Sury

Thank you JungWild&Free. Yah I am looking deeper to my choices to get a better overview of where I could better find the professors whit the relevant research interests for me. When you say that, do you think I should contact the schools i applied for and ask them why I wasn't admitted?

Hello all, So I didn't receive any positive response from my applications for this year's round. I was applying for a PhD program in the strategic management field and I believe that most likely my profile was too weak for be accepted. I decided to strengthen my profile and reapply for next years admission, however I was wondering if i would be wise enough for me to reapply for the same universities? Should I ask the same professors who recommend me this year to write a recommendation letter again? Thanks Sury

Hello folks, I am completing my application for a PhD program at UC Berkeley and I would like to clarify one thing. There is a tab for the faculty and research interests and I am wondering how I should formulate the text? I made it a short text explaining briefly my research interests and who interests me. I was wondering if I should mention a particular work of that professor? Should I extend it more on why I would like to work with a specific professor or more on my research interests? Thanks

I think you should use the personal history statement to demonstrate which experiences in your life impacted ur decision of pursuing an higher degree. I don't particularly agree that only the socio-economic position or challenges you faced are the reaons you would like to pursue an higher degree. For example if you have had an experience as a volunteer, maybe you have has experienced something that motivated you to pursue the degree.

Yap I am using Times New Roman. (But haven't included my header yer so maybe it might be a bit more than 1&1/2 page)

I have around 600 words and it's 1 and 1/2 page (12 pt, single spaced)

I agree with you and I think I am going to stick with the university guidelines.

Thank you so much. I just added a phrase about it as i said to explain how I was introduced to the topic of my research and to the academic worls. Please have a look: My passion for this issue has multiple sources –my curiosity on this topic, the fact that I belong to a ___________ and the experiences I had during my childhood. As a daughter of a retired professor of economics, I early experienced interaction with academic environment, which drove me to be a research-oriented person. What do you think?

Guys, How many word or what was the lenght off yours PHS? Thanks

I am also worried about that, I tried to write in at least 650 words and used the formatting they asked for. So I ended up with 1 and 1/2 page however, I would like to add some more things since I feel that my SOP is too direct

Thank you for your comments. I do agree with both and I am very scared of using my childhood in my SOP. The only reason why I decided to use is to explain where my passion and contact with the academic interests starts. I am a daughter of a retired professor of economics and he used to get me involved in his research what justifies my passion to research. But at same time I am kinda scared that they will assume that I am doing a PhD because I am being pressured to do (which is not at all the case). Should I still remove it?

I would love to....

Guys, I need some help urgently please!!! I am tired of changing the first paragraph of my sop (more than 100 times) to get the hook. The UCB gives this recommendation for the first paragraph: Give a brief introduction to yourself. State what sparked your interest in pursuing graduate school, and what you wish to study. I started my SOP with a short explanation of my experience as a childhood that introduced me to the research field (my father was a professor of economics) and finnally I moved to the second paragraph where I addressed the research topic I would like to study and why I needed a PhD for that. However I have see so many samples of SOP starting out telling the reason why they want a PhD and what research they would like to pursue. What should be a great start? Regards

Thank you BearCat1for your advices. I agree with you and I wanted to include more information about my research experience however I was concerned because I read some people saying that you shouldn't add too much information for the first email (the first email should be short)?

Dear all, I have seen multiple treads on this. However it's still not clear for me how you should write the email contacting a Professor. Some say you should mention your grades and GRE but I have seen multiple articles saying that it's something you shouldn't do. I came up with a template can you help me to improve it? Dear Prof. XXXX , My name is XXXX and I am applying to the PhD program in [subject] at [University] for fall [Year]. After reviewing the faculty profile I was drawn to your work and current research interests. I have long been interested in the [XXX]. [WHY THIS AREA]. My research experience lies in [the research experience]. I was then wondering if you will be accepting new graduate students for fall [xxx]. If so, I would love to hear more about your work I would also be happy to tell you more about myself and my background. Thanks very much for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Regards,

Hello all, I am trying to which professors I should ask the letters of recommendations. I understand that is important to have it from someone who knows you well, and gave you good grades. One of my professors is going to give me a LoR is just like that, he is directly connected with the field, he has a good reputation in the industry, I got a good grade and I have been very active in his class. I am trying to decide on both second and third recommenders. The second recomender is well known in the area, and I already spoke with her about future plans for a PhD. I was a research assistant for her during graduate studies however I had bad grades in her classes (and performed poorly as well)! During my second semester I had a very bad performance due to personal hardship and this reflected on my grades. She is aware of this reason why I performed badly and still picked me to be a RA in the fourth semester. The third recomender gave me an average grade, also knows me well and I am confident she has a good impression over me. The reason why I had an average grade was that I missed her more than twice (which she is clear about cutting on grades). I have other options, like a professor from an elective where I performed extremely well and got a positive feedback. He is a psychologist, has a PhD and well known. However, he is not at all connected with my area reason why I am reluctant to ask him. What should I do? Thanks

Thank you. I sent already and got a positive feedback

Thank you very much. "Dear Professor XXX, I hope this email finds you well. By this e mail, I would like to ask if you would be kind enough, to write recommendation letter for my next application for a PhD program in Strategic Management, focusing my future studies in global strategy in developing economies, as well as, technology and innovation. Currently I am living and working outside US, reason why I am not able to meet you in person. While studying at XXX University, I enjoyed attending Competition & Strategy classes (Spring 2011). I strongly believe that this class contributed to my development and growth as well as it helped to increase my interest in this field. I believe that as my teacher you noticed my approach and dedication to academics and that is the reason why I take the liberty to ask for such a recommendation letter. I am currently applying for admission for fall 2013 and I have selected a universe of six universities to apply, with the earliest deadline for the applications being in early January. I have included a summary of my academic and professional experience to help you decide whether to recommend me. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely," I changed a bit do you think it looks better or should I make it shorter?

Dear all, I am applying for a PhD fall 2013 and I would like to know your opinions wheter I should do something to improve chances of getting admitted: Age: 24 Undergrad: Business Administration and Finance (2008), Mozambique GPA: 3.3 (estimated we use a different scoring chart) - Ranked top 5% Postgraduate: Master of Business Adminitration (2012), Brandeis University (US) Major in International Finance GPA: 3.2 (I faced some personal hardship during second semmester resulting in low grades) Fulbright Scholar and Global leadership fellow Work Experience: 18 months prior my MBA as a financial analyst and credit controller Currently working as a trainee (corporate) on a Multinational in Mozambique Research/Teaching Experience: Research Assistant for a Finance Professor during my MBA Research assistant for economic projects for regional integration Published several works during my undergrad (connected with economic field) Working as a volunteer as a teacher assistant in a local university Worked as a Teacher Assistant during my undergrad (Financial Management) Currenctly assisting my father (consultant) in a research project about SME's in Africa (however I would like not to mention this since I am working with family so I don't know if it would be adequate) Letters of Recommendation: Pretty sure I am going to get from my Post Grad professors 3 letters of recommendations GRE : 143V 148Q 3.0 AWA Plan: Pursue a PhD in Strategic Management focusing on competitive advantage, innovation and technology on developing markets, and what challenges MNC's face while investing on emerging markets (labor related) Universities Selected: University of Pittsburgh (Katz Graduate School of Business) Drexel university (LeBow College of Business) UCLA (Anderson School of Management) - I know I stand very low chances here but I have to try University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Isenberg) University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Utah (David Eccles School of Business) Thank you,

Hello all, I am applying for a PhD in Business Administration for Fall 2013 and need to send a request to the professors for teh letter of recomendation. I am not sure what should I write in the email and for this reason I prepared a draft and would like to have some insights about this. ps. the email is going for a professor who I already informed about my future plans (pursuing a PhD) and I am sending it viam email since I am living outside US right now. "Dear Professor XXX, I hope this email finds you well. By this e mail, I would like to ask if you would be kind enough, to write recommendation letter for my next application for a PhD program in Strategic Management, focusing my future studies in global strategy in developing economies, as well as, technology and innovation. While studying at Brandeis University, I enjoyed attending Competition & Strategy classes (Spring 2011). I strongly believe that this class contributed to my development and growth as well as it helped to increase my interest in this field. I believe that as my teacher you noticed my approach and dedication to academics and that is the reason why I take the liberty to ask for such a recommendation letter. I am currently applying for admission for fall 2013 and I have selected a universe of six universities to apply. My first choice is the University of Pittsburg (Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business), as I have intended to move to the area and it offers a distinguished faculty some of them with research connected with my proposed area of study. Additionally, the university is widely recognized as a top contributor to the research field. I have included a summary of my academic and professional experience to help you decide whether to recommend me. Should you decide to give me a recommendation letter, I will send you a draft of my statement of purpose, copies of my transcripts, my resume and any other materials you think would help you in the evaluation process. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely," Thanks