<p>thelonius, in econ was your homework reading econ books or doing econ math problems?
also were tests multiple choice questions, math problems, or essays?</p>
<p>basically i’m asking if college-level econ is more like history with the reading and writing or more like math with the problem sets, or if it is somewhere in between</p>
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<p>Econ is super broad, so this isn’t going to apply to all classes. I personally haven’t taken 370 or 375 (the theory classes) yet, although I’ve been going through my electives. I’ve taken 340 (intro game theory), 448 (corporate finance), and 449 (financial engineering). All three use math, but the homework for all of these classes were problem sets.</p>
<p>I’ve found that as you leave intro classes, the quantity of multiple choice questions goes down. Professors are more interested in hearing how you think, and what you have to say (or what you would do, if problem solving is required).</p>
<p>Most of my econ classes were math heavy, so they boiled down to solving some math word problems (or in some cases, like in 449, simply grinding out the math for a stochastic differential equation). In ECON 400 (econometrics), most of the answers are essay-style, but there will be some math for you to solve.</p>
<p>Remember that there are a lot of branches of economics, so your question is too broad to give a well-cut answer.</p>
<p>Echoing Myrmidon - yes, it varies a lot.</p>
<p>You can do really quantitative-based classes, but there are also a lot of reading and writing classes.</p>
<p>To give you a representative semester in which I was taking 4 econ classes:</p>
<p>One of my classes, Economics of Torts, Property, and Contracts (basically economic theory of law) was entirely a theory class, so homework was reading articles and court cases, class was philosophical discussion, and grades were based on papers. I don’t think we used a single formula the entire semester.</p>
<p>Another, labor economics, was entirely drawing graphs and creating formulas, though really vague formulas. Assignments were usually to come up with your own economic model (create some rules and expectations, plug in data, write up explanations to justify your model and why you think it worked out the way it did).</p>
<p>Energy Economics was heavier in math. A lot of working out depletion rates and pricing theories, which basically means playing with equations for pages and pages.</p>
<p>And Econometrics - which is almost entirely playing with Math.</p>
<p>Multiple choice tests aren’t really common at all - and when you do encounter them, they’re the “Pick one or more of the answers below, show your work, and justify that answer,” not scantrons.</p>
<p>thelonius, what did you do after graduation? How did you (and other econ majors) fare in the job market and/or grad school?</p>
<p>Hi, I’ll be attending Rice in the Fall of 2009 as well!</p>
<p>I also received an acceptance letter from Duke. After mulling over Rice vs. Duke for a few days, I decided on Rice. The school has a smaller student body, which means a more intimate classroom learning experience. Rice also has Beer Bike and a few other quirky traditions. Besides, attending Rice means being surrounded by dozens of museums and a zoo! I also live in Houston, so going to Rice means I’ll be closer to home.</p>
<p>About the weather: Though I’ve lived in Houston for the last four years (my high school career), I was born and raised in New York. The summers here remind me of July in New York. The heat is not that big of a deal - there’s AC. The biggest difference about the weather is the rain. In Houston, it pours, even though the sun was shining but hours ago. It doesn’t regularly rain but when the rain falls, it falls hard, especially during the winter and spring. Also, NEVER RELY ON THE WEATHER FORECASTS. The news channels’ predictions are always a day off or so. Hurricane season (Late Summer, Early Fall) is fun, mainly because I’m not originally from Houston. But expect heavy rain and power outages. Houston is pretty inland; a hurricane can’t really hit us full force, so don’t worry. During the winter, temperatures are about 30-70 degrees. Believe me, it can get cold in Houston. It doesn’t snow here but I’ve seen it hail during the Spring.</p>
<p>About your major - I’m plan on majoring in Economics as well. But since I’m one of those overachieving chicks with too much time on their hands, I plan on majoring in Managerial Studies, too. Studying at Rice will be difficult overall. If you’re looking for an extra push, try double majoring. Studying both Economics and Managerial Studies is pretty common. There’s also Mathematical Economic Analysis, which is more math oriented (eww).</p>
<p>Hope I see you at Rice! :D</p>
<p>I understand your dilemma between Rice and Duke completely! I was in the same situation, but I decided Rice would be a better fit for me than Duke (and a lot cheaper too!). It was very very hard turning down Duke, like it was for both of you I bet. However, I feel it is a school in which students have a better quality of life than at Duke.</p>
<p>I look forward to meeting you all next year. GO RICE!</p>
<p>I agree. It’s a relief to know that other people see these schools in the same light as I do. I don’t regret my decision at all.</p>
<p>Haha, I am an overachieving chick too… I like the Mathematical Economic analysis major, but I’ll probably end up getting involved in something random like mechE or Anthro, and switch majors. So I’m basically undecided.
Thanks for the advice and weather evaluation</p>
<p>See y’all at O-week!</p>