u/Defiant_Cut_1398

Hi all, I’m a senior at a T40 school planning to apply to predocs this fall with the intention of pursuing a PhD in economics.

I’m currently deciding whether to take the first-year PhD micro sequence. The math major would only require two additional classes compared to the minor. I’d really prefer to finish with the math major since the marginal effort seems relatively small and I could take classes that are more applicable to my applied subfield. I’ve also already completed the main recommended math courses for an econ PhD (e.g. proof-based linear algebra, intro analysis, probability theory), and I’ve gotten an A/A+ in every math class I’ve taken, going back to beginning calculus. On the other hand I got an A and B+ in the two intermediate micro sequence classes (health issues, tough curves, less work ethic in my early college years).

The issue is that I have the opportunity to take the first-year PhD micro sequence, but I know it would be a very, very large time commitment. I’d also be taking other classes including two second-year PhD electives, co-authoring a paper, working on my own research, and applying to predocs. I also have some health issues coming up that I am worried about exacerbating.

I’m worried about:

1. The toll the sequence could take on my mental/physical health
2. Balancing it with the two additional classes for the math major
3. Not getting an A/A-, especially since I understand only a relatively small fraction of first-year PhD students get As here
4. Potentially sacrificing my math grades in pursuit of the sequence

So: is the first-year micro sequence a big enough opportunity that I should seriously consider forsaking the math major for it? Or should I try to juggle both?

More generally, what is the opportunity cost of not taking graduate micro? Would not having it on my transcript be a meaningful disadvantage for predoc applications/PhD admissions given that I already have fairly strong math preparation?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have evaluated predoc applicants or been involved in PhD admissions. I’m trying to figure out whether this is genuinely an opportunity worth stretching myself for, or whether I’m overestimating its importance simply because it’s "PhD-level" coursework.

Looking for advice on if I need to take Real Analysis (I was planning to take it this upcoming the fall, but the professors who teach it are known GPA-tankers, one of them in particular fails nearly 50% of their class). Advice I've been given from folks at my institution is that it is better to not have Real Analysis, than to have it with below an A-. Other options for math sequences would be Abstract Algebra or Numerical Analysis (doing a double math/econ BA. I do have a couple of blemishes on my intermediate econ core classes, so I'm planning to take first year grad micro in the fall as well, and I don't want to risk lower than an A- there.).

I am currently in an Intro to Analysis course and am relatively confident I will get an A in the course. My professors here have assured me that the Intro to Analysis course is basically good enough for PhD applications, whereas the Real Analysis series itself is not super important anymore (I am planning to throw my hat in the ring this upcoming cycle and then also for predoc/RA positions and see what sticks).
Would it be ok to skip Real Analysis in this case? Primarily considering Abstract Algebra or Numerical analysis to sub in for Real Analysis, and I was already considering Combinatorial Analysis as well. I'm happy to list out my past/planned math courses outside of these if that is helpful.

Does anyone who's taken 118A or any other upper div math class with these profs have any advice on who to choose? or experience with any of these profs? Options look a little dismal based on past upper div math curves and rate my professor reviews.