ECON 4720

Easily the worst class I've taken at UVA, and nothing like 3720 (which I actually enjoyed). Introduction to Econometrics (at least with Michener) focused primarily on the applications of regression analysis and OLS, placing a greater emphasis on understanding how to interpret estimators/coefficients both on paper and in STATA. Nekipelov is definitely brilliant but completely out-of-touch with his class, characterized by his inability to explain material in sensible terms, impossible weekly problem sets that take hours to do, and strict adherence to teaching/forcing students to regurgitate the principles of proofs that other econometricians gloss over and allow computers to solve. Our first exam's average was a 55%, and he said this was better than he anticipated. I would not recommend this class to anyone except masochists, so take at your own risk.

If you have taken 3720, this will be an absolute waste of a class. 3720 was my favorite class I've ever taken, and I have borderline hated 4720, mostly from the disappointment. I was really excited about this class, but I haven't learned anything and have spent a semester in class going over stat 2120 and 3720. Professor Nekipelov is great and could teach an incredible class, but he doesn't - I believe the department/he is super confused about what this class is supposed to be. In conversation with him, he told me he thought this class was for people who had not taken 3720 (hence why it's so repetitive).

If you don't have to take it for finance, don't.