Application Instructions

 

The deadline for Fall 2012 was January 4th. If you applied, we thank you for your submission. We will provide an update to each applicant as to the status of application within the next two weeks. Thank you.     INTERESTED IN AN ACADEMIC FUTURE? We held an Ph.D. Information Session on December 1st. To view that slide presentation click on the document below. Please contact us at phd@merage.uci.edu if you have further questions. [PhD Recruitment presentation Dec 1.pdf]

To provide applicants with greater control over the application process, applicants must apply online and you are asked to assemble and mail supporting documents, except GMAT or GRE scores, and TOEFL/IELTS score, in one package to The Paul Merage School of Business, PhD Program Office.  

You are responsible for having GMAT or GRE scores, and TOEFL (if required), sent directly to UC Irvine/The Paul Merage School of Business, by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) (or by IELTS International if sending IELTS in lieu of TOEFL).

Required application documentation for the Ph.D. program includes:

1. The Paul Merage School of Business online Application for Admission. The online application for Fall 2012 will be up starting September 2011.  Please note: We do not accept the on-line applications provided by the UC Irvine Office of Graduate Studies.
2. Application fee (U.S. $80.00 for domestic applicants; $100.00 for international applicants) to be paid by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Online applicants can charge the fee using a credit card. 
3. One copy of official transcripts from all colleges and universities. Envelopes must be sealed and signed by the Registrar across the flap. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) from the undergraduate institution is required.
4. One copy of official degree certificate from each university or college from which you received a degree (if not a U.S. academic institution), stating that the degree has been conferred and showing date of conferral.
5. Three letters of recommendation are required.  Those not using the online recommendation system, please use the pre-formatted Recommendation and Waiver forms provided by UC Irvine Office of Graduate Studies for each recommender.  These letters need to be mailed to PhD Program Office, The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3125 - Attention: Noel Negrete.
6. Official score on the GMAT or GRE sent directly from the ETS. You are also encouraged to submit an unofficial GMAT or GRE score copy if it is available. Test scores older than September 2007 are not accepted for Fall 2012 entry date.  No set minimum, however, scores of 700 on the GMAT or 1300 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative sections only) are considered competitive.  [GRE institution code: 4859]

International Applicants: Please read #7- 9, all others go to #10.

7. Official score on the TOEFL sent directly from the ETS. The TOEFL is required for all applicants whose primary language is not English. Test scores older than September 2010 are not accepted for Fall 2012 entry. A minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet based) is required.  You may also take IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL, please go to #8 below...
8. Official IELTS score sent directly from IELTS International.  As an alternative to the TOEFL and TOEFL iBT you may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).   You must submit a Test Report (TRF) to:   Ph.D. Program Office, The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3125- Attention: Noel Negrete. For admission purposes, an overall minimum score of 7, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module, is required.  IELTS test scores older than September 2010 are not accepted.
9. In addition to the TOEFL/IELTS requirement, an official score on the English Proficiency Exam, for students whose primary language is not English, if you wish to be considered for a financial support package. Test scores older than September 2010 are not accepted. Applicants can fulfill this requirement by passing one of the following exams:

                              -Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Testing (TOEFL iBT) is
                                        administered by ETS in U.S. centers and abroad. A score of 26 or above in the
                                        Speaking portion is required. [TOEFL institution code: 4859]
                              -International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is available in over 120
                                        countries. A score of 8 or above in the Speaking portion is required.
                              -Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) which is available at UC Irvine
                                        only after a student is admitted. A score of 50 or above is required.

 

Important notice regarding TOEFL/IELTS Requirement (#7-#8 only): A student may receive a waiver to the TOEFL or IELTS requirement for the purposes of admission to a UC Irvine graduate program if the student completed all the requirements for their high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, or an advanced degree in a country where the primary and/or dominant language is English and English was the language of instruction of the school were the requirements were completed.  PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON TOEFL REQUIREMENT.[TOEFL policy.pdf]

10. If applicable, download, complete and return the Diversity Fellowship application form.
11. Statement of Purpose (your goals in pursuing the Ph.D. program).  You will be able to complete this section when you apply online.  Your statement should include: a clear set of academic objectives and goals, reasons why you have chosen a particular area of specialization, your academic or professional accomplishments which would be relevant to the pursuit of the Ph.D. program and, if possible, a few sentences on how your interests fit with the research interests of the faculty in your chosen area.  Specifically, these are the three essay questions you will be answering when completing the application.

                              -Discuss your career objectives upon completion of the PhD program.
                              -Please give the academic field (e.g. accounting, finance, information systems,
                                        marketing, operations and decision technologies, organization and management,
                                        and strategy) you wish to pursue and your specific research interests, if
                                        appropriate.  If there are UC Irvine faculty members whose research closely match
                                        your own, please identify them.
                              -Please give a brief, candid evaluation of yourself and your preparation for study in your
                                        chosen field.  Include some discussion of the abilities and other attributes you
                                        believe are your strengths and some discussion of areas you would like to develop
                                        more fully.

12. Sample of writing skills (optional).  This would include a previously prepared paper (research report, essay, master’s thesis, case study) that is generally indicative of the applicant’s interest and capabilities.

The completed application form and all supporting documents, except GMAT or GRE scores and TOEFL or IELTS scores, should be mailed in one package to the following address.

 

For reasons of confidentiality, we will not provide admission decisions via e-mail or by telephone. You will receive official notification by mail.