During the summer of 2002, I had the opportunity to attend a summer program in economics for minority students pursuing a graduate degree in economics. The program attracted a diverse group of talented students from across the country, all extremely interested in economics and serious about graduate school.

The program, this year held in Denver, Colorado at the University of Colorado at Denver (UCD) began May 28, 2002 with a week-long math review course which refreshed students on topics such as limits, differentiation, integration, multi-variate calculus, and partial derivatives, to name a few. Although the program is best fitted for students who have taken at least one semester of calculus, students possessed a range of mathematical backgrounds.

The program is divided into 2 sections: the Foundations program, for students with up to one year of calculus, and the advanced program for students with a stronger mathematical background. Both programs require a strong desire to learn graduate level material at an accelerated pace. Out of the three classes offered Microeconomic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics, I found Microeconomic Theory to be my favorite because of the mathematical operations that justify intuition. In addition to courses, students are immersed in an arena of networking via seminars that feature dynamic economists from across the nation, who desire not only to present their research to the students, but also to possibly recruit students to graduate programs.

Financial assistance is available through scholarships to students who qualify, in the form of full-tuition, housing, living expenses, books, and a stipend of $1600.

I highly propose this summer program to any student who is genuinely interested in economics and is considering a graduate degree in economics. The summer program exposes students to the often-intimidating mathematical side of economics, research in economics, and a vast array of professional economists specializing in different areas who offer great advice. Furthermore, meeting with other students who have similar academic interests is always encouraging. The program is demanding, but can be successfully completed with perseverance, motivation, and teamwork. The experience of spending a summer immersed in economics and math can substantially strengthen a student's confidence upon completion, and more importantly, their understanding of the derivation of economic theory. As a current graduate student in economics at American University in Washington, DC, nothing could have prepared me more.

Jamilia Grier
Southern Connecticut State University
May'02