I don’t know what my major will be in college but I’m thinking economics. How academically rigorous is economics at Duke and is it really competitive? I’ve also heard that the first few “weed out” classes are pretty hard. Is there a way to get credit for these classes through taking the AP micro or macro test?
Thanks!
Econ 101 is a weed out, which you can place out of (you need both Macro AND Micro though). The other Econ core classes aren’t easy but are fine if you actually study and do the practice tests. Stats 111 is tough and a huge time waste (office hours are necessary to do the problem sets). Hopefully you’ve taken all the AP Calc you can in high school so you only have to take Multi for Econ (the Calc classes leading up to it are tough–avoid Duke math at all costs!). Electives for Econ are really easy though.
If by “competitive” you mean “cutthroat,” I’d say no. Not even the finance classes (which you would assume to be competitive as it’s 100+ kids going for the same few internships) are too competitive; in my experience, they’ve actually been collaborative and supportive.
How does your GPA and SAT (or ACT) compare with other incoming students at Duke?
allthelamps Thanks for the response. I have in fact taken AP stats and AP Calc AB my junior year and plan on taking AP Calc BC my senior year. If I get a 4 or 5 on the AP stats test would I be able to skip stats 111? And if I get a 4/5 on Calc AB and BC would I be able to place out of these courses as well?
DadTwoGirls I believe I am competitive for Duke. I have a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 1520 SAT score. I also plan on applying ED
@DukeDreams No and no. A 5 in AP Stats wouldn’t even get you out of Stats 101. You still have to take Multi with a 5 in BC, but it would get you out of the pre-reqs for Multi.
Real talk though…Fullenkamp will screw you over.
its hard
If you’re smart enough to get into Duke, you’re smart enough to handle the academics. Duke econ is very well connected and there is lots of help for internships, etc.