Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 16:33 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 16:33
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
ZacharyCor
avatar
Joined: 11 Aug 2018
Last visit: 28 May 2019
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Profile Review and Advice 04 Nov 2018, 18:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have been looking into getting a PhD for a while now. I would like some harsh honesty/feedback of what I have done and what I can do moving forward to increase my odds of getting into a program. My aspirations seem lower than most on the forum; I’d like to end up a professor at a nice state school where I can do research but it not be my main focus (think something like Western Kentucky University.) I love research but I love the idea of being more student involved. I want to do a PhD in Business Administration with emphasis in Entrepreneurship.

Profile:
I go to an average state school, will graduate from our Honors College.
B.S. in Finance: 3.8 GPA
590 GMAT 31% in Quant 89% in Verbal. Ew I know, I took one practice test and got a 650.
3 internships: Loan Specialist: USDA, Financial Management Scholar in Risk Management: FDIC, and Small Business Consultant: Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Thesis is on Community Development Financial Institutions and Entrepreneurship. Expected to present it at a Federal Reserve conference.
Highest mathematics class: Business Calculus 1 :/

First question. I know my application would look pretty weak; is it possible to get into any PhD program with my goal in mind? If so, what kind of school does it look like? Examples please!

This leads into my second question. What can I do to make my application more acceptable? I know I can raise my GMAT, worst case scenario - 620. I have a job offer to go work for the FDIC as a Financial Institution Specialist. As of now, I plan on doing a part time masters degree at a state school in the city I will work. I also plan to concurrently get a graduate certificate in business analytics from Michigan State online.

If I do all of those things and work for two years, how will it look and what schools would I be able to apply to? Or what should I do after graduation?

Thanks for any help!
User avatar
billionaire
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 21 Mar 2018
Last visit: 14 Oct 2024
Posts: 492
Own Kudos:
507
Given Kudos: 72
Concentration: Finance
Posts: 492
Kudos: 507
Profile Review and Advice 05 Nov 2018, 02:44
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ZacharyCor
I have been looking into getting a PhD for a while now. I would like some harsh honesty/feedback of what I have done and what I can do moving forward to increase my odds of getting into a program. My aspirations seem lower than most on the forum; I’d like to end up a professor at a nice state school where I can do research but it not be my main focus (think something like Western Kentucky University.) I love research but I love the idea of being more student involved. I want to do a PhD in Business Administration with emphasis in Entrepreneurship.

Profile:
I go to an average state school, will graduate from our Honors College.
B.S. in Finance: 3.8 GPA
590 GMAT 31% in Quant 89% in Verbal. Ew I know, I took one practice test and got a 650.
3 internships: Loan Specialist: USDA, Financial Management Scholar in Risk Management: FDIC, and Small Business Consultant: Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Thesis is on Community Development Financial Institutions and Entrepreneurship. Expected to present it at a Federal Reserve conference.
Highest mathematics class: Business Calculus 1 :/

First question. I know my application would look pretty weak; is it possible to get into any PhD program with my goal in mind? If so, what kind of school does it look like? Examples please!

This leads into my second question. What can I do to make my application more acceptable? I know I can raise my GMAT, worst case scenario - 620. I have a job offer to go work for the FDIC as a Financial Institution Specialist. As of now, I plan on doing a part time masters degree at a state school in the city I will work. I also plan to concurrently get a graduate certificate in business analytics from Michigan State online.

If I do all of those things and work for two years, how will it look and what schools would I be able to apply to? Or what should I do after graduation?

Thanks for any help!
Show more


Hello ZacharyCor

Congrats on lofty plans toward PhD :thumbup:

Being professor at any school and doing what you love and what makes you inspired is great.


I don't see PhD in Business Administration with emphasis in Entrepreneurship at Western Kentucky University ?

I guess you want to go there after you complete PhD.


Your GPA is great.

GMAT could be higher, but that also depends where you want to apply, it may even suffice.

Internships are relevant.

Having your paper presented at Federal Reserve conference would be awesome, and will give you competitive advantage.


Of course it is possible to get in at some schools.

Okay you definitely have some time, before application, retaking GMAT will be one way to go.

Having master degree and job experience you mention will add value to your application.


Depending on your future GMAT score you will be able to apply to schools that have that range, or average score +- 30-50 points.

At this time it will be redundant to provide you with examples.


Also, what is most important, you should structure your application list based on Entrepreneurship research that interests you and professors who conduct that kind of research, then you check where they work, so you can apply at that school.


Two years is really plenty of time, enjoy the process.




Good Luck ! :cool:
Moderator:
said.tojiboev
PhD Forum Moderator
65 posts