business undergraduate to PhD

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I have a number of questions regarding the application process for top PhD programs across the US. Before I continue, please allow me to provide some background. I am a recent graduate with a BBA from the Terry College of Business (U. of Georgia), and I am extremely interested and passionate about research--specifically in the management and organization field. Although my undergrad was filled with extracuricular activities, I lacked a research component; not having done extensive research is something that I deeply regret. I graduated with a concentration in Finance, 3.97/4.0 GPA, and I would like to pursue a PhD in about a year (Fall 2011). Finally, I have not taken my GRE, but I intend to do so soon.</p>

<p>The schools that I am looking at include: Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Georgetown, NYU, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, U Chicago, U Michigan-Ann Arbor, Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon, etc. </p>

<p>Hopefully, this information provides a little background. With that being said, here are my questions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the lack of a research component during undergrad a serious deterrent to acceptance to a top PhD program?</li>
<li>Are top programs hesitant to take undergrads with limited work/research experience?</li>
<li>What options exist to add such a component to a recent undergrad?</li>
<li>Would it be smarter to focus on a job, or volunteer as a research assistant?</li>
<li>What are the credentials that administrators look at when considering an application?</li>
<li>How important are letters of recommendation? I'm lucky to have very good and personal relationships with many of my professors so I'm not worried about the importance, so much as I would like to know how much weight they carry.</li>
<li>What GRE would be considered "strong" for the abovementioned institutions? Clearly I will try to do my best--as I think that's what will be required--but any personal experience regarding an acceptable range would be extremely helpful.</li>
</ol>

<p>I would like to thank all of you for your time in reading these questions, and a special thank you to those of you who respond. I sincerely appreciate you advice and feedback.</p>

2

<p>First, read the first couple pages of the Grad School Admissions 101 thread. It’s somewhat science/engineering oriented, but it covers all the basics. Although not directly related take a look at the MBA forum too.</p>

<p>Then, talk to your professors - they can give you the straight dope on what’s realistic for you. </p>

<p>Now, your questions:</p>

<p>1) Not necessarily - contact the programs directly for details
2) ditto, and see #3 & #4 but be aware that you’ll be competing against people with masters degress and sometimes many years of experience.
3) Most universities have programs for working adults that will let you take appropriate courses if you don’t want to do a full masters program. Many employers will pay your tuition as well. Be aware that many top B-Schools prefer that incoming PhD students have a relevant masters which decreases the importance of your undergrad program’s details.
4) Many business graduate programs expect their applicants to have considerable real-world experience as well as academic credentials. I’d lean toward job experience combined with the above.
5) GPA & GMAT/GRE will be used for the first cut, then SOP, LORs, relevant experience
6) Crucial
7) GMAT: 700+, GRE : mid 600+ verbal, near perfect Quant (especially for Finance), 5+ AW</p>

<p>A lot of what you want to know you’ll find on the various program websites. For example:</p>

<p>[Program</a> Statistics - Stephen M. Ross School of Business](<a href=“http://www.bus.umich.edu/Academics/Phd/About/ProgramStatistics.htm]Program”>Error 404! Page Not Found. - iMpact Web Portal)</p>

<p>Consider everything you see on program websites a MINIMUM to get past the first cut rather than what you need to be accepted.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>