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SlowLearner38 · 2009 July 1st, 06:29 PM

Currently I am set to finish my B.S. in Mathematical Economics next Spring. However, there are 2 classes that I am required to take this coming year that probably aren't the most useful. Or rather, there are other courses I could substitute for them and have it be more useful for my preparation for a PhD program.

Particularly, one of the courses is "Intro to Mathematical Economics". The title is ok for signaling purposes, but the course content is not going to be of much use. From the students I've talked to that have already taken it, it is a basic math course. You start by talking about the concept of a derivative, and then do applications the rest of the time. Basic stuff that most of those at better schools than I probably did in their Intermediate Micro class (calculus 1 is not required at my school for Intermediate Micro/Macro, thus the courses were not calc based... rather they were algebra based). Is it worth still taking this course for the sole purpose of signaling purposes?

The other course is "Advanced SAS Programming". I took an entry level SAS programming class already. I know how to use SAS for most things useful (running various types of regressions, data manipulations, etc). Is SAS a good signal to ad-coms? I don't see many people on TM who have listed a SAS programming course, as I assume not many schools offer it. The chair of the STAT department at my school, though a horrid teacher, is a SAS master...the classes use his textbook (which is again horrible).

So what's my point? The only reason I will be continuing to take these 2 courses is simply so I can have my degree be a "B.S. in Mathematical Economics" rather than the regular "B.A. in Economics" with a minor in Statistics and one course shy of a minor in Mathematics. Is it really worth it to stick with these 2 courses mentioned above, or should I substitute them? The courses I would substitute them for would be an Applied Time Series course offered in the Statistics Department, and a MATLAB Problem Solving course offered in the Mathematics Department.

Do ad-coms really care what the title of my degree is, or would the courses listed on my transcript and their relevance to PhD preparation be more important? Also, given my description of the substitution I would make, do you even believe I am improving my profile? This would give me the following MATH and STAT courses under my belt by graduation:

MATH: Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Operations Research Models, Mathematical Prob Solving w/ MATLAB
STAT: Regression and Variance 1-2, SAS Programming, Applied Probability, Applied Time Series, Probability Theory, Statistical Theory
ECON: Lots

Thanks in advance! I know I asked a lot of random questions throughout, but bear with me!

SlowLearner38 · 2009 July 1st, 06:35 PM

I should also mention, a handful of those courses I am taking this coming Fall. If I make the suggested substitution, I won't be able to take Diff Eq until the Spring '10, thus I won't be able to have a grade on my transcript around December-January when I am completing my applications. If I do substitute the courses, Diff Eq will be on my Fall schedule.

Gecko · 2009 July 2nd, 03:44 PM

I would think , the SAS programming will be helpful if you go into empirical work next time, although the signal value may not be there

postgradecon · 2009 July 3rd, 11:02 AM

Some schools use Stata instead of SAS also... Taking so much classes for one program might be a waste of time if you end up somewhere that they prefer that you use Stata (or any other programs). It is similar though, but I don't know at what point.

Anyways, my personal opinion is that you can easily learn those statistical software packages on the go, as you are actually working on something interesting.

SlowLearner38 · 2009 July 3rd, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the input with regards to SAS. My other question of interest was whether I would be with regards to the title of my degree. Which of the following would make me "sound the best":

(A) B.S. Mathematical Economics
(B) B.A. Economics, minor Statistics (one course shy from Math minor)
(C) It doesn't matter because the courses listed on my transcript are all that matter and not what my official degree title is.

DreamFactory · 2009 July 3rd, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowLearner38

Thanks for the input with regards to SAS. My other question of interest was whether I would be with regards to the title of my degree. Which of the following would make me "sound the best":

(A) B.S. Mathematical Economics
(B) B.A. Economics, minor Statistics (one course shy from Math minor)
(C) It doesn't matter because the courses listed on my transcript are all that matter and not what my official degree title is.

I would go for (C). Just my

. Clear as you have stated.

2009 July 1st, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
SlowLearner38 Team Zissou Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 226	MB of the title of your degree? Currently I am set to finish my B.S. in Mathematical Economics next Spring. However, there are 2 classes that I am required to take this coming year that probably aren't the most useful. Or rather, there are other courses I could substitute for them and have it be more useful for my preparation for a PhD program. Particularly, one of the courses is "Intro to Mathematical Economics". The title is ok for signaling purposes, but the course content is not going to be of much use. From the students I've talked to that have already taken it, it is a basic math course. You start by talking about the concept of a derivative, and then do applications the rest of the time. Basic stuff that most of those at better schools than I probably did in their Intermediate Micro class (calculus 1 is not required at my school for Intermediate Micro/Macro, thus the courses were not calc based... rather they were algebra based). Is it worth still taking this course for the sole purpose of signaling purposes? The other course is "Advanced SAS Programming". I took an entry level SAS programming class already. I know how to use SAS for most things useful (running various types of regressions, data manipulations, etc). Is SAS a good signal to ad-coms? I don't see many people on TM who have listed a SAS programming course, as I assume not many schools offer it. The chair of the STAT department at my school, though a horrid teacher, is a SAS master...the classes use his textbook (which is again horrible). So what's my point? The only reason I will be continuing to take these 2 courses is simply so I can have my degree be a "B.S. in Mathematical Economics" rather than the regular "B.A. in Economics" with a minor in Statistics and one course shy of a minor in Mathematics. Is it really worth it to stick with these 2 courses mentioned above, or should I substitute them? The courses I would substitute them for would be an Applied Time Series course offered in the Statistics Department, and a MATLAB Problem Solving course offered in the Mathematics Department. Do ad-coms really care what the title of my degree is, or would the courses listed on my transcript and their relevance to PhD preparation be more important? Also, given my description of the substitution I would make, do you even believe I am improving my profile? This would give me the following MATH and STAT courses under my belt by graduation: MATH: Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Operations Research Models, Mathematical Prob Solving w/ MATLAB STAT: Regression and Variance 1-2, SAS Programming, Applied Probability, Applied Time Series, Probability Theory, Statistical Theory ECON: Lots Thanks in advance! I know I asked a lot of random questions throughout, but bear with me!

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2009 July 1st, 06:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
SlowLearner38 Team Zissou Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 226	I should also mention, a handful of those courses I am taking this coming Fall. If I make the suggested substitution, I won't be able to take Diff Eq until the Spring '10, thus I won't be able to have a grade on my transcript around December-January when I am completing my applications. If I do substitute the courses, Diff Eq will be on my Fall schedule.

2009 July 2nd, 03:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gecko This user's posts are moderated. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,062	I would think , the SAS programming will be helpful if you go into empirical work next time, although the signal value may not be there

2009 July 3rd, 11:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
postgradecon Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 153	Some schools use Stata instead of SAS also... Taking so much classes for one program might be a waste of time if you end up somewhere that they prefer that you use Stata (or any other programs). It is similar though, but I don't know at what point. Anyways, my personal opinion is that you can easily learn those statistical software packages on the go, as you are actually working on something interesting.

2009 July 3rd, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
SlowLearner38 Team Zissou Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 226	Thanks for the input with regards to SAS. My other question of interest was whether I would be with regards to the title of my degree. Which of the following would make me "sound the best": (A) B.S. Mathematical Economics (B) B.A. Economics, minor Statistics (one course shy from Math minor) (C) It doesn't matter because the courses listed on my transcript are all that matter and not what my official degree title is.

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