Applying to Economics PhDs
Applying to PhDs is hard! I did it twice. My first time round I got rejected from the fifteen places to which I applied. However, on my second attempt I got into my dream program. Below are my statements of purpose, CV and writing sample from my first (unsuccessful) and second (successful) application to Berkeley. Good luck to all of you applying!
| Application element | What changed / stayed the same | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Purpose | Thought more about research agenda, written better, including personal motivation | Everyone has different styles — for more unusual areas, I think the statement of purpose is more important than for more mainstream areas |
| Personal History Statement | Stayed the same | |
| CV | Basically unchanged | |
| GRE Scores | Stayed the same | |
| Letters of Recommendation | These changed! More diverse letter writers who knew me better after I had worked with them for longer and discussed more intellectual economics-y things | |
| Writing Sample | Added three research proposals as well as my MSc dissertation | I think adding the research proposals really helped! |
| Qualifications | I did a real analysis course |