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Hello, I’ve just finished my first year of a BSc Economics degree at Warwick University. I’ve been dead set on a PhD in Economics in the US for a while, and I’m aiming for the top 5. However, I don’t feel like my undergraduate degree is helping me. Although I can take a limited number of modules from the maths department, I don’t feel like I’m getting enough maths to be competitive at the top programs. I have the option to switch to BSc MMORSE (essentially maths, stats and economics), which allows for far more mathematical/statistical/econometric modules to be taken while not sacrificing much economic theory, although it would take me two years longer. I’m struggling to come to a decision on whether to switch. I’ve performed well in my first year (estimated top 0.5-1%), but worry that even if hypothetically every other part of my application was exceptional, it would be undermined by my lack of maths. I realise how hard it is to get into a top 5 program especially with a non-top 10 undergrad, but I’m serious in my ambitions. Do you think the value placed by the top PhD programs on mathematical preparation justifies the obvious financial/social costs of switching? Thank you!

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