<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Sorry if this has been asked a million times, I've tried to poke around the forum for a bit before posting. I haven't posted to CC since my high school days. I know there's not much in terms of "chances" like getting into an undergraduate program, but I have some general questions.</p>
<p>I am going to take the GRE soon -- what is the best overall book(s) to buy to prepare? I can't afford a class, and I'd rather dedicate myself to books.</p>
<p>If I don't major in a subject -- can I still pursue a graduate program in it? I'm loving Economics, but only have time to get a minor in it. I've been thinking that it would be something I'd really like to do in graduate school.</p>
<p>As far as chances, I know it's hazy but any semblance of an idea could help:</p>
<p>I'm currently a rising senior at Case Western Reserve University. I have a 3.9 GPA, which will land me Summa cum Laude here. My majors are Philosophy and Cognitive Science, and I am currently finishing an honors degree in Philosophy. My minors are in Economics and French. I'm in a lot of ECs -- PR director and DJ of the campus radio station, layout editor at the newspaper, representative in the government, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and secretary, Cog. Sci student org. secretary, and Philosophy honors society secretary. I'm trying to land a research job this coming semester. </p>
<p>I'm looking for shooting at the Ivies -- Harvard, Yale, Princeton. If I can't do Economics, then I'll pursue something in Cognitive Science/Psychology (I'm aware most universities don't have a Cog Sci program, but I can do similar work in Psych).</p>
<p>Any commentary? I'll take whatever helpful advice I can get! Sorry to approach this so much like undergraduate, but I've neglected to think about graduate school until now and I'm freaking out!</p>
<p>Important things for graduate school admissions:</p>
<p>1) Faculty recommendations.
2) Your Statement of Purpose.
3) Your writing sample/research. </p>
<p>GRE scores are a baseline (and even then, low scores won't always keep you out of contention) and are more useful for fellowships and funding competition than direct admissions (though of course every school has their target). I haven't taken it yet so I can't recommend books based on personal experience, but I've collected the ETS book, a Kaplan book, and the PowerPrep CD/program, which seems pretty comprehensive to me. Consider setting up a "study group" with like-minded students on/around campus to keep you motivated and to help with tricky problems.</p>
<p>If you're lukewarm about what you're studying -- and being able to switch between Economics and Cognitive Science/Psychology, depending on what you're studying within those subjects, can definitely be perceived that way -- you might want to consider doing some soul-searching prior to applying and asking for recommendations.</p>
<p>See an adviser, do some research at the potential programs' websites, and look back on your college career. Doing some research at the sites themselves will answer most technical questions you have (like whether you can apply for a degree there without having majored in the subject; incidentally, the answer is generally "yes, as long as you have sufficient depth of preparation otherwise") and will also allow you to look into what the professors are doing there. </p>
<p>As I'm sure you know, grad school is NOT like undergrad: you need to specialize, and you will be expected to have a decent idea what you'd like to specialize in before you start your coursework. The best matches in admission come from the school seeing a fit with your interests and research potential and what they have to offer. If there is a mismatch, your application will almost certainly be unsuccessful no matter how good your stats and recommendations are.</p>
<p>Refine what you're looking for. Saying "I'm shooting at the Ivies" indicates that you haven't spent too much time delving into which schools can offer you the best in your field, and doing that footwork now will save you a ton in application fees and aggravation. The school itself is irrelevant; what you need is the -faculty- and the -department- to be a fit.</p>
<p>Aye, thank you! I do agree that I do need to figure things out regarding what to pursue in specific!</p>
<p>I really think you need a dose of reality and although this may sound all negative, Im not sure you fully realize what the competition is like for these programs at top schools. But since you said you were aiming at the Ivies, it may be helpful to at least know what you're facing.
My son recently went through this process and here are some of the things he conveyed to me(most of which he learned from grad students already enrolled):
GRE for Econ majors Math score counts the most this is High School math and you have one shot to score 800. Repeat GREs are averaged - not like SATs where the highest score is used. Can you get in with less? Sure, but realize that many of the applicants will have perfect scores. As for study guides, he bought the Kaplan GRE book and it was fine.
You need recommendations from Economics professors only and if at all possible those recognized as tops in the field. Dont bother with letters from professors in different fields.
You need to show a rigorous background in mathematics in undergrad. Economics courses can cover a wide spectrum but make no mistake about this: in PhD work you will buried in math.
You need to show a demonstrated interest in research for PhD work. Unlike undergrad, graduate school admittance is not about extracurricular activities or being well-rounded.
The noted Ivies receive between 700-1500 applications for about 25 -50 openings a year. Even at the low end of the spectrum thats a 3.5% - 7% admit rate. In reality its closer to 2% at the top schools. Ivies receive applications from the all over the world and pride themselves at the diversity. Its not that unusual for internationals to make up 50-75 % of the acceptances. In addition many of them will already have Masters degrees so a BS, even a Summa Cum Laude one, is still at a disadvantage.
Having said all that, you seem like an extremely bright individual. Check with your advisors and your econ professors and hopefully they can guide you.
Please don't ask about my son or his school. In the interest of privacy I will not respond to those questions.</p>
<p>@ numero9</p>
<p>I just read your original post, and as others have said, you have unrealistic view of graduate school admissions. What do you really want to pursue? Do you want to be a professor? Do you want to go into industry? Take a career assessment test at your college career center and explore your options from the results given. Your goals may change over time. I'm not even sure if you want a PhD in economics because it's extremely cutthroat and competitive to gain admission, even at the top non-Ivies like Northwestern and Chicago. Why are you only focusing on the Ivies? Again, please re-assess your options and figure out what you want to do in life. You may find out that working first will help you narrow down and specialize your goals.</p>