PhD Admissions

PhD Application Procedures

The average entering class size is 13 students out of approximately 75 in the PhD program. Because of the large applicant pool, the department considers only those with excellent academic records and outstanding letters of recommendation. The department is fully committed to building one of the top Economic PhD programs in the world.

Preparation

Our PhD program accommodates the needs of students from varying backgrounds. Although useful, an economics major is not necessary. You will make better progress in the program if you have had adequate preparation in mathematics. Students entering the program are required to have taken a sequence in calculus, a course in linear algebra, and a course in mathematical statistics. These prerequisites are a bare minimum, and additional background in mathematics and in doctoral-level economics courses can ease the transition into the program.

Application

We require, in addition to the completed formal application, three letters of recommendation, and a transcript from the undergraduate institution(s).  All materials submitted in the application are considered. The application deadline is December 4th for Fall admission.

TOEFL: Foreign students, whose native language is not English, must report scores on a recent TOEFL or equivalent test of English proficiency. To be eligible for a TOEFL waiver the applicant must have completed a full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited university located in the United States. Please note that the entire program of study must have been completed at the institution.  

We do not have a required minimum on the TOEFL to apply.  However, note that admitted students will be required to submit a TOEFL minimum composite score of at least 90 to be able to obtain a student visa.  Submitting good results of TSE (Test of Spoken English) will increase the acceptance probability of an application.


*Note that our curriculum starts with a quantitative methods course during the month of August prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. This early starting date should be taken into account when applying for admission.

Apply Now

All applicants must apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences.

online application

How to Apply

Applicants are required to upload/submit all application materials electronically.  Apart from the original transcripts, paper material received will result in a high risk that your application will not be processed.  To be considered for admission into the Economics doctoral program, you must submit the following:

  1. A completed online application.
  2. Application fee. 
  3. Three letters of recommendation. 
  4. Scanned electronic Transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate work to be uploaded to the admissions application & original transcripts mailed to the department if offered admissions.
  5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) submitted through ETS.  The University will only consider scores from tests taken within the last five years.
  6. Proficiency in English is required of all applicants. Applicants, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Only scores from tests taken within the last two years will be accepted.  (Students who have a degree from a US institution can be waived).  We will also accept IELTS scores. 

Please use School Code: 6929 and Department Code: 1801 when sending GRE & TOEFL/IELTS scores.

Have questions?

For more information, please visit the FAQ. 

Graduate Admissions FAQ