should be in general okay, but:
1. TOFEL need >= 100 to make application easier.
2. GRE is indeed okay, not very top, but enough. seldom they look at V. (AWA......= let's see)
3. Maths: try to get differential equation, real analysis and optimization (opp cost = game theory = I don't know how to choose, cannot choose real analysis = have to put it aside, personally feel 2 out of 3 of (Diff. Eqn, Optim, Linear Algebra) > 1 game theory course as one will have Game Theory again away in master / PhD)
4. Please also state (Budget Concern, Area of Interest, need potential exit point for career after master or not) if for advise on selection of school / program.
1. GRE (Verbal).........I guess no one really cares much about it.....just to ensure it is not too ugly will be fine (imagine the relationship between vocabulary and research ability).
2. Care what you know more for sure. Having it on transcript is just the most straight forward way of doing so.
3. Being able to use (say) Differential Equation / Optimization in Adv. Macro is different from having a in-depth knowledge (e.g. go through those proofs) of it. Of course if such is useful (or how useful) is another topic.
4. Research Interest can somehow help a bit on school selection, especially if one want to continue his/her PhD at the school one study the master. maybe also a bit on personal statement (at least you are easily explain why you want such a master)
5. Under the US system, having a master is not a must for admission of PhD, and thus there are not many solid econ master in US. Most of their master are for professional purpose.
implication of (5): don't limit yourself within US. I guess within US, econ master that are solid enough for PhD preparation can be counted by fingers of one hand.......
1. Duke is a more regarded school in the job market but not only for PhD preparation, the price charge you also for that.
2. Go Europe if you think the US one don't worth it / not enough $$.
3. I guess the ad com won't care what research you had done / paper you had published, but just if you know what research is about.
4. 1.5 year is enough indeed.......and indeed 1.5 year = 2 year at the end. Some good master are only 1 year even (e.g. LSE EME), and then it will be a concern as grades and letter are hard to be ready
5. self studying something is always useful as you will learn something.......but don't expect this claim will help much on application......unless they are going to test you in a test / interview.
6. Agree to #18. You don't need to have real analysis for sure, just switch to some other maths course that are useful and not crash with your timetable........(e.g. optimization, measure theortical prob, .......)