Qualifications
Admission requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, preferably in economics. Students who did not major in economics should have taken at least intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, and two additional upper-division economics courses. Because of the quantitative nature of the first-year theory sequence, prior completion of at least one year of calculus is essential, and a course in linear algebra is highly desirable. Similarly, at least two courses in statistics, including an upper-division course, are very important as preparation for the econometrics courses. Also see the FAQ section about GRE requirements.
Minimum GPA requirement
Yes. The minimum overall GPA required for admission is 3.25 (on a 4-point scale).
Is an M.A. a prerequisite?
No, applicants can apply to the Ph.D. program if they have a bachelor's degree and if they meet the other admission requirements
Is an M.A. advantageous?
Not necessarily. What matters is how well the applicant’s application materials meet the admission requirements.
Minimum GRE score
Yes. Applicants with GRE verbal scores below the 60th percentile (30th percentile for non-native speakers of English), GRE quantitative scores below the 70th percentile, or a TOEFL score below 80 (counting all four sections of the iBT TOEFL exam) or below 600 (if paper-based TOEFL exam) will not be considered for admission.
GRE code for UC Davis
The GRE institution code for UC Davis is 4834 (a separate department code is no longer required).
GMAT instead of GRE?
No, GMAT scores are not acceptable as a substitute for the GRE exam.
Credit for work experience?
Typically not, since it is not relevant to the pursuit of the Ph.D. in Economics.
Can prereqs be skipped?
No. Prerequisites must be fulfilled.
Can prereqs be postponed?
No. These courses must be completed and the grades for them should be included on your transcripts when you apply for admission. UC Davis offers no "conditional admission."
Is GRE exam required?
The general GRE exam is firmly required of all applicants, even those who have already earned an M.A. degree. The subject GRE exam, however, is not required.
Where to take GRE exam
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement your undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study. The GRE exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the website of which contains information about the GRE.
How long GRE scores remain valid
If your GRE scores are less than five years old, they are still acceptable. If your GRE scores are five years old, or older, you must retake the GRE.
Submit GRE electronically
If you have contacted ETS and arranged for your test scores to be sent to the UC Davis institution code, that is all you need to do. Although submission of GRE scores electronically is preferred, official scores on paper printouts also are acceptable.
What are my chances?
Chances for selection depend on how each applicant's records compare with those of a great many other applicants. We cannot estimate an individual’s chances until all applications have been received and examined.
