Applicant Profile

Each year, the PhD Program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business receives hundreds of applications from qualified individuals for the limited number of spots available in our program. Our students come to the program with a variety of experiences and interests from countries around the world.

The program has grown considerably in the past few years, the result of which has been a highly selective set of criteria. The profile of successful applicants includes high academic grade point average (GPA) and test scores, a demonstrated ability to think analytically, strong letters of recommendation (preferably from academic sources), and a desire to pursue research at the university level. Individuals holding the equivalent of a bachelor's degree and two semesters of quantitative course work at the college level (i.e., mathematics, statistics, economics, etc.) are eligible to apply for admission to the PhD Program.

A faculty committee from each of the respective areas begins the process of evaluating applications after the December 15th deadline. In-person and telephone interviews may be conducted with those students who are being seriously considered for admission. In addition, some areas may request a short (60-90 seconds) video from an applicant being seriously considered for admission. This video would focus on the applicant addressing the following question: Why do you believe the Robert H. Smith School of Business is a good match for you to pursue your PhD?

In general, decisions are made beginning in late March and continuing through the month of April until all available spaces are filled. Applicants will be notified by mail and e-mail when a final decision is made regarding their application.

Given the large number of applicants for each opening, admission to the program is highly competitive (i.e., the number of students actually admitted each year represents only a small percentage of those who have applied), in recent years, the average GMAT score has been approximately 700 and the average GRE score in both the verbal and quantitative sections has been approximately 700.

There is no absolute GPA requirement. However, given the competitive nature of admission to the program, most students admitted do have a rather high GPA. In recent years the GPA for undergraduate and graduate degree has been around 3.4 (out of 4) and 3.8 (out of 4) respectively.