Admissions

We appreciate your interest in the PhD program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business and look forward to receiving your application. We encourage you to read through this section of our Web site very carefully to ensure you complete the application process correctly.

Please note that the Robert H. Smith School of Business PhD program is a full-time, research-intensive program. We do not offer a part-time or online program. Admission is only in the fall semester.

The deadline for all PhD applications is December 20. We strongly encourage all applicants to submit completed application materials by the December 20 deadline, as we begin reviewing applications immediately following this date.

A faculty committee from each of the respective areas begins the process of evaluating applications after December 20. In-person and telephone interviews may be conducted with those students who are being seriously considered for admission. In general, decisions are made in March and continue through the month of April. Applicants will be notified by email and the application system when a final decision is made regarding their application.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration by the deadline of December 20.

Instructions

We look forward to receiving your application for admission. Please visit the University of Maryland Graduate School Admissions website for complete application instructions. The following information should help you in properly completing your application for our specific programs. If you have questions or have technical difficulties, please check the FAQs before contacting the UMD Graduate School at gradschool@umd.edu.

All applicants are required to submit an application form, even if you are reapplying to the program. We strongly encourage all applicants to complete the online application form. Be sure to read the instructions before creating an account.

While some sections are self-explanatory, we ask that you note the following for these specific sections of the application:

Educational Intent

  • Term of entrance: Fall 20__
  • College/School: Robert H. Smith School of Business
  • Program of study: Business and Management (BPHD)
  • Degree: PhD
  • Upload your statement of purpose/personal statement.
  • Area of interest: Please choose from the nine fields of study offered. You can only choose one area of interest. Should you want to apply to another field of study, you will need to complete another application.

Previous Education

  • List previous education in the order required on the application.
  • Do not list any non-degree/certificate programs that do not offer transcript(s).
  • Upload a scanned copy of the official transcript for each degree/institution listed.
  • International transcripts: upload in one document/PDF both the original language transcript and the English translated version.
  • Official transcripts may be required at a later time.
  • If the program has just begun, provide a transcript showing the registered course work.
  • Updated transcripts may be sent to the PhD Program Office at smithphd@umd.edu if the application has already been submitted.

Personal Information

  • If interested in our financial package, say "yes" to be considered for a graduate assistantship or fellowship.
  • Please complete the supplementary application and follow the instructions on the document.

Upload Requirements:

  • The resume/CV is required.
  • All other supplementary information is optional.

Recommendations

  • Must provide three recommendation providers and their information.
  • Upon submission of the application, applicants will be able to "renotify" recommenders.
  • Any changes to the recommendation providers can be made by emailing the University of Maryland Graduate School at gradschool@umd.edu.

IMPORTANT: Once you submit the application, you cannot change the application nor any submitted documents. If applicable you may send updated transcripts to smithphd@umd.edu to show grades for the fall semester. 

All applicants must pay a US $75 non-refundable application fee to officially submit the on-line application. Applicants are responsible for paying this fee regardless of the admissions decision, choice to enroll, or whether any other supporting materials have been submitted. Application fee waivers are monitored by the University of Maryland Graduate School.

Test Scores

All applicants must take and submit official score reports to the Graduate School for either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants' scores must be less than five years old as of the application deadline.

If you have not taken either of these tests within the last five years, we strongly encourage you to sign up early to ensure your score report is received from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) prior to the application deadline.

In addition, international applicants must also take and submit an official TOEFL/IELTS score report that is less than two years old.

Institution Codes for Standardized Tests

GMAT SQT-N8-78
GRE 5814
TOEFL 5814

International Applications

All international applicants seeking admission must complete and submit their application and all application materials by December 20 regardless of visa type. The Smith School of Business complies with all policies set by the University of Maryland Graduate School. Please review their requirements and exemptions for international applicants.

In addition to the application requirements, international applicants must submit the following supporting materials:

English Proficiency

International Academic Credentials

Official Copy of all previous degrees/diplomas and transcripts issued in the original language with a literal English translation.

Financial Certification

applicants do not need to submit this until after notification of admission decisions unless the applicant will be fully funded/sponsored by an outside institution and is guaranteed funding for the duration of the program (5 years).

Visa Documentation

If you are already in the United States, attach copies of your passport, US visa, I-94 card, and all pages of your I-20/DS-2019. If you are a Permanent Resident or hold another visa status please include copies of the Immigration documents showing your status.

Please view the University of Maryland Graduate School website for any exemptions or explanations of these requirements.

Admissions Decisions

Once you have submitted your application by the December 20 deadline, our admissions committees will begin reviewing all applications. Decisions and notifications will not be made until the end of February. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we cannot offer individual feedback to individuals denied admission.

Applicants may log in to their online application to check the status of their application at any time. Once a decision has been made on the application, the applicant will receive email notification of an admission decision and provide information for logging into the online application. If applicants need assistance with accessing the decision in the application, they should contact the UMD Graduate School. Admissions decisions will not be released via telephone or in-person.

We thank you for your interest in our program and wish you the best of luck in your future academic endeavors.

Reapplication

Individuals who have previously applied to the PhD Program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business may reapply to the program no later than the application deadline of December 20. To reapply, the same policies for applications set by the Graduate School are in effect

To Reapply:

  • Complete and submit a new application form
  • Pay the application fee: $75
  • Submit transcripts (can be uploaded into the application systems)
  • Contact the University of Maryland Graduate School about your previous test scores
  • Submit your recommendation information.
  • Submit your personal statement/statement of goals & research interests
  • Submit any optional materials as listed on the application
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