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nas-83 · 05-15-2008, 08:28 AM

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the forum, so I figure I'll jump right in...

I want to get a PhD in Marketing with a focus on consumer behavior. Where should I be applying?

Undergrad School - Large State School in Southeast US, Top 25 Engineering
Undergrad Majors - Mechanical Engineer (BS) and Political Science (BA)
Undergrad GPA - 3.95
GMAT Score - 780
Courses - one grad level psych course, intro statistics, calculus (to multivariable), hope to take micro econ in fall 2008

I'm hoping to apply for Fall 2009. Is there anything I should be doing to improve my application? How important is research experience?

Thanks for everyones time. I look forward to participating!

Darth_Vader · 05-16-2008, 01:42 AM

looks like a good profile. i think you'd have a good chance at a top 15 program. the most important thing you can work on is to write a stellar SOP and to take related psych/econ/marketing classes (and get good grades in them) - cog psych, social psych, microecon, math econ, behavioral econ, econometrics, marketing, consumer behavior

desimba · 05-16-2008, 06:02 AM

I would say-
1) Put some thought into writing your SOP and articulating why you want to do a PhD in Marketing. Your background doesn't scream PhD in Marketing to me and maybe also to some members of the adcoms.

2) Cultivate your recommenders. Make a game plan of who those would be and invest in those relationships.

Rest looks like a fairly good profile. Nevertheless given the competitive nature of the process, make sure to apply to at least 1 or 2 schools that are ranked outside of the top 10-15 in case things don't quite work out.

nas-83 · 05-18-2008, 06:52 AM

Thanks guys!

Are there any good resources out there for writing good SOPs? I have a good idea what I should write about, but it would be nice to see a few that were successful...

nas-83 · 05-19-2008, 10:17 PM

I agree that my background doesn't scream PhD in marketing. I am hoping to spend the next year trying to change that (at least a little!). Which do you think would be better on an application:

1) Fall Semester Classes (undergrad at a very good, small, private school, likely without grades because of application time frame) -- Micro Econ and Social Psych

2) Research experience -- possibly informal and without pay

Only 8 months until applications are due!

desimba · 05-20-2008, 07:24 PM

I would go with the research. Even if it is informal, it should help you establish connections with at least one/ two faculty members from whom you can take recommendations and besides you will have a better sense of what you are going in for.

05-15-2008, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
nas-83 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Profile Evaluation -- PhD in Marketing Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum, so I figure I'll jump right in... I want to get a PhD in Marketing with a focus on consumer behavior. Where should I be applying? Undergrad School - Large State School in Southeast US, Top 25 Engineering Undergrad Majors - Mechanical Engineer (BS) and Political Science (BA) Undergrad GPA - 3.95 GMAT Score - 780 Courses - one grad level psych course, intro statistics, calculus (to multivariable), hope to take micro econ in fall 2008 I'm hoping to apply for Fall 2009. Is there anything I should be doing to improve my application? How important is research experience? Thanks for everyones time. I look forward to participating!

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05-16-2008, 01:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Darth_Vader Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8	looks like a good profile. i think you'd have a good chance at a top 15 program. the most important thing you can work on is to write a stellar SOP and to take related psych/econ/marketing classes (and get good grades in them) - cog psych, social psych, microecon, math econ, behavioral econ, econometrics, marketing, consumer behavior

05-16-2008, 06:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
desimba Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 248	I would say- 1) Put some thought into writing your SOP and articulating why you want to do a PhD in Marketing. Your background doesn't scream PhD in Marketing to me and maybe also to some members of the adcoms. 2) Cultivate your recommenders. Make a game plan of who those would be and invest in those relationships. Rest looks like a fairly good profile. Nevertheless given the competitive nature of the process, make sure to apply to at least 1 or 2 schools that are ranked outside of the top 10-15 in case things don't quite work out.

05-18-2008, 06:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
nas-83 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Thanks guys! Are there any good resources out there for writing good SOPs? I have a good idea what I should write about, but it would be nice to see a few that were successful...

05-19-2008, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
nas-83 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	I agree that my background doesn't scream PhD in marketing. I am hoping to spend the next year trying to change that (at least a little!). Which do you think would be better on an application: 1) Fall Semester Classes (undergrad at a very good, small, private school, likely without grades because of application time frame) -- Micro Econ and Social Psych 2) Research experience -- possibly informal and without pay Only 8 months until applications are due!

05-20-2008, 07:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
desimba Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 248	I would go with the research. Even if it is informal, it should help you establish connections with at least one/ two faculty members from whom you can take recommendations and besides you will have a better sense of what you are going in for.

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