To apply, you must complete the University Graduate School’s online application. You must provide the following information in the online application:

• Statement of Purpose:

  A written statement (1-2 standard printed pages) outlining your goals and interest in pursuing graduate study at Indiana University must be included with your online application.

• Current Resume:

  Please upload your most recent C.V. or resume in the online application.

• Departmental Questions:

  Applicants must include all coursework taken in Mathematics and Economics for their application to be considered complete. Please list this information in the section provided within the online application. Additionally, please respond to the questions regarding funding interest.

• Three Letters of Recommendation:

  The contact information (including names, street addresses, phone numbers and email addresses) of three people who will submit your letters of recommendation via the online application system. The online system will then email your contacts with instructions on how to upload their references online.

Writing samples are not required. However, we do welcome them, and they will be considered as part of your application materials. They may be uploaded in the online application.

Recommended: Your online application to IU should be submitted at least 2 weeks before the actual deadline in order for your recommenders to have the opportunity to respond to their notifications by the appropriate deadline.

Applications with late materials cannot be guaranteed consideration for financial aid packages.

The cost for submitting the graduate application is $70. The application fee is non-refundable. FreeApp provides an application fee waiver for domestic high-achieving and URM candidates.

Please have official transcripts sent directly from all undergraduate institutions attended, as well as from any graduate programs (if applicable).

International applicants

Please have your official academic records in the original language from every postsecondary school you have attended, whether or not you obtained a degree, sent to OIS. If the original is not in English, also include a certified, literal translation. Records must be issued by the registrar or record-keeping official from the institution at which the work was completed.

Notarized copies of academic records are not acceptable. If you studied in the United States or Canada, have official transcripts sent directly to International Admissions from the issuing institution’s records office. All transcripts must be sent to the Office of International Services (OIS), even if you have attended an institution in the United States. OIS will not accept electronic transcripts.

Please have your sealed, official transcripts (with English translation, if applicable) mailed to:

Ferguson International Center
Office of International Services
330 N. Eagleson Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47406 USA
Attn: Graduate Admissions

Phone: 812-855-9086

Domestic applicants

Please have your sealed, official transcripts mailed directly from the institution(s) to:

Department of Economics
Wylie Hall 105
100 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7104 USA
Attn: Graduate Admissions

If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree when you apply, a transcript showing your current enrollment in your course of study is acceptable. If admitted to Indiana University, you will be required to submit a final, official transcript directly to Indiana University prior to your matriculation, verifying the completion of your degree and the date your degree was awarded.

Please have ETS send official GRE score results electronically to Indiana University Bloomington at Institution Code is 1324.

Note: We do not accept GMAT scores.

The Department of Economics cannot waive the requirement to provide proof of English language proficiency if an applicant’s native language is not English. The department will accept current TOEFL and IELTS scores.

For applicants whose native language is not English, either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) -- preferred, or the IELTS are required to be considered for the Ph.D. program in Economics.

While Indiana University prefers to receive TOEFL scores, applicants who wish to submit a current IELTS score should have the official scores sent to OIS for verification:

Ferguson International Center
Office of International Services
330 N. Eagleson Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47406 USA
Attn: Graduate Admissions

Phone: 812-855-9086

A current, official TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for all international applicant files.

• If TOEFL or IELTS scores are older than 2 years and/or have a total score that is less than 90 on the TOEFL iBT or less than 7.0 OBS on the IELTS, please be aware that you may be required to take the Indiana Academic English Test (IAET) if you are admitted to Indiana University. Students are required to enroll and pass any English courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Tuition fees for English proficiency courses are the same as for other courses; however, the credit hours earned in English proficiency courses will not be counted toward degree requirements.
• To be eligible for an associate instructorship position in future years, students must also meet additional English language requirements, which includes becoming certified by passing the Test of English Proficiency for International Associate Instructor Candidates.

After you apply: International applicants will receive an email from OIS providing them with their Atlas login information within five days of receiving your completed electronic application. Please view Supporting Documents for Graduate Students for detailed information about the required documents which are necessary to submit in addition to your online application. You will be able to provide these in Atlas.

International applicants must provide a Declaration of Financial Support Form upon notification of acceptance to Indiana University, if you have not been awarded a financial support package. Please fill out and submit this information to the Office of International Admissions directly, either by mail to the above address, by email to newtoiu@indiana.edu, or by fax to (812) 856-5378.

View estimated expenses for international graduate students

The evidence of financial support will not be part of your academic admission decision, as this information is held in confidence by the Office of International Admissions. Applications received without any evidence of financial support can be processed for an admission decision. However, admission will be delayed if the Office of International Services does not have this information on file. OIS provides details regarding the next steps after admission and provides resources for living in the U.S.

A: No. Indiana University will not extend conditional offers of admission.

A: No. The PhD program in Economics at Indiana University is an in-residence program which requires full-time enrollment to complete the required course of study.

A: No. While Indiana University is practicing some online components to PhD courses to keep students and faculty safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not an online degree.

A: Indiana University has established a website to keep students, faculty and staff informed on IU’s planning and response to COVID-19.

A: The average number of complete applications we have received in recent years is 135. Our matriculating class varies each year, ranging between 15 – 20 students.

A: The following are the average scores of applicants who have matriculated in recent years:

GRE General Test:

Quantitative: 164

Verbal: 153

Writing: 3.5

TOEFL iBT: 98

A: Yes. The admissions committee can begin reviewing your application with your unofficial transcripts which you upload with your application. However, Indiana University cannot make an offer of admission prior to receiving the official transcripts. We ask that you submit official transcripts as soon as possible.

A: Yes. International applicants should plan to have their official transcripts arrive to OIS no later than the end of December and domestic applicants should plan to have their official transcripts arrive to the department no later than the end of January.

A: Yes. Notify the admissions team in each department to let them know which other programs you are applying to. You will be required to submit applications to each program. If you are also applying to a Kelley School of Business PhD program, you will need to submit an additional application to them directly.

A: No, test scores are electronically reported by ETS to Indiana University’s Student Information System. The scores can be matched to your application electronically based on your name and identifying information. Department codes do not impact this matching process. If you submit multiple applications, each program at Indiana University to which you applied will have access to your official test scores.

A: Yes. We prefer TOEFL exam scores. If an applicant wishes to submit an IELTS score, the minimum OBS score for graduate study should be 7.0 and official scores should be sent to the Office of International Services for evaluation.

A: You can request the TOEFL requirement be waived if you have or are attending a college or university within the U.S. for four or more years.

A: No. The GRE exam is required by a department, a waiver is not possible.

A: We will begin the review process using unofficial self-reported scores, but we must have the official scores by the materials deadline (see next question).

A: Due to various document processing, the deadlines for international applicants and domestic applicants are different.

International applicants must submit applications no later than December 1. Official transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation should arrive no later than December 31.

Domestic applicants must submit applications by January 15. Official transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation should arrive no later than January 31.

A: Applicants are responsible for entering recommender information into the Indiana University Graduate CAS. When the application is submitted, the recommenders will then receive an electronic request via email to provide their recommendation, along with an opportunity to upload a PDF of their recommendation letter to the application.

A: Yes. Recommender links will remain active even after the application deadline.

A: Applicants should log into their online application to view the most up to date information available. We will contact you via email through the application portal during the review process if further information is needed. Applicants should not email to request an application status update.

A: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not arranging in-person visits. In the meantime, we invite you to a virtual visit of our beautiful campus. The Department of Economics is located in Wylie Hall, one of two brick buildings in the Old Crescent.

A: The admission committee for the PhD program normally holds interviews between late January and late March. This year, interviews will be held on Zoom. You will be contacted directly via email in the application portal by the admissions coordinator if the committee wishes to interview you.

A: It will vary. Applicants are notified once the admissions committee makes a final decision on your individual application. We anticipate all decisions to be final by April 15.

A: The standard application fee is $70 per program. Applications are not reviewed until the application fee has been paid.

A: Under certain circumstances. The department cannot waive application fees, but the University Graduate School offers application fee waivers to applicants who meet eligibility requirements. If these eligibility requirements are not met, we cannot waive an application fee.

A: No. We do not offer refunds for any reason, except if a technical error occurs during the transaction process.

A: No. Simply indicate your preference to be considered for financial aid from Indiana University on your application.

A: No. Offers of admission which do not explicitly outline funding are offers of admission only and are not a financial commitment from Indiana University.

A: Most students will be awarded a Student Academic Appointment (SAA). These appointments require that a student work no more than 20 hours per week as a Graduate Assistant (GA), a Teaching Assistant (TA), or an Associate Instructor (AI). First year students are typically assigned as Graduate Assistants (GAs). The department selects a few top applicants for a College of Arts and Sciences Fellowship in their first year, which will not have a work requirement.

A: Financial packages are most often five-year funding commitments. Fellowships and Student Academic Appointments include a 100% tuition fee remission, health insurance (includes vision/dental); and a stipend. The stipend will vary depending on the package (whether Fellowship or SAA) and assignment (GA/TA/AI).

A: Decisions regarding financial offers are made throughout the admission process and you will be notified once the admissions committee determines if a financial offer can be extended to you. As a member of the Council of Graduate Schools, Indiana University supports the CGS Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. All financial offers must be extended and responded to by the April 15 deadline.