PhD | Pre-Doctoral Program

The NYU Stern Pre-Doctoral Program is intended to prepare select students to apply to Ph.D. programs in Business, at Stern or elsewhere. The Stern Pre-Doctoral program seeks to promote a scholarly environment composed of individuals from a diverse and wide-ranging set of backgrounds and experiences, and to encourage promising individuals from non-typical personal, academic, or professional backgrounds to enter the academic profession. All interested candidates, regardless of identity or background, are eligible to apply for this program; we encourage applicants from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

The Program
The program is quantitatively focused but individually designed to fit each student’s background. The program typically lasts one to two years. In the course of the program, each student should gain a thorough grounding in calculus, matrix algebra, basic and intermediate statistics, and basic and intermediate economics. Students may also have the opportunity to engage in faculty research.

In addition, the program provides advisement for the Ph.D. application process from the Doctoral Program office staff and Stern faculty. If the student demonstrates outstanding academic ability, they would be encouraged to apply for the Stern Ph.D. program for the following year; otherwise, students would have Stern’s support in applying to other programs. Full living stipend, tuition scholarship, and health insurance is provided.

Eligibility
This is a full-time, in-residence, non-degree program. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (or complete one by the time the program starts) and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible to apply.

Application
The application process and required application materials are the same as for our regular doctoral program. Pre-doctoral program applicants must apply online using the same online application as for our Ph.D. application. In the application, select “Pre-Doctoral” under “Intended Area of Study.” If you know which department you are interested in (e.g., finance), please indicate that in the “Area of Study” question. In addition to the regular application essay topic, applicants to the pre-doctoral program must explain why they are applying to the pre-doctoral program specifically, and describe their non-typical personal, academic, or professional background and how their experiences may contribute to and help foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment. This can be incorporated in the main essay or included as an additional essay. The application deadline is December 15.