Is the Econ major at Harvard really rigorous?

Hey, guys, I've got my eyes set on Harvard's Economics program. I'm certainly up for a challenge, but I'd love to gauge how intense the course load is. Can anyone shed some light on the number of classes, workload, difficulty and such? Any insight would be mucho appreciated!

Definitely! Harvard's Economics major is indeed known to be rigorous, but at the same time, it's incredibly rewarding. You're likely to have a busy schedule with classes that challenge your understanding of economic theory and quantitative methods.

The major itself requires a total of 11 courses. This includes 3 foundational principles of economics courses, 1 statistics course, 1 econometrics course, and 2 intermediate theory courses in micro and macroeconomics. Then, you'll need to take four additional economics courses, one of which must be seminar-style.

The workload can indeed be heavy at times. Your classes will include problem sets, exams, and oftentimes papers. Many students find that an econometrics course can be particularly demanding given the amount of statistical analysis involved.

Competition can also be pretty steep as some of the world's brightest minds choose to study economics at Harvard. This might make grading curves feel more intense.

However, don't let this deter you! The intense coursework is balanced with vast resources to assist you. Professors and graduate students hold regular office hours and there are also peer tutoring options available. Plus, the courses are generally well structured and you'll be learning from some of the very best in the field.

Of course, workload and difficulty can vary from class to class and professor to professor, so take time to research each class and professor before enrolling. Given your enthusiasm for a challenge and the available support systems, you should be well-equipped to handle the rigor of Harvard's Economics major.