<p>Ok guys so I am thinking about going to grad school in economics. Problem is that econ 101A is full and I will have to stick with 100A unless I talk to my advisor. However, Econ 100a would fit better my schedule and despite having a harsher curve the pool of students is generally weaker so I assume I could get a better grader. Can I still get into a top grad school despite taking the econ 100 series? Also, is it true that it would be easier to get a better grade despite a harsher curve due to the student pool? Thanks!</p>
<p>Wait to take the 101 series. It is more mathematical, closer to what you’d do in graduate school. The 100 series is not even remotely the same, so it isn’t a signal of your ability for graduate schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback! But can I still compensate not taking 101a by taking 101B next semester and Econ/Math 103 later? Also, is it easier to get a better grade at 100A despite the harsher curve? I don’t think I will be able to enroll into 101A Thanks!</p>
<p>it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>but if you don’t want to be bent over in grad school, it’s advised you have it under your belt.</p>
<p>Econ 101A is closer to graduate level microeconomics than Econ 101B is to graduate level macroeconomics, so Econ 101A is the more important class. Top graduate schools will wonder whether you can handle the material if you take Econ 100A, even if you get an A+. You can partially compensate by taking Econ C103 and fully compensate by taking Econ 202A-B. But why even put yourself in a position where you need to compensate?</p>
<p>I understand that you can’t enroll in Econ 101A. But that doesn’t mean you have to enroll in Econ 100A. Just enroll in another open class and take Econ 101A later. Looking through the schedule, here are some classes that will be useful for a top econ graduate school that are still open:</p>
<p>Real Analysis - Math 104
Linear Algebra - Math 110
Numerical Analysis - Math 128A
Concepts of Probability - Statistics 134 (This class is an unofficial prereq for Econ 141)
Linear Programming - IEOR 162</p>
<p>In general, you can never go wrong taking math. Take math until it hurts. And then a little more.</p>
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<p>I suppose that Econ 101 has some marginal benefit over 100, but the truth is, this particular question matters little, because economics undergraduate coursework in general- perhaps surprisingly and ironically - has little impact upon chances for admission to economics graduate school, at least at the top schools. What really matters is your background in coursework in mathematics/statistics, and to a lesser extent, computer science. According to Susan Athey, Real Analysis (Math 104) is an [“especially</a> important course”](<a href=“http://kuznets.fas.harvard.edu/~athey/gradadv.html]"especially”>http://kuznets.fas.harvard.edu/~athey/gradadv.html) for you to obtain a top grade, and Greg Mankiw recommends that you [“take</a> math courses until it hurts”](<a href=“http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/09/why-aspiring-economists-need-math.html]"take”>Greg Mankiw's Blog: Why Aspiring Economists Need Math). Indeed, I can think of numerous former and current economics PhD students who never even majored in economics at all while as undergrads, but rather majored in math or statistics.</p>
<p>To reiterate, for the purposes of grad school admissions, Econ101 would indeed be marginally better than 100, but not by enough to conduct major surgery upon your schedule. I would be far more concerned about having appropriate math/statistics coursework, for that’s where the game is won or lost.</p>
<p>Hiii! I’m also a student at Cal who wants to go to Econ grad school! That said, are you absolutely certain that you will not be able to get into Econ 101a? At first, when I was signing up, I couldn’t even get on the waitlist … and that was really frustrating. However, after constantly checking the waitlist a few times and noticing when it was not full, I managed to get a spot on the waitlist.</p>
<p>From what I heard, Prof. Card speeds through the material in the first few weeks and scares people into dropping the class. This might be an exaggeration/ rumor, but I heard that it isn’t too hard to get into the class off the waitlist. Though I’m not sure how essential Econ 101a is for grad school, would you really want to be regretting/ wondering after you get your admissions results? I personally wouldn’t take the risk …</p>
<p>Someone heading to graduate school in economics probably likes math and statistics (or should, given the recommendation to take Math 110, 104, etc. and Statistics 134, etc.). Such a student would likely enjoy Economics 101A over 100A anyway.</p>
<p>Tanks guys! I got into 101a, my advisor gave me an entry code. I really appreciate your feedback. In fact, I checked lecture slides from both 100a and 101a and I definitely thought 101a would be more interesting since there would be more math and less writing. It seems to me it is more like the first part of math 53 but all applied to economics. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>You want to go to grad school in economics? Change your major to math.</p>
<p>What about MBA? If you’re doing Economics and take 100A/B series… is that a big no no too :(?</p>
<p>For MBA school, get good work experience between your bachelor’s degree and applying for MBA school. No particular undergraduate major is required.</p>
<p>More linkage:
<a href=“https://sites.google.com/site/markborgschulte/berkeleyclassesirecommend[/url]”>https://sites.google.com/site/markborgschulte/berkeleyclassesirecommend</a></p>
<p>@ucb, I was thinking something like that. Phew then. Thanks :)!</p>