I was recently admitted ED as undecided to Trinity. I know Duke has a highly regarded Economics program and I was curious to know if it is viewed as one of the more difficult majors? Also is it seen as a competitive major?
Thanks
Yes Econ is among the most rigorous majors at Duke but this is probably the case at almost every reputable school. It’s competitive because like science classes there are weed out classes! Watch out for whichever Econ class Connel Fullenkamp teaches (I believe Econ 101 these days).
Yes. Yes.
(Very highly regarded, students go on to great things and are recruited heavily by top companies. Econometrics and upper level math courses required, which are certainly considered difficult and very quantitative. Probably not viewed as “difficult” as engineering, hard sciences, or math by most of the students, but it varies from person to person depending on his/her strengths. Some people find out it’s not for them and don’t perform that well. It’s a very popular major and intro to econ is one of the largest classes offered. It’s worth taking a couple classes to see if it’s a good fit for you. Even if it ends up not being your major, the things you learn will be applicable to other coursework and life.)
Yes to both; in addition to the outstanding comments already provided, excellent graduate and professional school placement record/reputation (even better than Duke’s general distinction in this important area).
I came into Duke wanting to be an Econ major and can attest to its rigor. I struggled with some of the coursework enough to switch majors, because even with tutoring and office hours I wasn’t doing well and knew that staying in the major would tank my GPA. So in short, yes it is a difficult and competitive major. It is definitely highly regarded as you mentioned.
Shame on me, **I hope one of the other Duke CC participants will provide the information I am unable to find . . . **
I recall reading a relatively recent Duke press release and/or a CC post that documented Duke Economic’s (undergraduate plus postgraduate) receipt of a major academic award as the best (??) economics department in the nation. I’ve just spent about 20 minutes on Google’s, CC’s, Duke’s, Duke Public Affairs’, and Duke Economic’s websites trying to unearth this information, without success. Hopefully, some more adroit Dukie can provide the appropriate URL(s).
I post this only to offer additional substantiation that Duke’s Economics major – although demanding – is VERY highly reputed.
http://college.usatoday.com/2014/12/05/top-colleges-for-a-major-in-economics/
For @sted33: Sincere thanks to @SomeOldGuy, who found the December, 2014, article that ranks Duke first among undergraduate economics programs.