Preparation for PhD in Economics

THEAjay89
Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:27:30 +0000

I happen to be the perfect person to ask!

Here’s the deal. There are not many people from CMC interested in going on to get a PhD in economics (usually between 1 and 3 or so per year), however, the faculty is incredibly supportive of such desires and are willing to do whatever they can to give you the best chances possible. There have not been many T5 placements (MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Princeton, Stanford), but if you look at the overall percentage of students going to the T5, it is probably in line with most top schools with the exception of maybe the T5. We have however, had several top 10 placements and many top 20 placements. CMC is excellent because the consortium allows you access to the math/econ classes in the entire consortium. This includes Claremont Graduate University. I am currently taking 1st year PhD Macro and 2nd year PhD Micro. The math classes I have had have been great and will prepare you for a PhD.

Bottom line: Do what you need to do (A’s in Math classes/crucial econ courses including grad courses/780-800 GREQ) and you’ll be just fine.

Recommended Math Coursework: Calculus I-III, Linear Algebra, Analysis, Probability Theory. If you have the time: Upper level analysis, Differential Equations, Mathematical Statistics

Recommended Econ Coursework: ECON 50 (Principles of Economics), ECON101/102 (Intermediate Micro/Macro), ECON125 (Econometrics), ECON120 (Economics Statistics), ECON129 (Game Theory)

Advanced Econ Theory: I’m currently taking ECON316 (2nd year micro, skipped 1st year micro), ECON302 (1st year Macro). I plan to continue the sequence in each next semester. Advanced Micro/Macro are also offered at the undergraduate level throughout the Claremont Colleges.

Feel free to ask any other questions!