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As the original policy Ph.D. program, Pardee RAND Graduate School is unique in American higher education.
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Students from the Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School gather on the chess set outside of the RAND offices in Santa Monica, CA

Make a strategic decision

Apply to Pardee RAND

Are you thinking of applying to the Pardee RAND Graduate School? Wondering what's involved? Visit the following pages to see the following highlights:

"Ideal student": What we're looking for in our applicants
Admissions events: How to register and attend
Tuition and aid: How to fully fund your Ph.D.
Diversity: What makes our program so dynamic

Apply Now!

Our application is now available. Applications are due January 8 for the entering cohort of Fall 2019.

Visit our Application page to start your application.

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We encourage all prospective candidates to complete an online pre-application, as we can then advise you whether you have the appropriate qualifications for Pardee RAND ... before you invest your time into the application process.

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Pardee RAND Fast Facts

Students

Average enrollment: 110 students

Entering cohort size: 20-25

Faculty to student ratio: 2:1

International students: 35%

Countries represented: 25

Average age of current students: 29

Age range: 21-44

Women in student body: 45%

Admissions & Aid

Students with advanced degrees: 72%

Average GRE quantitative score: 161

Average GRE verbal score: 161

Tuition: $26,500 per year for the first two years; $16,500 per year in years 3-5

First-year scholarships awarded: 100%

Tuition covered by research fellowships: 100%

Curriculum

Degree conferred: Ph.D. in Policy Analysis

Matriculation: Full time, residency, beginning in fall term only

Academic calendar: Quarter system (fall, winter, and spring)

Required coursework: 12.0 units of required courses and 7.5 units of elective

Average time to completion: 5 years

RAND research projects underway at any given time: 500+

Miscellany

Official name: The Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School (pronounced Par-DEE); commonly referred to as Pardee RAND and also known as The RAND Graduate School

Dean: Susan L. Marquis

Location: Santa Monica, CA (students work in all RAND locations for dissertation research and project work)

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), through 2020

History: Founded in 1970 as the RAND Graduate Institute

School colors: Purple and gold

School motto: Be the Answer