Worries about my future

[britten2]

Hey all,

I just joined this site because I was reading through the posts and found the information to be extremely helpful, it really seems like people know what they're talking about on here. So, in turn, I was hoping someone could help me out. I have been considering, and researching, grad school for the past two weeks and the more I research them the more I get worried about getting into a good program. I have been in college for the past 6 years, and I'm still working on my undergrad, which i feel is extremely embarrassing. Granted, I've taken 2 or more years off from school periodically in order to pay for tuition and get caught up on bills and have changed my major a number of times, but I still feel that the amount of time I've spent in school and the GPA that I'm maintaining is embarrassing and not going to look good on my application.

Currently, however, I've been making long strides and by the time I graduate I should have over a 3.2 GPA with a Bachelor's in Economics, a minor in Mathematics, and a specialization in Asian Studies. I will also have about a year and a half of research experience, two years of competing in the Federal Reserve Challenge, and plan on obtaining an internship for the first 8 months of 2011, since I graduate in the fall of 2010 and plan on attending grad school starting fall 2011.

Despite the extended time I've spent in school and the poor marks I received early in my academic career, do you believe that the areas of study, the research, and the internship will be enough to overshadow that and get in to a program such as the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins or better? Thanks for any advice you have.

[stigMPA]

Hey all,

I just joined this site because I was reading through the posts and found the information to be extremely helpful, it really seems like people know what they're talking about on here. So, in turn, I was hoping someone could help me out. I have been considering, and researching, grad school for the past two weeks and the more I research them the more I get worried about getting into a good program. I have been in college for the past 6 years, and I'm still working on my undergrad, which i feel is extremely embarrassing. Granted, I've taken 2 or more years off from school periodically in order to pay for tuition and get caught up on bills and have changed my major a number of times, but I still feel that the amount of time I've spent in school and the GPA that I'm maintaining is embarrassing and not going to look good on my application.

Currently, however, I've been making long strides and by the time I graduate I should have over a 3.2 GPA with a Bachelor's in Economics, a minor in Mathematics, and a specialization in Asian Studies. I will also have about a year and a half of research experience, two years of competing in the Federal Reserve Challenge, and plan on obtaining an internship for the first 8 months of 2011, since I graduate in the fall of 2010 and plan on attending grad school starting fall 2011.

Despite the extended time I've spent in school and the poor marks I received early in my academic career, do you believe that the areas of study, the research, and the internship will be enough to overshadow that and get in to a program such as the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins or better? Thanks for any advice you have.

It's impossible to say. I know a dude who took something like 6 years to finish his bachelors because of academic motivation issues. He's since won a MacArthur genius grant and is tenure track at a top research university.

It might work and it might not but you need to stop stressing about things you can't and focus on what you can. If grad school is what you want, work to build your application. You have some time to dominate your GRE and secure some good LORs. With the time off before you apply, the ball is very much in youir court. Almost everyone's packet has a weak point - compensate where you can. After that, just send out your app to schools that are a good fit and stop worrying.

[glasses]

It might work and it might not but you need to stop stressing about things you can't and focus on what you can. If grad school is what you want, work to build your application. You have some time to dominate your GRE and secure some good LORs. With the time off before you apply, the ball is very much in youir court. Almost everyone's packet has a weak point - compensate where you can. After that, just send out your app to schools that are a good fit and stop worrying.

This. The phrase "marathon, not sprint" comes to mind. Take all the time in the world to need to build a strong application (in addition to what stigMPA said, you're going to want to rock that statement of purpose and writing sample), and if you're really worried about how your undergrad career might look, take some non-degree graduate classes in whatever area you plan to apply to allay doubts about your ability to perform in school. Good luck!

[Yellow#5]

I don't think it will reflect badly on you that you took longer to finish and changed majors at the begining, as long as you can articulate a clear reason/area of interest that you want to study in the future.

One of my profs said to me, because I also have some disparate areas of study on my resume (english, economics, law); it doesn't matter if you have an integrated resume, as long as you come across as an integrated person.

[zygote]

That said ... if you have the option, it might be more useful to dig deeper in one of the subjects than to spread yourself out so much among three different subjects.

Which of Economics, Asian Studies and Math is your favorite? I'd take more classes in that one and stop whichever you're least interested in.

For Econ, good choices would be Development, Ec. History, Political Economy - even better, the grad-level Macro course. If you haven't done a thesis and still have time, I highly recommend that.

Going deep into one field (i.e. way beyond the degree requirements) as well as out into a couple others (as you've already done) means you are focused enough to really "nail" something but still open-minded. This looks good.

[britten2]

zygote said:

Going deep into one field (i.e. way beyond the degree requirements) as well as out into a couple others (as you've already done) means you are focused enough to really "nail" something but still open-minded. This looks good.

Economics is what I'm truly interested in. When I graduate I'll have almost 10 extra credits in it. I'm only doing the math because I heard having a lot of math makes it easier to get into a top 25 grad program; by the time I take all the recommended math classes i'll be two math classes away from a minor, so I might as well get it. The specialization in Asian Studies is a resume builder since I want to get in to International Economics, which is why I'm going to Johns Hopkins' SAIS. I'm just worried that they're going to look at my transcript, wonder why it took me 7 years to finish my undergrad and laugh me out of the admissions department, since it's hard to explain that I took two years off to pay for tuition and bills and switched majors a couple of times.

[zygote]

It's not hard to explain. A lot of the other applicants had mommy and daddy just pony up the cash. You had to really want it. It shows discipline, determination and most importantly motivation. I think you're underestimating yourself. You can put a one-sentence footnote somewhere in your app that mentions that you were working during those years in order to afford the tuition, and they won't hold it against you (probably consider it a plus).

[britten2]

You all have been a great help and I'm feeling pretty confident about getting into my school of choice. I do have one more question. I'm earning my minor in math by completing Calc I and II, Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calc, Abstract Algebra and Number Theory, and Analysis I. My question is: What 400 level math class at MSU do you think would be most beneficial and applicable to both my application to Johns Hopkins' SAIS and future career goals of government of investment banking?

http://schedule.msu.edu/searchResults.asp#SearchResults <------ This is the link of all the 400 level classes offered.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

[zygote]

You need some stats. I'm sure you've taken a basic stats course and an econometrics one. But if you want to do e.g. public policy research, doing e.g. an advanced mathematical statistics course would be really good on your application.

[britten2]

I've got stats 315 under my belt, which is Intro to probability and stats for business. And yes, i'll also have intro to econometric methods and advanced econometric methods.

[kowtown]

britten2,

There is a forum for people who are very serious about PhD economics over at TestMagic:

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/

Don't let them scare you about all the math they're taking though. The mathematical preparation borders on obsession. Consider their recommendations and look for common themes. Some people get in with just multivariate calc and linear algebra if their applications are otherwise strong. But most people would say to take, in addition, advanced calc/real analysis and mathematical statistics. Also particularly useful are differential equations and optimization/non-linear programming (possibly via a mathematical economics or operations research course). A more advanced analysis class would be a plus. From what I've heard, these should get you through the core courses. Don't worry too much if you don't get a chance to take them though, because you will likely go to math camp in the weeks before your program starts.

Abstract Algebra and Number Theory have very limited application in economics, unless you know something that I don't. (I certainly don't know much about International. I was considering the PhD and have done a fair amount of research, but I'm not committed yet so I've decided to pursue a statistics master's.) They won't hurt though, because they'll demonstrate further evidence of proof-writing skills. But more analysis would probably be better.

This is another good resource: Books to Study Before Going to Graduate School in Economics

Definitely talk to your economics professors about applying. A lot of economics majors are pursuing private work or the MBA, and you should find that professors are very eager to talk about the PhD and can offer better recommendations than anyone else. Good luck.