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.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Upcoming Deadlines
This is a reminder that ALL PhD applications are due by January 15. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit application materials. The Departments are anxious for their files and it does take our office a few days to process new materials.
Don't forget that the reason for this deadline is that the University deadline for the DDF (Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship) is February 2. This award is worth $37,000 annually for four years.
Some Departments will accept late applications but that is only if they are unable to make admissions decisions with those files that were completed by the deadline. Most departments will admit based on those files received by January 15.
The application deadline for the Master of Arts in Economics and the Master of Information Systems is February 1 (since this is a Sunday, it will be February 2 this year). If you have any questions regarding the application process for any of our master's degree programs or PhD degree programs, please email gsb@walton.uark.edu.
Happy New Year.
Don't forget that the reason for this deadline is that the University deadline for the DDF (Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship) is February 2. This award is worth $37,000 annually for four years.
Some Departments will accept late applications but that is only if they are unable to make admissions decisions with those files that were completed by the deadline. Most departments will admit based on those files received by January 15.
The application deadline for the Master of Arts in Economics and the Master of Information Systems is February 1 (since this is a Sunday, it will be February 2 this year). If you have any questions regarding the application process for any of our master's degree programs or PhD degree programs, please email gsb@walton.uark.edu.
Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Everyone
Ho Ho Ho. Santa will be coming to my house tonight. At least that is what my 4 year old son is thinking. Soon I will not be able to say, "You better be good. Santa is watching."
On Friday I took him to the Fayetteville square to enjoy the Christmas lights and to ride the ponies. This time of year is truly joyous in Fayetteville. The downtown square is lit with lights and children with their families are running around. The square is lit in November and the holiday season kicks off with a parade. My family has already made numerous trips through the square, both by car and foot. This event is called The Lights of the Ozarks.
My 11 year old even enjoys it. She is too big for the pony rides this year. This is a sad occasion for mom. She has had a pony ride (every year) during the Lights of the Ozarks. Well, my son still has a few years left to ride the ponies.
If you are not into pony rides, there is also the carriage. Who wouldn't enjoy a beautiful carriage ride during the Christmas season around the Historic Downtown Square?
These lights remain up through the New Year. Fayetteville is a wonderful town. This is just another example of its beauty.
On Friday I took him to the Fayetteville square to enjoy the Christmas lights and to ride the ponies. This time of year is truly joyous in Fayetteville. The downtown square is lit with lights and children with their families are running around. The square is lit in November and the holiday season kicks off with a parade. My family has already made numerous trips through the square, both by car and foot. This event is called The Lights of the Ozarks.
My 11 year old even enjoys it. She is too big for the pony rides this year. This is a sad occasion for mom. She has had a pony ride (every year) during the Lights of the Ozarks. Well, my son still has a few years left to ride the ponies.
If you are not into pony rides, there is also the carriage. Who wouldn't enjoy a beautiful carriage ride during the Christmas season around the Historic Downtown Square?
These lights remain up through the New Year. Fayetteville is a wonderful town. This is just another example of its beauty.
Friday, December 19, 2008
PhD Application Deadline is Quickly Approaching
Final application deadline for all PhD applications is January 15. Please keep in mind that there are two American Holidays between now and then: Christmas and New Year's. United States mail will not be delivered on either Holiday so please plan accordingly. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS.
As a final reminder, an application is not complete until we have received ALL of the following:
application
application fee
resume
official transcripts
letters of recommendation
personal statement
GMAT or GRE score
International students must also submit:
TOEFL
speaking portion of either ibT (26) or IELTS (7.0)
Supplemental Educational form
Financial form
All documents can be downloaded from the website at: gsb.uark.edu.
In order to be considered for the big bucks, the DDF which totals $37,000 annually, the Department must nominate you by the February 2 deadline. This is why the January 15 deadline is so important. The Departments needs time to evaluate their applications, decide who to offer admission to, and then complete nomination forms for DDF.
Time is definitely a factor. Some Departments will accept late applications but that is only if they were not able to fill their slots from those applications that were submitted by the deadline. Also, late applications are not eligible for the DDF. International students are not eligible for DDF but they are eligible for DAF which totals $27,000 annually. This deadline is more flexible.
As a final reminder, an application is not complete until we have received ALL of the following:
application
application fee
resume
official transcripts
letters of recommendation
personal statement
GMAT or GRE score
International students must also submit:
TOEFL
speaking portion of either ibT (26) or IELTS (7.0)
Supplemental Educational form
Financial form
All documents can be downloaded from the website at: gsb.uark.edu.
In order to be considered for the big bucks, the DDF which totals $37,000 annually, the Department must nominate you by the February 2 deadline. This is why the January 15 deadline is so important. The Departments needs time to evaluate their applications, decide who to offer admission to, and then complete nomination forms for DDF.
Time is definitely a factor. Some Departments will accept late applications but that is only if they were not able to fill their slots from those applications that were submitted by the deadline. Also, late applications are not eligible for the DDF. International students are not eligible for DDF but they are eligible for DAF which totals $27,000 annually. This deadline is more flexible.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The University will be closed...
The University of Arkansas will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2. I am taking advantage of this opportunity to take a few extra days off for some much needed rest and recuperation before the spring semester gets underway. I will be out of the office starting tomorrow. I will be checking email and I will drop into the office a time or two. I am going to try to post to the blog during the break but it won't be with the same regularity that I post now. Be sure to check the blog during the Holiday season.
Important upcoming deadlines:
ALL PHD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JANUARY 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Master of Arts in Economics applications are due February 1
Master of Information Systems (full-time) applications are due February 1.
When we return in January, we will go immediately into MBA Orientation. Simultaneously, we will be working frantically on PhD applications.
Walton College students, and those from around the world, enjoy your Holiday break.
Important upcoming deadlines:
ALL PHD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JANUARY 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Master of Arts in Economics applications are due February 1
Master of Information Systems (full-time) applications are due February 1.
When we return in January, we will go immediately into MBA Orientation. Simultaneously, we will be working frantically on PhD applications.
Walton College students, and those from around the world, enjoy your Holiday break.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Walton MBA Class of 2010
Our new MBA class will begin in three weeks. If you are a member of this class, let me welcome you. As I mentioned in my previous post, we admitted a few VERY late applicants on Friday. The class now consists of 37 students. I am very excited about this group. Their average GMAT is 628, average GPA is 3.4, they average 3.5 years of work experience, and their average age is 26. Of the 37, 15 are female and 12 are International - representing India, China, and France. This group has a variety of undergraduate backgrounds from business to engineering to physics and many more. They have worked at companies such as Wal-Mart, JB Hunt, Tullius Taylor Sartain Sartain, Northwestern Mutual, KPMG, and others.
Next semester the Walton College will have about 160 MBA students. There are currently two classes of part-time students and the full-time class that will graduate in May. In the spring semester, we always have two full-time classes while in the fall, there is only one class. Spring is a very exciting time. The new class is just getting started while the other class is getting ready to graduate. This class can see the light at the end of the tunnel and there is an energy in the air.
I am looking forward to meeting our new class of Walton MBA students. Orientation is January 5-9. Immediately upon completing Orientation, I will start working on the next class, the Walton MBA class of 2011. This class will begin January 2010. Ah, no rest for the wicked.
Next semester the Walton College will have about 160 MBA students. There are currently two classes of part-time students and the full-time class that will graduate in May. In the spring semester, we always have two full-time classes while in the fall, there is only one class. Spring is a very exciting time. The new class is just getting started while the other class is getting ready to graduate. This class can see the light at the end of the tunnel and there is an energy in the air.
I am looking forward to meeting our new class of Walton MBA students. Orientation is January 5-9. Immediately upon completing Orientation, I will start working on the next class, the Walton MBA class of 2011. This class will begin January 2010. Ah, no rest for the wicked.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Finals, finals, finals
Final exams started here at the University of Arkansas yesterday, Thursday, December 11. Right now, the 4th floor of Walker Hall is teeming with MBA students. The 4th floor has 12 small group rooms and they are currently in hot demand. Just for fun I thought I would run upstairs (my office is on the 3rd floor of Walker Hall) and take some candid photos of the students hard at work. Keep in mind that these are taken on my little camera phone and our students are in study mode. They are not dressed up and they are a little sleep deprived and harried.
This is Matt hard at work. I am technologically challenged and I had to take the photo twice. He said, "really, Rebel?"
This is Spencer and he is in one of the most popular study rooms. It has a solid wall of windows. We call this one the fish bowl.
This is Dave Alderson, world-famous MBA blogger. You can read his blog by clicking on the link on the right.
Nathan and Justin are trying the "two is better than one" approach.
There are 32 students in this class and these are the lucky few I caught upstairs. Today we added a few more to the next class and I will write about that in my next post.
This is Matt hard at work. I am technologically challenged and I had to take the photo twice. He said, "really, Rebel?"
This is Spencer and he is in one of the most popular study rooms. It has a solid wall of windows. We call this one the fish bowl.
This is Dave Alderson, world-famous MBA blogger. You can read his blog by clicking on the link on the right.
Nathan and Justin are trying the "two is better than one" approach.There are 32 students in this class and these are the lucky few I caught upstairs. Today we added a few more to the next class and I will write about that in my next post.
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