THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Apply to Master of Arts in Economics (MAE)
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Applications for the Master of Arts in Economics are currently being accepted via UChicago Advanced Scholars. Questions regarding the application should be directed to Michelle Trimpe, Director of the Advanced Scholars Program, at mtrimpe@uchicago.edu. Questions regarding the MAE Program should be directed to Emma Rubenstein, Student Affairs Administrator at ma-econ@uchicago.edu.
Application Requirements
All supporting material – including letters of recommendation, transcripts, supplemental material, and writing samples – must be submitted electronically with your online application. The Division of the Social Sciences allows for a short grace period of about one week for receipt of recommendations and required test scores. Materials that arrive more than a week after the deadline may place your application at a significant disadvantage.
The Admissions Committee evaluates all official transcripts of academic work, candidate statements and essays, letters of recommendation, performance on any required standardized test, and any special factors brought to its attention. The committee considers each application on the basis of all materials submitted and does not automatically eliminate applications based on grade point averages or test scores.
Current UChicago College students applying to the BA/MA: View BA/MA application requirements on the Division of the Social Sciences website.
Required Materials
More information can be found at the bottom of this page.
- Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Course Documentation (Optional for Standard Track; Required for RIT): Textbooks and syllabi for most advanced coursework taken in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, mathematics, and statistics
- Writing Sample (Optional): 5-10 page class paper demonstrating research synthesis ability
- Letters of Recommendation: Two academic references submitted through online application (optional third academic reference)
- Resume/CV: Current resume reflecting work experience and education
- GRE Scores (Optional): Institution code 1832 for submissions
- English Proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL scores, if required
- Application Fee: Non-refundable fee required (waivers available)
Research Intensive Track Additional Requirements
- Additional research statement: 1-2 page statement discussing research plan
- Journal-length research article: Ideally undergraduate thesis or equivalent
- Faculty advisor identification: Name preferred research faculty advisor and explain why
Application Prerequisites
All applicants must have completed advanced coursework in:
- Calculus-based microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometric theory
- Multivariable calculus
- Linear algebra
- Probability
- Statistics
For Research Intensive Track: Prior exposure to real analysis is required.
Unofficial transcripts are required from all prior post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts are not required for an institution if all grades are reflected on the transcript for a different school (for example, when a student has transferred or participated in study abroad).
To better assess the level of their prior training, candidates can provide textbook title and syllabi (in English) for the most advanced economics coursework they have taken in econometrics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics, mathematics, and statistics.
If applying to the Research Intensive Track, candidates are required to upload the final exam or, if not available, a set of materials (i.e. lecture slides, problem sets, midterm exams that demonstrates the level at which the course was taught) for the most advanced course in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, mathematics, and statistics.
Please provide a 1-page candidate statement that discusses your post-graduation plans and how the resources that the Master of Arts in Economics will make available to you will help you achieve them. You may want to discuss the coursework you would like to complete in the context of your career goals and your prior background.
If applying to the Research Intensive Track, please submit an additional 1 to 2 page statement that discusses the research plan you wish to develop while a student in the MAE program:
Provide a description of 1 or 2 research topics that you would like to pursue and explain how your prior research background supports them.
Place the research questions in context of the coursework that you plan to complete during your MAE year.
Provide the name of a member of the research faculty who you believe will be the ideal advisor and explain why.
Applicants can submit a 5-to-10-page class paper that demonstrates their ability to synthesize research.
If applying to the Research Intensive Track, it is required to submit a journal-length article that showcases your ability to conduct independent research. This article should, ideally, be an undergraduate thesis in Economics or the equivalent. It should include a literature review, a blend of modeling and empirical work, a clear identification strategy (if it is an applied economics article) and a discussion of the main results.
Upload a current resume or CV that reflects your work experience, education, community service, professional honors, and any other relevant information.
Recommenders must submit letters through the online application. To submit your application, you must provide the names and contact information for two recommenders in the application portal. You can submit your application prior to the actual letters being received, but you must list the names and contact information for two recommenders in order to submit. We allow a grace period of one week for receipt of recommendation letters after our deadline; applications incomplete after that grace period may be at a disadvantage in the review process.
Guidance for who to select as a recommender, as well as best practices for requesting letters, can be found on the Division of the Social Sciences website.
GRE scores are optional for all applicants. Please submit scores to institution code 1832 (any department code is acceptable).
Learn more here.
A non-refundable application fee is required of all applicants. Application fee waivers are available; learn more about available application fee waivers on the Division of the Social Sciences website.
Learn more here.
Students currently enrolled in the University of Chicago's Master of Arts in Economics (MAE), MAPSS-Economics, or MACSS-Economics programs may apply for entry into the PhD program via a later application round (March 15 deadline).
Current students applying to the PhD program via the later round must supply the same application materials as other potential applicants. However, there are additional requirements as well:
1) Students must include a UChicago transcript with six graded courses from MAPSS, MAE, or MACSS. Applicants are expected to have earned grades of A- or higher in 3 graduate courses offered by the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics
2) Of the three required reference letters, at least one must come from one of tenured-track faculty in the Department of Economics.
3) Beginning with MA students beginning their studies in 2026, only MAE Research Intensive Track (RIT) and MACSS-Econ students may apply to the PhD via the late round.
The University of Chicago’s Division of Social Sciences administers applications to the doctoral program. Please email the Admissions Office to initiate your application.