<p>Dear All,</p>
<p>I am international student trying for full time masters in economics in USA. My goal is entry into a PhD program in business. My main concern : Cost of masters program vs value of the program towards my PhD application. I am trying for masters in economics after a few profs advised me to do so for the kind of research I am interested in, in order to strengthen my appln for a PhD prog.</p>
<p>My profile
Undergraduate degree grades(from India) : poor. 57%, a second class in India
Work Ex : Business Intelligence, 5 years. Did well.Passed some coveted internationally accepted certification exams in Project Management.
Distance learning MBA from India just completed.Good Grades here. A overall and A+ in maths,managerial economics and some of my finance majors. 2 years program and $650 only, recognized by Govt of India. </p>
<p>Now would it be better to concentrate on trying for a school with cheap per credit cost and living expenditure, not worry of the competitive value of the school in the job market and bank on a good GRE score and good grades in masters for an entry into a good PhD program?
or
Take a whole different approach. Go for a reputed school,possibly with higher costs for my masters.</p>
<p>What do PhD programs look for, a heavy weight school or good grades in an application?.........I got a positive response from Western Kentucky university(Gordon ford college of business) and South Dakota State University, especially on my work ex. I had sent my work ex and educational docs to them to recommend my chances into their masters program. They have low tuition rates haven't they?</p>
<p>With a poor undergraduate record I don't feel its wise for me to bank on tuition waivers, scholarships etc. I mostly probably will have go into debt pursuing a master's course. A debt I plan to carry into my PhD,through it and handle it post PhD.</p>
<p>Regards,
Joshua</p>
<p>Joshua, I completely understand your situation. The way you went about analyzing your situation tells me that you are a very capable person despite your undergrad stats.</p>
<p>I don’t know what grad school applications look like these days but my gut feeling is that with your most recent work and school work you should be able to get into a name brand school for MS right away.It would be easier for you to continue on for PhD in the same school.</p>
<p>I think that you should try to get into a name brand school from the get go. It is very likely that you will get either a TA or RA after one or two quarters/semesters. In most schools you can find jobs in math department correcting hw/test papers.</p>
<p>Just my two cents. What do I know? I am just an uninformed jr.</p>
<p>MS/MA from a branded name will give me a chance to continue my PhD there itself. Good point, considering my proximity to the PhD profs will help get an entry to a PhD prog.</p>
<p>But with my profile, TippuSultan , should I consider applying to a highly reputed name? From what I have heard, for these universities, especially the Ivy League, one needs to be a straight A student throughout with a strong extracurricular profile. I mean, leadership and community service etc.</p>
<p>Apart from taking part in community programs during my weekends(my employer arranges these social drives), I have nothing. And I have no certificate to show that too. Most of my leadership skills are from my work profile. That can be backed by my SOPs and LORs</p>
<p>So I doubt I should waste my appln on big brands… what do u think? Will my work ex cushion my undergraduate impression in my applns.</p>
<p>Joshua, I think if you are confident about your abilities then you should not let your past hold you back. You can never get rid off it even if you go and get a MS from a second tier or third tier school. If you let it bother you now then what will stop you from bothering you one or two years from now? To get into brand name school now or later you will have plenty of competition.</p>
<p>If you are confident of doing well in an elite institute and you can explain in a convincing way why you are better than what your undergrad stats indicate then you have nothing to loose (may be application fee and the time you spent). Do some digging and learn about the research work done by faculty. If you find them interesting then say something about in your app. Try to contact them show your interest in what they do. If you have skill set that can help you become part of their research team then bring it to their attention. …</p>
<p>I think applying to colleges to US is a good therapeutic exercise - it makes you examine your interests, passion and think about what is important to you.</p>
<p>So u say, don’t be intimidated. try a shot and it may work. U make some interesting points about how to get there. Maybe u r right I should start choosing my masters course keeping in mind my PhD research in that particular institute, rather than thinking about changing my institute after masters. Well then that’ll blow my plan of a modest masters to bits. Then I should try Berkeley, Princeton,Yale and the likes haan. Well then I’ll have to hope for a scholarship or some grant or RA/TA for these colleges coz they’ll dig my pockets out!</p>
<p>You should repost this on the parents forum and ask them for advice. They’re well versed with handling issues of cost and debt.</p>