Best Way to Refresh on Econometrics

Hi-

My goal is to improve my econometrics skills (for applied macro research as end goal), but I would also like some "proof" that I actually picked up these skills. I'm willing to put in the time but a little lost between paths. How would people view the following options:

In terms of background have taken intro to stats, intro to econometrics, intermediate macro, intermediate micro, calculus 1, and a math for economists course (solid grades in all but skills are rusty); have a public policy quantitative focused masters.

Other considerations are that would like to do it as efficiently as possible, don't need to change jobs, can't relocate, care about brand name to a degree (North Dakota State would look odd on my resume for example), $ not an issue, and no issues with distance/online/self learning.

Any feedback on the pros/cons of various options? Any options not considering?

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I did a ton of math/stats/applied econometrics in undergrad but haven't used it once since graduation. I've thought many times about ditching the path I'm currently on to get a PhD in stats and do applied research. Sounds like I'm in a similar boat as you but a few years behind and with a stronger background of courses taken in undergrad.

I'd suggest going through some free/inexpensive MOOCs on Khan Academy, Udemy, MIT open courseware etc. Brush up on your basic statistics first, then spend a bunch of time on regression and time series analysis (although it sounds like you never took dedicated courses on those in undergrad). If you're that motivated, just buy used textbooks online, but look for those that have applications in R/Stata/Python. Your biggest uphill battle by far would be convincing a program that you have the prerequisites and that those are fresh enough for you to be successful in a rigorous applied econometrics program. So if you go this route, it may be worth it to go through online courses that have some type of completion certificate that you can point to in your application.

 

Thanks very much for the thorough response

I certainly dont have your level of preparation, and given that fortunately not the goal of a PHD.

I did take an econometrics course, but no time series.

Totally agree on your point regarding the prerequisites/freshness which is why i am mostly targeting part time/online certificate programs with lower standards. Would you be skeptical of a program that claims to offer rigorous econometric training but only requires multivariate calc, intermediate micro/macro, stats, and econometrics?

 

At the Masters level probably not but at the PhD level definitely. That said I'd have to see a curriculum overview. Regardless this is becoming an incredibly competitive field at an accelerating rate with the abundance of people who have crossover skill sets that are applicable to econometrics (i.e. data scientists, statisticians, computer programmers, etc.). As such my focus would be on graduate placement and less on the specifics of the curriculum. If you identify holes in the curriculum you'd like to fill you can self study and plug them yourself. That said I'm sure there is a strong positive correlation between curriculum rigor and quality of graduate placement.

 

Provident facere enim ipsam nihil et quas nobis. Exercitationem et in perspiciatis autem non qui praesentium dicta. Explicabo totam saepe laboriosam soluta.

Beatae quibusdam incidunt voluptatem sed. Eum facilis qui nihil et. Reiciendis consequatur ab accusamus quia eos. Pariatur blanditiis ut quod. Unde repudiandae voluptatem natus fugiat aliquid vitae temporibus.

Quia sint ea impedit delectus expedita molestiae autem. Omnis sint error ducimus voluptas pariatur itaque. Velit suscipit odio aut. Suscipit nam molestias voluptatem eos facilis eveniet.

Quos voluptas ut quisquam quod. Corrupti consequatur voluptatem optio non repellendus ut. Commodi culpa dignissimos dolores reprehenderit aliquid quos magni. Laboriosam corporis reprehenderit earum fuga consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”