Did I just ruin my chances??!

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey all, </p>

<p>Bad bad news coming from me. My hopes are to go to pursue a PhD in Finance or MS in Statistics at a competitive school (indifferent to where, as long as its recognized as a strong program). </p>

<p>So here's my problem. I'm a senior at NYU and I took 5 classes (2 grad) this semester. It ended up being a terrible choice as I haven't been able to dedicate the amount of time I normally would to classes and have spread myself too thin with the ones I'm taking. (I put these classes below with an *)</p>

<p>What I'm looking for from you all is an opinion on my grad school chances in two of the programs mentioned. I just did horribly on one midterm and I'm thinking I might have ruined my chances for any top program, but maybe I was never in the running for a top program anyway. You all would know better than me. </p>

<p>(PS. I have a job next year doing S&T, so I would not be applying for 2-3 years). </p>

<p>UG GPA: ~3.7</p>

<p>Econ classes/grades:</p>

<p>Econ I (A)
Econ II (A)
Int. Econ I (A-)
Int. Econ II (A-)
Statistics (A-)
Int'l Econ (B+)
Money and Banking (A-)
Financial Econ*
Econometrics*
Honors Thesis I*
Money and Banking (MA)*
Math for Econ (MA)*<------------VERY bad midterm grade =(</p>

<p>Math classes: </p>

<p>Calc I (A-)
Calc II (B)
Calc III (A)
Linear Alg (B+)</p>

<p>Spring semester:
Analysis I
Algebra I
Honors Thesis II
Theory of Probability
Macro Theory I (MA)</p>

<p>I know LORs are a big deal, but assuming I'm fine in that area, are my grades at par for top places (Stanford PhD in Finance is my dream, but shoot me down if necessary). </p>

<p>Thanks so much all!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

2

<p>Don't they list the average GPA on their web sites? We really wouldn't be able to tell anyway without a GMAT/GRE score (especially on the quantitative portion).</p>

3

<p>I've taken a couple practice tests for the quantitative section and scored fairly well, IMHO, for never studying (~720). I think if I spend a lot of time studying, I will be able to meet the threshold for most top programs (760+). Given that, are my grades too far off to make any top places even with a strong GRE?</p>

<p>PS. I was born and raised in America, so English is my native language. Can I just not study for Verbal and get what I get or is this weighted too for quant degrees?</p>

<p>Thanks so much again everyone.</p>

4

<p>I'd study for the verbal, its harder than people thinks. I think a balanced good score is required for top programs.</p>

5

<p>Ok fair enough. How about my grades to date though? Too low even with a strong, balanced GRE?</p>

6

<p>You should be fine...but no one can tell. Top finance programs get tons of applicants. It varies from year to year too. Maybe do some summer research in math or economics (I don't know if they have programs for finance). Shows you know how to do research and are actually interested in it.</p>