Name

Tony Stovall

School

University of Arizona

Degree Program

Second year PhD student in Retailing and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in Consumer Behavior

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Stanford University, 1989; Master of Business Administration from University of Arizona, 2008

Dissertation Topic

Not yet decided

Research Interests

Consumer technology adoption; consumer financial decision making; consumer medical decision making

Hobbies

Traveling, going to the movies

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose to attend University of Arizona to earn my PhD in retailing and consumer sciences because the program is interdisciplinary and allows me to pursue my interests to a much fuller extent than I could in other programs.

I decided to attend University of Arizona in particular because I had already earned my MBA at Arizona and I was familiar with the school. I did apply to other schools as well, but ultimately I knew that I would be happiest in a familiar environment with a warm climate.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I didn’t do very much to prepare myself for my PhD program since I had already gotten acclimated to the challenges of graduate school when I was enrolled in my MBA program.

But before I earned my MBA, I had been out of school for quite a few years. Going back to grad school was a little bit of a shock to the system. But if you are a returning student like I was, you have likely already gained a strong work ethic by being out in the workforce. As long as you buckle down and focus on your work, you will do fine.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application to the PhD program in retailing and consumer sciences required scores from the GMAT exam. I found the math portion of the test challenging since I hadn’t used math formulas for the better part of 20 years.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I included a brief synopsis of my work history and how it related to my academic interests. I wanted to show the admissions committee that there was consistency in my interests and that I was making a thoughtful decision to pursue a PhD in retailing and consumer sciences.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I found it relatively easy to approach faculty for letters of recommendation because I had recently completed my MBA program and my professors were still familiar with me. Actually, part of the reason that I decided to pursue a PhD was the encouragement that I received from professors in my MBA program.

What types of questions were asked in your admissions interview?

In my admissions interview, I was asked about my motivations for pursuing a PhD in retailing and consumer science and what I thought the program would allow me to do. I was also asked where I saw myself in 5 or 10 years.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in retailing and consumer sciences?

My tip for students who are applying to any graduate program is to write a sincere personal statement. Don’t tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear. They will be able to see through that. Instead, you want to let them know what is unique about your desire to be a part of their department.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My PhD program in retailing and consumer science is designed to take students 4 or 5 years to complete, depending on whether or not you enter the program with a masters degree. For the first 2 years, you take courses that include 6 classes in your major area of specialization and 3 or 4 classes in a minor area.

After you complete your coursework, you take your comprehensive exams, which are a culmination of everything you have studied in your courses. Once you pass your exams, you write your dissertation.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

I haven’t decided on a topic for my dissertation since I am only in the second year of my PhD program. But I think that I will do research on a topic related to consumer decision making, financial planning, or medical decision making.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

My masters program was very different from my PhD program because an MBA is a terminal professional degree. It trains students to apply practical skills and a theoretical understanding of business and management to the workplace. A PhD, on the other hand, is an academic degree that trains students to teach and, most importantly, conduct original research.

Because of this, I didn’t write a thesis in my MBA program. The coursework and the culminating papers and projects were much more focused on developing analytical business skills than performing original research, which is the goal of a dissertation.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

I am a fairly independent student so I don’t rely on my advisor as much as other students might. My advisor approves my course selections, but otherwise I haven’t met too often with him.

Your advisor can play as big a role in your education as you want. If you want more support, you can initiate a relationship with your advisor that will allow you to rely on them for guidance.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my PhD program requires students to pass comprehensive exams during their third year. These exams cover everything you have learned in your 2 years of coursework.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

Because I receive full funding from the university for my PhD in retailing and consumer sciences, I don’t know how much the degree costs. It is very common for students in my program to receive full funding.

How are you funding your education?

I receive a tuition waiver and a stipend from University of Arizona. The stipend is payment for serving as a graduate teaching or research assistant, which involves teaching undergraduate classes or assisting professors with their research. I am also subsidizing my stipend by taking out some student loans.

For someone who is coming back to school after many years of working professionally, the amount of money I receive in my stipend isn’t enough to cover my living expenses. For a student who is just out of their undergraduate programs and may not have accrued debts, it is possible that the stipend would be enough to live on.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

I don’t anticipate that it will be very difficult to pay off my loans once I graduate because I intend to teach at a business school. These teaching positions pay considerably more than positions at liberal arts colleges.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in retailing and consumer sciences?

A PhD in retailing and consumer science at University of Arizona is like a full-time job. I attend classes for 12 hours a week, since I am enrolled in 12 units. Most students take 10 units in a term. For every hour that I spend in class, I spend 3 hours studying outside of class. That means I spend about 36 hours on my studies in addition to attending classes.

I am able to take a day and sometimes a whole weekend off if I plan my work well and don’t have any upcoming deadlines.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has had a significant impact on my personal life. In order to start grad school, I moved away from a community that I had been a part of for 12 years. I had to start all over in terms of building relationships and creating a community for myself.

But if you remember that you are here with a specific purpose and that it is a relatively short period of time compared to the rest of your life, it is clear that the sacrifices are outweighed by the long-term gains.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I plan on being an assistant professor of marketing at a business school. I think that my MBA combined with my PhD in retailing and consumer sciences and my work experience will make me a strong candidate when I enter the academic job market.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in retailing and consumer sciences?

The most important thing that I can tell a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in retailing and consumer sciences, or any other field, is to make sure that the area of study is something that you are truly interested in and truly passionate about. A PhD requires a huge amount of work and a big commitment on your part. You shouldn’t make these sacrifices if you aren’t sure that the PhD is something you need to reach your goals.