Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Public

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes

Best Business Schools

Students Say - Academics
Cal Poly Pomona offers a number of intriguing MBA options to its predominantly part-time student body. Like nearly all business schools, Cal Poly Pomona offers a general MBA, but unlike many schools, Cal Poly Pomona offers required courses for the degree both on campus and "off campus at a variety of locations throughout Southern California," through its Professional MBA (PMBA) program. For students with precisely defined goals, Cal Poly Pomona offers the Career MBA, through which students may specialize in one of 11 predefined areas or design a custom emphasis of their own. Finally, Cal Poly Pomona offers the only MSBA in Information Systems Auditing in the United States.

Cal Poly Pomona stresses a "learn-by-doing teaching/learning style" that students appreciate. The approach "forces students to work in groups and deal with teamwork while polishing presentation skills. This is very valuable." Students also appreciate the fact that Cal Poly "has decent technology and wireless access. I like the fact the school can keep up with technology." Cal Poly Pomona's MBA program "offers a high-quality, well-structured education with challenging courses, and students definitely learn a lot." The faculty "brings real business experiences and problems to the table. They are still active in the business worldâ€"not a bunch of stuffy academics with outdated information and notes." As one student sums up, "The overall experience here has been exceptional, especially considering the fact that it is a state school! The administration bends over backward for the students to fix any problems students or faculty may have. Professors are all top-quality and have a definite interest in seeing the students learn."

PMBA students at remote sites are particularly impressed with the level of service they receive. One PMBA student writes, "I live in a remote area, and the school provides instructors to teach not online but in person. The experience is perfect and quite rewarding." Faculty members "are very helpful and accessible despite the fact that classes are off campus."

Students Say - Admissions
Cal Poly Pomona operates on a quarterly academic schedule; the school accepts MBA applications for each quarter. All of the following components of the application are carefully considered: complete postsecondary academic record as reflected in official transcripts; GMAT scores (must be no more than five years old); two letters of recommendation from current or former employers; and a resume. Applicants who attended an undergraduate institution at which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide official TOEFL scores. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission: an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; a minimum GMAT score of 450; and, if required, TOEFL scores of at least 580 on the paper-and-pencil test or 237 on the computer-based test. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Students Say - Campus Life
Cal Poly Pomona "is a commuter campus" for MBAs, who largely agree that "campus life is for undergrads who don't work. There is little time for working adults to enjoy campus life, but there is no shortage of clubs and organizations to join for those who want to." When students here get together outside of class, it is to complete required group projects, not to pound some brews or organize a lecture series. Cal Poly Pomona's MBAs appreciate the fact that "the campus is also continually improving its facilities and growing to become more modern and state-of-the-art every year."

Those who take classes at one of the school's satellite sites report that "classrooms are rented by the university at our site; thus, there are few student activities or resources here. There is no need for us to travel to the main campus, so we don't. The online services are excellent and that makes dealing with the university easy. And even though I am not at the main campus, I do have access to all main campus services and resources if I ever decide to travel there."

The MBA student body is "extremely diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, undergrad majors, and experience levels. Most are commuters who work full-time, come to class, and can't wait to get home after class is over. Most have very busy lives and do not network too strongly within this campus. It's a good group, but career- and family-minded, not socially minded." A substantial number are "enginerds" who "are broadening their intellect by going to b-school."

Students Say - Careers
Career services for MBAs here are provided by the Cal Poly Pomona Career Center (CPPCC), a central office serving all undergraduate and graduate students at the university. The CPPCC provides all standard counseling and placement services. Many students do not even use the service; they already have jobs that they hope to advance in by earning a graduate degree. Those who do visit the office wish that it would "focus on providing more internships, part-time jobs, and full-time job opportunities."

California State University - Fullerton
University of California, Los Angeles

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