PhD Program Application Instructions


Please read all instructions given below before you complete an application. The Graduate School now requires all applicants to apply online at the Graduate School's Web site. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact our office and we will assist you. When you apply online, please print a copy for the PhD Program Office and send it with the other application materials noted below.


Application Deadlines
Graduate School Application for Admission Form
Application Fee
Transcripts
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
GMAT or GRE Test Scores
TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB Scores
Application Mailing Instructions


Application Deadlines


Prospective students are encouraged to apply during fall semester. We have an application deadline of December 31.

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Graduate School Application For Admission Form


See the instructions on the Graduate School website for in-depth information on completing this form. However, please note:


  • List Business Administration as your major field.
  • The Major Code for the PhD in Business Administration is #015260208.
  • Send a printed copy of the online application to the PhD Program Office (see Application Mailing Instructions below).

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    Application Fee


  • ALL applicants to our program must submit the Graduate School application fee along with the Graduate School application. This fee is set by the Graduate School and cannot be waived or deferred.
  • Fee is $75 for international applicants and $55 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

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    Transcripts


  • TWO sets of transcripts from each college or university attended must be submitted, ONE set to the Graduate School and ONE to the PhD Program Office (see Application Mailing Instructions).
  • International applicants may need to send additional transcript information if requested.

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    Statement of Purpose


  • Submit one copy of the Statement of Purpose to the PhD Program Office and one to the Graduate School.
  • This statement should clearly identify your planned area of concentration as well as describe your career objectives, research interests, teaching/research experience, and publications.

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    Letters of Recommendation


  • The PhD Program accepts recommendations submitted by mail or by using the online recommendation form in the ApplyYourself online application system.
  • Recommenders submitting via mail should submit their letters to the PhD Program Office on official letterhead using their preferred format.
  • You may want to provide stamped, addressed envelopes to your recommenders to facilitate the prompt return of these letters and to ensure they reach the correct PhD Office address.
  • You may include sealed letters of recommendation with your application packet instead of sending them separately, if desired. We ask that the recommender sign their name across the envelope flap if this is done.
  • Please send the PhD Program Office a list of recommenders' names, their titles, and current place of employment. Please also state if we should expect recommendation letters to arrive by mail or via the online recommendation system.

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    GMAT or GRE Test Scores


  • Test scores submitted to us must be no more than five years old.
  • The computerized test is usually given every month, and it may take 2-3 weeks for official scores to reach us.
  • You may submit a photocopy of your scores directly to us. We can then begin processing your file while waiting for receipt of official scores.
  • When requesting ETS to send official reports, please designate Institution code #D2N-VJ-74 for GMAT, and for GRE use Institution Code #6874, Department Code 4201, to ensure that we receive your test scores.

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    TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB Scores


  • Required of foreign applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended at least 24 quarter credits/16 semester credits at a U.S. college within the last two years.
  • Please see the Graduate School application, Section B: English Language Proficiency Examinations, for complete instructions.
  • When requesting official TOEFL scores to be sent to us, please designate Institution Code 6874 to send them directly to the Graduate School. You will need to contact the IELTS or MELAB administrators to determine any institution code to use.
  • Be sure to include a photocopy of your TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores with the application materials you send to the PhD Program Office.

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    Application Mailing Instructions


    Mail two sets of application materials, one set to each of the addresses given below. To the PhD Program Office, you should send a printed PDF copy of the application, copies of transcripts, official GMAT or GRE test scores, English proficiency test scores (if required), statement of purpose, and any paper letters of recommendation. To the Graduate School, please submit the online application form, application fee, official transcripts, and one copy of the statement of purpose.


    Carlson School of Management
    PhD Program Office, Suite 4-201
    321-19th Avenue S.
    Minneapolis, MN 55455


    AND


    University of Minnesota Graduate School
    309 Johnston Hall
    101 Pleasant Street SE
    Minneapolis, MN 55455-0421

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