Admission Process FAQ
Department of Economics
Graduate Program
Why do I have to send an application to the Economics Department when I have already applied for admission through the Graduate School ?
The Graduate School application is the primary application for admission, but the Department needs additional information which is not included on that information. The Departmental application provides this information and helps us track your application materials.
How can I apply for the Master's Program in Economics?
We do not offer a Master's in Economics, only the Ph.D.
If I send a resume, do I have to submit the department's application form?
Yes. We prefer that you submit the department's application form. That is the easiest way to make sure that you are submitting all the information the department needs to evaluate your application and contact you with questions.
How can I prove that I have training in advanced Western economic theory?
This proof can come from a number of sources. It can come from courses taken at a Western college or university, using textbooks written by Western authors, and taking courses from professors trained in the Western tradition and active in the international economics community. Such proof can also come from participating in economics programs founded in cooperation with Western institutions.
Why do I have to send a list of my economics and mathematics courses? Can't you tell which courses I've taken from my transcripts?
A course title on a transcript tells us very little. It is very helpful if you can provide more information such as the name of the instructor, the title of the textbooks used, and the authors of the textbooks.
Can I submit fewer than three letters of recommendation? Can I submit more than three?
Yes, you can submit fewer than three letters of recommendation, but your application cannot be considered with less than two letters. However, it is to your benefit to submit the requested number, since that will give the admissions committee the most information to assess your qualifications. However, the admissions committee will not read or consider more than four letters per applicant. Please do not submit more than four letters.
Why have I been asked to send a copy of the GRE and the TOEFL to the department when I've already had the scores sent to you?
The department looks very closely at GRE and TOEFL scores when the admissions committee initially reviews applications. It is to your benefit to make sure that the department can verify your scores and the make sure that your application is complete. In the past, the official score reports have been delayed, causing competitive applicants to be rejected because their scores could not be verified.
I can't take the Economics GRE. Are those scores required?
No. The Department of Economics realizes that not everyone is able to take the Economics GRE. If you are able to take the exam, please send us the score.
Is the GMAT accepted in place of the GRE?
No.
I took the GRE twice. I got a higher score on the quantitative section the first time I took the exam. Which score will you use?
In situations where you have taken the GRE multiple times, we consider the highest quantitative score that is still valid.
How can I waive the TOEFL?
The TOEFL is not required for applicants who have completed at least 16 credits of college level education in the U.S. , Canada , or Great Britain , 24 months before the desired date of admission. The TOEFL is waived for other applicants who have not studied in an English-speaking country only in rare cases.
Is the GMAT accepted in place of the GRE?
No.
I took the GRE twice. I got a higher score on the quantitative section the first time I took the exam. Which score will you use?
In situations where you have taken the GRE multiple times, we consider the highest quantitative score that is still valid.
How can I waive the TOEFL?
The TOEFL is not required for applicants who have completed at least 16 credits of college level education in the U.S. , Canada , Great Britain , Australia or New Zealand 24 months before the desired date of admission. The TOEFL is waived for other applicants who have not studied in an English-speaking country only in rare cases.
Can I take any alternative exams to the TOEFL?
Yes. The Department and the Graduate School currently accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in addition to the TOEFL. The Department requires a minimum score of 7.0 in the IELTS exam in order to qualify for financial aid and a minimum score of 6.5 for applicants who have four years of financial aid from a third party. You can find information on the IELTS exam at their website, www.ceii.org .
How long are my GRE and TOEFL or IELTS scores valid?
Your GRE scores are good for five years from the testing date. TOEFL and IELTS are good for two years from the test date. Your TOEFL or IELTS need to be valid on the date that classes start for fall semester, which is usually the Tuesday after the first Monday in September. If they expire before that time, you will be required to retake the TOEFL or IELTS before you can enter the University.
I was not admitted to the program last year. How do I reapply?
If you have applied to the University of Minnesota in the past two years, you can send an e-mail to econdgs@econ.umn.edu with a request to reactivate your application. You must also contact the Graduate School and ask them to reactivate your application. Contact them by letter, fax or by telephone. Please note that you will be required to pay the application fee again. Send any updated transcripts, new letters of recommendation, or other new information to the department to update your application.
When will I be notified of the result of my application?
Most admission decisions are made in February. Students who are admitted in the first round and those placed on the waiting list will be notified around the middle of February or perhaps a bit earlier. The students who are admitted will have until April 15 to make their decision, in accordance with the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. Students have been placed on the waiting list will be notified of their status after that date. Students who are not on the waiting list will be notified of their status sometime in mid-March.
Helpful Hints
- Submit your application on-line and make sure your address, telephone number and e-mail addresses are current.
- Submit a complete application. Upload as many materials as you can to the ApplyYourself website and encourage all of your references to submit their letters on line.
- Submit your application early. We receive most of our applications between December 20 and January 10, and submitting your application early will help us keep track of it.
- Check your e-mail frequently. If you are missing materials or if there are any problems with your application, we will only contact you by e-mail.
- If you have any questions about your application, please do not hesitate to ask us. You can reach the Graduate Studies office by e-mail at econdgs@econ.umn.edu .
- Do not send unsolicited e-mail inquiries to Department faculty asking for an evaluation of your credentials. This does not give you an advantage in the admissions process, and our faculty are unable to comment on your chances for admission. If you are curious about whether or not you meet the basic standards for admission, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
- While the Graduate Studies Office can tell you whether or not you meet the basic standards for admission, we cannot inform you of your chances for admission. That depends not only on your credentials, but also on the credentials of the other applicants in the pool.
- Remember to include the list of the economics and mathematics courses you have taken along with the textbooks and the authors of those texts used. This helps the admissions committee evaluate your preparation, especially if they are not familiar with your undergraduate program. Again, information about the text books can say a great deal about the content of the course.
- Please do not bind your application materials together or place materials in plastic sheet protectors. These bindings do not fit into our files and we must throw them away.
