Following Chicago Booth, Harvard Business School and Kellogg School of Management in BusinessWeek’s 2008 Best MBA Programs are Wharton School, Ross School of Business, and Stanford Business School. Check out the following information on those three schools and see what MBA school suits you best.
Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)
Founded in 1881 by Philadelphia philanthropist Joseph Wharton, Wharton School is regarded as the first collegiate business school in the world. With Wharton putting it up to be able to contribute to the business world by providing liberal education to aspiring practitioners, Wharton School has already grown into a university with several distinguished faculty, 11 departments and more than 25 research initiatives and centers. It offers executive education, PhD, MBA, and undergraduate business programs. To apply to Wharton School, fill out the application form online through its website.
Ross School of Business (University of Michigan)
Then called “School of Business Administration” when it was established on January 10, 1924, Ross School of Business continued to expand both in territory and in scope of courses offered. It was renamed by the school’s Board of Regents in honor of Stephen M. Ross, who donated $100 million to the school in 2004. With Tappan Hall as its main sanctuary for about 25 years, Ross School of Business shall have a new building which will open in January 2009. Ross School of Business offers MBA, executive and doctorate programs. To apply to Ross School of Business, simply check out the website and download the application form. Available programs and schedules can also be found on the site.
Initiated by former US President Herbert Hoover, the Stanford Graduate School of Business was established in 1924 to provide a highly reputable school of business for the brightest students in the West Coast. Besides having three Nobel laureates in its faculty, Stanford GSB also boasts of its Center for Leadership Development and Research, Center for Global Business and the Economy, Center for Social Innovation, and Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. To apply to Stanford GSB, just fill out the online application form through its website.
Having a successful business career requires significant investment. And what better way to invest in your business future than getting quality business education? Nothing assures having quality MBA education better than the best business schools. If you’re on the look out for an MBA school that would best equip you as you put up your business career, then you’ve come to the right page. Here are profiles of the three universities in the US that topped BusinessWeek’s 2008 list.
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Since its inception in 1898, Chicago Booth has been an exemplar of quality education. Fostering an effectual discipline-based approach to learning, it has nurtured a number of successful business practitioners including Nobel laureate, James Kilts, who developed Gillette, Kraft, Oscar Mayer and Nabisco. To apply to any Chicago Booth MBA school, just request for an application form through the school’s website. Chicago Booth offers MBA, PhD and executive programs in full-time, and evening and weekend classes.
Founded in 1908, Harvard Business School (HBS) is one of the oldest MBA schools in the country. Effectively handling a good reputation in management education through the years, it boasts of educating a number of distinguished business personalities. Among its deans are John H. McArthur, who has been the Senior Advisor of the World Bank’s president since 1996, and Jay O. Light, who was a Ford Foundation Director of Investment and Financial Policies. To apply to HBS, follow its online application program on its website.
Kellogg School of Management [NorthwesternUniversity]
Also founded in 1908, Kellogg School of Management takes its pride in its countless alumni who have set their own places in the business world. Rearing students from different cultural backgrounds, Kellogg offers undergraduate, MBA, doctoral and executive programs in full-time and part-time. To apply to the Kellogg School of Management, just check out the application requirements and download the application form from the school’s website.
In BusinessWeek’s 2008 MBA School rankings, Haas School of Business, Johnson Graduate School of Management, and Tuck School of Business took the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth places, respectively. For more information on these schools, check out the brief school profiles below. They include brief school backgrounders, programs offered, distinguished alumni and application instructions. Click on the links to view the schools’ respective websites.
Haas School of Business (University of California–Berkeley)
Haas School of Business was established from the initiative of one of University of California-Berkeley’s distinguished alumni, Arthur Rodgers. In his commencement address in 1883, Rodgers mentioned the idea of University of California College of Commerce. In less than 15 years, the Haas School of Business was born. Haas School of Business offers undergraduate, MBA, PhD, executive education, Masters in Financial Engineering, and non-degree programs in full-time and part-time. To apply to Haas School, inquire at the admissions office or fill out the application form online through the school’s website.
Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell University)
Since it was founded in 1946, Johnson School has produced a number of notable business practitioners. Among them are: Nancy Schlichting of Henry Ford Health System, Irene Rosenfeld of Kraft Foods, Inc., Daniel Hesse of Sprint Nextel Corp., Kyung-Bae Suh of AmorePacific Corp., and Robert Ramin of National Aquarium. Johnson School offers undergraduate, graduate, MBA, PhD and executive programs. Apply to Johnson by completing the application form online.
Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College)
Founded in 1900, the Tuck School of Business is the alma mater of a number of prominent business practitioners, including John Jacquemin, Mark Byrne, Quentin L. Kopp, Philip J. Moss, Anne Sullivan and Colin Kenny. Tuck School of Business offers only full-time MBA program, executive education programs and the undergraduate Tuck Business Bridge Program. Application to Tuck School of Business can be done online through the school’s official website.
Filling the seventh to ninth spots in BusinessWeek’s list of the best MBA Schools in the US as of 2008 are Columbia Business School, Fuqua School of Business, and MIT Sloan School of Management, respectively.
Below are some information on these schools, including brief backgrounders, business programs offered, instructions on how to apply and links to the schools’ corresponding websites.
Established in 1916, Columbia Business School has been among the top producers of business leaders in the United States. It prides itself with faculty members who contribute to the world of business and business education not just by educating aspiring business practitioners, but also by coining different business concepts. With about 40% of its student body representing various countries, Columbia Business School also boasts of producing not just business leaders, but also business advisers around the world.
Columbia Business School offers MBA, executive, and doctorate education programs. To apply to Columbia Business School, access the school’s online application through its official website.
Fuqua School of Business (Duke University)
Founded by James Buchanan Duke in 1924 through family’s foundation, The Duke Endowment, Duke University was initially just an expansion of Trinity College. In 1969, however, the Fuqua School of Business was founded. Other than executive, doctorate and MBA programs, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business also offers cross continent and joint degree programs. To apply to Fuqua just fill out the application form and check out the application requirements online through the school’s official website.
MIT Sloan School of Management
Starting off as an engineering administration curriculum of the MIT Department of Economics and Statistics in 1914, MIT Sloan was not actually a business school. Today, MIT Sloan School of Management offers undergraduate, MBA, Master of Finance, PhD, and executive education programs. Applying to MIT Sloan can be done online or manually. Just call the admissions office or download the application form through the school’s website.
One of the most important factors for a good learning experience is having great teachers that employ numerous teaching methods. Knowing the teaching methods in the MBA school you are planning to enter will give you a better picture of how learning takes place in the institution. Familiarize yourself with both the teaching and learning methods so that you can have an upper hand on gaining success in your MBA program. Here are some of the teaching methods that you are likely to encounter in MBA school:
Learning through experience and training
Many MBA schools pride themselves in having programs that give students experience in their field. Experiential learning methods allow students to build their skills, knowledge, and training by dealing with real-world situations. Students are given control to find their own solutions to these problems.
Learning through case studies
Case studies require heavy research, analysis, and interpretation. These cases allow students to evaluate certain business scenarios according to the concepts and topics discussed in class, as well as the opinions of the students. Interaction is key in learning through case studies. As students and teacher alike share their own perspectives, they are left with a wealth of information and experience to learn from.
Learning through cooperation and teamwork
Group projects are another teaching method that is commonly used in MBA schools. These projects seek to emulate the active cooperation and teamwork that is essential in any business or office setting. Networking, interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and the ability to deal with groups of people is all part of the learning that goes on in group projects.
Learning through lectures
Perhaps the most common and conventional methods for teaching is lecture. Basically, lectures allow students to learn directly from the opinions, knowledge, and experience of their teacher. Usually, lectures focus on certain topics or subjects, allowing students to interact directly with their professor.
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Leading the pack of young professionals are people who have garnered MBA degrees for themeselves. With an MBA degree, one can be ensured of broader career horizons, better pay, or a quick ascent to the top of the company. So whip up a personal statement MBA and get access to excellent MBA programs by applying to these top MBA schools in the US.
Harvard Business School
One of the leading MBA degree-granting institutions, the Harvard Business School has provided excellent MBA programs since its early days from 1908. The Harvard Business School lets students experience the programs by offering it in immersion settings aside from the classroom lectures. George Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, is only one of the distinguished products of the Harvard Business School.
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Stanford offers MBA programs with a variety of courses that can be easily tailored to fit the needs of each student while providing excellent education. The Stanford Graduate School of Business has produced various business luminaries, and among them is GlaxoSmithKline CEO Dr. Jean Pierre Garnier.
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
The world’s first business school opened its doors in 1881. The business school of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, has the largest faculty body that have been essential in the molding of great business-oriented individuals such as Dunald Trump.
Haas School of Business
UCLA-Berkeley also has its MBA-giving arm called the Walter A. Haas School of Business. The MBA programs in this institution are offered in full-time and evening or weekend scehdules, while the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA can also be a viable option for people who want the best from two notable academic institutions.
MIT Sloan School of Management
The MIT is also home to the Sloan School of Management and has been touted as the top MBA school by US News and Business Week. The MIT Sloan School of Management serves up the widest array of electives for students getting their MBA degrees.
Columbia Business School
MBA degrees can also be garnered from one of the six Ivy League business schools. The Columbia Business School hones its student body by tackling business issues that are prevalent in the business world.
Ross School of Business
MBA programs are offered in full-time and evening classes, while executive and global MBA programs are also available course offerings for students. These programs are offered by what was previously known as the University of Michigan Business School, the Ross School of Business.
Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University provides excellent executive MBA programs, having been ranked number 1 in this category by Business Week and number 3 in full time MBA programs.
University of Chicago
Excellent MBA programs that cover the fields of economics, finance, accounting, and marketing can be found in The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
Real business situations and real people are the tools with which the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration teach their MBA programs. This method provides excellent training for students who wish to become professionals in this field.
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Leadership and Action-based Learning: University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Founded in 1924, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business is located in Ann Arbor and is the business school of the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business is headed by Dean Robert J. Dolan and currently offers four kinds of MBA programs: full-time, evening, executive, and global. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business has produced alumni who have made their mark in various industries by holding the top positions in companies. These include FedEx, American Express, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Ford, Swiss Bank Corp., etc.
The University of Michigan Ross School of Business is also known for the diversity in their student population. The school follows a student profile which ensures that social minorities are represented and given equal chances of admissions. There are also organizations and associations within the school to help students from different cultures and races feel comfortable as part of the student body. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business is one of the few business schools that have organizations for Blacks, Hispanics, and Latinos. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business is also sensitive to gender differences, and has a Women’s Initiative program which ensures that gender equality is maintained in the campus.
True to the institution’s motto, Leading in Thought and Action, the MBA programs at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business are all aimed at honing students’ leadership skills through action-based learning. Two of the most well-known programs being implemented in the University of Michigan Ross School of Business are the Multidisciplinary Action Program (MAP) and the Ross Leadership Initiative. Both programs work together to produce a wholistic teaching method that the University of Ross School of Business is widely known for. If you’re interested in applying for an MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, here are the requirements you must meet:
Resume
GMAT results
TOEFL results (only applies to international students)
Academic records/transcripts for both undergraduate and post-graduate studies
Two letters of recommendation
Application essays
There are no prerequisite courses for admission to the University of Michigan Ross MBA program, but they do recommend that applicants have at least a working knowledge of college-level mathematics and calculus. Also, the Admissions committee of the University of Michigan Ross MBA program assures applicants that no single piece of document is prioritized than all the others.
Like most other business schools, the University of Michigan Ross School of Business also favors applicants who have demonstrated leadership skills as evidenced by their professional achievements and application essays. The admissions essays for the University of Michigan Ross asks applicants to describe their short-term and long-term career goals and what they consider as their most significant professional accomplishment. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business not only arms students with first-rate business and management education, but also molds them into individuals that will effect transformational changes in society.
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Like in all industries, scam “learning institutions” abound. Education is a lucrative field to enter, especially if all the entity intends to do is acquire tuition fees and then disappear. As prospective students, you should be wary of these scams.
With readily available access to the internet, you can always check a program’s validity online. But then again these days, even websites and testimonials can be faked. When you get on the website of the questionable MBA program, do they have a list of professors, with verifiable credentials? Legit MBA programs are often proud of those who conduct their programs, and would most likely list them out. Likewise, does their website ask for typical application requirements aside from the application fees, like a personal statement MBA essay, from you? MBA programs usually screen their students in order to pool candidates that are of similar academic capacity and learning potential. MBA programs will ask for personal statement MBA essays from you. They will delve on your motivations of getting further educations through your personal statement MBA essays. A legit MBA learning institution would not just be merely about marketing to you. It should also be about you qualifying into their programs through your credentials and your personal statement MBA essays.
Your Personal Statement MBA Essay Gives You The Answer
If you do a search online for MBA courses, you will most likely chance upon 30-day, 10-day or even 1-day MBA courses. While it would be nice to believe that you can learn a thing or two from their programs, these are not the real deal. If you check on your personal statement MBA essay, it will most likely describe how hard you’ve worked and how much you want you want to go further and learn more with an MBA. How can a short 30-day, 10-day or 1-day program give someone like you, who have worked so hard, the kind of MBA education that you deserve? Your personal statement MBA essay should say it all and give you the answer. Your personal statement MBA essay is testament to the kind of MBA education you should sign up with.
US Accreditation
While MBA programs do not require accreditation, business schools are accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This organization has a website and you can check on its accredited members. From their, select your choice school and check their websites for the application requirements. These would most likely include your personal statement MBA essay.
Make sure to draft your personal statement MBA essay well. These are often crucial to your qualification into their program.
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Hone Your Leadership Skills at Harvard Business School
With an alumni roster that includes major figures in both business and politics no less than President George W. Bush and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, The Harvard University Business School has a reputation and legacy that spells out excellence in business and leadership training. More commonly referred to as Harvard Business School or HBS, this graduate school of Harvard University offers doctoral programs, full-time MBA, and other executive education programs. Founded in 1908, the Harvard University Business School is currently headed by Dean Jay O. Light, and has a faculty of more than 200 members with different backgrounds and expertise in the field of business.
The Harvard University Business School was ranked fifth by Financial Times in their list of Top 100 Business Schools in the World, and ranked first in Forbes’ Top 10 Business Schools in the U.S. Admission to the Harvard University Business School is highly competitive and selective, as evidenced by the meager 15% acceptance rate for the MBA program in 2008. Harvard University Business School prides itself on their field-based learning and teaching methods, which include the Immersion Experience program (IXP) and Field Study. The institution believes that it is ultimately through practical application of knowledge in a real world setting that the students in Harvard University Business School will be prepared to venture into careers in business, enterprise, finance, etc.
Harvard University Business School’s curriculum is divided into two categorical experiences: the required curriculum and elective curriculum. The required curriculum subjects in the first term include Finance, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Technology and Operations Management, Financial Reporting and Control. For the second term, Harvard University Business School students are required to take classes on Leadership and Corporate Accountability (LCA), Negotiation, The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM), Strategy, and Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE). The core classes for the first term are designed to familiarize students with the internal operations of business enterprises, while second term classes place the students’ knowledge in a larger socio-economic and governmental context.
To be considered for admission into the Harvard University Business School, candidates must submit and/or meet the following requirements:
A four-year degree program at an accredited U.S. college/university or its equivalent
Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT exam scores,
A resume, academic history (transcripts), letters of recommendation,
Scores for TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable
Nonrefundable application fee of U.S. $235
Harvard University Business School doesn’t have required minimum years of work experience, although having at least two years experience is highly recommended. If you don’t have work experience, you can make up for it by writing a good admission essay or application essay (also known as Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement for MBA) that respects the word limit that the Harvard University Business School sets. The general criteria for admission into Harvard University Business School are the following: A Habit of Leadership, Capacity for Intellectual Growth, and Engaged Community Citizenship.
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