mutatismutandis

I'm going to add a huge caveat to this: Calc I and II will get you in -- but Calc III is necessary to succeed. I just finished up the first semester at my master's program without having Calc III and it was painful, to say the least. Even if you can't take multivariable before enrolling, I highly recommend doing some self study.

Although I was the OP, I now can attest to this, Economists. As much as I'd like to have Analysis as a signal for PhD applications, I had to drop it. TAing with a full load of grad courses is for all intents and purposes impossible, and it is clearly much more important for me to use my time learning multivariable as we work through Varian (I'm at Tufts MS, as a recap.) I was not thrilled with my first midterm grade, but with some extra work I know I can still get a good grade. I'm committed to the two year track at this point, so I will take Analysis later on.

Thanks everyone. I'll look into the testing option but I haven't seen much on it in my research so far. Regardless, I have a text to work through over the summer so I will begin doing so ASAP.

I'd like to take a probability course, if possible. I understand that ODEs is another good signaling course, but I'm not sure that I'll have the elective space to take the full set of these signaling courses. I will have the option to do a second year at Tufts to write a thesis and it might be possible to take some more math during that time, but I would prefer to be in a PhD program instead. If it seems unlikely that I can get into the top 30 with my profile at the time, I think I'd be more willing to do the the thesis year. As for the multivar material, I just remembered that there will be a math camp before classes start, so I'm sure the relevant topics will be covered. There is a required competency exam at the end and since it is built in to the program, I assume that is somewhat of a signal in itself. My hope is that these grades will give an overwhelming preponderance of evidence of my math abilities, especially in consideration of my low quant GRE score.

AFAIK, there is not a 'Math for Econ' course. The required coursework is fairly rigid: two semesters of macro, micro, and stats/econometrics, and two electives (which I will be using to take math courses.) I love the Sen quote in your sig, by the way.

Hello TMers -- wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their advice. It paid off: I am entering Tufts MS program next Fall. Some time ago I posted my profile and solicited your opinions. The thread is here: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/128271-realistic-suggestions-long-shot.html. As you can see, at the time I was taking LA and Calc II, in which I got an A and A-, respectively. So now I'm trying to plot my next step in my math courses at Tufts. According to their handbook, I will definitely have an opportunity to take real analysis in the Fall. My question, as the title indicates, is whether I should self-study multivariable calculus and take real analysis, or put it off and try to get permission to take multivariable instead of RA. Is multivariable an important signaling course, like RA or LA, or is there no marginal benefit to having an A in that course? Also keep in mind that I will be taking two semesters of grad math stats/econometrics. Thanks for your input in advance! edit: I should add that my goal is admission into the best possible PhD program after this degree. this thread probably makes more sense now.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BA in Political Science/Economics with Honors from a regional university in the US without a graduate economics program Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 540V/750Q/4.0 AWA Math Courses: almost none; Calc I (AP), Statistics I/II (A/A); currently registered for Calc II and Linear Algebra Econ Courses (grad-level): none Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Macro (A), Intro to Micro (A), Intro to Geographical Information Systems (A), Intermediate Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (A), International Trade (A), International Finance (A) Other Courses: Many international relations / political science courses, notably a course in political economy (A) Letters of Recommendation: One political science professor, one economics professor, and one from the honors program director Research Experience: Wrote a political economy thesis entitled "The Mystery of Social Capital: Microfinance, Civil Society, and Long Run Development" which I will be presenting at the NYSPSA conference in April Teaching Experience: none Research Interests: Political economy, development, some theory SOP: Strong Concerns: Lack of proper math preparation, GRE, LoRs are strong but not the best simply due to my school's reputation, and also I am quite late to the application game Applying to: NYU (MA), Tufts (MS), BU (MA), Fordham (MA), GWU (MA) Results: Accepted: Tufts ($$), BU Rejected: NYU NB: Stopped applying after receiving Tufts' offer. It was too good to refuse. Also updated grades (not relevant to this cycle's profile, but for the future when I apply for PhD programs): Linear Algebra (A), Calc II (A-)

Institution: BU Program: MA Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: N/A Notification date: 03/22/2011 Notified through: e-mail Comments: 1st response :) Institution: Tufts University Program: MS Economics Decision: Accepted Funding: $20,600 tuition scholarship; $4,500/semester TAship Notification date: 03/22/2011 Notified through: e-mail Comments: Absolutely shocked, honored, and excited. Hoping this will get me on the way to a PhD!

1) Calc II is integration, single variable. I would prefer to take Calc III, the multivariable calculus course, but the math department does not offer permission to take classes without the pre-requisites, as I learned today when I inquired about getting permission for linear algebra. It turns out that I had not been registered for linear. In addition, I was denied permission to take the course which really puts a wrench in my planning. 2) Not able to pay at the moment, but willing to finance it. I'm faced with two options: 1) pursue a graduate program or 2) pursue a law degree. A simple cost-benefit analysis has led me to believe that option 1 is the optimum choice given the uncertainty of the market for lawyers. A graduate program will likely leave me with less debt and more opportunities for a rewarding career. 3) I have looked into LSE programs, though I'm a little uneasy about going abroad. 4) This seems like a great option. I'm curious as to whether, given my background, I can simultaneously have the opportunity to get some more research experience under my belt. I have no doubt that I can handle the amount of work, but I'm not sure if anyone would be willing to take me on as an assistant. It occurs to me that NYU has a non-degree math track -- it might be ideal to take that path and do a RA or some kind of independent study. 5) I'm pretty committed to an academic life at this point. I've also been told to stay away from political science degrees because positions are scarce at the moment. Thanks for the advice, it's really helping me sort these decisions out. Not everything is going as planned but I'm sure that there are plenty of alternatives which will help me toward my long term goals.

I do understand that master's programs are not meant to be a stepping stone, and in fact I recall the language on NYU's MA page (paraphrased: some students have been admitted to PhD programs at other universities.) But I am not looking for a "stepping stone" or a prep degree -- I'm simply looking for a program which will allow me to catch up on some math. So preferably I'd like a program which has some elective room so that I can take multivariable calculus, real analysis, etc. Moreover, I need better LoRs so I'm looking to get into the most prestigious school possible. How does the Tufts MS fare in terms of placement?

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: BA in Political Science/Economics with Honors from a regional university in the US without a graduate economics program Undergrad GPA: 3.85/4 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 540V/750Q (should be 5-6.0 AWA, awaiting official results) Math Courses: almost none; Calc I (AP), Statistics I/II (A/A); currently registered for Calc II and Linear Algebra Econ Courses (grad-level): none Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Intro to Macro (A), Intro to Micro (A), Intro to Geographical Information Systems (A), Intermediate Macro (A-), Intermediate Micro (A), International Trade (A), International Finance (A) Other Courses: Many international relations / political science courses, notably a course in political economy (A) Letters of Recommendation: One political science professor, one economics professor, and one from the honors program director Research Experience: Wrote a political economy thesis entitled "The Mystery of Social Capital: Microfinance, Civil Society, and Long Run Development" which I will be presenting at the NYSPSA conference in April Teaching Experience: none Research Interests: Political economy, development, some theory SOP: Strong Concerns: Lack of proper math preparation, GRE, LoRs are strong but not the best simply due to my school's reputation, and also I am quite late to the application game Applying to: NYU MA, BU MA, possibly Fordham's IPED MA My profile is certainly that of a long shot. I believe that I am capable of performing well in graduate programs, but I don't have much on paper to substantiate that claim. As you can see, my list of applications is thin so I am requesting some realistic suggestions for programs that 1) are within reach of this profile and 2) will improve my profile for PhD admissions in the future. Thanks for your help in advance.