at Williams College
Graduate training in economics requires much more mathematical sophistication than undergraduate economics does. Multivariable calculus (Math 105), linear algebra (Math 211) and real analysis (Math 301) are essential. Other math, statistics, or computer science courses may also be useful as preparation for certain fields in economics. In general, good grades in Math classes will boost your chances of getting into a top Economics PhD program. To get an idea of what economics research is all about (and to get to know a faculty member well), you should consider writing a senior honors thesis.
Where should you apply? There are several rankings available on the web, and these can give you a rough idea of reputations of various departments. Most departments are stronger in some fields than in others — talk to a professor in the field you are interested in for more specific suggestions on where to apply.
The American Economic Association has collected links to many resources that are useful for students considering graduate school in economics here. Harvard Professor Susan Athey’s tips, available here, offer some good advice.
Columbia Professor Chris Blattman offers good advice for students interested in development economics and thinking about graduate school here and here. He also provides good advice on how to ask for recommendation letters here.
How to finance a PhD? Graduate programs typically offer merit-based fellowships or teaching assistant positions to some of the students they admit. Some students borrow to finance the first year of an economics PhD program, and then can usually obtain teaching assistant positions, research assistant positions, or more rarely fellowships, to finance their tuition and living expenses after the first year. If you are a US citizen or resident, you should also consider applying for outside fellowships from the NSF and Javits. NSF graduate fellowships in particular are extremely competitive and prestigious, and are rumored to help you gain admittance to top schools. The application for an NSF graduate fellowship requires that you submit a research proposal — Chris Blattman offers excellent advice on how to write a proposal for NSF funding for graduate school. If you are an Asian citizen, you should consider applying for the Japan-IMF scholarship.
Mark Foley at Davidson College hosts a page with these and other useful links here.
Graduate programs look for a high score in the quantitative GRE.
You can find a partial list of Williams graduates who have started Ph.D. programs in economics or related fields in recent years (since about 2005) here.