Phdwiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:University of Utah

2010-01-27T20:59:22Z

David Nemrow:

Faculty: http://www.business.utah.edu/display.php?&pageId=2836

Current Students: http://www.business.utah.edu/display.php?pageId=2943&role=faculty&faculty=Graduate%20Student

I think Barrick dropped out of the program at Utah, and Jeff Doyle is not at Utah. I am pretty sure he is at USU.

We'll have to confirm with someone at the U about Barrick, as for Jeff he is listed at [[Utah State University]]. We are listing people who have any relation with the university (that is why he is listed as formerly on faculty). The idea being that if someone wants to learn about the school they can quickly see who they can talk to who has experience at the school. [[User:Daw44|Daw44]] 05:48, 14 May 2008 (MDT)

Talk:Union University

2010-01-27T20:49:57Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. program.'

No accounting Ph.D. program.

Talk:Truman State University

2010-01-27T20:46:07Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. program.'

No accounting Ph.D. program.

Talk:Tulane University

2010-01-27T20:43:41Z

David Nemrow:

No accounting Ph.D. program. Or very limited information on website...no survey information

Talk:Tulane University

2010-01-27T20:39:55Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. program.'

No accounting Ph.D. program.

Talk:Texas Tech University

2010-01-27T20:36:26Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://phd.ba.ttu.edu/Accounting.asp Current Students: http://bam598.ba.ttu.edu/localuser/phds/'

Faculty: http://phd.ba.ttu.edu/Accounting.asp

Current Students: http://bam598.ba.ttu.edu/localuser/phds/

Talk:Texas Christian University

2010-01-27T20:28:15Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. program.'

No accounting Ph.D. program.

Talk:Texas A&M University

2010-01-27T20:23:18Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://mays.tamu.edu/directory/department/ACCT/ Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://mays.tamu.edu/directory/department/ACCT/

Current Students: ???

Talk:University of Texas - San Antonio

2010-01-27T20:14:19Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty and Current Students: http://business.utsa.edu/directory/index.aspx'

Faculty and Current Students: http://business.utsa.edu/directory/index.aspx

Talk:University of Texas - Dallas

2010-01-27T20:02:18Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://som.utdallas.edu/includes/apps/facultyResearch/facultyList.php?groupType=Area Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://som.utdallas.edu/includes/apps/facultyResearch/facultyList.php?groupType=Area

Current Students: ???

Talk:University of Texas - Austin

2010-01-27T19:51:39Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/phd/faculty.asp Current Students: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/phd/students.asp'

Faculty: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/phd/faculty.asp

Current Students: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/phd/students.asp

Talk:University of Texas - Arlington

2010-01-27T19:49:28Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www2.uta.edu/accounting/faculty.listing.html Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://www2.uta.edu/accounting/faculty.listing.html

Current Students: ???

Talk:University of Tennessee

2010-01-27T19:36:22Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://bus.utk.edu/aim/faculty/index.htm Current Students: http://bus.utk.edu/aim/phd_profiles/index.htm'

Faculty: http://bus.utk.edu/aim/faculty/index.htm

Current Students: http://bus.utk.edu/aim/phd_profiles/index.htm

Talk:Temple University

2010-01-27T19:33:46Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://sbm.temple.edu/dept/accounting/faculty.html Current Students: http://astro.temple.edu/~krish/students.htm'

Faculty: http://sbm.temple.edu/dept/accounting/faculty.html

Current Students: http://astro.temple.edu/~krish/students.htm

Talk:Syracuse University

2010-01-27T19:30:15Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://whitman.syr.edu/FacultyResearch/Faculty/Directory.asp#2 Current Students: http://whitman.syr.edu/PhD/Candidates.asp (This doesn't show specific accounting Ph...'

Faculty: http://whitman.syr.edu/FacultyResearch/Faculty/Directory.asp#2

Current Students: http://whitman.syr.edu/PhD/Candidates.asp (This doesn't show specific accounting Ph.D. students)

Talk:SUNY - Buffalo

2010-01-27T19:22:16Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://mgt.buffalo.edu/faculty/academic/accounting/faculty Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://mgt.buffalo.edu/faculty/academic/accounting/faculty

Current Students: ???

Talk:SUNY - Binghamton

2010-01-27T19:12:22Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www2.binghamton.edu/som/prospectivestudents/doctoralprograms/docacc.html Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://www2.binghamton.edu/som/prospectivestudents/doctoralprograms/docacc.html

Current Students: ???

Talk:Stanford University

2010-01-27T18:35:10Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/academicareas/acctg.html Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/academicareas/acctg.html

Current Students: ???

Talk:Southern Methodist University

2010-01-27T18:30:49Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. program.'

No accounting Ph.D. program.

Talk:Southern Utah University

2010-01-27T18:28:56Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No accounting Ph.D. programs.'

No accounting Ph.D. programs.

Talk:Southern Illinois University

2010-01-27T18:24:09Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www.business.siuc.edu/acct/faculty.asp Current Students: http://www.business.siuc.edu/acct/phdstudents.asp'

Faculty: http://www.business.siuc.edu/acct/faculty.asp

Current Students: http://www.business.siuc.edu/acct/phdstudents.asp

Talk:University of Southern California

2010-01-27T18:21:32Z

David Nemrow:

Faculty: http://www.marshall.usc.edu/leventhal/curriculum/phd-accounting/faculty.htm

Current Students: http://www.marshall.usc.edu/leventhal/people/doctoral-students.htm

This page need the following:

Basic Information:
* Where students generally live
* Expected costs of housing
* Health Insurance both for the student and for dependents

Faculty
*Research interests
*Recent publications

Doctoral Program History
* Past placements

Doctoral Program
Requirements
* Other doctoral program requirements: Summer paper
Support
* Office space
* Discretionary funds

Talk:University of South Florida

2010-01-27T18:19:31Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty: http://www.coba.usf.edu/departments/accounting/faculty/index.html Current Students: ???'

Faculty: http://www.coba.usf.edu/departments/accounting/faculty/index.html

Current Students: ???

Talk:University of South Carolina

2010-01-27T18:16:20Z

David Nemrow:

Faculty: http://moore.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/faculty.aspx

Current Students: http://moore.sc.edu/doctoral/alumniplacement/phdcandidatedirectory.aspx

Talk:Drexel University

2010-01-17T05:59:40Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty Information: http://www.lebow.drexel.edu/Faculty/Departments/Accounting/Faculty.php Current Student Information: http://www.lebow.drexel.edu/Current/Doctorate/StudentPro...'

Faculty Information: http://www.lebow.drexel.edu/Faculty/Departments/Accounting/Faculty.php

Current Student Information: http://www.lebow.drexel.edu/Current/Doctorate/StudentProfiles.php?deptNum=3672

Talk:Dartmouth College

2010-01-17T05:55:46Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No Accounting Ph.D. Program'

No Accounting Ph.D. Program

Talk:Creighton University

2010-01-17T05:49:49Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'No Accounting Ph.D. Program'

No Accounting Ph.D. Program

Talk:Cornell University

2010-01-17T05:45:40Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty Information: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/faculty/profiles/subject.html Dissertation and Placement Information: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/academic/phd/accounting....'

Faculty Information: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/faculty/profiles/subject.html

Dissertation and Placement Information: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/academic/phd/accounting.html

Talk:University of Connecticut

2010-01-17T05:39:47Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty Information: http://www.business.uconn.edu/cms/p200 Current Student Information: http://www.business.uconn.edu/cms/p202'

Faculty Information: http://www.business.uconn.edu/cms/p200

Current Student Information: http://www.business.uconn.edu/cms/p202

Talk:Columbia University

2010-01-17T05:36:13Z

David Nemrow: Created page with 'Faculty Information: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/accounting/faculty Current Student Information: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/accounting/doctoral'

Faculty Information: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/accounting/faculty

Current Student Information: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/accounting/doctoral

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T05:13:13Z

David Nemrow: /* Information about the School */

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Accounting Research Emphasis==
Information from Survey (maybe one of the school's website)

===Research Ranking===
This is where that cross graph comes into play.

==Faculty Information==
[http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting Faculty Directory]

==Current Student Information==
Web page link to student info - this is unavailable on the Alabama website.

===Graduated Student Placement===
Information from Survey or school website link.

==Academic Financing==
Information from Survey or link to the school website with that info.

==Qualification Requirements==
Information from the Survey

==General Information about the School==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T05:11:14Z

David Nemrow: /* Accounting Research Emphasis */

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Accounting Research Emphasis==
Information from Survey (maybe one of the school's website)

===Research Ranking===
This is where that cross graph comes into play.

==Faculty Information==
[http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting Faculty Directory]

==Current Student Information==
Web page link to student info - this is unavailable on the Alabama website.

===Graduated Student Placement===
Information from Survey or school website link.

==Academic Financing==
Information from Survey or link to the school website with that info.

==Qualification Requirements==
Information from the Survey

==Information about the School==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T05:09:11Z

David Nemrow: /* Research Ranking */

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Accounting Research Emphasis==

===Research Ranking===
This is where that cross graph comes into play.

==Faculty Information==
[http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting Faculty Directory]

==Current Student Information==
Web page link to student info - this is unavailable on the Alabama website.

===Graduated Student Placement===
Information from Survey or school website link.

==Academic Financing==
Information from Survey or link to the school website with that info.

==Qualification Requirements==
Information from the Survey

==Information about the School==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T05:07:20Z

David Nemrow: /* Graduated Student Placement */

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Accounting Research Emphasis==

==Research Ranking==

==Faculty Information==
[http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting Faculty Directory]

==Current Student Information==
Web page link to student info - this is unavailable on the Alabama website.

===Graduated Student Placement===
Information from Survey or school website link.

==Academic Financing==
Information from Survey or link to the school website with that info.

==Qualification Requirements==
Information from the Survey

==Information about the School==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T05:06:22Z

David Nemrow:

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Accounting Research Emphasis==

==Research Ranking==

==Faculty Information==
[http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting Faculty Directory]

==Current Student Information==
Web page link to student info - this is unavailable on the Alabama website.

===Graduated Student Placement===

==Academic Financing==
Information from Survey or link to the school website with that info.

==Qualification Requirements==
Information from the Survey

==Information about the School==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.

Talk:University of Alabama

2010-01-17T04:45:22Z

David Nemrow:

[[Image:Alabama.jpg|frame|University of Alabama's Shelby Hall]]

==Information about the School==
The University of Alabama is located in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuscaloosa,_Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama.] Founded in 1831, UA is Alabama's first university. The [http://www.cba.ua.edu/ Culverhouse College of Commerce & Business Administration] houses the [http://www.cba.ua.edu/accounting Culverhouse School of Accountancy.] The Public Accounting Record recently ranked Alabama's graduate accounting program as 19th in the nation. General information on the school's doctoral programs can be found [http://graduate.ua.edu/academics/doctoral.html here.]

===Basic Information===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuscaloosa,_Alabama Tuscaloosa] is the fifth largest city in Alabama. The climate in Tuscaloosa is hot and humid during the summer, while relatively mild during the winter (mid- 20s to mid- 50s).
===Recent Accounting Doctoral Student Graduates and their First Placements===

==Students Attending the University==

==Faculty and their Relation with University==

==External Links==
* [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/Questions/UnivOfAlabama.pdf Information on Accounting Ph.D. Programs] - Results from a survey conducted by AAA on the University of Alabama's Accounting Ph.D program.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama Wikipedia]
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[University Information]] ► [[University of Alabama]]
|}

Faculty Information Website: http://www.cba.ua.edu/personnel/accounting

Current Student Information: ???

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-31T17:49:15Z

David Nemrow:

[[Image:Hand_Paper.jpg|right]]
So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.
==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |
==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.png|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load and research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program, including GMAT/GPA, Letters of recommendation, and your statement of purpose. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants. Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning to write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's usually ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===
The statement of purpose is an essay that summarizes who you are and who you want to be as a professional. When writing the essay, you may want to consider the following suggestions:
* Consider the audience you are writing for. If you are planning to go to a research school, emphasize your research abilities and interests in your essay. If you are planning to go to a teaching school, emphasize teaching in your essay.
* The essay is evaluated both on content and presentation. Make sure you writing is clear, easy to understand, and grammatically correct. Professors will infer a great deal about your future ability based on your writing.
* The essay is a chance to present new and interesting information about yourself. You do not need to repeat your GMAT, GPA, or other things contained in other areas of the application.

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in for a visit. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in for a visit. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have any), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school and/or individual professor. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Reviewing a faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit. You can ask the same question to multiple professors as each professor will likely have a slightly different take on the question.

[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic as it would improve the chance of you understanding what is happening. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you. See the sidebar for specific dos and don'ts during your fly-out.

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

File:Man Columns.png

2009-12-31T17:46:12Z

David Nemrow: Picture of man in front of columns

Picture of man in front of columns

Life as a Professor

2009-12-31T17:13:46Z

David Nemrow:

[[Image:Professor_3.png|right]]
Almost everyone has been exposed to what professors do in the classroom--they teach. However, teaching is only one aspect of a professor's career. One of the attractive parts of being a professor is that, in addition to teaching, you get to do a lot of other enjoyable activities. The purpose of this page is to discuss the many different things professors do.

==Life as a Professor - an Overview==

{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |
==Nitty-Gritty Details==
===What do Accounting Professors get Paid?===
Accounting professors are highly compensated. The AACSB conducts an [http://www.aacsb.edu/knowledgeservices/home/08-09-SalSurvExecSumExcerpt.pdf annual faculty salary survey] and reports the results. Numbers below are based on the 2008-2009 survey. The average salary of a recently hired accounting professor in 2008-2009 was $127,400. The average assistant professor earned $113,800, the average associate professor earned $114,900, and the average full professor earned $137,800. These salary numbers consider accounting professors at all types of universities and colleges. Salaries vary widely from this averages based on a number of different factors.

Salaries for accounting professors are usually higher if the employing school has a greater research reputation. Typical base salaries for accounting professors at a top 50 accounting research school start above $150,000 a year (and may start as high as $175,000). In addition to the base salary, many schools offer summer research support. The summer research support is quoted in ninths of the salary and the typical new professor at a research intensive university receives 2/9 of their salary as additional summer research support money. The combination of summer research support and base salary puts the total compensation arrangement above $200,000 a year for many of the new professors at these schools. In addition to salary, most schools offer excellent benefits including retirement plans, health insurance packages, and fringe benefits.

Associate and Full professors can also be given "fellowships" or "chairs". These usually provide the professor with additional compensation and/or additional research funding. Fellowships or chairs are usually awarded based on merit, where merit is defined based on research productivity. The value of a fellowship or chair varies widely depending on the size of the donation that an individual or group gave to establish the fellowship/chair.

===Work Load===
Professors work a similar number of hours as those in industry. Some people believe that once you have tenure, you can just show up for class and only work 20 hours a week. While there are a few people who may do this, most professors have greater integrity than this and continue to work to serve others.

The big difference between the hours that accounting professors and those in industry work is that a professor has greater ability to decide when they want to work. A professor must be in the classroom to teach and at scheduled meetings, but with these exceptions there is great flexibility in when and where you work. Professors are evaluated on their output (i.e., articles published, teaching scores, service activities, etc.), therefore the importance rest on the fact that work gets done. That means a professor could leave at 1:00 in the afternoon to participate in an activity and either catch up by working earlier in the morning or later that evening. The flexibility that a professor has with time management is a very appealing part of the job.

A recent [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/AccountingFacultyUSCollegesUniv.pdf report] indicates that full-time accounting faculty at four year institutions work on average 52 hours a week (as of 2004).
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}

An attractive aspect of being a college professor is that they get to do many different activities on a regular basis. During the year, a professor will teach classes, conduct research, attend accounting conferences, review others' research, mentor students, serve on university/college/department committees, and interact with professionals/regulators/standard setters. The diversity of the activities makes the job exciting and stimulating. It is easy to avoid getting stuck in a rut because you get to do many diverse things.

[[Image:Prof_1.jpg|left]] The exact mix of what you do depends on the institution where you work, the stage of your career, and your personal interests. An additional benefit of being a professor is flexibility. This occupation affords you flexibility not only in the types of activities you engage, but also within how the activity is performed. Being a professor is unique, in that you get to learn and investigate issues and topics that you find interesting. There is relatively no structure put on the topics that you can research and learn about. For example, as a professor you get to decide what types of questions you will research, what you teach (to some degree), and what service activities you perform (again, to some degree). If you are a person that likes learning, then being a professor can be very rewarding.

In addition to having diversity and flexibility, professors are constantly challenged. Each research project and each class taught is a different experience that will continue to test the professor's abilities. One can always improve their teaching and find new things to research, especially as the economy changes and evolves. How a person absorbs this new information depends on the unique characteristics of each individual learner.

==What do you do as a Professor? - In Detail==
The activities of a professor fall into three main categories: research, teaching, and service. Each is discussed in turn, followed by a summary of other activities in which a professor may participate.

===Research===
What in the world do accounting professors research? If you are wondering this, don't worry, you are not alone. It is a common question asked by many accounting professors. [[Oler, Derek|Oler]], [[Oler, Mitch|Oler]], and [[Skousen, Chris|Skousen]] ([http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1121956 2009]) provide an academic definition of accounting research as "research into the effect of economic events on the process of summarizing, analyzing, verifying, and reporting standardized financial information, and...the effects of reported information on economic events." A less technical and more encompassing definition is that accounting researchers examine how accounting impacts/informs (and is impacted/informed by) business, economics, psychology, sociology, history, politics, technology, and just about all other academic disciplines.

[[image:Research_1.jpg|left]] While there are various branches of accounting research, the more popular in North America can generally be divided into several topical areas that are examined by four basic methodologies. The most common topical areas of accounting research in North America are accounting information systems, audit, financial accounting, managerial accounting, and tax. The four most common methodologies for examining these topical areas are [[analytical]], [[archival]], [[experimental]], and other (e.g., survey, interviews, case studies, etc.) Generally speaking, the greatest number of accounting researchers examine financial accounting issues, and the majority of researchers use archival methodologies.

After people understand what accounting academics research, the question most commonly asked is whether or not it is boring (usually said in a more polite manner). The answer: Of course not! While the technical definition may sound boring, the process of scientific discovery is interesting and exhilarating, especially applied to accounting. Most "lay" people erroneously believe accounting is cut, dry and mechanical like introductory mathematics (i.e., bookkeeping) when in fact accounting is dynamic, full of uncertainty, and very meaningful in the lives of individuals, businesses, and countries. With this perspective, accounting research becomes an awesome adventure into how accounting can impact the welfare of our lifestyles. Like medicine, where each individual research study may not prove to cure cancer, each individual accounting study does not "cure cancer". However, the collection of research from many scholars works to inform decision makers to "see the big picture" and hopefully make better decisions. Engaging in this process can be very rewarding to the individual scholar.

In addition to "making a difference" to others, learning to research changes the researcher. Conducting high-quality, scientifically-based research is a demanding practice that instills discipline in the thinking process of the scientist. So in addition to having an impact on the world, engaging in research transforms the researcher to become a more careful, wiser thinker. Once schooled in this way, the researcher becomes a powerful decision maker capable of wielding tremendous influence.

===Teaching===
[[Image:Prof_Grading.jpg|left]] Many people investigate the career path of a professor because of their desire to be a teacher. Teaching provides a wonderful way to impact lives and "make a difference in the world". There is tremendous satisfaction in helping another person understand a difficult concept or problem.

As a teacher of accounting, professors cover several diverse subject areas. Similar to research, these topical areas are usually accounting information systems, audit, financial, managerial, and tax. They also range in difficulty from introductory to advanced level courses. The amount a professor teaches depends on the type of university at which they are employed. At most research intensive universities, a professor will likely teach a single class three times in a year. At a university or college focused on teaching, a professor can teach as many as 12 classes a year--with many different "preps" (a prep is a different class that a professor teaches). Obviously, at the schools where professors teach less they are expected to produce more research. Between rigorous research and extreme teaching workloads, there are a wide variety of schools that balance research and teaching in varying amounts.

===Professional Service===
In addition to teaching and research, professors are expected to give professional service. Service takes on many different forms including, but not limited to, reviewing peer's research papers for publication, attending conferences and discussing peer papers (or moderating sessions), editing journals, serving on department/college/university committees (this encompasses a broad range of activities from deciding promotion and tenure decisions to such things as managing how the university will invest their money), serving on national committees, and serving administrative roles (e.g., department chair, dean, etc.). Professional service can bring recognition to the individual and their institution. It can also be away of making important contributions to improving the state of the profession or academy.

===Other Activities===
Professors often participate in other activities that don't fit into the three previously mentioned categories. Other activities that professors participate in include consulting (i.e., professional training, CPE teaching, or project implementation), textbook writing (most institutions don't consider this research as it doesn't produce new knowledge), special projects while on sabbatical, and expert witnessing. Many of these activities can be lucrative for the professor and therefore may be governed by institutional rules as to the extent a professor may participate. Participating in these types of activities can be viewed very differently depending on the institution in which you are employed, so care should be taken when deciding whether to participate in these activities or not.

==Phases of a Professor's Career Life==
A professor's life can differ significantly depending on where they are in their career. Professors have three different phases that lead to different performance expectations. In this section the phases are categorized as such: Life as an assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor. What each phase encompasses depends on the the type of school you attend. For purposes of this section, we will discuss life from a mid to top-tier research university.

===Assistant Professor, aka Pre-Tenure===
[[Image:Prof_Stairs.jpg|right]]
Upon graduating and taking the first job, a professor is usually assigned the rank of "assistant professor". This position usually lasts for 5-7 years. After this time, the professor submits a packet of information about their research, teaching, and service to the university. If viewed favorably, the professor is granted tenure and made an associate professor. Being granted tenure means a professor cannot be dismissed without due cause--which is something usually very difficult for a university to demonstrate.

Assistant professors are expected to focus primarily on research and teaching as they begin their career. To publish accounting research, it can take anywhere from 1-2 years (very fast) to 5+ years to publish any single paper (from idea to print). Given the long delay it takes to publish research, new assistant professors have significant pressure to begin lots of high quality work early in their career. Often times, new assistant professors are given easier teaching loads, extra research support, or other benefits to help them start producing research. Knowing how important it is to produce research, some begin to fill their research pipeline while as a doctoral student. So when rookie professors are hired, they will hit the ground running. To earn tenure, the common expectation is that an assistant professor will gain national recognition as a research scholar (for an idea of how many articles one must produce to achieve tenure see [http://byuaccounting.net/tenure/ here]).

While trying to produce lots of high quality research, new assistant professors are also expected to demonstrate competency in teaching (or even excellence depending on the university). New assistant professors are usually assigned to teach a course that does not demand lots of preparation or remodeling. They will usually teach "less demanding" students such as undergrads rather than MBA's. Although research productivity is usually considered more important, poor teaching evaluations can result in an unsuccessful tenure decision. If a professor starts off with poor teaching evaluations, they may find it hard to overcome the reputation of being a poor teacher--thus adding importance on becoming an effective teacher from day one.

Assistant professors are usually expected to provide a nominal amount of service. Typical service activities of assistant professors include reviewing papers for journals, conferences and light department service requirements (e.g., scheduling other academics to present papers at the school). At research intensive schools, assistant professors are "protected" from heavier service burdens while they develop their research and teaching portfolios.

===Associate Professor, aka Post-Tenure===
Once promoted to associate professor, the work begins to expand. Associate professors are still expected to produce significant amounts of research (especially if they ever want to achieve full professor status) with the goal of becoming a recognized national/international expert in their research area. At this stage, the quality of research becomes more important (at least slightly) than the quantity of research produced. Associate professors will typically try and focus on developing more significant contributions in each research study.

With respect to teaching, associate professors are expected to contribute more than assistant professors. Associate professors may be asked to restructure courses, teach more demanding students, or teach new classes. Service requirements also increase for tenured associates, and this can present a dilemma. Solid service contributions can help with tenure at the associate's present school, but can reduce the professor's research productivity. This can have two related effects: (1) at the professor's current school, will the increase in service fully offset the decrease in publications? This depends on the current attitude of the school’s promotion and tenure committee, and it's a good idea to ask professors that have recently made full professor whether this is the case. (2) Professors who want to switch schools will likely find that their research output is valued far more than their service contributions, so devoting a lot of time to service can mean a decrease in potential mobility. At an extreme, a professor who is promoted to associate with tenure whose research output falls to near zero will likely have a difficult time finding a position at another school of the same caliber. If the political situation changes or some other critical event occurs at the school or with the professor such that s/he wants to leave, s/he may find himself trapped in her/his current school, with the options for moving a significant pay cut and/or a significant increase in teaching load.

Each professor must determine their desired mix of service/research/teaching, with the above considerations in mind. Another factor to consider: once stalled, a research program can be difficult to re-start. Thus, a wise associate will carefully consider before taking on all service opportunities available; they can be fulfilling (sometimes even fun), but should be taken in moderation if one wants to continue producing research.

Being a tenured associate changes the pressures the professor faces; the professor no longer has the “publish or perish” monkey on his shoulder day and night. However, the associate also likely has more contacts and opportunities to co-author. Having a good set of research projects can be useful, especially if they are at various stages of development. It can be refreshing to go from one project at the theoretical development stage to another project at the number crunching stage, and finally to another project at the submission or resubmission stage. Further, when an individual project is not critical to a professor’s career, it is easier to deal with a co-author that may not pull his weight: the professor can merely do his agreed work, send off what he has to the co-author, and move on to the next project. Similarly, a poor review and editorial decision becomes merely a bump the road (or even a humorous event to be shared with colleagues), rather than a catastrophe. Gradually, an associate could find himself switching from seeking publications for his own sake to seeking to help Ph.D. students get started and helping untenured assistants get their traction on their own research programs.

===Full Professor===
Usually after 4 or 5 years as an associate professor, a professor will again submit a packet of information about their performance in research, teaching, and service to the university for possible advancement to full professor. To be advanced to full professor, an associate professor must demonstrate that they are excellent researchers, teachers, and have provided service to the accounting community. If successful, an associate professor is promoted to be a full professor.

Full professors are the "guardians" of their universities reputation. They set the tone for the rest of the faculty as to the values of the institution. They play heavy roles in hiring new faculty, promotion decisions of faculty, and other internal decisions. In terms of research, full professors often engage in more "risky" research, that is, research that has high payoff in terms of moving the discipline forward but may fail and not result in a publication. Full professors seek to do meaningful projects that push thinking forward. In terms of teaching, full professors set the example for excellence and often develop new courses and teach the most challenging students/courses. In service, they are expected to be active and will regularly serve on committees at all levels of the university.

==Drawbacks to being a Professor==
While being a professor is a near perfect profession, there are a few drawbacks to the trade. Most all professors dislike the difficulty and tedium of grading. A far more challenging problem is that professors are evaluated almost entirely on production; meaning, if a professor does not get high teaching evaluations or does not produce research, the professor will lose their job. Academy is not a profession that rewards "just putting your time in" if that time does not produce results (at least for rookie professors). Thus, there is some risk in becoming a professor if one is not sure about their ability to produce (this risk is mitigated by the fact that there are many different institutions that each reward and look for something different, such that virtually all professors can find a place where they will be happy and successful).

Academia can also be filled with political pressures. For the most part, academics are very smart and, as often is the case for smart people, some have large egos and very strong opinions. Add to this potent mixture the near impossibility of firing a tenured professor, and academics can be a prickly place of politics. While one does not have to participate in the politicking, it is wise to be aware of political pressures and realize that they exist and often must be dealt with.

Finally, while professors are compensated quite nicely (see sidebar), there is a ceiling on compensation. Multimillionaire professors, if they exist, are few and far between. Also, professors can get locked into salaries and have a hard time receiving pay raises unless they are willing to switch schools (see [[How do I avoid salary inversion?|Salary Inversion]] article). Moving may also be the only solution to resolving tricky political problems. Thus, professors should recognize that they may not at the same institution their entire careers.

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Life as a Professor]]
|}

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-31T16:51:29Z

David Nemrow:

[[Image:Hand_Paper.jpg|right]]
So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.
==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |
==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load and research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program, including GMAT/GPA, Letters of recommendation, and your statement of purpose. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants. Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning to write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's usually ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===
The statement of purpose is an essay that summarizes who you are and who you want to be as a professional. When writing the essay, you may want to consider the following suggestions:
* Consider the audience you are writing for. If you are planning to go to a research school, emphasize your research abilities and interests in your essay. If you are planning to go to a teaching school, emphasize teaching in your essay.
* The essay is evaluated both on content and presentation. Make sure you writing is clear, easy to understand, and grammatically correct. Professors will infer a great deal about your future ability based on your writing.
* The essay is a chance to present new and interesting information about yourself. You do not need to repeat your GMAT, GPA, or other things contained in other areas of the application.

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in for a visit. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in for a visit. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have any), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school and/or individual professor. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Reviewing a faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit. You can ask the same question to multiple professors as each professor will likely have a slightly different take on the question.

[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic as it would improve the chance of you understanding what is happening. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you. See the sidebar for specific dos and don'ts during your fly-out.

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Preparing for a Doctoral Program

2009-12-28T22:25:17Z

David Nemrow:

Now that you have decided to get a Ph.D., applied, and been accepted to a school that "fits" you, how can you best prepare for the work ahead? This page gives suggestions on what you can do to prepare to hit the ground running on day one. The suggestions on this page apply to both students who are directly attempting to enter a Ph.D. program and to practitioners who are returning to school after spending time practicing accounting.

==Preparing for Coursework==
Accounting doctoral studies spend very little time studying "accounting" like undergraduates or masters students. That is, you are unlikely to take classes where you discuss debits/credits, how to perform particular accounting treatments, etc. Instead, you will spend your time taking classes in other areas like economics and statistics. Your classmates in these courses are doctoral students in other business school disciplines, including majors in those areas. Thus, the class is geared toward a very high understanding and starts off very quickly. To the extent you can build your economics and statistics background before you start a doctoral program it will help you to not be so lost when you start your program. If you take an economics or statistics class, make sure it is a mathematically intense course as this is how your doctoral program classes will be. In addition, refreshing your calculus and linear algebra skills will be a great aid (and may even be more valuable than taking a statistics or economics course).

In addition to preparing for your "tools" courses, you can start to prepare for your accounting seminars. Accounting seminars are courses in which you read and discuss accounting research papers. These courses are meant to teach you about and how to conduct accounting research. To prepare for these courses, it would be valuable to spend some time reading accounting research. Your goal in reading research should not be to gain a broad or even deep understanding. Instead, reading papers is valuable to teach you how papers are structured, what they do and don't do, the language used and not used, can be valuable. To find examples of "good" accounting research, see the [[What is accounting research?]] page.

==Preparing to Conduct Research==
The main reason to earn a Ph.D. is to learn how to conduct academic research.

* Try writing a research paper and then ask for feedback (or even just a literature review).
* Read lots of research.
* Write down potential research questions and discuss these with an academic.
* Attend a nearby university workshop (briefly describe a workshop).

==Preparing to Teach==
While not imperative, it is useful to have classroom experience before you enter a Ph.D. program. The benefits are two fold, (1) you discover if this is something you want to do for the rest of your career, and (2) it helps prepare you to be a more effective teacher in your Ph.D. program. If teaching your own course is not available, you may consider being a teaching assistant for a professor. If you chose this later route, make sure you let the professor know that you are interested in learning how to be a better teacher. The professor may let you lead a class discussion, an entire class period, develop some teaching materials, or have a positive learning experience in some other way if you express interest in helping.

==Preparing your Family==

==Special Suggestions for Practitioners==

'''EVERYTHING BELOW HERE WAS COPIED AND PASTED HERE UNTIL IT CAN BE INTEGRATED AND REFINED. MATERIAL ABOVE HERE IS STILL IN OUTLINE FORM.'''

=Should I work in industry before getting a Ph.D.?=
If you do, make sure to consider important [[Understanding the Accounting Industry|aspects of the accounting industry]] as it makes several important points about gathering contacts while working.

==Pros==
Working in industry prior to entering a Ph.D program, you will gain valuable experience that will lend to your credibility as a teacher. Working will give you a taste of what goes on in the "real" world. This can provide a valuable context for you as you think of research ideas and read research papers in a Ph.D. program. The people you work with will be valuable contacts. These contacts could provide access to subjects or data for research projects. Additionally, many students enjoy hearing "war stories."

Some schools prefer Ph.D. applicants with public accounting work experience. In 2007, the [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/QuestionnaireSummary.pdf AAA surveyed] the Accounting Ph.D. programs in the United States and found that 53% of programs either preferred or required some work experience. Some schools are less willing to hire new Ph.D.s in auditing and tax if you do not have "meaningful" professional experience.

By working, you could potentially take advantage of the [http://www.adsphd.org/ Accounting Doctoral Scholars program]. This program has been designed to help current practitioners transition from the professional to the academic world. The AICPA provides an annual stipend is provided to selected students who have worked in public accounting for at least three years. The Accounting Doctoral Scholars program has been designed to help at least 120 students entering Ph.D. programs in Tax and Audit by 2012. In addition to the ADS website, the [http://www.aicpa.org/Magazines+and+Newsletters/Newsletters/The+CPA+Letter/September+2008/Accounting++Doctoral+Scholars+Program+Announced+to+Boost+Ph.D.+Faculty.htm AICPA] also provides additional information on the Accounting Doctoral Scholars program.

Despite substantial tuition waivers and annual stipends for teaching and research, working may help you save money for living expenses during the doctoral program.

Working may help you decide if academia or industry is the best route for you. If you love working in industry there may be no reason to go back to school for 4 or 5 more years. Also, working first may give you options to fall back on in case you start a PhD program and find that you do not wish to continue.

Sometimes it can be easier to pass [[The CPA Exam]] and become a CPA. Some accounting firms provide a bonus for passing the CPA Exam during your first or second year of practice in addition to reimbursing the testing fees and paying for a review course. However, just because you may go straight into a Ph.D. program doesn't mean you can't get a CPA license. However, it is debatable whether having a CPA license is desirable and/or useful as an accounting professor (see pros and cons on [[The CPA Exam]] page).

==Cons==
By working in industry, your mind may become more results and application oriented. While these skills are valued in accounting practice, academic research requires a different skill set. The ability to have an open mind and thinking creatively can be more important than knowing how to get from step A to step B. In addition to building different skills in industry, you may lose your math, statistics, and SAS programming knowledge and skills.

Your experience may be outdated and irrelevant by the time you leave a doctoral program. Accounting and business practices change frequently. Standards and practices may change significantly over a period of 4-5 years. Especially for capital markets related research, it is not clear that a few years of public accounting experience will be helpful in generating research ideas. The skills you develop working in industry may not be very helpful in research.

You might never go back to get a Ph.D. Once you have begun to live off a normal salary, it makes it harder to take a pay cut upon entering a Ph.D. program. In other words, the longer you work, the greater the opportunity cost of returning to school. You are delaying earning a relatively high salary (hopefully) 4 to 5 years in the future for a relatively small salary now. This may not be a positive net present value decision.

=Teaching Before going in=

=CPA Exam=
==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
Without proper study materials, taking and passing the CPA exam may be difficult. In addition to buying the materials, there are many different ways to obtain study materials. Several options are available to the diligent seeker.

* [http://www.financialprep.com/ Financialprep.com] offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials from Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker and other test prep publishers with financial incentives to do so) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but this is a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked for a recent Ph.D. Prep student who passed all four sections the first time is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at Utah Valley University has a current, full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab. The BYU library currently has limited materials in its collections.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours. Though, keep in mind that not all topics on the CPA exam are taught in the courses at BYU.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]

Preparing for a Doctoral Program

2009-12-28T22:24:44Z

David Nemrow:

Now that you have decided to get a Ph.D., applied and have been accepted to a school that "fits" you, how can you best prepare for the work ahead? This page gives suggestions on what you can do to prepare to hit the ground running on day one. The suggestions on this page apply to both students who are directly attempting to enter a Ph.D. program and to practitioners who are returning to school after spending time practicing accounting.

==Preparing for Coursework==
Accounting doctoral studies spend very little time studying "accounting" like undergraduates or masters students. That is, you are unlikely to take classes where you discuss debits/credits, how to perform particular accounting treatments, etc. Instead, you will spend your time taking classes in other areas like economics and statistics. Your classmates in these courses are doctoral students in other business school disciplines, including majors in those areas. Thus, the class is geared toward a very high understanding and starts off very quickly. To the extent you can build your economics and statistics background before you start a doctoral program it will help you to not be so lost when you start your program. If you take an economics or statistics class, make sure it is a mathematically intense course as this is how your doctoral program classes will be. In addition, refreshing your calculus and linear algebra skills will be a great aid (and may even be more valuable than taking a statistics or economics course).

In addition to preparing for your "tools" courses, you can start to prepare for your accounting seminars. Accounting seminars are courses in which you read and discuss accounting research papers. These courses are meant to teach you about and how to conduct accounting research. To prepare for these courses, it would be valuable to spend some time reading accounting research. Your goal in reading research should not be to gain a broad or even deep understanding. Instead, reading papers is valuable to teach you how papers are structured, what they do and don't do, the language used and not used, can be valuable. To find examples of "good" accounting research, see the [[What is accounting research?]] page.

==Preparing to Conduct Research==
The main reason to earn a Ph.D. is to learn how to conduct academic research.

* Try writing a research paper and then ask for feedback (or even just a literature review).
* Read lots of research.
* Write down potential research questions and discuss these with an academic.
* Attend a nearby university workshop (briefly describe a workshop).

==Preparing to Teach==
While not imperative, it is useful to have classroom experience before you enter a Ph.D. program. The benefits are two fold, (1) you discover if this is something you want to do for the rest of your career, and (2) it helps prepare you to be a more effective teacher in your Ph.D. program. If teaching your own course is not available, you may consider being a teaching assistant for a professor. If you chose this later route, make sure you let the professor know that you are interested in learning how to be a better teacher. The professor may let you lead a class discussion, an entire class period, develop some teaching materials, or have a positive learning experience in some other way if you express interest in helping.

==Preparing your Family==

==Special Suggestions for Practitioners==

'''EVERYTHING BELOW HERE WAS COPIED AND PASTED HERE UNTIL IT CAN BE INTEGRATED AND REFINED. MATERIAL ABOVE HERE IS STILL IN OUTLINE FORM.'''

=Should I work in industry before getting a Ph.D.?=
If you do, make sure to consider important [[Understanding the Accounting Industry|aspects of the accounting industry]] as it makes several important points about gathering contacts while working.

==Pros==
Working in industry prior to entering a Ph.D program, you will gain valuable experience that will lend to your credibility as a teacher. Working will give you a taste of what goes on in the "real" world. This can provide a valuable context for you as you think of research ideas and read research papers in a Ph.D. program. The people you work with will be valuable contacts. These contacts could provide access to subjects or data for research projects. Additionally, many students enjoy hearing "war stories."

Some schools prefer Ph.D. applicants with public accounting work experience. In 2007, the [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/QuestionnaireSummary.pdf AAA surveyed] the Accounting Ph.D. programs in the United States and found that 53% of programs either preferred or required some work experience. Some schools are less willing to hire new Ph.D.s in auditing and tax if you do not have "meaningful" professional experience.

By working, you could potentially take advantage of the [http://www.adsphd.org/ Accounting Doctoral Scholars program]. This program has been designed to help current practitioners transition from the professional to the academic world. The AICPA provides an annual stipend is provided to selected students who have worked in public accounting for at least three years. The Accounting Doctoral Scholars program has been designed to help at least 120 students entering Ph.D. programs in Tax and Audit by 2012. In addition to the ADS website, the [http://www.aicpa.org/Magazines+and+Newsletters/Newsletters/The+CPA+Letter/September+2008/Accounting++Doctoral+Scholars+Program+Announced+to+Boost+Ph.D.+Faculty.htm AICPA] also provides additional information on the Accounting Doctoral Scholars program.

Despite substantial tuition waivers and annual stipends for teaching and research, working may help you save money for living expenses during the doctoral program.

Working may help you decide if academia or industry is the best route for you. If you love working in industry there may be no reason to go back to school for 4 or 5 more years. Also, working first may give you options to fall back on in case you start a PhD program and find that you do not wish to continue.

Sometimes it can be easier to pass [[The CPA Exam]] and become a CPA. Some accounting firms provide a bonus for passing the CPA Exam during your first or second year of practice in addition to reimbursing the testing fees and paying for a review course. However, just because you may go straight into a Ph.D. program doesn't mean you can't get a CPA license. However, it is debatable whether having a CPA license is desirable and/or useful as an accounting professor (see pros and cons on [[The CPA Exam]] page).

==Cons==
By working in industry, your mind may become more results and application oriented. While these skills are valued in accounting practice, academic research requires a different skill set. The ability to have an open mind and thinking creatively can be more important than knowing how to get from step A to step B. In addition to building different skills in industry, you may lose your math, statistics, and SAS programming knowledge and skills.

Your experience may be outdated and irrelevant by the time you leave a doctoral program. Accounting and business practices change frequently. Standards and practices may change significantly over a period of 4-5 years. Especially for capital markets related research, it is not clear that a few years of public accounting experience will be helpful in generating research ideas. The skills you develop working in industry may not be very helpful in research.

You might never go back to get a Ph.D. Once you have begun to live off a normal salary, it makes it harder to take a pay cut upon entering a Ph.D. program. In other words, the longer you work, the greater the opportunity cost of returning to school. You are delaying earning a relatively high salary (hopefully) 4 to 5 years in the future for a relatively small salary now. This may not be a positive net present value decision.

=Teaching Before going in=

=CPA Exam=
==Introduction==
The Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam) is administered to test one's knowledge of accounting and general business practices. Acceptable completion of the CPA Exam bestows the title of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) on the candidate, assuming all other state requirements have been met.

==Reasons to get, and not to get, the CPA designation==
On its website, the AICPA asserts that the "CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the reward is that CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business." In the business world, the CPA designation adds potential for career growth and entitles the CPA to receiving extra trust in serving in advisory roles for clients. Usually, the easiest and most convenient time to take the CPA exam is right after finishing the accounting program at BYU and before entering a Ph.D. program or the workforce.

However, accounting academics will be able to receive different benefits from earning the CPA designation. The CPA designation may add credibility in the classroom (This is not proven, but is a great [[Research Ideas|empirical question]]). Some schools want you to have professional certifications, in particular, schools that are more teaching oriented. Also, receiving the CPA desgination is probably more important for those with research and teaching interests in audit and/or tax.

Similar to working as a practitioner, the academic may be able to secure consulting opportunities in the profession because of the CPA credential. It also gives you credibility with practitioners. Additionally, if you ever decide to leave academia, this is a helpful certification for employment. The CPA designation is also useful for expert witnessing or serving on a corporate board.

For academics, there are also several reasons not to take the CPA exam. Early in one's career, time may be better spent on conducting research or improving teaching effectiveness. Keeping up on CPE credits may be a hassle. Also, some schools (most likely research intensive schools) may view it as a negative signal of where you are devoting your time; i.e., you are not a serious researcher.

===What resources are available to help me review for the CPA exam?===
* [http://www.beckercpa.com/ Becker CPA Review] is generally considered to be the best CPA review course. Most students who use Becker choose the in-class instruction option, which provides course manuals, offers in-class instruction several nights each week, and assigns homework for each class. This method is purported to have a very high success rate; however, it is also very expensive.
* [http://www.wiley.com/cpa Wiley CPA Exam Review] is not quite as structured as Becker, perhaps, but it is much cheaper and is sufficient. If you've done relatively well in your courses at BYU, this should be enough to help you pass the exam. Though, additional material is on the CPA exam that is not covered in BYU's accounting program. In particular, accounting for non-profits and governmental entities on the exam but is not taught at BYU.

===Where can I find information about the CPA exam requirements for each state?===
The [http://www.beckercpa.com/state/index.cfm Becker CPA Review] website has a comprehensive listing of the CPA requirements for each state.

Additionally, you could try the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy [http://nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPHP?OpenForm (NASBA)]. While they possess all the information you would ever need, accessing the information is difficult. Each state has a NASBA representative assigned to it, and the helpfulness of the representatives varies wildly by state.

The AICPA has also created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that lists all of the requirements for certification and a permit to practice in each state.

===How can I be a CPA without any work experience?===
There is a difference between passing the CPA exam, receiving certification, and meeting the necessary requirements for licensing and public practice. In most states, once you meet the minimum degree and course requirements, you can sit for the CPA exam. After this point, most states require those who pass the exam to meet certain work requirements before they can receive a certificate showing that they passed the exam. This requirement is met by crossing one of two thresholds, either (1) working a specified minimum number of hours or (2) working in professional practice for a certain number of years after finishing your degree. Each state sets its own requirements for certification.

Additionally, some states require that certified professionals receive more experience beyond the aforementioned requirements before they receive a license to practice.

Though, keep in mind that some states do not have experience requirements for certification or licensing to practice; e.g., Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Others allow substitution of additional education for experience. The AICPA has created a [http://www.aicpa.org/download/states/require_pract.pdf document] that compares the educational and experience requirements for each state. Note: The posting date for this comparison is not listed, so always be sure to check with each state's own board of accountancy for current requirements.

===How can I study for the CPA without a firm to purchase study materials?===
Without proper study materials, taking and passing the CPA exam may be difficult. In addition to buying the materials, there are many different ways to obtain study materials. Several options are available to the diligent seeker.

* [http://www.financialprep.com/ Financialprep.com] offers a free trial version of their practice test software, which contains 100 questions per section. 100 questions is sufficient to give one a general sense of how the questions on the test are.

* If you are currently a doctoral student, you may approach one of the companies that provides CPA study material. They sometimes give free copies to future professors. Contact the representative who services your school to discuss this possibility.

* Becker has several ways in which to get free or discounted materials. If you work as the one campus representative for BYU, then you can get a Becker course for free. Dr. Black has something to do with the selection process for campus representatives. Further, you can help set up the classroom for the classroom reviews Becker does, and they will give you a $500 discount.

* You can purchase hugely discounted Becker (as well as other brands) materials from Amazon.com or eBay.com. The ethicality of this is in question. While the [http://theboard.byu.edu/index.php?area=viewall&id=45241 100 Hour Board] at BYU claimed it was fine and legal, many (especially Becker and other test prep publishers with financial incentives to do so) would tell you it is not.

* Consider borrowing materials from someone who has already taken the test. However, the same ethical issue is involved as in purchasing it from Amazon or eBay.

* Some of the preparation courses are actually reasonably priced, between $300-400. Still a lot for a starving student, but this is a far cry from the $2700 Becker wants. One that has recently worked for a recent Ph.D. Prep student who passed all four sections the first time is the [http://www.wiley.com/cpa.html Wiley CPA] software and books.

* The Accounting lab at Utah Valley University has a current, full set of the Gleim materials for use in the lab. You could go over there or somehow petition [http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ Gleim] to outfit our lab as they have the UVU lab. The BYU library currently has limited materials in its collections.

* You might consider just taking a couple of the sections without studying, and see how it goes. BYU has a very good program and you might find that you pass without much, if any, preparation. Do this at your own risk, as it is somewhat expensive to retake exams. But you might save on prep materials and extra working hours. Though, keep in mind that not all topics on the CPA exam are taught in the courses at BYU.

===How long will it take to get the CPA?===
In the summer of 2008, there were several Ph.D. prep students who decided to sit for the CPA exam. The goal was to finish all portions of the exam before Ph.D. programs began. So far, the endeavor has been successful. Before you decide to take the exam consider two important questions: (1) how long will it take to study for the CPA and (2) is it worth it? The first question is considered on this page, the second question is considered in the above section on the benefits of receiving the CPA designation for academics.

The first question is quantitative in nature, but can vary greatly by candidate. One student who took the exam in the summer of 2008 kept track of all the studying he did for it, in order that other candidates might be able to see how long it takes. About this student: He had not taken advanced financial, audit, or managerial accounting, and is not naturally inclined to do well in accounting. Given this, much more study was required for him that would be required for an average Ph.D. prep track student doing the professional stem. Some of his cohorts in the prep track who took the test studied considerably less (50-80% less time), and did equally well.

Further, note that a 75 is required to pass the exam. Any score above a 75 can be viewed as over preparation for the exam (of course, assuming one is interested in the acquisition of accounting knowledge, scoring higher is a good thing). This student exceeded 75 on all the tests--and was thus over prepared for all four sections of the exam. Further, there were some logistical problems that created issues, requiring even more study time for this person.

Those three qualifiers being stated, [http://phdprep.byu.edu/index.php?title=Image:CPA_study.xls here is a spreadsheet] that contains the hours studied and the results of the CPA exams for this student. Hopefully they will help you have a better idea of how much time is required to pass the CPA exam.

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:46:26Z

David Nemrow:

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.
[[Image:Hand_Paper.jpg|right]]

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:43:29Z

David Nemrow:

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:43:05Z

David Nemrow:

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:30:37Z

David Nemrow:

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to
[[Image:Conference.jpg|left]]show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

File:Conference.jpg

2009-12-28T21:25:58Z

David Nemrow: Picture of man teaching in a conference

Picture of man teaching in a conference

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:12:04Z

David Nemrow:

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==

Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|left]]consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:06:07Z

David Nemrow: /* The Application Process */

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==
Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]

Applying to a Ph.D. Program

2009-12-28T21:05:10Z

David Nemrow: /* The Application Process */

So you have decided you want to get a Ph.D....Now what? The next steps in the process are 1) to decide which programs you should apply for, 2) fill out your applications, 3) hopefully visit several schools, and then 4) make your final decision. On this page, we provide an overview of the process and specific suggestions for being successful in choosing and being accepted into an accounting Ph.D. program.

==Selecting the Right Program==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:45em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==Question to consider when applying to programs==
Here is a list of some questions that you might want to think about when applying to programs (some questions taken from [http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/doctoral/admissions/selecting.cfm here]):
* How many faculty are working with students? Do students regularly coauthor articles with faculty?
* How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
* What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different research methodologies?
* Am I sufficiently qualified to enter this program?
* Many Ph.D. students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
* Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
* What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
* What are the TA, RA, and teaching requirements of the program?
* What is the department's placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
* Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
The most important criterion for success in an accounting Ph.D. program is to find a program that "fits" you. In deciding which programs do or do not fit, it helps to know what you want. Specifically, what type of career do you want when you graduate with your Ph.D.? Are you hoping to spend most of your time teaching or researching (or some combination of both)? How many hours do you want to work a week? How much money do you want to make? What subject of accounting (e.g., AIS, auditing, financial, managerial, tax, etc.) do you hope to teach and hope to research? While the answers to these questions are not required to apply for a Ph.D. program, it does help in selecting a program where you will "fit" well.

[[Image:Man_Columns.jpg|left]]

As a very general "rule-of-thumb," academic prestige is usually based on research productivity, that is, the more successful an individual or school is at publishing research in respected journals, the more "revered" the individual/institution. Connected to research productivity is pay. Generally speaking, the more research intensive the university, the higher the pay. Finally, professors often change schools over the course of their career. In general, it is easier to move from a research-intensive school to a more teaching-intensive school. Going in the opposite direction is more difficult because it is hard to sustain high levels of productivity as a researcher if you have a heavier teaching load. Furthermore, research-intensive universities will want to see evidence of research productivity/potential before hiring you.

As you think through the research/teaching balance, do not make the mistake of assuming one is a better or worse option. Both options have costs and benefits and whether the costs and benefits are better/worse depends on your individual goals. Thus, knowing what your goals are is important for deciding where to apply. If you have a strong desire to focus more on teaching/research, you will be more successful going to a Ph.D. program that emphasizes the area of your interest. At the same time, do not rule out the possibility of changing your mind as you study in a Ph.D. program. Most academics decide to become a professor because they were originally attracted to teaching. Many, however, find that researching is as rewarding (or even more rewarding for some) than teaching. Further, research can often complement your teaching such that you become more effective in the classroom. Keep an open mind as you learn more about the life as a professor and allow yourself to give full consideration to all aspects of the life as a professor.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's official web page as well as the different [[University Information|university pages]] on this website.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [[University Information]] for help finding who has been where from the BYU family. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some research topical areas and/or methodologies. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Numerous Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best." On the other hand, it is important to get information from a wide variety of sources. If a program has developed a reputation, there is probably a reason.

==The Application Process==
[[Image:Student_Computer.jpg|center]]
Most schools consider several different factors when deciding which candidate to admit into their program. The factors considered important vary depending on the institution. However, in general, schools use GMAT and GPA to perform an "initial screen" of the many applicants.
Those who surpass the thresholds set by the school move into the "second round" and their applications are more carefully considered. Thus, GMAT and GPA alone will not get you into a program, but the absence of strong scores in these areas may keep you out of a program.

===GMAT and GPA===
Your GMAT score is an important component of your application. While a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

As a word of advice, don't despair if you don't do well on the GMAT on the first time. The format of the exam and the types of questions may be unlike anything you've ever done before. Study very hard before you take it the first time, because it will save you time and money if you don't have to retake it. However, if you have a bad day, realize that many people have done poorly on their first attempt, before retaking it and doing significantly better. Many people have gotten below a 600 on their first attempt, and over a 700 the second time around.

Your GPA is often considered jointly with your GMAT score in evaluating whether your application should be considered more carefully. Schools may also consider your major and minor GPA, or grades in specific classes they think are important. You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a top research school if you have done well in courses in economics, statistics, and math.

===Letters of Recommendation===
[[Image:Studying.jpg|right]]
You will generally want to obtain letters of recommendations from academics. Typically, if you have gotten to know a particular professor well (e.g., you have served as their TA or RA), you will want to obtain a letter from them. Also, you might consider what they are known for. If a professor has won many teaching awards but is not research active, they may be an excellent source for a letter if you are applying to teaching schools, but maybe not as strong if applying for research schools. Much of this type of information can be found on each professor's vita.

Most professors will be happy to provide you with a good letter of recommendation. Note however, that this can be a significant time commitment for them, if they are planning on write you a strong letter. You should be very courteous and respectful in asking for a letter. If they decline, it may be because they don't believe they can write you a strong letter or because they do not have time. You should be respectful of their decision. Remember to ask well ahead of the deadline and give them plenty of time to write the letter. It's probably ok to give a kind reminder a week or two before the deadline if they haven't yet written the letter.

===Statement of Purpose===

==Fly-outs==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:60em; max-width: 35%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |

==How to act during Fly Outs==
===Do===
* Be cordial in all respects.
* Call schools and let them know before you visit if you have ''accepted'' another offer. Schools will view it as a slap in the face if you have formally accepted with another school and still fly out. If you are highly interested in another school but have not formally accepted, you still may consider flying out to another school if you have already arranged a campus visit.
* Research on the school. Read about the professors and their work and have intelligent questions to ask them. Read about the area. This is one of the most important job interviews of your career.
* Send a thank you note/letter/email after visit is over. Make sure the email is not a form email. You should send individual responses if you send a response to each person you met.
* Remember the schools where you don't go are likely to consider hiring you. Leave a good impression and it will increase your chance of getting a job once you graduate.
===Do NOT===
* Undertake your application or campus visits lightly. How you act during the campus visit will not only affect your Ph.D. placement but also your potential future job placement. The academic accounting community is very small, memories very long, and bridges are easily burned.
* Act arrogant. More so than any other personality trait, arrogance has cost many excellent candidates the opportunity to attend the program of their choice. There are plenty of other candidates who are as qualified (or more qualified) than you are to enter a Ph.D. program. Make sure you come across as humble, willing to work hard, and a nice person.
* Schedule visits if you "know" you won't go to that school. If you might go to the school, then go, but if you know there is no way you will go to the school, don't waste their time and money.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
|}
As part of the interview process, doctoral programs often bring students in for a campus visit. Only those students that the program is seriously considering for admittance are brought in. Some universities will first do phone interviews with the candidates they are interested in before they fly applicants in. It is important to remember that just because you are being flown out does not mean you will be given an offer by the university. In general, the purpose of the fly-out is to evaluate the candidate on softer skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, likability, etc.) rather than quantitative skills (e.g., GMAT, GPA, etc.) and to serve as a chance for the institution to recruit the individual and sell the program.

The typical campus visit usually includes meal times, one-on-one time with professors, and attending a workshop/class. During your stay, one or more professors will take you out for dinner and/or breakfast. This is an informal meeting. You should be prepared to talk about why you want to enter a Ph.D. program, what are your research interests (if you have some), what are your future goals, why you are interested in that school, and most importantly be able to ask relevant questions about the school. You should not be asking questions about the school that you can find out for yourself (i.e., make sure you read the school's doctoral program web page and the individual professor's web pages as well).

Your one-on-one meetings with professors usually last 30 minutes. These meetings can range from the professors conducting a mini job interview, to a friendly open dialog. You need to make sure you have enough things to talk about to fill up an entire 30 minutes. One of the best things you can talk about is the professor's own research. Checking out the faculty member's vita before an interview is a good way to get an idea of the type of research they do. Alternatively, you could ask the professor to describe one of their more recent projects. It is not a bad idea to bring a notepad to take notes. On the notepad, you might consider jotting a list of the questions you want answered during your visit.

Often times, you will attend a doctoral seminar or a workshop presentation. If you can read the papers for the workshop or seminar before you get there that would be fantastic. You are not required to make any comments, and you shouldn't just to show off your speaking ability. If you have [[How to ask good questions in workshop|good questions/comments to make]], you can do that, but make sure you aren't speaking to try and show how smart you are. These workshops give you a good idea of what the tone of the school is like.

On a practical note, the school will usually cover airfare, transportation, and meals. The school may give you a budget and allow you to make plans (they usually reimburse you after you provide receipts) or they may book everything for you. If you are unsure, ask whoever is recruiting you how the school handles the finances of the fly out.

Again, remember that during the campus visit you are being recruited and evaluated. You need to make sure you do your best to sell them on yourself and also take some time to evaluate the school to see if you would fit if given an offer. Be forthcoming about yourself and your interests. You don't want to end up at a school whose faculty are uninterested in or hostile to your research interests or that has a culture that doesn't suit you.

You may find this collective list of "Do's and Do not's on campus visits" helpful as you prepare for a campus visit:

==The Decision - Which Program to Attend==
You have done all the research, you have visited schools, and you have talked with lots of people, now you are ready to make the decision of where to go to school. How in the world do you make this critical decision?

Steve Kachelmeier's (University of Texas - Austin) story is one of the best illustrations of making the decision the right way. He created a table with the most important criteria that he should consider across the top and each program listed down the side. He carefully mapped how each school fit his criteria, taking care to list the positives and negatives. After he was finished with this exercise, he folded it in half, thought for a minute about which program he would like best, and then throwing his carefully constructed chart away chose to go to the University of Florida. At the end of the day, he went to the program he liked and where he thought he would fit well.

There is no magic formula for deciding where to go. A few pointers will help as you make the decision. First, although this may sound like a broken record, go to the school where you fit best. Fit is far more important than any other criteria. Second, it is hard to make a bad decision. If you are willing to do your best, most programs will help you learn and be successful. Third, if you have a spouse or significant other, include them in the decision. Having support from your spouse during the program is extremely helpful in being successful. Listen to their needs and desires as you make the decision. Finally, quit stressing and celebrate you have been admitted into a Ph.D. program! You are well on your way to a great career.

A word of advice on what to do once you have made your decision. It is important that you notify schools as soon as possible of your choice, especially if you have offers from other schools. These other schools will likely want to invite someone else to their program and while you are deciding, they often hold offers to other candidates. As soon as you have eliminated a school from consideration, kindly and courteously let that school know so they can move on (e.g., you have 3 offers and have decided you will not go to University X. Let University X know as soon as possible even if you are still deciding between University Y and Z). In a similar vein, try and make the decision of where you are going as soon as possible rather than drag the decision out. Schools appreciate being told earlier rather than later so they can recruit other candidates.

==Other Items==

{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | [[Main Page]] ► [[So you want to get a Ph.D.?]] ► [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]