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Do you think that getting a masters first would be better or would allow me to apply to more places? Also are there any other courses or other research opportunities I should try to explore first?

I need a little advice. Mostly with suggestions for programs to consider. I am currently in an undergrad behavioral economics course at my university taught by a very nice and well known professor. I am finding this stuff fascinating, and would like to know some more things to read in terms of experimental and behavioral economics. Please let me know what you all think, I really like hearing what everyone has to say. I know I am going to have to take Real Analysis and probably more abstract math, to try and prove that I can do math, but I am gearing up for this time around! Also I know that my chances of getting into a top 10-15 are more or less shot at the moment, so I need suggestions for programs outside this range. I am hoping to apply for the next cycle. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Large State University (known more for Astronomy) Undergrad GPA: 3.71 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 790Q/520V/4.0AWA Math Courses: Calc I-III(A,B,A), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (B), Applied LA (A), Probability Theory (B), Mathematical Statistics (B), Intro to RA (B), Intro to Math of Investing (A)(I do not think this course counts at all for anything) RA(Audited), Mathematical Modeling (Spring 2012), Applied Analysis (Spring 2012) Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (B), Quantitative Theory and Methods (B) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Basic, Intermediate Micro and Macro, Labor, Econometrics, Statistics, Behavioral (Spring 2012) (All A's) Other Courses: Java (A), Physics I (B) Electricity and Magnetism (Spring 2012) Letters of Recommendation: One famous economic historian, one very well known and well published game theorist, one teaching economist, possibly one from my behavioral professor. Possibly also one my math professors (research is more in string theory, but he and I are very close) Research Experience: Worked as an RA for more than a year for historian and am currently writing a thesis under. I want to apply to other research opportunities, so advice on this will also help. Teaching Experience: TA/Preceptor for Intermediate Micro(taught by game theorist) and Principles Course(taught by teaching economist, course was a LARGE lecture hall) Research Interests: Behavioral/Experimental (I know they are two different beasts, but they are both interesting to me) SOP: Haven't written. It will be solid. Concerns: I did poorly in my math classes for a long time, when taking LA and Calc III, my second semester and got C's, but I retook them to get A's. Also back in HS where I did not care, I got a C in Calc I, but came my first year to take it again. Withdrew from Intro to Real Analysis first time. Audit in Real Analysis. B's in important classes. Other: Applying to: A lot of schools.

I had a rather humiliating semester, and have really done some deep questioning as to whether a PhD in Economics is a worthwhile endeavor. I took my university's first course in PhD Micro and PhD Prob and Stats for Economists, both of these courses are part of the first year course requirements. Well, for the most part all I can say is I have "taken" them, I didn't do quite well (both B's). On top of that, I did bad on my first Real Analysis exam (due to food poisoning) and was put in a predicament that made me choose to audit the course. Thus, I have decided to postpone my application for at least one year, even that is up in the air. For those of you who have fallen under worse calamities during your studies, could you please shed some light on how you still chose to pursue a PhD? I'm feeling a little down in the dumps about this. If it helps any here is a link to my profile http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/136138-starting-feel-little-disheartened.html (Note: the LOR situation has changed now, the historian and teaching economist are still ok, but the rest are up in the air). Thanks in advance to anyone, I really do appreciate it.

Well talking to my professors, they are recommend taking RA. I haven't talked them about not having it though. Despite this it seems they are very optimistic. Behavioral, do you think that your time off from school was well worth it? I'm strongly considering it because I feel really burned out.

If you mean Untitled's analysis, here's the link: Untitled

I cannot speak for other US schools, but at my school the graduate-level professors seem to love undergrads with an extensive math background. I only took a year's worth of undergraduate level courses, and then was told by professors to strongly consider taking some of the first year courses. All in all, the pace of learning is probably not that much faster, as I am sure you might have learned several things covered in graduate level courses with the amount it seems that you have taken. I also experienced the same lack of rigor that Charis described in his question.

Thanks for the response. But considering I might not have real analysis, wouldn't you think it would be better to try for a master's first?

So, I was planning on applying this cycle with, but due to a bad case of food poisoning my RA exam did not go too well. Now I am thinking about applying to a Master's program, outside the US. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: UArizona Undergrad GPA: 3.76 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 790Q/520V/4.0AWA Math Courses: Calc I-III(A,B,A), Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (B), Applied LA (A), Probability Theory (B), Mathematical Statistics (B), Intro to RA (B), Intro to Math of Investing (A)(I do not think this course counts at all for anything) RA(Currently Enrolled but contemplating auditing) Topology (Spring 2012), Stochastic Process (Spring 2012) Econ Courses (grad-level): Micro I (Currently Enrolled) Quantitative Theory and Methods (Currently Enrolled) Game Theory(Maybe Spring 2012) and Econometrics I (Spring 2012) Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Basic, Intermediate Micro and Macro, Labor, Econometrics, Statistics (All A's except for Macro, which I am in right now) Other Courses: Java (A), Physics I (B) Thermodynamics (Spring 2012) Letters of Recommendation: One famous economic historian, one very well known and well published game theorist, one teaching economist, possibly one from one of my Grad level professors, who include a top 5% cited economist on IDEAS, and a VERY well known econometrician. Possibly also one my math professors (research is more in string theory, but he and I are very close) Research Experience: Worked as an RA for a little more than a year for historian and am currently writing a thesis under. Teaching Experience: TA/Preceptor for Intermediate Micro(taught by game theorist) and Principles Course(taught by teaching economist, course was a LARGE lecture hall) Research Interests: Public, Labor, IO SOP: Currently working on. I hope it is SUPERB. Concerns: I did poorly in my math classes for a long time, when taking LA and CalcIII, my second semester and got C's, but I retook them to get A's. Also back in HS where I did not care, I got a C in Calc I, but came my first year to take it again. My letter writers do seem enthused my decision and drive to get a PhD, but without RA on my transcript I feel like I will not stand a chance anywhere. I'm out of ideas at this point on what to do, 1)Take an extra semester taking RA and some other grad courses, or 2) Just take some other courses and just graduate, or 3) Apply strictly to masters' programs. Other: Applying to: A lot of schools. I need some advice on where to apply, and if I even stand a chance.

Try this site out, it's not too bad for explaining that kind of stuff: Math tutorial: quasiconcavity and quasiconvexity

I understand that Economists. My profile was posted sometime ago on here. I also understand that jumping into graduate math classes without RA I, are kind of foolish, but it really seems tempting seeing as I meet the prerequisites for the course. Although for now, I think I will forgo that option. You guys think Quant Methods, Micro I, and RA I might be a little too much? I don't have a gauge of the difficulty, except that grad students have told me to take both and a professor I TA'ed for said I'd be able to handle Micro I, and then he suggested I take graduate game theory.

That was I was thinking also, although I am at my university's econ math camp right now preparing for Grad Micro. Yes it is an advanced real analysis course, introduction to real analysis was a prerequisite for the course in the fall. I am entering my senior year.

Hi. I always come here looking for course suggestions for each semester and now I'm here again. Actually this time it looks like I might as well do it for the entire year, since a lot of things hinge on whether I am enrolled in the fall. I have a few courses that I am enrolled in and then some others I am considering taking. Here is what my schedule kind of looks like right now: -Real Analysis I, -Graduate Micro I (the fall micro theory is broken in to 2 sections), and -Intermediate Macro. I need add at least one more course and am considering a variety of options, such as: Graduate Level Quant Methods (Econ department), Graduate Applied Econometrics (Arec department), Undergrad IO, Undergrad Game Theory (taught by grad student :/ ), Graduate Regression Analysis (Math department), Undergrad Numerical Analysis I, a philosophy course, because I go to a school with a very good philosophy department (just to get something unique in while I'm in undergrad), and lastly a computer science course. Finally for the Spring, I was going to take Undergrad Stochastic, Graduate Micro (Game Theory), Thermodynamics (Required for my math degree), Undergrad Math Modeling. It's also a possibility to take RAII and NAII, obviously I need to have taken it the previous semester to enroll. Another thing to note is that I am probably not finishing my econ degree due to some university stipulations that require me to have a minor, which would require me to stay here over the summer (it really sucks when the Econ degree is only offered as a BA and I'm earning a BS in Math).

@whatdoido: Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with you on the NYU not being a good stepping stone for a PhD program, because they even say that on there website. You seem to know a lot about Masters programs. Are there any other programs abroad that have pretty good placements? @aecon641: Hahaha, you're right about the situation for the fall. As of now, I'm enrolled in Real Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Intermediate Macro, and IO, which doesn't sound too awful... I hope haha.

Thanks for the tips and advice. Out of curiosity, I was wondering whether it would be advisable to apply to some masters programs as well. If you guys could recommend some notable masters program, it would be greatly appreciated. The only ones I know at the moment are abroad (LSE, Cambridge, Warwick, Toulouse, etc.)

Hi, I'm thinking of applying this cycle, and was curious as to find out where to apply to. Here's a look at my current profile: Type of Undergrad: Large Public University Undergrad GPA: 3.7 GRE: Taking in July Math Courses: Calc I-III(A,B,A), LA(A), Formal Math Reasoning and Logic aka Proofs (B), Probability Theory (B), Mathematical Statistics (B), ODE (B), Intro to Math of Investing (A) , Applied LA (A), Real Analysis I (Fall 2011), Numerical Analysis I (Fall 2011) or Advanced ODE (Fall 2011) Econ Courses: Basic Principles (A), Intermediate Micro (A), Econometrics (A), Labor (A), Economic Statistics (A), Grad Micro I (Fall 2011 if they let me in), Industrial Organization (Fall 2011), Intermediate Macro (Fall 2011) Other Courses: Java (A) Letters of Recommendation: 3 from outstanding professors (one famous economic historian, one well published for game theory, one primarily teaching professor who has written a few books) Research Experience: Worked for economic historian and am writing thesis under him Teaching Experience: Preceptor/Undergrad TA for Intermediate Micro (taught by well published prof in game theory) and Basic Principles (taught by teach prof) Research Interests: Not sure, but currently more micro based SOP: I hope it will be sold Other: I feel like my math grades are rather inflated and spotty. I took some dual enrollment credit in high school and got a C and B in Calc I and Calc II, respectively, then retook Calc I freshman year. After that I took LA and Calc III and got C's in my freshman year, but retook them for A's. After that I got what I got with an exception of withdrawing from proofs. Overall it seems I have a sketchy math background. I know its rather late in the game, but any ways to remedy the situation. Thanks for any advice. Cheers.