Monday, March 21, 2011

New US News Rankings

The latest US News Rankings came out last week. The full-time MBA is still ranked #25 among public MBA programs. The part-time or Managerial MBA (MMBA) is ranked #29 among publics and #50 overall. The Walton Supply Chain program was also ranked. They climbed from #23 overall last year to a tie with Georgia Institute of Technology at #14 overall. Among publics, we are tied at # 9. The Walton College is forming a new Supply Chain Department. This is very exciting and we are hoping it assists us further in the rankings.

I have been very sporadic in my posting lately and I thought I should explain why. Here is my schedule for March and April:

March 2 - Career Fair at University of Central Arkansas
March 3 - Career Fair at University of Arkansas as Fort Smith
March 10 - Open House and Social
March 16 - Corporate Visit to Walmart's ISD
March 17 - Career Fair at University of the Ozarks
March 17 - Information session in Rogers
March 22 - Career Fair at Philander Smith
March 30 - Corporate Visit to Tyson
April 5 - Career Fair at Henderson State University
April 5 - Career Fair at Ouachita Baptist University
April 6 - Career Fair at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
April 7 - Career Fair at Arkansas Tech University
April 8 - Grad School Open House
April 11 - Admissions committee meeting for MBA and MMBA

It's a pretty busy time of year for us. Graduation is May 14 and we'll host a graduation party on Friday, May 13. This week is the University's Spring Break. I am in the office today and Wednesday. The University is closed on Friday and I am taking Thursday off so that I can spend some time with my kids. By then they'll be geared up and ready to get out of the house. We did visit friends in Tulsa this last weekend but now they are home. I am sure they will run me ragged this weekend. I'll be hearing, "Hey mom, can we go...?" I am hoping the weather cooperates so that we can get outside.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Spring Open House and Social

We held the Spring Open House and Social last night. Both were a resounding success. Twenty-two potential Walton master's students attended the Open House. The purpose of this event is to explain the application process and to discuss each master's degree offered by the Walton College.

Following the Open House, we headed down to Powerhouse for the Spring Social. This is a very popular event held every semester for all current, former, prospective Walton GSB students, and faculty. Over 100 attendees signed in. The Social is a great opportunity for our current and former students to mix and mingle and it gives our prospective students a chance to ask them questions about their programs of interest.

Next week we begin processing MBA and MMBA applications. Deadline is April 1 and the committee will meet the week of April 11. Decisions will be sent out the end of that week.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Admissions update

We are in the midst of admission season. Here is what is going on.

- PhD decisions have been made and letters are going out as I write. First round offers are being made and denials are being sent. We do have a waiting list. Depending on the results of the first round offers, those on the waiting list will then either receive denials or an offer of admission. For reference, Accounting received over 30 applications and expects to enroll 3 students. Average GMAT of these three is 703. Economics received nearly 30 applications. They plan to enroll four. Their average GRE score is 1330. Finance received approximately 30 applications. Two offers of admission were extended. Average GMAT is 735. Information Systems received over 20 applications and has offered admission to three students. Their average GMAT is 653. Management intends to enroll three students this fall. Offers have been extended and their average GMAT is 725. Marketing has not made all admissions decisions yet. They did receive over 30 applications.

- Master of Information Systems deadline was February 1. The Department has made their decisions. They received nearly 70 applications and will extend offers to 10. Their average GMAT is over 600 and average GRE is over 1250. Letters are being done now. They have a very high qualified waiting list. Depending on the results of the first round offers, those on the waiting list will then either be offered admission or will be sent a notification of denial.

- Master of Accountancy deadline is March 1. We expect decisions mid-March and then letters will go out mid-to-late March.

- MBA early decision deadline is April 1. All funding will be awarded to those who apply by this date. The committee will meet mid-April and then decision letters will be sent mid-to-late April.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Great Fayetteville Video

Check out this wonderful video about Fayetteville, Arkansas.

http://accessfayetteville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1164

Monday, February 21, 2011

Women in the Workplace

The Northwest Arkansas Young Professionals are holding an event Thursday, February 24, 6:00-7:30 in 403 Willard J. Walker Hall on the University of Arkansas campus.

Here is a line-up of the speakers:
1. Dina Howell, Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi X
2. Machelle Gifford-Selbe, Senior Manager, Member Program Development, Sam’s Club
Marketing Chair, Walmart Women's Resource Council
Walmart 100 Member, and Regional Co-Secretary, Network of Executive Women
3. Stephanie Clawson, General Mills Director for Walmart Perishable
4. Susan Van Hosen, Vice President, Retail Business Development - Walmart & Sam's Club Team, Disney Consumer Products


This will be a wonderful opportunity to network with other professionals and to gain some valuable information too.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Snow, snow, and more snow

The University of Arkansas is closed today due to the unbelievable amount of snow falling in Arkansas right now. I heard on the news this morning that we received around 25 inches last year. This was a record breaking year. We may receive over 2 feet with this storm. This year's snow totals will obliterate last year's. This area of the country is not equipped for this type of weather. We do not have the plows to keep up with the snow fall. Everyone is encouraged to stay home. Roads are currently impassable in may areas. Most often, it will snow and then melt away the next day. Temperatures have been staying cold enough that the snow is accumulating and occurring on top of what we had last week. In northern areas of the US, this is normal. It is not typical in this part of the country. Next week we are expecting 50-60 degree temperatures. Tomorrow it is supposed to be below zero in the morning. Until it warms up, we are stuck.

It is a beautiful snow, though. The snow is expected to continue until this afternoon or evening. It's not finished yet. I have tried to upload photos but it is not currently working. I'll try again later.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Crazy weather

The University of Arkansas was closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. We opened today at 9:30 and will close at 4:00. The snow is really coming down right now. This episode is supposed to produce 3 to 6 inches. Another storm is coming in on either Sunday or Monday.

If you have been trying to reach us, be patient. The weather is putting a serious kink in our daily operations.

First round offers for PhD will hopefully go out mid-to-late February. The MIS application deadline was February 1. We have not been in the office to process these applications. Again, please be patient with us as we work through this trying time. The Department hopes to make decisions the week of February 14. All files will be prepped for departmental review next week. As we do this, we will notify applicants of missing documents. As long as materials are received prior to committee review, they will be treated as completed on time.

Email gsb@walton.uark.edu with any questions. I appreciate your understanding.