Vandy Econ

<p>I might be coming in with some IB credit for Micro and Macro econ (Econ 100 and 101). Should I skip these classes or take them? I've read that I should take them even though I might have credit already. I plan on double majoring in Econ and HOD and minoring in financial econ. I register next week, and my potential schedule is shown below, with a total of 13 hours. Is that too little or should I add a class?</p>

<p>French 102 (for axle requirement)
Writing Seminar in Behavioral Econ
Math 150A
Sociology 102: Contemporary Issues- Corporations and Society</p>

<p>Also, I've heard that Vandy's BB placement has been steadily improving in the past few years. Can anyone comment on this/share experiences? Thanks</p>

<p>S had no experience with econ before arriving at Vandy and took macro with Vrooman his first semester. Loved it and knew he would be declaring that as his major before the semester was out (he did honors econ with a double in math). Vrooman teaches sports economics and that class is so popular that S was not able to get into it as he progressed because it was always full when he could take it. He had Buckles for micro his second semester and told me about how awesome he was as well. I think he had Buckles for another class later on. This was a kid who didn’t talk about his professors all that much, but I still remember their names and how he raved about those classes. I think it would be to your advantage over the long term to take the Vandy classes, but I’m not familiar enough with the rigor of IB classes to say that definitively. </p>

<p>Thank you @2VU0609. I’ll email my adviser as well about this. Anyone else? I would really love you hear your opinion, @Pancaked</p>

<p>Econ 100/101 and Professor Buckles are kinda part of the Vanderbilt experience for most students in A&S. Buckles actually wrote the textbook that the course uses. If you look on RateMyProfessor, you’ll see that he is by FAR the most reviewed professor, though people’s opinions of the course vary.</p>

<p>That said, these courses aren’t particularly easy. If you know the material from Econ 100 and 101 well, and you’re double majoring, skipping them would definitely make sense.</p>

<p>The Class of 2018 FB page might be a good place to ask, upperclassmen who are majoring in Econ may weigh in. I have never taken the courses.</p>

<p>@Pancaked Thank you! Would you say that a 13 hour load for the first semester is too little? Should I add a class and make it 16/17 hours?</p>

<p>I don’t think there can be a “too little” for your first semester. Perhaps you can scour YES and find an easy 1 or 2 hour course, though I doubt there are any left. They are tough to find and tend to go pretty quickly (I think Vandy is working on adding more of these).</p>

<p>How challenging is an econ major at Vandy? </p>

<p>Every major at Vanderbilt has easy courses and challenging courses, and plays differently to every student’s strengths and weaknesses. That’s certainly not a good way to decide what to major in :P</p>

<p>Thanks @Pancaked‌ ! I will major in economics only but I was just wondering how tough it is going to be. Is is true that economics at Vandy doesn’t have too much of a math focus? </p>