Top 10 Program Possible?

[stornetn]

I just took the GRE for the first time yesterday and am trying to use my scores (no analytical writing section yet) to decide to which programs I should be applying.

 

General stats and info:

 

Major: Economics, Spanish

Minor: Math (will not complete coursework in real analysis until next semester, am finishing coursework in multivariable calculus)

 

GPA: 3.99/4.00

 

GRE: 167 V 168 Q

 

Research experience: Pretty limited. I haven't spent any time doing research for any of my professors (I know, big mistake). I am spending time doing some independent research as well as doing some applied statistical analysis/research for a local school district. I have done a decent amount of stata programming, but I do not have great command of python or sas.

 

I do have two years of TA experience, working with professors in teaching statistics and a couple of econometrics courses--I admit that I'm not sure what kind of weight this has, if any, in the admissions process.

 

Recommendations: Two of them should be excellent. The third will probably be pretty good. One will come from the head of the department, another from a very well-known and well-respected econometrics professor. The other will certainly be positive, but even though the professor's track record is good, he's not exactly well-known.

 

I want to be applying to top ten programs (ideally those with strong education and IO departments), but I feel like the lack of a double math major and the lack of research experience would probably keep me out. Should I bother spending my time working towards those programs, or are they basically out of reach?

[fishasaurus]

Your limited research experience is definitely not in your favor, but having extensive TA experience, a high GPA, and great recommendation letters will make you competitive at a top 10 school (in my opinion, which may be irrelevant because engineering is different from many other disciplines). 

 

The worst thing that could happen if you do apply to top 10 schools is you don't get in and you're out the application fees. But the best that could happen outweighs that by far, and you never know until you apply.