ledmonds049

That's helpful! Thanks! I think I've been in a bit of a rush to take econ classes so I could (hopefully) position myself for a recommendation letter, but goal one should definitely be shoring up the math

Hi all, I was hoping to get some course advice from the Brain Trust here. I recently obtained an RA position at Princeton for the next two years. It's with a sociologist, so I'm aware it won't be the most fruitful endeavor recommendation-wise (I took it more for the content of research and access to Princeton, both of which I'm really excited about). Since I'm here and looking towards a PhD in econ, and since my profile isn't super strong, I'm looking to take chooses to boost my application. Things that may be important to know: I’m 24, just finished a master’s in ed policy at a top 5 ed school I took probability P/F In undergrad I got a C+ in real analysis in undergrad (more out of laziness/family issues than ability) I’m spending the summer brushing up on calc and linear I'd already planned to take real analysis in the spring and take grad micro next fall. The question for this semester seems to be: should I take probability (or something else, like an undergrad intro proofs, multivariable, or a grad-level field class), or jump right into first semester metrics? At other places I wouldn't consider it, but Princeton seems to have their first semester metrics set up in two parts, where the first is a prob/stat review “from the beginning.” They even put in the course description that it will include the “necessary background in probability theory and statistics.” (Course description below) “A first-year course in the first-year econometrics sequence: it is divided into two parts. The first gives students the necessary background in probability theory and statistics. Topics include definitions and axioms of probability, moments, some univariate distributions, the multivariate normal distribution, sampling distributions, introduction to asymptotic theory, estimation and testing. The second part introduces the linear regression model and develops associated tools. Properties of the ordinary least squares estimator will be studied in detail and a number of tests developed.” I’ve looked up previous syllabi, and it seems the first half often even pulls from standard prob/stat undergrad textbooks (e.g., Hogg, McKean, and Craig), so that seemed promising. I guess I’m just wondering if there’s a point to taking undergrad prob if their grad-level econometrics is going to a.) cover the important parts, b.) carry the option of taking a class with an economist who, all things well, could write a recommendation letter, and c.) be a better signal for my application. The question, then, is any of that true? Ultimately, the question becomes: with two years and a top 5 econ program (ideally) at my disposal, what do you all think would be best for me, course-wise, in terms of improving my application/best preparing me for grad school in economics? Thanks for your help, friends!

Largest changes [TABLE=width: 158] [TR] [TD]School[/TD] [TD]Move[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgia State[/TD] [TD=align: right]13[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]USC[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgia[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Notre Dame[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]SMU[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Missouri[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Wyoming[/TD] [TD=align: right]8[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BC[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Yale[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rice[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Washington[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Santa Barbara[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]FSU[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Santa Cruz[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Stanford[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Berkeley[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Kansas[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Clemson[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Claremont -32 George Mason -14 SUNY Albany -14 Kentucky -10 Florida -7 NC State -7 Chicago -6 ASU -6 Arizona -6 Houston -6 Minnesota -5 George Washington -5 Stony Brook -5 Georgetown -5 CUNY -4 Illinois-Chicago -4

Did a little digging... [TABLE=width: 458] [TR] [TD]School[/TD] [TD]2009 rank[/TD] [TD]2013 rank[/TD] [TD]09 to 13 change[/TD] [TD]2017 rank[/TD] [TD]13 to 17 change[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Chicago[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Harvard[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]MIT[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Princeton[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Stanford[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Berkeley[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Northwestern[/TD] [TD=align: right]8[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Yale[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Penn[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]10[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Columbia[/TD] [TD=align: right]10[/TD] [TD=align: right]10[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Minnesota[/TD] [TD=align: right]10[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]16[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]NYU[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Michigan[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]13[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Wisconsin[/TD] [TD=align: right]14[/TD] [TD=align: right]13[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UCLA[/TD] [TD=align: right]14[/TD] [TD=align: right]15[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UCSD[/TD] [TD=align: right]14[/TD] [TD=align: right]15[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]12[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Caltech[/TD] [TD=align: right]14[/TD] [TD=align: right]15[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Cornell[/TD] [TD=align: right]18[/TD] [TD=align: right]18[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]16[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]CMU[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]20[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brown[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Duke[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]19[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]16[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Maryland[/TD] [TD=align: right]22[/TD] [TD=align: right]22[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]21[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rochester[/TD] [TD=align: right]22[/TD] [TD=align: right]22[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]21[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BU[/TD] [TD=align: right]24[/TD] [TD=align: right]24[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]23[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]JHU[/TD] [TD=align: right]25[/TD] [TD=align: right]24[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]23[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Texas[/TD] [TD=align: right]25[/TD] [TD=align: right]26[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]OSU[/TD] [TD=align: right]28[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Wash U[/TD] [TD=align: right]28[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Penn State[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]27[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]25[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Virginia[/TD] [TD=align: right]28[/TD] [TD=align: right]30[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Michigan State[/TD] [TD=align: right]31[/TD] [TD=align: right]30[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UIUC[/TD] [TD=align: right]31[/TD] [TD=align: right]32[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Davis[/TD] [TD=align: right]34[/TD] [TD=align: right]32[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UNC Chapel Hill[/TD] [TD=align: right]34[/TD] [TD=align: right]32[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]29[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BC[/TD] [TD=align: right]31[/TD] [TD=align: right]32[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]25[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ASU[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]36[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Arizona[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]36[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Pitt[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]36[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]-3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Vanderbilt[/TD] [TD=align: right]34[/TD] [TD=align: right]36[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [TD=align: right]35[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Iowa[/TD] [TD=align: right]34[/TD] [TD=align: right]40[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Washington[/TD] [TD=align: right]34[/TD] [TD=align: right]40[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [TD=align: right]35[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Purdue[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Texas A&M[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Indiana U[/TD] [TD=align: right]46[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [TD=align: right]39[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Santa Barbara[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]37[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgetown[/TD] [TD=align: right]46[/TD] [TD=align: right]46[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Irvine[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]46[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [TD=align: right]47[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Florida[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]-7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]NC State[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]-7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rutgers[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]47[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rice[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]42[/TD] [TD=align: right]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]USC[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]48[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [TD=align: right]37[/TD] [TD=align: right]11[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Colorado-Boulder[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]53[/TD] [TD=align: right]-3[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Syracuse[/TD] [TD=align: right]54[/TD] [TD=align: right]53[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]50[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Iowa State[/TD] [TD=align: right]54[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [TD=align: right]53[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Oregon[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]56[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]-3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Notre Dame[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]56[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [TD=align: right]47[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Claremont[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]90[/TD] [TD=align: right]-32[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Kentucky[/TD] [TD=align: right]56[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [TD=align: right]68[/TD] [TD=align: right]-10[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]GWU[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]63[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Stony Brook[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]63[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Virginia Tech[/TD] [TD=align: right]56[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]-1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Santa Cruz[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]7[/TD] [TD=align: right]53[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]GMU[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [TD=align: right]78[/TD] [TD=align: right]-14[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]CUNY[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [TD=align: right]68[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Illinois-Chicago[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]68[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Emory[/TD] [TD=align: right]56[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]-8[/TD] [TD=align: right]63[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]UC-Riverside[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]8[/TD] [TD=align: right]63[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]FSU[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]-5[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgia[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]SMU[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]8[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Houston[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]78[/TD] [TD=align: right]-6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brandeis[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]-7[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Missouri[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]63[/TD] [TD=align: right]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Georgia State[/TD] [TD=align: right]65[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]-7[/TD] [TD=align: right]59[/TD] [TD=align: right]13[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Albany-SUNY[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]76[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [TD=align: right]90[/TD] [TD=align: right]-14[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Connecticut[/TD] [TD=align: right]79[/TD] [TD=align: right]76[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]78[/TD] [TD=align: right]-2[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Kansas[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]76[/TD] [TD=align: right]-4[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Clemson[/TD] [TD=align: right]79[/TD] [TD=align: right]76[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD=align: right]4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Wyoming[/TD] [TD=align: right]79[/TD] [TD=align: right]76[/TD] [TD=align: right]3[/TD] [TD=align: right]68[/TD] [TD=align: right]8[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Washington State[/TD] [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]78[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Buffalo[/TD] [TD=align: right]79[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]90[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Alabama[/TD] [TD=align: right]79[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]90[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Yea, that seems right. Part of what I hated about the MPP program was the lack of analytical rigor. I'm all for learning some coding, but much of the research methods felt like "punch-click in Stata until you find a p-value -- the end." It seemed like we were being primed for consulting positions and the like, something that I knew wasn't for me. Between leadership classes and writing decision memos, I felt like I wasn't going anywhere I wanted to be with what they were teaching. Short of going to the Kennedy School or something comparable, I suspected I'd have the same experience anywhere with public policy. In a sense, I expect ed policy to be the same (i.e., not all that rigorous), even at a top 10 ed policy school like UPenn. This time, though, I anticipate it being much more pleasant, namely because I have an actual interest in the content. From the start of my economics study, I knew I wanted to conduct research in the economics of education. I've spent the last year teaching high school math, and I feel even stronger now that education research is what I belong in. With that in mind, I'm using this program as a mechanism to further accustom myself with education literature and current trends and better frame my research in an economics PhD program. Besides, I'm kind of counting on it not being TOO rigorous haha. Not at all to say I expect it/want it to be easy necessarily, but it'll give me the chance to supplement my curriculum with things to help with my economics goals (e.g., multivariable calc) without putting my grades in jeopardy on either front. Fortunately, it's a pretty loose curriculum (and they seem to have a good history with letting students take classes anywhere on campus, undergrad or grad), so I've got a bit of flexibility. Besides multivariable, is there anything you would absolutely prioritize getting done (e.g., coursework, research, etc.) before applying to grad econ programs? I'm at the mercy of your wisdom!

Thanks for the feedback! On some level, I think you're right (at least on some things). For what it's worth, while I'm far from the definitive authority on this, I'm inclined to believe my application wouldn't necessarily be thrown out immediately, given the following: 1.) Even with my current profile, which also includes a 161/157/4.0 GRE and a 3.77 econ major, I was waitlisted to Syracuse this past year (considered for full funding, through my emails with the Director of Graduate Studies, though ultimately rejected). I know it's not the TOP school, but it's not nothing. I think, given a beefed up profile, I'd be competitive for schools in that range. 2.) The 161 quant is from three years ago (without prep). Recently, I took a couple of practice ones on a whim (again with no prep) and got a 163. I feel pretty confident that I could break 165 if I put some work into it. 3.) I have SOME research experience, a decent amount given I was at a small liberal arts university (wrote an honors thesis, presented a paper at an undergrad research conference at the Dallas Fed). Fortunately, at a place like UPenn, there is an abundance of research opportunities (I've already got a summer RA position lined up). 4.) I know someone from my same school who finished a year after me with admittedly better grades (though not straight As in math classes) but a significantly lower GRE (156/156) doing a fully-funded PhD in econ at a top 60 program. Anecdotal, but it's at least a counterexample to a universal "you've got no chance" argument. 5.) I'd have three strong recommendations, all from full professor PhDs in economics (College Park, WUSTL, and Wisconsin-Madison). 6.) My mediocre math grades are, in my opinion, a function of lack of real effort rather than of lack of ability (note the A in Linear Algebra when taken more seriously). It's lamentable that I didn't put in the effort I could have the first time around, but, given a second crack at a few things, I'm pretty sure I could do well. My profile has some definite holes, but I think it's salvageable. That being said, maybe that's just me being optimistic! Again, I won't claim to be the definitive authority on much of anything haha Also, just putting it out there: I know it seems counter intuitive given my going into an education policy program, but I would never do a public policy program (do one again, that is: I already spent a year in an MPP program that I hated). I'd fight like hell to avoid ever ending up in one of those again. That being said, I take any and all advice. So, thank you! I could definitely use the help.

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. Haha, yea, it's kind of an odd set up at my undergrad. For starters, we split our calculus classes into 4 sections: calc 1 is just limits and derivatives; calc 2 is just integrals; calc 3 is all the sequences; series, polar and parametric stuff; and calc 4 is multivariable. It's different from most places, and means it takes longer to finish the sequence, but I liked it giving a more in-depth look at derivatives and integrals than would have been the case had the two been in one semester. With that being said, the pre-reqs to all our upper level classes are calc 3 and linear algebra, both of which I took. In terms of the minor, at least while I was there (it might have changed in the last two years), we only needed 18 credits: calc 3 (3), linear algebra (3), and 12 credits in courses above those. I started out as a math major, so I had gotten through a bit of the major when, as a matter of preference, I switched to an econ major my junior year. I knew I wanted to go to grad school in economics, and that that would mean taking multivariable, but, in the interest of graduating on time/saving money, I prioritized finishing the major. Tl;dr: Calc 1-3 (A,A,B), Linear Algebra (C-, retook A), Real Analysis 1 (C+), DIff Eq (B), Foundations of Advanced Math (Proofs class: B), Prob and Statistical Inference 1 (P), Intro Stat (A), Intro to Discrete Math (B), Discrete Math (P) That raises my next question, if you don't mind giving more advice: what SHOULD I take? I know the Real Analysis grade is sucky, so I should probably retake that at some point before applying to econ programs. I recognize my math grades are average at best for even the top 50 programs I'm looking at, so I'm open to whatever I can do to remedy them as best I can at this point. To that end, I figured, since I'll be at a school like UPenn anyway, I should take advantage of their resources/renowned challenging coursework. There's a Probability class in Wharton that I could take (I gather that would be useful for the econometrics sequence down the road), so I've considered that. For my ed policy degree, we're required to take a statistical methods sequence, so I'm taking a graduate Applied Econometrics course in Wharton (I know it's applied, but it DOES use the more advanced Wooldridge book, so I'm thinking it's at least somewhat rigorous).

Hey, everyone! I’ve been a frequent reader of this board for years, and I’m eternally grateful for all the knowledge I’ve acquired through reading your discussions. As fate would have it, after all this time, the time has arisen for me to seek help directly from you all! I’ll be a graduate student in education policy at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, with a long term goal of doing a PhD in economics down the road. To that end, I’m looking to take a few math courses while there (I was an econ major/math minor at a small, unknown liberal arts school, but it’s been a couple of years, so I’m looking to beef up my application). Given how important it is, my chief concern is taking a multivariable calculus course. I have two course options to choose from: “Calculus, Part II” and “Calculus, Part II with Probability and Matrices.” I know a background in probability and statistical inference is also important for econ grad school, so a course that incorporates that into the class seems advantageous. That being said, there are a few calculus parts omitted from the curriculum in order to fit the probability and linear algebra pieces into it, and I want to make sure I’m not missing out on important material/that admissions committees won’t look unfavorably on the course as “too interdisciplinary” or something like that. So, the question: might you all have any advice with regard to which course seems the better fit for my future goals? I've attached the syllabi to give you a better idea of what I'm choosing from. Thanks in advance for the help! https://www.math.upenn.edu/ugrad/calc/m114/math114syllabus.pdf https://www.math.upenn.edu/ugrad/calc/m115/math115syllabus.pdf