<p>I understand that Claremont Mckenna is well known for economics but I am interested
in learning about its placement record in top economics PhD programs? </p>
<p>Given the importance of advanced mathematical training for graduate work
in economics I am also interested to hear students opinions
of the mathematics courses, particularly from students who are planning on
going to graduate school.</p>
<p>I happen to be the perfect person to ask! </p>
<p>Here’s the deal. There are not many people from CMC interested in going on to get a PhD in economics (usually between 1 and 3 or so per year), however, the faculty is incredibly supportive of such desires and are willing to do whatever they can to give you the best chances possible. There have not been many T5 placements (MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford), but if you look at the overall percentage of students going to the T5, it is probably in line with most top schools with the exception of maybe the T5. We have however, had several top 10 placements and many top 20 placements. CMC is excellent because the consortium allows you access to the math/econ classes in the entire consortium. This includes Claremont Graduate University. I am currently taking 1st year PhD Macro and 2nd year PhD Micro. The math classes I have had have been great and will prepare you for a PhD. </p>
<p>Bottom line: Do what you need to do (A’s in Math classes/crucial econ courses including grad courses/780-800 GREQ) and you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>Recommended Math Coursework: Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Analysis, Probability Theory. If you have the time: Upper level analysis, Differential Equations, Mathematical Statistics</p>
<p>Recommended Econ Coursework: ECON 50 (Principles of Economics), ECON101/102 (Intermediate Micro/Macro), ECON125 (Econometrics), ECON120 (Economics Statistics), ECON129 (Game Theory)</p>
<p>Advanced Econ Theory: I’m currently taking ECON316 (2nd year micro, skipped 1st year micro), ECON302 (1st year Macro). I plan to continue the sequence in each next semester. Advanced Micro/Macro are also offered at the undergraduate level throughout the Claremont Colleges.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask any other questions!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I do have a couple more questions.
Have you taken math and econ classes at any of the other
Claremont schools? Also is it common for students to take economics courses
at Claremont Graduate university? For instance are there
other students perhaps from Pomona who are in your Macro or Micro course.
Finally do you feel well prepared for these classes?</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>I am currently taking intro. analysis at Scripps. The class is excellent. It is not common for students to take classes at CGU but it is not a problem to do so. In general, the quality at CMC exceeds the quality at CGU so it is not often advised by professors. However, graduate coursework is an outstanding signal to phd admissions committees. There is one Pomona person in my macro class but my micro class is completely phd students except for me. I feel very prepared for these classes and so long as you have sufficient math background, you will be just fine. I should mention, I took an Analysis & Optimization course at Columbia over the summer. This course was based off of Columbia’s math camp for econ phds, and has prepared me very well. This is not necessary however, for the CGU classes, though helpful.</p>