Leonard N. Stern School of Business (New York University)

The Leonard N. Stern School of Business, or more oftenly called NYU Stern, was established in 1900 and is located in NYU’s Washington Square Campus. NYU Stern used to be the NYU undergraduate School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance until the graduate business program was launched in 1916 to accommodate part-time and full-time students. When Stern gave a $30 million donation to improve the undergraduate school’s facilities, the name of the school was changed to Leonard N. Stern School of Business. NYU Stern offers a wide range of programs to keep up with the trends and demands of the business industry. Interested applicants are advised to visit the school’s official website and fill up the online application form to jumpstart the application process.

Anderson School of Management

The Anderson School of Management was established in 1935 as one of the professional schools of the University of California, Los Angeles. The school currently offers MBA, PhD, and executive MBA programs, as well as a masteral degree in financial engineering. Other programs offered at the Anderson School of Management are the UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA program, Global Access program, Management Development programs, Management Communication programs, and the Riordan programs. Interested applicants are advised to visit the school’s official website for detailed information on course and program offerings and to download and accomplish the online application form.

Kelley School of Business

Established in 1920 under the name School of Commerce and Finance, the Kelley School of Business is one of the academic units of Indiana University. The school was renamed to Kelley School of Business in 1997 when E.W. Kelley gave $23 million to develop and improve the school. The Kelley School of Business currently offers undergraduate and doctoral programs, full-time and online MBA degrees, executive education, and specialized masteral degrees. For those interested in applying to the Kelley School of Business, make sure to visit the school’s official website and fill up the online application form.

Darden Graduate School of Business

The University of Virginia was established in March 1825 to provide a venue for people who want to learn about the arts, philosophy, law, medicine, foreign languages, and science. Among the university’s first scholars was world-famous writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. One of the branches of the University of Virginia is the Darden Graduate School of Business, which offers programs and degrees such as MBA, MBA for Executives, PhD degrees, and executive education. The school also offers joint degrees such as JD-MBA, MBA-MA in East Asian Studies, and MBA-MA in Government or Foreign Affairs. Interested applicants are advised to visit the school’s official website, where they can also download and fill up the online application form.

Kenan-Flagler Business School

The Kenan-Flagler Business School was established in 1919 as the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill’s Department of Commerce under the College of Arts. In 1991, the department’s name was changed to Kenan-Flagler Business School after philanthropists Mary Lily Kenan Flagler and her husband donated a huge sum to improve and develop the school. Today, the Kenan-Flagler Business School is among the recognized business schools that offer MBA degrees, executive MBAs, executive education, masteral degree in accounting, and doctorates. Information on how to apply to UNC Kenan-Flagler, as well as the admission requirements, can be found at the school’s official website.

Cox School of Business

The Cox School of Business was established in 1920 as the Department of Commerce at the Southern Methodist University. However, it was only in 1941, when the Board of Trustees established the department as a separate entity from the university, and made it into the School of Business Administration. In 1978, the school was renamed Cox School of Business in honor of businessman Edwin L. Cox. The school offers part-time, full time, and professional MBA degrees, as well as master of science programs including MSA (accounting), MSM (management), and MSIE (entrepreneurship). Applicants are advised to visit the school’s official website to get more information on application requirements and procedures.

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School was established in 1916, and has since been producing graduates who have gone on to become leading businessmen and entrepreneurs in the US. Columbia has a highly diverse student body, 40% of which is representative of different countries all over the globe. The school offers executive education, doctorate programs, and MBA degree programs. Columbia Business School also boasts of a faculty composed of business practitioners, and advisers and consultants to business leaders around the world. Those interested in applying to Columbia can visit the school’s official website to download and fill up the online application form.

Fuqua School of Business (Duke University)

Founded in 1924 by James Buchanan Duke, Duke University used to be an expansion of Trinity College. The establishment of the university was made possible by the Duke Endowment foundation. In 1969, the Fuqua School of Business was established as the business school branch of Duke University. Today, the Fuqua School of Business is recognized as a business school that offers one of the country’s top programs for doctorates, executive education, MBA degrees, and joint degrees. To apply to the Fuqua School of Business, visit the school’s official website and download the online application form.

MIT Sloan School of Management

MIT Sloan School of Management was established in 1914 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school was originially an engineering administration curriculum under the MIT Department of Economics and Statistics before it was recognized as a separate business school entity that offered executive education and programs such as Master of Finance, MBA degree programs, and PhD and undergraduate programs. Interested applicants may contact the school’s admissions office for more information or visit the school’s official website to download the online application form.

Haas School of Business (University of California - Berkeley)

Berkeley graduate and businessman Arthur Rodgers was the one who initiated the idea of establishing a business school branch for the University of California - Berkeley. Rodgers mentioned this idea in his 1883 commencement address, and was realized in a span of less than 15 years. The Haas School of Business offers programs and degrees such as part-time and full-time MBA degrees, PhD, undergraduate and executive programs, non-degree programs, and Masters in Financial Engineering. Interested applicants may contact the school’s admissions office for more information and complete the application form found at the school’s website.

Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell University)

The Johnson Graduate School of Management was established in 1946, and offers MBA, PhD, and executive MBA programs. The school also offers graduate and undergraduate degrees with MBA programs. The school’s list of notable alumni include Irene Rosenfeld of Kraft Foods, Inc., Nancy Schlichting of Henry Ford Health System, Daniel Hesse of Sprint Nextel Corp., Robert Ramin of National Aquarium, and Kyung-Bae Suh of AmorePacific Corp. Interested applicants may visit the school’s website to download and fill up the online application form.

Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College)

The Tuck School of Business was established in 1900 and is the business school branch of Dartmouth College. Unlike other business schools, Tuck only offers a full-time MBA program to better assist and support their students. Aside from the full-time MBA program, Tuck also offers the undergraduate Tuck Business Bridge Program and executive education programs. Included in the school’s list of notable alumni are Colin Kenny, Quentin L. Kopp, Mark Byrne, Anne Sullivan, John Jacquemin, and Philip J. Moss. Applicants are advised to visit the admissions page at the school’s official website to get more information on application requirements and procedures.

Harvard Business School

Established in 1908, Harvard Business School or HBS is among the oldest existing MBA schools in the US. HBS is known for the high quality of its management education which it has maintained throughout the years. As of December 2008, the number of living HBS alumni falls at 42,012, including HBS deans Jay O. Light and John H. McArthur. McArthur is the Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank, and has held that position since 1996. Light, on the other hand, is the current dean of HBS and is the director of Ford Foundation’s Investment and Financial Policies. For more information on application process and requirements, visit the school’s official website and check out the online application system.

Kellogg School of Management [NorthwesternUniversity]

The Kellogg School of Management was established in 1908, and has since been successful in producing business and industry leaders from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  Aside from undergraduate and doctoral programs, Kellogg also offers executive education and several types of MBA programs including part-time, full-time, and executive MBA programs. For those planning on applying to Kellogg, make sure you visit the school’s official website to get more information on the admissions process and application requirements. There you can also download the application form according to your chosen MBA program, and process your application online.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

The Booth School of Business was founded in 1898, and has produced Nobel laureates and leading businessmen along the likes of James Kilts, who is responsible for turning Gillette, Kraft, and Nabisco into profitable, world-renowned companies. Those planning on pursuing an MBA education at Chicago Booth can choose among the PhD, executive, and MBA programs offered by the school. The programs also provide students with the option of taking evening, full-time, or weekend classes. More information on the program offerings, as well as application forms, can be found and requested at the school’s official website.

Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

Wharton was founded in 1881 by philanthropist and industrialist Joseph Wharton with the aim of making liberal education in the field of business available to those who want to study it. Wharton School is composed of 11 academic departments and more than 25 research centers and research initiatives. Wharton is often cited as the world’s first collegiate business school, and is recognized for their diverse and competent faculty. The school offers undergraduate programs, executive education, and MBA and PhD degrees. Interested applicants can visit the school’s website and fill up the online application form to apply  to Wharton.

Ross School of Business (University of Michigan)

The Ross School of Business was established in 1924 as the School of Business Administration, and used the Tappan Hall as the school’s main center. As the years progressed, the department extended its scope of programs offered as well as its land territory. In 2004, a school alumnus named Stephen M. Ross donated $100 million to the development of the school. This kind act was recognized by the school’s Board of Regents by renaming the School of Business Administration after Ross. Ross offers executive education, doctorates, and MBA degrees. Interested applicants can visit the school’s official website to download the application form and get the complete listing of course and program offerings.

Stanford Business School

Stanford Graduate School of Business was established in 1924 as part of former president Herbert Hoover’s initiative to keep the best West Coast students from going to the East Coast to pursue business studies. Stanford GSB is proud to have a team of recognized and competent lecturers for their faculty, which includes three Nobel laureates. The school is also recognized for the education and training they provide at the Center for Global Business and the Economy, Center for Leadership Development and Research, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, and the Center for Social Innovation. For more information about the school and to apply to Stanford GSB, visit the school’s website and fill up the online application form which you can download from the site.

How important is networking in MBA schools?

Establishing connection with your classmates is very beneficial. The alliance you will form with your classmates in an MBA school can benefit you on both the personal and professional level. Through networking, you will be able to gain understanding and knowledge about the various industries where your classmates come from. Another reason is that you can use these connections for your business ventures in the future. For instance, you can consult your classmates and consider their opinions about things related to your business. There is a great possibility that some of your classmates will be important in your future business dealings. There is a possibility that your classmates in MBA school can be your future employer, employee, client, or supplier. So if you have the chance, start getting to know them while in MBA school.

How do you create a network?

In creating a network, you have to start by approaching your classmates and by talking to them. You may also study cases with them. You can also start a study group and establish organizations for different activities that interest you. Creating an organization while in school is also a plus factor when you apply for a job.

Networking is actually investing in people resources. Establishing a network now ensures possible strong business connections in the future.

Photo Credit : marcfonteijn

How to approach alumni of an MBA program

You can inquire if someone in your family, friends, or coworkers graduated with an MBA degree. You can ask them about the admissions process. You can also ask them for some tips on how to write your MBA personal statement so as to increase your chances of being admitted in the program that you really want to enroll in. If you can’t find someone close to you, try to surf the Internet and find sites of MBA alumni. You may also choose to join forums of students, teachers, and alumni of MBA schools. In these forums, you may ask questions regarding the application process.

What you need to ask from MBA alumni

MBA alumni can give you tips on how to pass the interview with flying colors. Aside from asking tips on how to survive the interview, another important thing that you have to inquire about is the techniques on how to write a winning MBA personal statement. You should ask MBA alumni what topics you can include in your MBA personal statement. You should also ask them how to make an exceptional MBA personal statement that would ensure your place in the MBA program you want to enroll in. MBA alumni are also reliable sources of information about a school’s MBA programs, reputation, and faculty.

Photo Credit : r_gnuce

* Communication and interpersonal skills

Your communication skills are very important because these will enable you to share with and gather insights and experiences from  your classmates who come from other industries. And if you have excellent interpersonal skills, you can be an effective team member and team leader. Through these skills, you can easily form ties and establish your network, which will be very beneficial when you are already in the real corporate world.

* Mathematical skills

Your mathematical skills are important as well because you will deal with various financial documents and spreadsheets in an MBA program. Although MBA programs have courses that will further hone your mathematical skills, it is still better that you have basic knowledge about the different ways to solve mathematical problems. Knowing basic mathematical operations is fine, but it is still better if you are knowledgeable about how to deal with complex equations.

* Analytical skills

Analysis of various documents is necessary in MBA programs, so it is an advantage if you have an analytical mind. Your analytical skills are really beneficial in determining the effects of certain factors in a business operation. These skills are also helpful when you conduct your case studies.

Photo Credit : _Olga_

Why pursue an advanced MBA degree

An MBA degree broadens your chances of succeeding in your future careers. An MBA degree will also increase your marketability and will open various doors of opportunity for you. Moreover, if you are an advanced MBA degree holder, you will be considered a valuable asset of the company you work for.

Types of advanced MBA programs

Getting an advanced MBA degree is interesting because you are given various programs to choose from. One of the advanced programs offered in an MBA school is a joint program or dual program. In this program, you will earn two degrees when you graduate. An example of this is the joint JD and MBA program where one is trained to become a lawyer and a businessman at the same time. Another advanced MBA program is the specialized program where you are trained in a specific area related to business.

How to choose an advanced MBA program

In choosing an MBA program, you have to determine your career goals. You must assess these goals to help you find the right advanced MBA program for you. It is also necessary that you pursue your advanced MBA degree in a school that has a good reputation. Before enrolling, it’s also best to gather information about the program’s curriculum and the teaching method of the school faculty.

Photo Credit : Rich007