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Admission Criteria

At the Carlson School of Management we strive to bring in students from diverse backgrounds and experiences in hopes that multiple views and perspectives will enhance student experiences in research and teaching. Although there are no absolute qualifications for admission to the PhD Program in Business Administration most students follow the criteria below:

GMAT or GRE

Although not definitive, the graduate school expects minimums for GMAT a score of 650, for GRE scores before August 2011 a minimum of 1380 (V+Q) respectively is required, after August 2011 the minimum score required is 315.

TOEFL or IELTS (International Applicants)

International applicants must demonstrate English language skills. The graduate school expects a total score of 600 (60 on section 1) for the paper-based test. A total score of 100 is expected for the internet-based TOEFL test with a speaking total of 27 or higher. For the IELTS we require a score of 7.0 or higher.

Undergraduate and Graduate GPA

We consider the quality of the school(s) attended, major field, graduate experience, and degrees. A 3.0 or higher GPA is recommended for undergraduate work and a 3.5 or higher GPA for graduate work.

Work Experience

Work experience in not required, but we do consider the relevance of any work experience for research and practice.

Research

We consider demonstrated research capability through undergraduate and graduate research projects, work related projects, and publications.

Letters of Recommendation

We consider the strength and sources of your letters of recommendation.

Statement of Purpose

  • Expressed area of research interest
  • Expressed understanding of academic research
  • Fit of research interests with those of the faculty
  • Expression of career goals

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