Kellogg Doctoral Program

• PhD Overview
• Programs
• Admissions
  • Applicant Profile
  • Check Application Status
  • Application Process
  • Application Requirements
  • Financial Aid and Expenses
  • Decision Process
  • Admissions Statistics
  • Recruiting Forum
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Research
• Student Life
• Community Resources and Housing
• Job Market Candidates
• Job Placement

We have outlined the process for applying to the Kellogg School of Management's PhD Program below.

• Apply
• Applying Online through ApplyYourself
• Supporting Documents
• Check Application Status
• Decision Process
• Reapplication
• Internal Transfers and Readmission

If you have any questions, please contact the PhD Program Office by e-mail or telephone:  847-491-2832.

Apply
The online application is open in September for the coming fall.  Prospective students apply through Northwestern's Graduate School for doctoral programs offered through the Kellogg School of Management.  Please note:

• The deadline to apply to one of Kellogg's PhD programs is December 31, 2013.  The deadline to apply to the joint program in Management and Organizations and Sociology is December 15,  2013. 
• Entry is in the fall quarter only.
• Part-time or online doctoral study is not available at the Kellogg School of Management.
• Applicants can apply to one PhD program only; this policy also applies to Weinberg’s Economics PhD Program.  Please review our programs carefully to find one suitable for your research objectives.  If you want to switch your program of study after submitting your application to Northwestern, you must make that request by January 15 by e-mail.

Applying Online through ApplyYourself
The next available entry is fall 2014, and the online application will be available September 2013, through AppyYourself.  The online application is maintained by Northwestern's Graduate School.  Once the application is submitted electronically, it will be sent directly to the Kellogg School of Management for processing.

For technical support for the online application, please contact ApplyYourself by telephone 1-800-526-3313 or by e-mail.  For questions concerning the application process, please contact the PhD Program Office by telephone at 847-491-2832 or by e-mail.

Supporting Documents
Please refer to the Application Requirements when submitting documents to Kellogg.  The Application Requirements itemizes each required document, including comprehensive exams, to be submitted with the application.

All documents, including transcripts, recommendation letters, resume, personal statement, and the writing sample, are submitted online.

Check Application Status
Applicants will be able to track their application status online using GATS - Graduate Admissions Tracking System.  Once the application has been uploaded into GATS, the applicant will receive an e-mail with log-in instructions and their username and password.  The applicant will be able to track all documents submitted with the application:  application form, transcripts, recommendation letters, and official test scores.  When the application is complete for review, it will be noted in GATS.

Applicants will also be able to monitor their decision status in GATS.  When a decision has been made, it will be noted in GATS.  Applicants are then directed to ApplyYourself, where the online application was completed, to view the decision.  To access this feature, the same pin number and password is used from the application.  If the pin and password were forgotten, the "Search" feature may be used in the User Login box to obtain that information.

Decision Process
The process for decisions and the decision time line is available here.

Reapplication
Entrance into Kellogg’s PhD Program is very competitive based upon the quality and depth of our applicant pool and the limited number of positions available each year.  The admissions committee encourages an applicant to reapply if there has been a significant change in his or her credentials, such as additional coursework, a much-improved GRE or GMAT score, or any research or practical experience that would enhance the application.  Those interested in reapplying should refer to resources under Applicant Profile for some guidance on the application process as well as our Admissions Statistics. 

To reapply to Kellogg’s PhD Program, applicants must create a new account within ApplyYourself.  Because an application was submitted previously to Northwestern, applicants are prompted to “continue and create a new account.”   A new application must be prepared, the application fee paid, and all supporting documents submitted online through ApplyYourself.  For more details on the application process, please refer to Application Requirements.

Internal Transfers and Readmission
For those who are currently enrolled at Northwestern, or were previously admitted for at least two quarters at The Graduate School, and wish to apply for an internal transfer or seek readmission into one of Kellogg’s PhD programs, please contact the PhD Office by phone at 847.491.2832 or e-mail: kellogg-phd@kellogg.northwestern.edu.