Hi everyone,

I am an undergraduate student from Bangladesh (Asia) majoring in Economics. I have only two more semesters left before I graduate. My current CGPA is [3.41], and I am aiming to raise it to 3.5 or higher by the end of this semester.

Here is my grade report so far (attached). I have registered for the GRE in September and am targeting a score of 315+.

I am interested in applying for a Master's program in Economics at a university ranked between 300-550 in the USA. Given my academic background and my GRE target score, do you think I have a chance of securing a scholarship at a decent university? If you have any tips or advice on how to improve my application or any specific universities that might be a good fit, I would greatly appreciate it.

Additionally, I have a few topics in mind for my thesis that I hope to publish. I am also currently working with a senior on a research paper that has a 50-50 chance of getting published.

https://preview.redd.it/fjivn4jsjc1d1.jpg?width=794&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2539dfe5b36768cdab0b87efc7650fd0d7b0d047

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hello everyone,

I am hoping to apply for US masters programs in quantitative economics. I am trying to find out what I can do to improve my chances at getting admission in a good program. I need some advice on the issue of potentially retaking some math coursework.

I graduated with a BS in economics from a good US public university. My big source of anxiety is that I did poorly in my 4th and 5th semesters due to difficult personal and family circumstances. In particular, I got Cs in Calc 3 (multivariable) and Linear Algebra, which are required coursework for all the econ masters programs I've seen. I managed to pull my GPA back up to a 3.5 with good grades in econ classes in the remaining semesters, but I am really stressing out because of my poor performance in those two critical math classes.

I would really like some advice on whether it would be worth it to enroll in Calc 3 and Linear Algebra at a local or online accredited community college. If I get As in those classes, will universities be able to overlook the Cs from my undergraduate education? I would really appreciate any guidance or input on this matter. Thanks.

If you could go back in time when you were an undergrad with what you know now, how would you go about studying for/learning your intermediate micro/macro courses?

I'm current taking mine and am struggling (Varian and Blanchard’s textbooks for micro and macro respectively). I used to be the top student in a class of 100+ in my calculus and intro econ courses but now I'm maybe average/below-average amongst my peers in a class of 40. The students taking these courses have exam averages of around 25-35% each year, and the grade gets curved heavily. You could score a 20% on the final and still pass the course, for example.

Recently we had an exam on the Solow growth model (no calculus or really any math on this test.). I got 41%, class average was 45%. The lectures, assignments, and textbook questions only covered 30% of the test material. The prof told us he wanted the exam to be one of the hardest we'd done so far in our college careers so we'll be forced to "figure things out" on the spot and grow intellectually. This view is consistent across the department.

Is this how intermediate economics courses are supposed to be taught? This feels more like solving a math Olympiad of questions you've ever seen before rather than learning things and being tested no it. While apparently some classmates do well at this, I've always been the type who needs to practice solving something first beforehand to actual understand what I'm doing, especially if its abstract.

What advice would you give to a struggling undergrad econ student? Any resources that mind be good practice since class material doesn't seem to cut it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I’m currently a high school senior deciding between UCLA and Rutgers HC for undergrad. My goal is to go to a top 10 PhD program and pursue Economics/Development Economics. UCLA would come out to about $75000 per year I believe while Rutgers NB Honors College would be $25000 or less if I commute. I’d likely have to pay for myself at UCLA after the first two years (I am extremely grateful for the privileged position I’m in). I’m not sure if I would be the absolute best candidate at UCLA, for context I have a near perfect SAT score with a 3.9/4.5 GPA.

Hello,

I would like to ask previous graduates or current students in the EME master's program, how do you recommend preparing for the program the summer before?

I have taken Calculus I-II-III, differential equations, linear algebra and real analysis I(up to continuity and differentiation). Most of the math courses aside from real analysis were applied courses. Do you think this is enough math to make the transition relatively easy from undergrad to this program given its rigor? Or is there anything else I should study beforehand?

Basically, if you were to redo this program, what would you do in the summer before it?

Thank you so much!

Hi,

I am an international student and am looking for programs in economic policy mainly in Europe or the US.

I am having a hard time looking for some good programs, been gettin very overwhelmed.

Do you guys know any good programs focusing on economic policy, I think pursuing MPP with a focus on it seems like a good idea.

Please recommend some programs

I've occasionally used Elicit to find papers, although I haven't really been impressed by what it delivers. I don't know whether that's because I'm not good at writing prompts, or because I'm just good at finding papers the traditional way.

Haven't tried it yet as an aid for writing.

In what other ways do people use AI to make them more productive in their (academic) work?

Hey guys, I’m gonna be starting a masters in econometrics in september, and I’ve been working through a real analysis class this summer but I didn’t register to actually take it at my school, so I’ve just been following along a youtube series and Rudin’s text, and doing problems. I’m doing this more to get comfortable with the material and with proofs than anything but I would like to go on to a PhD after my MSc, and have reached the dilemma where the highest level of math i’ve officially taken is applied linear algebra 2 and calc 2. I was wondering if it is important specifically that I have taken real analysis to signal mathematical ability, or whether other rigorous math counts as well? I can take measure theoretic probability in my MSc, and I want to take that, and wanted to know if something like that or stochastic processes would be able to cover my lack of formal real analysis.

Hello! I have been selected for the Eiffel scholarship this year to join Paris School of Economics. I want to connect with other scholars, but the campus france chapter in my country won’t share with me their names. I only know that I am the only candidate who won this award from my country, and I would love to be in touch with scholarship recipients from other countries!

Please let me know if you have received the award this year!

Hello I am studying Math and Economics at a T10 in the US here are the math courses I plan on taking before graduating:

took Calc 1-3 in hs, Linear Algebra, Calculus Based Stats, ODES, PDES, Advanced Probability and Optimization / Stochastic Calculus, Monte Carlo Simulations, Operations Research

I am on track to receive an A in every course. For my specific program this would satisfy all of the math requirements. I am wondering how necessary taking Analysis for “fun” (because it would not be required) would be for applying to a masters program in the UK and eventually hoping to continue to a PhD.

Hi Everyone. I am a rising junior double majoring in Economics and Data Science with a minor in Mathematics. I am shooting top PhD Programs, and I want some suggestions.

Math Classes I have taken are:

Calc I/II/III (All As), Linear Algebra (A), and I will take Probability and Discrete Mathematics next semester. Before graduating, I will take Differential Equations, Principles of Real Analysis I & II and Statistical Theory (Upper division statistics class)

Economics Classes I have taken are:

Intermediate Microeconomics (A), Intermediate Macroeconomics (A), Econometrics (A), Data and Stats learning (B+)

Computer Science Classes: Introduction to Computer Science (A), Data Structures and Algorithms (A). Will take Machine Learning and Data Mining before graduating

Research Experience: I have been working as an Economics RA for the past academic year at my school, and this summer, I will pursue economics research at an Ivy League institution.

What else can I do to maximize my chances of landing a T20 PhD? I agree that I am a rising junior, so I still have some time. Any feedback and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Hello, everyone. I'm currently encountering some difficulty with my health economics assignment, specifically in calculating Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). While I have attempted to answer the questions, I'm struggling to understand the approach taken. If anyone is available to assist, I would greatly appreciate it. Please reach out to me privately, and I can provide the details of the questions and my attempted answers for clarification. Thank you for your time and assistance.

UW has an online Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics program. Thinking of applying to the program to strengthen applications for PHD in economics. What do you guys think about the program considering its online? Do people view it differently from an offline course?

Edit - the comment section is exactly why I hate economics academia , most of you can’t take an ounce of criticism and god forbid someone disagrees with you math degree rejects for a second.

I don’t know how to rant without being offensive - I have a set of end semester examinations coming up and I can say nothing about everything I’m meant to read but that I hate it. Perhaps the worst is the neoliberal nonsense that is the theory of international trade. We all know that’s not how things work , and if you’ve even tried reading Adam smith at any point in time you’d know the general representation of his ideas when it comes to trade is distorted by the stupid ideas of comparative advantage and it’s like. These are my last set of examinations before my degree ends and I cannot wait to wrap up this chapter , I hate the way econ is represented in undergraduate classrooms it’s such a misrepresentation of the social science

Let's begin with the fact that I hate research for myself. I'm doing my honours thesis in Australia and I absolutely hate it. My submission is due in 22 days and while my supervisors want me to get an extension, I don't want to because I don't want this stupid degree to linger on any longer. I can't tolerate this thesis. I'm not even completely clear on what I'm doing. I can't even write down my results section. I'm struggling and I hate it. I know I'm not gonna fail but for the past 2 days I have been feeling like shit and I feel like I will fail or sth. I don't know what to do. My data analysis is all done (big relief) but I'm so fucking frustrated, annoyed and angry that I can't even fucking I interpret my fucking models and pen it down. I hate it I hate it. Just here to vent. Advice always welcome.

I’m planning to take GRE/GMAT sometimes this summer. I haven’t started yet. And I need a good score before September so I can apply to grad school. I need your advices on:

1. cheap and effective resources to study GRE
2. studying tips and tricks

The global economy is currently experiencing the slowest half-decade of GDP growth in 30 years. Debt servicing costs have more than quadrupled in low- and middle-income countries in the last decade. According to Indermit Gill, Chief Economist at the World Bank, developing countries will be faced with the difficult choice of either servicing their debts or investing in public goods. Consequently, Ayhan Kose, Deputy Chief Economist at the World Bank, stresses the need for “investment booms” to help mitigate the projected slowdown in growth in the remaining decade. Such foreign direct investment (FDI) may be facilitated by enhancing a country’s fiscal and monetary frameworks, trade, and overall investment climate.

Foreign direct investment can help further economic development, but can it realistically combat the global slowdown in economic growth? I write more about this here.

I’m planning on fulfilling math requirements using that. Will top schools see this as a negative when considered for admission for PhD programs?

Hi everyone.

I wanted to ask for some advice because I have to choose my master’s programme and I have some doubts. I’m interested in behavioural economics and cognitive science, specifically the intersection between both (eg cognitive models associated with economic decision making). I have some research experience working in projects related to scarcity and my job experience is in Data Science.

I’ve been accepted for Cognitive Science MSc at ENS-PSL, Behavioural Science MSc at LSE and Behavioural and Data Science MSc at Warwick.

I’m interested in pursuing a PhD in either economics or cognitive science, hopefully at Princeton, Stanford, Chicago or MIT. Which of these programmes is more likely to land me a good PhD placement in one of these?

I’m torn between ENS and LSE. LSE is very prestigious, but both the programme and the city are very expensive, and I wasn’t offered any financial support. My only worry regarding LSE is that the programme is from the Psychology department, not Economics,  so I’m worried the LSE prestige might not translate to a degree from this department.

ENS’ programme is very interesting because I’ll get much more research experience and the programme is also much cheaper, but I’m worried it might be less prestigious and might hurt my chances of landing a PhD placement (or a good job in industry if I need to cross over).

Any recommendations would be very helpful to make a choice.

Hello! I am preparing to go back to school in the Fall for my Economics MA. I have already started re-learning LaTeX and have picked up a book on introductory mathematical economics as well as Varian's textbook on microeconomics, and an introductory econometrics text. I am using OverLeaf to process LaTeX, and I'm trying to explore other cloud-based, collaborative research tools that I can learn for Graduate School. I'm wondering what combination of tools would best empower and prepare me for this journey?

I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics, so from that background I am inclined to pick up an iPad or Surface computer to allow me to digitally work out problems, but I don't know how much PROOFS enter into graduate coursework? If it would even be necessary? I plan on taking notes in TeX and writing papers or research projects there as well. Can anyone speak to that?

I asked ChatGPT this question and I have its response in the comments below... Any thoughts or feedback on that would be greatly appreciated as well!

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone I’m on the hunt for some graduate level material to enhance my learning. I’m particularly interested in the following:

1. Macroeconomics
2. Monetary Economics
3. Financial Economics

The only textbook I know is Macroeconomics: A Modern Approach.

I’d like to read books with a heavy mathematical focus and a proof-based methodology. A particular topic I want to cover is DSGE models.

Thanks.

Hello, so my aim is to apply for a masters program in Europe, I'm hoping for a couple of the top feeder ones along with potentially a few Mres/MPhils (PhD track) if possible. My aim is to apply for a PhD after but for now I just want to focus on my masters.

I've currently taken Calculus, Multivariable Calculus (these two are statedasn being equivalent to Calculus 1-3 in the US), Linear Algebra and Advanced Statistical Theory. In addition I'm planning to take Real Analysis and then Matric Spaces. This is in addition to my econ courses which includes both econometrics 1 and econometrics 2 (which is everything up until time series) along with the general math econ and stats econ. Additionally I'm also planning on taking a graduate level time series econometrics course. I will also be taking the GRE during my gap year (I'll be working as an RA and a TA at my uni for a year after graduation) and I'm also writing a quantitative heavy honours thesis.

Anything else I could do? Should I swap out the metric spaces course for something like measure theory or percolation theory?

Hi all!

So, I've a bachelors degree in economics combined with a lot of statistics (it is a 3 year degree) and I'm currently in the process of deciding what to do in the autumn.

I will get in to a masters program at a good university in my country. My goal was and has been to do a PhD in economics. However, I was talking to someone doing a PhD in economics and he told me that he did not learn much more from his masters programme and that it was basically the same thing but with more mathematics (I'm paraphrasing).

So that got me thinking about doing a masters in a somewhat related field to economics (something more interdisciplinary) and take mathematics courses at the same time as doing the masters (I've been accepted to a masters in sustainable technology and development).

The biggest reason to do the masters (for me) would be to simply increase the likelihood of getting into a PhD programme in economics.

For experienced hire, they are more suited for mba instead of masters program since these are typically fresh graduate

But why when I attend sessions for these programs, mba care a lot about you being older than average candidate and aged out, compared to masters program academic which should care about your old age but doesn’t ?

Hi everyone,

I had a few questions regarding careers in Econ. Long story short. I made a mistake. When I finished my undergrad my mental health was pretty bad, I barely graduated with tonnes of dropped classes but thankfully a 3.2GPA. I didn’t want to do a PhD because it sounded exhausting and well everyone in my family were entrepreneurs so I looked into data analytics as an alternative career.

Now, find myself in a dead end operations job that barely uses analytics.

It took me a while to realize that I really do love studying economics, even more than data analytics. Thinking about policy issues and the macroeconomy, learning about Keynes and Hayek, and discussing a structural questions about the economy.

Only issue is I’m 27, im looking into masters programs. My question is can I pursue a career as an economist with a masters? I know PhD is extremely important but I’m seriously debating being in school for another 6 years. Are economist roles very scarce? I’m looking into programs such as JHU Applied Economics, MS Econ at Northeastern, Tufts and BU since I’m in the Mass area. Chances are with my horrid academic record they might not take me but I really feel like it’s worth fighting for. I’m also planning to pursue the NABE Certified Business Economist certificate.

I’ve noticed that if I do JHU applied economics or go to a good school like BU or Tufts, I could still have a decent shot at a career as an economist. Money isn’t an issue but I wanted to hear thoughts, do you think it would pay off in terms of time?

Is a career change in my late 20s possible? Do you have any advice on how to do it? Would really appreciate any feedback.

Hi all I recently got accepted into some masters programs and was hoping for any advice this community could give in choosing between them to best achieve my professional goals.

I am hoping to work in international organizations like the IMF, OECD and World Bank or a government department dealing with economic policy concerning foreign nations. I am also unsure if I want to pursue a PhD later.

Thank you all so much for any advice you can offer.

The programs I am choosing between are:

Barcelona School of Economics: International Trade Finance and Development

CEMFI

Utrecht University Masters in Research: Multidisciplinary Economics

I am waiting to hear back from:

Bocconi Economic and Social Sciences

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich: Masters in Economics

I was thinking about applying to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in QEM (Models and Methods of Quantitative Economics) to pursue a career in economic policy. It looks like they have good placements in terms of PhDs and very high employability. However, there is not much information about the reputability of the program on other websites, and the partner universities (Sorbonne, Ca' Foscari, UAB, UCLouvain and SGH) are not highly ranked. My alternative would be an MSc in International Economics or Economic Policy at Erasmus University. Do you have any advice on which of these programs is the best match for a career in Economic Policy or International Organizations?