PhD Admissions
Thank you for your interest in the Georgetown University Ph.D. in Economics program. The Ph.D. program in Economics is a full-time program that admits students with outstanding analytical skills; a strong preparation in mathematics is essential for successful application. Undergraduate training in economics is desirable, but exceptions are made in cases of students with appropriate alternative backgrounds. Undergraduate training in statistics and multivariable calculus is required, plus superior performance on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical aptitude sections of the GRE. Students with previous training in economics are encouraged to take the economics achievement section of the GRE. Other admissions requirements include three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, academic statement of purpose, and application fee. An academic writing sample is not required for consideration to the program. The core courses in typical Ph.D. programs in economics, including Georgetown’s, are highly mathematical. The typical matriculate to the Georgetown Ph.D. program has a strong mathematics background and achieves above the 80th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE. Ideally, applicants should have completed three semesters of calculus and one semester each of linear algebra and differential equations.
The application deadline for admission to the program in the Fall 2025 is December 15, 2024.
Application Information
Applications
In order to apply to the Economics Program, you will need to complete the Economics Ph.D. Application administered through the Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions office.
Unfortunately, the Department will not offer an application fee waiver under any circumstance.
GRE Exam
Applicants must take the GRE exam as it is mandatory for your application to be considered. The GRE code for Georgetown University is 5244.
TOEFL/IELTS
All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency to be eligible for admission. Please note that citizenship does not determine English language proficiency. Proof of English language proficiency can be demonstrated by:
- the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction. The degree does not have to be earned by the time of application but will need to be conferred by the start of the semester to which the applicant is applying. (Please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the primary language of instruction at the institution is English.)
- submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet test). Many departments and programs require submission of a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (internet test) or higher.
- submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module score report with a minimum score of 7.0. Some departments and programs require submission of an IELTS score of 7.5.
The TOEFL code for Georgetown University is 5244.
Transcripts
Applicants are required to upload to the application system unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Review the unofficial transcript requirements for additional details and FAQs.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. If you would like to submit a fourth letter of recommendation you may send it to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions office via email. The Department can not guarantee the Admissions Committee will review all four letters of recommendation.
Department Graduate Fellowship
All applicants who wish to be considered for the fellowship should submit an additional personal statement (maximum 250 words) with their PhD application. For further information on the Fellowship please see this link.
Materials
Please send all application materials directly to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office. Please DO NOT send transcripts, letters of recommendation, copies of your GRE scores, or IELTS/TOEFL documentation to the Economics Department. The Department is not allowed to keep these materials nor are we allowed to forward these materials to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences on an applicant’s behalf, unless they are in a sealed envelope.
Contacts/Questions
For any programmatic related questions, please feel free to contact:
Julius J. Shapiro, Ph.D. Program Coordinator
Email: js3900@georgetown.edu
Phone: 202-687-5601
For any application-related questions, please contact the
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office
Phone: 202-687-5568
Email: gradmail@georgetown.edu
Please DO NOT send e-mail questions to individual faculty members. If you have any questions for Faculty members, please email Julius J. Shapiro, Ph.D. Program Coordinator instead.
Once again, thank you for your interest in Georgetown University’s Economics Ph.D. Program. We look forward to receiving your application.
Regards,
Julius J. Shapiro, Ph.D. Program Coordinator