<p>I'm currently an NYU student with a 3.83, an internship this past summer at JPMC and in pretty good standing with my teachers. What else should I be doing to get into top economics programs (Princeton, etc.)??</p>
<p>Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!</p>
<p>research research research</p>
<p>math math math (as well as research)</p>
<p>To elaborate on, "math math math"
You usually need to take
1. Calculus II
2. Multivariable Calculus
3. Discrete Statistics
4. Linear Algebra
5. A Math Analysis Course
Not to mention you have to receive high grades in all of these courses to be considered for admission into top programs.
There are likely some math courses I may have missed.
<a href="http://www.econphd.net/guide.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.econphd.net/guide.htm</a> . This site has some other useful information as well. You can also simply apply for a masters and then move into a Ph.D. program. That option is usually quite costly, however.</p>
<p>While I certainly agree that math is vital, I would emphasize dobby's point that research can trump all.</p>
<p>As a case in point, you should know that one of the most common backdoors to any PhD econ program (or probably any PhD program in most fields for that matter) is to work as a researcher for a prof in that department for a few years. This doesn't just mean as an undergrad (although that is one way), but after you graduate, take a job as a research analyst/associate at one of the various university thinktanks/labs and hook onto a project with one of the profs. If you do good work - even if your academic record is not the strongest (as long as it's not terrible) - then you stand a decent chance of being admitted into the regular PhD program because that prof will vouch for you and want you to continue working with him. </p>
<p>For example, I now know quite a few PhD students at Harvard and MIT who freely admit that their math skills aren't top-notch and the only reason why they think they got in was because they had a research job at, say, the Harvard Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness or other such research centers and struck up a good relationship with a prof who then shepherded them through the admissions process. Granted, it's not easy to get one of these research jobs either, but it is almost certainly easier than just trying to get admitted to the doctoral program straight away.</p>
<p>In addition to math, get some statistics classes in. A masters in statistics wouldn't hurt at all.</p>
<p>Well, lucky for me, I'm an Economics and Math minor. These are my grades so far in those two...</p>
<p>Economics I A-
Economics II A
Statistics A-
Calculus I A-
Calculus II B
Calculus III A</p>
<p>I'm taking Linear Algebra as my last math class for the minor. Also, I took Discrete Math in high school. </p>
<p>Is that B in Calc II going to ruin my shot for top programs right out of college?</p>
<p>Also, is approaching one your professors and asking to assist in any projects of research the most efficient way to get a start? Or, is this highly unlikely and you have to do research on your own before getting an opportunity like that? (I know there is no uniform answer for this - but I mean for the majority of cases)</p>
<p>***Economics major and Math minor</p>
<p>Sorry about the confusion! Thank you for any help or advice!</p>
<p>Your math background is very weak. You need at least one post-calculus statistics course, and a lot more math. Unless you have outstanding research on your C.V.. </p>
<p>I would strongly suggest taking some more math classes. Right now. In all seriousness, none of the math courses you've taken demonstrate any math ability. None of the econ courses you've taken demonstrate if you can do economics. If you're a junior/senior, I'd say no chance, but otherwise, indeterminate (that means it's up to you).</p>
<p>Ok well I'm a junior and I really don't have room in my schedule for any more math because I'm doing a Pre-Business minor too that I already started. So, no chance for me!</p>
<p>in regards to what sakky said: I don't think it's easier to get into a think tank or a research group right out of college if you're not top notch. I am sure that the guys who end up at the Harvard Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness right out of undergrad are more than qualified academically to get into a PhD, and maybe the only thing they have a weakness in is research. My belief is that grades are primordial, and research is a close second, but the latter cannot make up for a poor academic record.</p>
<p>I do not mean to sound hostile, but if you're more worried about filling out your pre-business requirements over filling out the coursework for econ grad school then, you may want to reconsider going to graduate school in the first place. To get into the top programs you will have to take some higher level math courses. Without taking those courses there is a good chance you will be overloaded with some of the first-year coursework even at schools that aren't in the first tier. Researching in economics requires a strong mathematical background and if you do not have that you'll have a hard time grasping the graduate level concepts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Ok well I'm a junior and I really don't have room in my schedule for any more math because I'm doing a Pre-Business minor too that I already started. So, no chance for me!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Forget a top econ. PhD program then. Or figure out a way to add a year and get another degree in addition that allows you to flesh out your math skills.....The folks I've heard about who got into PhD programs without heavy math backgrounds were always demonstrably brilliant in other ways and had extremely high general quantitative test scores ....</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Well, I used to want to do IB. But over the summer, JPMC showed me that the corporate world is extremely undesirable to me. Oddly enough, I actually like school. So I want to pursue whatever it takes to get into top graduate econ schools, even if it is for a master's. Could someone give me a list of math courses that are essential to make myself competitive for the application process? </p>
<p>Also, I would need to take the GRE for a master's program in econ, right? </p>
<p>(Sorry, I'm very new to this!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
So I want to pursue whatever it takes to get into top graduate econ schools, even if it is for a master's.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There are basically no Master's offered by any top econ programs. The one exception I know of is a very quant heavy Master's at Harvard which is heavily slanted I understand for technocrats from other countries though it does admit some Americans. But you don't want to go this route on the way to a PhD without already having cut your teeth on really advanced math, based on a friend I know who had studied engineering in his country, added a BA in Business at Haas/Berkeley, studied additional math at a high level in a non-degree program at Berkeley, and then gone to Harvard for this degree. He said the coursework was as demanding as a lot of Econ PhD coursework.</p>
<p>Are you a URM? There is a program established to provide URM's with training to make up any deficiencies they might have before they apply to top Econ. programs. I think this is a collaboration by several top programs and it rotates around the country having recently been offered at Duke, and previously at Colorado-Boulder, etc. I don't know the name, but you could find it if you inquire around your econ. department, I am certain. Basically, it's extremely math intensive.</p>
<p>Well, based on what you guys are telling me, I might just cut my loses with the Pre-Business minor and extend the math minor to a major by taking on the additional 5 math classes. </p>
<p>I'm not familiar with the acronym URM. What is that? </p>
<p>Also, I was going to apply to NYU's 5 year Master's program, but it seems that isn't a "top program." Is that true?</p>
<p>URM - underrepresented minority.</p>
<p>I'm curious - why do you want to go to econ grad school? Your pre-business minor (what the heck is that, anyway? I've heard of business minors, but pre-business?) doesn't really fit with econ grad school.</p>
<p>not to hijack this thread, but how much of this advice applies for someone at Harvard college trying to get into, say, MIT or Harvard econ phd? is there anything I should specifically try to do aside from math, research, and possibly econ grad school courses? also what kind of math grades would be OK, B+'s, A-'s? Also, what are my chances coming from Harvard? Thanks.</p>
<p>
[quote]
not to hijack this thread, but how much of this advice applies for someone at Harvard college trying to get into, say, MIT or Harvard econ phd? is there anything I should specifically try to do aside from math, research, and possibly econ grad school courses? also what kind of math grades would be OK, B+'s, A-'s? Also, what are my chances coming from Harvard? Thanks.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think you've provided too little information for us to evaluate your situation clearly. What's your major? What level math classes have you gotten these grades in, etc.?</p>
<p>Based on the little information provided, it sounds like you might have a shot at top 10 econ. programs, though it's unclear you'd make the "top 5" which according to US News are: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, Princeton, Yale, and Chicago, and two or three others....US News rates several of these programs as tied for 1 or 2 and so there are more than 5 top 5 implied here. Coming from Harvard is good, but less important than having demonstrated math skills and perhaps some good research in relevant areas with good recs from famous professors....</p>
<p>Bedhead, if you could clear out your PM box, I'll send you a PM with all of my info. But, in general, I am only a sophomore so I have no real record established yet, but I'll give you what I have.</p>