<p>I'm currently finishing my third year of undergraduate at DePaul University.
econ major
math minor
english minor</p>
<p>started with english and then in my second year discovered and loved economics. I have a strong GPA 3.93 and am confident in my ability to score well on the quantitative section of the GRE. Because of poor planning and the fact that I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do after undergrad I'm worried that I don't have strong enough math classes to get into top schools. Moreover a few of the classes that I know that they like to see I won't have been able to take until next year well after applications are due and decisions are made. </p>
<p>By the time I graduate I will taken the following maths</p>
<p>Precalculus (I actually tutor this now)
Business Statistics
Calculus 1-3
Multivariable Calculus 1 and 2
Intro to Mathematical Reasoning (math proofs)
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations</p>
<p>Unfortunately the last two on this list are only offered in the spring term so I'm not sure if they'll be seen. I'll be sure to make it clear that I will be taking them, will that help?</p>
<p>I've got Econometrics under my belt and will try to get a few graduate classes in economics done next year as well. I also am currently working as a research assistant to my professor that I had for econometrics. </p>
<p>Would I have a chance in Top 15-20 schools with such weak math? Also what are my chances in top 40?</p>
<p>Top 40 maybe, Top 15-20 unlikely. Datum: I’m told Berkeley received something like 800 apps. 300+ had a 3.8+ gpa and 780+ GRE quant. Real Analysis is viewed by many as the “gateway” Math course for Econ grad; other classes like Complex Analysis, Topology, and Combinatorics are also looked upon with favor.</p>
<p>For T15 applications, you’re going to want letters of rec from some economists, preferably somebody that the admissions committee has heard of. One letter of rec could come from a highest-level Math prof…for your classes, it wouldn’t make any difference.</p>
<p>Also, many top applicants have research experience. Working as an RA for a Federal Reserve bank is the typical plum assignment; having first- or second-name authorship on published papers also counts highly.</p>
<p>With any luck, Oyama will come along and either amplify or correct my thoughts. (I’ve done something like a “crash course” on this particular subject over the past few months, strictly as a spectator.)</p>
<p>TheDad is pretty much on point. I would take as much time as you can before graduating to take as many rigorous math courses as you can (Real Analysis, Topology, ODE/PDE, Probability Theory, etc.) and even some more rigorous Econometric courses (time series/forecasting, etc.).</p>
<p>Your GPA is great, so no worries about that. You’ll likely need an 800 on GRE Q given the amount of perfect scores attached to applications to T15 programs. Keep working as a research assistant; I had a publication, an R&R, a few conference proceedings, and quite a few conference presentations (albeit, most NOT under Economics, but rather Psychology/Judgment and Decision Making), and these were noted with great respect by a lot of the schools I applied to.</p>
<p>Take as many graduate (doctoral if there’s a difference at DePaul) courses as you can in Economics and do well in them. This will act as a strong signal that you can take the rigor of math at the graduate level and will be less of a concern to the adcomm if you can demonstrate this.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. Unfortunately DePaul doesn’t have a doctoral program for Economics so I’ll only be able to take masters classes. </p>
<p>There is a 4+1 program in the department that would let me start taking classes next year towards a masters in Economics and Policy Analysis and finish the degree with only one additional year of work. I’m told that schools won’t really care that I would have a masters, but would the coursework look good to them? Also it has the added benefit of leaving me with a degree if after a year I find myself in a position where I am unable start graduate work. </p>
<p>Do you think going into a program like that would benefit my chances relative to the amount of money and work that would go into it?</p>
<p>Terminal master’s degrees that don’t share the same curriculum as respective doctoral programs are typically seen as extraneous and not viable to doctoral adcomms.</p>
<p>I’d just take as many math courses as you can, then.</p>
<p>D turned to Econ late in undergrad although she was a double-major, Government & Math. She worked a great “gap” job for three years and took one vital Econ class that was missing from her resume at night at a decent local U. (Would have been better imo if she had taken two Econ & one Math but since she got into a Top Three program, who’s to argue with her?) </p>
<p>You could do something similar with Math: knock off 2-3 courses while working.</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters how many times you re-phrase it, you’re just “light” the way you are now. The trick will be finding a relevant job to go with the course work. Fwiw, many grad students do not apply directly from undergrad. Problem is, I don’t think a plum job like an RA with the Federal Reserve is in the cards for you; you might have to scratch and find something relevant but slightly “off center.” Does this make sense?</p>