A pre-doc is a job: a full-time research assistantship, which requires a bachelor's degree by the start date and typically lasts for two years.

A pre-doc isn't a prerequisite to being admitted to a PhD program, but there are several reasons why you might want to do a pre-doc anyway. Pre-docs are great choices for people who aren't sure whether they want to do a PhD, or who are sure, but need a little more experience to be competitive. In the PhD application process, pre-docs offer a similar credential as a master's degree, but a pre-doc is a paid job, compared to a master's degree you would have to pay tuition for. Exposure to a technical and professional environment can also strengthen your PhD application (from research experience to letters of recommendation). 

Many pre-docs, as the name implies, go on to doctoral programs. Some go on to careers in policy research (e.g., at the Federal Reserve System) or industry. For more specific outcomes, check an individual program's website.

The application process varies among different institutions. Very generally, they tend to follow the pattern of an initial expression of interest (submitting application materials like your CV), collecting a sample of work (either a data task or something you have already put together), and finally an interview with the professor.

• Course Prerequisites:
  • There is no set list of prerequisite coursework for pre-doctoral positions. Faculty research varies so widely that it is difficult to provide specific guidance. That said, having a strong background in quantitative analysis and statistics is always useful, and core competence in at least one statistical software program like R, Python, or STATA is broadly useful. For more specific recommendations, ask faculty in the field you are interested in. The requirements for specific positions are stated in the job postings.
• Data Tasks:
  • Many positions will ask applicants to complete a data task to demonstrate their quantitative abilities, including data visualization, economic intuition, and some specific technical skills. These tasks can take time to complete (often a few hours), so be prepared to budget your time.
  • Check out our How to Prepare page for example data tasks and solutions to practice!
• Coding Sample
  
  • If you are asked to provide a coding sample, first read the application's requirements to be sure you are meeting any specific criteria, such as a preferred language or submission format. Generally speaking, choose a substantive project you are proud of, and be sure the code is well commented and neat. One of the most important things your code will be judged on is whether other members of a team could pick your code up and use it easily.
• Resume/CV
  • A CV is intended to be a broad document which includes all your professional accomplishments. It is helpful if you can highlight items that are of particular relevance to pre-doc positions, including your completed and ongoing degrees, relevant coursework, past RA experience, and any coding languages you are proficient in, as well as your level of proficiency.
• Cover Letter
  • Your cover letter is your opportunity to give more context to items that appear in your CV. Be sure to talk about your interest in the specific program you are applying for. It's especially worth highlighting past RA experience, independent research, and significant coding projects or field work. If you earned your degree outside the US, you might want to give some added context to your transcript. Cover letters are generally about a page long.

This varies by program. Anyone applying to a position outside their home country is encouraged to reach out to the hiring institution with any questions about work authorization and travel. Additionally, stay informed about updates to travel restrictions by consulting trusted sources and advisors.

Pre-doctoral positions are available throughout the year, and start dates vary by sponsoring institution. Broadly speaking, however, many institutions hire in the fall, with start dates in the subsequent summer. There also tends to be a smaller recruiting season in late winter/early spring, again with start dates typically in the subsequent summer. Typically, candidates must have at least a Bachelor's degree by their start date, but do not need a Bachelor's degree in hand in order to apply (i.e., many candidates apply while in the final year of their undergraduate programs).

We host ads from various institutions on a rolling basis on our site!

When you are deciding whether to accept an offer to work as a pre-doc, there are several things to consider. Some of this information may come from whoever is making you an offer, but you may also want to ask if you can speak to current pre-docs at that institution, ideally those working for the professor or group making the offer.

• Are you working in a lab or directly for an individual professor? Labs tend to be more structured and involve work with other pre-docs, graduate students, postdocs, and other researchers. Working directly for a professor can mean more breadth of projects and more one-on-one time with the professor.
• How aligned are your research interests with the job being offered? Perfect alignment isn't necessary. Indeed, one of the benefits of doing a pre-doc is to experience other sub-fields. But there should be some affinity with your interests.
• What opportunities are there to take courses, attend seminars, and pursue your own skills development?
• How many other pre-docs are there at the institution? Is the culture among the pre-docs collaborative? Ask if you can talk to any current pre-docs in the program to find out.