Chances/recs for ECON grad study

Graduate School
1

<p>CC has saved my life numerous times since HS. I'm happily enrolled at MIIS so now, I hope CC will help my favorite cousin G out. G studied econ and wants to pursue a grad degree in the field. His stats are below, all recs/rating/comments are greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Academic:
~3.4 GPA
~1200 GRE (700+ Math, 500- Verbal)
Top Turkish university. Consistently ranked ~100 in THES rankings, by far the best Turkish university and most reputed econ department. </p>

<p>Stellar LoRs:
All very strong recs.
academic advisor: Minnesota-Twin Cities grad. ranked among the world's 50 most widely cited economists. currently working together w/ G on a project for World Bank.
boss: resident representative of a global, financial IGO in Turkey (i.e. IMF, World Bank, ECB and such). G is currently working there as a part-time research associate for roughly a year.
campus coordinator: Dean of Students, in charge of the university's extracurricular life. character reference+knows G's work from his EC stints, esp. his time at the campus newspaper. </p>

<p>Strong ECs:
Not the jack of all trades but went as far as he could reach in things he had an interest in.
Managing editor, campus newspaper: No.2 guy, only second to the editor-in-chief. in charge of everything but editorial content. Managing a staff of ~100, paid and unpaid.
Model UN: actively involved for 4+ yrs. eventually elected the chairperson of college MUN society, attended several conferences abroad. </p>

<p>Stellar Business exp.:
Family owns a family entertainment chain (bowling, F&B, arcades etc; the sort you see in malls)
While studying in college, G was also at the helm of the chain and he literally turned the firm around. Profits more than doubled. They've expanded their service operations to include importing bowling equipment, with G sealing exclusive dealerships with several American companies. That's now their core operation and the lion's share of their profit. </p>

<p>Despite his business acumen, G is not interested in an MBA degree. He wants an econ program, strong in macroeconomics and in an urban area, close to the public sector, so that he can transfer his employment over there and further pursue his IGO career. He actually wants to apply for a PhD degree but I fear he's spread too thin for that, academically. </p>

<p>Fulfilling these criteria are schools in the Boston, NY and DC-Maryland area. G strongly wants GW or JHU but American, GWU, Northeastern, BC, BU, Fordham, Syracuse, Rochester and all. </p>

<p>Which schools are safe? Which are in/out of reach? Any particular recs?</p>

2

<p>There are no “chances” for graduate school. The process is highly subjective and based not on numbers, but on the “fit” between an applicant and professors within a given program.</p>

<p>I will note that ECs and business experience are irrelevant for someone who is seeking a research-based graduate degree in economics. What really matters is his research experience.</p>

<p>Your cousin should talk to his professors about schools that might be a good fit.</p>

3

<p>Current econ student here. EC’s are meaningless. Same with the character reference. Grad schools want researchers. If the GRE Q score is only in the low 700’s then your cousin is in trouble. Even slightly lower-ranked programs (top 50ish, as in your list) will expect upper 700’s to 800. I don’t know what they’re looking for on the new test but plenty of people will be applying with 165+s. On the bright side, if that letter from the academic advisor is super-strong and the letter from the boss is strong (assuming he/she does research), then things may be a little better. But there is no substitute for good grades and research credentials.</p>

4

<p>More important than research experience in the undergrad level is demonstration of ability to handle rigorous quantitative coursework.</p>

<p>What is your cousin’s major? What proof-based math classes has he taken? The 700+ better mean 780+ since even mid-tier schools expect 90+ percentile.</p>