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Do Something II

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2007年 03月 17日

Advice from smone whose dad is an adcom

掲示板のその後の経過を見る限り、この投稿をした輩は偽者くさいという共通了解になっている。よって、俺がコピペした以下の文章はadcomからのアドバイスではないと判断して良い。ただし、以下で述べられる内容のいくつかは考慮するに値するものもあるので、消去せずに残そうと思う。(2007.3.20)

I found a post on a board which is worth saving. The writer of the post is now studying at top 5 grad program, and his father seems to be an admission commitee member somewhere at top 10. This post implies that there is a lot of misleading rumor, especially on LoR (Letters of Recommendation) and SoP (Statement of Purpose). I found there is huge misunderstanding on SoP. We need to write the relevance of our plans of study and faculties' research and papers, and how we are interested in it, and it seems that a mere plan of study in some field is powerless and meaningless.

[Adcom Advice versus the Common Board Advice ]

by FightingIrish1
on 16 Mar, 2007
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Since posting my father was an adcom I have received a plethora of PM's asking me specific questions and what school he is an adcom at. I will not divulge what school he is a professor at because it is not fair to him or the program. However, it is a top 10 program. I will tell you adcoms and professors do come on this website to see what people are saying on a general level and in no way do they try and narrow people down, namely because they do not care. However, a week or so ago I was visiting my father at his office and sat in on a conversation between he and two other adcom members. They were talking about this site and it prompted me to test their assumptions and thoughts by creating a persona of someone who needed advice while I am actually a second year at a top 5 program, not at the one my father teaches.

They find that the advice given on this website is very very very helpful but sometimes misleading, not in a bad way for those starting to do some coursework between applying or undergraduates but misleading in a bad way to those who have a limited of time to do coursework or have begun to apply.

In no order:

1) The OVER-emphasis on Math
Yes, math is VERY important but a misconception is that if you do not have the qualifications for a math phd you will not get into a top economics program is a falsity. You need calc series, statistic course, linear algebra, differential equations, and real analysis is a plus. THATS IT! There is no need for point-set topology, real analysis II, abstract algebra, advanced linear algebra, programming methods, etc.

2) The assumption that an 800 Q GRE is a minimum
This is very VERY wrong, in no way is a perfect score on a standardized test a minimum requirement. 760 is a minimum, an 800 is excellent and will really help your application if there is a deficiency and if there isn’t well you are that much closer to acceptance.

3) The over-emphasis on economics courses
All you need is the intermediate sequence and econometrics, but can be admitted without either if you were a finance major, therefore covering similar material, physics or math major, therefore capable of learning. Things like Game Theory do help, but many schools do not have it.

4) Misconception of LoR
It seems to be a common thought on this board that your LoR have to be from Keynes himself to get into Harvard or MIT, this is not the case. For example if a well known professor like Mankiw writes you a LoR which is pretty good, yes it helps. Example he writes, "Jason is a great student, who is well prepared, understands the material, and will perform well in a PhD program." However, an excellent LoR from a not known professor carries more weight. Example she writes "Jason is the best student who I have had during my ten years of teaching. He is brilliant and creative and will no doubt be a top student at your PhD program". The latter is better in every case.

5) GPA does matter, but they understand
Schools understand that Freshman Year Calc or a core requirement in philosophy are a pain and if you receive a B+/A- it does not mean your application, as many here like to state "has no chance". I have seen profiles of students with a 3.6 but a 3.9 in his last two years get into my father's school. So NEVER give up.

6) SoP = A Self-Portrait
Be yourself and DO NOT try and connect yourself to every professor because they know it is a form letter which you change little things. Instead be yourself and let your passion shine through. I have seen people with minimal math, barely the GRE cutoff, and an average GPA get in because of excellent LoR and a kick-*** SoP

7) Research-TA
Awesome experience. Two candidates one rated an 8/10 and the other 7/10 but the second has Research and/or TA experience the second will get in. It shows you love it and have dedicated your time to doing something extra.

8) Your College Reputation
Yes, it helps to get into Yale if you went to Harvard but if you go to University of Connecticut talk about your pride and how you know you will do well. Adcoms want bright well rounded students who will do well not self-proclaimed geniuses who think they know they will do well. A rounded candidate who is modest speaks volumes.

Hope it helps.

Try to refrain from PM's unless you have a general private question, which I will answer. If it is not personal post it here.

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To ekonomiks regarding #6


Quote:
Originally Posted by FightingIrish1
6) SoP = A Self-Portrait
Be yourself and DO NOT try and connect yourself to every professor because they know it is a form letter which you change little things. Instead be yourself and let your passion shine through. I have seen people with minimal math, barely the GRE cutoff, and an average GPA get in because of excellent LoR and a kick-*** SoP

I agree I got up to get a drink and skimped out before so on this one! What I mean is I have read SoP from students who will be like. I believe my interests are havily correlated to Dr. Pink, his articles seem to be very alligned to my future research interests. Especially his article on speeding tickets. Dr. Pink also has a similiar background as me, etc etc. This promots adcoms to be like hey John [Pink] this kid knows more about you than you do *Laughs*, not a good sign.

A kick-butt SoP is one that the person is genuine in saying I love the study of behvioral economics. Give examples, and then mention which closely correlates to the work of Dr. Pink. Then they will be like hey John this kid would be good to work with you.

If you seem like you are brown nosing and using a form letter for schools and professors I do not care if you have a 5.0/4.0 GPA and worked for NASA after completing a Math PhD, you will be looked at suspiciously. With the above creiteron you would probably get in, but a good applicant would be rejected.


by yoichikmr | 2007-03-17 00:37 | 記事


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