Admissions FAQs



Master's Degree, Ph.D. Degree

Do you offer a Master’s Degree?
No.  The Department does not enroll students who seek a Master’s degree as a terminal degree.

Do you offer a Ph.D. in Finance?
We do not offer a Ph.D. in Finance.  We offer a Ph.D. in Economics.  If you are interested in an MBA or Ph.D. in Management, you should contact the Rady School of Management.

I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Economics and would like to know if it would be possible to transfer some credits to shorten the Ph.D. program to about three years?
No.  It is not possible to transfer credits into our program; however, if you are admitted into the program, you may take the qualifying exam in August or September (date to be determined).  If you pass the qualifying exams, you would not need to complete the applicable core course work but you may still be required to take some of the electives (to fulfill field course requirements and required number of electives).

GRE/TOEFL

What are the minimum GRE/TOEFL scores accepted for admission?
Minimum GRE scores accepted for admission vary from year to year. Please consult the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for current published minimums, under Minimum Application Requirements.

How much weight is given to GRE/TOEFL scores?
Successful applicants usually score in the high 80th and 90th percentiles in each section of the GRE.  Because of the large number of applications received each year, applications that made the first cut for review exceeded minimums for GRE and TOEFL.

Do high quantitative/analytical GRE scores carry more weight than verbal?
Due to the intensive mathematical requirements of the program, slightly more emphasis is placed on the Quantitative and Analytical sections of the GRE.  We understand that the verbal for foreign students is often lower, but because of the generally high caliber of applicants applying to our program, we cannot always make special accommodation for students that fall below the minimum on the verbal portion of the GRE.

What if one component of my GRE scores is below the minimum and the other two are at or above the minimum?
In response to the many inquiries and concerns from students with low Verbal or Analytical scores on their GRE General Test, we are aware that in many cases students with either low verbal or analytical scores and otherwise have very strong qualifications could be overlooked.  Should you fall into this category, we encourage you to apply and we will inform you if your application will be considered for review.  Please be aware that admission to our Ph.D. program is very competitive.  We receive over 500 applications every year and offer admission to only about 20% of total applicants.

What is your policy on GRE retakes?
Regarding GRE retakes, your highest scores will be considered of any test scores that are received before the admission application deadline.  Remember that official scores from ETS are required.  Copies are not accepted.  Official scores must be received either by mail (postmark or carrier sent date) or electronically by the application deadline in order to be considered “on time.”

I am a foreign student but completed my undergraduate studies at an English speaking university outside of the United States.   Do I still need to provide TOEFL scores?
TOEFL scores are not required if you have completed at least one academic year at a university outside of United States that conducts its courses in English.

My current GRE scores are 7 years old.  Will they be accepted?
GRE scores cannot be more than 5 years old.  TOEFL scores cannot be more than 2 years old. If GRE scores exceed the 5 year-old mark or TOEFL scores the 2 year-old mark, they would need to be retaken in order to be accepted.

Do you accept the GMAT in place of the GRE?
No.  The GRE is required and cannot be replaced with the GMAT.

Do you require the GRE Economics Subject Test?
No. We do not.

What is your department code for the GRE and TOEFL?
Our department code for the GRE is 1801 and for the TOEFL it is 84. UCSD's institution code for the GRE/TOEFL is 4836.

GPA Requirements

I am a foreign student and my university does not have a system of GPA.  How would the absence of a “GPA” be evaluated?
If your university does not have a system of GPA, then we will look at the transcripts and determine if you meet the criteria for review.

I am planning to apply to your graduate program in economics, but unfortunately, my GPA is below the 3.5 minimum.  Since I do not make the cutoff with my 3.35, should I bother submitting an application?
Your GPA is just below the minimum required for consideration, but if the remainder of your supporting materials are strong (e.g., GRE and letters of recommendation), there is the possibility that your application would be reviewed.  As to whether this contingency would justify submitting your application, this would be a judgment call on your part.

Regarding final transcripts for spring courses, since your application deadline is in January, how and when do I submit final grades for spring classes?
If admitted, you should submit transcripts for as much completed work as possible.  Your admission status will be considered “provisional” until those transcripts are submitted along with confirmation of your degree conferral. Should you accept our offer of admission, "provisional" status would not preclude your ability to register for the Fall quarter.

Math & Economics Course Preparation

Regarding math preparation for your program, are there any advanced calculus courses I must take to be able to qualify as a potential Ph.D. candidate?All applicants must have a minimum of one year of college-level calculus.  However, one year is likely to be inadequate background for the first year of core classes.  Students are therefore encouraged to complete courses in vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra and mathematical analysis prior to the start of graduate school.

I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology and although I have a strong math background, I am concerned about whether I have an adequate background in Economics.
Those whose background in economics is not strong are urged to review microeconomics and macroeconomics at the upper division level.

Admission Statistics

How many students do you accept into your Ph.D. program each year?
In general, we receive between 500 and 600 applications per year, and admit about 20% of them.  Our incoming classes are on the average 25 students.  

How are applications evaluated?
Admission is based on an overall assessment of a candidate’s interests, background and potential.  The composition of the applicant pool differs from year to year.  For these reasons it is difficult to provide a definitive formula for admissibility.

Financial Aid

If I were admitted, what are my chances of getting financial aid?
 First Year Students:  Admission and financial aid awards are based on an overall assessment of a candidate’s interest, background and potential, and whether they are domestic or foreign.  Furthermore, admission rates and financial aid awards will depend on the applicant pool, which differs from year to year.  Approximately 75% of admits are offered a first-year financial aid package (e.g., teaching assistantships, tuition & fee scholarships, fellowships). 
Second Year through Fifth Year Students:  Any full-time student making solid progress in the program is assured of at least partial aid during the second through fifth years.

If admitted and not offered first year funding from the department, where would I get information about outside funding?
Check out the Office of Graduate Studies’ Funding and Fellowship Opportunities.  It contains links to comprehensive funding databases, grant writing guides and selected funding opportunities available only to UCSD graduate students.

Letters of Recommendation

What kind of letters of recommendation are preferred, particularly if potential recommenders come from a combination of professional and academic sources?
Letters of recommendation should come from recommenders who can speak to your academic skills as well as the kind of skills that would make you a dedicated, focused student.  It is your choice which letters you think would support your chances for acceptance into graduate school.

Supplementary Materials

Does the department encourage/appreciate an academic writing sample included with the supporting materials required for admission?
You are welcome to submit a writing sample, although it is not required.  Many applicants have included them as a supplement to their application materials.  Any writing sample you would like to include as supporting documentation will be included in your file, along with all required materials, when your completed admissions packet is presented for review. Only PDF versions of writing samples will be accepted, emailed as an attachment to the department.

I have applied online for the Ph.D. in Economics.  Where would I mail the supplementary materials (for example, transcripts)?
Please mail all supplementary materials to the following address:

University of California, San Diego
Department of Economics, Admissions
Sequoyah Hall, Rm. 242
9500 Gilman Drive # 0534
La Jolla, CA  92093-0534

Job Market Placement

Could you give me information on placements in the last couple of years for graduating Ph.D. students in your department?
Check out the department’s active, successful Job Market program for its Ph.D. graduates.