English Language and Literature Ph.D.: 13.2%
History Ph.D.: 14%
*Statistics for NYU are based on the number of enrolled students and not the number of admitted students. Therefore, expect actual acceptance rates to be slightly higher.
Unfortunately, grad school admissions statistics tend to be more difficult to find than undergrad acceptance rates. But there are ways to search for them — you just have to do a lot of digging and possibly a little reaching out.
Below are our top four methods for finding grad school acceptance rates for the programs you’re applying to.
By far the most reliable resources for grad school admissions statistics are school websites.
Start your search by consulting program and departmental pages, particularly admissions and FAQ pages. Look out for any statistics-related keywords or phrases, such as “admission(s) rates,” “acceptance rates,” “enrollment,” “facts and figures,” etc. Use ctrl+F to move swiftly through large chunks of text.
Not all schools publish grad admissions information online, and those that do don’t always report it in the same way as others. For example, Princeton offers a handy PDF containing acceptance rates for all academic fields of study. On the other hand, Notre Dame gives separate admissions charts for each of its grad programs (which you can access by selecting a program and then clicking “Admissions Statistics”).
Additionally, many schools release admissions statistics without explicitly publishing acceptance rates. In this case, it’s your job to take the statistics provided and use them to calculate an acceptance rate. To find the acceptance rate of a school or program, you’ll need the following information:
The acceptance rate equals the total number of applicants offered admission divided by the total number of applicants and then multiplied by 100, or:
$$\acceptance \rate = {\number \of \applicants \offered \admission}/{\total \number \of \applicants}100$$
Be sure to avoid conflating the number of students who were offered admission with the number of students who accepted their offers of admission. These two concepts sound alike but are actually different. What you’re looking for is the first statistic — that is, the number of admitted students (regardless of whether they decided to enroll).
If you’re having trouble finding admissions statistics by browsing school websites, search on Google for “[Your School] graduate acceptance rate” and see if any relevant school pages appear. While searching for acceptance rates to use in the table above, I consistently swapped “acceptance rate” with similar phrases, such as “admission(s) rate,” “facts and figures,” “student statistics,” “admittance rates,” and “admission(s) statistics.”
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Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also use phrases like “Ph.D. admissions statistics” or “master’s admissions statistics” to narrow your search even further. Try to think outside the box as you do your research. What are other ways people talk about acceptance rates?
If your school or program doesn’t offer any admissions statistics on its website, go to U.S. News . This website offers official rankings of grad programs as well as lists of the most (and least) selective programs in various fields.
For example, I found a 2016 list of the most competitive online M.B.A. programs and a 2015 list of the most competitive online graduate engineering programs .
If U.S. News doesn’t offer any relevant lists for you to use, try skimming the current grad school rankings to gauge how competitive your program is compared with others in the same field.
One less reliable method for looking up grad school admissions statistics is to look for (unofficial) websites discussing acceptance rates for your school or program.
The Grad Cafe’s admissions results section is a solid place to start. Here, applicants post whether they’ve been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted for grad programs.
Search for your program to get a rough feel for how many acceptances and rejections go out each year. You might notice that certain types of applicants are more active than others. Creative Writing M.F.A. applicants, for example, are prolific posters in winter and spring (during admissions season).
Occasionally, Google itself will provide you with grad school acceptance rates, but this only appears to work consistently for well-known law schools, medical schools, and business schools.
Additionally, while using Google, don’t assume that any acceptance rates that pop up are directly connected to your search terms. For example, when I searched “stanford graduate acceptance rate,” Google gave me this result:
This 4.8 percent acceptance rate is not the acceptance rate for Stanford’s grad programs (what I searched for) but rather the acceptance rate for undergrads. So always cross-check any statistics Google gives you.
You can also consult grad school data websites such as Peterson’s and StartClass . Take their grad school acceptance rates with a grain of salt, though — their data isn’t always verifiable online. If possible, try to compare any data you find on these types of websites with the school websites themselves or U.S. News .
If the internet isn’t giving you the help you need, call or email your schools. Be polite but upfront: ask whether the school calculates acceptance rates for grad programs and where you can find this information online (if available).
If a school refuses to divulge admissions statistics or simply doesn’t report acceptance rates, see if they can give you estimates for how many applications they receive each year, or for how many acceptances they usually extend to applicants in your program.
By this point, you might be wondering how likely it is you’ll actually get into the grad program you wish to attend. After all, acceptance rates are pretty broad — they tell you what everyone’s odds are but not your odds specifically.
Below are three easy steps for determining your odds of getting into grad school, including advice on when it’s better to go for it or choose another program.
First, go to your program’s website and pinpoint the admissions requirements page. Now, ask yourself: do you meet all of the program’s basic requirements? If not, you’ll likely wind up with a rejection (and might not even be able to apply).
However, if you’re still interested in applying, contact the program and ask if they’ll make an exception for you. Your chance of getting accepted is still low, but you’ll at least have your application considered.
If your program strongly recommends qualities you lack, don’t interpret this as an automatic rejection. Sometimes, applicants can make up for deficiencies in other ways. For example, if your undergrad GPA is 3.1 and your program recommends applicants have a minimum 3.2, don’t write off the program — you might still have a shot at getting in as long as the rest of your application is solid.
On the other hand, even if you meet all of a program’s requirements, you’re not necessarily a shoo-in. Remember, all other applicants have met these requirements, too, so you’ll need to find a unique way to make your application stand out.
Your next step is to look up your program’s average GRE scores and GPA to see how your own scores and GPA compare with those of previously admitted applicants.
You can usually find GRE score information on admissions requirements or FAQ pages. You can also search on Google for “[Your School] [Your Program] average GRE scores.” For step-by-step instructions on how to find average GRE scores, check out my article on average GRE scores by school .
For GPAs, you can use the same basic methodology. Check admissions requirements and FAQ pages and use ctrl+F to search for “GPA.” If GPA information is available, you’ll most likely come across minimum GPAs or average GPAs (or both). For more tips on how to find GPA information for your grad schools, read our guide .
Now, compare your own GRE scores and GPA with the averages you’ve found. Below are all possible scenarios and what they mean for you and your odds of getting into the program:
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Now, we get to the final question: do you apply to the program or not? This is a vague question that’s difficult to answer as is. The real questions you should be asking yourself are as follows:
Although acceptance rates and GRE/GPA comparisons are helpful, don’t base your decision to apply solely on how difficult the program is to get into. We can’t know for sure what kind of applicant a grad program is looking for or who they’re willing to make an exception for.
Take a moment to think deeply about how interested you are in this particular program. Be realistic about your chances of getting in — but don’t cross the line into pessimism. If you don’t meet most or all of a program’s expectations and you’re not super invested in it, consider applying elsewhere.
But if you meet some, most, or all of a program’s expectations and you’re extremely interested in enrolling, give the application a go. Remember, it’s totally normal (and even encouraged) to have a few reach schools. Plus, you’ll never get in if you don’t apply!
Grad school acceptance rates quantify for us the selectivity of grad schools and programs. More specifically, acceptance rates tell us what percentage of applicants were offered admission to a particular grad school or program.
With grad school, acceptance rates are often reported for individual schools or programs, not entire universities. Acceptance rates can vary widely depending on program prestige, the type of degree you’re seeking, and how much (or how little) funding a program offers.
Unlike undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates are somewhat difficult to locate online. You can look for them using any of the following four methods:
When trying to determine your odds of getting into a program, look at your program’s requirements as well as the average GPA and GRE scores of previously admitted applicants to your program. If your GRE scores and GPA are comparable to those of your program, you have a decent shot at getting accepted. If one or both are lower than your program’s averages, however, you can always try to raise your GRE score with a retake or address your GPA in your statement of purpose.
At the end of the day, what ultimately matters isn’t that you get accepted to a highly competitive grad program but that you make the right decision for you and you alone!
Need help with your grad school application? Learn about the most common grad school requirements and get tips on how to write a grad school CV or resume !
Is your GPA good enough for grad school ? Read our in-depth guide to learn how you can make up for a less-than-stellar GPA and ultimately raise your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.
Do you have to take the GRE for grad school ? When are grad school deadlines ? Check out our guides for answers to these questions and more.
Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz
The Harvard Department of Economics has long tried to use scholarship to find answers to some of the world’s most pressing questions including the future of work, ending global poverty, and improving the environment. We believe nothing should limit the economist’s imagination.
You will be part of a program that includes people working in many fields, such as finance, economic history, behavioral economics, political economy, and many more. The program will prepare you for a productive and stimulating career as an economist. You will attend seminars given by top scholars from both domestic and international communities and you will have access to over 13 million books and pamphlets from 90 separate library units at Harvard.
Examples of student research include how investor base composition is an important determinant of bond price dynamics and capital allocation outcomes in response to aggregate credit cycle fluctuations, and the long-term effects that temporary upstream steel tariffs on US manufacturing have on downstream industries.
Graduates have secured academic positions at prestigious institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and Yale University. Others have gone on to careers at organizations like the International Monetary Fund, Vanguard, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Amazon.
Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Economics , and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Economics .
Applicants should have an understanding of economics and have taken at least some economics courses beyond the principles level. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their ability to do research by either having done research previously or via experience as a research assistant. In the latter instance, a letter from the supervisor indicating the ability to do research is critical.
A writing sample is required. It must be sole authored and no less than 15 pages.
The minimum level of mathematical preparation to be considered for admission includes calculus and linear algebra and demonstration of proficiency with mathematics. Increasingly, successful applicants will have taken more mathematics classes. In particular, most successful applicants now take real analysis, although that is not a requirement.
Not Accepted
GRE General: Required
Harvard has several PhD programs that may also be of interest to students who are considering applying to the PhD program in economics. These include Business Economics , Public Policy , and Health Policy . Many students in these programs have considerable overlap in their coursework with courses offered to PhD students in economics. Many also have dissertation committees that include faculty members of the economics department.
We encourage those with interest in any of those programs to also apply to those programs. The Department of Economics will make admissions decisions independently, so application to or admission to other programs will not adversely affect admissions decisions within the department. However, please note that if you choose to apply to additional programs, you can only submit three applications to Harvard Griffin GSAS during the course of your academic career.
The department arranges for campus visits for all admitted students and we cover a portion of the costs associated with these visits. We do not encourage visits prior to being admitted. Since the department receives an overwhelming number of applications, it’s simply more efficient to arrange meetings with faculty after students are accepted rather than before.
Theses & Dissertations for Economics
See list of Economics faculty
Questions about the program.
Are you considering applying to Economics PhD programs in 2024? If so, you must be aware of the fierce competition and ever-decreasing acceptance rates in this field. Economics continues to be a popular choice for individuals seeking advanced study and a promising career path. However, as the number of applicants continues to rise, the acceptance rates at top-tier universities seem to plummet. Gaining admission requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence your chances. It is crucial to make well-informed decisions throughout the application process to maximize your opportunities. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of economics PhD acceptance rates, providing you with valuable insights and guidance to help you determine if you stand a chance in this highly competitive landscape. Whether you are a recent graduate, a working professional looking to advance your career, or an aspiring economist searching for answers, stay tuned as we explore the trends, challenges, and strategies that may shape your journey toward a successful application.
Economics PhD programs are renowned for their competitive nature, attracting a broad pool of highly qualified candidates from around the globe. These programs are rigorous and demanding and seek to cultivate a deep understanding of complex economic phenomena and equip students with the tools necessary to conduct original research. Applicants often face intense competition with the number of available spots being significantly smaller than the pool of individuals seeking admission.
Economics PhD acceptance rates vary widely across institutions, but overall, they tend to be quite competitive. According to the National Science Foundation , the acceptance rate for doctoral programs in economics at top universities in the United States hovers around 10-15%.
Current trends in admissions reflect an increasing emphasis on quantitative skills and research experience . Applicants who have completed advanced coursework in mathematics or statistics, or who have substantive research experience, particularly if it has led to a publication, often have a competitive edge. There is also an increasing trend of students entering these programs with a master’s degree already in hand.
Another key trend is the growing internationalization of these programs. Universities are drawing applicants from across the globe, leading to an increasingly diverse cohort of doctoral students in economics. This trend not only reflects the global nature of economic challenges but also enriches the academic discourse within these programs.
When assessing your suitability for an economics PhD program, universities take into account numerous factors, among which your Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores and Grade Point Average (GPA) play a significant role. These quantitative measures offer admissions committees a snapshot of your academic abilities and potential for success in a rigorous program.
As a rule of thumb, competitive programs often expect a minimum GPA of 3.5 and high percentile GRE scores, particularly in the quantitative section. For instance, the Graduate School at Harvard University confirms that successful applicants to their economics PhD program typically score above the 95th percentile in the quantitative section of the GRE.
The PhD in economics at Berkeley states that recent admits have a major GPA of 3.8 or higher. Their quantitative GRE score is 165 or higher. Moreover, the school notes that students typically achieve A- grades or higher in intermediate-level theory courses such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Preference is given to those who have taken honors or mathematical track versions of these courses.
At Duke , students who matriculated in 2023 had a verbal GRE verbal score of 159, a quant score of 166, and a GPA of 3.6. Penn writes that admits have a GRE quant score that is 164 or higher.
Based on the data for the Department of Economics at Brown University, the acceptance rate for the class starting in 2020 was approximately 8%. This percentage was drawn from a pool of roughly 750 applications, out of which about 60 were admitted. However, this rate varied according to different GRE scores. Particularly, applicants with a GRE score below 165 had a significantly lower acceptance rate of about 4%.
Although Yale ‘s Department of Economics website explicitly states that there is no required minimum for GRE scores, it does provide insight into the average scores of admitted students in recent years: Verbal 159, Quantitative 165, and Analytical 4.2.
Despite these numbers, it is also important to note that these are not hard and fast rules. The American Economic Association emphasizes that strong letters of recommendation and relevant research experience can offset weaker areas in an application.
If your numbers fall below the threshold of economics PhD acceptance rates, some areas to potentially improve could be to retake the GRE after thorough preparation, undertake additional coursework to boost your GPA or gain relevant research experience to strengthen your overall application.
When applying for PhD programs in Economics, many applicants believe that holding a master’s degree can have a significant impact on their admission chances. This belief stems from the notion that a master’s degree provides a valuable platform for producing high-quality research, which is highly regarded by admissions committees. Demonstrating the ability to contribute to the field is a primary expectation of PhD programs, and a master’s degree can serve as evidence of this capability.
Moreover, a master’s degree can also be seen as offering opportunities for obtaining strong recommendation letters from professors who can attest to the applicant’s readiness for rigorous doctoral study and therefore enhance the admission chances of master’s degree holders applying to economics PhD programs.
While this can be true, the reality is not as straightforward. According to data from the Council of Graduate Schools, there is not a direct correlation between holding a master’s degree and an increased likelihood of PhD acceptance. While a master’s degree can provide students with a deeper understanding of the field and advanced research skills, these benefits do not necessarily guarantee an edge in the highly competitive PhD application process.
Universities carefully assess each application in a comprehensive manner, taking into account various factors including academic accomplishments, research background, letters of recommendation , and personal statements. This suggests that by 2024, possessing solely a master’s degree may not significantly enhance the likelihood of being admitted to a PhD program .
Ultimately, prospective PhD applicants in 2024 should focus on building a robust profile encompassing strong academic records, relevant research experience, and compelling personal narratives, rather than relying solely on a master’s degree for admission.
Acceptance rates vary from year to year, reflecting changes in the academic landscape and student preferences. Some of the most competitive universities, such as Harvard and MIT, demonstrate consistently low acceptance rates due to the large number of high-caliber applicants they attract annually.
For example, Harvard’s economics PhD program has historically accepted around 5% of its applicants, a figure that’s remained relatively stable over the past decade. On the other hand, smaller or less renowned institutions might exhibit higher acceptance rates. For instance, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an acceptance rate of about 40%, driven by its smaller applicant pool.
However, while these figures indicate the competitiveness of these programs, they don’t necessarily reflect the overall quality of education or the potential outcomes for graduates. Therefore, when contemplating the pursuit of a PhD program in economics, it is imperative to go beyond mere acceptance rates and take into account other significant factors that bear influence.
Gaining a depth of research experience and strong letters of recommendation are crucial aspects that can significantly enhance your PhD application, making you stand out in the increasingly competitive landscape of 2024.
For research experience, consider engaging in projects that align with your intended field of study. This could be undergraduate research, independent studies, or working as a research assistant. Being credited on a published paper can provide a significant boost, but it’s not solely about the volume of research conducted. The depth and quality of your work are equally important. Your research should also demonstrate your ability to think critically about research problems, develop hypotheses, design experiments, and draw compelling conclusions.
When it comes to recommendations, choose professors or supervisors who know you well and can speak to your skills and potential as a researcher. A glowing letter from a professor who has worked closely with you can carry more weight than a lukewarm letter from a big name.
To bolster your application and distinguish yourself from other candidates in the economics PhD acceptance rates, consider emphasizing your unique skill sets and experiences. For instance, showcasing proficiency in technical skills such as statistical analysis software (like STATA, R, or Python) or mathematical modeling can demonstrate your readiness to engage in high-level economic research.
If you have a specific area of interest, such as labor economics or development economics, aligning your research experience, coursework, or future research goals with this specialization can also make your application more compelling.
Furthermore, articulating a clear, thoughtful, and original research proposal in your statement of purpose can significantly enhance your application. This proposal, ideally aligned with the research interests of faculty members at the institution you’re applying to, indicates your potential to contribute significantly to the field.
Lastly, consider undertaking professional experiences that align with your academic pursuits. For example, internships at economic research firms, governmental agencies, or industry positions that require a strong foundation in economics can demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context.
Remember, a PhD in economics is not just an academic endeavor, but a platform for impacting economic thought and policy, so any evidence of your ability to contribute in this way can strengthen your application.
Often, the domain of Economics PhD admissions is shrouded in myths and misconceptions that can cloud the judgment of aspiring scholars. One such myth is the belief that a flawless academic record is the sole determinant of success. While a strong academic standing is undeniably important, admissions committees also place significant emphasis on research experience, recommendation letters, and a well-articulated statement of purpose that presents a clear vision of your research interests and goals.
Another pervasive myth is that applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in economics to be considered for admission. The truth is that many programs welcome candidates with diverse undergraduate backgrounds, valuing the unique perspectives and skills they bring.
Similarly, it is a common misconception that applicants must have extensive mathematical training. Although a basic understanding of calculus, statistics, and linear algebra is required, most programs do not expect applicants to be math wizards.
Lastly, there is a mistaken notion that gaining admission to top-tier programs is impossible without prior connections or a pedigree. In reality, admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of an applicant’s profile, not their connections or pedigree. It’s important to dispel these myths and understand the true nature of the admissions process to successfully navigate your way to a fruitful academic journey in economics.
While it is certainly understandable to aspire to attend top-tier universities for your PhD in economics, it is equally important to recognize the potential benefits that less prestigious programs can offer.
Firstly, a less renowned program may provide a more intimate and supportive learning environment, allowing for closer mentorship and more individualized attention from professors. This can greatly enhance your learning experience and research progression.
Secondly, these programs might present more opportunities for you to lead or initiate research projects, as competition might be less intense compared to top-tier institutions. Such experiences can be invaluable in building your academic portfolio.
Lastly, less prestigious programs often harbor unique strengths or niche specializations that may align better with your research interests. These programs could provide you with unique perspectives and experiences that can make your research more distinctive. Therefore, rather than considering admission into a less prestigious school as a setback, view it as an opportunity to carve your unique path in the field of economics.
It is essential to remember that a successful application to PhD programs in economics is not a product of rushed decisions or last-minute efforts. Instead, it is the result of meticulous planning, punctual execution, and thoughtful decision-making carried out well ahead of time. Initiating your application process early will afford you ample time to undertake in-depth research about various programs, understand their requirements, and tailor your application to best demonstrate your suitability. This practice can significantly boost your chances of admission by allowing you to present a well-rounded and thoughtfully curated application that reflects a sincere interest in the program and a clear understanding of its demands.
Furthermore, reaching out to mentors, alumni, or current students for their insights can be incredibly beneficial. Their firsthand experiences and perspectives can offer invaluable advice, expose you to different viewpoints, and help you avoid potential pitfalls.
By taking your time, starting early, and seeking input from others, you can significantly enhance your probability of securing admission to your desired PhD economics program.
In conclusion, the future of economics PhD programs is a competitive and rapidly evolving landscape. With an increasing number of applicants and declining acceptance rates, it is crucial to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and strategies to stand out among the sea of applicants. From understanding the trends in acceptance rates to making informed decisions throughout the application process, these key insights can make all the difference in your journey toward a successful admission. As you consider your options for applying to economics PhD programs in 2024, remember that preparation is key. Don’t let the thought of intense competition discourage you; instead, use it as motivation to put your best foot forward and take advantage of every opportunity. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or seeking professional guidance, be sure to check out our comprehensive PhD application services. We are here to support you on your path toward achieving your academic and career goals in the field of economics. So don’t waste any time, take charge of your future today! Have questions? Sign up for a consultation . It’s FREE!
With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Philippe Barr is a former professor and assistant director of MBA admissions at Kenan-Flagler Business School. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple MBA programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .
Follow Dr. Barr on YouTub e for tips and tricks on navigating the MBA application process and life as an MBA student.
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By cclangdell August 7, 2009 in Applications
This is what I have found thus far from the open sources on the web.
Is there anyone who can fill in the blanks below?
I'm piling up Harvard's acceptance rates, partly for fun, partly for curiosity.
Just acceptance rates, please. (I know there are so many deeper issues than the rates, but, please. Rates.)
Harvard University - acceptance rates
English (PhD) - 2%
Clinical Psychology (PhD) - 2%
Medical School (MD) - 4.7%
Kennedy School (PhD) - 4.7%
Psychology (PhD, General)- 5%
Sociology (PhD) - 5%
Linguistics (PhD) - 5%
Philosophy (PhD) - 5%
Economics (PhD) - 5.7%
Business School (DBA, PhD) - 6.5%
College (AB, SB) - 7.1%
History (PhD) - 7.5%
Public Health (DSc) - 8%
Education School (EdD) - 8.9%
Political Science (PhD) - 9.2%
Divinity School (ThD) - 9.5%
Statistics (PhD) - 10%
Law School (JD) - 13%
Physics (PhD) - 13%
Business School (MBA) - 13.5%
Near Eastern Studies (PhD) - 15%
East Asian Studies (PhD) - 15%
Statistics (AM) - 25%
Divinity School (MDiv, MTS) - 27%
Kennedy School (MPP/MPA, etc.) - 35%
Kennedy School (MCMPA) - 50%
Education School (EdM) - 55%
East Asian Studies (AM) - 60%
Law School (SJD) - N/A (chosen from LLM)
Architecture (MArch) -
Architecture (DDes) -
Computer Science (PhD) -
Russian Literature (PhD) -
Biology (PhD) -
Chemistry (PhD) -
Mathematics (PhD) -
Dental School (DMD) -
* These rates are obtained from, and thus verifiable at, various internet websites.
Share on other sites.
Cute, but not particularly useful until you cite your actual sources.
Well, you can easily look up the numbers when you google with several key words. Also the majority of them are already up on their degree programs websites such as http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of ... ograms.php
Is there anyone who wants to (or can) add to the list?
those numbers seem to be pretty standard. i bet you'd get a 2% acceptance rate and any top English program, be it harvard or not.
The misleading thing is, for the most part you compete against people only in your subfield. so between 30 applicants who want to study the same thing--they'll take only 1 or 2.
For the most competitive programs, the numbers might also be somewhat misleading because the sample size is so small, and there are so many factors that can affect the results. I know that Harvard English made far fewer offers this spring than usual, in part because far more students from the previous year accepted the offer than they had anticipated, so they cut the cohort size the next year to compensate. The acceptance rates--especially for those programs that matriculate fewer than 15 students a year--can vary widely, and can double or drop in half from year to year.
Top English programs tend to accept anywhere between 2-10% of their applicants (2-5% is more common). In reality, however, many applicants at these top programs really don't have much of a chance to begin with. Rather than a pool of 500, a strong applicant is really competing with, say, perhaps 100 well qualified peers for 10-25 offers. And as others have noted, the situation is even more complicated since at some programs (some, not all!) you're actually competing for certain fields and/or topics. It's pretty absymal, but not *quite* as bad as it seems.
"Fit," however, does make a huge difference. One ivy league English program did not accept *any* student who worked in either of two fields last year. Any applicant in those fields who paid close attention to the faculty list probably would not have applied in the first place, since this school was no longer a strong place for it, but a less observant student who was applying blindly to all the Ivy's wouldn't have stood a chance.
Is there any chance you remember where you got the statistics for the Kennedy School? They are not published online. From what Kennedy's admission committee suggests, its admission rate for its MPP program is 20%, for their MPA 25%, and for their PhD (Government/Public Policy) 7%.
I remember their old official website (when it was KSG, not the current HKS) clearly stated in the FAQ section that the average acceptance rate for their master's programs is about 1/3 (confirmed by various websites), and the doctoral program less than 5%. Government/Public Policy PhD is a GSAS program, I believe, which I labeled as Political Science in the original post. The exact rates for every year will be fluctuating slightly around the average. I'm pretty sure about KSG's rates.
i think the information up there is quite reliable. I heard from the admission director of the Kennedy School that their acceptance rate for the PhD program has been lower than 5% for the past several years.
Engineering is 15% over all disciplines
Engineering Majors (PhD) - 15+%
The acceptance rate for Harvard is actually 4.1% if I am to believe the Admission Committee.
Harvard University - acceptance rates English (PhD) - 2% Clinical Psychology (PhD) - 2% Medical School (MD) - 4.7% Kennedy School (PhD) - 4.7% Psychology (PhD, General)- 5% Sociology (PhD) - 5% Linguistics (PhD) - 5% Philosophy (PhD) - 5% Economics (PhD) - 5.7% Business School (DBA, PhD) - 6.5% College (AB, SB) - 7.1% History (PhD) - 7.5% Public Health (DSc) - 8% Education School (EdD) - 8.9% Political Science (PhD) - 9.2% Divinity School (ThD) - 9.5% Statistics (PhD) - 10% Law School (JD) - 13% Physics (PhD) - 13% Business School (MBA) - 13.5% Near Eastern Studies (PhD) - 15% East Asian Studies (PhD) - 15% Engineering Majors (PhD) - 15+% Statistics (AM) - 25% Divinity School (MDiv, MTS) - 27% Kennedy School (MPP/MPA, etc.) - 35% Kennedy School (MCMPA) - 50% Education School (EdM) - 55% East Asian Studies (AM) - 60% Law School (SJD) - N/A (chosen from LLM) Architecture (MArch) - Architecture (DDes) - Computer Science (PhD) - Russian Literature (PhD) - Biology (PhD) - Chemistry (PhD) - Mathematics (PhD) - Dental School (DMD) -
could you add Musicology to the list?
It's a tiny field, but extremely competitive -- all 4,000 or so of us in the entire USA want to get into Harvard or Princeton or Stanford, each of which accepts about 3 persons per year. I'd like to extrapolate from the %-accepted how many people actually apply.
This is what I have found thus far from the open sources on the web. Is there anyone who can fill in the blanks below? I'm piling up Harvard's acceptance rates, partly for fun, partly for curiosity. Just acceptance rates, please. (I know there are so many deeper issues than the rates, but, please. Rates.) Harvard University - acceptance rates English (PhD) - 2% Clinical Psychology (PhD) - 2% Medical School (MD) - 4.7% Kennedy School (PhD) - 4.7% Psychology (PhD, General)- 5% Sociology (PhD) - 5% Linguistics (PhD) - 5% Philosophy (PhD) - 5% Economics (PhD) - 5.7% Business School (DBA, PhD) - 6.5% College (AB, SB) - 7.1% History (PhD) - 7.5% Public Health (DSc) - 8% Education School (EdD) - 8.9% Political Science (PhD) - 9.2% Divinity School (ThD) - 9.5% Statistics (PhD) - 10% Law School (JD) - 13% Physics (PhD) - 13% Business School (MBA) - 13.5% Near Eastern Studies (PhD) - 15% East Asian Studies (PhD) - 15% Statistics (AM) - 25% Divinity School (MDiv, MTS) - 27% Kennedy School (MPP/MPA, etc.) - 35% Kennedy School (MCMPA) - 50% Education School (EdM) - 55% East Asian Studies (AM) - 60% Law School (SJD) - N/A (chosen from LLM) Architecture (MArch) - Architecture (DDes) - Computer Science (PhD) - Russian Literature (PhD) - Biology (PhD) - Chemistry (PhD) - Mathematics (PhD) - Dental School (DMD) - * These rates are obtained from, and thus verifiable at, various internet websites.
My field is the highest. Is it good news?...
According to the Harvard Crimson in April 2010, the Kennedy School MPP program had an acceptance rate of just under 20% for the class that entered in Fall of 2010. As for who gets funding, that's where the real competition comes in. With financial aide at the Kennedy School it is either feast or famine.
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/4/15/kennedy-percent-school-number/
English (PhD) - 2% Clinical Psychology (PhD) - 2% Medical School (MD) - 4.7% Kennedy School (PhD) - 4.7% Psychology (PhD, General)- 5% Sociology (PhD) - 5% Linguistics (PhD) - 5% Philosophy (PhD) - 5% Economics (PhD) - 5.7% Business School (DBA, PhD) - 6.5% College (AB, SB) - 7.1% History (PhD) - 7.5% Public Health (DSc) - 8% Education School (EdD) - 8.9% Political Science (PhD) - 9.2% Divinity School (ThD) - 9.5% Statistics (PhD) - 10% Law School (JD) - 13% Physics (PhD) - 13% Business School (MBA) - 13.5% Near Eastern Studies (PhD) - 15% East Asian Studies (PhD) - 15% Engineering Majors (PhD) - 15+% Statistics (AM) - 25% Divinity School (MDiv, MTS) - 27% Kennedy School (MPP/MPA, etc.) - 35% Kennedy School (MCMPA) - 50% Education School (EdM) - 55% East Asian Studies (AM) - 60% Law School (SJD) - N/A (chosen from LLM) Architecture (MArch) - Architecture (DDes) - Computer Science (PhD) - Russian Literature (PhD) - Biology (PhD) - Chemistry (PhD) - Mathematics (PhD) - Dental School (DMD) -
Pretty sure that this is bogus. Where does this data comes from? For instance, how were you able to find the admissions rate for these GSAS programs? As an example, I tried looking at East Asian Studies (masters and PhD) and found nothing online, not even a suggestion.
Pretty sure that this is bogus. Where does this data comes from?
Not to be a pain, but I always wonder what it means to say that Harvard's acceptance rate is 5% and, say, the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople accepts 25% of applicants ...
I mean, uh, ..., by extrapolation, does anyone really think that 1/5 of U-SND-H applicants would be admitted into Harvard if they chose to apply there? The whole thing seems misleading at the very least.
Not to be a pain, but I always wonder what it means to say that Harvard's acceptance rate is 5% and, say, the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople accepts 25% of applicants ... I mean, uh, ..., by extrapolation, does anyone really think that 1/5 of U-SND-H applicants would be admitted into Harvard if they chose to apply there? The whole thing seems misleading at the very least.
What? I don't see the correlation between the two at all.
That's my point. There's no correlation. Thus the statistic "Harvard accepts 5% of applicants in x field, while U-SND-H accepts 25% of applicants in the same field" is all-but totally meaningless.
Unless I'm missing something. If I am, please enlighten me. I've wondered what this "percentage of applicants accepted" statistic means, for decades.
The only use I can see is in the service of the universities' marketing strategies. For example, U-SND-H may publish a statistic like that as a means of saying, "You have a shot here, give us a good look" ... while Harvard may use the statistic to say, "Don't even bother unless you're REALLY well qualified, and maybe not even then."
That's how I see it, but is there something I don't see? Honest question. I'm trying to understand this, and why it even matters to anybody.
That's my point. There's no correlation. Thus the statistic "Harvard accepts 5% of applicants in x field, while U-SND-H accepts 25% of applicants in the same field" is all-but totally meaningless. Unless I'm missing something. If I am, please enlighten me. I've wondered what this "percentage of applicants accepted" statistic means, for decades. The only use I can see is in the service of the universities' marketing strategies. For example, U-SND-H may publish a statistic like that as a means of saying, "You have a shot here, give us a good look" ... while Harvard may use the statistic to say, "Don't even bother unless you're REALLY well qualified, and maybe not even then." That's how I see it, but is there something I don't see? Honest question. I'm trying to understand this, and why it even matters to anybody. [/quote/] Think of it in terms of applicant pool. Not sure what real numbers would be, but hypothetically, I can see that Harvard might get more applicants than say U-SND-H....obviously a lot of applicants are looking for prestige, and apply to Harvard (or some place similar) as a long shot just to do it. So, if there are say 10 slots in each program, and 200 Harvard applicants, that would be 5% of applicants getting admitted. But for U-SND-H, say there are also 10 slots open but only 40 applicants - hence 25% admitted. This is a very crude representation, but its 'misleading' because some schools might not explicitly explain the nature of their stats. Its really comparing apples to oranges. Look back at the degree areas with high acceptance rates. They are probably the areas with the least amount of applicants, thus increasing the odds. So yes, the numbers do mean something, it does allow students a snap shot into how competitive admission is to school X. But you can't really make direct comparisons.
does anyone have any knowledge about the admission rate for the film and visual studies program at harvard?
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Students in the program are expected to master graduate-level microeconomic theory and econometrics. In addition, they are expected to devote substantial time to mastering one additional complementary discipline, such as psychology, sociology, or political science, and developing expertise in research methodologies suited to their particular interests, such as qualitative analysis, designing effective fieldwork, and analysis of survey data.
Students in the Strategy doctoral program work closely with faculty in the Strategy Unit. In addition to the doctoral program in Strategy, the Strategy unit offers a program in Business Economics , which is designed to attract students interested in pursuing research using a purely economics-based methodology.
Our programs are full-time degree programs which officially begin in August. Students are expected to complete their program in five years. Typically, the first two years are spent on coursework, at the end of which students take a field exam, and then another three years on dissertation research and writing.
The program requires a minimum of 13 semester long doctoral courses. Students in the Strategy program complete courses in the areas of business management theory, economic theory, quantitative research methods, academic field seminars, and two MBA elective curriculum courses. In addition to HBS courses, students may take courses at other Harvard Schools and MIT.
Students in strategy begin research in their first year typically by working with a faculty member. By their third and fourth years, most students are launched on a solid research and publication stream. The dissertation may take the form of three publishable papers or one longer dissertation.
Examples of thesis research include: the relationship between non-market experience and the use and outcome of patent strategies by pharmaceutical firms; the antecedents and consequences of corporate strategy decision-making, specifically focusing on divestitures and governance; the impact of religion on individual financial choices and institutional structures; innovation in emerging markets; and the causal effect of incentive policy reform, expatriates and social relationships on innovation.
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Recent placement, innessa colaiacovo, 2024, f. christopher eaglin, 2022, j. yo-jud cheng, 2019, laura katsnelson, 2024, young hou, 2021, do yoon kim, 2019, nataliya langburd wright, 2023, hyunjin kim, 2020.
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Admissions & Financial Support; ... As a Business Economics PhD student, you will take courses alongside your peers in the Department of Economics, studying microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, econometrics, and other specialized topics. ... Harvard Business School, Post-Doctoral fellow (2018-2019), Federal ...
The Business Economics PhD program is offered jointly with the Economics Department at Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Harvard Business School. This PhD program trains you for research and teaching careers at business schools, discipline departments, and governmental agencies.
These include Business Economics, Political Economy and Government, Public Policy, and Health Policy. ... This program is not considered part of the admissions process for the economics PhD at Duke, Harvard, MIT, or Stanford nor will any student's participation in the EMP be considered by the graduate admissions committee at any school.
Two one-term courses in microeconomic theory (Econ 2010 a, b) are required.; Two one-term courses in macroeconomics theory (Econ 2010 c, d) are required.; Two one-term courses in graduate quantitative methods (Econ 2110 and 2120) or a more advanced course in econometrics are required.; One additional one-term graduate level economics course is required. This course should be chosen to help ...
GMAT & GRE. All applicants are required to take either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The admissions committee does not have a preference in tests. There is no minimum test score requirement, but typically successful applicants score in the 80th percentile or higher.
As a Business Economics PhD student, you will take courses alongside your peers in the Department of Economics, studying microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, econometrics, and other specialized topics. In addition, your doctoral coursework and two MBA courses at HBS deepen your theoretical knowledge and ...
The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.
Jointly administered by HBS and the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, students in the program are both economics and business school students, receiving the benefits of a PhD from Harvard's world-class Economics Department along with specialized access to HBS faculty and resources. The program combines theoretical ...
The Dissertation. The student selects a faculty dissertation committee consisting of three members of the Harvard faculty, one of whom must be a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (and one must be from the Business School). Under the dissertation committee's advisorship, the student will proceed to complete the dissertation research.
Harvard University is ranked No. 6 out of 124 in Best Business Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. How we rank schools. #6 ...
Harvard, federal and outside scholarships. $64,500. Student term-time work expectation. $2,750. Parent contribution. $13,000. Student asset contribution. $350. Harvard welcomes students from across the country and all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and far-ranging talents and interests.
The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) prepares students to effect powerful change rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomics theory, management, research methods, and statistics.
Graduate The doctoral program in Economics at Harvard University is one of the leading programs in the world. Supported by a diverse group of faculty who are top researchers in their fields and fueled by a vast array of resources, the PhD program is structured to train and nurture students to become leading economists in academia, government agencies, the technology industry, finance and ...
Worried about graduate school acceptance rates? We explain how to find grad school admissions statistics and what they mean for you. ... Harvard: Business School: 10.7% (2015) John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences: ... 13% (2016) NYU: Stern School of Business (2014-17)* Accounting Ph.D.: 2.1% Economics Ph.D.: 2% Marketing ...
It's also competitive because people can be qualified to apply to an economics PhD from many quantitative backgrounds. So, you are also competing against engineers, math majors, physics majors, computer science majors, really any field with super high math requirements since economics is just applied math. Reply reply.
Harvard has several PhD programs that may also be of interest to students who are considering applying to the PhD program in economics. These include Business Economics, Public Policy, and Health Policy. Many students in these programs have considerable overlap in their coursework with courses offered to PhD students in economics.
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R1 means a research-intensive school in which faculty usually teach 2 courses per semester, and the focus of the faculty is on publishing academic articles. There were various other classes. For R1, think Harvard, Berkeley, Chicago, Wash U in St. Louis, Vanderbilt, Duke, etc.
Penn writes that admits have a GRE quant score that is 164 or higher. Based on the data for the Department of Economics at Brown University, the acceptance rate for the class starting in 2020 was approximately 8%. This percentage was drawn from a pool of roughly 750 applications, out of which about 60 were admitted.
Philosophy (PhD) - 5%. Economics (PhD) - 5.7%. Business School (DBA, PhD) - 6.5%. College (AB, SB) - 7.1%. History (PhD) - 7.5%. Public Health (DSc) - 8%. Education School (EdD) - 8.9%. ... I'm piling up Harvard's acceptance rates, partly for fun, partly for curiosity. Just acceptance rates, please. (I know there are so many deeper issues than ...
Business scholars at Harvard Business School investigate a wide range of topics and pursue questions relating to management, markets, finance, and organizations. Our doctoral students benefit from resources that are unmatched by any other school, including access to first-class research facilities, a generous fellowship and living stipend, and ...
ADMIN MOD. Am I wasting my time applying to Harvard? I'm applying to Economics PhD programs rn and planning on applying to Harvard as a "stretch school" but have a feeling it's a waste of time. Here's what we're working with: Graduated from Virginia Tech with Math and Econ double major. GPA: 3.68. GRE: 170 quant, 162 verb, 3.0 writing.
The doctoral program in Strategy encourages students to pursue multi-disciplinary research that utilizes multiple methodologies—quantitative, as well as qualitative—to study how companies and industries around the world develop and sustain competitive advantage. Students in the program are expected to master graduate-level microeconomic ...