oak_park

It is nearly decision day and I find myself completely up in the air. In the long term, my goal is a PhD in Economics (I think that I'd like to do government/institution/private research, but am not entirely opposed to academia). My research interests have to do, broadly, with the role of identity based norms in the creation and outcomes of regional economic bodies (particularly in the 'developing' world). I was admitted to an unranked PhD in Economics with full funding, but turned it down because of concern over placement history. Now I have to decide between the following programs: 1 year global studies MA at Berkeley (have the potential to take graduate classes in the econ department), 2 year data science for public policy at Georgetown McCourt, and 2 year MA in Economics at New School for Social Research. I understand that my undergraduate performance in mathematics courses (calc 1-3, lin alg, Real Analysis I & 2; C+/B- average) is a real sticking point for top programs. I went to a LAC so I don't have much research experience outside of a not quantitative senior thesis. I'm concerned that attending New School would shoehorn me into the heterodox camp (I have sympathies, and in truth my area of interest borders on sociological and draws a lot from ideas in Black Studies and early ideas in the Political Economy of development). Similarly, I am worried that attending such a data/ppol focused program at Gtown will push me toward a Public Policy PhD which I don't believe is my real interest. As for Berkeley, I worry that a 1 year program won't give me the opportunity to develop relationships with letter writers/demonstrate ability to succeed in graduate coursework. Any replies are much appreciated! Edit: UG GPA in major is 3.64 in major and 3.41 overall, GRE is 325 composite, but would retake during MA.

Not at all qualified to speak on this, but are you sure that you know what you are getting into? Not to suggest you are not capable, more that you have not taken any higher level math classes and those are the basis of an Economics graduate degree. That being said there are certainly options, if you can find a terminal masters program they usually have lower standards of admission. At the very least a course in Linear Algebra of multivariate calculus might be necessary.

Thanks so much! I will!

Thanks for this advice, probably the kick I needed to enroll in the GRE half-block. Just as a follow-up, do you think its worth noting that most of my bad grades are in one semester (there were some personal issues, but I'd rather not get into them on the app)? I have an A average in every semester except for that one, but I'm not sure if that will come across as making excuses.

LMAO a fellow CC Tiger, no way!

Hello! I'm interested in the political economy of these regions, but it seems my countries of interest (Jamaica and Haiti, I am open to any countries in these regions really) are mostly studied by historians when considered at all. Duke and the University of Florida both have renowned scholars in these fields, but I only see some political scientists and economist interested in these countries (at least in part due to size and low economic output) and they are all lower-level faculty at less prestigious institutions (namely Purdue). I know that to teach at an R1 or SLAC I need to attend at most a school in the top 40. Does anyone have anybody or any programs they are familiar with?

Thanks for this! I'm actually from Miami so FIU would be interesting . I'll definitely look into Tulane too.

I've had some trouble gauging the GPA question myself, I tend to believe there is grade deflation based on conversations with professors and students (but my major is very small ~5-10 people). I'm very interested in teaching at an R1 or selective LAC. Would it be a mistake to look at masters programs in statistics/economics/interdisciplinary or should I mainly look into Political Science programs? To clarify, are you suggesting I should apply to schools in the 10-25 range and the masters programs? Thank you so much for responding!

Generally feeling unsure about my decision to apply to a PhD given the advice found on the forum regarding applying to schools in the top 25 only (with exceptions for good fit ofc). Undergraduate Institution: Top 25 liberal arts school with non-standard class system (we take one class at a time for 3.5 weeks at a time, 4 a semester). Major: International Political Economy Minor: Mathematics (sub-field of Analysis, leaning more towards pure math). GPA: Overall: 3.295, in Major: 3.55, in Minor: 2.64 (B+ in culminating class for this sequence, Real Analysis II) Important Courses not in the Degree: Econometric Theory (A-) GRE: Q: 162, V: 163, AW: 4.0 (unhappy with AW, but not sure if worth retaking) Language: Won't have 'intermediate' proficiency in Spanish until after application is submitted Computer Languages: R, Stata, LaTex, Mathematica, some Excel LOR: Undergraduate thesis advisor (Economist, 2 classes in addition to thesis) and Econometric Theory Professor should both provide strong letters of recommendation. Additionally, a strong letter from a comparativist working in the substantive sub-field I am interested in (doesn't really work much with quantitative methods). SOP: Based on extending my preliminary undergraduate research into nation-building and transnational identities in the Americas (specifically the non-spanish speaking Caribbean, would love to hear recs for programs you think are a good fit). Specifically, I'm interested in how nations are problematic for regional development schemes and how they were helpful for the 'age of revolution' in the Americas. Tied in my work experience of political organizing by talking about community identity and nations. No Field Experience...Dual Citizen for a country of significance in my region. Hope I'm not leaving anything out! Interested in hearing where I should apply (ranking wise) and am very happy to hear about specific departments people think might align with my research interest. Thank you!