Am I in good shape for graduate school?

pme3333
Wed, 13 May 2020 07:54:56 +0000

Hello,
I am first-generation, rising junior at a mid-tier private university in the United States interested in applying to top grad programs in economics. I graduate in the spring of 2022, so I intend to apply to graduate school the fall prior. My top 3 schools are Columbia, MIT, and Princeton but I plan to apply to some other schools of similar level competitiveness as well. I do have a bit of issue though as I recently switched majors from chemistry to a dual major in economics and sociology is past fall and my intended research experience was cancelled this summer. I’m in the process of finding others now but I currently have no experience in any economic research but have prior research experience through the MSRP program in chemistry last summer and as a student researcher at my current institution for 1 year. In terms of stats and involvement, I have a 4.0 major, 3.76 cumulative GPA and extensive campus involvement as an RA, Student government representative, president of the Black Student Union, and other e-board roles in campus clubs/organizations. I also plan to take the GRE in a few weeks and from practice exams, expect somewhere around 320-330.

I am really just curious how you, the reader, think I shape up in the graduate admissions process right now and if you have any suggestions on finding opportunities in these unfortunate times.

Thanks for your help.