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christina001 · 2009 November 2nd, 04:45 PM

hi~ i graduated from OSU with 3.0/4.0 GPA in accounting. i worked for 2 years in accounting department of a mid-size company. something just triggered in me and now i want to study and learn more about strategy in management.(actually, getting into PHD has become my goal now) do you think i need to go for MS first, since my GPA can barely make to any school?( i really don't care about shool.. i know it might sound unambitious,but i would be satisfied as long as i get PHD degree) i took GMAT couple days ago and recieved 740. i know it is satisfying score for MS, but not for PHD considering my GPA. please give my advise~!
should i apply for MS this year, and PHD later?
(is it obvious question?? do you guys doubt i could enter any PHD programs? )
thank you

vega · 2009 November 2nd, 05:03 PM

I'm not an expert in admissions, but the 3.0 will be rough, and as such, the MS sounds like a good idea. I know that some PhD programs require GPAs above 3.0, and those that don't, will likely have an awful lot of applicants that have better 3.0...the 3.0 certainly won't get you in, but it provides a pretty good reason to keep you out. The MS sounds like a great idea to start bolstering your application. That said, have you actually found MS degrees in strategy, excluding an MBA? If you're certain that you want to head into a PhD program in strategy, I don't know if the MS in something like accounting would be as useful. Certainly getting higher grades will help, but given that you don't have any mentioned strategy experience, convincing admissions officers that you're passionate about strategy.

Hopefully some one else can provide sharper feedback. Good luck!

phdhope · 2009 November 3rd, 12:25 AM

Yes, I would recommend a msc. 3.0 is a really low gpa for phd programs. It is also an indicator of academic performance over an extended period of time. While you could score 800 one day and 600 the next, gpa accumulates lots of work over usually 4 years of effort. Adcoms will likely regard the GMAT as a fluke unless there is something else that proves you have strong academic poetential. Sidenote, accounting isn't strategy and a msc might help bridge that gap.

possible_phd · 2009 November 3rd, 01:31 AM

Are you sure a research degree and academia are right for you? My sense is that it isn't; anyone who says "I really don't care about school" probably isn't going to cut it in a PhD program or as a professor. If you're interested in strategy as it's implemented and not as it's studied, maybe you should look into an MBA. A 740 will go a long way in MBA admissions!

2009 November 2nd, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
christina001 I JUST got here. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	gpa VS gmat hi~ i graduated from OSU with 3.0/4.0 GPA in accounting. i worked for 2 years in accounting department of a mid-size company. something just triggered in me and now i want to study and learn more about strategy in management.(actually, getting into PHD has become my goal now) do you think i need to go for MS first, since my GPA can barely make to any school?( i really don't care about shool.. i know it might sound unambitious,but i would be satisfied as long as i get PHD degree) i took GMAT couple days ago and recieved 740. i know it is satisfying score for MS, but not for PHD considering my GPA. please give my advise~! should i apply for MS this year, and PHD later? (is it obvious question?? do you guys doubt i could enter any PHD programs? ) thank you

2009 November 3rd, 01:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
possible_phd Can't believe it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 741	Are you sure a research degree and academia are right for you? My sense is that it isn't; anyone who says "I really don't care about school" probably isn't going to cut it in a PhD program or as a professor. If you're interested in strategy as it's implemented and not as it's studied, maybe you should look into an MBA. A 740 will go a long way in MBA admissions! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _

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2009 November 2nd, 05:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
vega I JUST got here. Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 15	I'm not an expert in admissions, but the 3.0 will be rough, and as such, the MS sounds like a good idea. I know that some PhD programs require GPAs above 3.0, and those that don't, will likely have an awful lot of applicants that have better 3.0...the 3.0 certainly won't get you in, but it provides a pretty good reason to keep you out. The MS sounds like a great idea to start bolstering your application. That said, have you actually found MS degrees in strategy, excluding an MBA? If you're certain that you want to head into a PhD program in strategy, I don't know if the MS in something like accounting would be as useful. Certainly getting higher grades will help, but given that you don't have any mentioned strategy experience, convincing admissions officers that you're passionate about strategy. Hopefully some one else can provide sharper feedback. Good luck!

2009 November 3rd, 12:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
phdhope Eager! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 99	Yes, I would recommend a msc. 3.0 is a really low gpa for phd programs. It is also an indicator of academic performance over an extended period of time. While you could score 800 one day and 600 the next, gpa accumulates lots of work over usually 4 years of effort. Adcoms will likely regard the GMAT as a fluke unless there is something else that proves you have strong academic poetential. Sidenote, accounting isn't strategy and a msc might help bridge that gap.

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