Hello. Great advice found in this community!

I would like your assessment of my chances of being accepted in a Ph.D. program in Marketing.

My primary area of interest is on the strategic side of marketing. I am also interested in some consumer behavior topics.

Undergraduate GPA:3.95/4.0- Small Liberal Arts and unknown college. I majored in Business.

Grad GPA: 3.67/4.0- Small and relatively unknown school, although larger and better known than that for my undergraduate degree (ranking-mid 60´s).

MBA in Marketing. Due to severe personal circumstances during one particular semester, I got “B+” in four of my marketing courses. I got “A´s” for my last three marketing courses. Unfortunately, I got a “B” on my last semester on a marketing-like course. The course was not marketing per se, but it´s somewhat related.

I am concerned about this combination of marketing grades. Also, my overall grade trend was somewhat erratic due to the aforementioned personal problems. I started with an “A-” GPA went down to “B+” one semester, and ended up slightly below an “A-” on my final semester. I will probably have to address this issue in the SOP.

GMAT: 740 (quant 85%, verbal 94%), AWA: 4.5.

Research experience: None in marketing, 1-year in another area. Over this year, I have become increasingly interested in marketing topics. I am planning to spend the following 6-months getting something written in Marketing.

LORs: Strong letters from professors I have worked for (non-marketing). I think there is a reasonable chance I can get to work with marketing professors in the next 6 months. The professors are unlikely to be known in the U.S.

SOP: I believe I can write an appealing SOP.

Quantitative Background: standard calculus sequence for engineering (up to several variable), business statistics (not mathematical), linear algebra, differential equations. A´s on all.


Do I have a chance at top 30 programs with my profile? Do you think my Grad GPA (absolute and trend) will be a big disadvantage on my application?
My preliminary wish list of schools include: Minnesota, Darden (Virginia), USC. I am a fan of the work of some professors at these schools. Can someone suggest some other schools?

I am an international student. Do you think a high grade on the writing section of the TOEFL could help make up for my low AWA? Is my current AWA grade, too terrible? Do you think I should consider retaking the GMAT?

I am aware that my background is more apt for a program with a strategic marketing orientation, and I know I need to narrow down my research interests. Just in case, do you think that I might face difficulty getting admitted to a program with a behavioral focus with no previous psychology courses whatsoever? If my interests were to tilt towards quant marketing, do you think I could get accepted at descent program without the heavy-duty math background?

Feedback greatly appreciated.