<p>I'm interested in pursuing a PhD in either econ or business. I'm a sohomore at Penn majoring in Econ and (probably) minoring in Math (maybe major, but probably not) in Arts and Sceinces. So far my math grades through Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, and Probability Theory are B, B+, and W respectively. I'm retaking probability theory next semester along with Statistical Inference and will hopefully get at least a B+ in both. I'm aiming for As, but you can only do so much taking honors level courses in core Wharton classes. After that I have three more math courses that I'm planning to take: Advanced Linear Algebra, and two semesters of Analysis (whether at the undergrad level or grad level is tbd). Have I shot myself in the foot for top grad school admissions by getting Bs in my first two math classes in college? Are there any other math courses I should look to take to improve my chances for top grad programs? In my econ courses so far I have an two As and an A-. In my business course work I have an A and probably another B+/A- (final grade isn't in yet). My overall GPA is above a 3.7, but I know for PhD programs math matters more than anything else. I know there is nothing I can do now besides working harder and aiming to get straight As in math, but for some reason that just doesn't seem possible. It's not that I don't understand the material, I just freeze and make dumb mistakes on my math exams. I don't do it as much in my other classes, but it seems like it always happens in math. How bad are my chances for getting into say Stern or Ross for a PhD if my average math GPA is barely at a 3.5 upon graduation?</p>
<p>From what I understand, econ programs want you to have a fair amount of mathematics. Real analysis, measure theory, and even some topology is what I have heard.</p>
<p>Why did you not do so well in your math classes? A lot of times when people say they understand the material, they only understand it superficially. You need to spend a lot of time with the material when it comes to math as things seem intuitively clear sometimes, but in fact it is much more complex.</p>
<p>I didn't do well in my last math class because of careless mistakes. On my last midterm (havn't seen my final) I got marked off for integrating incorrectly, making a few addition errors, miswriting one of my lines (changed a 2 to a 3 for no reason) and other careless things. When I talked to my professor about the test he said that I understood the material, but I needed to take my time more with the tests. The only tests I have ever felt a time crunch for in college have been my math tests. I've taken some pretty tough courses in Chem, Accounting, and other departments that many students find difficult and do poorly in. I don't know why, but math seems like the only subject where I just freeze on tests and do much worse than I have in homework or on quizes.</p>
<p>Some thoughts (as a business school professor):</p>
<p>You might want to get tested for a learning disability. You may qualify and benefit from test accomodations (for both your courses but also the GMAT or GRE when you take it). </p>
<p>Along with bringing up your quant scores, start scoping out the goal of PhD. I'm left wondering why this is your goal. Start looking at doing research with faculty where you are. How else would you know if you would be interested in, or good at, getting a PhD? Why would someone admit you if you have no research experience or do not appear to know what you are getting into? </p>
<p>And start working on a more specific goal than "PhD in Econ or business". Way too broad and it suggests you are looking at this goal for the wrong reasons (rather than because of your passion for an area of study to do research in). A PhD in marketing is different than a PhD in finance which is again different than a PhD in management or PhD in econ (outside of a bschool).</p>
<p>^thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>I doubt I have a learning disability because I got a 790 in the math portion of my SAT, an 800 on the IIC SATII, and a 5 on my BC exam. If I was able to do well on college board standardized tests I think I should have the basic abilities to do simple math in college. However, I seem to do very stupid things on all of my tests, mostly in math class, and the number of careless mistakes seem to be most prevelent on my math tests. Maybe it's a stress thing. I'm not really sure but trying to work on it.</p>
<p>I agree with your statement "I'm left wondering why this is your goal." I have not clearly stated it in my posts and to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. After my initial economics classes (intro micro and macro and intermediate micro) I fell in love with the subject. During my classes I was always the one friends went to for help and found it really rewarding to teach them the material and help them do better in the class. I guess that led me to look into becoming an economics professor. I guess my areas of interest now are game theory/decision theory, information technology, and operations management. My interests are broad and unclear because I've only taken a few courses in the area and really doubt I will know until I am a junior or a senior. I plan to work after my undergrad instead of going straight into grad school to make sure I wish to enter academia, so I doubt I need to have a clear idea at this point. I know this seems somewhat wishywashy, but after talking to several professors I have been told that because I am entertaining the idea of graduate study in economics, it is better to take a lot of math now rather than deciding later that I wish to go to grad school and have to spend an extra year or more in undergrad to have the required math.</p>
<p>I'm not 100% sure about the whole research thing, but I plan to eventually do research as an undergrad in economics or business. I am currently doing computational biology research because it is easier to get a position in a biomedical department at my school as an undergrad. I chose this lab because it requires a lot of math and computer skills. While the focus is in biology (which I also have a slight interest in, and part of this experience was to make sure I wanted to pursue economics instead of biology) I believe some of the computatioanl and research skills I gain will help me perform any type of research. Also, I figured it won't hurt to be published in something rather than do nothing my sophomore year. Before working with this lab I tried to find a research position in the economics department or the business school, but all the professors I talked to weren't looking for any research assistants. My operations professor told me that the best way to get a research position was to take a class with a professor and impress the hell out of him. That's been tough so far in 100+ person intro lectures, but I think I have a few professors I can talk to about research next year.</p>
<p>I don't see anything wrong with those grades, but you will need research to get a better chance in grad school. Keep looking for opportunities. Apply for summer undergrad research opportunities.</p>