Ashleigh Booth
Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
boothash@msu.edu
Thank you for your interest in the Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) M.S. or Ph.D. program! This page explains how to apply and the criteria we use to evaluate applications.
Applications must be complete with a paid application fee before the AFRE Admissions Committee can evaluate a prospective student for admission and funding.
Admission to AFRE graduate programs is competitive. We are only able to accept around 20 new students for admission each year, including both M.S. and Ph.D. We take a holistic approach to admissions and consider many factors, including previous academic background and performance, GRE scores, previous work and life experiences, potential to add to diversity and leadership, and the consistency of applicant research interests with ongoing research programs in the Department.
Successful M.S. applicants will generally have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Successful Ph.D. applicants will generally have at least a 3.3 grade point average in their M.S. program or an exceptionally strong undergraduate degree performance. The quality of the degree-granting institution is considered, and strong grades are expected in math, statistics/econometrics, and microeconomics.
M.S. applicants should have taken at least one semester of statistics, as well as Calculus II and intermediate microeconomics.
Ph.D. applicants that have completed (or are completing) an M.S. degree should have taken master’s level mathematics for economists, microeconomics, probability theory/statistics, and econometrics. The mathematics for economists course should cover Calculus III and linear algebra concepts; otherwise, applicants are strongly encouraged to take supplemental courses in Calculus III and linear algebra to prepare for Ph.D.-level study in microeconomics and econometrics. Ph.D. applicants without M.S.-level training should have taken advanced undergraduate-level microeconomics, probability theory/statistics, and econometrics, as well as linear algebra and Calculus III. Real analysis is strongly recommended for Ph.D. applicants, but not required.
All M.S. and Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to explain their math background in their academic statement or in a table accompanying their CV summarizing the content of any math courses taken; this is particularly important in cases where course titles listed in transcript(s) do not clearly indicate the content of the math courses.
AFRE requires the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for all applicants. We do not accept the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). There is no absolute GRE score requirement, and GRE scores for admitted applicants vary considerably, depending on English language skills and the time taken to prepare. However, GRE scores in the 70th percentile or higher will increase chances of acceptance. The Quantitative component of the GRE is given the most weight.
Michigan State University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for all non-exempt international students. For information on automatic exemptions, please visit the Graduate School website. If you believe your situation qualifies you for a special exemption, contact the AFRE Academic Program Coordinator for the graduate program. The University’s minimum required TOEFL score can be found here.
Along with other admission criteria, AFRE reviews each application for the potential to add to the diversity and leadership of the Department, University, and profession. As a graduate program, we are committed to the University's mission of diversity and equality in higher education. We encourage applicants to reflect on their potential contributions to diversity and leadership in the personal and academic statements section of their application.
Prospective graduate students are welcome to visit the Department. In the spring of each year, the Department holds a visit day when a group of prospective students can learn about our programs and meet with faculty members, current graduate students, and staff. The visit day is the best time to visit, but students who want to come at a different time are also welcome. Please note: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 visit day will be virtual and meetings with faculty, current graduate students, and staff will be held via Zoom. Please contact the AFRE Academic Program Coordinator for the graduate program if you would like to arrange a visit.
Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
boothash@msu.edu