How does choice of classes in undergraduate affect admission?

Graduate School
1

<p>Specifically Economics. An advisor said that taking alot of math classes, and acing them, looks favorable to the graduate schools. I don't really like math, I like statistics more. Am I being idealistic?</p>

<p>I plan (will) do internships and research (as part of my graduation requirements). thought i would mention this because apparently it helps alot. Looks like my question is, how do class choices affect admission, given that I will be doing internships and hopefully producing excellent research?</p>

2

<p>i would think that generally speaking, solid research would trump almost all other factors, including relatively weak coursework, for graduate admission.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t shy away from math courses if you want to go into graduate economics. In order for one to conduct economic research, which is usually done through econometric models, you need to understand mathematics. Specifically you need to be familiar with linear algebra. Higher-level economics deals with mathematical models that represent many of the different theories in economics. If you do not take the right undegraduate math courses you will have a harder time grasping the mathematics behind economic models. At the very least try and take Linear Algebra-(pass/fail) P/F. If you really do not like the class then you may want to consider focusing on economic history over regular economics. Economic history tends to be less mathematically rigorous than econometrics and other areas of economics. I understand your plight; I enjoy economics but higher level math is intimidating. If you can have high grades in undegraduate math classes, and statistics classes you will have better chances of admission at top programs.</p>

4

<p>Thanks Milton and wilwn.

That is about the same thing as what my advisor told me. I don’t hate math, I just prefer something else to math. However I’d like to hear other’s opinions too.</p>

5

<p>For Econ the math is not just a good idea, it’s essential.</p>

<p><a href=“http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/09/why-aspiring-economists-need-math.html[/url]”>http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/09/why-aspiring-economists-need-math.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Greg Mankiw has a lot of other useful advice for prospective Econ students. Look on the right-hand margin under “Advice for Students”.
<a href=“http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/[/url]”>http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Note item #1:
<a href=“http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/05/advice-for-aspiring-economists.html[/url]”>http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/05/advice-for-aspiring-economists.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>If I were you, I’d trust my advisor over a bunch of people on a forum.</p>

7

<p>ROS, thanks for the link.</p>

<p>DSP, normally I’d agree with you, but it’s just that my previous advisor failed to tell me about an essential requirement (he said it was ‘no big deal if you didn’t take this class’, but did not tell me what the consequences are - it wasn’t an obvious requirement that’s on the departmental website…and I fell behind by one semester), so I just want to make sure I get all the facts right first.</p>

<p>But I guess I’ll take those math courses and ace them.</p>