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Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
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Simon (Rochester) Ph.D. Program Guide
In continuation to our Project of Ph.D. Program Guides, we get you everything about Ph.D. programs at one place. As a matter of accuracy and authenticity, we will use only the school’s official website for any kind of information. This thread will help GMAT Club members in getting unified information, instead of juggling multiple websites online.
Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. Ph.D. Program Highlights
3. Fields of study
4. Getting Started: Summer Math Camp
5. Application Checklist
6. Student Selection
7. Employment after Ph.D.
8. Ph.D. Financial Support
9. Simon Ph.D. FAQS
Introduction
The Simon Business School has a strong track record of mentoring its PhD students to become leaders in their academic fields. The highly sought after graduates are known for their strong analytical skills and research performance. Solve complex and challenging problems. Lead research that has practical implications and influences the way the business world and the economy operate. You can do it all with a Business PhD from Simon Business School.
Renowned for their excellence in research, instruction, and innovation, The Simon’s faculty will help you master your chosen discipline and prepare you for a career in research and academia. A PhD from Simon Business School gives you the skills and credentials to lead in the classroom, and to undertake innovative, industry-shaping research.
Ph.D. Program Highlights
- Students Admitted: 9-12
- Years to Complete: 5-6
- Areas of Study: 5
- Average Age: 24
- GMAT: 690 (Middle 80% score)
- GRE: 327 (Middle 80% score)
Fields of study
Students build a firm foundation in economics, statistics, and their specific fields of study. There are five fields of study:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations Management
Accounting
The Simon Business School PhD Program in Accounting provides students with the opportunity to make substantive contributions to the literature by taking advantage of the Simon School's strong economics and quantitative training.
At Simon, accounting is not viewed as a separate academic discipline, but as an integral part of applied economics. By studying accounting and accounting phenomena from the perspective of an applied financial economist, an accounting researcher can provide evidence that potentially affects such diverse areas as the theory of the firm, corporate finance, the economics of regulation, and capital market efficiency.
Finance
Simon’s methodological approach to finance emphasizes formal modeling of problems and empirical testing of theories. Explore topics related to areas such as corporate finance, financial institutions, and asset pricing using principles of economics, mathematics, and statistics.
Simon has a long history of developing first-rate finance scholars. Top faculty with expertise in a wide range of areas, a close mentorship program, extensive access to data, and a broad offering of specialized courses and workshops help the PhD students reach the frontier of modern finance, develop ideas, and become sophisticated consumers and producers of academic research. Simon’s ultimate objective is to empower students to produce novel research in the finance field and to secure top academic jobs.
Marketing
The Marketing PhD focuses on the demand and supply of products and services. Ph.D. students at Simon acquire a powerful skillset based in economics, econometrics, statistics, machine learning, and causal inference. These skills allow them to answer substantive questions in marketing by applying or developing new empirical approaches.
The Simon’s faculty engage with PhD students in a close mentoring relationship that allows students to develop both the technical and independent research skills needed for a successful academic career. Recent research by Simon’s faculty and PhD students studies broad areas including digital, online, retail competition, pricing, platform competition, word-of-mouth, and advertising.
Operations Management
The operations of a firm involve acquiring productive resources and the configuration of a productive system, then utilizing them to produce goods and services. The decisions at every level are complex. Operations Management helps to deliver solutions for even the most challenging business decision.
Making tough business decisions demands both realistic modeling of these decision problems and knowledge of the development of new theory and techniques. The program stresses a balanced approach to the subject while familiarizing you with the latest methodologies. Students are expected to understand the real context within which operational decisions are made, and to develop skills in modeling these problems. The emphasis is on the study of complex, large- scale systems needing integrated solutions.
Information Systems and Technology
Simon’s PhD in Information Systems and Technology focuses on the business aspects of Information Technology use and management, and the analytic and quantitative tools and techniques to address them. The research conducted by the students and faculty has significantly advanced the state of the art in research on information systems in general, with an emphasis on information systems economics and machine learning modeling.
Getting Started: Summer Math Camp
Renowned for its analytical rigor and quantitative focus, the academic component of Simon’s PhD program is rooted in economics and statistics. That’s why the program begins with Summer Math Camp. Your coursework will deepen your understanding of state-of-the-art concepts and tools, while your faculty collaborations explore the complex process of modern business and economic research to fuel your own independent research. Deeper specialization in coursework occurs in the second year when you’ll concentrate on your major field of study.
In order to prepare you for success Simon offers three mini courses each summer before the official start of classes. The Summer Math program is included in your full tuition scholarship. While not mandatory, these classes are strongly recommended and highly encouraged. Courses meet during the months of July and August. The following topics are covered in the summer camp.
Topic 1: Linear Algebra
This course provides an introduction to linear algebra. Topics include: Gaussian elimination; matrix operations; matrix inverses; vector spaces and subspaces; linear independence and the basis of a space; row space and column space of a matrix; fundamental theorem of linear algebra; linear transformations; orthogonal vectors and subspaces; orthogonal bases; Gram-Schmidt method; orthogonal projections; linear regression; determinants: how to calculate them, properties, and applications; Line Calculating eigenvectors and eigenvalues, basic properties; matrix diagonalization; application to difference equations and differential equations; positive definite matrices; tests for positive definiteness; singular value decomposition; classification of states, transience and recurrence, classes of states; absorption, expected reward; stationary and limiting distributions.
Topic 2: Optimization
This course covers Optimization in Rn, Weier strass Theorem, Unconstrained optimization, Lagrange Theorem and equality constraints, Kuhn-Tucker Theorem and Inequality constraints, Convexity, Parametric Monotonicity and Super modularity.
Topic 3: Probability Theory
This course teaches Random Variable, Distribution, Independence; Transformations and Expectations; Common Families of Distributions; Multiple Random Variables, and Markov Chains.
During your time at Simon, you’ll build a strong foundation in economics and statistics to deepen your understanding of state-of-the-art concepts and tools. You’ll collaborate with world-renowned faculty at Simon to explore the complex process of modern business and economic research to fuel your own successful independent research.
A life changing Experience
A Simon PhD can open doors you’d never expected. Say yes to opportunities like traveling the world and collaborating with diverse groups of peers. Achieve financially and professionally. Business school professors are among the highest paid in academia. The graduates often turn down jobs from top companies, including Amazon and Adobe, for lucrative academic positions.
Application Checklist
It is important to submit the required information and materials in order for your application to be considered “complete” and sent to the faculty admissions committee for review. The following is the complete checklist for admission to the program.
Résumé
A business formatted résumé (not a CV) is recommend and it should be no longer than two pages. Focus on quantifying your accomplishments and be sure to keep the formatting clean and easy to read.
Essays (250–500 words)
The application will provide two essay prompts, with space to upload an optional third essay. When you are preparing your responses, make sure you fully answer the question and stay within the word count.
Transcripts
School-issued official transcripts, scanned and uploaded for each college attended. Please provide all transcripts—both from undergraduate and graduate school (if applicable).
GMAT or GRE
Official test taker copy/score report for GMAT or GRE (including analytical writing assessment, if applicable) scanned and uploaded.
Three recommendations
As part of the online application, you will be asked to supply three recommendations. The school strongly suggests listing references who are familiar with you in a professional capacity.
$50 application fee
You can pay the application fee of $50 by credit card on the final screen of the application.
TOEFL or IELTS (international applicants only; waivers available)
Test results for TOEFL or IELTS, scanned and uploaded. Duolingo is not accepted for the PhD application. Language test waivers are available through the application. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Online application form
The application for Fall 2026 is now closed. The application for Fall 2027 will open in September.
Student Selection
Students who succeed in the Simon PhD program do not have to fit a conventional PhD or business student profile. History has shown us that the most successful students need only be analytical, creative, committed, and eager to study complex business problems.
The PhD Program at Simon Business School equips students with the analytical skills to carry out high-quality teaching and research in various fields of management. The approach is to develop each student's unique potential, therefore all of an applicant’s abilities are considered in admittance decisions. It’s important to note that the doctoral program accepts full-time students only. Admissions decisions are made in the spring.
Employment after Ph.D.
Simon Business School is proud to say that most its graduates are employed even before they defend their dissertations with a 100% placement rate overall. Over 90% of these placements are in sought after academic positions. Recent placements include: MIT, NYU, UC Berkeley, Purdue University, University of Virginia–Darden, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Washington, Boston University, UT Dallas, and Penn State.
Ph.D. Financial Support
Pursuing a doctoral degree is a significant undertaking. Your focus should be on your growth, research, and goals exclusively. At Simon Business School make that possible by supporting its students with a fellowship and healthcare for 5 years of study. Tuition and fees are paid in full for the duration of a student's enrollment.
The PhD Program is designed to be a rigorous full-time program. Simon provides generous financial support to all of its PhD students, and encourages them not to work outside of the University. There is no financial aid forms required to qualify for financial support. Students also receive a research budget and dedicated PhD spaces including recently renovated offices and a computer lab.
Note: All students receive these benefits, so long as they remain in good academic standing.
Tuition Scholarship
While many financial aid and tuition options are additionally available, all Simon PhD students receive a full-tuition scholarship for all courses approved for their curriculum, so you can focus your efforts solely on your academic goals.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
During years two through five of the PhD program, students are required to complete three teaching assistantships per academic year. These teaching assistantships are part of students' academic training as teachers and are included in their fellowship payment. Additional teaching assistantship and research assistantship work is also available for interested students.
Research Support
Each student will receive a research budget that can be used for academic needs such as publications, conference travel, software and data purchases, and more. Students receive additional funding annually.
Health Insurance
University-sponsored health insurance coverage is provided to all Simon PhD students, at no cost to the student, for the length of time they are enrolled in the program. Students can choose to add dependents to their health insurance coverage at their own expense
Fellowship
Simon Business School offers an annual fellowship to all admitted students for five years of study.
Additional Funding Sources
The University of Rochester offers several additional graduate student fellowships for which Simon applicants may qualify. Students who apply for admission to the graduate program are automatically considered for nomination to the Provost and Sproull University Fellowships. No additional application is required.
Students who choose to stay enrolled in the PhD Program beyond five years of study can receive support through grants with faculty, teaching courses, or by providing research support.
Simon Ph.D. FAQS
If you have any further questions regarding Simon Ph.D. program, please click here to visit Simon’s Ph.D. FAQs page.
Good Luck!
