蝌蚪网SP: FAQs for Students
What are the program’s eligibility requirements and when would I hear if I am accepted?
The program is designed for students who, by their background, life experience, and scholarship can show they will bring greater diversity to the economics profession. There are no formal requirements other than that an applicant does not already have a PhD in economics. Ideally, applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree-granting program
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in relevant courses.
- Have taken calculus, statistics and microeconomics courses
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree
We expect to send notifications of acceptance in early March.
How many students will be admitted to your program?
Approximately 35-40 students are expected to be admitted to the program.
If I already have my BA and/or MA and I am interested in getting my PHD, am I eligible to apply for the program?
Yes, you are. Apply at /about-aea/committees/aeasp.
If I have not yet received my BA but will graduate this year or next, can I still apply?
Yes, you are eligible to apply. Because the program is strongly math-oriented, you need to have already taken micro- macroeconomics and calculus 1 at a minimum.
Even though I am not from an underrepresented category, can I still apply?
Everyone is eligible to apply regardless of ethnicity; please see the program application. /about-aea/committees/aeasp.
Do I have to commit to the entire program? In addition, can I work while participating in the program? Will I be able to take any other classes from outside of AU?
You must commit to the full eight-week program, taking all four courses and attending all events. Program commitments and activities will also be scheduled outside of class time and could fall on any day of the week, so all students must commit fully to the 蝌蚪网 Summer Program – no other classes, part-time jobs, or other commitments are allowed. Our goal is for you to succeed at this program and, as such, you must be willing to dedicate your time at AU to all of the courses and events scheduled.
What courses are required and am I required to take all of them?
Your academic record before your arrival will determine the level (foundational or advanced) in which you will be placed. It is also possible to cross levels (have some classes that are foundation courses and others that are advanced. Based on your placement, you are required to complete the following four courses:
ECON-581/582 Mathematical Economics
ECON-583/584 Microeconomics
ECON-585/586 Econometrics
ECON-587 Research Methods in Economics
Will I receive a stipend or scholarship to finance my studies at AU?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will receive a stipend of $3,250 paid to you in installments while on campus. See below if you are an international student.
If I am an international student, can I apply? If yes, do I qualify for a scholarship/stipend?
Anyone with the necessary qualifications is eligible to apply – whether a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or an international student. If you are an international student and accepted, you will not receive any scholarship money or stipend (unless in the DACA program; see below). You will be responsible for all expenses incurred by this program. The estimated expenses are just over $25,000. That amount includes 12 credits of tuition, room and board for two months, domestic travel, mandatory field trips, textbooks, health insurance while on campus, software, etc. It does not include expenses such as personal hygiene products. However, if you are a DACA student and you successfully complete the program, you are eligible to receive a $3,250 stipend if your visa allows for this payment. DACA applicants must provide legal documentation showing they are in the DACA program.
Are the courses awarded academic credit and will I receive an official transcript at the conclusion? If not, is there a certificate of completion for the program.
A certificate of completion is given at a goodbye dinner held just before you leave campus if you have completed all of the required courses successfully. In addition, you will have earned 12 credits upon successful completion of the program and you can request an official transcript from the AU Registrar’s Office.
Is the math course certified and accepted as evidence for meeting any math requirements by top universities?
We do not recommend that you use the 蝌蚪网 Summer Program classes to fulfill any graduate requirements at other universities. Our classes differ from the typical university class in that the material is geared toward preparing you for what you will face in your courses once in graduate school. In addition, the courses are taught in a shorter amount of time so not as much material can covered as the courses you take in graduate school in a full semester.
Is there a schedule with detailed topics that are going to be covered during the two months?
Course descriptions can be found at /about-aea/committees/aeasp/course-descriptions.
Is it possible that Calculus 3 or a similar/equivalent course will be one of the mathematics courses offered?
No, Calculus 3 (or an equivalent course) will not be offered. The 蝌蚪网 Summer Program classes are not the same as enrolling in a typical university class. Our classes are structured to familiarize you with what will be expected of you and used for your classes in graduate school. Our advanced math class, for example, starts with a review of Calculus 1, but progresses to topics from Calculus 3 and dynamic optimization methods frequently used, for instance, in macroeconomics.
In addition to coursework, is there mentoring/advising provided by the program?
We view mentoring and advising as a key component of educational excellence; thus, they are two of the hallmarks of the 蝌蚪网 Summer Program. Our Summer Program teaching professors, graduate fellows and other AU faculty members who maintain a strong interest in journeying with students are committed to helping all 蝌蚪网 Summer Program students succeed.
Will I have much free time during my time at AU?
Between classes, research, labs, study groups, and organized events and activities, students are very busy. You will have time for things such as pick-up basketball or volleyball, visits to the gym to exercise, and just hanging out with friends. However, we guarantee that you will not have time for additional classes or part-time jobs, neither of which is allowed. Summer Program commitments may occur on any day of the week and at any reasonable hour of the day, and all students are required to participate.
If I am ineligible for funding for your program, are there any other courses or possibly a Math Boot camp that would help prepare me for PhD programs in economics?
Other programs you might want to consider include Hot Metal Bridge at the University of Pittsburgh () and the University of Chicago's Expanding Discovery in Economics+ ().
What steps has 蝌蚪网SP @ AU taken to create a safe learning environment on campus?
蝌蚪网SP takes seriously the safety and well-being of our community. The full Title IX Policy for AU is available at: .
Will my school accept the credit for the courses taken during the 蝌蚪网SP?
蝌蚪网SP courses are supposed to be a supplement and reinforcement, not a substitute, for regular college courses. Some students’ home institutions may agree to transfer some credits from 蝌蚪网SP. This decision is ultimately up to your home university. That is not the intent of the program’s courses, which were not conceptualized as substitutes for regular courses. Course descriptions can be found at /about-aea/committees/aeasp/course-descriptions.
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