Confused in opting for a Ph.D course!! Please help!

[nagpal.harsh]

Hey All,

I am Harsh from INDIA.

I have done my Bachelors in Computer Engg from University of Pune,IND with an overall distinction percentage.
After this I have worked with Infosys Technologies Limited for a period of 2 years.
And currently I am pursuing my Masters in Business & Information Tech from University of Melbourne, AUS which has Business Analyst as an outcome.

I have certain doubts about opting for a course for myself after my Masters. I would really appreciate if someone can help me with my doubts.

1) I want to go for further higher studies after my Masters. Now I am planning to go for a Ph.D course. I am really confused whether to opt for a Ph.D. course in IS or Ph.D. course in Business Administration?

2) Should I get some more work experience after my Masters or should I directly go for a Ph.D. course.

3) For a Ph.D. course, do we need to take GRE or GMAT? Is it true that anyone of them would do?

4) Where can I get all the information about different Ph.D. courses related to my background.

Any suggestions would be appreciable.

Best Regards,
Harsh Nagpal

[AstralTraveller]

Dear Harsh,

Maybe I can address some of your concerns. I don't consider myself an expert, but after some years researching about PhD programs, I think I can provide some insights.

Originally Posted by nagpal.harsh

1) I want to go for further higher studies after my Masters. Now I am planning to go for a Ph.D course. I am really confused whether to opt for a Ph.D. course in IS or Ph.D. course in Business Administration?

I understand that you say "Business Administration" as a PhD in general management or strategy. In any case, which concentration you choose should depend on your interests. What's more important is that you want to do research for life, and to work in academia. Although PhDs sometimes are hired for non-academic jobs, if that is what you want to do, I think you'd be better off with your current Master's degree, or a MBA, not a PhD.

Originally Posted by nagpal.harsh

2) Should I get some more work experience after my Masters or should I directly go for a Ph.D. course.

You already have worked for two years. For a PhD it should suffice. A PhD is a research degree, not a professional degree, and any time away from academia should look suspicious, IMHO.

Originally Posted by nagpal.harsh

3) For a Ph.D. course, do we need to take GRE or GMAT? Is it true that anyone of them would do?

Generally, yes, any should do. However, some schools tend to accept GRE only for PhDs, rather than GMAT. Besides, GMAT is more expensive to take than GRE, and the same goes for score reporting. I took both, and did better on the GMAT, so I am using that unless GRE is preferred, in which case I sent both scores. But if your GRE is good enough (meaning 800 in Q section, and a decent score on the rest), you don't need the GMAT. Of the schools I surveyed, only Purdue's Krannert (to which I didn't apply to in the end, by the way) did not accept GRE in lieu of the GMAT. On most other schools the opposite is true.

Originally Posted by nagpal.harsh

4) Where can I get all the information about different Ph.D. courses related to my background?

Ummm. Information about Business PhDs is too scarce. A good ranking for Business research is UTD (follow this link), but it does not discriminate between sub-disciplines.

I have the feeling that Information Systems is either related to Accounting and Control (closer to the Finance and IO/Economics side of the spectrum) or Information Technologies. It all depends on the school.

Sadly, this "PhD in Business" forum has become more Finance-PhD oriented than anything else. I wonder how many people are here for a discipline different than Finance. I am one, and I know a couple others, but that'd be it.

Anyway, hope this helps....good luck on finding your career!!! Should you have any further questions, just ask.

Cheers,
AT

[Ancalagon The Black]

I am, at present applying to IS programs.

[AstralTraveller]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

I am, at present applying to IS programs.

Ancalagon was among the few non-finance applicants I was thinking about.