Tomorrow is the MBA admissions committee meeting. April 1 is the early admission decision deadline. This deadline is for students who are looking at other programs that begin in August. To date, we have admitted 14 new MBA students and of those 14, 12 accepted our offer. These 12 students have an average GMAT of 633, an average GPA of 3.5, and they average over four years of work experience.
Our final decision deadline is September 15. We will review 30 new applications at the meeting tomorrow. The final goal for the MBA class that will begin in January 2009 is approximately 35 students. We will continue to accept applications through November.
The GSB will admit another round of MBA students tomorrow. At this time, graduate assistantships will also be awarded. Late applicants may not be eligible for an assistantships as all may be awarded tomorrow. If we do not award all of the graduate assistantships tomorrow, students who apply late will still be eligible.
This is a very exciting time for the GSB. Each year the applicant pool changes. We are looking forward to seeing how next year's new MBA students look.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
What should you look for in an MBA program?
When you are looking for an MBA program, what are you looking for? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you begin your search:
1) Where do I want to do my MBA? This can be state, region, or school. This will help you begin your search.
2) What do I want to spend? MBA programs can be very expensive. Knowing up front what you can afford is important.
3) What concentration do I want to focus on? Different MBA programs specialize in different areas. If you know you want to study HR or real estate or finance, look for MBA programs that offer that concentration.
4) How is this program going to help me to achieve my goals? Not all programs are the same.
Now let me tell you about the Walton MBA in regard to these four questions.
1) We are located in Fayetteville, AR home of the University of Arkansas and more than 300 Fortune 500 companies.
2) Most of our students are on assistantship. A full assistantship will waive your tuition and provide you with a stipend of $2500 each semester. A partial assistantship will waive out-of-state tuition, provide the same stipend of $2500 each semester, plus a scholarship of $2500. It is unusual for an MBA program to offer financial assistance.
3) We have a retail focused MBA. What does this mean? We tend to focus more on the aspects of information systems, marketing, and logistics. These three aspects are the foundation of may businesses, not only retail. The Walton MBA has career concentrations in retail marketing, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and finance.
4) Since we do have over 300 Fortune 500 companies in our backyard, the opportunity for jobs is staggering. Our Career Development Center works very hard to assist you in finding employment. Since we are the Walton College, we have ties with many local companies. Our students benefit from these connections.
So, not all MBA programs are the same. There are many things to consider. Read our student blogs and don't hesitate to email me with questions.
1) Where do I want to do my MBA? This can be state, region, or school. This will help you begin your search.
2) What do I want to spend? MBA programs can be very expensive. Knowing up front what you can afford is important.
3) What concentration do I want to focus on? Different MBA programs specialize in different areas. If you know you want to study HR or real estate or finance, look for MBA programs that offer that concentration.
4) How is this program going to help me to achieve my goals? Not all programs are the same.
Now let me tell you about the Walton MBA in regard to these four questions.
1) We are located in Fayetteville, AR home of the University of Arkansas and more than 300 Fortune 500 companies.
2) Most of our students are on assistantship. A full assistantship will waive your tuition and provide you with a stipend of $2500 each semester. A partial assistantship will waive out-of-state tuition, provide the same stipend of $2500 each semester, plus a scholarship of $2500. It is unusual for an MBA program to offer financial assistance.
3) We have a retail focused MBA. What does this mean? We tend to focus more on the aspects of information systems, marketing, and logistics. These three aspects are the foundation of may businesses, not only retail. The Walton MBA has career concentrations in retail marketing, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and finance.
4) Since we do have over 300 Fortune 500 companies in our backyard, the opportunity for jobs is staggering. Our Career Development Center works very hard to assist you in finding employment. Since we are the Walton College, we have ties with many local companies. Our students benefit from these connections.
So, not all MBA programs are the same. There are many things to consider. Read our student blogs and don't hesitate to email me with questions.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Gearing up for the MBA admissions committee meeting
The application deadline for the full-time MBA program was Monday, September 15. The admissions committee will meet on Tuesday, September 30. This delay gives our office the opportunity to prepare the 12 files that have arrived this week for the meeting. It also gives students a chance to submit any missing documents. We would like to meet and decide on as many completed applications as possible. We will accept applications through November. Any file that is completed by the meeting on September30th will have full consideration and will not be considered late.
After the admissions committee meeting on September 30, we will be reviewing applications as necessary. Whereas these late applications (those received after the meeting) will still be eligible for admission, they may not recieve a graduate assistantship. There is no guarantee of financial assistance after this committee meeting. We may award all assistantships on the 30th. If, however, we do not award all of our assistantships, then these late admits will be in consideration.
If you are contemplating applying for the January class and have not submitted your documents yet, please contact me immediately.
After the admissions committee meeting on September 30, we will be reviewing applications as necessary. Whereas these late applications (those received after the meeting) will still be eligible for admission, they may not recieve a graduate assistantship. There is no guarantee of financial assistance after this committee meeting. We may award all assistantships on the 30th. If, however, we do not award all of our assistantships, then these late admits will be in consideration.
If you are contemplating applying for the January class and have not submitted your documents yet, please contact me immediately.
Monday, September 15, 2008
It's time to hit the road
My life is about to get crazy. Well, more crazy than it already is. I hit the road tomorrow. I will be heading to Springfield, Missouri to Missouri State University. On Wednesday, I am going to Tulsa University and then on Friday, I will be at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. I will be in the office on Thursday to see students and get caught up on email. Next week,I am actually staying closer to home with visits to a couple of local corporate offices. Wednesday, September 24 I will be at Wal-Mart's David Glass Technology Center from 11:00 to 1:00. On Thursday of next week, I will be at the University Engineering Park on South School Street.
You may wonder what I do when I am on the road. I am meeting new students and talking to them about graduate programs in business. I recruit for all of the Walton College's master's and Ph.D. degree programs. This is when the fun really begins for me. I thrive on getting out there among those who are excited about their future and considering a graduate program.
If I am coming to a location near you, stop by and say, "hi." As always, I welcome questions and comments.
You may wonder what I do when I am on the road. I am meeting new students and talking to them about graduate programs in business. I recruit for all of the Walton College's master's and Ph.D. degree programs. This is when the fun really begins for me. I thrive on getting out there among those who are excited about their future and considering a graduate program.
If I am coming to a location near you, stop by and say, "hi." As always, I welcome questions and comments.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Walton MBA is now on Facebook
We are now on facebook! Go to facebook.com and search for Walton Ambassadors. This site is being managed by one of the MBA Ambassadors, Cameron Foster. On this facebook page you will be able to ask questions, see pictures of the building, and stay updated about the Walton MBA. As other ambassadors begin to blog, their links will be on this blog and they will also be on the facebook site. Please visit us.
It's a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon in Fayetteville. However, Ike is about the change that. If you are in Ike's path, I do hope you have moved to a safe location. Even in Arkansas, we are expecting a significant amount of rain and even some strong winds. I never thought I would see a hurricane in Arkansas. I doubt it will still be classified as a hurricane when it does reach us but is it odd knowing that the weather we are about to experience is the result of a hurricane.
For more information about weather in Fayetteville, visit: http://www.fayettevillear.com/economy/. This site also provides wonderful information about living and playing in this area.
It's a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon in Fayetteville. However, Ike is about the change that. If you are in Ike's path, I do hope you have moved to a safe location. Even in Arkansas, we are expecting a significant amount of rain and even some strong winds. I never thought I would see a hurricane in Arkansas. I doubt it will still be classified as a hurricane when it does reach us but is it odd knowing that the weather we are about to experience is the result of a hurricane.
For more information about weather in Fayetteville, visit: http://www.fayettevillear.com/economy/. This site also provides wonderful information about living and playing in this area.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Keeping up with the times-MBA Ambassadors
In an effort to keep up with the times, I have given some specific tasks to the Graduate School of Business MBA Ambassadors. We have five current MBA students who are acting as ambassadors. Their duties relate to recruiting the next MBA class. One aspect of this will be blogging. They are in the process of getting their blogs up and running as I type. The first one has launched. To read about David Alderson's experiences as a Walton MBA student, visit his blog: http://thewaltonmbaexperience.blogspot.com/. The link is also provided on the right. When the others start their blogs, I will include the links here.
If you are interested in corresponding with an MBA Ambassador, please let me know and I will have one email you. They are here to assist interested students by answering student specific questions. This is your opportunity to get the inside scoop.
If you are interested in corresponding with an MBA Ambassador, please let me know and I will have one email you. They are here to assist interested students by answering student specific questions. This is your opportunity to get the inside scoop.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Home of the Walton College Graduate School of Business
I think we are very lucky in the Graduate School of Business (GSB) at the Walton College. We have an amazing new building, Walker Hall. The GSB moved in July of 2007. Classes were first taught in August of 2008. The building's architects are from Little Rock, AR and Boston, MA.
The GSB lives on the third floor of Walker Hall along with the state-of-the-art Global Financial Markets Center, managed by the Garrison Financial Institute. This Center supports experiential learning and student-managed funds of over $12 million. The high-tech facility provides access to global financial market information that rivals other top business schools as well as Wall Street firms.
The fourth floor is the graduate student floor. There are two classrooms and 12 small group rooms on this level that are specifically reserved for graduate students only.
This building is truly awe-inspiring. Check it out here: http://waltoncollege.uark.edu/walkerhall/default.asp.
The GSB lives on the third floor of Walker Hall along with the state-of-the-art Global Financial Markets Center, managed by the Garrison Financial Institute. This Center supports experiential learning and student-managed funds of over $12 million. The high-tech facility provides access to global financial market information that rivals other top business schools as well as Wall Street firms.
The fourth floor is the graduate student floor. There are two classrooms and 12 small group rooms on this level that are specifically reserved for graduate students only.
This building is truly awe-inspiring. Check it out here: http://waltoncollege.uark.edu/walkerhall/default.asp.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My travel schedule
If you are like me, you really look forward to a three-day weekend. I even made my Labor Day weekend a four-day weekend by also taking Friday off. After the Fourth of July holiday, I began to look forward to the Labor Day weekend. Now it has come and gone and I do not have much to show for it. Now I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Between now and then, I will definitely put some miles on my little Subaru Forester. Here are the Career Fairs I am attending this semester:
September 16 - Missouri State University, Business Career Fair
September 17 - Tulsa University, Business Career Fair
September 19 - Harding University
September 23 - University of Arkansas, Business Career Fair
October 1 - University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
October 2 - University of Arkansas, Engineering Expo
October 8 - Missouri Southern State University
October 14 - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Graduate Workshop
October 16 - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
October 22 - University of the Ozarks
October 29 - Arkansas Tech University
November 5 - University of Central Arkansas
November 6 - Hendrix
Please stop by my table and say hello if you are at any of these locations. I would love to meet you.
September 16 - Missouri State University, Business Career Fair
September 17 - Tulsa University, Business Career Fair
September 19 - Harding University
September 23 - University of Arkansas, Business Career Fair
October 1 - University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
October 2 - University of Arkansas, Engineering Expo
October 8 - Missouri Southern State University
October 14 - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Graduate Workshop
October 16 - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
October 22 - University of the Ozarks
October 29 - Arkansas Tech University
November 5 - University of Central Arkansas
November 6 - Hendrix
Please stop by my table and say hello if you are at any of these locations. I would love to meet you.
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