Grad Course vs. More Math

[funkychinamen]

Hey everyone,

I'm going into my final year of undergrad and plan on applying during the coming up cycle. I'm trying to finalize my Fall schedule and have the choice of either taking a graduate class (first year Ph.d micro) or taking more math (such as math stats, or ODE). I probably don't have enough time to do both. I have posted my profile below, if it is helpful.

I guess what I want out of this last class is one that will help me get into and succeed in graduate school. I've been debating all summer what would be the best possible course to take, yet have been unsuccessful in my decision (I've been flip-flopping like crazy).

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Econ program, Econ major.
Undergrad GPA: 3.869 /4.000
Type of Grad: None
Grad GPA: N/A
GRE: 780Q 480V 4.5AWA
Math Courses: Calc I (A+), Calc II (A), Calc III (A), Vector Calc (A+), Linear Algebra (A-), Differential Equations (A+), Probability Theory (A), Linear Algebra - proof-based (A+), Intro to Proofs (A), Real Analysis (A+)
Econ Courses : Intermed Micro (B), Intermed Macro (A), Topics in Macro (A), Analysis of Econ Data (A+), I.O (A+), International Micro (A-), International Macro (A), Labor (A+), Intro to Mathematical Econ (A+), Econometrics (Fall)
Letters of Recommendation: One from a prof in the Ag Econ department who I researched with, One with a very junior professor who taught the Math Econ class, still need one more.
Research Experience: One year with a professor in the Ag Econ department
Teaching Experience: None, but considering tutoring math for the school
Research Interests: Labor, I.O.... but I have been developing some interest in Micro Theory as of late
SOP: I'll get back to you on that in a few weeks
Concerns: Low GRE, Lack of well-known recommendations considering I go to a top econ program, B in intermediate micro (I was young and stupid when I took it! jeeeez)
Applying to: Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, USC, UCI, ASU, University of Washington, UT Austin

Sooooo, yeah. If anybody could give me some advice, I would be unbelievable grateful .Thanks!

[jeeves0923]

You already have Real Analysis, so I would suggest taking Phd Micro. It will give you a taste of graduate school and send a strong signal as it is at a top program. I think you'll be in fine shape to get some admits.

[asianeconomist]

I would second the previous posters opinion. The marginal benefit of taking ODE after taking (and doing well in) DE is supposedly marginal. From another perspective, you might convince the PhD Micro professor to write you an letter of recommendation - and consequently ensure your 3rd letter of recommendation.

[treblekicker]

Grad Micro >> Math Stats >>>>> ODE

[treblekicker]

Also, you have a pretty good profile and could certainly add a few more reaches onto your list. Since it appears that you have a strong geographical preference, why not add Stanford to your list?

[funkychinamen]

Thanks everybody! I guess (so far) the overwhelming majority suggests taking Ph.D micro. Not as hard of a decision as I was making it out to be, I guess

treblekicker: I guess the reason why I haven't thought too much about applying to places like Stanford is my low GRE verbal -- I know for most programs verbal doesn't matter very much, but I'm guessing at the top schools, verbal would be a way to separate all the highly qualified applicants. My verbal score is actually quite embarrassing considering I'm a native English speaker. I mean, I'm relatively well-written; I've even won an essay contest and was in Speech and Debate in high school. I just don't have the capacity (or patience?) to memorize hundreds and hundreds of words, thus resulting in the absolute FAILURE of the analogy and antonym sections

[commodore]

You should definitely apply to a couple more top 10's, because you have a very strong profile. It may seem like application fees are a big deal now, but the potential marginal benefit of another application is huge.

[Harry Lime]

PhD micro.. just don't screw it up!

Anyway, your profile is tight as hell. Apply to Stanford and tell them that you're dyslexic in your SOP.

[funkychinamen]

commodore: You make a very good point. I'll definitely consider some more programs. Probably one of the worst feelings other than getting rejected from every school is getting into every school, but still wondering if you could have gotten into somewhere better.

Harry Line: Haha. I just wish I really were dyslexic. That'd be an SOP goldmine!

[econstudent311]

I'm not sure I would take grad micro if I were you. Your profile is already pretty strong. The problem with taking grad micro is that if you do badly it will really hurt your application. If possible, I would ask around if any other undergrads at your school took it and see how they did. Plus, it wouldn't be terrible to have SOME free time for fun during your senior year