The Best Business Schools 2010

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November 18, 2010
MBA Express

NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY The Best Business Schools 2010 Jobs and six-figure salaries are scarcer than they once were, and recruiters no longer as plentiful. To help grads find work, top B-schools are getting creative   MORE TOP STORIES EXECUTIVE EDUCATION Online Education's New Campus: Thunderbird In what would be an unusual public-private partnership, Thunderbird School of Global Management seeks private capital to help it launch a new online executive-education program BEST BUSINESS SCHOOLS 2010 What We Learned from the Crash Roger Martin on how the financial crisis shaped and strengthened the Rotman Schools MBA program MBA JOURNAL: INTERNSHIP Focused on the Entertainment 'Biz' "How was the internship with Fox Broadcasting's Audience Intelligence & Research Strategy department? Not too shabby" MBA INSIDER: ADMISSIONS Q&A Admission Q&A: Southern Methodist University Patti Cudney explains why Cox values students who "take initiative," how the school's size and location affect students' education, and much more Business School, Explained Stanford GSB MBA Admissions Director Derrick Bolton explains what an MBA applicant can do to stand out to admissions officers  B-SCHOOL FORUMS Visit BW Online's interactive forums for wide-ranging discussions about management education. Search through over 1,359,000 posts for topics that interest you. Join in today! Here are a few samples of recent messages: Getting into B-School — Myth or Fact: Current MBA Students From: PDICARTERY To: All Hi all, I have heard many times that if you want to get into either investment banking or consulting, you will need to have 700+ GMAT in order to even get interviews. Question: Myth or Fact? What about sales & trading or investment/asset management? From: JinShil2 To: PDICARTERY Mostly fact. In order to be interviewed, the first major step is to be on the recruiting closed list (you are invited for an interview). And to be on the closed list, you need to have certain background including a 700+ GMAT. Some people still get an interview with sub 700 GMAT mainly because they "bid" for open spots that are not part of the closed list. There are a lot of schmoozing prior to actual interviews that has an affect on your chance to landing a spot on the closed list as well. From: ApplyintheSky To: PDICARTERY Interesting thought... but I haven't seen this be true at Chicago Booth where I'm currently a first year. Yes, they encourage us to put our GMAT on our resume, but it's by no means required. Not sure if there are other Boothies on this board who can confirm... Also, I used to be an investment banker (as an analyst) and there was no discussion of GMAT scores when we hired associates out of MBA programs. I was at Lazard in New York. Sure, if you have an awesome score and your MBA program has a grade non-disclosure policy, anything that will set you apart is a plus. But I don't think that getting less than a 690 on the GMAT if you're at a good school in any way precludes you from getting a banking job. From: mbamission To: PDICARTERY Hi PDICartery, I'd go with "myth" on this one. The first semester recruiting process will give you several opportunities to meet with bankers and start forming relationships, which play a factor in how you get on an interview list. Of course certain banks may have rules, and depending on what school you're attending the internal competition will be different. Still, if you're set on this career path but don't have the 700 GMAT, there are still paths for entry. Good luck From: michimoby1 To: PDICARTERY Consulting in general? A sub-700 is no problem. M/B/B? Unless you have a 700+, getting on the closed list can be a fight. Those firms keep track of new recruits' success rates (gauged by project evaluations and the like), and while this doesn't imply causation, they tend to only consider candidates for the closed list with 700+ GMATs. That said, the opportunity to get face time with these firms can also depend on your bidding strategy during on-campus interviews. From: Energy_Fin_Guy To: PDICARTERY Myth for IB. I think it would be more 670, maybe 650. Personal experience since I had a 680 ad heading to a top BB. From: sanjay6789 To: michimoby1 Myth if you're going to one of H/S/K/W...top 5. According to friends, reality if you're going to schools below. From: JinShil2 To: PIDCARTERY Let the truth be told. Even those who are undergoing recruiting at top 7 school aren't sure of the answer because no firm would say "we purposefully left out sub-700 scorers from the closed list". Last year in this forum, however, there was a very revealing post by a M/B/B recruiter who stated they do look for 700+ scores and ditto for IB. I surmise that 700 is a good cutoff for most IB and M/B/B recruiters. At top 15 schools, 700+ is no big deal. As a matter of fact, by cutting off those who score below 700, they are cutting out only about 30-40% of the student body. So a majority still "qualify". So from the context of top 15 recruiting, a 700 cutoff would make a LOT of sense. There are those who make it with sub-700 scores, but they are mostly from the non-closed list of interviewees. From: PDICARTERY To: All Thanks all for your replies so far. I am assuming most, if not all of you, are attending a top 5/top 10 business school. Getting into B-School — Low GPA and Efforts After That From: clmaqde To: All My gpa is about 2.5 in engineering and I completed my Bsc in 4.5 years for my failing classes about 10 classes :(( but there is upward trend in my final 30 credits(Honor Student in Final semester).After that I matured and got 760 GMAT, a master degree with Full A's and good WE. My question is I was immature in my undergraduate years and now I am mature, I want top7 in US and in Europe LBS,Insead,Cambridge and Oxford, What do you think about my chances? My undergraduate will kill me or have I done enough to offset it?(By the way I am international candidate and I heard for international candidates they heavily focus on GMAT )Thank you very much for your valuable comments From: JinShil2 To: clmaqde Top 7 would be hard but not out of the question. I think you would probably make it to at least one top 15 program with nice essays and if you apply to 5-8 schools. From: LKR To: clmaqde Hi, 760 is a great score and shows that you have had forward progress. I don't know your story, but assuming it is something that sets you apart, I think HBS could be a great fit. As long as you can explain your lower GPA, you'll be okay - don't ignore it, address it head on. Hope this was helpful. Lindsay From: wahoo17 To: clmaqde IMO, it has neither killed you, nor have you done enough to offset it. 2.5 is very, very low for a top MBA program - if you are admitted, you will likely have the 1st, 2nd or 3rd lowest incoming GPA in the class. However, you showed a great turn around with the upward trend in the final year, and even more so in completeing an advanced degree and putting in the work to get all A's. So, my guess is you won't be disqualified at many places, but the 2.5 w/ 10 Fails is still going to be an obstacle you have to overcome. You will need to have outstanding leadership, write great essays, interview very well, etc., to get into a top 7 US or international equivilant. Good luck! Getting into B-School — "Tell me about yourself" Question From: LAKS1001 To: All Should "tell me about yourself" be answered as "walk me through your resume" on an MBA interview? THANKS From: IvyHockey To: LAKS1001 It's a question where you may want to highlight the following: 1. Briefly talk about your resume 2. And if there are other questions that ask for your professional goals, etc, then use this question to bring some things that make you a unique applicant. So if there are other questions that ask about why this MBA, or what an MBA, use this question to talk about things that would set you apart (outside of work history, etc). From: mbamission To: LAKS1001 Hi Laks1001, I think as a general rule it is the same, but this is also an opportunity to sprinkle in facts beyond your resume (such as why you are applying to school , and that particular program). Since you know you will get this question on every MBA interview (and every job interview), you can prepare and even rehearse a 2-3 minute answer that tells you story in a compact fashion. Good luck, Check out the MBA Mission thread on BusinessWeek Sincerely, Daniel Richards From: LAKS1001 To: mbamission Thank you for the response. From: gpatelpatel To: LAKS1001 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIDpJ8H7H0#t=1m57s From: JinShil2 To: LAKS1001 By the time you get an interview, the answer to this question should be an easy one. Why? Because you should have spent hours thinking about your personal and professional brand. The question is really asking "what is your brand?" That is the central question you should think about in all your essays. From: LKR To: LAKS1001 Hi LAKS, this is an opportunity to explain any holes in your app or low points (i.e. gpa, gmat, etc). They have your resume. Explain who you are as a person - happy to tell you more on my opinion. But this is a very important question and is about 'fit' to business schools. Hope this was helpful. Lindsay Lindsay Ronga This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2009-2010 by BLOOMBERG L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

B-School Insider Dear Reader: As most of you no doubt know by now, Bloomberg Businessweek last week published its 12th biennial ranking of full-time MBA programs, a feature that over the years has become something of an institution. For the third consecutive time, Chicago's Booth School of Business snared the No. 1 spot among U.S. programs, while France's INSEAD captured the top spot in the international ranking for the first time since 2002. As there is every year, I suspect there will be a great deal of Monday morning quarterbacking as the B-school world mulls over our findings. Critics may quibble, but let's not let it detract from the significant accomplishments of Chicago and INSEAD. A decade ago, Chicago was No. 10; today it has spent more time at the top of the list than any other school except Wharton and Kellogg. INSEAD leapfrogged over two highly-ranked rivals to take the top international prize. So hats off to both schools. But if more than two decades of rankings have taught us anything it's that even the mighty must continue to evolve, and resting, particularly on one's laurels, is the worst form of hubris. Louis Lavelle Business Schools Editor Bloomberg Businessweek E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS B-SCHOOLS NEW ON MBA INSIDER >> UCLA Anderson: Admissions Q&A MBA Admissions Director Mae Jennifer Shores explains what UCLA's Anderson school has to offer and what it takes to get in MBA Insider Subscribers Only Advertisement B-SCHOOLS MULTIMEDIA MBA >> Social Innovation Conversations - Stanford Disaster Response: Lessons Learned from Haiti Paul Auerbach, Professor of Surgery at Stanford University In this university podcast, Auerbach shares how he and his team of doctors and nurses coordinated medical and logistical efforts with NGOs, the military, medical volunteers, and other organizations to create a functional hospital operation that was able to treat patients and save lives. What’s Your Problem? Trouble at the office? In surveys, blogs, polls, and social media, BusinessWeek collaborated with readers to identify problems at work. Together we found answers.  IN YOUR FACE: THE FASTER, CHEAPER MBA Reader Dorothy Beach Writes: " People are losing patience with an MBA system that is too linear, not relevant so get it done as quickly as possible to get on with what is real. " Tell Us: Leery of Year-Long MBA Programs?     Tools & Features MBA Insider Check out this feature-rich area for advice and tools that will help you choose the right B-school -- and develop a strategy for getting accepted Full-Time MBA Rankings & Profiles BusinessWeek's Top 30 U.S. programs and Top 10 international programs. Plus, scan in-depth profiles of more than 300 full-time programs around the world The Best Undergraduate B-Schools Undergrad business programs are getting MBA-like respect, and competition to get into them is hotter than ever. Here's how the top schools stack up B-School Calendar BusinessWeek.com's scheduling tool will give you an idea of upcoming events at B-schools in the U.S. and around the world. You'll find information on admissions receptions, application deadlines, networking events, alumni events, conferences, and much more. EMBA Rankings & Profiles BusinessWeek's biennial Executive MBA rankings grade 25 programs worldwide. Plus, you'll find profiles of nearly 200 programs Exec Ed Rankings & Profiles Here are BusinessWeek's top 20 Executive Education programs. Plus, profiles of more than 100 programs worldwide Advertisement   FEATURED SPECIAL REPORT >> Perfecting Your Business School Application Slide Shows Slide Show: Best U.S. Business Schools Video Video: How to Choose Recommendation Writers GMAT Test Prep: A User's Guide Not all GMAT test-preparation services are created equal. Use this guide to find out which one is right for you How to Write an MBA Admissions Essay Be clear about your career goals and how business school can help you achieve them. But most of all be yourself Make Your Leadership Case for Business School Extracurriculars: The Extras That Count The College Visit 101 Chat: MBA Admissions Tips READER COMMENTS > MORE SPECIAL REPORTS >  BW MALL  SPONSORED LINKS Buy a link now!