Bendir-UCSB

I don't think I'll have time for a graduate course in micro but I'm signing up for the masters series in econometrics. And yes I'm taking real analysis. The A- in micro bugs me. I flat out failed the midterm in that class but only because I thought I could fight my way through a terrible fever. I was barely conscious for that exam. A perfect score on the final only carried so much weight even with a little nudge from the professor. And yes I hope he'll write one of my letters of recommendation and he can explain the A- in a flattering way.

This is one of those problems that might not really be a problem. Some people would be happy to be in my position. But I'm considering the top twenty so I don't want to leave anything to chance. This quarter went poorly. Four classes, two econ theory classes, one lower division math and one upper division. econ1: A- econ2: A- LDmath: A UDmath: B It's a 3.6, and my GPA to this point was 3.95. I don't like seeing A-'s in any econ class a B in upper division math really really bothers me. The good news is the math class wasn't real analysis and I still have that ahead of me. Now here's my story. I had a recurring infection and I was sick for at least ~5 of the 10 weeks and several exams went poorly. So when finals came around I was playing catch-up in every class and I couldn't win the battle. I have a consultation with a specialist soon and hopefully my illness will be fixed. Is this worth mentioning briefly when I apply? None of these are C's and I don't want it to look like I'm making excuses.

This thread has explored a lot of facets of graduate life that I didn't consider. Even though I'm relatively young, even on my timetable I would still be a student until age 29 or 30. Last week I ran into another problem. I've been extremely sick for the past two weeks and three exams fell on the same week. I took them all but knew I wasn't mentally sharp enough, and that came through on one econ exam. Now I have to go plead my case to my professor and hope a poor midterm will not keep me from an A in a very important class (I aced a previous course of his and he knows my work). And if I think this is bad now, I'm dreading the idea of quals.

As I get closer to applying for graduate school in economics (this year or next) I'm asking myself some very tough questions. It's almost certain that an Econ PhD will make me far less money in my lifetime compared to earning an MBA. And seeking employment in academia or government is different than the private sector. My profile remains competitive: 3.94 GPA, 3.9 Math, 4.0 Econ. But my research experience is weak and there's always lingering doubts about the strength of LoR's. So I'm figuring my chances with a top 10 school will be a roll of the dice at best. Top 10 is my goal and top 20 is my limit. So I pose this question to those that just got their admits: Where did you draw the line? With your career goals in mind, did you say to yourself "top 20 school or bust"? Is there anyone here that didn't get the schools they wanted and have given up on a PhD or just postponed it?

Here's what I'm hoping to complete. And with the impression I've gotten this is what you need to be competitive at the best schools as far as math is concerned. I'm on the quarter system, that explains the strange numbers. (6 classes) 2 Years lower division: calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, vector calculus. (1 Class) Lower division: Intro to proofs (2 classes) Linear Algebra (1 class) Intro to Analysis (3 Classes) Real Analysis (3 Classes) Probability and Statistics Yeah... It's a lot of math.

Research experience seems to be a high priority. I plan to take a year off between undergrad and grad school. I was thinking of jobs I'd want to work and I stumbled on "research associate" for a Federal Reserve Bank. Here is the job description: "Provide economic/analytical support to the Financial Research section. Contribute to basic research activities by conducting econometric estimation & statistical analysis including programming in various statistical languages, preparing charts and tables, maintaining databases, reviewing background materials, and performing preliminary research. Provide analysis of economic data used in reports to senior management and prepare related statistical charts." I've been told work experience has almost no relevance to your application with very few exceptions. I'm wondering if this is worth pursuing for research experience and possibly a letter of recommendation? By the way, this thread was a great idea. Every page has been extremely helpful. Thank you.

This should answer your question. http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/graduate/phd.htm#jobplacement

My winter quarter ends in two weeks. If it were to end today, this quarter's GPA would be a healthy 3.9. But I'm getting lazy and complacent. I can't find the motivation I need to study for finals right now. So here's my question. How do you keep yourself focused for those four years? Graduate schools demand near perfection on your transcripts. But it's so easy to let yourself slip and a 4.0 becomes a 3.5 or worse.

My major requires me to take one quarter called methods of analysis. Here is the course description. Methods of Analysis: Introduction to methods of proof in analysis. Topics include limits, sequences and series, continuity, compactness, as well as other topics. While real analysis would be totally elective and not required for my degree. Real Analysis I/II/III: The real number system, elements of set theory, continuity, differentiability, Riemann integral, implicit function theorems, convergence processes, and special topics. Basically all my math classes (listed below) are prereq's for the real analysis series. For whatever reason my major falls short of actually requiring it for graduation. And my 11 math-related classes are: 3 quarters beginning calculus 3 quarters advanced calculus and fourier series 1 intro to proofs 1 probability and stat (upper division) 2 linear algebra (upper division) 1 methods of analysis (upper division)

Several masters level Economics electives. OR Several elective math undergrad courses. Theory of Consumption and Production Game Theory Macroeconomic Theory I/II These are the four masters econ courses I would take for two quarters while I'm writing my senior thesis. My research interest will most likely be macroeconomics if I have the choice. That makes this option very appealing to me. But all of these courses only require 3 quarters of remedial calculus for the math requirement. OR Probability and Statistics II/III Introduction to Real Analysis I/II/III Introduction to Topology These are all upper division undergrad courses that would build on the 11 math courses already required for my econ/math major. Courses like these seem to cover concepts many PhD programs consider "excellent" math preparation. The problem is, I can only go one way. There's not enough time left to really dive into both departments. Which one should I choose? Should I get more econ exposure, write a great senior thesis, and spend more time with econ professors that will write my LOR's? Or should I make myself as qualified as possible in pure mathematics? And finally, how does my highlighted research interest affect just how math intensive my PhD workload might be?

It must be a private school. I have a friend at Brown that doubled majored and earned enough credit to graduate after four years. Brown requires students with double majors to be enrolled for five years. He fought with them quite a bit and in the end they agreed to fund his fifth year.

Macroeconomics. I can't say that I don't enjoy micro as well, but the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees" always comes to mind. I would love to teach at the university level and be a mentor to a new generation of students that are as passionate as I am. As far as research, here's a paper that I wish I wrote. http://econ.ucsb.edu/%7Emkapicka/E101/sr321.pdf It doesn't get any better than that. This paper touches on so many complicated issues that underscore American and European relations. It's exactly how I wish I could see the World.

I love economics. I can't imagine doing anything else, and I definetly wouldn't waste $50-150k on a JD or MBA. I think my life would be a lot easier if I was comfortable with just a JD or MBA as consolation, but I'm not. Right now I define myself by my successes and failures in my econ and math courses. It's the most pressure I've ever experienced. I've never been so excited and scared at the same time in my life.

You used ceteris paribus outside of a classroom. You're in better shape than I. Personally I don't think the school you come from really matters for the top 30. A terrible school might hurt you, but an average liberal arts school won't be a problem. Now for top 5-10 (Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, ...): They're all elitists. They want to groom students in their undergraduate programs, give them a PhD, then make them a professor. Or at least that's my opinion. It's anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt.

Thank you for all the replies. I just figured out a route that would greatly improve my chances. Spring: Intermediate Micro B (w/ honors) Intermediate Macro (w/ honors) Multivariable Calculus Upper Division Linear Algebra A Summer (6 weeks): UD Linear Algebra B Differential Equations and the Fourier Series But that would free up my entire senior year for the senior honors thesis with the approval of faculty. The best feature of the senior thesis, access to any masters level course I qualify for. And I qualify for most. Now if I can just avoid imploding under the pressure of two core econ classes with honors and two math classes in the same quarter. They'll be hardest 10 weeks of my life.

Hi all, I found this site through econphd.net. I'm a junior at UCSB, I transferred from a community college and I've decided to try for my PhD in economics. UCSB is definetly not the strongest econ program in the UC system, but it's not terrible either (has the '04 Nobel Prize winner). My major is Econ-Math: http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/undergrad/undergraduate_majors.htm#econmath What I want to know is what can I do in such a short amount of time to prepare for a top 30 PhD program. Will I have enough math? I might not have a real chance to sample masters level courses since I'm swamped with major requirements in the two short years I'm here. Is that a big disadvantage? I notice the top schools promote from within. Will I have a shot at places like Berkeley or UCLA when someone with a similiar GPA comes from MIT or Harvard? After my first quarter here I have a 4.0 and the grades look good so far in the winter quarter. I know this is going to be an extremely difficult two years. Are my hopes too high thinking I can compete with students that found their direction in life during high school and already attend the best schools for undergrad?