One case where this doesn’t seem to apply is an economics Ph.D. For that, it seems taking very difficult classes and doing very well in them is largely a prerequisite for admissions. I am very grateful I took the most difficult classes and spent a large fraction of my time on schoolwork.
The caveat here is that research experience is very helpful too (working as an RA).
Good point, thanks! Definitely seems like a case where taking hard classes is useful—do you think this is also a case where taking many classes is useful?
I would say an ideal candidate is a math-econ double major, also taking a few classes in stats and computer science. All put together, that’s quite a few classes, but not an unmanageable amount.
Is your sense that that’s better than math major + econ minor + a few classes in stats and computer science + econ research (doing econ research with the time that would have otherwise gone to extra econ classes)? I’d guess this makes sense since I’ve heard econ grad schools aren’t too impressed by econ majors and care a lot about research experience.
I’d say it’s close and depends on the courses you are missing from an econ minor instead of a major. If those classes are ‘economics of x’ classes (such as media or public finance), then your time is better spent on research. If those classes are still in the core (intermediate micro, macro, econometrics, maybe game theory) I’d probably take those before research.
Of course, you are right that admissions care a lot about research experience—but it seems the very best candidates have all those classes AND a lot of research experience.
One case where this doesn’t seem to apply is an economics Ph.D. For that, it seems taking very difficult classes and doing very well in them is largely a prerequisite for admissions. I am very grateful I took the most difficult classes and spent a large fraction of my time on schoolwork.
The caveat here is that research experience is very helpful too (working as an RA).
Good point, thanks! Definitely seems like a case where taking hard classes is useful—do you think this is also a case where taking many classes is useful?
I would say an ideal candidate is a math-econ double major, also taking a few classes in stats and computer science. All put together, that’s quite a few classes, but not an unmanageable amount.
Is your sense that that’s better than math major + econ minor + a few classes in stats and computer science + econ research (doing econ research with the time that would have otherwise gone to extra econ classes)? I’d guess this makes sense since I’ve heard econ grad schools aren’t too impressed by econ majors and care a lot about research experience.
I’d say it’s close and depends on the courses you are missing from an econ minor instead of a major. If those classes are ‘economics of x’ classes (such as media or public finance), then your time is better spent on research. If those classes are still in the core (intermediate micro, macro, econometrics, maybe game theory) I’d probably take those before research.
Of course, you are right that admissions care a lot about research experience—but it seems the very best candidates have all those classes AND a lot of research experience.