The Walton MBA

As I have previously mentioned, our new MBA class is about to start. Their Orientation is next week, January 5-9. Classes begin on January 12. This class consists of 37 students. This newly redesigned retail focused MBA first began in January of 2007. That class had 30 students; they graduated in May, 2008 with an average starting salary (at graduation) of $75,452. The second class began in January of 2008. This class consists of 32 students and they will graduate in May of 2009. The class to start next week will be our third class in this new program. This new class has 37 students. I am thrilled that we have been able to steadily grow this exciting new program. Our goal is to grow the program slowly - not at the expense of quality. We have been very fortunate to have high quality applicants. I expect this trend to continue. I am thrilled to already have 9 applications for the group that will begin in January, 2010. It seems impossible to already be planning the MBA class of 2011, but that is the way of the recruiting cycle. It is just one big circle - continuously in process with never an end in sight. Here are summaries of the first three classes of the Walton MBA:

graduating class of 2008 - 30 students, average GMAT = 625, average work experience was a little over 3 years, and their average GPA was about a 3.3.

graduating class of 2009 - 32 students, average GMAT = 630, average work experience was a little over 2 years, and their average GPA was about a 3.3.

graduating class of 2010 - 37 students, average GMAT = 628, average work experience is 3 1/2 years, and their average GPA is 3.4.

graduating class of 2011 - yet to be determined. My goal is to admit at least 40 students to this class. If you are interested in being among this elite group, early application deadline is April 1 and final application deadline is September 15. You will receive the admissions committee's decision within one month of each application deadline.

Don't forget about our amazing graduate assistantship (GA) opportunities. These are awarded based on GMAT score and work experience. A full assistantship will waive tuition and provide a stipend of $2500 each semester. The partial assistantship waives out-of-state tution, provides the same stipend of $2500 each semeser, plus an additional scholarship of $2500. Many students are able to work off-campus. We have wonderful partnerships with many Fortune 500 companies located in Northwest Arkansas. These companies hire our MBA student who have been awarded a GA. Students on GA will work 15 hours a week.

In review, if you would like to apply to the MBA program to begin in January, 2010, early application deadline is April 1. Please submit application materials by that deadline for early consideration. You can apply online at gsb.uark.edu.