<p>Hi everyone, </p>
<p>I'm an international student from Asia who just graduated Bachelor of Economics at University of Queensland in Australia, majoring in Quantitative Methods. At the moment I'm facing a tough time of deciding what to do next for my future. </p>
<p>My long-term aspiration is to work as a specialist/consultant in economics at UN/WB/IMF. I spoke to my supervisor at uni and he told me that a PhD in Econ was almost a MUST if I want to land a job in those institutions. </p>
<p>There are several paths I may follow to reach that goal, and I'm uncertain which one is the best given my circumstances. </p>
<p>My academic results (3 year Bachelor):</p>
<ul>
<li>GPA: an accumulated GPA of 6.5/7 (Australian grading system), which translates into roughly 3.7/4. </li>
<li>Few weak first year courses (GPA around 70%). Most of major and third year courses with grade 7 (GPA above 90%).</li>
<li>I selected mostly advanced and rigorous courses for my third year (Advanced Micro, Advanced Macro, Applied Econometrics in Macro/Finance, Applied Econometrics in Micro, Stat theory, Econometrics Theory, Game theory) and got all above 90%</li>
</ul>
<p>In terms of experience, I've been a tutor at the school of Economics and also working as a research assistant in Macro, though I didn't have any extra curricular activities during my degree. </p>
<p>My situation is that I originally planned to do Honours degree after Bachelor at UQ, which I got the offer. (Honours in Australia is equivalent to Master if not more valuable). Only 17 folks got into the program. </p>
<p>However, as unforeseen event happened, doing 1 year Honours is no longer within my financial ability since it costs a lot (AUD $28,000) and AUD foreign exchange has been skyrocketing. </p>
<p>Therefore I may turn down the offer and search for some other options. I know UBC has an MA program in Economics with a very reasonable price: ~$7000. So I'm planning to apply there. </p>
<p>My problem is I haven't done the GRE test, which means I'm totally late for this year's entrance, which also means I have to wait until next Jan to apply and next Sept to get in if I'm admitted. </p>
<p>My questions are:</p>
<p>1) How much is my chance to get admission to UBC MA?
2) How much I need to get in the GRE test? (They say no less than 750, but in real experience, how much may stand a chance?)
3) Is the partial tuition waiver available to any international students? Or is it just about as competitive?
4) Besides the waiver, is there any other scholarship? What is my chance to get them, assuming that I can get decent GRE?
5) Is the TA competitive and do I have any hope getting it?
6) How rigorous are the courses? I had a look at the syllabus but the site doesn't provide me full-details of the courses and their levels of difficulties. In fact, I think the more rigorous the program is, the better.
7) Is the MA going to be helpful if I want to seek for analyst/consultant job later on? Or I really do need to go further to PhD? and if so, will the MA increase my chance to get into a decent graduate program? </p>
<p>On the side note, I'm just wondering if it's possible for me to apply straight to PhD given my background (and of course assuming decent GRE)? </p>
<p>I know it's a lot and I really appreciate your time and advice!!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much in advance!!!</p>