<p>Hey guys</p>
<p>Recently I've been considering the pros/cons of majoring Econ with and without math (basically 100A/B vs 101A/B). I'm currently on the premed path but wish to major econ; needless to say, the classes I have to take are a bit out of the way.</p>
<p>If I major Econ with math, I would have to take more difficult classes along with my premed classes. Doable, but it would screw up my proposed schedule (I just found out that I dont have credit for Math 54 when I had previously thought I did).</p>
<p>The argument seems to be that Econ with math is good for graduate school (but is it essential?). I kind of want to have Econ as a backup if I suddenly decide I have a fear of needles or something and forsake premed... </p>
<p>The question then is: what can you do with a Econ Major without math? If you cannot get into grad school w/o math, what kind of jobs are available for those who choose the 100 A/B series?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>"The argument seems to be that Econ with math is good for graduate school (but is it essential?)"</p>
<p>I'd HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. And considering Ph.D. programs aren't really small stuff to get into, I'd say that's a "Yes, it's essential." Remember, it's not whether something can hurt you, it's whether something can really help you.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that grad school is necessarily theoretical in a sense, and most literature, it would only make sense, rests on some math theory. So some math is highly advisable and in fact, as an econ admissions officer (if I were one) I'd be tons more confident that you could handle the abstraction in your grad school research work if you knew some math. </p>
<p>My firm advice is to take the math if you can. But, if you really hate it, then I'd leave it open to others to tell you what you can do without grad school in Econ for a job.</p>
<p>Oh, and as a note -- you honestly likely will NOT need math in your day to day work in the same sense a researcher would. But, grad school is structured with the assumption that you want research work. </p>
<p>I'm sure lots of industry things would be open regardless of math ability. However, doing the math convinces people you're smart, which isn't a bad thing to have when you're applying for a job.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply mathboy; i too would rather take the math-based econ simply because it gives me more options if i choose to go into econ</p>
<p>however, does anyone know what you can do w/ simply an econ major w/o math coming out of undergrad? assuming grad schools only want math based econ majors, what do all the non-math econ majors do?</p>
<p>You can be a high school econ teacher I'm sure...I don't remember high school econ being mathematically intensive in the least...Nor do I think you need much beyond a bachelors and maybe some sort of teaching credential...</p>
<p>You can also be a banker though the requirements to be a banker are rather loose, but I'm sure the econ major can boost your resume...</p>
<p>Maybe a consultant of some sort? Might want to look into that...</p>
<p>I'm a Haas hopeful second year who of course is applying to econ as my backup. I already took UGBA 101A (got an A) and will be taking UGBA 101B this semester. Does that count as "econ without math"? My career plans are to work for a few years in finance (i-banking for example) and to ultimately get an MBA.</p>
<p>anyone else have a take on this?
where are all my fellow econ majors? :P</p>