Application Instructions

Requirements for admission:

  • a bachelor's degree 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 admission
  • TOEFL (required for international applicants only) score must be less than two (2) years old at the time of the September matriculation date.  Note: The TOEFL can be waived if the applicant attended an English speaking university for at least four semesters. You must submit a written request for a waiver. An English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) may also be required if admitted.  The School of Business does not accept IELTS.
  • $45 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 must be at least 600 on thePaper Based Test, 250 on the Computer Based Test, or 100 on the Internet Based Test.

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 $45 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 and 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.
  7. Official transcripts: 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. GMAT scores PhD-79K-2S-02 : MS-79K-2S-68. 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 School of Business.
  9. TOEFL score(International Applicants Only): should be ordered from ETS and sent to code number 1846.  The TOEFL may be waived if you have attended an English speaking university for at least four semesters.  You must submit a written request for the waiver.
  10. International Applicants Only : 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!