It's been a while..

[m4thguYY]

Hi all! I posted here last semester while I was still in my master's but I have finished and would like an opinion..

Basically I am applying to -

Columbia Stat

Yale Stat

Rutgers Stat

Rutgers Econ

Rutgers Operations Research

Stony Brook Applied Math

Stony Brook Econ

Princeton Operations Research

UPenn Operations Research

As you can see, my main area of research is economics & statistics.

My extended profile:

[sUNY Bing] B.A. in Math (Graduated with a 3.1 GPA. Got 4 C's. Two of them were pretty serious foundations, so I re-took them and got an A in both.)

[sUNY Bing] M.A.T. in Math & Math Education (Did ind. study in psychological methods of math foundations, conceptual retention methods, and methodology of teaching math) Graduated with a 3.65 (3 grad classes - Stat & Prob (A), Topics in Higher Geometry (A), Number Theory ( ) A lot of professors say that having a degree/experience in teaching is an asset in a PhD program.

[sUNY Buff] M.A. in Math (Concentration in Statistics, mainly stochastic processes & probability. GPA 3.7, Concentration GPA 3.95. Master's Thesis titled "Economic Forecasting Using Stochastic and Poisson Processes". Courses were: Comp Physics (, Applied Math w/ Presentation on Brownian Motion (, Math Physics (B+), Real Analysis (A-), Probability (A), Cryptography/Applied Number Theory(A), Stochastic Processes(A), Abstract Algebra (A) )

Currently, while applying to PhDs, I am an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at a SUNY 4-Year State College. I may also have a CUNY position, but probably won't be finalized by the time I apply. I teach PreCalc, Trig, and Calc.

I will most likely be applying to one Econ PhD, which is NYU Economics. I don't have a solid Econ background, but most of my applied work, especially during my MA, was in econometrics/stochastic forecasting. I feel as though graduate probability/stochastic processes is much more important than easily-made-up econ undergrad courses.

My LoR are all from three professors, including my probability professor (also thesis advisor), abs alg professor, and cryptography professor. All A's, all top rank in classes. In Prob, I was rank 1 of 20 grad students. In Crypt, #2 and Abs Alg #2 also I believe but I think he is saying Top 5% or Top 10%. Either way, they all assure me they are giving me stellar letters.

I took GRE and got 800/510 Q/V, but I am re-taking it in a month. I am sure I will still get a top Q, and hopefully improve my V by a lot. Not taking GRE Subject, no programs I am applying to ask for it.

I am not asking for a percentage of getting into NYU Econ, I am just curious if my application is even competitive given my quasi-messed-up undergrad and non-Ivy schools, as well as lack of formal publication, etc..

Any other opinions on different programs I am applying to, feel free!

Thank you!

[Quant_Liz_Lemon]

Non-Ivy has nothing to do with it. Quality of institution is much more important than brand. My non-Ivy undergrad institution has very little brand/name recognition, but my department is very very good. Coming from a good department is much more important than a branded institution.

[gilbertrollins]

You'll get more qualified advice about your fields at http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/

[harryaddict]

If you are already working as a professor, why do you still want more education? I'm confused.