New GMAC Report Gives New Warnings for Global Talent Search
A rapidly changing global economy and prohibitive immigration laws are making the search for international talent difficult for U.S. business schools.
Continue reading…Dartmouth Announces New MBA Deadlines, Changes to Admissions
In preparation for the 2019-20 admissions cycle, beginning in early July, the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business in Hanover, New Hampshire, is introducing a few new changes, including new.
Penn State Smeal Director of Admissions Answers 5 Burning MBA Questions
In our latest installment of the MetroMBA “5 Questions” series, we speak with Michael Waldhier, the Director of Admissions at Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business. Waldhier talks about the close-knit, collaborative community at Smeal, his alumni experience, and the many activities, clubs, and opportunities available for students. He also shares about the 150-year-old Penn State Berkey Creamery—excuse us while we go grab some ice cream!
Michael Waldhier, Director of Admissions at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business
1. What is the Smeal College of Business’ greatest asset and what do you wish MBA students knew more about?
“Rather than discussing our #1 ranking in supply chain management or the fact that Penn State has the largest active alumni network in the country, I honestly think our greatest asset is our class—specifically the individual, tightly-knit, collaborative atmosphere that exists in our MBA program. We only accept 60 students per year in the resident MBA program, which allows for an unparalleled amount of interaction within the cohort, and ensures that faculty and staff build strong, personal relationships with everyone in the class.”
2. What makes the Smeal College of Business a special place for you?
“In addition to being Director of Admissions, I am also an alum of the Smeal MBA program, and remain extremely close to most of my classmates and many of the professors who still teach in the program today. After graduation, I was fortunate to land a principal role in strategy consulting and had the wonderful opportunity to travel extensively over the course of my career. When it was time to transition to something new, returning to Penn State, to ‘Happy Valley,’ and to Smeal was an easy decision for my family to make. This program had an enormous positive impact on my life and set me on the path to success, and I can’t think of any better way to pay it forward to future generations of Smeal MBAs than to be where I am today.”
3. How would you describe the culture of the Smeal College of Business? Is it more collaborative or competitive?
“As mentioned, given the small size of our MBA community and the amount of teamwork that is required throughout the experience, our program is extremely collaborative, so much so that students often help each other to broaden networks, land internships and jobs, and even study for exams. We put a lot of emphasis upon collaboration and teamwork, and students will recognize each other for positive contributions to the program that are aligned with the Penn State Values of integrity, responsibility, excellence, respect, discovery, and, of course, community.”
4. How does Smeal help MBA students pursue their special interests?
“While the MBA program itself may be very small in size, Penn State University is one of the largest in the nation, and there are activities and special interest clubs and groups for virtually everyone. Within the MBA program, we have numerous clubs and associations for students to join such as the MBA Association, Consulting Club, Net Impact, Finance Association, Military and Veterans MBA Association, and more. In addition, students have access to courses across the university if they want to explore a topic outside of the core Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Consulting concentrations. To that end, we have packaged optional programs of study in nearly 20 topic areas, with more being added each year. This allows students the flexibility to customize their MBA experience and pursue just the right mix of coursework to satisfy any career or personal interest.”
5. What is your favorite part of the Penn State campus?
“There are a plethora of wonderful hiking and biking trails in the mountains surrounding Penn State, but the Arboretum is a special place where one can walk through gardens inspired by cultures across the world and study or relax amidst fountains and koi ponds,” Waldhier says.
A lot of people will talk about the Penn State Berkey Creamery, which has been making ice cream for over 150 years, or Beaver Stadium, one of the largest college football stadiums in the United States, but one of my favorite places on campus is the Penn State Arboretum. There are a plethora of wonderful hiking and biking trails in the mountains surrounding Penn State, but the Arboretum is a special place where one can walk through gardens inspired by cultures across the world and study or relax amidst fountains and koi ponds. It also helps that it is right next door to the Smeal College of Business, so students frequently go there after class for team meetings or to relax and unwind after a stressful day.”
5 Questions With the UC San Diego Director of Graduate Recruitment & Admissions
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In our latest installment of the MetroMBA “5 Questions” series, we speak with Jay Bryant, Director of Graduate Recruitment & Admissions at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management. Bryant discusses the exceptional entrepreneurship culture at Rady and San Diego at large, plus what students hoping to join the UC San Diego MBA program should expect.
1. If you had to describe how Rady fosters entrepreneurship to someone who never heard of the school, what would you tell them?
“Rady is a school that was founded on the concept of innovation. It is our foundation—our very DNA! Innovation is the mother of entrepreneurship as I see it. All of our students come in with the passion of bringing new value to the world while the faculty, staff, and administration all foster an environment where the entrepreneurial spirit of our students can grow and practice their entrepreneurial interests in the safe and supportive environment of our school. As I see it, the top five ways in which the Rady School provides a perfect match for those wanting to pursue an entrepreneurially focused education are:
- Every class in our curriculum is designed for a student body driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.
- All of our students come into our program with a desire to be entrepreneurs or managers in the innovation economy. Therefore, students are always surrounded by collaborative and like-minded individuals that create the unique Ready School environment.
- The Lab to Market program—a three-course, capstone experience—gives students the opportunity to take an idea in any industry all the way from the mind of the student to ready to launch. Many of our students do actually launch their projects after graduation.
- The Rady School’s California Institute for Innovation and Development (CIID) allows for students to take part in a number of its initiatives designed to accelerate and promote innovation.
- The local San Diego community knows of the Rady School’s connection to innovation and entrepreneurship and therefore regularly works closely with us on capstone projects, internships, and career opportunities.”
2. Is there any particular kind of company or idea that tends to flourish in the program?
“Our students are trained to be part of the innovation driven economy, therefore, the companies that work most closely with us are those that have to reinvent themselves every year to stay relevant. The two largest sectors hiring our students are technology and bio-technology. In both of these sectors they seek managers who are excited to take on the new initiatives and new markets.”
The three-year Rady Lab to Market program “gives students the opportunity to take an idea in any industry all the way from the mind of the student to ready to launch,” according to Bryant.
3. Is there something about San Diego specifically that tends to bring out the best in entrepreneurs?
“San Diego is consistently ranked among the best cities for startup companies. It is part of the spirit of California in general. Ever since the gold rush, California has been a state focused on the future and the new frontiers. Everywhere you look you find innovations that are coming from California—we literally create the future here in California. Innovation is not just an interest of the Rady School, rather it is in the spirit of the entirety of UC San Diego.”
4. What should hopeful students know about the program that they may not necessarily know until they start?
“I think what surprises students the most is entering into a community where everyone greatly values innovation. Through the admissions process we are searching for the individuals who will really fit the personality and passion of what we do. It is not until the first day of orientation do these selected individuals all wind up in the same place at the same time. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals only makes this passion grow over the course of their study.”
5. Is there any kind of student you want to see more of in the program?
“We believe that innovation comes from every industry. We are an appropriate program for individuals wanting to work at large organizations like Google or Tesla, but we are also appropriate for those wanting to start smaller ventures of their own. We want a well-rounded cohort of students that brings in the best from every industry, level of government, developmental or non-profit organizations, and any other entities where innovation drives their future success.”
To learn more about the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and the UC San Diego MBA, visit the school website.
5 Questions With University of Georgia Admissions
In the newest installment of the MetromBA “5 Questions” series, we speak with Patricia D. Zettek, Ph.D., Director of the Full-Time MBA Career Management Center at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, and Deirdre Kane, Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions about the UGA experience, Southern culture, and more.
What is something unique about the Terry College of Business MBA experience that people may not expect?
“Candidates to our program are most often surprised by three main things:
1.) Our flexible curriculum
2.) Our personalized and customized approach to supporting our students, academically and professionally
3.) Our welcoming and diverse program culture.
We have years of experience and the strength and size of our alumni network (310,000 and counting) to support our students in being successful while in the program and after they graduate. Our career management staff knows our students well and this one-on-one attention makes a big difference by the end of the program. Students learn and practice skills they need to land their next job or internship, and also to manage their careers throughout their lives. Faculty get to know the students, and truly take an interest in their success.”
What kind of student is the ideal Terry College of Business MBA?
“We look for humility, self-awareness and the willingness to learn new things about themselves—people who have experienced a setback or two—and learned from it. The ideal candidate for the Georgia MBA program has more than just the great test scores and GPAs sought by all full-time MBA programs, we look for the students that demonstrate a roll up the sleeves and get things done attitude. These are the people who do well here.”
What do you find business school applicants often overlook during the pre-MBA process?
“I think some people limit their choices by looking only at certain things, rather than the whole picture. They may focus tightly on one factor—school rank, tuition cost, employer relationships, average salary—rather than fully thinking through what they want and need from their MBA experience. Visiting campuses, talking to current students and meeting members of the staff could offer a very different view than the one that takes into account only one or two factors. MBA programs vary widely and there is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Find a few that fit your needs and go after them.”
“We look for humility, self-awareness and the willingness to learn new things about themselves—people who have experienced a setback or two—and learned from it” – Patricia D. Zettek, Ph.D. and Deirdre Kane
What do you find most business schools are lacking?
“Lacking is a pretty strong word. I consider business school an excellent investment in a candidate’s future. I understand why you might ask though, because if you listen to the media, the MBA has been dying out since the 1940s, but that’s just not true! There continues to be a need for professionals trained to understand the complexities of our business environment and committed to doing things right. Overall MBA programs and program staff are committed to the success of their students and genuinely interested in providing their students with the best experience and the best opportunities.”
What is your favorite restaurant near UGA?
“I think Athens is one of the South’s most underrated food cities. We’re known for music and football, but not until recently have we been noticed for our food scene. Thanks to chefs like Hugh Acheson, who calls Athens home, we have many farm to table gems, like Last Resort Grill, The National, home.made, and Heirloom Café. And everyone should check out Weaver D’s, Ted’s Most Best, Clocked, The Grit, Taziki’s, and Viva Argentine! The list is long and there is something for everyone!”
Southern-inspired specialties are abound in Athens, Georgia, including at home.made, founded by New Orleans-born chef Mimi Maumus – Photo via homemadeathens.com
For more information on the UGA Terry MBA admissions, click here.
5 Questions with Sacred Heart’s Exec. Director of Graduate Admissions Pam Pillo
In the newest installment of the MetromBA “5 Questions” series, we spoke with Jack Welch College of Business Executive Director of Graduate Admissions Pam Pillo about the future of the Connecticut business school, and much more.
What are you most excited about regarding the future of the Sacred Heart MBA Program?
“Next fall, Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch College of Business will move to the new West Campus, formerly General Electric’s global headquarters. The facility will include more classrooms and facilities for faculty and students, including a finance lab, artificial intelligence and innovation facilities. The incubator space will allow students, in conjunction with investors and area businesses to develop their creative ideas for new products and programs. The Welch College of Business is vested in the success of our students and continued success of the region. The new campus will serve as an active pipeline for skilled workers to meet the needs of today’s rapidly evolving economy.”
What is a unique selling point of your school that some people may not be aware of?
“The Welch College of Business offers a personalized experience. Full-time faculty and staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of students. Classes operate on a 15:1 student faculty ratio. The Welch MBA also collaborates with area corporations including Subway, People’s Bank, Edgewell Personal Care, and Diageo to name a few. Students apply business concepts through the development of a business plan to promote a product or service both domestically and internationally.”
What parts of the MBA program should more students know about before starting their graduate school career?
“The Welch MBA features a team-based approach through the Integrated Core portion of the curriculum. A key competency developed in the Welch MBA is accountability for decisions and actions of team and self, putting team goals ahead of individual goals, with the focus on contribution to the organization.”
Jack Welch MBAs collaborate with local companies, such as Subway, People’s Bank, and Edgewell Personal Care.
What kind of students would you say your business school is most interested in?
“The Welch MBA encourages students from various academic and professional backgrounds.”
What was the last book you loved?
“Grit by Angela Duckworth”
You can check out Duckworth’s TedTalk on her work below.
