Interested in Political Economy, Institutional design, applied economics: really the intersection of economics, political science and policy.
Applying to (Considering): Georgetown (Political Economy), Yale Jackson (Global Affairs) , Columbia SIPA (International Economic Policy), Pittsburgh MPIA (International Political Economy), Denver- Korbel (Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration) and LSE (Political Science and Political Economy)
Undergrad Institution: Average private school midwest (Top 250 undergrad)
Years out of undergrad: 1.5 (by Fall 2021)
GPA: 3.50/4.0 - Finance
GRE: Unofficial scores: 163V 165Q AW (still awaiting I took the GRE last weekend)
Quant Background: Intro Micro and Macro, Intermediate Micro, International Finance, Calculus I & II, Statistics. (I am also looking into Calc III and Linear Algebra before the fall)
Relevant Work Experience: Thus far I've been a trader with an investment firm, Series 7 & 66 licenses if that means anything. I am trying to pivot my career and am looking into internships in spring and summer. (This is a major concern for me).
Strength of LOR: Not sure- 2 possible LOR's from finance professors (another weakness)
Ideally: I am interested in a Ph.D down the road in political science / public policy that has a strong economics component.
Work: Researcher with think tank or institution such as: IMF, IFC, US Dept. State, Federal Reserve, World Bank, Peterson Institute International Economics (PIIE)...
I have been contemplating this route or a pure economics masters as a stepping-stone for a PhD. I am leaning towards this route is more direct to the type of research I'd like to do after PhD, and because the coursework is more true to my interests.
Thanks!