How did you build your quantitative background?

[Jahiliyya]

For those who were math or economics majors, this isn't relevant. But for people who studied other fields, how did you build your quantitative/economics background? Did you take courses during undergrad? Community college courses? Apply without the 'ideal' profile?

I would appreciate comments from people with any vantage point or experience. We talk about what these type of grad programs are seeking a good deal, but I'm more interested in the diverse ways that people meet (or seemingly don't meet) those standards.

[cunninlynguist]

If you're willing to sacrifice a few unrelated electives, it's relatively simple to complete a fair amount of quant-focused courses. There are plenty of opportunities to take statistics, calculus, micro and/or macro, etc. Branch out. I wouldn't recommend climbing the ladder and forcing yourself to take a upper-level math course, but a diverse selection -- and consistent exposure to quantitative concepts -- will bode well for you.

[bgreenster]

I took quant classes in undergrad, when I thought I wanted to go into business (Mico/Macro Econ and 2 Accounting classes) - but did not do well in the econ classes. 18 year olds should not be dealing with economic theory their first semesters in college

Luckily, I took AP Calc and Stat in high school (which schools said they'd accept since I got college credit for it) although it also means I haven't taken math in over 10 years! ... Unless you count me desperately trying to remember algebra and geometry for taking the GRE... Eek!

I took a Micro-econ class through UCB Extension, and am probably going to go ahead and re-take Macro as well... I wanted to show that I can do well in those classes (and anyway, my grades from before don't count for the few schools that have a set requirement.. damn you, teenaged bgreenster!) I will absolutely (if I get in) be taking the refresher summer course most schools offer. And aside from that, I didn't apply to quant-heavy programs

[Helpplease123]

I realised the quant side a little late in the game but am currently enrolled in calculus, stats, micro and macroeconomics with Berkeley Extension - hopefully that will help my application even though no final grades yet!

[lattemoi]

I went to engineering school

[emmm]

I took math classes at the local CC -- most affordable and really excellent instructors. Classes offered included full calc series, linear alg, and diif eq.

[JFman00]

How far along the math track is ideal? I'm assuming a rigorous stats class, multivariable calc, diff eq and linear algebra?

[bgreenster]

I'm sure it doesn't hurt to do that much, but I was under the impression that college-level Stats and regular Calculus is enough... at least for MPP/MPA

[JFman00]

Would more help compensate for a piss-poor undergrad GPA? Or even just more stats stuff?

[bgreenster]

I'm no expert, but I would think that if you want to take more courses to compensate, then take courses that cover what you want to do in a future program. So, maybe different kinds of Stats courses and Economics courses that will cover the sort of quantitative topics that your studies would encompass. I would look on the websites of possible programs and see what type of quant they cover in their masters coursework and take precursors for those.