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So I would like to know from individuals with experience or extensive knowledge what my chances are getting into a doctoral program for economics. First, I attend the University of South Carolina and I know that most respected programs have little respect for my institution but it was the only place I could afford to go so please no snide comments about where I'm doing my undergraduate degree. Trust me, I know it is not the greatest. So here is the breakdown: I am a math major with a minor in economics. My GPA is a 3.5 but it will be going up since I have another year left. My GRE scores are 80th percentile in both quantitative and verbal. I'm also a research assistant for the head of the economics department and I've done research involving economic growth and alternative exchange rate regimes. I already have two letters of recommendations, one from the department head who attended the University of Chapel Hill and another professor who attended the University of Madison-Wisconsin. Do these letters from professors who have attended these well respected programs help me? Also, by time I graduate I will have the following math and econ courses. (Grades given with courses I have already taken) Intermediate Microeconomics - A Calc I-III A Discrete Math A Linear Algebra A Mathematical Statistics: Probability A Reals Analysis I and II Differential Equations Vector Analysis Topology Cryptography Industrial Organization Econometrics Intermediate Macroeconomics Algebraic Structures International Trade Economics Elementary Number Theory So what are my chances of getting in to a doctoral program? What can I do to improve my chances of getting in, i.e. what am I lacking? Thanks.

Coming from someone with experience with a lot of GRE prep material, here are the one's that I find the most helpful. 1. Magoosh Magoosh is a small GRE prep company, but I found that their videos in the quantitative section are extremely short and very helpful. I first started out with Barrons GRE online prep (will get to that next) and then I found magoosh and my quant score is close to 80th percentile now. The instructors break down the material in a very helpful manner. For example, Im a math major but I still have trouble with the Fundamental Theorem of Counting, Combinations, Permutation, and Probability. But, after using Magoosh (the depth is still limited) paired with my discrete math class, I understand these concepts a lot better. Try them out. 2. Barrons GRE Prep Barrons has an online service that you can access for a moderate fee that gives you access to 3 full length test, tons of practice materials, and loads of videos explaining the material. The reason I found this site helpful is that on your dashboard it gives you your projected score, so as you move along through the material and do practice quizzes the projected score narrows down to what you should make, but once you finish all the material and study it, you can email Barrons and they can reset your account so you can redo all the questions and test to get a more accurate prediction. The strength of barrons is definitely their videos on writing plus their math. I really didn't care for their verbal but it might work for you. Also, pair it with Barrons flashcards for the GRE, I bought a set of those and they have extremely helped with me learning vocabulary. As a side note, if you are having trouble with counting problems, try and look at some textbooks on combinatorics. Usually there is a brief but thorough explanation of combinations and permutations. So, if you are looking for an online source, I would definitely rank Magoosh first then Barrons second, but both are extremely well structured and do help a ton. For a long-term plan, and if you have the funds, look into the actual kaplan class. I had a friend who took the GRE class through kaplan and their quant scores raised dramatically. Also, kaplan overall, if you do that actual course, is one of the best resources out there. My girlfriend is in the process of applying to dental school and her class rose her scores in each section by 5+ points which is a lot on the DAT. Try and look into it. But, if you lack the funds to invest in kaplan, than the first two are definitely the way to. A little advice for quant though, do tons of practice problems and write down their solutions. With these solutions, compare the problems and try to establish patterns and question types. I did this, and I will tell you it has cut my time on each questions dramatically. My math professors always tell me try to find a simpler problem, then use that problems method on the more difficult ones. If you can relate problems based on similarities and ignore the difficulty, you should start to see an increase in proficiency. Finally, learn to look at each problem logically and try to manipulate the given facts that will help you find the solution. I know that can seem difficult at first, but once you see how to do it, the GRE quant will definitely come a lot easier and more naturally. Hope this helps!

Okay so I know a little bit about this so hopefully it helps. First, if you are thinking about doing a masters in economics it ultimately depends on what type of masters you want to do. You can either take the applied economics track or the theoretical economics track. As a undergraduate in the United States, most of our econ masters programs are based on applied economics and only a few are actually sufficient bridges to doctoral work. For example, Georgetown is an extremely well respected school for their rigor in academics and most of their programs are ranked extremely high however they make it clear that their masters in applied economics is not meant to be a bridge into doctoral work. If you are looking for a bridge into doctoral work, the UK's masters programs are the better way to go, especially since the quality and depth of economic theory taught definitely supersedes that of the US. However, if you are looking into a more analytical type of career then applied econ is definitely the way to go, especially if its paired with math and political science. Regarding your three year bachelors degree, I've never actually heard of that. Does that mean you graduated a 4 year program in 3 years? Either way, most programs just required a bachelors degree from an accredited institution. In respect to applying to these programs, if you are foreign and your native language is not english then you will have to take the TOEFL to get into an US program. Also, you are going to have to take the GRE. Most schools have a minimum requirement of 70th percentile in quantitative and a pretty high verbal as well. Also, most programs look in depth at your undergraduate math courses and the grades you received in them. If you are planning on just doing a masters, most programs recommend Calc I through III plus linear algebra, maybe Diff. Eq. But if you are planning on going to a doctoral programs following your masters, you definitely need Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, Diff. Eq, Real Analysis, Mathematical Statistics, Econometrics, and if you have topology that is also a plus. Mainly, most doctoral programs just suggest that you major in math, and statistics do show that more math majors are accepted than econ majors since graduate level economics requires high mathematical ability. I will say thought that US graduate programs in economics are extremely competitive to get into, so you should have something that not only sets you apart but also your transcript should demonstrate a high probability of success. If you haven't, maybe look into doing a little bit of undergraduate research. I'm a research assistant for my department head, and I've gotten a lot of experience researching economic growth and alternative exchange rate regimes relative to interest rates. Overall, it all just depend on what exactly you want to do. Remember though that the US has the worlds best graduate programs and a lot of them try to take precedence over US students than foreign, but not all. Your top tier will definitely have a higher influx of foreign students than your third tier programs so keep that in mind because not only are you competing with some of the brightest individuals around the world, but you are also competing with kids who have spent the last four years at ivy leagues with 3.8 gpa's or higher. So my advice would be that if you are just strictly doing a masters, decide what type and then apply. Majority of masters are a lot easier to get into than Doctoral programs. But, if you plan of moving on to doctoral work, you definitely need to be the best of the best. Hopes this helps!

So I am torn between two things I love the most. I love economics and everything about it yet I can't seem to step away from the mesmerizing beauty of mathematics. My dilemma is that there have been things I always wanted to do in life, but some of those desires require sacrifice of others. For example, I love teaching, I don't why, I just enjoy the thrill and excitement of explaining a concept to someone and that person understanding. Teaching to me gives me happiness and self-worth, but on the other hand I love doing research in economics, and love all the intricate details that come along with it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, what does anyone else think I should do? I understand that I'll still have to do research in mathematics, which sounds exciting to me, but I would mainly like to get a doctorate in math because I love math and I love sharing math with others. Yet, if I get my Econ PhD, I would want to work for a consulting firm or a statistical think tank that does continuous research within specific areas. The whole Econ Academia life definitely has its pro's, but so does math. Well, if anyone has any advice on how to tackle this problem let me know please.

I don't know if I can explain this very well but I'll try. We just did this in my discrete mathematics class. Ok, so there are 7 slots in number. When I do problems similar to this I try and write seven dashes on my paper representing each possible space a number can go in. Anyways, we know that there are 10 digits between 0 and 9, however the problem restricts us from using 0 and 1 in the first digit spot. So the total possible numbers that can go in to that slot are 8. Now the remaining seven slots have no restrictions therefore any of the ten digits can go into each slot. (Remember, since the problem did not specify that digits cannot be repeated, we just use the product rule here instead of using a permutation) So your final answer should be 8x10x10x10x10x10x10 or 8x10^6. I would double check this just to make sure, but I think its right. Sorry for not being completely sure, I learned this a week ago so I'm still getting used to counting.

Hey everyone, I am a senior in college and just changed my major to math to increase my chances of getting into graduate school. I've done extremely well in my previous math classes, A in Calc 1 through 3. I did however do research before changing my major just so I would know what I was getting myself into, so I do realize that as I go higher, it all becomes heavily based on proofs and all that other stuff. I guess I wanted to ask anyone who can offer advice on my current situation. I am currently enrolled in Stat 511 Probability, Math 574 Discrete Math I, and Math 544 Linear Algebra. However, I am having an extremely hard time with discrete, particularly with permutations and combinations. Also, Stat 511 doesn't seem that bad, its just the proofs that get to me and make me feel like I shouldn't even be a math major. So does anyone have advice for understanding these topics more. Im trying to approach math differently since its more proof based by understanding things on a more fundamental level, but I find myself spending hours on one problem because I can't figure out how to prove it. What would any of you suggest I do? Anything would be greatly appreciated. I will say though I am not giving up on this math major. I do truly love math and I enjoy solving problems and puzzles, I just need a way to grasp everything a little bit better. Thanks

Hey everyone, I am a senior in college and just changed my major to math to increase my chances of getting into graduate school. I've done extremely well in my previous math classes, A in Calc 1 through 3. I did however do research before changing my major just so I would know what I was getting myself into, so I do realize that as I go higher, it all becomes heavily based on proofs and all that other stuff. I guess I wanted to ask anyone who can offer advice on my current situation. I am currently enrolled in Stat 511 Probability, Math 574 Discrete Math I, and Math 544 Linear Algebra. However, I am having an extremely hard time with discrete, particularly with permutations and combinations. Also, Stat 511 doesn't seem that bad, its just the proofs that get to me and make me feel like I shouldn't even be a math major. So does anyone have advice for understanding these topics more. Im trying to approach math differently since its more proof based by understanding things on a more fundamental level, but I find myself spending hours on one problem because I can't figure out how to prove it. What would any of you suggest I do? Anything would be greatly appreciated. I will say though I am not giving up on this math major. I do truly love math and I enjoy solving problems and puzzles, I just need a way to grasp everything a little bit better. Thanks