Skip to main content
Rady School of Management Rady School of Management
  1. HOME
  2. Programs
  3. Ph.D. Program
  4. Admissions
  5. Ph.D. Application Checklist

Application Checklist

A completed Ph.D. application will include the following components:

Application Form

Students can apply online here: https://connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply/

A brief guide to finding the Rady PhD application can be found here.

Academic History

Please upload all transcript(s) into the online application. Do not send duplicates. Official transcripts will only be required if you are admitted.

Academic Curricula Vitae and/or Resume

Please prepare an academic CV giving a summary of your education and professional history for uploading into the application.

Please include any teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors and affiliations.

Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

  • The Rady School of Management PhD Program will continue to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement for all Rady PhD applicants for Fall 2025. Submitting a score is optional. Applicants to the quantitative research areas such as Finance, Economics and Strategy, Quantitative Marketing, and Information, Technology, and Operations (ITO) can demonstrate quantitative aptitude by demonstrating success in prior quantitative coursework, research projects, or by submitting GRE/ GMAT scores.

  • The Accounting research area is not recruiting in the 2024-25 PhD admissions cycle. 

  • The Ph.D. Program accepts either the GRE or the GMAT as an optional submission. GRE scores for applicants to the Finance, ITO and Marketing Research Areas are highly recommended.

  • The GRE general test is optional (if taking the GRE in lieu of the GMAT exam). Official score reports must be within five years of the test date.

  • For the GRE, use institutional code 4836; the department code is not necessary.

  • The program code for the GMAT is “3NS-ZK-24.”

For International Applicants Only: TOEFL or IELTS Scores

  • TOEFLor IELTS or PTE scores are required for international applicants; official score reports must be within two years of the test date. 

  • The English proficiency requirement is waived if you have been enrolled full-time, for a minimum of one year in an academic program at a degree-granting, English-speaking institution; community colleges and vocational schools are not considered. Courses must have been completed with a B average or better. You can see Graduate Division's full requirements for exemption at the Graduate Division FAQ page. If you meet the requirements for exemption, then you do not submit a score, there is not a formal waiver that is sent.

  • For reporting from ETS, use institutional code 4836-02.

  • Minimum scores for TOEFL: Computer-based 250, Paper 570, Internet 90.

  • The minimum score for IELTS is 7.

  • The minimum PTE score is 65.

Recommendations

Three Letters of Recommendations are required; submission via the online application is strongly preferred. If necessary, for other methods of submission, please follow the Office of Graduate Studies guidelines for Letters of Recommendation.

Letters should optimally be from someone who has taught you and/or from individuals who can attest to your academic ability and research potential.

Statement of Purpose Requirements

Online Statement of Purpose required. 2,500-word limit to include the following:

  • State which areas of research you are interested in and with which faculty member you would like to work with and why.

  • Discuss why you are interested in these areas and how your experiences (academic or otherwise) are relevant to your continuing academic studies. Include any research experience or publications you have.

  • Discuss your career goals after obtaining your Ph.D.

Specific Program Requirements

The department does not enroll students who seek a master's degree as a terminal degree. Students who elect to specialize in management science and finance will be required to have additional mathematical knowledge such as advanced calculus and statistics.

Application Fee

The application fee for the Ph.D. program is $135 for domestic students and $155 for international students (subject to change). Graduate Division's information page about application fees can be found here. The non-refundable fee is payable by credit card through the online application. You may also pay by check, following the instructions in the online application. If you choose to pay by check, please note that your application cannot be processed until your check has been received.

If you have any questions, please contact the Rady Ph.D. Graduate Coordinator at radyphd@ucsd.edu.

Please upload documents to your online application. If needed, you can mail official documents to Graduate Division - Graduate Admissions.

Mailing Address
University of California, San Diego
Graduate Division - Graduate Admissions
9500 Gilman Drive #0003
La Jolla, California 92093-0003
gradadmissions@ucsd.edu