more plug and chug types, which even applied stats will function a bit of above.

Some U of Chicago MA programs have a reputation of being a cash-cows. Might want to run some figures on how much that debt will be once you get out. Then again, why not talk some people that made the switch to calibrate your expectations?

I am leaning towards sell what cannot be taken, and replace at the destination. This is based off of replacement costs.

...and what would you like to do/learn?

Well, there are no pure finanical mathematics programs. So, you will be looking at sub-departments etc. So, there is CMU/FSU/NYU etc. However, Quant Fin is basically dead now (cookie cutter).

Calm down. Sure it sucks, but you are already in and did not do something horrible, like failing everything. You will be fine.

Your verbal seems low (echoing the previous post), but you should ask some schools if that is an issue. Also, I suggest expanding your school choices.

That seems to be a bit of "expectation management" of their part, tenure being relatively hard to get etc.

More opinions please. I was there over the weekend. Struck me as reasonable size college town, with decent coffee houses (a nice surprise). Cost of living seems easy on a RA/TA, at the very least.

RAs are more competitive than TAs to get, esp. in pure math. Now, if you are interested in applied math heavy in computations and have programming experience, then I would assume that you at least have a decent shot of getting some interest. Best of luck. PS: No reason to fly to the US earlier. Email should suffice. Also, you might want to inquire as to what your chances for funding will be going forward.

I am going to echo origin here and pass on the debt. Also, UPENN's Wharton school has a lot of cultural cache. So, I would go UPENN. However, are you indifferent between the potential topics?