Thank you for your interest in doctoral study at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. At this point you may be asking yourself,
Why a PhD? Is this something I really want to do?
Kellogg's PhD Program trains students for careers in research as professors. While we try to address all your questions regarding our programs of study and the application process through our Web resources, you may want to review the most commonly asked questions below.
If your question is not answered, please contact the PhD Program Office by e-mail.
PhD Study at Kellogg
Application Requirements
Application Process
Standardized Tests
Financial Aid Student Life and Campus Information
What type of PhD training will I receive at Kellogg?
Research is the focus of the training Kellogg doctoral students receive. The desire to contribute new knowledge to the field is emphasized within the student's dissertation and future research – the goal of which is to be published in peer-reviewed journals.
As students begin the program, they will take two years of coursework at the PhD level, which will give them a foundation in the literature of their chosen field and the statistical and research methods training required to conduct original research. In years three and beyond, students will focus on research full time. Students will also work with faculty as research and teaching assistants, so that they will gain the necessary professional development skills needed as professors. Students will engage in research projects with professors – the goal of which is to shift from being a research assistant to a co-author as they advance through the program.
How do I know if Kellogg is the right school for me?
We encourage you to view Kellogg's seven doctoral programs and to visit the academic departments associated with these PhD programs. We go into great detail outlining our program requirements, faculty, coursework, research resources, and research technical support. Kellogg's doctoral training is collaborative and interdisciplinary – which describes our unique academic culture. We encourage students to engage with faculty and doctoral students across programs; consequently, our students have opportunities to take classes outside of Kellogg and attend the research seminars found at Kellogg and throughout Nothwestern's campus.
How important is research fit?
When determining which program is for you, you should take a close look at the research faculty. The research expertise of the faculty should support the type of research you want to do. Essentially you will be joining Kellogg's academic community; therefore, you want to make sure there is a core group of faculty with whom you can collaborate and that the school provides the necessary research resources and research support for you to conduct your dissertation research.
While exploring faculty research interests, another useful resource is Kellogg Insight. Kellogg's professors bring their latest research to the public through this online monthly research magazine. It's a great way to keep up with recently published research, plus there is a four-year library of articles to draw from. Consider subscribing.
What is the typical profile of an admitted student?
Kellogg draws students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. We provide admission statistics as well as a general student profile online.
Do you offer a part-time PhD program or a distance-learning/external program?
No. Our PhD program is a full-time commitment. You must be on campus to attend classes and fulfill residency requirements. Interaction with faculty and other students is crucial to your training; therefore, you must be on campus. Students usually complete the requirements in five years.
How many doctoral students are in your program?
On average, 140 students.
Are PhD students allowed to teach courses?
Yes. PhD students in their fourth or fifth year may teach a course, for which they are paid. Please note that teaching is not a requirement for the PhD degree, and teaching assignments are arranged by the student's department.
How long does it take to complete a PhD degree?
On average, most students finish in five years.
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Application Requirements
I am a senior in college. Can I apply?
Yes. Applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent will be considered for admission. The degree must be awarded before students are allowed to register in September. Three-year undergraduate degrees are also accepted.
Is work experience required?
No. Work experience is not required to gain admission into our PhD program.
To apply, is there any specific coursework required?
No. However, PhD study does require strong quantitative skills. It is recommended that applicants have taken Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Mathematical Statistics – especially students applying to our quantitative programs: Accounting Information & Management, Finance, Managerial Economics & Strategy, Operations Management, and Marketing (quantitative area). For behavioral areas, such as Management & Organizations and Marketing (behavioral area), statistics for social scientists is recommended for preparation for PhD study. In addition, your performance on the GRE and GMAT quantitative sections will be evaluated.
Please note that strong math skills are needed to manage and analyze your data and have an impact on the type of research you are ultimately able to do. The PhD Program is especially well suited to students who have previously studied engineering, natural sciences, or social sciences (such as economics, political science, psychology and sociology).
May I send a paper I have written?
Applicants have the option of including one research paper (30-page maximum) with their application. A paper is not required for admission; however, one paper may be uploaded through the online application form, ApplyYourself. We encourage applicants to list this paper and any other papers they have on their resume with Web links to these papers.
Is a master's degree required for admission into Kellogg's PhD program?
No. A master's degree is not required for admission into Kellogg's PhD Program, just a bachelor's degree.
I already have a master's degree. Will I be able to complete my PhD degree in a shorter period?
No. While Kellogg admits students with master's degrees, the coursework undertaken in a master's program is not at the PhD level. Master's and PhD coursework requirements are different, so students must satisfy the PhD coursework requirements at the Kellogg School.
What are the professors looking for in applicants?
Kellogg's faculty selects qualified students based on evidence of outstanding intellectual ability and a strong commitment to a career in research. The student's performance on standardized tests, the strength of the recommendation letters, the academic record at the applicant's undergraduate/graduate institution, and his/her research agenda, with its fit within the general research interests of the faculty, are evaluated. Please refer to a general applicant profile we've provided and admission statistics for more information.
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Application Process
How do I apply?
The only way to apply to Kellogg's doctoral program is by using the online application form, ApplyYourself, a web-based form submitted electronically to Northwestern. The application is available each September for the upcoming fall.
May I apply to more than one program?
Northwestern allows an applicant to apply to one program only in a given year. For instance, you can apply to either Finance (Kellogg School) or Economics (Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences); you cannot submit an application to both. Therefore, you should choose the program that is the better fit for your research interests and overall program of study.
When does Kellogg begin accepting applications?
The Kellogg School has one admission period each year, and that is during the fall quarter. We start accepting applications in September of any given year. More detailed information on the application process can be found under Application Process.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline to submit the completed application and all supporting documents to the Kellogg School is December 31 of any given year. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that delayed documents do not prevent review of the application file. The Kellogg School may recommend that a student be admitted or denied admission whenever it believes it has sufficient basis for the decision.
What are the program numbers for the application?
- Accounting Information and Management: A05PH
- Finance: F05PH
- Managerial Economics and Strategy: M10PH
- Marketing: M15PH
- Management and Organizations: O20PH
- Management and Organizations and Sociology: O15PH
- Operations Management: O30PH
How many applications do you receive each year and how many enroll?
On average the Kellogg School receives over 900 applications each year for its seven programs of study. Among those applications, approximately 30 students (about four to five students per individual program/department) enroll in the fall. Please refer to the provided
admission statistics for more information.
Are interviews required after submitting the application?
Due to the number of applications we receive each year, it is not feasible for our faculty to interview every applicant. Instead each program initiates phone or campus interviews for only those candidates who are being strongly considered for admission or for candidates for whom additional information is needed. An applicant cannot request an interview. The program will contact the applicant to arrange for an interview. Even candidates who are being strongly considered for admission may not be interviewed until late February or early March.
Do you have a visit day for admitted students? Yes. Each program/department makes arrangements with the admitted students to visit the campus and meet with Kellogg PhD students and faculty. Kellogg also provides each student with a specified amount of travel money to help pay for airplane tickets, etc., and in addition pays for the student's hotel accommodations.
If I am denied admission, may I receive feedback on my application?
The admissions committee reviews all applications very carefully. The committee tries to achieve a balance between keeping the evaluation materials consistent and giving each applicant an opportunity to make his or her best case for the program. Competition for the few slots we have available each year is quite high. As a policy, the admission committee does not share the results of the application decision. We understand the time commitment involved in preparing your application, but we are unable to provide any feedback to any applicant.
If I am denied admission, can I reapply? Yes. However, when reapplying, you must submit a new application, supporting documents, and application fee.
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Standardized TestsWhat tests should I take - GMAT or GRE? Is there a minimum score? Kellogg accepts test scores on either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (
GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (
GRE). The admissions committee reviews the whole application, so test scores make up just a part of the application. While there is no minimum test score set by each program/department a good performance on one of the standardized tests is usually required. On average, our students score in the 90th percentile range overall.
I already have a master's degree. Do I still need to take the GRE or GMAT?
Yes. You must provide us with a test score. This requirement is never waived. These test scores are valid for five years.
Are TOEFL and IELTS scores required? If so, are TOEFL or IELTS waivers considered if proof of English proficiency can be provided? Northwestern University requires applicants whose native language is not English to provide a score on the
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam; either score is accepted. There is an exception to this policy outlined below in the second part of this answer. To be considered for admission, applicants must certify their proficiency in the English language by scoring a minimum of 600 (a paper-based exam), 250 (a computer-based exam) or 100 (an Internet-based exam) on the TOEFL. IELTS test takers should score 7.0 or higher. TOEFL and IELTS tests must be taken no more than two years before the quarter of entry.
Applicants are waived from the TOEFL and IELTS score requirement under the following condition only: earning an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English. This degree must be awarded before the student enrolls in doctoral classes in the upcoming fall quarter at Northwestern. If possible, applicants should include one copy of any TOEFL or IELTS scores they have – even if the scores have expired.
What are the institution codes for the GMAT, GRE and TOEFL and IELTS?
- GMAT: 6WZ-3J-54 (PhD Program, Kellogg)
- GRE: 1565 (Northwestern's Graduate School), no Department Code
- TOEFL: 1565, Department Code 01 (Graduate School)
- IELTS (Scores must be sent by IELTS, in a sealed envelope, to the Kellogg School.)
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Financial Aid
Is financial aid available for students, including international students?
Yes. The Kellogg School of Management offers financial aid to its admitted doctoral students, and more information is provided in the
Financial Aid and Expenses section of our Web site. International students also qualify for this funding package.
The financial aid package consists of full tuition, a stipend to help cover living expenses, and health insurance (Northwestern's student health insurance plan) for at least five years, providing the student is in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree. Additionally a laptop computer is provided to incoming students. Students may also be invited to teach a course, for which they are paid.
To qualify for financial aid, the application and supporting documents should be received by December 31, the application deadline. Applicants are automatically considered for financial aid when they submit the online application form to the Kellogg School of Management. Therefore, applicants do not need to request financial aid within the application or submit any other forms. If admission is recommended, provisions for financial aid will be included with the admission offer.
What are the tuition costs?
For the 2011-2012 academic year, full tuition at The Graduate School of Northwestern University is $55,456. Students receive a tuition scholarship to cover the costs. More information is provide in the
Financial Aid and Expenses section of our Web site.
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Student Life and Campus Information
Where can I find out more about Kellogg and Northwestern University's campus? We have a wealth of information on our Web site that highlights
Northwestern University and the
Kellogg School of Management, including some
facts and figures. Information on the
Evanston and
Chicago area and
traveling through the area are also provided.
What about student housing?
Students have many options regarding housing that include
on-campus as well as
off-campus housing. Additional housing resources are also found through
local newspapers. We have students living in Evanston, and the surrounding suburbs, in addition to the City of Chicago.
What about childcare resources?
We do have graduate students who are parents, and Northwestern provides support and resources for
childcare. Tell me more about student life at Kellogg.
On average, Kellogg PhD students spend five years at Kellogg-Northwestern while completing their degree. Our students become an integral part of the
research community and form life-long friendships and collaborations. To get a glimpse of our community of scholars, please visit
Student Life.
What is there to do for fun on campus?
Northwestern University is widely known for its
music and
theater schools; consequently, there are numerous theater and musical productions throughout the year. Plus Northwestern also has its own
Museum of Art with regular exhibitions and a film series. Additionally, for those who love
sports, Northwestern has much to offer – tennis, swimming, sailing (taking advantage of Northwestern's beaches and access to Lake Michigan), inline skating, cycling, jogging, and sports clubs, leagues and intramurals.
Where can I find a copy of Northwestern's Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics?
As provided by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, you are entitled to request and receive a copy of Northwestern University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This Report includes statistics for the previous 3 years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Northwestern University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The Report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies on drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, fire safety and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Northwestern University Police Department Deputy Chief at (847) 491-3256. The report can also be accessed and printed from the University Police website at
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© Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. 
