Application Instructions

Requirements for admission:

  • a bachelor's degree (4 year) from an approved institution
  • an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • an undergraduate major or equivalent evidence of suitable background for entering the proposed field
  • GMAT or GRE score must be less than five (5) years old at time of matriculation (September)
  • TOEFL IELTS Pearson Test of English

    Mastery of and fluency in the English language are necessary for success in the doctoral program at the Wisconsin School of Business.  Doctoral students must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic English spoken with varying accents.  Furthermore, students from non-English-speaking countries must be able to communicate quickly and clearly in spoken and written English and be able to read it with ease.  The Wisconsin School of Business uses two methods to assess a student’s potential to meet this requirement:

     Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

    All applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL score from a test administered within two years of the date of matriculation (more or less September 1 of the academic year of entry). 

    Individuals who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree in a country where the official language is English are not required to submit TOEFL scores.  Individuals who will complete such a degree by June prior to matriculation are also exempt.  Check the box requesting a waiver of the TOEFL requirement on the on-line application only if you meet one of these two conditions.

    A master’s degree alone from an English-speaking institution does not qualify for a waiver of the TOEFL.  Individuals from countries where English is spoken, though not the primary official language, or who attended a bachelor’s program where some but not all courses are provided in English must submit a valid TOEFL score. Being a citizen or permanent resident of the United States does not automatically exempt an applicant from the TOEFL requirement.  

     Additional Information:   We accept IELTS or the Pearson Test of English as a substitute for TOEFL.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

     
  • It is advised that applicants taking the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) have a minimum total score of 106.  For a competitive application, it is recommended that component scores be at least the following: Reading - 26, Listening - 26, Speaking - 27, and Writing - 27. 
    • The recommended minimum for a competitive application using the paper-based TOEFL (PBT) is a total score of 620.
    • Scores must be reported directly to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We do not accept score reports mailed by applicants as official.  Use Institution Code 1846.

English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT)

 All matriculating Wisconsin School of Business doctoral students whose first language is not English, whether or not they have submitted a TOEFL score, are required to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) on this campus.  Dates of the test are posted on the website of the ESL Department at  http://www.wisc.edu/english/esl/Eslat.htm and are usually the week prior to the beginning of Fall classes.  There is no pre-registration required for the test and no charge for testing services.  You must plan your schedule to accommodate completion of this assessment. 

Any modules, workshops, or courses recommended by the ESL Department as a result of the ESL assessment become a requirement of the student’s program.  If the student fails to complete the work recommended by ESL within the first semester, a hold will be placed on subsequent semesters of registration.

  • $56 application fee
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (instructions are on online application)
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation with completed recommendation forms
  • Financial Aid Essays (4 brief essays are required for PhD, questions and instructions can be found on the online application.)

Parameters:

GMAT or GRE scores for competitive applicants tend to be in the 90th percentile or higher.

TOEFL scores should be a recommended minimum of 106 on the Internet Based Test.  Minimum scores for IELTS and Pearson Test of English have not been established by our programs.

While work experience is generally not a major consideration for the successful PhD admit, students without a previous master’s degree frequently do have related work experience.

Application steps:

Follow instructions for the self-managed application, being sure that all pieces that are not completed on line are submitted in one mailing prior to applicable deadlines

  1. Application (online)
  2. Record of Residence (online)
  3. Application Fee:   Payable by check in the amount of $56 U.S. dollars, payable to: University of Wisconsin-Madison or a payment  via credit card on-line. 
  4. Essay:  Statement of Purpose for graduate study and four required financial aid questions, questions.  The instructions can be found on the online application.
  5. Resume or Vitae
  6. Three letters of recommendation: The letters can be prepared on letterhead or stationery and enclosed in an envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal. Download recommendation form.  Your recommenders may also submit their letters on line by uploading to the recommendation form.
  7. Official transcripts: One copy from each institution attended after the completion of secondary education.
  8. GMAT or GRE scores:  GRE scores should be ordered from ETS and sent to code number 1846. A photocopy of an unofficial or official score report should also included in the application package but admission cannot be finalized until the official score report is received by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  9. English proficiency scores(International Applicants Only): should be ordered from ETS, IELTS or Pearsonand sent to code number 1846.  The requirement may be waived if you have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree at a English speaking university.  You must check the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE waiver box on the application in order to be considered for a waiver..
  10. International Applicants Only : You may wait until you receive an admission decision before submitting the form. International Financial Statement must be complete and accurate.  Please note, if you are admitted to the program and have not provided this information, we will not be able to complete the admission process.

You may check the status of your application on line to determine whether it is complete and what may be missing. Please be aware that there may be some delay between receipt of materials and posting them to the web site. Applications will not be reviewed by the departmental admissions committees until all pieces of the application have been received and the application coded as complete!