There are over 100 business Ph.D granting universities in the US. Some admit every other year, and some have annual admissions of only two or three people per major. Of course, some Programs admit many more.
I looked at the admission requirements of the most business Ph.D Programs in the US universities (listed here:
https://aaahq.org/ATA/public-interest/Ph ... ?sort=name), and below are my observations. Please feel free to add anything else you consider relevant.
1. GMAT – Hardly any Program specifies any minimum GMAT score. However, most Programs show the average test scores for the last few years. Average GMAT score from my observation is about 715. From what I know GMAT is very important. Some “insiders” even mentioned on their blogs and articles that admission committee will give more weight to shiny GMAT score than to work experience. As discussed on one of the posts, 700+ should get you to most Programs, but to stand out in some schools you might consider aiming at 750+.
2. Master’s Degree - Not required. You can apply with your four year Bachelor’s degree. However, admission pages of the schools say that most students have Master’s degrees prior to applying to the Ph.D Programs. Your Master’s Degree does not have to be in the same field you are applying. Depending on your undergraduate degree, you might have to take some prerequisite courses.
3. Work Experience – Not required. You can apply directly after you have undergraduate degree without any actual work experience in your field. Again, most applicants have work experience. Admission pages mention that it is a plus to have a relevant work experience.
4. GPA – Undergraduate GPA is more important than Graduate GPA. Of course most applicants have high GPAs. Some Programs even list minimum 3.0/4.0 Undergraduate and 3.5/4.0 Graduate GPA requirements.
5. Math/Stat/Econ Background – Is very important to have a solid background in these classes. Depending on the school and program you are applying, they require you complete two-three semesters of calculus, upper-level statistics and intermediate microeconomics classes before you start the Program.
6. Recommendation Letters – Usually 2-3 are required. You should get at least two from your professors with highest and quality publications. If you have worked for a few years, it is also a good idea to get a letter from a partner at your firm, CEO, CFO, etc.
Applicants normally have to apply to both the graduate school and the accounting program. Often, the application deadlines for these two groups are different, so make sure you check on that.
Again, feel free to add anything else you consider relevant. I appreciate if you award me with kudos if you like this post or if you think this is useful to you or to the community. I would love to access GMAT club exams.
Good luck!