Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to be admitted to Yale and major in economics. Can you send me some information?
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions makes the decision on admissions to Yale College, not individual departments. Please refer to their website for more information. Once you are admitted to Yale College, you may choose to major in economics or economics & mathematics.
Can I count Credit/D/Fail courses for credit towards the major?
No, courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the requirements of the major.
Can I count Credit/D/Fail residential seminars towards the major?
No, residential seminars may not be counted towards the requirements of the major.
Seniors who wish to be considered for distinction in the economics major must meet the grade standards for distinction and submit a senior essay in April of their senior year written in Econ 491a (a one-term essay), in Econ 491a and 492b (a two-term essay), or in Econ 400-489 (a seminar or advanced lecture-discussion class wherein, with additional work, the term paper has been developed with the help of the seminar instructor to senior essay status). All senior essays must be done with the help of an advisor. Prospectuses for senior essays in Econ 491a and Econ 492b must be submitted and approved in October.
It is a good idea (but not required) to try to choose a senior-essay topic and to find an advisor during the spring of your junior year. This allows you to start research over the summer.
Please attend one of the senior essay informational meetings in the first week of classes for more details. (Consult your bluebook for days and times.)
Also please refer to the Senior Essay Guidelines.
No. We provide each incoming first-year student with a placement based on application data and AP (and equivalent) exam scores. Students receive a personal e-mail with their placement. Students can also find the placement on canvas. See our first-year placement page for more information.
The economics and math major continues to retain the STEM designation.
In the past year, the Department has requested a change in the designation of the CIP code for the undergraduate and graduate programs in Economics. This request has been approved and was filed with State Office of Higher Education at the end of the past year with immediate effect.
The new CIP code (for Classification of Instructional Programs) by the National Center for Education Statistics at the Department of Education is 45.0603 (Econometrics and Quantitative Economics) rather than the old one 45.0601 (Economics, General). The new classification more closely corresponds to the quantitative and analytic nature of our programs.
An implication of this change is that 45.0603 has STEM designation. As such it allows our international students to apply for a two year OPT extension in addition to the standard 12 months of F1 student visas for all other degrees.
The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers several tutoring options in quantitative reasoning and science. See the CTL’s tutoring page for all their offerings.
How can I get a copy of the syllabus for a course I took some time ago?
The instructor owns the copyright to the course syllabus and therefore it must be requested from him/her.