Application & Admissions

Admission to our doctoral program is highly selective, as we strive to maintain a one-to-one ratio between students and faculty. Thus, we only admit a few select students each year and look for applicants that have research interests that align with those of our faculty.

Typically, successful applicants have a strong undergraduate record (3.3 GPA or higher), an MBA (desired but not required), high GMAT scores (high 600s or above), and some professional work experience. In addition, we value applicants who have a strong interest in academic research, are highly motivated, possess strong communication and analytical skills, and have demonstrated the ability to think creatively and work independently. We value these skills and traits because experience has shown that they are essential for successful completion of a PhD in marketing as well as later career success as a marketing academician. If you feel that you possess these qualities, we strongly encourage you to apply to our PhD program. For additional information regarding prerequisites, selecting a minor and other requirements, please visit our PhD Programs site.

Please note that the application deadline for prospective students seeking financial aid is December 30. The final deadline for all applications is February 1. Typically, admissions decisions are made by the first week of April each year.

If you have any questions about applications or admissions, please contact our departmental administrator, Jolene Krahn at jkrahn@bus.wisc.edu.