James Taylor

I read the General Theory, but couldn't really tell you what in Gods name Keynes was talking about. All I took away from that book was that the previous owner must have done a lot of reading in a very good smelling coffee shop.

I have had a professor with a beard and crazy eyes! He began each lecture with an enthusiastic, if not slightly demented, "good afternoon scholars!!!" It definitely catches you off guard the first few times. He ended up being my favorite professor.

Ok I turned it down. Now I'm going to go back to growing out my beard and hair to an unprofessionally long extent.

Yes its the school that offered me the position. Honestly money was never the issue, I think having the experience would be more valuable. I'm just worried about the time I'd have to commit to it. I'm more of a micro theory guy, and I would have to re-acquaint myself with all the intermediate macro stuff if I wanted to do anyone any good. I'm taking Calc II this semester, and I've been devoting about 3 hours a night to that class so far. Also I'm taking a math econ class that doubles as a grad class, and thats going to require a lot of preparation. This tutoring position is such a great opportunity, but if I get an A- in any of the classes I'm taking this semester I think the signalling benefit of tutoring would be completely negated. I think I'd rather devote those 9 hours a week to studying.

$85 an hour! Jesus, I wouldn't think twice! I've been offered a measly $8/hour. I haven't discussed reducing the hours.

I have been offered a position to tutor economics at the intro/intermediate level on campus 9 hours a week. The problem is, I'm afraid of biting off more than I can chew, as my workload this semester appears quite daunting. So would the benefit of saying "I tutored economics for a semester" on an application be worth the possible added stress that taking the position will bring me? Not to mention the possibility of my grades suffering.

I appreciate the "On (subject)" headings. A nice 19th century scientific touch.

Well I think it'd be helpful to know how much outside work time is necessary because of actual assignments and how much is necessary to due the challenge of understanding the concepts. There may be overlap here, but I feel like stuffing your nose in a book for hours trying to grapple a theory would be more demanding. I don't think I ever had homework in undergrad theory classes, are grad classes similar in that respect?

Yeah I believe his first book was initiated by Mary Paley, and when they married, he just assumed control of it. But to be fair he probably taught her a lot of what she knew; he was her professor at Cambridge, and championed women's education at a time when that was taboo. Also, I want to say that she edited and compiled his last book, when he was at the edge of life and demented.

I'd rather her not know much about economics, that way I can pretend I know what I'm talking about.

My school doesn't actually offer a course called "Real Analysis." I asked the advisor about this, and he just pointed me to a list of their "Analysis" courses. I think that this course called Advanced Calculus may be their Real Analysis... Not sure though, because I've seen some econ departments say "courses like Real Analysis and Advanced Calculus are recommended." heres the description: MAA 4226. Advanced Calculus I (3). Prerequisites: MAC 2313, MAS 3105, and prior experience with mathematical proofs (MGF 3301, MAD 2104 or other proving experience). Functions, sequences, limits; continuity, uniform continuity; differentiation; integration; convergence, uniform convergence. For strong students with adviser approval only. Theres also this: MAA 4402. Complex Variables (3). Prerequisite: MAC 2313. Analytic functions, Cauchy-Riemann conditions; complex integration, Cauchy's theorem and integral formula; power series, analytic continuation, Riemann surfaces; residues and applications; conformal mapping. And of course theres an Intro to Analysis. I'm planning to take one of them. Anyone have any advice?

I calculate them independently. Its actually 98.3460768398268%[TABLE=width: 118] [TR] [TD=align: right][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

I got a 98.35% in Calc 1. Stoked for Calc 2 YEAH! Also read Debunking Economics by Steve Keen. Took a long damn time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I took it yesterday and got a 162Q/164V. Though thats not stellar, It was a drastic increase over the first time I took it (151Q/161V). This time I studied for a month out everyday for 1-2 hours. It felt a bit easier this time, though I may have just been better prepared. Also I think taking it in the morning at 8:30 made a big difference (the first time I took it in the afternoon). My mind becomes duller as the day drags on. Plus this time I didn't devote one second of study time to the verbal portion, whereas last time I split my time about evenly. Strangely I scored better on the verbal this time! I plan to take it again in the winter, after studying all semester (albeit passively). The first time I took it I was given a writing prompt that actually had some bearing on cost minimization. I dropped terms like fixed and variable costs, though I held back from diving into marginal rates of technical substitution. I thought I nailed it. Got a mediocre 4.5...

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 50 US; BA Economics - Minors in Math/Sociology; Undergrad GPA: 3.5 cumulative (3.92 Econ; 3.5 Math) Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 162 Q, 164 V Math Courses: College Algebra (B), Business Calculus ©, Precalculus (A), Trigonometry (A), Calculus I (A) Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Principles Micro/Macro (A/A), Intermediate Micro/Macro (A/A), History of Thought (A), Growth of American Economy (A), Health Economics (B+), a couple other electives (A's) Other Courses: Intro Applied Statistics (B-) Letters of Recommendation: One from a reasonably well-known public choice professor whom I have a good relationship with, and another I hope to get from the professor teaching the Math Econ class I'm taking this fall, who's a well-published experimental/game theory economist. Research Experience: Minimal: interned with local Economic Development Council, wrote a report on status of local businesses, some menial research on companies for database. Teaching Experience: None, trying to get a tutoring gig on campus. Professors are automatically assigned grad student TAs by the department, so its not likely I can gain a TA-ship, and undergrad RAs are quite rare. Research Interests: Urban Economics, Industrial Organization, Business Cycles, Georgism, Pure Theory, Heterodox economics. SOP: Will emphasize my passion for the subject. Concerns: Mediocre undergrad performance. Business Calc and College Algebra were taken during freshman year, when I wasn't too concerned with getting A's. Hoping that A's in more advanced math courses will negate those grades. No formal academic research experience. Mediocre GRE quant. Other: My next year will be mostly devoted to Math and Statistics. This fall I'm taking Calc 2, Discrete Math, Math Econ, Econometrics, Applied Regression Methods. I plan to acquire Calc 3, Linear Algebra, Intro Math Stat, maybe Ordinary Differential Equations, and perhaps Real Analysis. Also, I plan to apply for a RA/intern position at the Fed after I graduate. Applying to: This fall: UBC and UToronto for MA program. Next Fall: I've got my sights set on UVA, though I plan to apply all over the Top 50 range.

Heres a question: when "Econ GPA" is discussed, is that strictly GPA in econ classes, or does it include any classes (including non econ) used toward an econ major? Econ GPA = Major GPA?

Can anyone explain the difference between Scientific Computing and Computer Science? There are distinct departments for each of these at my school.

I'm also deliberating over whether to take an Intro Scientific Computing class or an Intro Programming class. Judging by the syllabi, they are both C++ based. The scientific computing class seems to be geared toward solving scientific problems, while the programming class seems to be just about learning to program. I know so little about programming that I can't really make any other useful distinction (they both require zero programming experience though). Seems to me like the Scientific Computing class may be more applicable to a non CS major. Does anyone here have anything to say on the differences between these 2 classes? Here are the descriptions: COP 3014. Programming I (3). Prerequisite: MAC 1140. This course covers fundamental concepts and skills of programming in a high-level language. Flow of control: sequence, selection, iteration, subprograms. Data structures: arrays, strings, structs, ADT lists and tables. Algorithms using selection and iteration (decision making, finding maxima and minima, basic searching and sorting, simulation, etc.). Good program design using a procedural paradigm, structure, and style are emphasized. Interactive and file IO. Testing and debugging techniques. Intended primarily for computer science or computer engineering majors, or anyone who is required to take COP 3330. ISC 3313. Introduction to Scientific Computing (3). Prerequisite: MAC 2311. Corequisite: 2312. This course introduces the student to the science of computations. Topics cover algorithms for standard problems in computational science, as well as the basics of an object-oriented programming language, to facilitate the students' implementation of algorithms.

Could someone verify this: x/|x| 1/|x| 1 This yields that |x| > 1, answer choice A.

Typically with P(A or B), the events are described as mutually exclusive or not mutually exclusive. I have never seen the word independent used with an OR problem, although I suppose it could be taken to mean mutually exclusive. Independent is usually used to signal P(A and B). My guess is to use P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) =.3 + .5 = .8 (where A and B are mutually exclusive). I can see why everyone who posted so far has had a different answer though! I think its worded pretty ambiguously.

Considering the state of undergraduate instruction, it could be a good assumption that I know very little theory. However, probably 90 percent of what I know about economics comes from outside reading, and I think I've read enough theory to know that I thoroughly enjoy it. And to your first point, like I said earlier, I'm (at least right now) not really interested in doing original research. If there was a way for me to be involved in academia without having to do research then I'd be all for it. Of course this may all change. One day I may wake up with a brilliant idea to pursue. It just worries me greatly to think about myself halfway through a PhD program, forced to come up with a dissertation topic, and coming up short. A friend of mine's fiance got his dissertation rejected; I often think about that happening to me. Maybe its something I can overcome.

Idk, I'd say I'm really into more of the pure theory stuff. Are you suggesting an MPP? I'd just be afraid that it wouldn't be stimulating... I don't know much about MPP programs other than that the few I looked up seem to emphasize "leadership," which sounds quite far off from a theory-based program to me. I'm beginning to look favorably upon UToronto and UBC's econ MA programs.

Ephemeralization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

Most of the deadlines I've seen seem to be in mid-january. Doesn't that leave over a month after fall grades have been posted to submit an application, with the fall grades? Or do chances of acceptance decline the later you apply?

Thank you everyone for your comments, this has truly been enlightening. After some consideration I think I've finally come to terms with a subconscious notion I've had for some time, that being that maybe an econ PhD really doesn't completely suit me. In all honesty, research is not really something I'm interested in doing (though I go through phases). I am passionate about economics, I love learning it and reading the classics. I get a kick out of grasping deeply theoretical stuff. I excelled in and loved my micro/macro classes, and I love using math in economics; consuming is where the joy lies for me, not necessarily producing. But I would like to make this more than a hobby, and I feel like my undergraduate experience only touched the surface. So perhaps a masters degree is more appropriate for me. Ideally I'd like to get into a 2 year theoretical program though. The opinion on here seems to be to look overseas for a program like that - not something I'm terribly thrilled about. I also see Duke, Tufts, and Toronto mentioned quite a bit.