How does the admission process work?
If admitted, you will receive a letter from the department by April 1st informing you of your status concerning admission and financial aid. This information is forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office after which they send out the official letter of admission. (You are not officially admitted until you hear from the Graduate Admissions Office.)
What if you are an international applicant?
If you are an international student and were awarded financial aid, the Graduate Admissions Office will send your official letter of admission and your I-20 (Note: only the Admissions Office can issue an I-20.) If you did not receive aid, then the Admissions Office will send you a letter informing you that you need to send financial documentation before they can issue the I-20.
What about housing at Rutgers?
Once you are admitted and notify Admissions that you plan to enter the program in the Fall you will receive information on housing. Rutgers offers dormitory and suites accommodations and family housing. The two most popular living areas for graduate students are Ford Hall located close to the Economics Department on College Avenue Campus and Buell Apartments (suites) located on the Busch campus. There is regular bus service from Busch campus to College Avenue Campus. For married housing, you must supply a copy of your marriage certificate. There is often a wait for family housing. We recommend you apply for housing as soon as possible.
When should I arrive on campus?
All students are expected to arrive the last week in August. International students must arrive that week in time to attend orientation.
When do classes start?
Classes start the beginning of September, depending on the exact date of the Labor Day holiday.
What transportation is available to reach Rutgers?
When you book tickets to come to the U.S., if you are coming directly to Rutgers, it is best to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which is the closest airport to New Brunswick (about 45 minutes away). To get to New Brunswick from the Newark airport, you can get a shuttle at the airport. One option is the State Shuttle (1-800-427-3207). It costs about $35, but if there are a few people then the price is lower. Another option is to take the Princeton Airporter, which will take you to the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick where you can get a cab to Rutgers for about $10. You can also take a NJ Transit bus or train to New Brunswick.
You can also arrive at JFK airport in New York, but it is often difficult and more expensive to get to Rutgers from New York. If you do come into JFK, you can take a bus to Penn Station and then get a train to New Brunswick. We are about three blocks from the train station, though this can be a tough walk while carrying luggage and books.
International students might wish to check if they have a Graduate Student Association of their own country at Rutgers. These associations often provide free pick-ups from the airport.
What do I do after I arrive?
After you arrive you should stop by the Department of Economics, located in New Jersey Hall, 75 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ. You will be able to open your computer account on the economics server and register for your classes. International students must also stop by and sign in at the International Center, 180 College Avenue.
Are there any summer courses offered?
We offer a Linear Algebra preparation course during August. It is highly recommended but not mandatory. There is no cost.
How much money should I bring?
It’s hard to say how much money to bring, but probably between $1000 and $1500. This would be if you are living on campus. If you are living off-campus, you might need additional money. You can also email one of our students and ask them.
If admitted, you will receive a letter from the department by April 1st informing you of your status concerning admission and financial aid. This information is forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office after which they send out the official letter of admission. (You are not officially admitted until you hear from the Graduate Admissions Office.)
What if you are an international applicant?
If you are an international student and were awarded financial aid, the Graduate Admissions Office will send your official letter of admission and your I-20 (Note: only the Admissions Office can issue an I-20.) If you did not receive aid, then the Admissions Office will send you a letter informing you that you need to send financial documentation before they can issue the I-20.
What about housing at Rutgers?
Once you are admitted and notify Admissions that you plan to enter the program in the Fall you will receive information on housing. Rutgers offers dormitory and suites accommodations and family housing. The two most popular living areas for graduate students are Ford Hall located close to the Economics Department on College Avenue Campus and Buell Apartments (suites) located on the Busch campus. There is regular bus service from Busch campus to College Avenue Campus. For married housing, you must supply a copy of your marriage certificate. There is often a wait for family housing. We recommend you apply for housing as soon as possible.
When should I arrive on campus?
All students are expected to arrive the last week in August. International students must arrive that week in time to attend orientation.
When do classes start?
Classes start the beginning of September, depending on the exact date of the Labor Day holiday.
What transportation is available to reach Rutgers?
When you book tickets to come to the U.S., if you are coming directly to Rutgers, it is best to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which is the closest airport to New Brunswick (about 45 minutes away). To get to New Brunswick from the Newark airport, you can get a shuttle at the airport. One option is the State Shuttle (1-800-427-3207). It costs about $35, but if there are a few people then the price is lower. Another option is to take the Princeton Airporter, which will take you to the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick where you can get a cab to Rutgers for about $10. You can also take a NJ Transit bus or train to New Brunswick.
You can also arrive at JFK airport in New York, but it is often difficult and more expensive to get to Rutgers from New York. If you do come into JFK, you can take a bus to Penn Station and then get a train to New Brunswick. We are about three blocks from the train station, though this can be a tough walk while carrying luggage and books.
International students might wish to check if they have a Graduate Student Association of their own country at Rutgers. These associations often provide free pick-ups from the airport.
What do I do after I arrive?
After you arrive you should stop by the Department of Economics, located in New Jersey Hall, 75 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ. You will be able to open your computer account on the economics server and register for your classes. International students must also stop by and sign in at the International Center, 180 College Avenue.
Are there any summer courses offered?
We offer a Linear Algebra preparation course during August. It is highly recommended but not mandatory. There is no cost.
How much money should I bring?
It’s hard to say how much money to bring, but probably between $1000 and $1500. This would be if you are living on campus. If you are living off-campus, you might need additional money. You can also email one of our students and ask them.
