Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 18:03 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 18:03
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
Rovshan16
avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2020
Last visit: 07 Jan 2021
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 30 Aug 2020, 08:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi all.
I am an undergrad Economics student. I consider Finance PhD or Finance focused DBA programs starting from Fall '21.
Background: Male, Azerbaijani, 21 yo.
GPA: 4 (out of 4) from Baku Engineering University (One of the best uni in Azerbaijan)
Tests: IELTS - overall 8, lowest 6.5 (writing)
GMAT - considering to take on Oct or Nov (assume 700+)
Experience: Internal Audit Intern at a TNC (1 year)
No research experience:(
With all the above, how likely am I to be accepted to one of the programs and what group of universities would be best to apply?
P.S. I know there would be many people with better profiles applying but I believe I can get a decent score on GMAT. How much would a great GMAT score (say 730) strengthen my profile? And what else (e.g. programming skills) could help to increase my chances?
User avatar
FinanceMan
User avatar
Masters of Science Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 Feb 2020
Last visit: 07 Nov 2024
Posts: 249
Own Kudos:
149
Given Kudos: 113
Location: United States (OK)
Schools: Fuqua MSQM-BA Online "22 (M)
Schools: Fuqua MSQM-BA Online "22 (M)
Posts: 249
Kudos: 149
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 31 Aug 2020, 21:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The DBA is a degree designed specifically for individuals who have 10+ years of experience and are in upper level management or executive level positions. It is not a degree designed for fresh undergrad graduates. I would recommend a PhD based on that fact alone.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
CAMANISHPARMAR
User avatar
Joined: 12 Feb 2015
Last visit: 13 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,022
Own Kudos:
2,456
 [1]
Given Kudos: 77
Posts: 1,022
Kudos: 2,456
 [1]
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 01 Sep 2020, 04:17
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Rovshan16
Hi all.
I am an undergrad Economics student. I consider Finance PhD or Finance focused DBA programs starting from Fall '21.
Background: Male, Azerbaijani, 21 yo.
GPA: 4 (out of 4) from Baku Engineering University (One of the best uni in Azerbaijan)
Tests: IELTS - overall 8, lowest 6.5 (writing)
GMAT - considering to take on Oct or Nov (assume 700+)
Experience: Internal Audit Intern at a TNC (1 year)
No research experience:(
With all the above, how likely am I to be accepted to one of the programs and what group of universities would be best to apply?
P.S. I know there would be many people with better profiles applying but I believe I can get a decent score on GMAT. How much would a great GMAT score (say 730) strengthen my profile? And what else (e.g. programming skills) could help to increase my chances?
Show more

Hi!

You have good chances at the 2nd tier Ph.D. programs (maybe first-tier programs; it depends on who is giving you a letter of recommendation? and if you get extremely lucky). What math courses have you done up till now?By the way what Programs are you aiming for?

If you want to go for the top programs then go for a research master's degree, which will have lots of Probability theory, statistics theory, linear algebra, econometrics, research-based courses, finance seminars, improve your programming skills, work on SAS/STATA/LATEX/PYTHON etc. If you can take your GMAT to 740+ with a Pre-PhD program such as (click here), then you are well on your way to the top programs. You may also explore other such opportunities..

If you are not aiming for the very top programs, i.e. MIT, Harvard etc, then you may also think of working as a research associate just for ONE year and simultaneously do research-based courses and help the professor in his research. The one year RA experience will help you gain some confidence as well. Last but not the least, for all the suggestions I gave you, you do not have to shell out a single penny from your pocket. In fact you will not only receive tuition waivers but also some living stipend...What is your take?

I hope you find the feedback information useful.

Do feel free to get back!

All the best!
User avatar
Hovkial
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Last visit: 24 Nov 2022
Posts: 803
Own Kudos:
2,409
 [2]
Given Kudos: 202
Status:PhD trained. Education research, management.
Posts: 803
Kudos: 2,409
 [2]
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 01 Sep 2020, 08:54
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The DBA is not a research degree. You may not be ready to apply to doctoral programs if you are unclear about the differences between a DBA and a PhD.

Most North American programs ask for the TOEFL. They will not accept the IELTS test scores.

Finance is heavily math-oriented. You will need to show strong preparation in math courses at the graduate level. A simple preparation at the undergraduate level may not be sufficient. You may consider taking courses in econometrics, algebra, modelling, statistics and programming. For the top programs, you may also need to show a well-rounded background.

Finance programs heavily emphasize scores in the quantitative sections of tests. There will be many applicants with strong scores in these sections. The competition will be strong and nothing is guaranteed.

Since you are still an undergrad student, it may help if you take some years to improve your background.
avatar
Rovshan16
avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2020
Last visit: 07 Jan 2021
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
 [1]
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 02 Sep 2020, 00:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
CAMANISHPARMAR
Thanks for your comprehensive answer. I will try to address each part of your comment.    RECOMMENDATION
Two of my PhD  lecturers are active researchers and have papers published by Scopus indexed journals. Unfortunately, I have not taken part in their work because of time constraints. However, I believe they could give me reference for my good academic standing.    MATH CLASSES
Linear Algebra - A
Calculus - A
Probability - A
Statistics - A
Additionally:
Econometrics I - B
Econometrics II - A    PROGRAMS
I consider starting my studies from Fall '21. I know my chances are low for the top tier. I would be happy to study PhD Finance in a second or even third tier US university. I am also interested in funded pre-doctorate programs or MSc before PhD. BTW, thanks for the link. How do you evaluate my chances for above mentioned programs with a standard LoR and LoM? Should I have pre-doctorate research experience for lower tiers? Is my chances low for a fully funded MSc?

All the best!
User avatar
CAMANISHPARMAR
User avatar
Joined: 12 Feb 2015
Last visit: 13 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,022
Own Kudos:
2,456
Given Kudos: 77
Posts: 1,022
Kudos: 2,456
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 02 Sep 2020, 03:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Rovshan16
CAMANISHPARMAR
Thanks for your comprehensive answer. I will try to address each part of your comment.    RECOMMENDATION
Two of my PhD  lecturers are active researchers and have papers published by Scopus indexed journals. Unfortunately, I have not taken part in their work because of time constraints. However, I believe they could give me reference for my good academic standing.    MATH CLASSES
Linear Algebra - A
Calculus - A
Probability - A
Statistics - A
Additionally:
Econometrics I - B
Econometrics II - A    PROGRAMS
I consider starting my studies from Fall '21. I know my chances are low for the top tier. I would be happy to study PhD Finance in a second or even third tier US university. I am also interested in funded pre-doctorate programs or MSc before PhD. BTW, thanks for the link. How do you evaluate my chances for above mentioned programs with a standard LoR and LoM? Should I have pre-doctorate research experience for lower tiers? Is my chances low for a fully funded MSc?

All the best!
Show more

Hi!

Your grades are excellent with a string of A's in all except one and you have done the relevant math courses. If you get 730+ in GMAT you should be able to secure a place in one of the 2nd tier programs (fully funded).

Please feel free to revert in case if you have further queries.

All the best!
avatar
MohidSayed
avatar
Joined: 25 Jul 2020
Last visit: 27 Dec 2024
Posts: 10
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 97
Location: India
Schools: Erasmus (II) Simon '24
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
GPA: 3
Schools: Erasmus (II) Simon '24
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
Posts: 10
Kudos: 1
Profile Evaluation Request (Finance PhD or DBA) 02 Nov 2020, 09:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

Requesting feedback/evaluation on my profile.

An HR professional with international experience of more than a decade in senior HR delivery roles across major firms. I'm exploring a change in career path from corporate to academia. I don't possess a full master's degree but a post grad certificate in HR from XLRI, India. An undergraduate degree in computer engineering(unimpressive grades).
My approach is to target either a direct PhD program if I get accepted or a take a full time masters by research program and progress into PhD.
I intend to take the GMAT in November and submit applications for 2021.

Interested research area - Performance management in International context.

Requesting experts' information/advice on such career track changes.


My profile brief -

Work Experience - 11 years.

2007-present - HR delivery - from executive to senior manager level.
Industries worked - IT(Mphasis, Accenture), Retail(Red-Tag, Sports Direct).
Locations - India, UAE, Kuwait.

Education -
B.E - Computer Engineering - 2007 - Goa University, India
PG Cert - 2011, XLRI, India.
Moderator:
said.tojiboev
PhD Forum Moderator
65 posts