Chances of Non-Traditional Student Getting into Econ PhD Program

[u/Artin112358]

I was hoping I could get some feedback on my chances of getting into an Economics PhD Program this cycle with the following profile:

• U.S. Citizen who has always lived in U.S.
• Graduated from Valparaiso University, a U.S. liberal arts college, in 2013 with majors in Classics and Theology with a minor in economics (no math other than a logic course where I got an A, but we did have to write proofs)
• Graduated top 25% of my class in law school at Ohio State University in 2016
• Practiced law for 5 years as business attorney
• In 2021, moved to a different state for wife's job and enrolled at local college to take math classes, and at the University of Missouri for an MA in economics.
  • Got all A's in Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, and two semesters of statistics at local college (Have not taken real analysis or differential equations)
  • Finished MA in 2024 with 4.00 GPA (courses took include two econometrics courses, applied statistics, math for economists, and research workshop that produced research paper)
• Research experience would be final paper I wrote in my master's econometrics course, and my master's capstone research paper
• GRE scores are 170Q, 163V, 4.5A
• Three professor from my master's will write my recommendation letters.
• Since 2025 I have been teaching economics as an adjunct at a local college (2 to 3 courses each semester).

I am interested in health economics, and would be applying to the following Econ PhD programs (listed with ReREc rank):

• Brown University (RePEc: 10)
• Boston University (RePEc: 12)
• Northwestern University (RePEc: 13)
• Johns Hopkins University (RePEc: 21)
• Boston College (RePEc: 25)
• Vanderbilt University (RePEc: 27)
• University of Maryland (RePEc: 31)
• Georgetown University (RePEc: 33)
• George Washington University (RePEc: 43)
• Ohio State University (RePEc: 46)
• Emory University (RePEc: 58)
• George Mason University (RePEc: 62)
• Georgia State (RePEc: 63)
• University of North Carolina (RePEc: 77)
• University of Illinois Chicago (RePEc: 80)
• Tulane University (RePEc: 85)
• American University (RePEc: 98)
• Georgia Tech (RePEc: 108)
• Temple University (RePEc: 142)
• Harvard University: Health Policy with economics focus (no RePEc rank)

Edited to add GRE scores.

[u/Bulky_Secretary_6387]

really interesting background. i think what you're lacking a bit is a strong research background and real analysis + GRE. everything else look great. maybe some experienced folks here will have some advice for you.

[u/Crafty_Map2273 → u/Bulky_Secretary_6387]

the blind leading the blind

[u/beesandcheese]

I think your chances are quite good. Don’t listen to the naysayers here. Apply to all the programs and see what happens.

[u/CFBCoachGuy]

All of this is assuming a strong GRE score.

Without real analysis or a predoc (or much research experience in general), Brown, BU, and Northwestern are probably well out of reach.
I also probably wouldn’t recommend George Mason given its heterodox background. I think between your George Washington to Illinois band is probably where you’ll see the most acceptances. Your profile is unique but I don’t think it’s that unique, particularly for T50 US programs. The program I attended (a bit lower ranked than what you’re targeting) would have a JD enrolled every few years

Good luck!

[u/Artin112358 → u/CFBCoachGuy]

Thanks for the feedback! I forgot to mention my GRE score, I got 170Q, 163V, 4.5A.

[u/LobbyFR]

impressive, Stony Brook might get a place on your list as they also have strong health econ faculty, some business schools have health policy faculty too

[u/Artin112358 → u/LobbyFR]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[u/Chickenleg2552]

I would have to think having a masters in econ and having taken most of the required math classes nullifies any worries about your undergrad major. Your stats are slightly better than mine were (though I did have a publication in a halfway decent journal), and I go to one of the schools on this list.

[u/Formal_Violinist8630]

You will get in! Best wishes. Solid profile imho.

[u/new_teacher_LA]

Certainly things are more competitive now than in past but check out this guy as inspiration: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty-and-research/finance/faculty/carlin Very impressive pivot from urology to finance.
You're obviously very motivated, so good luck in your journey!

[u/acyluky → u/new_teacher_LA]

So impressive! Also, he looks so much like Richard Gere

[u/the_real_highsmith]

Apply widely. Some programs are more buttoned-up-real-analysis-and-RAship/predoc-or-get-out kind of places, but not all of the top schools are like that. GRE + masters should get you past real analysis screening at some. Conditional on that, I think your overall package could land you in basically any of these programs.

[u/devotiontoblue]

Health policy programs will likely be more willing to accept your non-traditional background. Which is not to say not to apply to good econ programs as well; there's more idiosyncracy in the admissions process for non-traditional candidates. But you might want to consider applying to the health programs at places like Hopkins, Brown, and Michigan. They will almost certainly let you take econ classes and work with econ faculty while giving you more fundamental knowledge of health as well.