PhD Program Frequently Asked Questions
Mays PhD Program Facts - 2012-13
| ENROLLMENT | |
| Number of Full-Time Students | 72 |
| Number of Part-Time Students | None |
| Percentage Male/Female in Program | 74%/26% |
| FALL 2012 APPLICATION CYCLE | |
| Number of Applications Submitted | 392 |
| Number Admitted | 28 |
| Number Enrolled | 16 |
| FACULTY | |
| Total Number of Faculty | 189 |
Entering PhD Student Profile: Fall 2012
| ENROLLMENT | |
| Number of Students Enrolling | 16 |
| Accounting | 3 |
| Finance | 4 |
| Information & Operations Mgmt. | 4 |
| Management | 4 |
| Marketing | 1 |
| Male | 62% (10) |
| Female | 38% (6) |
| International Citizens | 56% (7) |
| UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS | |
| Texas A&M University | 19% (3) |
| Other Texas Schools | 6% (1) |
| Outside Texas | 50% (8) |
| Outside U.S. | 25% (4) |
| GMAT | |
| Average Total | 688 (8) |
| Verbal | 40 |
| Quantitative | 44 |
| GRE | |
| Average Total | 1362 (9) |
| Verbal | 580 |
| Quantitative | 779 |
| WORK EXPERIENCE | |
| Median | 4 years |
| UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS | |
| Business | 56% (9) |
| Engineering | 25% (4) |
| Liberal Arts | 19% (3) |
| Science | 0 |
Admissions
I am currently an enrolled graduate student (Masters or PhD) at Texas A&M University. How do I apply for the Mays PhD Program?
Contact the Mays PhD Program at (979) 845-4711 or phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu for internal applicant instructions.
How do I contact your PhD Program to ask questions?
Send an e-mail to phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu or contact us by phone at (979) 845-4711; calls cannot be returned.
Can I apply for a spring or summer semester?
No, Mays PhD programs only accept applications for fall semesters.
Where can I find more information about the faculty at Mays?
Faculty information can be found at mays.tamu.edu/research/
What is the PhD Program application deadline?
There are no set deadlines to apply. Most departments review in December and January. Refer to Instructions to Apply – PhD Programs for recommended submit dates available on this website and within the ApplyYourself application.
December 10: Strongly recommended that all applicants (U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international) submit your online application/uploaded documents around December 10 allowing for early review and most consideration for available financial support, including university, Mays and departmental fellowships.
Departments could begin closing their application in late February; all generally close sometime during the month of April.
The application closes annually on May 26 for updates. Applications cannot be submitted after that date even if the online process has been started.
The online application can be accessed at mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication.
I am confused - other universities request that I mail formal application packets. Do I mail documents to Mays PhD Admissions plus the online application?
No, Mays PhD Admissions processing strives to be 100% paperless, environmentally friendly and efficient. Do not mail any documents including official transcripts, test scores, printed application, payment receipt, writing samples, visa information, etc. Upload require documents as requested.
Does my application need to be complete to be reviewed?
Complete the online application and upload required documents. Once an applicant pays the application fee by credit card and submits their online application, departments begin their electronic review using your online application and required uploaded documents. The three recommendation letters are not needed to begin the review. Departments will contact applicants if additional information is needed.
What if my recommender has not submitted their letter? Do I hold my online submission?
No, do not wait for your recommenders. Submit your online application when you are ready. We understand you cannot control their schedule. Departments will contact applicants if documents or letters are missing. You could miss a quality review timeline if you wait for them.
What if my recommender does not want to use the online system?
Using the online system is preferred, but they can email their letter and recommendation form to us at phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu. We will then upload it to your application.
Do I mail official transcripts or other documents for review the application review process?
No, do not mail any documents. The review is 100% electronic. Official transcripts are not used or needed for the online review and can delay your processing. Unofficial transcripts can be scanned and uploaded for the review process. Remove official transcripts from sealed envelopes, scan and upload.
What procedures and application materials does Mays require?
The application submission and review processes are 100% electronic to include uploading transcripts, resumes and essays. Additional detailed information is listed at our online application site.
Refer to Instructions to Apply – PhD Programs for recommended submit dates available on this website and within the ApplyYourself application.
For consideration at Mays, applicants are required to:
- Complete a Mays graduate online application - mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication.
- Pay application fee online by credit card when submitting your completed application.
- Electronically upload scanned transcripts from every senior-level institution of higher education attended (if you attend a non-U.S. institution, please send transcripts in English plus native language).
- Transcripts can be unofficial.
- Texas A&M students please scan and upload an unofficial transcript
- International transcripts are required to be uploaded in both the native language and English.
- Essay questions (upload)
- Three letters of recommendation (online or email at phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu)
- Professional resume (upload)
- Test scores
- GMAT and GRE are both accepted by the Mays PhD Program.
- Unofficial test scores entered by applicants within "Test Score" section for electronic review.
- Official scores must have been taken within five years of the date your application is submitted.
- Official scores are not needed for the review, though they may be submitted using:
- GRE code is 6003
- GMAT code for Mays PhD Program is 7B7-K9-57
- There is no department code.
- More information is available at gmat.org for the GMAT and gre.org for the GRE.
- Submit your application and pay online at mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication.
Can I send additional documents for my application review?
No, updated documents such as resume, transcripts with grades, etc. cannot be used to modify a submitted application. Additional documents such as research, certificates, etc. will not be reviewed.
What kind of funding do PhD students receive?
Mays PhD students generally receive a departmental graduate assistantship funded for five years based on good academic standing and progress in the program. Some PhD students receive fellowships funded by the dean’s office, their department, or the university.
What is a quality application?
- Follow the Instructions to Apply – PhD Program and submit 100% electronically as requested.
- They are available on this web site and within the ApplyYourself application.
- Limit your application to the specific documents requested.
- Submit December 10-early January strongly recommended for early review and funding opportunities.
- Do not use Texas A&M’s online application; Mays Business School’s PhD Program is not listed.
- Do not mail transcripts. Unofficial and official may be scanned and uploaded.
- Do not mail printed application, etc. We strive to be paperless and environmentally friendly.
- Mailed documents or transcripts to Texas A&M Admissions delays processing up to six weeks.
- Departments will contact applicants if information is missing.
- Check for spelling errors & use appropriate upper/lower case characters.
- Do not post data using “ALL UPPER” or “all lower” case.
- Applicant reports generate based on your typed entries; therefore, data appears as you entered.
- Not evaluated: certificates, awards, research documents, writing samples, etc. Do not send.
- Use Mays Business School’s recommendation form.
- Online submission is preferred or email letter to us at phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu.
- Do not wait to submit your online application for your recommender’s letters. We understand you cannot control their schedule. You control when you submit your application.
Where can I get a copy of the graduate catalog?
Graduate catalogs are accessible online at tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs or you may purchase a copy from our campus bookstore at tamu.bkstore.com.
How can I get an application?
Apply online for Mays PhD Program at mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication. The application and review process are 100% electronic.
International applicants
TOEFL Waiver (Texas A&M University criteria)
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score. This requirement can be waived meeting one of three shown below:
- 400 or higher GRE verbal score
- 22 GMAT verbal score
- receiving a baccalaureate degree with all four years of attendance at a U.S. college or university
If admitted, international graduate student must also fulfill Texas A&M English proficiency requirement, through either English Proficiency Verification or English Language Certification.
- TOEFL and IELTS - Texas A&M requires that all applicants from non-English Speaking countries present an official TOEFL or IELTS score. To be official, scores must be current and within two years of the date of application. Texas A&M ’s Institution Code is 6003 for TOEFL. Send IELTS scores to: Measurement & Research Services, Texas A&M University, 4239 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4239. The University’s minimum requirements are:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Mays PhD Program requires a minimum TOEFL requirement of 600 for the paper, 250 for the computer, or 100 for the Internet based. Additional contact information can be found at ets.org/toefl. Send official TOEFL score to Texas A&M University code 6003.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): a minimum score of 7.0. Additional information can be found at ielts.org. NOTE: There is not an institutional code for use with the IELTS examination; please send official score to: Measurement & Research Services, Texas A&M University, 4239 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4239.
- NOTE: Individual graduate programs within Mays Business School may have a higher requirement.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION FORM - International applicants must complete the International Student Services Information Section included within the online application.
- DEGREE EQUIVALENCIES - Degrees from foreign institutions are evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees NOTE: The Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees from India and Pakistan are 3-year programs and are not considered equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree. If you hold one of these 3-year degrees, you are not eligible for admission to graduate program. The master’s degree is the minimum qualification for admissions to graduate and professional degree programs. Exceptions are the 16-year bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate diploma programs.
General program information
What majors or fields of study do you offer?
The major fields of study available are listed below and may offer specializations within each field of study:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
What are the prerequisites?
- A valid bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Competency in mathematics (at least through differential and integral calculus)
- Knowledge of computers and competency in a computer language
- Courses or equivalents to satisfy the American Assembly of Collegiate School of Business “common body of knowledge.” There may also be other prerequisites specific to your major field of study.
What are the program’s requirements?
The PhD program normally consists of major and minor fields plus supporting coursework. A minimum of 64 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (96 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree) is required. A typical PhD program would include 24 hours in your major field, 24 hours for dissertation research, and 6-12 hours in both your minor and supporting fields.
What are the minimum test scores are required for admission?
We do not have minimum requirements for GRE or GMAT test scores. Average scores for admitted students over the past five years (2007-2011) have been:
- GMAT total: 715 (verbal 41, quantitative 47)
- GRE total: 1382 (verbal 604, quantitative 773)
The Mays PhD Program does require a minimum TOEFL requirement of 600 for the paper, 250 for the computer, or 100 for the Internet-based test. 7.0 is the minimum requirement for IELTS.
Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
International applicants must take the TOEFL or IELTS exam per University criteria unless the applicant’s primary language of instruction is English. It are waived with a 400 GRE verbal, 22 GMAT verbal, or by receiving a baccalaureate degree with all four years of attendance at a U.S. college or university. The waiver is only applied for those who are offered and accept admission into the PhD Program.
Do you offer a part-time, distance learning, or web-based program?
No, the Mays PhD Program requires that students be in College Station as full-time students. On average, it takes students 3-5 years to complete coursework, preliminary exams and research. At this time, we do not offer web-based or distance learning courses. We consider it is important that PhD students work closely and directly with our faculty. There are no pending plans for an online program.
There is a five-year limit to complete the program which includes graduating.
Who do I contact for more information on a specific program?
For specific information (including assistantships, tuition assistance, research, and program information), please contact the department and request the name of the PhD advisor or email phdprogram@mays.tamu.edu. Your request will be forwarded to the appropriate contact.
Can you send me more information?
We provide very comprehensive information on our PhD website and therefore do not have information to mail.
Cost of attendance and financial aid
How much does your program cost?
Information on the cost of attendance at Texas A&M can be found at ogs.tamu.edu/prospective/financial.
Who do I contact for more information on available financial aid?
For specific information (including assistantships, tuition assistance, research, and program information), please contact the department and request the name of the PhD advisor.
More information
Where can I get more information on Texas A&M graduate studies or the university?
The following sites also provide useful Texas A&M information:
- Mays PhD Program and department links
- Graduate catalogs are available on the web in Adobe PDF format or you may purchase a copy from our campus bookstore.
- Prospective Texas A&M graduate student information
- International Students Office website