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.
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.