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Apply to the PhD Program

There are two parts to the PhD application

Submitting Your Application

1. UGA Graduate School Application

All graduate program admissions are handled by the UGA Graduate School. Once the graduate school reviews your application, it is forwarded to the PhD Admissions Committee for further review. Final decisions will be issued by letter from the UGA Graduate School.

Required Documents

  • 2 official transcripts from institutions you’ve attended We need an English version if you have attended schools outside the US. UGA students and alumni are exempt as their records are on file.
  • GMAT or GRE scores Applicants applying to the Economics program are required to submit their GRE score.
  • 3 letters of recommendation Letters should be from individuals who have knowledge of your academic and/or professional capability. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

Additional Documents for International Applicants

Application Fee

You must submit a one-time application fee via credit card online in order to complete your application — $75 for domestic applicants, $100 for international applicants.

2. Essay Questions

Please submit a 1-page response to each of the following questions to the PhD Admissions office. Each page should be typed in 12 pt font and double spaced with the essay question restated at the top.

  1. Why do you wish to pursue a PhD degree in Business Administration or Economics?
  2. Why do you wish to pursue your PhD at the University of Georgia?
  3. What experiences have contributed most to your development? What characteristics do you think are most important for a graduate student to develop? Why?
  4. What honors or awards have you received (academic, professional, community or other)? What are your major achievements and/or successes?
  5. List any other information not covered elsewhere that may be helpful to the Selection Committee in considering your application.

Ready to Apply?

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission, applicants should have:

  • A four-year baccalaureate degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution
  • An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) are eligible to be considered for the program.

Admission is highly selective and identifies those individuals who are judged to meet the academic challenges of the program. The selection committee evaluates each file on its individual merits as it relates to the goals and purpose of our program. Selection combines evaluations of an applicant's scholastic ability, professional activities, and career performance. This is accomplished by a review of academic transcripts, essays, test scores, and recommendation letters.

Deadlines

Departments will start considering applicants beginning January 4. Admissions are done on a rolling basis. While students may be admitted through May, the likelihood of receiving financial assistance declines over time.

Notification of Acceptance

The graduate school must concur with the departmental admissions committee decision before it becomes official. An "official acceptance letter" will be mailed by the graduate school. Prior to the receipt of the graduate school's official notification, any notification of acceptance communicated by the Terry College, either verbally or written, is considered "pending graduate school approval" and is unofficial.