PHD in Econ with Horrible start in undergrad math so far

Graduate School
1

<p>I've recently become interested in a getting a PHD in econ, and was wondering my chances of getting into a top 20 phd program. Anyway, my 2 calc grades thus far in college are HORRIBLE. I got a B- in Calc 1 and a D+ in Calc 2. But the thing is, that was before I knew I wanted to do Econ, I was just taking those classes for distribution requirements. You think if I retook those 2 courses and got A's in both of them and get A's in subsequent Math and Econ courses, will I have a good shot at a top 20 program? Or will they hold those 2 bad calculus grades against me heavily?</p>

<p>Also just some general questions on PHD admissions. Is it heavily number based (GPA, GRE, etc). Does job experience/extraciriculars matter much? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Can you take more advanced math courses without repeating Calculus? Take Differential equations, advanced statistics, analysis, algebra, etc; if you can show that you can succeed in these courses then can show them you’re competent in math despite your calculus grades. The upper-level math courses are very different from introductory ones.</p>

<p>Look at Greg Mankiw’s Blog. Usually some good stuff there [Greg</a> Mankiw’s Blog: Advice for Aspiring Economists](<a href=“http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/05/advice-for-aspiring-economists.html]Greg”>Greg Mankiw's Blog: Advice for Aspiring Economists)</p>

<p>For engineering the most important factor is research experience and aptitude. For economics it seems like math ability is the most important. Focus on doing well in upper level math courses and use your summers to do research or internship. I don’t think extracurriculars are very important.</p>

<p>Ask your professors for advice. They all have PhDs and know better what graduate admission committees look for.</p>

3

<p>Thanks None, I probably should ask some profs at my school</p>

<p>I have to retake calc 2, but not calc 1</p>

<p>Does anyone know what the avg gpa/gre score you need to get into top 10/top 20 econ programs</p>

4

<p>Most candidates seem to have high Math-course GPAs (can’t give an actual number, though) and 790+Q on the GRE. Verbal doesn’t matter as much as Quant (obviously), but the higher the better. Shoot for at least a 1400+ composite</p>

5

<p>Back in the dark ages the chairman of my undergraduate econ department advised that for going to graduate school in economics it was better to major in math and minor in econ than the other way around. From what I hear, this is still the usual advice. So take as much math as you can, and do as well as you can.</p>

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<p>Thanks Oyama, I guess that makes sense</p>

<p>Dadx, in your experience could you give me an estimate of hte stats of your students that placed into top 20 econ programs. Also did you happen to know any that did as bad as a D+ in calc2 and still end up getting into a top 20 program (after retaking calc 2 and acing math after that of course)</p>