[申请总结] publication对申phd到底可以多重要？

I do believe have publication CAN be very important even for top schools. However, its importance is highly contingent on other supporting materials. A (B-level) publication CAN be a great signal for your research potential, but it works through other factors. In other words, most of the signaling value that publications carry are the interaction effects.

1. Contribution. Professors discount co-author papers significantly, especially when a) co-authoring with senior, b) your co-author publish extensively in the field, and c) it is a CV filler publication for your co-author. If you cannot show your contribution through other materials, it counts little for top schools, if anything.

2. Letters. Does you co-author write letters for you? If not, it is highly suspicious. If so, does he/she write explicitly your contribution to the paper, especially in terms of the idea? If your recommender says your contribution is limited or mostly RA work, then your publication counts little.

3. Statement. Can you describe your contribution to the paper clearly, and consistently with your reference letter? If there is a big gap between your claim and your co-author, you are in big trouble. Can you describe what you have learned from the project you finished? And how it helps you to become a successful researcher in this field?

4. Presentations and other network. Have you presented your work in major conferences? If not, why? Have you show your work to leading scholars in the field? What are their responses? Building network through presentation is very natural. If you have not done it, it looks bad .

5. Scores. You should have consistent scores on grad-level methodology courses. If you have an analytical paper, a good Game Theory score is expected. Otherwise it looks suspicious.

very important, at least they can find your great research potential.
However, although I also have publications, which are A- and B level journals, and some working papers, I have not got any news from the good schools I applied, only 2 lower tier school interviews. It is so ridiculous and ironic, isn't it?

I do believe have publication CAN be very important even for top schools. However, its importance is highly contingent on other supporting materials. A (B-level) publication CAN be a great signal for your research potential, but it works through other factors. In other words, most of the signaling value that publications carry are the interaction effects.

1. Contribution. Professors discount co-author papers significantly, especially when a) co-authoring with senior, b) your co-author publish extensively in the field, and c) it is a CV filler publication for your co-author. If you cannot show your contribution through other materials, it counts little for top schools, if anything.

2. Letters. Does you co-author write letters for you? If not, it is highly suspicious. If so, does he/she write explicitly your contribution to the paper, especially in terms of the idea? If your recommender says your contribution is limited or mostly RA work, then your publication counts little.

3. Statement. Can you describe your contribution to the paper clearly, and consistently with your reference letter? If there is a big gap between your claim and your co-author, you are in big trouble. Can you describe what you have learned from the project you finished? And how it helps you to become a successful researcher in this field?

4. Presentations and other network. Have you presented your work in major conferences? If not, why? Have you show your work to leading scholars in the field? What are their responses? Building network through presentation is very natural. If you have not done it, it looks bad .

5. Scores. You should have consistent scores on grad-level methodology courses. If you have an analytical paper, a good Game Theory score is expected. Otherwise it looks suspicious.