How to Apply | Cost of Study & Financial Aid | Frequently Asked Questions | For More Info | Graduate School Online Application
Q The on-line status check shows that you have not received my transcripts even though I mailed them several weeks ago. Why not?
A One person is responsible for opening and organizing all mailed materials and then updating the checklists by hand. This takes time. For materials sent by the December 15 deadline, we hope to have the checklists up to date by mid-January.
Q What are the course work requirements for your program?
A Applicants should have taken intermediate level micro- and macroeconomics, statistics or econometrics, calculus and some linear algebra. In unusual circumstances, an applicant may be admitted with deficiencies and may make up course work, but unless the courses are taken in the summer before study at Wisconsin begins the student will need to add time to her/his program.
Q What is the pass-rate for your microeconomic theory preliminary exam?
A The average pass rate has been around 85% over the past decade or so. Currently, students who get grades of B or better in the Ph.D. level microeconomic theory courses can elect not to sit for the prelim exam.
Q How is your program ranked?
A There are many rankings, with Wisconsin consistently placing in the top five to ten programs, nationally. Here is a recent one: http://academicanalytics.org/TopSocBehav2006-07.html.
Q Is there a minimum grade point average or test score required for admission?
A The Graduate School requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for admission. Average grades and GRE scores of recently admitted students appear above. The admissions committee looks for a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper exam) or 250 (computer exam).
Q What are the institution and department codes I should give to ETS so that my GRE or TOEFL scores will come to you?
A The institution code for UW-Madison is 1846. There is no code for agricultural economics, and you don't need to list one because our Graduate School will obtain scores electronically and load them into an applicant database accessible by any department.
Q I am an international student with a Master's degree from a U.S. university. Do I need to submit the TOEFL score?
A No. Your U.S. studies exempt you from this requirement.
Q Can my application materials arrive in your office in several separate envelopes, or do I need to assemble everything and send it to you in a complete packet?
A Materials can arrive separately over a period of time or be included in one packet. Items are kept and a file is created when the application form is received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to assure that all materials arrive by the deadline.
Q How many sets of transcripts should I send? Your web site says to send two sets and the Graduate School does not specify.
A Please send two sets of transcripts. One is used later by the Graduate School to certify admissability.
Q Is there a form for letters of recommendation?
A Referees should follow the instructions at the electronic submission web site: http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/elorinstructions.html. No special form is required.
Q Is there a separate application form for students wishing to be considered for fellowships and assistantships?
A No. We review all applications which are complete by the December 15 and February1 deadlines for financial aid.
Q I cannot remember the titles of my math and economics textbooks needed for the course inventory form you require. What should I do?
A Try to recall the author's name or give us some indication of the level at which the course was being taught (introductory, intermediate, advanced).
Q Do you admit students for the spring semester?
A Generally not. Courses are sequenced such that students entering in the spring will lose a semester or two. Also, financial aid decisions are made in February for the cohort of students entering in the fall. There is rarely new funding available for students entering in the spring semester.
Q Can I apply to the Ph.D. program with only a bachelor's degree?
A Yes. Students who do not have a Master's degree will take Master's-level courses in their first year, followed by PhD-level courses in the second year. See: http://www.aae.wisc.edu/students/current/grad/bluebook/regulations/index.asp for more details.
Q I'm not yet certain if I want a Ph.D. If I apply to the Master's program, can I later apply to go on for a Ph.D.?
A Yes. You can apply at the end of your first year of study.
Q Can I apply to both the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Economics? What is needed to do so?
A Yes. Simply submit a complete set of application materials to both the Department of Economics (see www.econ.wisc.edu for details) and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. The application fee required by the Graduate School should be sent there directly. Only one application fee is required if you are applying to more than one department.
Q I can’t afford the application fee – can I apply for a fee waiver?
A
No. Our Graduate School does not grant fee waivers. Students must submit
the application fee before the department will be able to review their
application for admission. See https://www.gradsch.wisc.edu/eapp/instructions.pl?appid=&checkno=&submit=update#feegrants
for more details.
Q I am an international student and cannot attend your university without receiving full financial support. Can you tell me how many international students you fund?
A We understand that many international students need full support in order to meet the financial requirements of the university. About half of the entering cohort each year are international students who have received funding from the department.
Q What is your acceptance rate?
A We don't have a "quota," but each year we receive about 150 applications. Of those, we admit 35-40 and we offer funding to 7-10.
Q What is the size of your entering class?
A About 12-15. We have about 50 students in the graduate program.
Q When will I hear from the admissions committee about my application and financial aid?
A Admissions decisions are made after all files are reviewed in February. Financial aid decisions are also made at that time, but some applicants may receive financial aid offers later in the spring as new sources of funding become available. You may also check your status on-line by referring to the web page sent you in an email from the Graduate School after your application was received.
Q Should I contact individual faculty to speak with them about my research interests in order to be considered for funding?
A No. Faculty wishing to fund a new graduate student are given files of appropriate candidates to review. Therefore, it is important for students to be specific about their research interests in their statement of purpose.
