Critical Dates for Graduate Students

The list below delineates all the critical milestones for normal progress in the Economics Ph.D. program. The dates below are relative to the official Cornell University academic calendar. To view the academic calendar click here. Any further modifications to the official calendar may modify the deadlines below.

First year

• Math Review Course: August 12 - August 23, 2024; Uris 202; Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2024
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2025
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: May 29, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: August 12, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm 
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 2, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: August 13, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: June 6, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: August 14, 2025; Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 12, 2026
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2026
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  Last day of classes, spring 2026. Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2026
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: Before the end of fall semester 2026 Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2027

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: Day before the start of fall semester, 2027
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves. Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2027
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded

First year

• Math Review Course: July 31 - August 18, 2023; Uris 202; Time: 9:00am - noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2023 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 18, 2023: Uris 202 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2024
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm 
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 12, 2025
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2025
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  Last day of classes, spring 2025. Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2025
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: Before the end of fall semester 2025 Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2026

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: Day before the start of fall semester, 2026
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves. Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2026
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded

First year

• Math Review Course: August 1 - August 19, 2022
• August 2 - Aug 20 Room: Uris 202, Time: 9:00am - noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2022 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 19, 2022: Uris 202 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2023
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm 
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 13, 2024
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2024
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  Last day of classes, spring 2024. Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 19, 2024
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: Before the end of fall semester 2024 Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2025

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: Day before the start of fall semester, 2025
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves. Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2025
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded

First year

• Math Review Course: August 2 - August 20, 2021
• August 2 - Aug 20 Room: Online & Recorded Time: 9:00am-noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2021 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 20, 2021: Online
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2022
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm 
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: Date & Location TBD; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 14, 2023
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2023
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  May 9, 2023 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2023
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: Before the end of fall semester 2023. Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2024

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: Day before start of fall semester, 2024
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves. Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2025
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded

First year

• Math Review Course: August 3 - August 21, 2020
• August 3 - Aug 21 Room: Online & Recorded Time: 9:00am-noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2019 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 21, 2020: Online
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2021
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 1st 2021, Online
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 14, 2021, Online
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 4, 2021, Online
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 15, 2021, Online
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: June 8, 2021, Online
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: July 16, 2021, Online

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 14, 2022
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2022
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  May 5, 2022 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2022
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: Before end of fall semester, 2022. Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2023

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: Day before start of fall semester, 2023
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves. Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2024
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded

First year

• Math Review Course: August 5 - August 23, 2019
• August 5 - Aug 23 Room: Uris 202, Time: 9:00am-noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2019 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 23, 2019, Time: 12:30-3:30pm, Room: 202 Uris.
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2020.
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: Canceled 
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Canceled
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: Canceled
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: Canceled
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: Canceled
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: Canceled
• Faculty Challenge: August 3, 2020 (Metrics), August 7, 2020 (Macro), August 12, 2020 (Micro)

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 16, 2021
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2021.
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  May 5, 2021 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School.

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2021
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850.
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam.
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: December 10, 2021 (before end of fifth semester). Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School.
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2022

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: August 25, 2022 (day before start of fall term).
• Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves.
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2023.
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded.

First year

• Math Review Course: July 30 - August 17, 2018
• July 30 - Aug 17 Room: Uris 202, Time: 9:00am-noon
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2018 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 17, 2018, Time: 12:30-3:30pm, Room: 202 Uris.
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2019.
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: May 28, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: July 23, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 3, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 24, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 7, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 25, 2019. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 16, 2020
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2020. 
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  May 5, 2020 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School.

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2020
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850.
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam.
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: December 11, 2020 (before end of fifth semester). Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School.
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2021.

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: August 25, 2021 (day before start of fall term).
• Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves.
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2022. 
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded.

The list below delineates all the critical milestones for normal progress in the Economics Ph.D. program. The dates below are relative to the official Cornell University academic calendar.  Any further modifications to the official calendar may modify the deadlines below.

First year

• Math Review Course: July 31 - August 18, 2017
• July 31 - Aug 17 Room: Uris 202, Time: 9:00am-noon;
• August 18 Room: Uris 202, Time: 8:30am-11:30am
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2017 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 18, 2017, Time: 12:30-3:30pm, Room: 202 Uris.
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2018.
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: May 29, 2018. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: July 24, 2018. N/A
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 4, 2018. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 25, 2018. Room - TBA; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 8, 2018. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 26, 2018. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 16, 2019
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2019. 
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair:  May 7, 2019 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School.

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2019
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850.
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam.
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: January 20, 2020 (before start of sixth semester). Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School.
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2020.

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: August 26, 2020 (day before start of fall term).
• Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves.
• Deadline to file with the graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2021.
• Students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded.

First year

• Math Review Course: August 1-19, 2016
• August 1-18 Room: Uris 202, Time: 9:00am-noon;
• August 19 Room: Uris 202, Time: 8:30am-11:30am
• Grade of at least B- in Econ 6170 fall 2016 or pass grade on the math proficiency exam August 19, 2016, Time: noon-3:00pm, Room: 202 Uris.
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2017.
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam: May 30, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Econometrics Qualifying Exam retake: July 26, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 2, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Macroeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 27, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam: June 6, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Microeconomics Qualifying Exam retake: July 28, 2017. Room - 251 Malott Hall; 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Grade of at least B- in ECON 6090, 6100, 6130, 6140, 6190, and 6200.

Second year

• Deadline for selecting second-year paper supervisor: March 16, 2018
• Deadline to file with graduate school for Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2018.
• Deadline for selecting special committee chair: May 9, 2018 (last day of classes). Chair must be recorded at the Graduate School.

Third year

• Complete second-year paper: August 18, 2018
• The second-year paper requirement is complete when a PDF version of the paper has been delivered to the instructor(s) in Econ 7850 and the DGS, the paper supervisor (a member of the field of Economics) has approved the paper, and a grade of "satisfactory" has been recorded for the presentation in ECON 7850.
• Third-year students are expected to enroll in ECON 7850 (fall) and ECON 7851 (spring) "Third-year Research Seminar." This seminar covers the presentation of second-year papers and the development of the essays and drafts leading to the A Exam.
• Deadline for selecting full special committee: January 21, 2019 (before start of sixth semester). Committee must be recorded at the Graduate School.
• Deadline for scheduling A Exam and filing with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2019.

Fourth year

• Last day to attempt A Exam: August 28, 2019 (day before start of fall term). 
• Minimum of 2 semesters after the A Exam, usually at least 4 semesters later
• B Exam: Scheduled when the committee approves.
• Deadline to file with graduate school to receive Sage Summer funding: May 1, 2020.
• Students seeking the dissertation-year (fifth year) must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal before the dissertation-year fellowship is awarded.