Applied Econ MA Help
Hi-
What would you recommend for the following profile:
- targeting mostly online/distance learning degrees
- 3.7 gpa from a well ranked public policy masters (crap undergrad grades from good school)
- good grades in related subjects but only intermediate micro/macro, multivariable calc, stats and intro to econometrics
- good professional experience and no need to change jobs
- $ fortunately not a major issue
Goal is for an applied economics program as want solid applied econometrics skills. Looking at JHU MA applied Econ, SOAS quant finance Msc Finance, and self study.
Anything I’m missing?
Thanks in advance
I was in the same boat as you couple months ago when I had decided to pursue Masters in Applied Economics. Needless to say, there is not much information regarding this particular field.
I evaluated my qualifications before I researched the universities. My GPA is in the range of 3.0 - 3.2. I have not taken the GRE exam. I am pursuing CFA (due to my previous job) and did not want to take the GRE due to this reason (studying for both CFA/GRE is a mess).
I have no issues with online/distance learning, but my strengths lie in class study. At the end, I researched both In-class and online.
I am located around D.C./Baltimore - this is where Applied Economics/Public Policy played a huge role.
I am currently employed, and my employer will pay some of my tuition. Nevertheless, tuition $$ is still a big deal for me.
I got down to "4" schools with GOOD Applied Economics program: Georgetown University - MS in Applied Economics Johns Hopkins -AAP - MS in Applied Economics Johns Hopkins - SAIS - MIEF - Masters of International Economics and Finance Cornell - Dyson - MPS in Applied Economics and Management /w MiM in CEMS Network. University of Maryland, College Park - MS in Applied Economics
Georgetown: Full-time and Part-Time available. Classes are on campus - Too far of a commute GRE - required. Cost - $64k
Decision: Not to pursue. It has an amazing program but the cost and commute are miserable. I don't have GRE, but would've taken it if the cost was low and if they offered online classes.
Johns Hopkins - AAP - MS in Applied Economics. Cost: $45k Full time and Part-time No GRE Fully online or in-class Within commute distance A lot of concentrations to choose from. Additional Math course to take.
Decision: Applied. Accepted. Declined Admission. This school fit my criteria perfectly on what I needed. It eventually boiled down between two schools and COST was the factor in deciding.
Johns Hopkins - SAIS - MIEF Full-Time GRE - Required In-class learning only Would have to leave work to pursue. Employment Outcomes - Low starting $$$
Decision: Not to pursue. SAIS is an amazing and tough to get into. But there were many things that were going against me for this particular program. GRE, fulltime only, will have to leave work, already make more than the average program salary.
Cornell - Dyson - MPS in AEM /w 1 semester for MiM in CEMS Network. Full-Time only In-class only. GRE - required. Dyson is one of the best schools at Cornell - especially as this program is teamed up with Johnson school of Business (one of the top business school) MiM in CEMS Network - For one additional semester you can choose from a network of 30 schools to get your MiM degree. This is the best thing that this program can offer. To give an idea of the schools in the network (Bocconi - best B school of Italy, CBS - best b school in Denmark, ESADE - top B school in Spain, HEC Paris - one of the top B schools in the WORLD, IIM - C, IIM is a top B school network in India, NUS - best B school in Singapore/Asia, RSM - best b school in Netherland, SSE - best B school in Sweden, LSE - arguably one of the best in the world for finance and economics, U of St. Gallen - one of the best in Switzerland). For me the CEMS network for 1 additional semester is arguably the best + one more masters degree in management.
Decision: I just finished my CFA, so I will be taking my GRE to see if I can qualify for this program. One of my biggest factor of not applying yet is pursuing this full-time and leaving my current job.
University of Maryland, College Park: Offer program in main campus college park and Washington D.C. for working professionals. Semester based (2 years) or Quarter based (15 months) Cost: $35k GRE - Not required Full time and part time.
Decision: Applied. Accepted. Matriculating. GRE is not required. Within commute distance. Well-known program. One of the best state schools. Cost is almost half of Georgetown. It fits all of my needs.
Most of the schools above are within the MD area (exception of Cornell). So it really depends what you want and what your criteria is.
Are you willing to leave your job and pursue full-time? Do you have GRE? or are you going to take it? Are you willing to move? Do you care about the brand names? What is your career outcome? Staying at current employer or pursuing others after?
I will gladly help if you provide more information and what you are looking for.
Thanks for the super detailed reply, see mine below:
Are you willing to leave your job and pursue full-time?
Do you have GRE? or are you going to take it?
Are you willing to move?
Do you care about the brand names?
What is your career outcome? Staying at current employer or pursuing others after?
Seems like based on this JHU's is the best fit. Would love to ask you more specific questions about it if you're willing and of course open to other suggestions
Believe me. I wouldn't recommend Towson even if I had to.
From your answers abov, it looks like you are in the same exact boat as I was 3-4 months ago.
From my original research - UMD and JHU were the only top colleges that did not require a GRE exam, everyone else did.
So I believe your options do come down to these two schools.
My application process with both: UMD - Applied in August, talked to the Dean of the program, after a couple of emails and conversations on the phone he was able to refer to me to the admissions team. Within 2 weeks of applying, I had my approval.
JHU - Applied in early September for Spring start. Talked to my admissions representative and worked with my application. Took forever for my recommendations to come in. Once fully complete, within 3 weeks (mid-October) I had my acceptance. One thing with JHU was that the admission representatives were extremely helpful with the process and provided immediate help.
Also consider - you don't have as many options in classes with UMD, as you do with JHU. JHU will definitely cost more, but shouldn't be an issue as you stated it is not a major issue. JHU can be done both online/in-class. while UMD is completely in-class (06:30-09:30 classes). If you do consider of completing it quickly - UMD offers 15-month term based program.
I am open to any questions to have.
Thanks very much. A couple quick follow ups:
sounds like once you had all info in for JHU the decision did not take long so reasonable to apply now and say start in the Spring?
did you get any feedback for the recommendations? did they take awhile because it's a laborious process or just that your recommenders took long? Could impact who i utilize
did you get any color on ease of getting advanced standing for any courses?
How were they in terms of requiring/allowing one to skip the math refresher?
Thanks
1) Once I had my complete application, it definitely didn't take long. Their application is based on a rolling basis, so as soon as a candidate completes the full application, it is forwarded to the admissions committee. I don't know exactly when the Spring semester will start for JHU (Possibly late January or early February), but there are a lot of moving parts that have to be completed. Plus taking into consideration the holidays coming up and the admissions team being on holidays. If you had a complete application as of TODAY, I would say you are good to be in spring semester. But to get your transcripts sent it, scheduling the call with admissions representative (this is something they do), recommendations being sent in, this may take a while.
2) I necessarily didn't get any feedback on recommendations. I had three recommendations while only two are required. One from a previous co-worker, two from my UG professors. College had started up, so reaching out to the professors for letter of recommendations while they also manage their personal life and college starting up was a big hassle. I would say the same now, as all the professors are busy with final exams and closing out for the semester/year. So I recommend your managers at this time of the year if you are targeting for Spring semester.
3) I did not have prior graduate level coursework, so I was not considered for advanced standing. Unless you already have a graduate level courses that are exactly the same as the classes you want to waive, that would be the only time I would think they would consider it.
4) Negative - I reached out regarding the math requirement and was told that I have to take it. It's either you go to a local community college and take a math course that can waive the JHU requirement and THAN APPLY, or apply to JHU and take the math course for half the price ($2.7k).
Thanks, extremely helpful. I have it good to go, but that makes sense.
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