<p>Would a MS in mathematics help when applying to an Econ PhD program? </p>
<p>After finishing undergrad, S wants to pursue an Economics PhD. The catch is that he is also very fond of mathematics… Now, the school he is attending has a special joint MS/BS(BA) program for mathematics, and S is eligible. If he were to apply to the program and (theoretically) get in, he’d have a MS in mathematics in addition to BS in Econ and math in 4 years. Would that help him at all to get into competitive PhD programs, assuming that he is able to keep up the average he had? (I know that’s a bold assumption.)</p>
<p>Maybe I am mistaken or perhaps they have changed the rules, but I do not believe that your son is eligible for the BS/MS program. I’m basing the following not on what the course catalog says, but on what I have heard Diane Hermann (Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies) say. To paraphrase her, “the BS/MS program exists for math superstars who want to enter the private sector and have no interest in attending graduate school. In order to fulfill the requirements, which are graduate Analysis, Algebra, and Topology/Geometry, you need to take Honor Analysis as a 1st year. Also, we will only let you enroll in graduate level courses if we know you will get an A.”</p>
<p>Given the mathematics background my son has and reading comments from other posters, his teachers, etc. I think he’ll start out in Honors Analysis as a freshman. (Of course, he might not, and that’s why I said theoretically…) But that’s not what I want to know…</p>
<p>All the 'what if’s aside, I was just curious as to how much the double-degree would help him in getting into Econ PhD programs. Any comments would be appreciated.</p>
<p>All else equal the MS will make him a stronger candidate. Just make sure to knock out all the classes that econ adcoms like to see which include the calculus sequence, linear algebra, probability/stats, differential equations, real analysis, topology, and optimization theory. The last two are never required, but are good for demonstrating one’s prowess. Additionally, take as many econ courses as possible and research over the summer. A solid letter of recommendation from a Chicago professor or two will make him a shoe in for the top 10.</p>