Ada

Yeah I agree that my original post is a long mess. I agree with all your advice. I’ll figure out what to do and will let you guys know.

Thank you so much for your detailed message. When you say no math background do you mean no postgraduate math background? Because I have a math background from undergrad where I took about six math/stat classes and excelled in them. Yeah I’m applying for other jobs so I have a longer contract as I try out the math classes.

I haven’t written the GREs yet, I plan to take them December.

You mean don’t enroll in a masters to take PhD entry required math classes? I think she means math classes required for a PhD.

I was thinking of working and taking the 8 or so math/statistics courses I need part time and then applying next year. To get into a masters in eco I need more maths so I figured I’ll just take entry required PhD math classes instead and go straight to a PhD.

Thanks for your reply. But you’re still not telling me what would make me not realistically admitted even after taking all those math courses. I thought that was all that was missing. What is the obstacle to being realistically admitted after taking the required math courses, because the first response said even after taking the required math courses I will still only be able to apply to lower ranked schools despite my stellar background in academics, research at the world bank for three years and a masters at the LSE. I’m confused. Pls What stops me from being competitive to Harvard after taking the required math courses?

Thank you for taking the time and effort to respond to me. I took econometrics in undergrad and was the highest in my class, got an almost perfect score (A+). Are you saying that even if I spend a year taking Calc II, III, Lin Alg, Real Analysis and a good Probability course I’ll still only have a chance at a lower ranked program? Why’s that? I thought that was sufficient math to get me considered for a higher ranked program? At least that’s what Harvard’s website says. Are you saying the maths won’t still be enough to be considered for a higher ranked program even after taking these courses?

Hello, this is really frustrating. I have posted twice in the PhD forum in Economics and I still can't see my posts. What is happening please?

Hi guys, first off, I am grateful for the existence of this forum. What an invaluable resource! Okay so first off I was given a four year contract at perhaps the most reputable international organization in DC, it's always been my dream to work there, and through the experience as a Research Analyst and working there, I have realized I am excruciatingly unequipped for the career I would love to have as an Economist or Development Specialist. I have one more year on my contract and I have been trying to apply for other positions but I read the job description and I don't have the macro or macro skills required for the economist roles. I met with the leading Economist there in the region and he told me to go to a PhD in Economics and it would put me in a whole different league. I have come to believe him and would be passionate about pursuing something that would give me something fulfilling to do for the rest of my life. Economics was my first love, I have always been passionate about learning and doing it. Background: I studied Economics at undergrad, at an American University located in Africa. Achieved a 3.81/4.0 CGPA, Magna Cum Laude, and if not for devastating incidents and mistakes like not being told to read a particular textbook for exams and then 50 percent of questions coming from there, I would have done much better. I am really passionate about school. I went to Masters at the London School of Economics but I did not have a Masters in Econ. I got it in Economics and Risk which was from the Sociology Department, it was a take on economic sociology and using it to decipher an alternative way of analyzing financial risks and disasters that kind of thing. So I didn't take mathematics or statistics here, which makes me wanna just cry because I need math so bad for this Eco PhD thing. The math/statistic courses I took in undergrad are: Introduction to Statistics, University Algebra (not linear algebra), Pre-Calculus, Calculus 1, that's it. I got a B in Calculus but an A in the rest. I took difficult Econ courses and got an A in all Econ courses but 1 where I got a B. I want to apply to good Econ Phd Programs towards next year, the deadline is December and I am thinking of taking any classes necessary for admission in top economics programs the next three to four months. Please give me advice, I don't want my Econ dream to die, I am stuck at a place where a career in this is what I would love to work toward. I also don't wanna go back to Africa after a year because I don't feel I have much to contribute right now so with a PhD I would be able to work towards a clear path in my career. A career as an economist in IMF or World Bank is kind of my dream job. Today I met someone from the IMF who spent 6 and a half years on his PhD (extenuating circumstance) and got a job at the IMF through the EP program which I just think is amazing, all the opportunities and extraordinary work is so immense. I am sorry for this epistle I have written but basically I would please like to know how I can apply for a PhD in Econ for next year given my limited Math history and what I can do to surmount the challenges if there are any. Thank you so much.