Hello,
I am a junior majoring in Mathematical Economics with a minor in Data Science at an average rank university. I am planning to apply to top 20 Master programs in Stat/Biostat.
Right now I am very unsure about whether I should switch to a B.A. in Pure Math, which I was told would be more competitive for top MS programs in Stat (and a career in Data Science?).
I like econ, but at the same time I think it is necessary to take more math classes. If I switch to pure math, I will be able to change 2 econ classes (Mathematical Economics, which covers basic convex analysis and optimization, and Econometrics 2) to two upper level math courses
Below are my courses history and intended plan if I stay as a Mathematical economics major.
Courses Taken:
Math: Multivariate Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Discrete Math (Intro to proof), Real and Complex Analysis 1, Intro to Modern Algebra.
Other: Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, Econometrics 1, Money and Banking, Biostatistics, Java 1, Java 2
Intending to take:
Fall Junior
Real & Complex Analysis 1
Econometrics 1 (Grad Course)
Money and Banking
Intro to Modern Algebra (Ring Theory)
Biostatistics
Spring Junior
Real & Complex Analysis 2
Theoretical Linear Algebra
Ordinary Differential Equations
Mathematical Statistics
Principles of Data Science
Fall Senior
Numerical Analysis 1
Honors Physics 1
Probability 2 (Stochastic Process)
Foundation of Machine Learning
Applied Math OR Complex Analysis OR Algebra (group theory)
Spring Senior
Mathematical Economics*
Partial Differential Equations
Data Intensive and Cloud Computing
Physics 2
Econometrics 2* (grad course)
Econ Writing Seminar
As you can see, if I change to a pure math major, then I will be able to make changes as follow:
Mathematical Economics (Convex optimization) -> 1 math elective in (Topology, Numerical Analysis 2, Number Theory)
Econometrics 2 -> 1 elective in (Number theory, Nonparametric Statistics, or some other math elective)
Do you guys think it would be worth it to make this change? Like i said, I like econ, but I also need to be practical, and to increase my admission chance to top MS programs, I think I will need more math. So I guess my real question is that would 2 more math electives instead quantitative econ classes be make much of a difference?
Thank you so much for your time!