How to Apply
GSEFM does not charge application fees. If an applicant would like to apply for multiple GSEFM degree programs, it is, however, necessary to submit separate applications and letters of evaluation for each of these applications. It is important to go carefully through the instructions regarding the application materials that need to be submitted (either by the applicant or by the external evaluators).
1. Application Package
In 2023, all applications must be submitted using the online portal of Goethe University Frankfurt for the GSEFM degree programs described in detail below. Applications submitted in any other format unfortunately cannot be accepted.
The following document provides step-by-step guidelines for the online application portal:
1a. Only if on the application portal interest in a stipend from the Chair for Macroeconomics and Development, the Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability, the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE or the rsearch group on Interdisciplinary Public Policy is specified: a cover letter on funding needs to be uploaded on the online application portal that for each of the institutions selected explains (within at most five sentences for each institution) the interest in being funded by that institution (please keep in mind that financial aid from GSEFM can only be sought for applications involving the Ph.D. programs also; see also the separate section on financial aid: in addition to stipends funded by GSEFM's institutional partners (Chair for Macroeconomics and Development, the Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability, the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and the research group on Interdisciplinary Public Policy) further first-year stipends are also offered by the individual GSEFM Ph.D. programs).
2. Essay questions:
In the online application portal, answers to the following two essay questions must be uploaded:
Question #1 (limit your response to 2,000 words):
Describe how in your academic work to date you have demonstrated expertise in making use of mathematical/statistical methods and/or other areas of logical reasoning. Make sure to include a short description of the methods you have used, and briefly explain why you chose to use those methods rather than alternative methods.
Question #2 (limit your response to 2,000 words):
Choosing an area of research within the Ph.D. program [MSQ: within the track of the MSQ program] at GSEFM that you are applying for, outline the contents of a term paper that is supposed to (i) address a question that - within this area of research - is topical, (ii) review what conclusions can be reached on the basis of the current state of the literature, and (iii) make proposals how the literature may need to be extended so as to reach a sound conclusion.
3. Scans of all degree certificates and final transcripts from universities and certificate of university entrance qualification:
If a degree certificate is not yet available, please upload instead:
a. The most recent transcript listing all courses and
b. A confirmation from the university's office of academic records including:
- the full name of the degree program
- a statement as to whether the degree program is conducted on a full-time or part-time basis, and is offered on campus or remotely
- the regular time required to graduate from the degree program
- a confirmation that the degree program is or will be completed prior to October 1 of the year for which admission to GSEFM is being sought
- current grade point average.
c. APS certificate (only if applicable).
All documents must be in English language (except for the documents under 3., which may also be in German language). Certificates issued in languages other than English or German must be accompanied by English language translations issued by the degree-granting institution or a certified translator.
2. Documents to be Submitted by Third Parties
The following documents should (also) be submitted directly by the third parties involved:
Please keep in mind that only applicants to the programs/program tracks in Accounting, Finance or Marketing may submit the Quantitative Score of the GMAT/GMAT Focus in lieu of the Quantitative Reasoning Score of the GRE General Test.
It is highly recommended that scores are transferred to GSEFM directly by the institution administering the test. GSEFM's institution code for GRE is "7276". A department code is not needed. GSEFM's institution codes for GMAT are "7HK-9Q-90", "7HK-9Q-96", "7HK-9Q-92", "7HK-9Q-26", 7HK-9Q-23", "7HK-9Q-97", depending on the program. If the relevant test scores are not available at the time of the application, a statement as to when the tests will be taken is highly recommended. Test scores cannot be accepted after May 31 under any circumstances.
Scores should be transferred directly to GSEFM by the institution administering the examination. GSEFM's institution code for TOEFL is "7276". A department code is not needed. If the relevant test scores are not available at the time of the application, a statement as to when the tests will be taken must be provided. Test scores cannot be accepted after May 31 under any circumstances.
The following documents must be submitted directly by the third parties involved:
The letters of evaluation consist of an evaluation form and a written statement.
The letters shall be submitted either by e-mail directly by the evaluators using their own institutional email accounts to gsefm.applications[at]its.uni-frankfurt[dot]de, or alternatively can also be sent by postal mail (but then need to be in a sealed envelope) by the evaluators or the applicant.
3. Things to Note
I. GSEFM faculty members and/or staff are not in a position to provide preliminary assessments of potential applicants and their applications. Please refrain from making such requests, and submit your application directly as indicated above.
II. Due to the large number of applications, GSEFM unfortunately is not in a position to confirm completeness of applications.
III. All candidates will be duly informed about the admissions decision. Applicants who do not receive an offer in the first or second stage will be re-considered in the third stage. If facing an acceptance deadline from another university, please get in touch with GSEFM as quickly as possible. Otherwise please do not send inquiries about the status of your application.
IV. GSEFM faculty members and/or staff cannot offer feedback on the application of those applicants who could not be admitted.
V. Re-applications from candidates who had applied in a prior academic year are allowed. These must occur in the form of complete sets of applications and must not refer to any of the application documents submitted in a prior academic year.