Applying MSc Economics with very few math courses.. Help me!!

[ddd2332]

Hello. I am a senior at undergraduate college preparing for MSc Economics program in the Canada and Europe. I feel like I meet all the requirement except MATH: I have Cal I only.

My profile is following:

PROFILE:

Type of Undergrad: Top 10-20 ranked undergrad univ(but around 50s for Economics) in US.

Undergrad GPA: 3.85 (Econ Major: 3.96, Chinese Major: 4.0)

Type of Grad: haven't taken

Grad GPA: N/A

GRE: Q 165(92%), V 152(53%), W 4.0(49%)

Math Courses: Only Calculus I (I am taking Calculus II on next semester.)

Econ Courses (grad-level): N/A (I haven't taken any graduate course which I am worried about)

Econ Courses (undergrad-level): Economics Honors research, Game Theory, Public Finance, Econometrics, Intro to Statistical Methods, Stocks and Bonds, Intermediate Micro/Macro, Principle of Micro/Macro. I got all As except Principle of Micro(A-)

Other Courses: Chinese courses. Advanced Language, Chinese writing system, Chinese history, Chinese literature, etc

Letters of Recommendation: One from Economics adviser (Microeconomics professor), One from Econometrics professor.

Research Experience: One semester with Econ adviser on theoretic research(amending and updating theory). Currently, I am doing Financial Economics research. Also, I am in Honor research program. Also, I had an internship(partnership research assistant) in Korea for one month.

Teaching Experience: Currently a TA for intermediate Microeconomics

Research Interests: Econometrics and microeconomics.

SOP: discuss research experience and school work, why I am interested in school, etc

Concerns: Math.. and perhaps low GRE verbal?

Applying to: UBC, UoT, Queen's, UWO, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, BGSE, CEMFI...

Do you think I would be automatically eliminated from the consideration due to my lack of math? or Should I still try applying for a very low chance? I really want to continue my study without a year gap because I am already two years behind from other students(due to army service).

Thank you so much! and I would appreciate your comments!

[booksnlooks]

Hi there! I'm a current MA Econ student at one of the Canadian universities you're considering. I'm not sure what the application requirements are for math but I can tell you that you need to be extremely comfortable with math to be in this program. In undergrad, I took 1st year calc and linear algebra, 2nd year math for econ, and 4th year math for econ and I feel under-prepared for the level of math we use.

Your best bet is to contact the departments you're interested in to see if they will still consider you with your math background (after checking on their website for requirements). Regardless, be forewarned that econ programs at the top schools in Canada are very math-heavy and those of us who don't have strong math backgrounds are struggling.

As for grad-level courses, don't worry about it.

Edited October 30, 2012 by booksnlooks

[ddd2332]

@ booksnlooks

Thank you for your information. I checked the websites of Canadian schools, and the minimum requirement courses are Cal I & II.

I already have Cal I, but I do not have Cal II, which I am going to take it on next spring semester.

My transcript will show that I am going to take Cal II next semester, but it won't have the grade though.

I have already asked one of the schools I mentioned a week ago, but I haven't gotten any reply.

Do you think that I would still have chance with my backgrounds? Thank you so much!

[booksnlooks]

Based on the info you've provided and what I know about the Canadian programs you're interested in, I would say you have a good chance of getting into Queen's, UofT, and Western, and potentially UBC as well (although I don't actually know anyone who got in there so I can't say for sure).

Good luck with applications!

[ddd2332]

Thank you! I hope I really get into one of those schools!!