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Hi All, I am looking for profile evaluation and some advice about pursuing Phd program. I am a working professional in technology industry with expertise in Fintech and retail Sector. Currently working in US for a well known organization at a management position. I am planning to make a move from a corporate world to Academic research and hence evaluating whether I can be a good fit for PhD program. Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): I have yet to give one. The 1st GMAT score is expired. Undergrad: Done Bachelors in Computer Engineering in 2003 - Mumbai University (Top Engineering school). Undegrad GPA: 3.75 Masters degree: Recently completed MBA - One of Top 5 University. Areas of interest in Innovation Strategy & Marketing - Consumer Behavior Research Experience: No experience Teaching Experience: No experience Work Experience: 15 years in Technology Industry. Currently at Management positions Concentration Applying to: Number of programs planned to apply to: 5-6 universities Dream Schools: Kellogg, MIT, Havard, Booth, Stanford, Berkeley Other Questions: What made you want to pursue a PhD? Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management. On Marketing - Digital Marketing and Analytics. Questions or concerns you have about your profile? I am in my late 30s and planning to apply for PhD programs starting in 2020. For me my biggest concern is my age. University prefer PhD candidates in their late 20s and early 30s. Will this be any disadvantage for my profile. Any additional specific questions you may have: As I am applying for 2020 program, would it would be any help if I work with professor to gain academic research experience to solidify my profile. Due to industry experience, I am aware of few research topics that I am personally passionate about. Should I start exploring on those topics as well?

I've participated occasionally on these boards under various names since my PhD days, and I am now on the faculty of a top business school. I am not on the PhD committee, so I have no particular insights to share on the application process, but I would like to make a plea: All of the top few schools have groups or departments that focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, almost always within a larger management/strategy umbrella. We also don't receive nearly as many high-quality applicants as we would like. I assume this is because, as I can see on the boards, there seems to be a desire to pursue something like OB or Strategy directly. Those are great areas, and you should certainly go after them if that is what you want to do. However, if you have an active interest in entrepreneurship and innovation (especially if you have some experience with entrepreneurship or a background with some engineering or science), and a strong application, you really should consider applying to programs like: MIT's TIES Harvard's Entrepreneurship Department Wharton's Entrepreneurship Group Stanford MS&E for a PhD I know all of these groups are interested in high-quality candidates, and entrepreneurship remains a hot area in the job market. Sorry for the advertisement, and best of luck. Additionally: If you are interested in what sorts of things you might read and publish if you study entrepreneurship, here is an excellent (if somewhat economics-focused) reading list from the MIT PhD general exams from Prof. Chuck Eesley, now at Stanford