Information for Prospective PRGS Students

The mission of Pardee RAND Graduate School is to educate high-level problem solvers who will take on some of the world's toughest problems with rigor, a broad interdisciplinary perspective and a creative flair. Toward this end PRGS selects up to 25 doctoral students each year on the basis of intellectual power, creativity and a practical bent.

PRGS limits admission to students who can participate full-time in its combined research-and-study program. Because the courses are taught in sequence, students must begin their study in the fall quarter.

All applicants must have completed at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, and possess superior communication, logical reasoning and quantitative skills. An advanced degree is not required. No preference is given to any particular undergraduate major or course of study, but all students must have a working knowledge of univariate calculus by the time of enrollment. Coursework in statistics, economics and more advanced calculus is helpful, but not absolutely required.

Beyond their academic capabilities, PRGS students share two attributes. They combine passion and discipline: a palpable passion to help change the world for the better, and the demonstrated discipline to master the intellectual tools that will help them do so.

PRGS also seeks diversity in the broadest sense of the term. An important part of the graduate experience is the learning that takes place as students interact with each other, especially about different life experiences and training, cultures, and ways of thinking.

We advise all prospective candidates to complete an online pre-application. This is optional but will help us to ascertain if you have the appropriate qualifications for PRGS before you invest your time into the application process. Our online pre-application form for those applying for Fall 2013 or thereafter will be available starting July 1, 2012.

Thank you for your interest in the Pardee RAND Graduate School. The application period for the entering class of Fall 2012 is now closed. All applications are carefully reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Notification of acceptance or rejection is usually sent to applicants within 8-10 weeks of the admission deadline. We will begin accepting applications for the 2013-14 academic year starting September 1, 2012; applications will be due January 10, 2013.

The Pardee RAND Graduate School information sessions provide an overview of the Ph.D. in policy analysis, the admissions process, and our degree requirements. In addition, attendees will have an opportunity—at both the live and online sessions—to hear current students describe their experiences and share their own perspectives on the program.

Information sessions will be held again starting in fall 2012 at our Santa Monica headquarters, in Washington D.C., and in other locations to be announced.

Online Information Sessions

Additionally, "virtual" information sessions will be held, available to anyone around the world with good Internet access. The online information sessions provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the Ph.D. in Policy Analysis at PRGS and admission requirements. Admissions representatives, a current student, and faculty member will be available to answer questions.

Information sessions will be held again in fall 2012.