Can I get a pre-evaluation of my application? What are my chances of getting into
your program?
Potential applicants often have questions about their chances of getting into the
program. As a rule, we won’t speculate, because there is no way to decide until we
have all of the applications in hand and begin the formal evaluation process. Nevertheless,
a strong academic record and a demonstrated ability to do research, are the two most
important characteristics you can present. In addition, students with strong backgrounds
in mathematics and statistics and those with economic research experience are typically
more successful.
How many students do you admit each year?
The department seeks to enroll between 10-15 new PhD students each year. To reach
that target range we typically admit three to four times those numbers.
Is funding included? What is the commitment?
Applicants accepted into the program are also provided with funding. Currently, the
funding commitment is for 6 years based on satisfactory completion of all requirements.
The first year of funding comes without any work obligations.
What if I am self-funded?
Applicants who have their own funding, e.g., from fellowships or a government entity
should declare this on their application. Such applicants will be evaluated on their
merits just like any other applicant.
Can I be admitted if I don’t meet the English language proficiency requirements?
The language proficiency requirements are determined by the university. Since the
university does not allow graduate students to work as teaching assistants without
meeting the English language proficiency requirements, and since we primarily support
students through teaching assistantships, we cannot admit students who do not meet
the proficiency requirements. Please refer to this flowchart explaining the specific English language proficiency requirements for a funded PhD
offer.
I have a Master’s degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction, but my undergraduate degree is from an institution where English is NOT the sole language of instruction. Am I exempt from the English language proficiency requirement?
Since we only make funded offers, you must meet the requirements to work as a teaching assistant (TA). These English language proficiency requirements are more stringent than those needed for admission alone, and require that you either have an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is sole language of instruction, or you meet TOEFL / IELTS minimum scores. See this website for details. https://grad.uci.edu/funding/teaching-assistantships/ If you only have a Master’s degree but not an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction, you do not qualify for the exemption and must submit test scores.
Can I apply to the Economics Department for a Master’s degree only?
No, we only accept students directly into our Ph.D. program. The M.A. is awarded along
the way to completion of the Ph.D., and students who leave the program before completing
their Ph.D. are, under some conditions, awarded an M.A.
Can I get an application fee waiver?
If you are a US citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S., DACA/AB540, you may be eligible for a waiver. Eligibility is based on program participation, financial need or US veteran status and is determined by completion of the online graduate application. International applicants are not eligible for a fee waiver.
Can you help me arrange a campus visit?
Because we get a large number of applicants, we do not arrange campus visits prior
to making our acceptance decisions. Once those decisions are made, we will organize
a campus recruitment event prior to April 15, and invite all accepted students to
attend that event. Individual campus visits for accepted students can also be arranged.
Should I contact UCI faculty about working with them?
If you are interested in speaking with individual faculty members to find out more
about their research you are encouraged to contact them directly. Faculty members
are generally happy to talk with prospective students, either by phone, email, teleconference
or in person. However, individual faculty members do not make admission decisions.
Those decisions are made by the department’s admissions committee consisting of several
economics faculty in various research areas.
Can I get credit for graduate work in the core or a Master’s degree that I have completed
elsewhere?
No. All students must successfully complete our course requirements and sequences.
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