Any Questions on how to do a good Economics Personal Statement?

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Hmm i'm interested in game theory and development economics

OK, there are plenty of popular books for those so maybe start with some of those and then follow the references to other papers / books for particular models / studies that you find interesting.

Reply 641

SteelManatee

I haven't taken economics at AS level but I want to fast track it next year, should i mention this in my personal statement as a way of showing interest in the subject?

Reply 642

SteelManatee

Any recommendation on books for game theory? Ive already found one called Thinking Strategically but any personal recommendations? :smile:

Reply 643

alex_hk90

Original post by SheLikeTheMango

I haven't taken economics at AS level but I want to fast track it next year, should i mention this in my personal statement as a way of showing interest in the subject?

To save characters in your personal statement, you could get your reference to mention this instead (it'll also be obvious from the rest of your application).

Reply 644

SteelManatee

Does the book you talk about have to be written by an economist? I am reading a book called game theory 101 by william spaniel but i dont think he is an economist. But the book is really interesting and game theory is part of economics, should i still talk about it? :smile:

V useful

Original post by SheLikeTheMango

Definitely mention it. Game theory includes behavioural economics so it's relevant to the course, plus the econometrics / maths & stats modules will have a lot of statistical stuff in. It's very relevant though more so to the mathematical side of the course, but still relevant. Just make sure you mention what you got out of the book like the thread says, rather than just saying you've read it

Reply 647

username1500433

I want to reference Milton Friedman's book Capitalism and Freedom in my personal statement, specifically his chapter on education. Is this okay as the book is 40 years old and I don't know whether it'd be viewed as outdated? Thanks.

Reply 648

alex_hk90

Original post by will_jg

Depends how you use it; there is nothing intrinsically wrong with referencing a 40 year old book - plenty of people mention Keynes or Smith anyway. :yes:

Reply 649

Christina Tiana

Original post by thenewromance

Firstly, I plan to apply for the following:

Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge
Economics at LSE
Economics at Warwick
Economic Science at Manchester
Economics at Bath

My GCSEs were 5 A* (it was 5 then became 6 then became 5 again), 3 A's and a B.

The main issue I seem to be having is describing exactly WHY I wish to study economics. I know without a doubt that it is the subject I want to study and the area I want to be involved in for a career for many many years. However, I can't seem to detail what exactly got me into the subject in the first place. I know I'm passionate about it but admissions tutors aren't exactly going to get that if I can't portray why. Does anyone else have this problem? I could quite possibly sit there for ages and discuss current affairs and economic issues yet I can't do what many seem to find the simple task of just saying why they want to study the course.

Any ideas on how to help? How I can get over this? etc.
And also, whether there are any unis up there i shouldn't bother with. I know my GCSEs aren't fantastic. However, with cambridge in particular, I am being entered through special access due to an ongoing brain problem that makes me underperform to a certain extent (though it has had more of a detrimental effect on my A levels)

I'm also predicted A's in each unit and I currently study Maths A2, further maths A2, physics A2, economics A2 and english lit AS

did you get into Cambridge? With 5A*s at GCSE (my grades) I'm too scared to apply for Oxbridge, apparently "minimum" is 8

Reply 650

CambEcon2015

Original post by Christina Tiana

did you get into Cambridge? With 5A*s at GCSE (my grades) I'm too scared to apply for Oxbridge, apparently "minimum" is 8

"There are around 7 applicants for every entering student, so the competition for admission in
Economics at Cambridge is strong. The typical successful applicant has at least 6 A* grades at GCSE
and high A grades for AS level Mathematics and Economics (with average scores of at least 90%),
and is taking 4 subjects at A level, including Further Mathematics."

This is a quote from the guide for prospective applicants by the economics department. You're only 1A* off the typical student and someone definitely got in this year who wasn't taking further maths so clearly typical doesn't mean every, therefore if you've got strong enough AS results you may as well give it a go - you still have 4 other unis to apply to :smile:

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Reply 651

Rahima.s

I am doing Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology at as level as my school did not provide economics. Do you think this will put me at a disadvantage when applying for economics at a top 5 uni or will my maths a level be enough? should I apply for engineering instead?

Reply 652

alex_hk90

Original post by Rahima.s

Sounds fine to me though lack of Further Maths may be more of an issue.

Reply 653

JulieEdiz

Hi, I have some specific questions.

I planned on using a book that is very specialist; it's one way governments can invest which has been very topical lately. I am really interested in it but is honing in too closely on one government tool bad? Instead of reading on more general themes such as Inequality.

When I form an opinion of it, do I need to use economic knowledge do so or can I say whether I agree with the method? I am not sure how to be critical of it.

I read another globalisation book which is completely unrelated but the author mentions it as one solution. Can I say that led me to research and choose this topic to read?

Thank you

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 654

alex_hk90

Original post by JulieEdiz

This is just my opinion but I think if you can demonstrate your potential / knowledge using the specialist book then that shouldn't be an issue. In terms of what to write, you can do both of the things you suggested but remember the objective which is to show the reader you would be good at studying undergraduate economics. Regarding the other book, yes that could be a valid link.

Good luck! :h:

Reply 655

Thomazo

Would this be a good structure?

1: intro, what economics is for me. I want to study it because of how much it affects everything around us with some elaboration

2: An area that interests me in particular: different economic systems. I give my thoughts with examples from the Russian/Soviet economies. I reference a book.

3: I talk about the significance of economics in understanding contemporary affairs with examples of specific affairs that I have followed and how economics has helped me understand them.

4: I talk a little bit about how my excellent mathematical skills contribute to the study of economics

5: extracurriculars. I mention internships, being an international person, an exchange summer, being a chairman of my class at school and what qualities these have given me

6: ending(not finished with it yet)

Applying to Lse, UCL, King's, Manchester, QMUL/Warwick

Especially I want to know if talking about different economic systems as my area of interest is simly too broad/generic/basic.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 656

Thomazo

Woulf talkong about game theory and reading 'Thinking strategically' be good tp talk about in a PS?

Is game theory a relevant aspect of economics study?