Pardee RAND Acceptance Rate

The Pardee RAND Graduate School of Policy Studies, located in Santa Monica, California, is a highly specialized institution focused on policy analysis and research, primarily offering graduate programs. As such, it does not have traditional undergraduate admissions or acceptance rates. However, for the purpose of this analysis, we will address acceptance rates at the graduate level for the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2023-2024). The school is known for its rigorous selection process, attracting a niche pool of applicants with strong academic and professional backgrounds. Factors influencing selectivity include the small cohort size, the specialized nature of the programs, and the emphasis on research fit. Unfortunately, Pardee RAND does not publicly release detailed admission statistics for each cycle, making precise data challenging to obtain. Estimates are based on historical trends and information from similar policy-focused graduate institutions.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: Estimated at 20.0% for the Class of 2023-2024, based on historical data suggesting a selective process with a small applicant pool (approximately 200-300 applicants) and limited spots (around 40-60 admitted students).
• Early Action/Decision Rate: Data unavailable. Pardee RAND does not offer early action or early decision for graduate admissions, as applications are typically reviewed in a single cycle.
• International Student Rate: Data unavailable. Estimated at 15.0-25.0%, reflecting the school’s global focus on policy studies and historical trends of admitting a diverse, international cohort.

Trends in acceptance rates at Pardee RAND Graduate School suggest increasing competitiveness over recent years due to growing interest in policy studies and the school’s unique interdisciplinary approach. The small program size inherently limits the number of admitted students, contributing to lower acceptance rates compared to larger graduate schools. While specific data on early decision or action is not applicable, the overall selectivity aligns with peer institutions like the Harvard Kennedy School or Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, though Pardee RAND’s smaller scale makes direct comparisons challenging. For prospective applicants, the lack of transparent data underscores the importance of reaching out to the admissions office or reviewing resources like the official website at pardee.rand.org for the most current information on application requirements and cohort profiles.