Phd in Organizational Behavior - advice !

[as62705]

Right now, for any applicants considering a Ph.D. in Business, I would suggest making sure their application is SOLID. Because of the economy, many universities are cutting Ph.D. programs. I got lucky and started my program in the Fall of 2008, and my program has already announced they will not be admitting any more Ph.D. students for 2009 because of budget cuts. While this may be discouraging, it provides a great opportunity for those considering a Ph.D. to take an extra year and take some courses, work with professors, or strengthen your GMAT. Those schools that are admitting, are going to be admitting fewer and be very selective.

Good Luck! One year is nothing in the scheme of things, and, its a year to enjoy!!! These programs are T-O-U-G-H!!!

[possible_phd]

It is worrisome. If you don't mind sharing, which program are you in? Knowing whether or not a program is admitting people is pretty important information for us unfortunate 2009 applicants! :-P

[UnknownPhD]

i've contacted two programs. a professor of one of the programs told me that we do need to expect more competition this year. Luckily, that program does not close its door yet. Then...what would be the SOLID application? 750+ GMAT, 3.9+GPA, Excellent letters from great professors? What else?

[possible_phd]

Be able to walk on water. ;-)

[doctoraldude]

hey! isn't that about 2000 years old ? that'll just show a lack of innovative ideas ...

[possible_phd]

Hey, man, you can trace the roots of calculus back even further than that, but admissions people still want you to be able to do it! ;-)

[doctoraldude]

heheh ...

i guess i should've mentioned in my statement of purpose how an apple fell on my head when i was 10

...which led me to the discovery of the awesomeness of ripe fallen apples

[bestkid]

I myself applied to PhD programs last year, yes mostly to management and strategy programs. Even schools you applied were close to mines. 6-yr work experience...long but shorter than mine. As suggested by others, u need to take those professional recomms out of thy applications...if already submitted then, try to find academic sources (preferrably US professors). 29 is not quite old. If thy really interested in PhD study...come to the states and take a short master program. Professors do not see thy application as strong since u have quite a strong professional background. They don't like it. Or, more precisely, they prefer young guns with smart and creative ideas though those ideas are quite far away from the reality. Good luck!

[portugabel]

Haven't posted in a few months but just wanted to let you know that I got admitted to a good school although not a top one and will be working with the professors I wanted to work with and who are well recognized in the field of Management/OB.

Moreover, I have received a very good financial aid package. I am moving in three weeks !

To summarize, I got in with my 650 GMAT, 2 professional recommandations and 1 academic and my 6 year experience. I guess people reading this have to see that there is (almost) always a fit with (at least) 1 university depending on your profile (I am a very internationally-oriented profile, fluent in 5/6 languages and have worked in different countries and am very interested by an academic/research career).

I have also been told by other universities where I did not get in that this year was one the toughest ever and that 2010 would be even worse...

Good luck to everyone then !!