<p>Hey everyone. I am currently an undergrad economics major thinking of going on to get a PhD in economics. Here is my concern though; I transferred as an undergrad and it seems as though alot of my divisional requirements aren't worth anything at my new institution. I received credit points, but no divisional credits for most of them.</p>
<p>It looks as though I may be hindered in what classes I can choose before graduating, which means tight restrictions on what Math courses I will be able to take. If the worst of the worst does happen, I will only have Calc I and II, Probability and Statistics, and Multivariate Calculus. At best it will also include Linear Algebra. That is basically all of the math I will be able to afford to take as an undergrad.</p>
<p>I am looking into International Economics or Macroeconomics at NYU, Columbia, and possibly Princeton but I'm starting to think my math background will have them laughing. Has anyone with a limited math background, on CC, got into any of these very competitive programs?</p>
<p>also:
Is there a way, without participating in a masters program, to build up my math background post undergrad? I highly doubt I can afford to do a Masters Program, and try for a PhD as my Undergrad is quite expensive already.</p>
<p>You don't have a chance. After graduating you can take the last few courses you need at your local state college and work for a year or two, then apply. Or just get your master's at your local state college and finish up your math classes. Good luck!</p>
<p>Have you gone through a similar process? I'd like to hear from people who have maybe gone through the process having only taken up to, say, Linear Algebra.</p>
<p>I will take your advice about enrolling after graduation to get a few more math courses in. I almost feel as if I can't get it done in my undergrad, I will forget the option and go for a career/B-school route. The graduate work sounded a lot more personally rewarding but I don't think mountains of debt to get prepared are worth it.</p>
<p>You will need a number of math-related credits from your undergraduate studies. Graduate study in economics follows a theorem-proof approach and uses rigorous notation, so the adcoms pay a lot of attention to how comfortable you look to be with pure mathematics. Two or three terms of calculus, and often linear algebra, are deemed minimum preparation; similarly a semester of mathematical statistics. First-year graduate courses draw heavily on real analysis. Background in real analysis is highly valued and indeed almost expected of a strong applicant. Real analysis is usually the first "rigorous" mathematics course, where you have to work through all proofs and write some yourself. The course is supremely effective preparation for initial graduate courses. If you really want to delight the adcoms (you do), take metric spaces and functional analysis, too. When they see these and measure theory, perhaps even topology, they're rubbing their hands. Courses in differential equations are useful too, but if you have to choose in your final undergraduate years, the proof-based classes will always do more for you. Economics up to intermediate micro- and macroeconomics is also preferred, but perhaps not as essential. In all these, you should have earned good grades. Having taken too few math courses in college, or having performed poorly in them, rules you out of a top school. Apart from such coursework requirements, a formal major in economics is not necessary. In fact, the committee will view a math or physics major favorably, but anything – English, social work, Islamic studies – is fine as long as you demonstrate a strong aptitude for math.</p>
<p>She is right, you have no shot at a top program unless you have more upper level math. I suggest you stay longer or work while taking more math. Every TA that I have talked to at my school either has a undergrad math degree or did econ and was a class or two away from having a math degree as well. Some had both.</p>
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In fact, the committee will view a math or physics major favorably, but anything English, social work, Islamic studies is fine as long as you demonstrate a strong aptitude for math.
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<p>what about something more unconventional like a math/econ combo major?</p>
<p>The name of the major is not the most important. What is important, however, is that you are very well prepared and talented in math. That means three semester of calculus, linear algebra and math statistics as an almost requirement. Real Analysis is very important as well, and some adcoms look favorably on Topology. Your economics class matters a lot too, how well you do in your intermediate economics classes as well as if you have done TAing or research before applying. Do well on your Math GRE too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information. I have decided to instead focus on internships and job prospects strait from graduation. I have a few possibilities lined up and I don't think I have the passion for Econ graduate studies. It makes it much more difficult to be motivated about that much more preparation.</p>
<p>Hrm... am I the only one who finds some of the above posts a little bit misleading?</p>
<p>I'm a senior at Princeton now, and most of my friends who are economics majors (some of whom are applying to PhD programs) have only taken one semester of math beyond calculus. The requirement here is MAT200, which covers multivariable calculus and linear algebra in one semester.</p>
<p>I feel like those doing operations research and finance take a lot more math classes, but I know of zero econ or ORF majors here who have taken real analysis or topology.</p>
<p>I don't think it's misleading at all. The vast majority of the the econ majors aren't going to graduate school (in econ at least), and Princeton's own econ department suggests several upper level math classes beyond the multivar calc/lin algebra ones for those considering graduate study in economics.</p>
<p>It depends on what school you are coming out of too. For example, it isn't as essential for a Princeton student to demonstrate his quantitative prowess, because he can have renowned professors write convincing letters of recommendation. The state school student on the other hand, has to signal his ability in other ways and one of the best methods for signaling ability for graduate econ is excelling in rigorous math courses.</p>
<p>How about the other way round? A math major who is planning to take only up till intermediate micro and macro.. would he be good for top econ grad programs?</p>
<p>"How about the other way round? A math major who is planning to take only up till intermediate micro and macro.. would he be good for top econ grad programs?"</p>