what classes to take?

[africaecon]

Hey Guys I have the following options: either
-math for economist(Phd level) or Applied combinatorics&Graph theory(Phd level math department).
&
either:
-applied non parametric method or applied bayesian methods.

which ones will be impress adcoms the most?

Thanks

[jeeves0923]

what do you want to study for your eventual research?

[africaecon]

Oh my bad:
Macro, Financial economics, Financial econometrics

[treblekicker]

I think certainly Math Econ over Combinatorics and I would probably go for the Non-parametric class. There certainly are some good applications of non-parametrics to macro and financial stuff. Don't really know too much about the applications of bayesian statistics.

[Tex Jansen]

I am not so sure. Bayesian estimation of structural DSGE models is a really hot topic right now. Plus, depending on whether a Bayesian happens to be teaching in a time-series sequence, it is something that you might not otherwise see in your grad coursework.

[jeeves0923]

There are good arguments for taking graph theory. If I had already taken Real Analysis and had a firm grasp on optimization and quadratic forms, I wouldn't bother with math for economists, choosing instead to go with graph theory. On the other hand, if you don't have a firm grasp on all of those things, definitely do the math econ.

[africaecon]

@jeeves0923
I've taken optimization and did well in it. But I thought math for economist was more impressive than Combinatorics&Graph theory(Phd in math level) since, math for economist is the class Phd in econ take their first semester.
If you do well in it before even applying,then you proved you belong to a Phd program. No? Your advice are welcomed!!

[sonicskat]

Find out wath the math for economists is. To many people "Math for economists" refers to a math boot camp where you just review linear algebra and calculus. While Mathematical Economics can be very different at the phd level.

[jeeves0923]

@ africaecon
pay attention to what sonicskat says. Also, I was speaking to the usefulness of the course rather than the sticker that it is. I think Real Analysis + Optimization makes that course basically a review if it follows something like Simon & Blume. If it is just going to be a review, you might get some interesting ideas for future research from a course like graph theory.

[africaecon]

I asked a friend of mine and they use Simon and Blume. typical first year mathematics for economist in a econ Phd program: Kuhn Tucker, Optimization and all that