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Qayin
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PhD profile review / How else to tip the scales? 20 Jun 2013, 15:02
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So, after careful consideration and lots of research on different other possible choices, I've decided that I want to pursue a PhD. I've already went through a lot of data, and I'm even considering expanding this thread into a mini-blog of a sort, for the sake of future generations (and also in case some new questions come to my own mind :-D). However, nothing can be substituted for other people's experience and opinions. Going to be a long post, so I think a table of contents wouldn't hurt lol:

1)My profile
2)General questions
3)Where to apply?

1)My profile:

24 years old, will be 25 this September.
White Russian male.

Just got the GMAT official report: 760 Total (50 Quant, 42 Verbal), 5.5 AWA, 8 IR.

Currently a 5th year student at Moscow Aviation Institute (5-year Diploma program, graduating June-July 2014), the official program name is "Applied Information Technology in Economics". That's basically a double major in Computer Science and Economics, with courses in System Analysis/Systems Theory thrown in. Lots of advanced maths, like Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Optimization Theory etc. There were no "Macroeconomics" and "Microeconomics" courses per se, we had a year-long "Economics Theory" instead, plus Accounting, Finance, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics etc etc. Computer Science courses like C++ programming, Databases, Oracle (PL/SQL), Networks etc.

My current GPA is like 4.8-4.9 out of 5 (roughly 3.85/4 - 3.9/4). There's one more semester to go + final exams and the thesis, but that doesn't really matter since I'll be applying this Fall, before the GPA has a chance to change (hopefully it's only going to get better anyway). I'm the top-1 student of my concentration group (20 ppl), and probably one of the top in my class overall (like 150 ppl).

In terms of work experience - I'm currently an Intern (Analyst) at General Electric, Global Growth department, Strategic Marketing group. Started this April, and the contract is going to last until graduation. Before that I've been working freelance as a software developer/architect/designer etc. I've also served 1 year in the army, combat engineer(sapper) at the elite airborne corps.

Weak spots:
* University unknown internationally (though well-known in Russia). I think there are only like 2-3 Universities in Russia that people know of in the West.
* No real research experience. I mean, I did lots of papers for my courses, but that's not really original research. I'm going to be writting a thesis for my diploma, but that's only going to be next year.
* Recommendations - I'm probably going to be able to arrange 100% glowing ones, but my profs are not known internationally at all, I don't think they ever published in English. I was thinking of having 2 academic ref.letters + 1 professional one at my work. After all, I am doing research there (among other things), even though it's market research lol.

2)General questions:

How do people normally go about arranging so many recommendations? I mean, I'm going to apply to like 15 or even more programs (since chances of being addmited to any one in particular are so small), and each of them requires 2-3 academic ref.letters. I only have a few profs that I'm close enough to ask a recommendation, and asking a person to submit like 10 letters on your behalf is kind of harsh I think lol.

Are there any additional supporting factors (other than published papers, of which I have none) that can help tip the scales in my favour. I know that MBA addcoms look at things like extracurriculars, leadership qualities etc. Do these matter at all to the PhD addcoms? Which other things do?

3)Where to apply?

As far as the business schools go, well, I was thinking of basically applying to every M7 school, plus NYU Stern (I heard their PhD is better than their MBA), INSEAD and Duke Fuqua. Any other worthwhile GMAT-accepting PhD programs out there? Any advice on particular concentrations at some of the schools? I'm inclined to Marketing and Management ones mostly, after considering the placements and admission stats. MIT doesn't publish them though (at least I couldn't find). The exception here is Harvard, where I'd prefer the Business Economics PhD. Also Wharton has an Operations and Information Management program that seems to be great.

I'm also thinking about applying to regular Economics PhD progs at econ.departments. These require GRE, however, and my GRE is not stellar - 93% Verbal, 92% Quant, 4.5/6 AW. For some reason I screwed it up. The one prog that I'm considering in particular is the Berkeley's (not Haas) econ PhD, which seems nice (decent placements, large program, and admissions are not as tight as i.e. Stanford econ PhD). I will probably also apply to places like Yale/Princeton/Columbia, just hoping for some random luck. Columbia, by the way, allows to apply to their business school and their graduate school in the same year (two separate applications), which is nice. The University of Michigan Econ PhD seems to be fine too. Any other places I should consider, that would be reasonably good and that I would have decent chances of getting admitted to?

Thanks! Reading through all of the above was quite an effort i think lol. Every opinion, advice and comment is much appreciated!
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docdrizzeally
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Joined: 03 Jul 2013
Last visit: 23 Jul 2014
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Status:Got Bling! Joined Phd Finance at IIML
Affiliations: IIMB, advantages.us, IIML
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: iim-bangalore - Class of 1994
GMAT 1: 750 Q59 V43
GPA: 3.12
WE:Research (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: iim-bangalore - Class of 1994
GMAT 1: 750 Q59 V43
Posts: 54
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PhD profile review / How else to tip the scales? 09 Jul 2013, 23:06
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Qayin
So, after careful consideration and lots of research on different other possible choices, I've decided that I want to pursue a PhD. I've already went through a lot of data, and I'm even considering expanding this thread into a mini-blog of a sort, for the sake of future generations (and also in case some new questions come to my own mind :-D). However, nothing can be substituted for other people's experience and opinions. Going to be a long post, so I think a table of contents wouldn't hurt lol:

1)My profile
2)General questions
3)Where to apply?

Show more

Welcome Qayin. i am in the same boat, though my GPA was a little south of yours at the IITs / IIMs I attended in India and though your univerity is unknown your recos will make sure there are no problems whatsoever, i think

Quote:
1)My profile:

24 years old, will be 25 this September.
White Russian male.

Just got the GMAT official report: 760 Total (50 Quant, 42 Verbal), 5.5 AWA, 8 IR.

Currently a 5th year student at Moscow Aviation Institute (5-year Diploma program, graduating June-July 2014), the official program name is "Applied Information Technology in Economics". That's basically a double major in Computer Science and Economics, with courses in System Analysis/Systems Theory thrown in. Lots of advanced maths, like Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Optimization Theory etc. There were no "Macroeconomics" and "Microeconomics" courses per se, we had a year-long "Economics Theory" instead, plus Accounting, Finance, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics etc etc. Computer Science courses like C++ programming, Databases, Oracle (PL/SQL), Networks etc.
Show more

WOW! Go Q.

Quote:
As far as the business schools go, well, I was thinking of basically applying to every M7 school, plus NYU Stern (I heard their PhD is better than their MBA), INSEAD and Duke Fuqua. Any other worthwhile GMAT-accepting PhD programs out there? Any advice on particular concentrations at some of the schools? I'm inclined to Marketing and Management ones mostly, after considering the placements and admission stats. MIT doesn't publish them though (at least I couldn't find). The exception here is Harvard, where I'd prefer the Business Economics PhD. Also Wharton has an Operations and Information Management program that seems to be great.
Show more

It requires days of pain staking research to get there but there is nothing wrong with your blueprint, my being a fellow student . you hav to choose however, 5-10 different "research subjects" and look up current research and most importntly authors. I am trying to be ringing up a ot of them in mine which is more Banking and Financial Economics guys to find out what i don't know and is required for the application. Curious though..Why just Harvard for the Business Economics? Why not ross or even Owen (Vanderbilt) Also BE programs look for strategy and marketing inputs as well though they should welcome your interest for it


Quote:
I'm also thinking about applying to regular Economics PhD progs at econ.departments. These require GRE, however, and my GRE is not stellar - 93% Verbal, 92% Quant, 4.5/6 AW. For some reason I screwed it up. The one prog that I'm considering in particular is the Berkeley's (not Haas) econ PhD, which seems nice (decent placements, large program, and admissions are not as tight as i.e. Stanford econ PhD). I will probably also apply to places like Yale/Princeton/Columbia, just hoping for some random luck. Columbia, by the way, allows to apply to their business school and their graduate school in the same year (two separate applications), which is nice. The University of Michigan Econ PhD seems to be fine too. Any other places I should consider, that would be reasonably good and that I would have decent chances of getting admitted to?
Show more

in many cases that would mean a second application to the same school which i am guessing is perfectly fine. But if Eco is your field, then yes you'll go to GRE because no Econ program i could find takes just the GMAT..any inputs you get would hlp me as well, so let me know if there are Econ schools accepting the GMAT

Quote:
Thanks! Reading through all of the above was quite an effort i think lol. Every opinion, advice and comment is much appreciated!
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you are welcome, did you go through mine?
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