Additional Post Bacc Classes to take

[irisave]

Hey everyone,

Im looking to join an MA program, hopefully in Fall 2012. I have an undergrad BA from a state school (a fairly decent one, though) with a double in Econ specializing in Quantitive Analysis and Political Science, but only a 2.7ish GPA. Graduated in May 2010. There isnt really a trend in the grades either, all over the map with major GPA's around 3.0. My GRE scores from the one time i took it are 760Q and 600V.

I got an email reply from an adcomm, and after reviewing some of the post here, it seems that my best course of action is to take some upper-level classes through open enrollment prior to appyling. So here is my question to you -

What would be the best three courses to take before applying in Jan?

I AP tested out of Calc I in high school, so I have credit for that. I signed up for Calc II my second semester of undergrad, but forgot I did, never went, forgot to drop it before the deadline, and have a nice, colorful F on my transcript (my first one!!) I also have intro to econometrics, grad-level class mathematical economics (which covered some linear and some multivariable calc), and the first stats class.

I have one summer class, and two classes in the fall that i can finish before application time. Would I be best served to take all math? Or what i'm leaning towards now - two math and the first grad-level microecon course? And the bigger question I guess, would I be best served in the eyes of adcomms to take calc II and calc III, or intro to linear and linear?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I want to get into a decent (gpa, i know) school and have NO idea what would look best. Thanks!

[kp12746]

I'm assuming you are trying to go to an econ grad program?

I know people in my school aim to take an introduction to Real Analysis and get an A in it. That class is used as an indicator most of the time in fields outside of math.

I don't think taking extra lower math classes would be necessary or beneficial depending on where you're going. I think you should be taking all grad level classes in the field you wanna go into... but that's just my opinion.

[jblsmith]

I would strongly suggest devoting all your time and energy to math. Do not worry about taking graduate micro, given your current math background you pry aren't ready for it anyway.

My suggestion:

1. First and foremost, retake Calc II and get that F off your transcript. I suspect they would offer this class in the summer.

2. Finish out the sequence and take Calc III. If you tested out of Calc I you shouldn't have a problem with Calc III, they're basically the same course.

3. I would suggest taking Linear (Matrix) Algebra. If you think you can, just skip the Intro course and take the regular class.

I respectfully disagree with kp12746; the Calc sequence, Linear Algebra, and Econometrics are veiwed (generally) as the core math classes for graduate econ. Real Analysis is another fundemental course but until you have the basics down I wouldn't go after higher level math or econ. These are just my suggestions. I was once like you, I had an Econ and Poli Sci double major as well and when I decided to go to grad school in Econ I was behind the 8-ball wrt my formal math background so I had to dive in head-first taking 300 and 400 level math classes. It was rough but it can be done. Hope this helps and good luck!

Edited July 15, 2011 by jblsmith