Briefing of 30 Top Business Schools

eeyupyup

UNC

Over the last several years, Kenan-Flagler has made great strides in establishing its name among the top business schools. With an intense focus on analytics, leadership and teamwork, and a small-program culture, Kenan-Flagler has grown in popularity among applicants and recruiters. The learning model features an integrated general management curriculum that focuses on four themes: Analyzing Capabilities and Resources, Monitoring the Marketplace and External Environment, Formulating Strategy, and Implementing Strategy and Assessing Firm Performance. These themes are featured in four corresponding eight-week modules, taken during the first year.

During the second year, students can select from seven "career concentrations" (Corporate Finance, Customer and Product Development, Investment Management, Global Supply-chain Management, Management Consulting, Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Development). Students can supplement these career concentrations with "enrichment concentrations" in Sustainable Enterprise, International Business, or Electronic Business and Digital Commerce. As their names indicate, these concentrations are more oriented toward career development than traditional functions. This is indicative of a learning model that prides itself on having close ties to industry development. Those close ties are supported by having a corporate advisory board, comprised of experts from top companies, that provides guidance on the concentrations' curricula. In addition to serving on the board, these experts also provide students with career advice and job opportunities. To fit well with its focus on career development, Kenan-Flagler looks for applicants who are strong in the maturity dimension. The school discourages those with less than two years work experience from applying and takes a close look at applicants' professional records in search of tangible achievements.

Analytics plays a large role in the Kenan-Flagler learning model and therefore in the applicant selection process. The program is known for its quantitative rigor, so if you have a relatively low quantitative GMAT score and a weak quantitative background, you should consider taking a couple extra courses in economics, statistics, or financial accounting. Like many other schools, Kenan-Flagler has an analytical workshop that students can attend before classes start, but taking initiative to shore up your quantitative skills will show the admissions committee that you will be able to succeed in its numbers-driven environment.

The Kenan-Flagler culture strongly emphasizes both leadership and teamwork, but the admissions committee will more actively evaluate your leadership potential. To bolster that potential, first-year students take a two-part course called Leading and Managing. Students begin the course by reviewing leadership evaluations filled out by their former colleagues. These evaluations pinpoint leadership growth opportunities that students focus on throughout the course. Each student ultimately produces a leadership plan which details the areas in which she would like to improve. There should be at least three aspects of your leadership capabilities that you emphasize in your application: Use of analytical skills to assess situations, ability to leverage resources (both people and tools) in developing solutions, and success in implementing solutions. Discussion of these leadership traits will help you establish fit with Kenan-Flagler's mission.

If you are considering an entrepreneurial career path, discussing it in your application is a great way to get your application a second look. We’re not talking about merely mentioning that entrepreneurship is an interest, but rather actually discussing the innovation you would like to bring to the market. The latter will get you further because Kenan-Flagler is interested in students who are serious about entrepreneurship. It has spent the last several years augmenting its entrepreneurial program and is hoping to become a household name in the area. Under the direction of the school’s Center for Entrepreneurial and Technology Venturing, students can now select from a suite of  electives that provide insight into each stage of business model development. The school holds an annual venture capital competition, during which aspiring entrepreneurs put their models to the test and receive feedback from established venture capital firms. It can even be competitive to get into some of the later-stage entrepreneurial classes, which require an application and a business plan.

Despite the accolades Kenan-Flagler has received for making improvements to its program, it still has a relatively low yield percentage. The admissions committee will take a close look at your application to see whether you are serious about attending the school. Naturally, establishing fit with the school's mission and values is a good way to express your interest. An additional, more conventional way to do so is by visiting the campus. The admissions committee looks positively on applicants who visit the campus as a way to get to know the school and the learning model more intimately. Taking this step will express the level of commitment for which the school is looking.

In the past, Kenan-Flagler was criticized for its lack of focus on international business. It has since increased its global emphasis by adding an international business concentration, increasing study abroad opportunities, and adding language courses. The school now actively looks for applicants who are interested in pursuing global careers, so if you have any experience or interests along those lines, make sure to bring it out in your application.

eeyupyup

USC

Positioned as more than an MBA program, the Marshall School of Business portrays itself as a life-transforming experience. This experience is referred to as the Marshall Advantage and is highlighted by an application-focused curriculum and special programs in entrepreneurship and international business. The experience is augmented by the Trojan Family culture, which emphasizes teamwork, integrity, and professionalism. Your Marshall application strategy should demonstrate your ability to leverage the Marshall Advantage in addition to displaying fit with the Trojan Family culture.

From the moment students begin the Marshall program, they notice a strong emphasis on career development and putting theory into practice. A majority of the Marshall faculty has significant professional experience. The professors work in teams to discuss ways to highlight the application of theory in the classroom. Not surprisingly, the Marshall Admissions Committee will closely evaluate your maturity dimension. The committee is in search of applicants who can contribute to the classroom based on their success in professional and personal endeavors. Examples that you can provide to impress the committee along these lines include promotions, discussions of passion for your work or community, tangible improvements made to your company, and leadership demonstrated in group settings.

Marshall owns bragging rights to being the first business school with a dedicated entrepreneurship program. That program, supported by the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is now recognized as one of the top in the nation. Students have the opportunity to compete in business plan competitions in addition to developing their own business models. Discussing your entrepreneurial ambitions is a good way to display fit with Marshall's commitment to this subject. Along with Entrepreneurship, Marshall offers almost 20 concentrations in areas such as Business of Entertainment, Corporate Finance, General Marketing, Investments and Financial Markets, Management Consulting, Real Estate Finance, and Technology Development and E-business.

Marshall's commitment to international business is highlighted by the fact that all students are required to travel abroad as part of the Pacific Rim Education Program (PRIME). As part of the first-year curriculum PRIME is a five-week program, during which students become more familiar with the global aspects of business through lectures, casework, and a team project. Students can select from a number a countries including Chile, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Cuba, or Mexico. PRIME has quickly become a favorite among students and a majority of them actually accept internships in the countries that they select for the program. International opportunities outside of PRIME include study abroad programs that come in lengths of three weeks, four weeks, or an entire semester. Marshall will continue to look for ways to make a name for itself in the international arena, and it is therefore important that you display knowledge of or a desire to gain knowledge or global business issues.

Teamwork rests at the core of the Marshall learning model. Students begin the program by participating in a retreat that focuses on developing interpersonal and teamwork skills. When classes begin, students are placed in study groups of four to six classmates who work together during the first term and are then reshuffled in each term thereafter. Additionally, teams of six students participate in a series of case competitions, which call for students to come up with recommendations to real-world business issues and then present to faculty, classmates, and company representatives.

Despite the myriad offerings with which Marshall provides its students, it often plays second fiddle to UCLA (Anderson), Berkeley (Haas), and Stanford. Marshall is looking to become more competitive with these area schools by highlighting the quantitative rigor of the program. As such, the admissions committee will take a close look at your quantitative GMAT score in addition to looking at your transcript(s) for evidence of proficiency in numbers-intensive courses. If you don't have a quantitative heavy background, consider taking an accounting, statistics, or calculus course. The admissions committee will also take a close look and evaluate the probability that you will accept an offer. You can increase your chances by displaying intimate knowledge of the Marshall learning model and passion for the school's mission and values.

eeyupyup

Simon

Simon offers a heavy does of quantitative learning within a small school environment. The schools’ curriculum is unique in that it approaches most of the major academic disciplines from a n economics perspective. Simon students study Finance, Marketing, and Organizational Behavior all through the lens of economic theory, and are encouraged to tie these subjects together by using basic economic principles. The school believes strongly in this approach to business training. You won’t be expected to speak intelligently about price elasticity or supply and demand curves in your admissions interview, but be ready to demonstrate an understanding of this learning approach and to explain why it appeals to you.

Simon students are also expected to take a rigorous, analytical approach in nearly every subject, and the school is careful to screen for analytical abilities in the admissions process. In fact, Simon recently raised its minimum requirements for statistics experience among its admitted students. The school will give you every opportunity to get up to speed before you enroll if you haven't already studied statistics or calculus, but be aware that the school will look closely at your quantitative GMAT score and your college transcript for evidence of analytical abilities.

In addition to its emphasis on quantitative skills, Simon's core curriculum gives students an opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills in a small, team-based environment. Students take their first-year core classes in small cohorts of 40 people each, and also are assigned to five-person study teams in which they participate throughout their entire first year. Simon emphasizes the learning teams in order to expose all students to the diversity of their peers and to try to overcome the competitive pressures that such a rigorous environment can produce. In a small environment like Simon's, the ability to get along with your peers is a must, so think about ways to demonstrate an outgoing personality and knack for teamwork.

Starting in the school's pre-term course and continuing throughout the first year, students also take a series of courses in communication skills, featuring small workshops and one-on-one coaching conducted by second-year students and school staff. This personal coaching is common throughout the school, and is another benefit of its small size. Students are also encouraged to get involved at the school. Part of students' learning outside the classroom—the VISION program, which teaches such skills as negotiation and change management—is run by second-year students. The school looks carefully for evidence that you are truly interested in Simon, and demonstrating your enthusiasm for these unique programs can help convince the admissions committee of your interest.

Simon is best known in finance circles, which is no surprise given its emphases on economic theory and quantitative skills. Students can exercise their finance muscles by managing the student-run Simon Meliora Fund (which is made up of a portion of the university's endowment) or by participating in the school's annual Investment Challenge. While nearly half of each class goes into finance, the school also attracts many consulting and even marketing firms that are interested in students' analytical abilities. Simon recently introduced two new concentrations in Health Sciences Management and E-Commerce to go along with its 12 existing concentrations. Give either of these a look if they complement your background and your career goals.

Simon looks for several traits in its applicants, all stemming from the school’s definition of what a successful leader can do. It looks for an ability to decipher a murky situation and choose a course of action – an extension of the school’s emphasis on analytical abilities. Simon also looks for people who understand how to persuade and motivate people. This is where the school’s Organizational Behavior and Communications classes come into play. Finally, the school looks for an ability to recognize talents in other individuals and to encourage their skill development, which is reflected in Simon's emphasis on teamwork. Think about ways in which you can demonstrate these abilities through past experiences, and discuss them in the essays portion of the application.

[此贴子已经被作者于2005-12-25 14:29:54编辑过]

swellingiceberg

thx a lot

eeyupyup

Owen

Few schools have undergone as much change in the last few years as Owen. After Martin Geisel—who had led the school for 12 years—died in 1999, the school took nearly a year and a half to find a full-time replacement. During that time, it lost nine professors (about 20 percent of its faculty), and students complained that the lack of leadership was hurting the school. Some wondered if the school had peaked.

Enter William Christie, an Owen finance professor who was eventually selected to lead the school in July 2000. Christie is young as far as deans go, but students say that what he might lack in experience is more than made up for by the energy that he displays in the classroom. He has started some innovative new programs to bring the administration closer to the student body, including "The Dean Is In," a regularly scheduled time in which he sets up a table and dispenses advice to any student who has a question. The result is that students now have great things to say about the administration, and they once again feel good about the school's leadership and direction.

Owen is small, and it boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of about 10:1. The school's academic program emphasizes practical application of management knowledge, and that comes through in its Practical Training Internship. This program gives Owen students a look at the issues that most frequently come up in the day-to-day running of a business. Students then apply these lessons during their summer internships, and write in-depth reports of their experiences at the end of the summer.

In addition to completing the core curriculum, Owen students can concentrate in areas such as Finance, Marketing, Operations, or Human and Organizational Performance. The school also offers several "emphases," including Brand Management, Entrepreneurship, and Healthcare. The school is known for maintaining a flexible curriculum, so don't be surprised to see the school add new concentrations or emphases to keep up with the changing times.

As in the case with many small schools, Owen has a collegial, close-knit community where student involvement is high. Students are encouraged to voice their opinions on school-wide matters, and the administration is known to listen to them. Keep this in mind as you think about the aspects of your application that demonstrate your community involvement.

Owen looks for students who really want to attend the school. Owen is likely to sniff out someone who is just looking for a “safety school,” so make sure that you demonstrate why you want to spend two years there.

Owen made waves with its Electronic Commerce concentration in the late 1990s, as the school made a bold move to establish itself as a leader in the field of e-commerce management training. It was a logical move for a program that was trying to move from having a regional name to a global brand. The tech industry slowdown has meant that Owen's advantage in this arena has been somewhat diminished, but its e-commerce program is still well regarded among recruiters, despite the school's location away from the traditional high tech hotspots. Keep it in mind if you want to build your e-commerce resume and are willing to venture away from the coasts for a couple of years.

bimetallic

is this from "Your MBA Game Plan" by omari Bouknight and Scott Shrum?

eeyupyup

以下是引用bimetallic在2005-12-30 23:28:00的发言：
is this from "Your MBA Game Plan" by omari Bouknight and Scott Shrum?

Yeah, it is. I mentioned it on the first floor.

eeyupyup

Krannert

Originally positioned as a graduate program in operations, Krannert changed its degree title from Masters of Science in Management to MBA in 2001. The new label made official the expansion of the program, which occurred over several years. Today Krannert is recognized as an MBA program with strengths in technology, manufacturing, and other analytical functions. The school is looking for applicants who can thrive within a quantitatively intense environment, support its traditional strengths, and also continue building its brand in other aspects of business. At heart, Krannert is still a quantitatively centered program, so you should display some proficiency in this area through your GMAT score, transcript(s), or professional experiences.

It's not surprising to hear Krannert MBAs refer to their alma mater as "Techno MBA," as the program regularly utilizes technology to support its hands-on learning philosophy. Many students choose to specialize in Information Systems, one of six functional specializations the school offers (the others are: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Operations Management, and Strategic Management). In addition to functional specializations, the school offers interdisciplinary concentrations in International Management, General Management, and Manufacturing and Technology Management. Discussion of your goals should include a small blurb on where you see one or two of these specializations coming into play.

Technology is used to simulate e-commerce transactions, the power of enterprise application integration, financial trading, and database architecture. In addition to these examples, Krannert provides numerous opportunities for its students to translate theory into application. The Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) provides students with the opportunity to help manage a six-figure financial portfolio and distribute a portion of the gains to Krannert and other graduate programs. During the Digital Information Industry Simulation, students act as the CEO of a large technology company, making decisions that have an impact on the results of the company. Krannert also offers MarkStrat3, another computer simulation that allows student teams to compete against one another, trying to win market share and increase profits in the high-tech industry. Providing an example in which you took an abstract idea and implemented it is a powerful way to highlight your fit with Krannert’s philosophy on translating theory into application.

Given Krannert’s strong technology focus, it is important that you display familiarity and comfort with technology. This doesn’t mean that you have to come across as techno wiz, but to the extent that you are at eased with discussing the benefits of technology and sharing ideas of technological innovation, you should do so. Keep in mind, however, that Krannert is also trying to expand its brand beyond just technology and  operations, so don't shy away from bringing up interests in other aspects of business. Telling a story about how you would like to apply tech-sawy business principles to industries outside of traditional technology can also help your application stand out.

Krannert provides all of the benefits that come along with most small MBA programs, including accessible faculty, a close-knit student community and an emphasis on teamwork. Immediately after beginning the program, you will be assigned to a four- or five-person team. Students within a team come from diverse professional backgrounds and spend time working on group assignments for the first eight weeks of class. Having strong team skills is important to succeeding in these groups, and is therefore something upon which the admission committee will rate you. Use the essays to discuss your ability to contribute to a team.

One of the areas that Krannert is actively looking to expand in is its global presence. The program already receives a large number of applications from international candidates (70-80 percent of all applications) and maintains a large number of international students (generally more than 1/3 of students). Krannert is looking to leverage its popularity among international candidates and offer more opportunities abroad. One international program the school is actively promoting is the German International Graduate School of Management and Administration (GISMA) program. This program features an eight-week module in Hannover, Germany, during which students take classes taught by Krannert faculty and visit German companies. To the extent that you have global aspirations, be sure to highlight them in your application. Doing so should benefit your fit with the school.

eeyupyup

Smith

Smith has made a name for itself among business schools for its emphasis on technology. The school's core curriculum works information technology lessons into nearly every one of its classes, and students can tailor their general management education to concentrate in topics including electronic commerce, e-service, information systems, and supply chain management.

One tangible example of the school's technology focus is its Netcentricity Laboratory, or "Net Lab," which Smith has built as a proving ground and learning environment for functions including e-commerce and supply chain management. Students use models and simulations to learn the nuances of these systems in a series of e-business lab courses. The lab is sponsored by industry heavyweights including Oracle, Sun, and Reuters, and features their technologies prominently. The Net Lab also contains a Financial Markets Lab—modeled after a Wall Street trading floor—which gives students a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-time financial decisions. Naturally, the more you can speak with passion about the importance of technology in your career path, the better fit you will demonstrate in your Smith application.

Speaking of Wall Street, the school also has a real-money portfolio called the Mayer Fund, which is run by 10-12 second-year Smith students. Founded in 1993, the fund gives students a chance to manage a portfolio worth more than $1 million. The fund is a great chance for aspiring money managers to get their feet wet and gain exposure to the top executives who make up the fund’s external board of directors. If you are interested in finance, consider discussing your interest in the Financial Markets Lab or the Mayer Fund in your application.

Another example of hands-on learning at Smith is its MBA Consulting Project, a required course for all second-year students. Teams of students work to earn credit toward their MBA while consulting for major corporations and government agencies. This is a unique feature of the Smith MBA and one that the school feels sets it apart. Even if you're not interested in consulting, make sure that you demonstrate enthusiasm for the real-world lessons that this program provides. In fact, if you're not a consultant, emphasizing the appeal of this program may help your application stand out even more, as long as it's consistent with the rest of your story.

Smith students and grads describe the school's culture as being very cooperative. Teamwork figures into a lot of what students do, both in traditional classes and the school's Experiential Learning Modules that augment students' skills in areas such as communications and strategic business analysis. Accordingly, be sure to frame your past successes as instances of team success wherever possible in order to demonstrate fit with the program. And while leadership isn't talked about as much at Smith as at other schools, any examples you can provide to bolster your leadership dimension will help you stand out from the pack.

Like other schools with lower yield percentages, Smith is careful about selecting candidates who are truly interested in its program. Demonstrating your knowledge of the school, and especially your enthusiasm for its focus on technology and entrepreneurship, will help you make your case that Smith is where you want to be.

Smith is very committed to entrepreneurship, and its Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship is a major hub for start-up activity in the Washington, D.C., region, giving entrepreneurs access to experienced mentors and potential investors. If you are serious about entrepreneurship, look closely at the school's Dingman and Lamone Scholarships. Students are selected based on their entrepreneurship experience, desire to start a business after business school, and their start-up ideas. They receive personal mentoring and business plan advice from experienced entrepreneurs in the Dingman Center. In exchange, Dingman and Lamone Scholars volunteer at the center, offering their own advice to others and running educational seminars in entrepreneurship and networking. Think about this program if you plan on starting your own business, especially on the East Coast, where Dingman's reputation is strongest.

myfang

very delicious! Thanks!