Applying for PhD Programs
Last year, I applied to several economics and applied economics PhD programs in the United States and Europe. Coming from Nepal, I was initially unaware of the intense competitiveness of these admission processes. The acceptance rate can be anywhere lower than 10% for most of the universities (see OSU’s Applied Econ program for example). In this post, I want to share the resources and tips that were instrumental for me during my application process.
Prerequisites
PhD applicants should have the following checklist ready by the end of November to apply:
- Getting research/teaching experience
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Resume/CV highlighting teaching and research experience if any
- Test scores including TOEFL/IELTS and GRE
- Writing sample (at least one; not more than three)
- Letters of Recommendation (three)
- Undergrad/grad transcripts
- Diversity Statement (Optional – depends on the universities)
Research and Teaching Experience
Research and teaching experiences are crucial for your PhD applications. 1-2 years of research experience help you build technical skills and identify your research interests. Teaching experience opens opportunities to become a teaching assistant and also engage in academia in the future. These experiences will significantly enhance your Statement of Purpose by explaining your motivation, research interests, and future endeavors after your PhD.
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
The SOP is the most important part of the PhD application in my opinion. It allows you to convey your personality, ability to teach, and capacity for independent and collaborative research to the admission committee. These factors are pivotal in determining your likelihood of fitting into the program and graduating successfully. There are a few key differences between SOPs for PhD programs and undergrad/grad programs. PhD Econ SOPs do not usually include personal metaphorical journeys unless they are very striking. Clarity and parsimony are key since you do not want to write a lengthy essay. I found Chris Blattman’s blog very helpful in this regard. The rule of thumb is to aim for 2 full pages or 800-1000 words, but this is subject to university requirements; some universities may require longer or even shorter SOPs. Your SOP should include:
• Motivation
• Specific research interests
• Relevant experience
• Reasons for applying to that particular university
• Faculty members you’d like to work with
• Future endeavors you aim to fulfill after your PhD
Resume/CV
Your resume should highlight your educational background, research experience, teaching experience, work experience, technical skills, and other relevant sections such as awards and scholarships if any. Always include relevant fields and exclude those that are irrelevant to the program you are applying to. Here is a link from University of Wisconsin Madison’s Econ department that has a good collection of resume templates: Economics Example Resumes. I used one of the templates from overleaf which offers a variety of options to tailor your CV.
Test Scores
Get your TOEFL and GRE scores by the end of November. Most PhD application deadlines fall on December 1, December 15, December 31, January 15, and January 31. Departments might be lenient if your scores aren’t reported on time, but I do not suggest this given the competitiveness of the application process.
• TOEFL: Most departments require a score above 82, with top departments requiring scores above 90 or 100. Some departments may also demand a score of 24 or 25+ on the speaking section if you are aiming for a teaching assistantship.
• GRE: Top econ departments demand scores above 90th percentile for the quantitative section, with no fixed threshold for the qualitative section. Based on my experience, a score of at least 160 is typically needed to get into decent grad school as economics programs demand quantitative proficiency from candidates.
Writing Sample
All universities ask for writing samples during the application process, though they are often optional. You do not need a published paper, but you should have conducted a fair amount of research that you can showcase in writing. The writing sample plays a significant role in your application by demonstrating your technical knowledge in applying econometric tools and economic concepts, as well as your ability to write research papers. These factors are crucial in determining whether you will succeed as a PhD student. You can upload at least one and at most three writing samples.
Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
You will require three recommenders to provide you with letters of recommendation. Approach your recommenders at least two months prior to your application deadline. Ideally, your recommenders should be professors who know you well or who have worked with you so that they can provide detailed and specific information about your academic performance, strengths, and your areas of improvement in which you are working on. Provide your recommenders with the list of universities and programs you are applying to, due dates for sending the recommendations, your SOP, and any relevant documents such as your transcript or term papers.
Transcripts
You do not need to submit your official transcripts during the application process. Some universities might ask for official copies before they release their decisions. However, you will need to submit official copies of your transcripts and degree certificates once you are accepted for your PhD. I recommend arranging at least five copies of attested and sealed transcripts and degree certificates before your application so that you can send them to universities when required.
Diversity Statement
Top-ranked universities often ask for a diversity statement, where you need to explain how you would contribute to the campus’s diversity. Although optional, I would not miss out on this section.
Interviews
Some universities also require Zoom interviews that last around 10-15 minutes. These interviews are conducted to understand your research interests and expectations from the program before offering you admission.
Timeline
Schools typically start sending out their decisions as early as the end of February or the beginning of March. If you receive admission offers with financial assistantship, you should sign the offer from one university by April 15, in accordance with the April 15 resolution of the Graduate Schools Council.
Application costs
The application process can be quite expensive, especially for applicants from developing countries. As of 2024 in Nepal, the TOEFL costs USD 195 and the GRE costs USD 220 (costs may vary by country). These fees include score reporting to up to 4-5 universities. If you need to send your scores to additional universities, it will cost $25 per report for TOEFL and $35 per report for GRE. Additionally, application fees typically range from $65 to $150 per university. Options for application fee waiver exist in many universities but you need to apply for it way early the deadlines since it might take some time to get approved. I would recommend applying to at least 10 universities with at least 4-5 safe universities based on your profile.
Final Tips:
Start writing your SOP as early as possible. Your first draft is not going to make the cut. Getting feedback from friends, colleagues, and professors will be helpful in refining your SOP. Prepare a spreadsheet that includes all the relevant information such as program major, test score requirements, faculty you’d like to work with, application fee, cost of living, and other details. This will help you keep track of your application process.
| University | Status | Program | TOEFL | GRE | App Fee | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standford | Submitted | PhD Econ | Submitted | Submitted | xxx | xxx |
| UMich | Progress | PhD Econ | Not submitted | Submitted | xxx | xxx |
| Minnesota | Progress | Applied Econ | Not submitted | Submitted | xxx | xxx |
Resources:
• Ajay Shenoy’s PhD Application Advice (Youtube video)
• Christine Cai’s Public Goods
• Extensive guide to applying for PhD in Econ programs by Narula et al.
• Chris Blattman’s FAQs on Econ PhD applications
• Jesse M. Shapiro’s notes on applying for a PhD in Economics
• AEA’s resources on preparing for grad school
• Top Econ departments, AgEcon/Applied Econ departments & environmental economics departments.
I hope these tips and resources help you navigate the PhD application process.