Is a masters econ to fill math void

[senmaster]

Hi TMians...1 question -

Does having a masters in economics (with grad level courses) make up for someone with deficient math when applying for US Top 20 PhD?

[rogo22]

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, but I doubt that it is necessary. I made it into several top 20 schools with a very weak math background (coupled with excellent economics grades and strong references).

[OneMoreEcon]

It depends on the program and whether you take any math classes in addition to the normal masters coursework. Certain schools are known for having rigorous MA programs that are excellent preparation for - and predictors of success in - PhD programs (eg. LSE) while others are not (pretty much any US econ MA program). However, if you do end up going to a slightly less-rigorous program, you may be able to make up for the math deficiency by taking extra math classes.

If you want to know if having an MA from any random program will help with PhD applications, the answer is no. But an MA from certain programs will help, and so will taking the time while in an MA program to remedy deficiencies in your background.

[notacolour]

It could, if you (1) took more math while getting your MA, or (2) took PhD-level econ courses instead of MA-level courses. Otherwise, it does demonstrate your mathematical ability somewhat, assuming your courses are known to be reasonably mathematically rigorous, but I wouldn't say that it "makes up" for being mathematically deficient as well as, say, just taking the math courses would make up for lacking them.

[rogo22]

If you plan on doing the PHD I would simply go for it and skip over the MA. In my case maybe the lack of math on the transcript kept me out of the top 5 programs, but if you are shooting top 20 and not top 5 why set yourself back a year or two?

[shootermcgavin7]

I'm managing to squeeze an extra math course (or two) in each semester, but I am taking two years for the MA, as well as taking courses through the interim summer.

But it is definitely possible to work some advanced math courses in.

[senmaster]

Thank you for the comments...I actually got admitted to LSE but am not going for a number of reasons (financial and other)...thats a bummer but thats just how it is..

Im planning on doing masters in econ australia where all courses a grad PhD level courses (all PhD students and masters students are in the same class, basically) so its pretty rigourous I would have thought..the textbooks they use are all the usual suspects in grad level courses....but again - its not the LSE..

as for the math courses - the system in australia is such that to be able to do a proper math sequence it would take you anywhere from 1 to 2 years if you are starting fresh. My thinking was that Ill do masters instead (1 year) and hopefully be able to do grad level and succeed and be confident about taking on phd..

rogo22..while i could go ahead and apply I still dont feel that confident for a PhD at this stage..if i do masters and do well (I hope) then ill be much more confident

[Antichron]

A master's certainly helps, provided that it is possible to take PhD level courses. One of my friends only took two upper division math classes by the time he applied to graduate school, but he had some pretty good grades in several graduate math classes. He is now going to MIT. (In fact, he only got rejected from Princeton.)

[senmaster]

thanks antichron..

did you mean 'pretty good grades in several ECON classes'?

and what are 'upper division' math classes.... me, I have hardly any math credits...I guess I'm pushing the bounds in terms of relying on PhD level courses...If I do masters Ill be completing 6 PhD level courses and a 10,000 word mini-thesis before applying to US PhD..is this good enough to apply to top 20?

[Antichron]

Originally Posted by senmaster

thanks antichron..

did you mean 'pretty good grades in several ECON classes'?

and what are 'upper division' math classes.... me, I have hardly any math credits...I guess I'm pushing the bounds in terms of relying on PhD level courses...If I do masters Ill be completing 6 PhD level courses and a 10,000 word mini-thesis before applying to US PhD..is this good enough to apply to top 20?

Haha. Yeah. I meant econ classes. :-) Upon applying, he had completed (he was on the quarter system):
Lower division math (i.e. Freshman/Sophomore math)
1) Differentiation (Calculus I)
2) Integration (Calculus II)
3) Multivariable Differentiation (Calculus III)
4) Multivariable Integration (Calculus IV)
5) Matrix Algebra
6) Differential Equations

Upper division math (Junior/Senior math)
7) Probability Theory
8) Linear Algebra

Graduate ECON classes (PhD level)
9) Dynamics and Growth Theory
10) Business Cycles
11) Topics in Macroeconomics
12) Theory of the Firm/Consumer
13) Probability and Statistics for Econometrics

If you can manage a class on real analysis while you are doing your master's program, that would be a bonus. His approach was kinda risky, but he got some really good recommendation letters by the professors of his graduate level classes.

I doubt the thesis will have much bearing on your admissions. It is my impression that research done as an undergrad/master's student is not a good indicator of quality of research done later in one's career. (Unless you are Mihai Manea or someone like that: See http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~m...ai%20Manea.pdf)

I hope this helps! Good luck with your applications.