In these web pages, you will find answers to most of the questions you may have about the graduate programs in economics at Boston College, and, in particular, information on the financial aid that is available. Since many students ask additional questions about our graduate program, we're providing answers to those questions most commonly asked and which are not necessarily answered in our brochure. We hope this information will help you when you are trying to make plans for your future studies.

The admissions process works in this way: as the application deadline of February 1 nears, the Admissions Committee of the Department of Economics begins to review all applications which have been received from the Graduate School for that year. Applications are reviewed as in a pool; i.e., decisions are made by taking all the applications for that year and comparing them. Each candidate's application is reviewed in its entirety. All material is examined and considered: transcripts, recommendation letters, statements of purpose and GRE scores (the GRE is required, general test only; the subject test is not required). Applications without GRE scores will be considered incomplete; decisions for acceptance will not be made without GRE scores.

Chances for acceptance and offers of aid in the form of assistantships and/or tuition scholarships for Ph.D. applicants depend on the quality of the pool of applicants for any given year. Aid is based on merit, not need. Each applicant is considered; there are no financial aid forms to fill out for this type of aid. The amount of aid awarded depends on budget limitations for that particular year. There is no special aid program for international students.

A strong training in mathematics is essential to be successful in our program; the minimum recommended is: three calculus courses, courses in linear and matrix algebra, a course in real analysis, and a "real" statistics course. The committee has found that achieving a score of at least 680 in the quantitative exam in the GRE is beneficial for success in the program; this is considered of prime importance in the evaluation of applications. The Intercultural Office does require a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for international students.

The best time to begin our program is in September, not January. Our courses are taught in sequence; i.e., the courses that are begun in the fall semester are continued in the spring semester, building on what was previously taught. Unless a student has had courses equal in level and content, determined by the Admissions Committee, it is not possible to begin in January.

There is a financial consideration involved for international students. Each year there is a specific amount of money which an international student must certify that he/she has to be able to live in this area in the United States; the amounts granted in the awards of assistantships and/or tuition remission do not equal this requirement. Students do have to be able to make up the difference with funds from their own resources. You will find the exact figures on the amount that is required for 1999-2000 in material that you will receive at a later date from the Graduate School, depending upon acceptance. The visa process cannot be initiated until this requirement has been satisfied. The Intercultural Office makes all decisions on the issuance of visas. Please communicate directly with them concerning visa matters (Tel. +1-617-552-8005; e-mail: nussbaua@bc.edu). The Department of Economics has no influence whatsoever in the decision making and cannot affect the outcome.

If you have taken a course or courses that you think would satisfy a requirement here, you would have to confer with the graduate director to see whether or not the course or courses could be accepted by Boston College and be waived for you. This decision is usually made after the student's arrival on campus.

Work experience is given no formal weight in evaluating an applicant’s chance for admission. Recommendation letters from employers tend to be flattering but uninformative. We recommend requesting letters from one or preferably two professors with whom you’ve studied, particularly a math professor.

There is no on-campus housing for graduate students here, but the Boston College Housing Office provides listings and information for students for housing that is available in the area.

Thank you for your interest in Boston College and best of luck with your plans for the future. Please return all completed application material to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Economics' WWW address: http://fmwww.bc.edu/EC/ e-mail: foleym@bc.edu