econstudent1225 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Hello all! I am from a public state school and got an A- in Real Analysis I course. I have As in all the other recommended math and stats courses (Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Advanced Matrix Theory, Diff Eq, Math Stats (year-long sequence)) as well as all As in both undergrad and grad-level Economics classes (which include 3 semesters of advanced Econometrics and Macroeconomic Theory). I also have solid research experience in social science fields (no publications yet). I plan on taking stochastic process sequence as well as Real Analysis II, and will do my best to get As. I am also enrolled in graduate Micro Theory and Math Econ, for which I am positive I can get As. Do I still have a chance to get into a Top 20 PhD program with my current stats? Or should I retake Real Analysis I (which I don't mind) to replace my A- grade? I can't decide if retaking Real Analysis I or taking other math/stats classes would be a better idea. Also, what other math/stats courses are recommended in addition to the classes I have taken? Can an A in Abstract Algebra weigh a lot on my application? Thanks very much in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayes Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I don't think you will be able to retake the course with an A-. Usually at most universities the policy is below C. With that said, your grad Econ courses are more relevant and yes Analysis II will offset that. Abstract Algebra is not applicable to Economics so it carries minimal weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startz Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 No one will care in the slightest about one A-. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laborsabre Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Hello all! I am from a public state school and got an A- in Real Analysis I course. I have As in all the other recommended math and stats courses (Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Advanced Matrix Theory, Diff Eq, Math Stats (year-long sequence)) as well as all As in both undergrad and grad-level Economics classes (which include 3 semesters of advanced Econometrics and Macroeconomic Theory). I also have solid research experience in social science fields (no publications yet). I plan on taking stochastic process sequence as well as Real Analysis II, and will do my best to get As. I am also enrolled in graduate Micro Theory and Math Econ, for which I am positive I can get As. Do I still have a chance to get into a Top 20 PhD program with my current stats? Or should I retake Real Analysis I (which I don't mind) to replace my A- grade? I can't decide if retaking Real Analysis I or taking other math/stats classes would be a better idea. Also, what other math/stats courses are recommended in addition to the classes I have taken? Can an A in Abstract Algebra weigh a lot on my application? Thanks very much in advance! I want to echo startz: with the courses you've taken I don't think people will care very much about one or two A-s especially in a math department class. It's more concerning in a grad econ class where grades are curved to be A or B, so the + and - are more meaningful signals of class rank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
econstudent1225 Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 Bayes: Thanks very much for your response. I appreciate your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
econstudent1225 Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 Startz: I am relieved. Thank you very much for your response. No one will care in the slightest about one A-. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
econstudent1225 Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 laborsabre: Thanks so much for your response. I appreciate it. I want to echo startz: with the courses you've taken I don't think people will care very much about one or two A-s especially in a math department class. It's more concerning in a grad econ class where grades are curved to be A or B, so the + and - are more meaningful signals of class rank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleWing Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Is it really bad to have made an A- in phd micro? I though A-s weren’t usually a big deal outside of undergrad econ courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startz Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Really bad? No. But not so good either for top programs as A- in an econ PhD class is usually just a so-so grade. It suggests you can handle the work, but aren't an outstanding student. But no one single grade is likely to be all that important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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