Quantitative Economics

Economics is one of the most popular undergraduate majors at Tufts. This popularity reflects the appeal of a discipline that applies formal analysis to real social problems.
Economics begins by building models of behavior, testing the models against empirical evidence, and modifying or extending them when they fail. The models that survive are used to understand economic events, to make predictions about the future, and to guide economic policy makers. Training in economics provides a solid background for many different career paths — from employment immediately after graduation to postgraduate study. It is particularly appropriate for those with interests in business, finance, law, or public policy. The Department of Economics is made up of teacher-scholars with Ph.D. degrees from leading graduate institutions. As reflected in the list of faculty members, the teaching and research interests of the faculty cover a wide variety of subject areas.
The starting point for the study of economics at Tufts is Principles of Economics (Economics 5). This one semester course is offered each semester, has no prerequisites, and is open to all students. Students wishing to use pre-college training in economics to place out of this course can review Advanced Placement and Acceleration Credit. Students wishing to transfer college-level coursework in economics can review Transfer of Credit.
The Department offers undergraduate programs that lead to a Minor in Economics, a Major in Economics, and a Major in Quantitative Economics.

Prerequisite
Principles of Economics (Economics 5) or equivalent. See note above.

Basic Mathematics Courses
Mathematics 32 (formerly Mathematics 11) and Mathematics 34 (formerly Math 12). 
Students can waive all or part of this requirement by showing adequate prior preparation as determined by the Departments of Economics or Mathematics. Students should be aware that Mathematics 39 and 44 can be offered as substitutes for Mathematics 32, 34, and 42.

Core Courses

There are five core courses required for Quantitative Majors.

Students must complete Economics 11 before taking either Economics 16 or 203. One core mathematics course is also required: Mathematics 70 (formerly Math 46) or Math 72. 

Students must complete Economics 11 before taking either Economics 16 or 203. Students in the classes of 2008 and 2009 who have not completed Economics 16 are strongly encouraged to pursue this option when completing their major.
One core mathematics course is also required: Mathematics 70 (formerly Math 46) or Math 72 (formerly Math 54).

Students should be aware that Mathematics 39 (formerly Mathematics 17) and Mathematics 44 may be substituted for Mathematics 32 (formerly Mathematics 11), Math 34, and Math 42. No course offered as a core course can also be used as an elective course. All 100-level economics electives have one or more of these courses as prerequisites.

Elective Courses

Quantitative economics majors must complete four additional upper-level economics courses numbered Economics 20 or above. There are three restrictions on choice. First, at least three of these four courses must be suitable courses at the 100 level or higher. Second, at least one elective course must be open only to students who have completed the relevant quantitative prerequisite course (Economics 16, 18, or 107) or its equivalent.

The third restriction varies depending on the student's graduation year. Beginning with the class of 2019, all majors are required to take at least one upper level seminar class. Upper level seminars are courses that focus on a specialized topic in the field of economics. Because of this specialized focus, all seminars have at least one of the core courses (Economics 11, Economics 16, Economics 12/18, Economics 13, Economics 15/107) as a prerequisite. In addition, seminars are small classes that place an emphasis on class interactions, the writing of papers, and the reading of journal articles. Seminar courses provide alternative ways to have "hands-on" research experience that satisfy the seminar requirement. This experience could be offered by a required research paper. However, courses that ask students to complete a series of short policy briefs, a critical literature review, or a group project that requires substantive research and writing all count as seminars. Courses that satisfy the seminar requirement are listed with an ampersand (&) in the Department's Course Offerings.

Quantitative Economics majors graduating before 2019 must include in their four electives either at least one of the upper level seminar classes described above; or at least one of the 100-level economics courses that are explicitly designated as a "research-paper course," or a senior thesis credit. 

1. Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
2. Completed Tufts Writing Supplement 
3. High School Transcript(s)
4. Senior Grades: All applicants will be required to send their senior grades as part of their application. Students applying Early Decision I should send first quarter or trimester grades no later than the last week in November. Students applying Early Decision II should plan for their first semester or trimester grades to arrive no later than the third week in January. Finally, Regular Decision applicants should submit their first semester or trimester grades by the middle of February. Students studying abroad (where predicted grades are common) should send those if senior grades are not available.
5. Testing:
   • For applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering or the Combined Degree Programs with the SMFA at Tufts or the NEC: SAT with two subject tests or ACT. See the standardized test requirements for information about these tests and recommendations regarding which subject tests to take.
   • For applicants to the SMFA at Tufts' BFA program: SAT or ACT. Subject tests are not required for BFA candidates applying to the SMFA at Tufts.
6. TOEFL Scores: Required only for students for whom English is not the first language or who attend a school where English is not the language of instruction.
7. Letters of Recommendation: Tufts requires one letter from a teacher in a junior or senior year major academic course (math, natural science, social science, English, or a foreign language) and one letter from a guidance counselor for all applicants. Candidates for the SMFA at Tufts' BFA or Combined Degree programs are required to submit a letter from their art teacher as well. An additional letter from all other applicants, though not encouraged, may be submitted if the student feels it can add new perspective to his or her application.
8. Extracurricular Activities: In addition to evaluating an academic fit, the admissions committee looks for ways a student may contribute to the community as a whole. They will assess the level and type of involvement in each activity and may ask questions such as: Has the student been a significant contributor or leader? How has the involvement contributed to the school or larger community? Does the student have a special talent in a particular area? We do not expect all students to be team captains, class presidents, or editors-in-chief; rather, we look for meaningful involvement in their school and/or community. The Common Application allows students to list up to ten different activities, but you don't need to fill every space. Some of the most successful applicants are heavily engaged in just a few activities. Keep in mind that the Common Application is your one chance to show your extracurricular engagements: we are not able to accept a supplemental resume of activities.
9. Art Portfolio: Required only for students applying to the Combined Degree BFA/BA or BFA/BS and BFA applicants to the SMFA at Tufts. Submit a 15-20-piece portfolio of recent work, which represents your strengths and interests, via SlideRoom.
10. $75 Application Fee or Fee Waiver - You may have the application fee waived by submitting either i) a written request from your college counselor or school official who can attest that the fee would represent a financial hardship, or ii) a College Board Request for Waiver of the Application Fee form. You may consider the waiver approved unless a member of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions notifies you otherwise. Without an application fee, or an approved fee waiver, we cannot continue to process your application to Tufts University.