QuoteOriginally posted by: KackToodlesQuoteOriginally posted by: vbprogrammerBut, what does it take to get in.Here is my profile and it ain't very attractive but its okay.

• I must say that your list of to-do's make almost no difference, except perhaps to demonstrate you are motivated. PhD programs look for people who can do academic research. Extra professional credentials and experience don't really help much, since they are unrelated to academic research. In fact, if you apply to a business school, overloading on such professional designations will hurt you because phd programs won't admit people who they don't believe are fully committed to becoming an ACADEMIC researcher. They want to admit a phd student -- not an MBA student in disguise! If you are interested in applying to statistics or finance phd programs, the best way to boost your credentials is to take a tough masters or phd level course at your local university (in statistics or finance) and demonstrate you can do well in a relevant, tough course.Fair enough. That seems to be the winner - take courses and do well. That is my plan going to be for next year or two or three. The way I figured (and as per Greek mythology), if not in this but in the next birth(s), I will achieve what I want!!

2 of my friends got admitted into top UNIs' PhD programs.One is bsc actuarial science studentpassed 6 SOA exams before graduationGPA of 3.8(first Hons)4 letters of recommendation(one is from the dean)GRE maths subject,97-98 percentiles(not very sure, at least 97)<<go to HarvardThe other one is Bsc financeGPA of 43 letters of recommendation<<Cambridge finance

QuoteOriginally posted by: keepmeok2 of my friends got admitted into top UNIs' PhD programs.One is bsc actuarial science studentpassed 6 SOA exams before graduationGPA of 3.8(first Hons)4 letters of recommendation(one is from the dean)GRE maths subject,97-98 percentiles(not very sure, at least 97)<<go to HarvardThe other one is Bsc financeGPA of 43 letters of recommendation<<Cambridge financeThat is the right time to get into PhD in my opinion. Many schools like Stanford, Princeton, Harvard won't even admit stduents older than 25 odd for their PhD finance/economics program. They prefer young people, who can spend considerable time doing research after they finish their PhDs. However, I also disagree with those who say work experience will not help getting into PhD. My friend who was about to be made a partner in a hedge fund, left the job and joined PhD in U.C.Berkeley. He has around 10 odd years of work ex. Longstaff at UCLA (dep.chair) was a bond trader before he went to PhD. In general, there are schools who prefer students with work experience. But, it has to be relevant expereince like research, trading, etc and more or less, one needs to be able to explain how the experience has been useful.

You have a chance if you do all that you plan, but competition for doctoral candidate openings at the very top schools is fierce x 10. I would make sure your GRE is as high as it can be and, more important, that you find some well known name to write your recommendations. Apply to the top 10 (whatever) schools, not just the 3 or 4 biggest names.

QuoteOriginally posted by: KTEYou have a chance if you do all that you plan, but competition for doctoral candidate openings at the very top schools is fierce x 10. I would make sure your GRE is as high as it can be and, more important, that you find some well known name to write your recommendations. Apply to the top 10 (whatever) schools, not just the 3 or 4 biggest names.These are very good suggestions. I know that GRE is important and am also taking sub-GRE in Maths. I have already decided the necessary course work in maths that I need to take to fill some holes in my profile. By the end of this month, I shall be writing one paper. My boss agreed to let me publish a few that we found in our research. Thx, folks.

vbprogrammer,The question is: why do you want a PhD?If you want to work as a quant, a PhD will add little if anything and will be no more valuable than an MS in Financial Engineering. It won't even help you to find a job!If you want to teach, yeah you need a PhD, and teaching ain't bad... Little work, long vacations, cute students.If you want to write books, then you also need a PhD. I hear Cuch, mj and Paul are quite comfortable!If you want to earn large amounts of money (perhaps with your own firm) then a PhD definitely helps and is a great reason to get a PhD. But a PhD in Finance or Statistics from one of the top few universities has no financial value in this career path. I'm quite sure Pure Math or Theoretical Physics is the way to go. Alternatively some plumbers (like Paul) also have the right stuff.N

QuoteOriginally posted by: Nvbprogrammer,The question is: why do you want a PhD?If you want to work as a quant, a PhD will add little if anything and will be no more valuable than an MS in Financial Engineering. It won't even help you to find a job!If you want to teach, yeah you need a PhD, and teaching ain't bad... Little work, long vacations, cute students.If you want to write books, then you also need a PhD. I hear Cuch, mj and Paul are quite comfortable!If you want to earn large amounts of money (perhaps with your own firm) then a PhD definitely helps and is a great reason to get a PhD. But a PhD in Finance or Statistics from one of the top few universities has no financial value in this career path. I'm quite sure Pure Math or Theoretical Physics is the way to go. Alternatively some plumbers (like Paul) also have the right stuff.NI want to write book , publish papers in academic journals, teach (if not full time at least as an adjunct or visiting prof) & EVENTUALLY want to make tons of money from my own firm. More than anything, I want to learn. As far as jobs are concerned, I think I would be soemwhat shocked to not get one after doing a Phd (given that I have one without it) and the more I speak with HHs , the more I feel convinced that PhD can be a substitute for good experience ( or say it the other way round). But, perhaps you are right about financial value of a Phd that a pure maths is lot more useful than statistics or finance.

QuoteOriginally posted by: vbprogrammerI want to write book , publish papers in academic journals, teach (if not full time at least as an adjunct or visiting prof) & EVENTUALLY want to make tons of money from my own firm.Tell me, how many people with phds actually accomplish all 4 of your tasks -- especially the 4th one?!

QuoteOriginally posted by: KackToodlesQuoteOriginally posted by: vbprogrammerI want to write book , publish papers in academic journals, teach (if not full time at least as an adjunct or visiting prof) & EVENTUALLY want to make tons of money from my own firm.Tell me, how many people with phds actually accomplish all 4 of your tasks -- especially the 4th one?!Guess, not many but what is the harm in trying. For that matter, do you know if you shall be able to accomplish what you want by the time you retire. May be. But, we all do our best. If I have to prioritize, then I would like to first decide if I want to teach full time or not, then pubish papers, then write a book. Even if I don't accomplish the last one (which most likely I won't), I am okay.