GrosvenorBlack

I don't think adcoms would assign a letter grade to a "W" on a transcript. Everyone I've talked to has said they don't make a difference unless you have a lot of them. I can't imagine them recalculating your GPA to include a class you didn't even take. If the class is relevant towards econ/math, and you retake it and get a good grade, the W will probably mean nothing. If you don't retake it, I would guess it would hurt you slightly, but it wouldn't be comparable to getting an F in the course.

Wouldn't that be a bad signal, as I thought adcoms viewed a "P" on a transcript as equivalent to a C?

I can't imagine the adcoms would expect us to already take grad micro before we even enter a PhD program. If you did well, I'm sure it would really help you, but as an undergrad you will be at a disadvantage because of the fact that the grad students take only three to four classes and have study groups. My advisor strongly discouraged me from taking doctoral level courses (I later found it that it was "illegal" to do so at my school.) Probability is really helpful, especially for econometrics, and isn't very difficult. I would recommend taking that for sure, because a lot of programs seem to require it.

I am trying to figure out what classes to take for the spring semester. I am not applying until 2009 because I decided to graduate in 4 years rather than 3 so I can write a senior thesis and (maybe) take real analysis. Are soft grad/high undergraduate seminar classes worth taking? I am interested in the international\development subfield and the two classes I am considering are related to that and it is required to write substantial empirical papers. I don't have any research experience, so would these be of any values towards admissions? Both classes are taught by well- published full professors. I have taken calc I-IV, linear algebra, probability, and econometrics. What other math should I take? I am considering taking intro to mathematical statistics. Will this add any value to my profile? Are there other classes I should take in its place? Do I absolutely have to take real analysis? I am in many classes with math majors and almost every single one of them hates it. The class just sounds awful. I am aiming for top 20 (not necessarily top 10) programs. Would I have to lower my sights if I decided not to take it? Thanks for your input.

Does anyone know the specifics of their doctoral program? I know it is ranked incredibly low on Econphd.net (#228), but I have a feeling that the reason this ranking is so low is the fact that they are largely heterodox and publish in non-mainstream journals. I have "non-traditional" interests in economics. I don't really subscribe to orthodox methodology, and the courses they offer are very enticing for me. I am fairly confident that I would get in because my profile is solid, and I can most likely get a letter of recommendation from an alumn who is a full professor and from my advisor, who is very well known and has several connections with their department. However, I am a bit worried that if I am able to get into a higher ranked program and choose to go there, that my employment options after graduation would be rather limited. My top choice would be teaching at an elite liberal arts college (Williams, Amherst, etc.). Second would be a private research university/flagship state school. So I suppose my question would be, is it worth it to turn down fairly high ranked schools (top 25-50) to go to a school with a relatively low ranking because it better suits your research interests? I know I still have to get into all of the schools first, but this issue has really been bothering me as of late....

My guess is that allowing undergraduates to take master's and doctoral level courses would discredit the program. Also, they probably feel that undergraduates would struggle with the material. My school's grad program is not ranked exceptionally high (around 200 in econphd rankings), but it has fairly good placement (mostly in the public sector) and teaches with a heterodox slant. My professor basically offered to do this, but I am not sure if I would want to because I don't think I would receive actual credit for the course or that he would write me a good LOR. I have extra credits towards graduation anyways, so I may do it for the possibility of an LOR. I am also planning on meeting with the department chair in a few weeks to discuss this further.

How selective are these programs (More or less so than top 20 US econ)? Also, does obtaining an Mphil/MSc boost your profile a great deal? How difficult is it to be accepted into a Dphil program upon completion of the Mphil? I am interested in these programs because they seem to have a style very different from most American programs. They seem to teach economics from a more philosophical perspective, basing theories more on Keynes than Friedman and the neoliberal movement which is presently dominating US thought. Are these invalid assumptions about the programs (In this example, I am referring to Cambridge/Oxford)?

I can't see any way that having both would help you. If you want to go into the private sector and work for an investment bank or hedge fund, just get an MBA or MA/MS in econ or finance. A PhD will take too much time to be worthwhile. The coursework required for an MBA is no where near as rigorous as the coursework for a PhD, so I doubt it would help you out in academia. The purpose of an MBA is to help shape leaders in the business world. I've often heard an MBA referred to as "a $100,000 piece of paper that states you completed a two year group project." A JD on the other hand might help, depending on your area of interest. I don't know very much about it, but I could definitely see it helping for antitrust law.

I am trying to take a doctoral course in mathematical economics for the fall semester and despite obtaining the approval of the instructor for the course, the dean of undergraduate students would not allow me to register for the course, as my school apparently has a "zero tolerance policy" on allowing undergraduates to take doctoral courses. I noticed from your profiles that many of you took doctoral classes as undergraduates, did you face similar problems? Also, taking the class through an audit or independent study is an option. How is it then possible to let the adcoms know that I took the course? Thank you for your input

Thanks everyone for your input Thanks, I will definitely look into it. About selecting schools in and around the DC area, I wouldn't mind going into a think tank or even the public sector, so it just seemed fitting that DC would be the place to be. But, I guess the question would be, does it help to go to a DC Area school for these jobs? But, in any case, I do want to stay on the east coast. Are there any other econ courses that you would recommend? I am considering taking PhD in Mathematical Econ? How much would this help? My econ department is for the most part very radical. I have not taken any professors who are well published in orthodox journals. Should I try to refocus my recommendations towards the math department? Some of my potential recommenders have limits on the number of letters they will write. Have any of you encountered this problem, if so, what can I do to overcome this? I really like what I have seen from UMASS- Amherst, and my professors also regard it highly. The only thing I am worried about is that it has a relatively low overall ranking, so if I wanted to work outside academia, I might face some obstacles. Is this a legitimate concern? Does anyone on the board go to UMASS? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks again for all of your input

Hey guys, I am asking the question for a friend of mine: What are some of the best places to go (US and abroad) for political theory? His focus would be on the "History of...". Thank you!

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 100 (USNews) Private Research University Undergrad GPA: Math: 3.85/4.0 Econ: 4.0/4.0 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: TBD Math Courses: Calc I-III (High School, A, B), Multivariate Calculus (B), Linear Algebra (A), Diff Eq (A), Calc Based Prob (A), Advanced Calc (A), I plan on taking year long sequences in Algebra and Analysis. Econ Courses: (All A's) Principles of Micro/Macro, Intermediate Micro, Advanced Macro, International Economics, History of Economic Thought, Radical Political Economy, Year Long Mater's Level Applied Econometrics, Comparative Economics Systems, Doctoral Level US Economic History Other Courses: Honors Program Letters of Recommendation: [Tentative] Distinguished Radical Political Economist Full Professor (PhD American University), Well-Known Economic Historian Full Professor (PhD Michigan), Full Math Professor (PhD Maryland). Research Experience: I will have an honor's thesis that will be finished by my application, and possibly 1 year of independent research studies. Teaching Experience: 1 Semester Econ Tutor Research Interests: International, Trade and Development, US Economic History, Monetary Theory/History, Institutional Theory These are the schools I am thinking of applying to: University of Virginia University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Cambridge/Oxford (MPhil) University of Massachusetts - Amherst Brown University Yale University *My reach* Georgetown University Do you guys think my profile is strong enough for these schools? Are there any that I am a better fit for? Any that I have left out? Any advice for someone with a year left of undergrad? Thank you!