Rate My Chances for Econ PhD/MA Admissions

[colliga1]

Hi, I'm currently in the process of applying to graduate programs for economics, and I was just hoping to gain some perspective on where I stand relative to the field. I took the GRE less than a week ago and scored 162V/167Q, and I have yet to receive my AW score, which I anticipate will be at the very least a 4.5/5 out of 6. As far as my undergraduate credentials go: I graduated with a 3.57 from a top-20 public university majoring in economics and minoring in statistics; my major GPA was a 3.65, however, I earned mostly B's and B+'s in my math courses, which is a bit of concern for me, in addition to not really having any research credentials (I did write a term paper for a course I took for one of my rec writers, earned an A in the course, industrial organization). I plan on applying/have applied to the following programs, possibly with the intent of transferring up the food chain if at all possible: University of Illinois-Chicago (PhD), University of Wisconsin-Madison (MS degree), University of Iowa (PhD),  Iowa State University(PhD/MS), University of Cincinnati (MA applied economics), University of Illinois- Urbana (MS Policy Economics), University of Missouri (PhD), and University of Colorado-Denver (MA- which I've heard is reputed for preparation for good PhD programs). Based on your knowledge/ experience, how would you rate my candidacy for these programs?

[colliga1]

Also, for my math/stats courses: I took calculus I-III, differential equations, linear algebra, calculus based statistics, applied statistics, and applied econometrics.

[alanc]

Just one person's advice. All of this posting and asking for admission chances based on a GPA and test scores is just nonsense. You seem like a reasonably good student with pretty good test scores. Figure out where you would like to be based on research, location, etc. and apply and see what happens. When I applied to physics PhD programs I was rejected by Wayne State University of all things and accepted by 2 top ten programs. I have no idea why and really don't care. My daughter was rejected by Michigan State and accepted by U Chicago. Nobody can tell you what goes on in an admissions committee, they're all different, but I've actually witnessed a committee saying "we've got enough, let's call it done". They rejected the remaining people without even reading anything because they were tired and wanted to be done. The thought that you can somehow compare two students and somehow determine which is better is just plain wrong after you get past the top 1% that can get in anywhere.

 

P.S. An MA in economics is not a starting point for a PhD, you will still be starting over as a first year student so you may as well apply to PhD programs if that's what you want. You also shouldn't plan on starting somewhere and transferring to a "better program". Not only is it virtually impossible but, again, you would be starting over.

[StatsG0d]

You're better off posting your profile on Urch, which is basically a TGC dedicated toward (primarily) econ majors.