A brief guide to the economics Ph.D. admission process.

1. The economics Ph.D.
Jean-Felix Brouillette
Stanford University

2. Overview
1. Why the Ph.D.?
2. What is the Ph.D.?
3. The admission process.
4. The path to follow.

3. Section 1
Why the Ph.D.?

4. Why the Ph.D.?
The intellectual challenge
• The Ph.D. is a very intellectually stimulating journey.
1. The research process combines technical skills, creativity and
autonomy.
2. The courses are relatively multidisciplinary (economics,
statistics, mathematics, sociology, psychology and history).
3. The Ph.D. in economics does not necessarily lead to
over-specialization.

5. Why the Ph.D.?
The jobs
• The Ph.D. in economics leads to high-impact, stimulating and
rewarding professional destinations.
1. Academia.
2. Private sector.
3. Public sector.

6. Why the Ph.D.?
Private sector jobs

7. Why the Ph.D.?
Public sector jobs

8. Why the Ph.D.?
The jobs
• The dierence with the professional destinations of the
master's degree?
1. Autonomy and intellectual stimulation.
2. Quick access to management positions.
3. High starting compensation.

9. Why the Ph.D.?
The dream

10. Section 2
What is the Ph.D.?

11. What is the Ph.D.?
• First year: the core courses.
· Econometrics
· Microeconomics
· Macroeconomics
• Second year: the eld courses.
• Subsequent years: research and dissertation.

12. What is the Ph.D.?
The rst year
• Core courses.
· Daily work (problem sets).
· Mid-term and nal exams.
• Comprehensive exams.
· Compulsory pass for the continuation of the program.
· Retaking the examination is allowed in case of failure.

13. What is the Ph.D.?
The second year
• Field courses (mostly without examinations).
· Microeconomic theory
· Behvioral experimental economics
· Public economics
· Industrial organization
· Labor economics
· Political economy
· Econometrics
· Macroeconomics
· Economic history
· Finance
· Development economics
· International trade
· Environmental economics
· Market design

14. What is the Ph.D.?
The third year
• Writing a rst research paper.
· Supervised authorship.
· Authorized co-authoring.
• Research seminars (informal).
· Compulsory presentation every semester.

15. What is the Ph.D.?
Subsequent years
• Research seminars (informal).
· Compulsory presentation every semester.
• Dissertation proposal.
· Forming your dissertation committee.
· Writing the dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation defense and specic examination.
· Exam questions: related but not limited to the dissertation.

16. What is the Ph.D.?
Finally

17. Section 3
The admission process

18. The admission process
• Admission deadlines: December.
• Admission criteria.
1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
3. Recommendation letters (3).
4. Mathematical preparation.
5. Research experience.
6. Transcript.
7. Statement of purpose.
8. Writing sample.
9. Personal history statement.

19. The admission process
The GRE
• Examination with 3 sections.
1. Quantitative resoning (important) : 167+/170
2. Verbal reasoning (less important) : 150+/170
3. Analytical writing (less important) : 4.0+/6.0
• Ressources:
· Manhattan 5lb. book.
· ETS ocial guide.
• Useful tips:
1. Take the exam one year in advance.
2. Take the exam in late August and prepare during the summer.

20. The admission process
The TOEFL
• Examination with 4 sections: 100+/120
1. Reading
2. Listening
3. Speaking
4. Writing
• Ressources:
· Notefull.
• Useful tips:
1. Do not stress yourself with this test.
2. Do the exam 2 or 3 months before the deadlines.
3. Devote 2 to 4 weeks to the preparation.

21. The admission process
Letters of recommendation
• By far the most important part of your application process.
• Target teachers who will skillfully testify about your academic
and research skills.
· Thesis supervisor.
· Academic performance.
· Research assistant.
· Teaching assistant.

22. The admission process
Mathematical preparation
• Take as many mathematics courses as possible in a
mathematics department (through CREPUQ).
· Real analysis.
· Multivariate calculus.
· Linear algebra.
· Statistics.
· Probability.
· Dierential equations.
• In case you can only choose one course among these, take real
analysis.

23. The admission process
Research experience
• Your responsibility: take initiative and oer help to professors!

24. The admission process
Transcript
• Study regularly and take advantage of oce hours!

25. The admission process
Additional documents
• Statement of purpose: nd professors and friends to proof read
what you write, and think academic.
• Writing sample: send your master's thesis or any other well
written project.
• Personal history statement: write about your personal
experiences, background, hardships, etc..

26. Section 4
The path to follow

27. The path to follow
• Two possible paths.
1. Last year of the bachelor's degree.
2. First year of the master's degree.

28. The path to follow
Path 1
• Timeline:
1. 5th sem. of the B.B.A.: master's scholarships (SSHRC
FRQSC).
2. 6th sem. of the B.B.A.: mathematics courses.
3. Post-grad. summer: GRE and nding RA or TA positions.
4. 1st sem. of the M.Sc.: master's scholarships (SSHRC
FRQSC) in case you didn't get one or any of the two.
5. 2nd sem. of the M.Sc.: start thinking about letters of
recommendation.
6. 3rd sem. of the M.Sc.: real analysis.
7. 4th sem. of the M.Sc.:
· Doctoral fellowships (SSHRC FRQSC).
· TOEFL.
· Statement of purpose.
· Writing sample.
· Personal history statement.

29. The path to follow
Path 2
• Timeline:
1. 1st sem. of the M.Sc.: master's scholarships (SSHRC
FRQSC) and nding RA or TA positions.
2. 2nd sem. of the M.Sc.: start thinking about letters of
recommendation.
3. 3rd sem. of the M.Sc.: GRE and real analysis.
4. 4th sem. of the M.Sc.:
· Doctoral fellowships (SSHRC FRQSC).
· TOEFL.
· Statement of purpose.
· Writing sample.
· Personal history statement.