Yodaddy379

Hey guys, Duke's department looks awesome and Northwestern's MEDS program does research in a lot of stuff that's exactly what I'm looking for. Ex: weather delay at airport, how do we schedule plane delays "optimally"? One thing I'm wary of is that Duke's program is housed in Fuqua and Northwestern's is housed in Kellogg...I don't care really about the mgmt side of things, just the optimization, game theory, choice type stuff. Obv you can say that biz has all this stuff but I guess I just care less about that stuff and more about interesting problems. Another interesting one is: Groups A and B have ten people each. Everyone puts down their preferences (all ten of them) for mates from the other team. So I'm #3 on A, I rank my preferences for a mate on B. How do you match people? Any other departments you can think of that deal specifically with these kinds of problems? Thanks again, Yodaddy

Thanks for the feedback. Well, I'm doing a post-bac now so I'm trying to sort out what classes make the most sense to take. I have this year left and then, if I want to, I'd apply to grad school. So I can take ~7 classes (one in the summer, 3/semester that would matter to econ grad programs). What do you think would be most beneficial to have assuming I do reasonably/well in them? Was thinking: Game Theory, Intermediate Macro (just b/c it'll look weird to adcoms if I haven't), Probability Theory, Optimization, Real Analysis II (or some other proof-based course)? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!

Hey, I'm trying to find where my interests fall department-wise. Sounds like a stupid question, but here's a little more background: Have taken Math: Calc II (A), III (A), Linear Algebra (B+), ODE's (A) Econ: Decision Theory, Intro Micro (A), Intro Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (A) Misc: Logic (A-) I really liked decision theory, am taking Real Analysis I now, and have been doing a bunch of reading outside of class. I didn't mind intermediate micro but doesn't sound like econ's the right dept since I don't care at all about macro, never taken metrics but doesn't sound like my thing either. Fwiw, game theory/optimization/probability/crypto stuff seems interesting as well. Any thoughts on this? Thanks guys, Mariogs

Hey guys, Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I'm also in a weird spot because I'm not totally committed to going to econ grad school. This fall, I'm abroad and can take two non-philosophy classes (they don't let you take 5...weird, I know). At any rate, the classes I'm interested in are probability, abstract algebra, java programming, and game theory. There are a few things that are pretty sticky though. I can get into a graduate game theory class when I get back to campus if I can show that I can "prove mathematical theorems" which sounds fine, but the prof's kind of a tool and was saying that linear algebra + analysis would NOT be enough for his course...Also, probability is the pre-req for an operations research course offered in the spring that looks cool so it would be nice to have that. At this point, maybe it would be worth talking to the game theory professor from my school and trying to get him to agree that abstract algebra is enough. If so, I could do algebra and java but then I'd miss out on probability. I feel like I'm in a bind here...any advice would be awesome Thanks, Yodaddy

Hey guys, I'm in a weird situation: I'm a philosophy major who's interested in learning more econ but am not sure what to take or how to go about doing this. Here's my background at a non HYP Ivy: Intro Micro (A), Intro Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (A) Calc 2 (A), Multivariable Calc (A), Ordinary Differential Equations (A), Linear Algebra (B+) I only have senior year left to explore more econ, so here's what I was thinking: Fall: Probability (requires multivariable calc), Game Theory Spring: Intermediate Macro, Stats (requires the above probability) 1) Does this look reasonable? 2) I'm interning at an investment bank this summer and won't have a shot at these courses until after I decide whether or not to accept a full-time offer...any thoughts on how to deal with this? 3) I know analysis is super important and I've tried teaching myself through Strichartz's book but just can't seem to get anywhere with it. It seems like this is really a class where I need to have a professor...although I've done well in my other math courses so hitting a roadblock like this was surprising and frustrating. Ideas? 4) I've done some research and my understanding is that working as an RA for a year would help my profile considerably if I were interested in going to grad school (get research experience, show adcoms that I do know what econ's about, etc). Any resources for how to go about finding gigs like this? Thanks for all the advice, Yodaddy

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Hey guys, I'm having a really tough time deciding between math and a major called mathematical econ. This question may sound stupid, but how did you decide that you liked econ more than math? One thing I definitely like about econ is that there's a real meaning behind all the math we do, as opposed to some of my math classes. Even in something like multivariable, it's not very gratifying to find the dz/dx of some surface. For whatever reason, finding out how to maximize someone's utility, given certain constraints (budget, prices of goods, utility function) seems much more relevant and interesting. However, upper level math isn't like lower level math because it's highly proof-based. So it doesn't seem totally fair to throw math out because I don't like calc 3 or diff eq. Linear alg was challenging but interesting, for instance. You see people like Levitt and Landesburg and it's hard not to want to go the econ route. Obviously they're at the top of their field and their books are just the product of a shitload of work...so we're only seeing the glamorous side of all the hard work they've put in... I'm starting to ramble here but if anyone has any experience in deciding, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks a lot, Yodaddy

Hey guys, I've taken calc 1-3, linear algebra, and diff eq. For a math major, I'll take modern algebra and five electives (I'll do real analysis, complex analysis, probability, stats, and non-euclidean geometry). Algebra is offered every semester, but complex and probability are only fall and real, stats, and geometry are only spring. Do you think it makes sense to take complex, then real, then algebra to get a better background in proofs before taking on such a notoriously difficult course? I'm a bit torn because the professor this coming fall is supposed to be v. good. Thoughts much appreciated, Yodaddy

I guess the only concern is that the mathematical econ program won't really let me go to grad school in math, if that's what I end up wanting to do. So ofc I could go from math-->econ but not vice versa...see what I mean?

Hey guys, I'm a sophomore at an ivy who's going to declare within the week. How does the following look for an undergrad major for someone who wants to do an econ phd (or at least, is strongly considering it): Mathematical Econ Calc 1-3, linear algebra, real analysis, probability, stats intro micro, intro macro, intermediate micro, intermediate macro, econometrics, 3 electives The alternative is a math major but, I think I'm more interested in econ, math would be harder/more time, and I would have to take less econ classes (cuz more than 2 math/econ in a semester would be pretty rough). A math major would be six more classes: abstract algebra + five electives. I have some interest in checking out topology, probability, stat...no real interest in analysis... Sort of confused, Yodaddy Btw, so far I've taken calc 1-3, differential equations, linear alg., intro micro/macro, intermediate micro

3ohto4oh, care to elaborate on why?

Well, I'll be working with a sort of unknown professor near my hometown to get my feet wet in research and maybe even get something published. At the very least, I'll have like 200hrs of research from that... Obv this opportunity and the summer research aren't mutually exclusive, just wondered whether it'd be worth it or even reasonable to ask for a LOR

Hey guys, I'm a sophomore at an ivy planning on majoring in econ (with a solid math background). I'm strongly considering econ grad school and wanted to know about an opportunity I've been presented with. There's a professor here who's a top guy in economics (Harvard phd, received award for best South American economist under 40, etc). In short, I imagine he's very well known in econ circles. He and another professor are collaborating on a microeconomics textbook and they want a student collaborator to edit/explain where certain concepts are clear or confusing. I can do this and potentially get a LOR from him for when I apply to grad school. The downside is that it's not original research. The upside is that he's a top economist and LOR's are supposed to be huge in econ phd admissions. Also, I could try to take a class with him later so he has a better sense of my econ grounding. Thoughts on whether or not this is worthwhile? It seems like he'd almost be the equivalent of someone who has won the John Bates Clark medal (though maybe I'm way off here...) and of course I'd jump at the chance to work with Stephen Levitt... Thanks a lot, Yodaddy