Dr. Aaron Smith

Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Aaron Smith. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Aaron Smith is the Gordon Rausser Distinguished Chair Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the faculty in Fall 2024 and has over 23 years of professorship experience. Originally from New Zealand, he earned his PhD in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. His research primarily addresses economic policy challenges associated with agriculture, energy, and the environment. Smith has published 50 articles in refereed journals, including prominent outlets such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, the Journal of Econometrics, and the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. His work has garnered several awards, including the Quality Communication Award and the Quality Research Discovery Award from the Agricultural Applied Economics Association. Additionally, he leads a cluster focused on the socioeconomics of ethics within the AI Institute for the Food System and contributes regularly to the Ag Data News blog.

Research Interests

Courses

Agricultural, Food, Resource Policy Workshop Individual Research Individual Study for Doctoral Students Quantitative Policy Analysis Special Study for Graduate Students Advanced Topics Environmental Resource Economics

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.