Frequently Asked Questions: SIEPR Predoctoral Fellows Program
Do you accept international applications?
Yes, we accept international applications. Due to the pandemic, there may be continuing or new restrictions on processing J1 visas. At this time, OPT can be used for international students in the program. We do encourage all interested international candidates to apply.
Do we need to provide test scores for the program (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL)?
No, we do not require test scores.
I am not an Economics major. Can I still apply?
Yes, we consider non-economics majors for these positions. However, applicants should have strong statistics backgrounds and an expressed interest in economics.
Do you accept application material by email?
No, we are unable to review applications received by email. All application material should be submitted via the application portal.
My advisor would like to submit a recommendation letter. How do I do that?
We do not accept unsolicited recommendation letters on behalf of candidates. They will not be read. If candidates are selected for interviews, we will request references and contact those references directly.
You provide the option of including a writing sample. What should I include?
The Writing Sample is optional but encouraged. It should be roughly five pages in length and should demonstrate your academic writing skills. The paper must be in English. An excerpt of an undergraduate thesis or term paper, or an excerpt of a masters dissertation (including abstract) are acceptable examples.
What can I do to make my application more competitive for the Predoc Fellowship?
Our faculty look for strong academic records (GPA, high grades in quantitative courses), experience with Stata, R, or Python, and clear writing skills. Double check your application material for completeness and make sure there are no typos or mistakes in your cover letter, resume, or writing sample, as our faculty also value attention to detail.
Is it an advantage to have a masters degree when applying for the fellowship?
It is not required to have a masters degree for admission to the predoctoral research fellows program. Approximately 1/3 of our fellows complete a masters degree prior to entry into the program. A strong masters transcript may be helpful if you believe your undergraduate coursework does not adequately reflect your abilities in quantitative courses, but is not guaranteed to give you an edge above other applicants.
How many students apply to your program?
We are not releasing our application numbers at this time.
Questions?
For further questions, please email siepr-fellowships@stanford.edu.