<p>Hi all, I'm currently taking an introductory economics course (which covers both macro and micro). However, I'm not doing as well as I would like and I don't want this course to hurt my GPA (which is currently over a 3.9). I could still pass-fail the course, though then I wouldn't have an actual grade to show for it on my transcript) and am wondering if political science Ph.D. programs (specifically, comparative politics programs) generally require (or would like for) their applicants to have taken introductory economics? More specifically, I'm worried about not having a strong quantitative background, even though, I think, that the rest of my application will be competitive. I took AP Microeconomics in high school and received a 4 on the exam, but the only quantitative classes that I have taken as an undergraduate (I'm currently a senior) are finite mathematics (I received an A) and political analysis (I received a B+). Also, I'm taking an independent-study political science course this semester that includes some quantitative analysis. My research interests in graduate school would be minority politics in Germany (I've done two study-abroad programs that have focused on Europe [Western, Central, and Easter], am fluent in German, and have taken a wide range of courses, including my current independent-study course, that show that I'm serious about my interests). And, for what it's worth, I'm an African-American male. :) I apologize for the long post, but thank you for any insight!</p>
<p>Bump. Any feedback would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>Personally, it depends the program. Some programs are HEAVY numbers and others aren’t. So, the answer is depending on the graduate school you are looking at. </p>
<p>Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using CC</p>
<p>Econ courses are usually fairly easy, you just have to read go through and try and understand the Econ basics, and once that clicks, then you should getting the more complex concepts and doing well. From my own experience Econ can be a very rewarding course, in the sense that you start having a better understanding of the world, and how governments and markets function. A 4 on AP Micro is not good (especially considering that, the exam is very very easy, certainly much much easier than IB Econ HL and University level Econ courses), and I assume you mentioned that because you want to put it on your application, so telling them you had a 4 wont impress them. I feel that you should stick with the course, go to every class (read the book/lecture slides beforehand) and understand it, because honestly Econ is, in imo, one of those subjects where it just clicks for you, and it becomes super easy (still dont see how so many Arts kids in my University manage to do badly in such courses given how, from what Ive seen, Econ & Arts courses in general seem to be significantly easier than Science and Business courses). </p>
<p>I just feel like if you go P/F on that course, and it is the only course where you have done that, and it is a quantitave’ish course, then they might think you did that because you thought you could not handle it. BTW, what econ course are you taking, if you dont mind me asking?</p>
<p>Thank you both for your insight! The course is indeed very rewarding, and I’m learning quite a bit. It’s an introductory economics course that covers both macro- and microeconomics (my school doesn’t have separate introductory courses for macro and micro). Right now I’m in the B+/A- range for the course, so I’m by no means doing horribly, but I’m just careful about how this course will affect me (with this being my final semester of college and all).</p>