Can I Pursue a Math PhD with an Applied Math and Economics Undergrad Degree?"

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of pursuing a PhD in Mathematics for someone with an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics, along with self-study in pure mathematics. Participants explore the implications of their educational background on graduate school aspirations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is possible to pursue a Math PhD with a background in Applied Mathematics and Economics, noting a lack of overlap in course content.
  • Another participant asserts that it is very possible to pursue a Math PhD, suggesting that the original poster should not be discouraged.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of focusing on current studies and not getting distracted by future aspirations until foundational requirements are met.
  • A suggestion is made to consider a PhD in Applied Mathematics instead, or to adjust the undergraduate major to include more pure mathematics courses.
  • Concerns are raised about the original poster's sensitivity to criticism and the need to develop resilience for graduate school challenges.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about a notable mathematician, Edward Witten, to illustrate that diverse educational paths can lead to success in mathematics.
  • Another participant inquires about the feasibility of taking extra math graduate classes while pursuing a PhD in Economics, highlighting the interconnectedness of the fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with some agreeing that pursuing a Math PhD is possible, while others emphasize the need for caution and focus on current academic performance. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best path forward for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

There are varying assumptions about the prerequisites for graduate study in mathematics, and the discussion reflects differing perspectives on the importance of undergraduate coursework and personal motivation.

JasonJo
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Can I be a Math PhD if...?

Is it possible for me to go to grad school for my Mathematics Phd if my undergrad was Applied math and economics double major and i studied pure mathematics on the side?

thanks guys
 
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I'd think by now with a Bachelors degree you'd at least be intelligent enough to answer that question yourself
 
i am entering my sophomore year

good job speculating and not even bothering to ask me. thanks for being a mean spirited guy and instead of actually offering me feedback, you give me a spiteful answer

and the reason i am asking is because i compared the applied math course list and the pure math course list and other than calculus, there isn't much crossover or similar courses.

but the above, i take that as a yes
 
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My simple answer is 'yes' , very possible.
 
Well if you are a sophomore I won't be devulging myself in illusions and dreams of grad schools, not until I've actually gotten the degree and passed GRE's high enough. Otherwise you are wasting people's time and your own time. Go back to study
 
cronxeh said:
Well if you are a sophomore I won't be devulging myself in illusions and dreams of grad schools, not until I've actually gotten the degree and passed GRE's high enough. Otherwise you are wasting people's time and your own time. Go back to study

i am not wasting anyone's time. if you don't want to reply, DONT REPLY.

how am i wasting my own time? I am wasting my own time by trying to reach my own aspirations?

yes it is back to study, that's what i do.

enough of this, it's pointless and aggravating for both of us
 
Dr.Brain said:
My simple answer is 'yes' , very possible.

cool, thanks Doc :smile:
 
Why not get a Phd in applied math? Also, if you want to get your Phd in Pure math, why not get your BS in Pure math? Or, drop the Econ major to a minor, and take a ton of math classes, both pure and applied! You are entering your sophmore year, you can easily change now.
 
cronxeh said:
Well if you are a sophomore I won't be devulging myself in illusions and dreams of grad schools, not until I've actually gotten the degree and passed GRE's high enough. Otherwise you are wasting people's time and your own time. Go back to study

This is an open forum. He, like everyone else here, took the time to sign up and ask his question (which he has every right to do.) IMO your attitude has no place here.
 
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  • #10
yeah, it was just stupid, i think both of us regret it. so whatever, i got my answer from this forum, like i always do, its a great forum. so you know, let's just move on, and keep this great forum running
 
  • #11
cscott said:
This is an open forum. He, like everyone else here, took the time to sign up and ask his question (which he has every right to do.) IMO your attitude has no place here.

I agree. No need to try and belittle people.

To the original poster, ask a professor at the math department at your school.
 
  • #12
Financial mathematics.
 
  • #13
Econ phd has a lot of math in it. I'm double majoring in puremath/econ, and plan on going to grad school for econ.

My question for the board: I'm entering my junior year, by the way. How easy would it be to take some extra math grad classes while studying for econ phd?

Also, what do you mean by "study pure math on the side"... not take courses? You'll need a high amount of motivation to go through texts like Rudin (Real Analysis) by yourself, or other high-level undergrad books.
 
  • #14
jasonjo,

1) your question is poorly posed: anything is "possible".

2) you are overly sensitive: if you think the tiny insults on this forum are abd wait till you get to math grad school. don't be so easily distracted (although a healthy ego is useful in grad school).

3) in an attempt to answer your question, i am hampered by a lack of information. none of the things you mention are either a disqualifier or a qualifier. the main prerequisite is serious smarts and a great work ehtic.

if you have those you can definitely do maths.

point of information: ed witten, who won the fields medal in math a few years ago, majored in history at brandeis as an undergrad. does that answer your question as to what is possible?


BTW: just as anyone is entitled to post any question they like on a public forum, so is anyone entitled to post any answer. so you must learn to ignore the ones that are not helpful and not be led down the garden path of arguing endlessly over who was rudest: a la miss manners.

peace, young person.
 
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  • #15
mathwonk said:
jasonjo,

1) your question is poorly posed: anything is "possible".

2) you are overly sensitive: if you think the tiny insults on this forum are abd wait till you get to math grad school. don't be so easily distracted (although a healthy ego is useful in grad school).

3) in an attempt to answer your question, i am hampered by a lack of information. none of the things you mention are either a disqualifier or a qualifier. the main prerequisite is serious smarts and a great work ehtic.

if you have those you can definitely do maths.

point of information: ed witten, who won the fields medal in math a few years ago, majored in history at brandeis as an undergrad. does that answer your question as to what is possible?


BTW: just as anyone is entitled to post any question they like on a public forum, so is anyone entitled to post any answer. so you must learn to ignore the ones that are not helpful and not be led down the garden path of arguing endlessly over who was rudest: a la miss manners.

peace, young person.

Edward Witten is kind of the inspiration for it. I believe he got his Ph.D at age 28 from Princeton?

yeah, thanks for the input Mathwonk!
 
  • #16
you are welcome, (witten's vita on his home page implies he was only 25 at PhD time). I myself was 35.
 
  • #17
Is there a record for how old?
 
  • #18
probably in the teens from "ye oldern days"
 
  • #19
there was an 18 year old grad student at harvard when i was there. i don't know when he finished. the smartest kid in my colleague's honors calc class in college was 12. but this is irrelevant.
 

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