Universidade Católica Portuguesa
AACSB-Accredited
Lisbon, Portugal
Applying and Preparing to Attend
Common Admissions Requirements
Preparing to attend a doctoral program is a complicated process. You have many things to consider, such as your career plans, the type and structure of the program you need in order to achieve your goals, the locations of the schools that offer your desired area of study, the stringent admissions requirements, and how you will financially support yourself while you attend.
Consider This...
1. Narrow Down Your List of Schools
The AACSB-Accredited Business School Search allows you to create a list of schools by a variety of criteria and may be a good place to start. There is also an interactive global map for locating AACSB schools.
Be sure your list contains several schools and that you apply to more than one program. Due to the strict entry requirements and limited number of applicants that can be admitted per year, you should be prepared to be not be accepted the first time you apply.
2. Prepare Yourself for the Admissions Process
Visit each school's Web site and note their program requirements. You have to prepare your admissions package much earlier than you normally would for an undergraduate or master's level program. Remember this is the highest academic degree a person can obtain, therefore, your package has to prove you will survive several years of rigorous coursework, research, and writing.
Common Admissions Requirements
3. Explore Your Employment and Financial Options
You will not be able to work full-time during your program. Your courses and research will be a full-time job in itself. Therefore, you should financially plan on being a full-time student for 3-5 years.
Many doctoral programs offer incoming students with an assistantship. That is, a on-campus position that provides tuition benefits and a stipend. These positions are similar to a scholarship and usually are limited and awarded to top applicants. It is common that you will have to apply for an assistantship during the application process or immediately after your acceptance to the institution.
The stipend that most schools allocate is usually barely enough to put food on the table. You must significantly reduce your expenses and look for creative ways to earn extra income while you attend the program.
Resources
1. The PhD Project - a resource for African-American, Hispanic-American, and Native American individuals who may be interested in pursuing a business doctoral program.