Advice Needed: Ph.D. Applications in Business Schools Without Professor Contacts

[Shawn2024]

Hello everyone,

I’m applying for Ph.D. programs in entrepreneurship or business administration in U.S. business schools. A major challenge I’m facing is the lack of responses from professors when trying to contact them for guidance and to assess my fit for their programs.

I’ve heard that business schools might operate differently, with a committee-based approach rather than individual professors handling admissions.

I have a list of many universities I’m interested in, but without direct communication with professors, I’m struggling to narrow down my options. Financial constraints prevent me from applying to all these institutions, and I’m at a bit of a loss on how to proceed without this crucial insight.

My main question to the community is: How do you approach the Ph.D. application process in business schools when you can’t establish contact with professors? Is there a different strategy I should be considering to help me decide which schools to apply to?

I would greatly appreciate any advice, insights, or personal experiences that could guide me in this process. It’s a significant step in my academic career, and I want to make informed decisions.

Thank you for your time and help!