M.A. in Economics

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey everyone, I'm interested in getting some advice on admissions into a terminal master's programs in economics/international econ/finance. I am currently a double major in Mathematics and Political Economy (which is 3/4 econ courses, 1/4 government courses) at Georgetown University.</p>

<p>My general career interests are not within academia, which is why I'm not intent on the PhD route but I do believe that a Master's program in economics would help me greatly based on my career goals. I want to get into consulting and many firms (be it economic, financial, or management consulting) that I've researched look highly on candidates with a Masters in quantitative disciplines like economics, financial mathematics, and the like. Additionally, the credentials I would get with a Master's in economics would help me out in other career fields which I have a long term interest in getting involved in (developmental economics).</p>

<p>I've done some research on universities that I am interested in but would definitely like to get some more personal knowledge/advice. I understand that a lot of universities do not offer terminal master's degrees which is why advice has been hard to get about whether it's right for me and what my realistic chances are for admission. I would really appreciate if you could help me out. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>cumulative GPA: 3.37
math major GPA: 3.43
political economy major GPA: 3.33
GRE: 760 Math, 620 Verbal, 5.0 Analytic
2 recommendations from math professors
1 recommendation from either former employer or i-finance professor</p>

<p>Schools that I'm probably going to apply to:
American University
Boston University
Duke University
George Washington University
Johns Hopkins
Northeastern University
New York University
Tufts University
London School of Economics</p>

<p>I honestly have no idea what my shots are, so help would definitely be appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>MA programs are not nearly as competitive as PhD programs. I would say that you have a great shot at American, BU, GW, Hopkins, and Northeastern. I don't know about the other ones, but your test scores are quite high for the applicant pool you'll be facing.</p>

3

<p>thanks for the help! any other takes on my chances?</p>

<p>also, another question I have is that some people on another board were saying that the M.A. in Economics is kind of useless. Based on my career goals stated above, would you say the same?</p>

4

<p>You are in a fine state. Don't listen to those who say that an Econ M.A. is useless. In certain jobs, yes. But many employers love the analytical skills it implies. A very worthwhile degree.</p>

5

<p>it's probably useless for them, who don't intend on a career in econ. ha!</p>

6

<p>as strange as it may sound due to your school and gpa, check out the university of buffalo, they have a couple different master grad programs, financial econ, international econ, econometrics, i believe all MS Econ degrees.</p>