Admission Information - MA and PhD in Economics

MA and PhD in Economics

Graduate Application Requirements

The crucial requirement for admission is a history that demonstrates the applicant has the potential and desire for graduate study. All students must have completed a four year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) before beginning the program. In the portfolio approach to admission, the following factors are all considered:

Academic Credentials
GRE Scores
References
Personal/Interview
Work History
Potential for Leadership
TOEFL Scores

Academic Credentials

Copies of transcripts from every institution you have attended must be submitted with your application. Official transcripts should remain in their sealed envelopes and submitted with the application. In instances where an educational institution will not release transcripts directly to the student, they may be sent to the Graduate School, University of New Hampshire, Thompson Hall, 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824-3547. A grade point average (GPA) will be calculated based on academic coursework taken at all institutions you have attended.

GRE Scores

The GRE is required for admission to the MA and PhD in Economics programs. Candidates are considered competitive with scores in the mid-600's.

References

Three letters of recommendation must be submitted with your application. References should detail your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for academic and managerial success. Personal references are not recommended.

Interview

Interviews are not required for admission to the MA or the PhD in Economics programs, but may be requested by either the applicant or the admissions committee. An interview can be scheduled after submitting your application by contacting the Graduate Programs Office.

Personal Statement

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1.) reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives

2.) your specific research or professional interests and experience in this field

Work History

Work experience is recommended for applicants considering the Economics programs, but not required.

Potential for Leadership

An effective leader is an active listener as well as a dynamic speaker, a participant as well as an organizer, and a manager as well as an innovator. We believe leadership skills can be taught, but it takes a unique person to apply these skills. At the Whittemore School, you will have the opportunity to participate as a team member throughout your academic career. Your individual strengths and weaknesses will be balanced within your team and allow you to develop these skills. Obviously, leadership skills are difficult to measure. The admissions committee works to create a class that brings together many individuals from diverse backgrounds to create an atmosphere that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, computer literacy, international awareness, and creative reasoning.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The minimum TOEFL requirement is 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test. International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL scores less than two years old. While we have established minimum scores for admissions purposes, competitive applicants seeking financial aid from the Whittemore School, have on average, had TOEFL scores of 650 on the paper-based test and 280 on the computer-based test.