MBA Numbers

The MBA admissions committee met last week. Application deadline was September 15. Late applications will be accepted through November. However, all funding has been awarded. Early decision deadline for the class that will begin in January 2012 is April 1, 2011.

Our class that will begin in January 2011 currently looks like this: 36 students, average GMAT = 638, average GPA = 3.5, average age = 25. This class is 44% female, 25% international, and 17% come from underrepresented populations. These numbers will change as students respond to this last round of offers. We will also continue to admit highly competitive applicants through November.

Fayetteville was a very exciting place to be this weekend. #1 ranked Alabama came to town and we almost pulled off the upset. The Razorbacks lost by 4 points. Record breaking crowds were in attendance - over 76,000. Students began camping out in front of the stadium last Monday. There were over 100 tents. It was a very festive atmosphere and the Hogs really did play well for most of the game. Things began to fall apart at the end. I just hope we finish the season strong.

I will be out of town tomorrow through Friday. I'll try to post but I am not making any promises. I'll be attending a conference in Charleston, SC. Hopefully no tropical storms or huricanes will blow me away.

Hello from Stillwater

Where, you may be wondering. Today I am at Oklahoma State University at their Business Career Fair. I attend Career Fairs looking for students who are considering graduate programs in business.



Yesterday I was at the University of Tulsa. Tomorrow I will be back in the office. I will provide more data about the Walton MBA class that will be starting in January.

This is a very big weekend in Fayetteville. The Arkansas Razorbacks (#10) will play #1 ranked Alabama. Not since 1979 have 2 top 10 teams played in Fayetteville. It is sure to be a very exciting time. GO HOGS.

Very Busy Couple of Days

This week is insane. Yesterday we did have an admissions committee meeting for the Walton MBA. I don't have all of the details yet but I can tell you, letters are going out this week. I hope to have summary data for you either by the end of this week or early next week.

Last night was the Career Development Center's Pre-Career Fair Networking Event. This is an opportunity for employers to mingle and socialize with each other and our outstanding students, both undergrads and grads. They also announced the winner of the MBA internship presentation.

The MBA students have posters that explain their internship. This is a chance for prospective employers to walk through and talk to them about this experience.


Here are our winners, in order: First place - Jamie Fletcher, second place - Alana Hale, third place - Alex Kieslich, and fourth place - Issam Moussaoui.

Today was the Walton College Career Fair. This event is always very well attended. We have outstanding companies who come to Walton to recruit the very best.

This is Matt, a current student in the part-time MBA, recruiting for his company.

J. Edward is an MBA alumnus who attended to find other highly qualified MBA students. He is talking to JR, a current Walton MBA.


Tomorrow I will be at the Business Career Fair at the University of Tulsa and on Thursday, I will be at Oklahoma State University. A rolling stone...

What a weekend

Wait, you are saying. It's Wednesday. Why is she just now talking about the weekend. I offer no excuses. I have been a crazy woman lately and I am just now getting the chance to write. I am sharing pictures from Saturday. My son, Jack, is running me and my husband ragged. For a very brief period of time (4 weeks to be exact), his sporting events are overlapping. Currently his (and my) Saturday looks like this: 9:00-Soccer, 10:30-Basketball, 12:00-football. I leave in the morning with 3 uniforms in my car and a full water bottle. We had to hit the drive-thru between basketball and football and we ate in the car as he was changing into his last uniform of the day. It all went very well with only one minor slip up on my part. He wears cleats for soccer and football. For basketball, he wears his tennis shoes (I was not going to buy basketball shoes for a 6 year old to wear in 4 games and then outgrow before next year). After dressing him in his basketball uniform, I realized I forgot socks. Oops. Oh well - all considering, it could have been worse. Here is Jack in action.






Northwest Arkansas has amazing opportunities for our children. As you can see, soccer, basketball, and football are available in the fall. Spring brings baseball and soccer again. There are also competitive leagues in Springdale at the All Star Sports Arena - including volleyball. Students and their children have many options in this area. It's fun for everyone.

Yesterday I went to the Business Career Fair at Missouri State University. I had a great trip and tomorrow I venture west to the University of Oklahoma. This is back in my home stomping grounds.

MBA and early decision deadline for Master of Accountancy is today. MBA admissions committee meets on Monday. I'll have news regarding the next MBA class next week. We will accept late applications through November.

MBA Internship Presentation Finals

This morning our MBA students competed in the final round of internship presentations. During the summer, between the first and second semester of the Walton MBA (remember, we begin each January), our students complete an internship. Upon their return in the fall, they submit a few course requirements, as they do earn course credit for the internship, and they do a presentation. The first round of competitions are judged by corporate execs.

Today, seven students competed in the final round, also judged by corporate executives. The winner will be announced at the Networking event on Monday, September 20. This event is being held in conjunction with the Walton Career Fair, which is on Tuesday, September 21.

Our finalists, and their companies, were Adrian Burks-Budgetext, Alana Hale-Dannon, Alex Kieslich-Walmart, Ankita Kumar-Sam's Club, Issam Moussaoi-Hilti, Jake Wineman-Dial, and Jamie Fletcher-Dr. Pepper/Snapple. Here are a few pictures from this mornings presentations.


They all did a fabulous job and I can't wait to find out who won.

Where did the weekend go?

Even though today is Tuesday, it is much more like Monday since the University was closed yesterday. Regarding admissions, things are definitely winding UP (NOT winding down). Let me tell you what is going on this week. Phone calls, emails, and requests for student appointments are pouring in. This is because the MBA application deadline AND the MAcc early decision deadline is next week, September 15. For me, after the Labor Day weekend, I pretty much hold on for dear life until mid-November. I posted the September recruiting schedule last week. In between the traveling, I meet with students and respond to emails and phone calls. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining. I thrive on this pace and it truly energizes me. I do tend to crash afterwards, though.

I am nearly finished with my scheduling for this semester. I am working with a few more current and former students to schedule corporate recruiting visits and I need to finish the fall numbers. My goal is to complete these tasks this week since I do hit the road next week.

The holiday weekend was beautiful in Fayetteville. The weather cooperated and the Hogs played exceptionally well, after that first series (and except for the interception, a fumble or two, and the incomplete pass that should have been a TD). Hopefully they have their jitters overcome and have worked out the kinks. Next Saturday the Razorbacks play Louisiana Monroe in Little Rock. This is an interesting and unique phenomenon. Home games are split between Fayetteville and Little Rock. Five games are played here and two are played in Little Rock. The next game to be played in Fayetteville is on September 25 against Alabama. This will be a huge game. Our pre-season ranking was #17. I do not know if that has changed after the first weekend of play. Razorback fans have a significant amount of hope this year. We'll see how it goes.

Final Numbers for Fall

I posted the PhD numbers yesterday. I now have all other programs available except for Master of Information Systems. I will post those next week.

Master of Accountancy received a total of 110 applications. Admission was offered to 67 and 48 enrolled. Average GMAT was 583 and average GPA was 3.4. Early decision for fall 2011 is September 15.

Master of Arts in Economics received 23 applications and enrolled 2 students. The Economics Department would prefer to admit directly into their PhD program, thus the reason this class is small. Average GRE is 1285.

Managerial MBA (part-time) program received 107 applications and enrolled 56 students. Average GMAT is 583 and average GPA is 3.3. This class averages 7.8 years of work experience and is 31 years old.

MIS and Professional MIS information will be posted next week. The University of Arkansas is closed on Monday, September 6 in honor of Labor Day. Currently the weather in Fayetteville is absolutely beautiful. It is about 80 degrees and perfect football weather. The opening game for the Razorbacks is tomorrow against Tennessee Tech. I am taking both of my kids and we are all very excited.

Have a wonderful weekend!

PhD Numbers As Promised

I now have final number for our PhD programs. We enrolled 19 students this fall.

PhD Accounting received 45 total applications. They enrolled 4 students. Their average GMAT is 713, average master's GPA is 3.93, their average age is 28, and they average 4.8 years of work experience. This class is 50% female.

Phd Economics received 26 total applications and enrolled 3 students. Average GRE is 1193 and average undergrad GPA is 3.63. This class has an average age of 24. This program admits the majority of its applicants directly from undergrad.

PhD Finance received 32 total applications and enrolled 1 student. Due to this fact, numbers will not be published as anonymity would be impossible.

PhD Information Systems received 32 total applications and enrolled 3 students. Their average GMAT is 665 and average master's GPA is 3.63. This class has an average age of 25 and they average 10 months of work experience.

PhD Management received 49 total applications and enrolled 5 students. Their average GMAT score is 653 and average master's GPA is 3.57. Average age is 29 and they average 3.2 years of work experience.

PhD Marketing received 31 total applications and enrolled 3 students. Average GMAT is 633 and average master's GPA is 3.73. This class has an average of 15.7 years of work experience and their average age is 39.

My September Schedule

This time of year is spent planning my travel for the semester. My schedule for this month looks like this:

September 1 - Corporate Visit to Walmart ISD. I make this trip every semester to recruit students for our two part-time programs. We get amazing students from here.

September 7, 8, 9 - I will be visiting an undergraduate business class, Business Strategy, each of these days. All undergraduate students at Walton are required to take this class. I visit each section each semester to talk about grad school. Sorry, you can't get out of here without listening to me.

September 10 - internship showcase finals - more on this later

September 14 - Career Fair - Missouri State University

September 16 - Career Fair - University of Oklahoma

September 20 - Networking event - Alumni House (in connection with Walton's Career Fair)

September 21 - Career Fair - Walton College, University of Arkansas

September 22 - Career Fair - Tulsa University

September 23 - Career Fair - Oklahoma State University

September 28- October 1 - Conference - I'll go brush up on my marketing skills.

Looks like I'll stay busy this month. I'll post October's schedule at a later date. If you are at any of the above locations, be sure to stop and say hi.