<p>Hi,
I haven't been here in a while, but it amazes me how popular the econ major discussions are. Since I've managed to navigate fairly well through the L&S bureaucracy, I think I could offer some useful advice on prereqs, graduation requirements, and the economics major. If you have specific questions on these themes please let me know. NOTE: I will not answer any "Do I have a chance of getting into Cal/Haas/Econ" questions. I can't predict the future, sorry.
Best of luck --</p>
<p>hmm. i dunno if you can answer this question but ill give it a go..</p>
<p>i wanna get into med school. i know that you dont have to major in something sciency just as long as you handle the med school requirements on your own outside of the major requirements. from your experience with classes at berkeley, would you say that majoring in something other than MCB be wise (help bring up GPA/easier classes)?</p>
<p>basically, is MCB as difficult as I hear it is?</p>
<p>to nyaghooti:
Most pre-meds think that it would be easier to major in MCB because so many pre-med reqs overlap with the major reqs. However, this is a very difficult course to take if you're not fascinated with biology. If you're just trying to increase your chance if a high GPA, I would recommend majoring in something that you truly like. One of my friends is pre-med with a major in history. He studies very hard for his science classes, but truly enjoys his history curriculum. If you're not sure what to major in right now, start off with the basic pre-med requirements and try to add a few interesting non-science breadth courses. Perhaps you will find a concentration that will interest you, so then you'll be able to have a relatively "easier" major along with pre-med reqs. I've also heard that med schools appreciate diversity. If you have strong grades in your science classes, a unique non-science major may be considered as a plus.</p>
<p>to soccersarah017:
The waitlists are different depending on the class. For example, intro bio classes usually have full waitlists (300-400 people). In those cases it's wise to register early. The best way to get into a class when you're waitlisted is to get into a discussion section (if there is one). Pick a section with the least amount of people. These will probably be either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, but that's the best chance you've got. Usually if your number is over 100, you can't do much. So register for back up classes in case you won't be able to take your first choice.</p>
<p>Berkeley. I'm a third year doing Econ as well. Which classes would you recommend? What about Financial Economics? I heard that it is one of the toughest in the ECon department? Also, would you recommend taking Econ 140 the last semester?</p>
<p>to needadvice:
My faculty advisor, whom I've seen only once, told me that despite the popular choice of putting off econometrics as much as possible, it is actually a good idea to take it early on because it helps you to understand the other upper-div econ classes better. According to his advice, I will be taking 141 next semester. As for the other econ classes, I've only taken intermediate micro/macro, and this semester all the other ones conflict with my schedule. I will be taking a history econ class in the history department, though it will not count for my major. I happen to like that professor. I think a lot of business and stat majors take financial econ... which would explain why that could get a bit competitive for the slightly less mathy econ majors.</p>
<p>to 13351:
Obviously not. Not if you can't follow simple directions :)</p>
<p>As an incoming freshman, I am signing up for Psych 2 in Phase II (which is in two days for me). Since this class is reserved for upper division students, I will be put on the waiting list. But, until when will I remain on the waiting list? Will I be notified before school starts that I am officially in the class or will I have to attend the first few lectures as a waitlisted student for that class?</p>
<p>You need to go to the first couple of classes. They will explain how the waitlist will be dealt with. If you cant get into the class, then take a decal or seminar, or find another course to take.</p>
<p>You probably wont have too much trouble geting into another class, since you would only have missed the first couple of classes. And decals usually start the 2-3 weeks of the year, so you'll have plenty of time, especially since a lot of decals require a CEC, which is given during the first couple of classes. But some do require you to apply and you may not get in, so have a few decals in mind, just in case you dont get into your first choice.</p>
<p>Two of the classes i want to take (survey of world history and western civilization) have final exams on the same day but different time. Is that manageable? Do business/econ intended have another backup major since both majors are impacted? At calso, i was advised to work toward a third major in case i don't get into either, but will that culimate in too many prerequisite classes to take? Will I have time to take the classes that I want?</p>
<p>Two finals on the same day is manageable as long as you have good study skills. Dont cram for them cause then you will most likely do bad. Find a back up major and take one or two courses for it a semester, that way its not too bad, but you can still finish the major if needed. And maybe those classes will satisfy breadth or some other requirements. But im not too familiar w/business or econ majors so i dont know what ppl normally do. sorry.</p>
<p>Berekleygirl, I was wondering if you could advise me if you are still offering advice. I'm an incoming freshman, just wondering about how I should approach planning my freshmen year in order to make good progress toward declaring Econ as my major. I want to go for the more difficult, mathematical econ track--I'd like to see if I could pursue graduate studies in econ. Although, if the math is too overwhelming, I'll try for law.</p>
<p>But anyway, I was thinking of Math 16B, Econ 1, and another class (probably a 5-unit language class, or if that doesn't work, a history and an english 45 class), for this fall semester. Although I received a 5 on the Calc AB exam, I think I'll start off with 16B, to refresh my calculus memory. Also, Math 1A/1B are full up right now anyway, and 16B is the only one I can even take on Telebears (I managed to get in and find a discussion that was not full!).</p>
<p>Then I was thinking of either Stat 20 or 21 (I've heard 21 is harder but better to take? Huh??) and Math 1A (or 1B if I can manage it) concurrently during spring semester.</p>
<p>Then on to Econ 101B in fall of sophmore year, and then I'll be ready to declare econ major. I've heard that 101B is completely manageable without having taken Math 53 or even taking it at the same time. But then again, I don't know. Please help out this clueless soul! Thanks.!</p>