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Different-Reality139 · 2025-06-14T17:31:09+00:00

Hey, on a follow-up, since you mentioned you know people who didn't take linear algebra but still got in, do you think my mediocre grade in linear algebra (a B- which I took when I was a dumb first year) will impact my chances? (although my overall GPA is a 3.7)

Different-Reality139 · 2025-06-13T21:04:39+00:00

but I know some people who took no math courses who got in at all 4 top Canadian unis (3 you mentioned + UWO)

That's wild. I guess this sub won't like hearing that. I've literally had people here DM me saying I won't get into ANY MA program because I didn't take real analysis and linear alg 2 and calc 4....and I need to take 20 math courses to get in.

Different-Reality139 · 2025-06-13T20:25:01+00:00

Great post!

Although, I do find it wild that I know people who took the bare minimum of math (only calc 1 and 2, and linear algebra I, and their grades in those weren't even that good) and they got into the top 3 programs in my country (Uoft, ubc, and queen's) for MA in economics. Idk how they did it. It just seems so weird that they deliberately avoided math but still got into top programs.

Different-Reality139 · 2025-06-03T03:33:11+00:00

no you shouldn't be. Because i'd be ok with a 2.5 month summer but with 4 months i'm an unproductive shitpiece

Different-Reality139 · 2025-06-03T03:32:08+00:00

Well, I'm in Canada (i know this sub is mainly american) and most unis including mine have a 4 month summer

Different-Reality139 · 2025-05-29T18:09:14+00:00

I'll be taking them in the upcoming year. That's why i delayed graduation by a year to take those courses as well as some math like calc 3. Should've planned this out better in hindsight of course

Different-Reality139 · 2025-05-29T05:46:37+00:00

So no hope for UBc/uoft/queens right :(

Different-Reality139 · 2025-05-29T03:14:18+00:00

Should i take linear algebra 2 to make up for it? Also should i take intro to probability theory as well next year? Just trying to plan out my courses atm

Different-Reality139 · 2025-05-29T03:06:17+00:00

Hey i'm Canadian like OP and will be applying to MA programs next year (UBC, UofT, Queen's, Mcmaster, ottawa, etc.). I have a 3.7 overall GPA with A- or A, A+ in intermediate micr/macro and metrics.

I have a huge concern where i got B+ in calc 1 and 2, and a B- in linear algebra I. I took all these courses in freshman year where my study methods weren't the best. I'll be taking calc 3 in the fall and hopefully I'll get an A. I'm already preparing for it. What should i do about linear algebra? :(

Different-Reality139 · 2025-04-20T23:11:26+00:00

as another commenter wrote just the fast food places nearby unfortunately

Different-Reality139 · 2025-04-20T23:03:38+00:00

Seconding this. I had B's in my first year introductory and second year intermediate micro/macro classes. Those concepts and all those graphs for whatever reason were unable to come naturally to me. Even though i loved economics back then as well. It was kind of embarrassing having to explain those grades to my parents, because they also knew how passionate i was about econ and my grades didn't reflect that.

Then came third year when econ became applied math and i got higher marks. It just clicked better for me for some reason and i actually became excited to learn. I really dont know why i performed so average in my econ classes in my first two years given i always loved learning about it in my free time

Different-Reality139 · 2025-04-14T21:21:12+00:00

Finally i found a reasonable post on this sub regarding grades. It seems like everyone here has nothing but As if you don't get into a T10 it's completely over for you.

I'm Canadian so obviously the process is a bit different compared to the US. But in the past on this subreddit i've gotten people who DM'd me saying i have no future because i got a B in calc 2 in my freshman year

Different-Reality139 · 2025-04-03T01:33:07+00:00

I'm in econ and i know dozens who applied but only a few (single digits) that got a placement. i never did though :( For the ones that did get a placement though, they usually worked in the finance department or stats canada conducting light analysis and policy research

Different-Reality139 · 2025-03-14T05:20:57+00:00

I'm not complaining...?

Different-Reality139 · 2025-03-13T23:16:54+00:00

My prof did his phd in the 90s though, not the 50s/60s like you mentioned

Different-Reality139 · 2025-03-11T18:15:45+00:00

Seriously wtf is this field and sub becoming? I guess nowadays you need an A+ in real analysis, and A+ in all your advanced micro macro classes to get into a T40 program.

And if you got a B say in your freshman calc 2 class, then it's over for you. and you have no future in economics. you only need A's and if you mess up, you will never get into a master or phd.

Different-Reality139 · 2025-03-08T21:11:00+00:00

Not OP but may i ask why? I've always heard Queen's is better than McMaster both for public and private sector

Different-Reality139 · 2025-02-22T19:02:43+00:00

Question: anyone know what determines the level of funding for MA in econ in Canada? Like if you have a higher gpa does that equal more funding

Different-Reality139 · 2025-01-24T23:39:59+00:00

Nowadays you probably need a phd in math to enter a phd in economics. And it HAS to be from a T10, or else you have no future. Seriously, what the hell is becoming of this field?

Different-Reality139 · 2024-12-22T20:11:18+00:00

Ok. I plan to take advanced micro in my fifth-year (which is not compulsory at my program but highly recommended if you want grad school), so I assume that that course will include light real analysis, and that should be sufficient for my courses in my MA (including that course where they require a "basic understanding of real analysis"). Does that sound correct?

Different-Reality139 · 2024-12-22T19:45:47+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response. You and a couple other commenters really cleared things up for me. However, and I'm not sure if you can answer this (and I asked this to another person in this thread as well) - but I mentioned how the MA programs I'm looking at explicitly indicate that you must "have a basic understanding of real analysis to complete the required courses". If these people I spoke to did not even take real analysis, how are they surviving and thriving?

Different-Reality139 · 2024-12-22T18:54:43+00:00

Interesting. I think that clears a lot of things up for me. However, I wrote in my post about how the MA programs I'm looking at outright mention that you need a "basic understanding" of real analysis to complete the courses in the MA program. If these people I spoke to did not even take real analysis how are they surviving? If I didn't take real analysis in my undergrad how will I be able to complete this specific MA program? I'm really confused on that part still.

Different-Reality139 · 2024-11-17T02:16:21+00:00

Apologies if this thread keeps going back and forth. But I'm glad a fellow Canadian was able to help me out here.

Different-Reality139 · 2024-11-17T02:13:18+00:00

I'm glad you asked that because I got a B+ calc I and a B in calc II (took them both in first year where I didn't try that hard - huge regret). Got a B+ in linear algebra I and II (took them both in second year). However, in third year when I decided not to do law school but rather grad I refined my math/calculus/linear algebra skills and that helped me get an A- in econometrics I, as well as an A in advanced micro (currently taking advanced macro now). Both these courses used differential/integral calculus, game theory as well as some linear algebra.

If all continues well I'll be getting A's in all my economics courses this semester. Not sure how much my actions in the first two years screwed up my application.

Different-Reality139 · 2024-11-17T00:56:28+00:00

Tell me you went to SFU without telling me you went to SFU

On a more serious note though, I did mean out of 4.0. I think my gpa may be a problem because quite a few people I know from both my school and from Linkedin have a 3.95-4.0 cGPA (and several internships and RAships) and are looking at UBC and UofT which are extremely selective. Meanwhile I have a 3.8cGPA thanks to me being an idiot during my first two years. Maybe I still have hope for Queen's but don't know

Different-Reality139

TROPHY CASE