Guidance on selecting Ph.D prgram in strategy related to auto industry

[nycpark]

Hello to all,

I would like to enroll into ph.d program in strategy with research focus in Auto industry. Which school or program do you recommend?

Also, some general questions about applying for ph.d in business;

1) Is it absolute must for applicants to have masters degree before getting into ph.d program? (I only have B.A. in accounting)

2) GMAT or GRE? What's is the preference?

Thank you for your time and help in advance.

[alexis]

I can't answer your first question about the auto industry, but can help a little on the other two questions, as I'm also applying to management programs within b-schools.

1) No, it's not a must to have a master's to get into a PhD program. For some programs, it is more common for admitted students to have a master's (and could give you the competitive edge), but I rarely, if ever, see it as a requirement, and it's not even common in all programs. If anything, the more common factor you see is some relevant work experience, though that's not a requirement either.

2) If you haven't taken the GMAT or GRE yet, your best bet is to take the GMAT. That's the preferred test in many management programs, though some don't have a preference and will take either the GMAT or GRE. Nowadays, most are accepting the GRE as well, though some still "heavily prefer" the GMAT.

[phdhope]

I have no clue if there are programs that focus on the auto industry. I would possibly inquire about that in Michigan, but I really don't think schools specialize in industry like that.

While it is not required to have a masters, it is definitely looked upon favorably by nearly every program and discipline. Since the application is competitive I would go for the masters since, all other things being equal, a undergrad will lose out to a graduate student. Working for a couple of years could be more/less beneficial, but it appears from your question that you are thinking about applying straight out of undergrad. Plus it will allow you to take more relevant coursework, improve your gpa if needed, or go to a more prestigious school if needed.

GMAT or GRE usually depends on your emphasis. Other posts have mentioned that finance is liking the GRE, and I know accounting programs only care about the GMAT. I would for sure look to see what part of management you are looking at and what test is common for that area.

[alexis]

Originally Posted by phdhope

GMAT or GRE usually depends on your emphasis. Other posts have mentioned that finance is liking the GRE, and I know accounting programs only care about the GMAT. I would for sure look to see what part of management you are looking at and what test is common for that area.

If they're going for a strategy/management concentration though, that's usually separate from the finance or accounting programs within the b-school.

[nycpark]

alexis and phdhope,

Thank you for your input.

For furthur discussion, I do have some work experience working as a public accountant. Not a lot though. Only 2 years of working as an auditor and M&A due dillegence specialist. For what's worth, I am also a licensed CPA.

Having said that, I would like to ask additional questions based on what phdhope and alexis have mentioned;

1) To what extent are applicants of phd program in strategy disadvantegous or unfavorable when they don't have masters than someone with masters if any?

2) Is it safe to assume that GMAT is better for applicants aiming for strategy ph.d programs?

Also, does anyone know professors in decent b-schools who are known for working with auto industry? I am thinking there gotta be someone like that somewhere.

Again, thanks a lot for the advices guys.

[taxPhD]

It will be tough to find a program that focuses on the auto-industry.

I would recommend looking through google scholar and SSRN to try to find people who have researched the auto-industry and then try to see if any of them are concentrated at particular schools.

Just doing a quick search it seems like John Paul MacDuffie has done quite a bit regarding the auto-industry. He is at Wharton in their management department.

[haread]

Check out Ross at UM Ann Arbor. You can also Google "Tauber Institute". It is a cooperative between the UM Business and Engineering schools, and focuses heavily on industry.

Also check out Michigan State and Wayne State Phd programs.

It would be much easier to conduct primary research and possibly find industry funding for said research in Michigan.

Haread