Enrollment: 194
Average GMAT: 509.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 460-550
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.09
Regular Application Deadline: 06/01
Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Public
Average Age: 27.00
Student Faculty Ratio: 25:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: No
Total Faculty: 74

Out-of-State Tuition: $15,336.00
In-State Tuition: $3,840.00
Financial Aid Deadline: 04/20
Students Receiving Some Aid: 75%
Average Annual Total Financial Aid: $10,357.05

Students Say - Academics
A "hidden gem" in the peach state, Georgia Southern University's small, AACSB-accredited business school offers "affordability and amicability" to a largely local population. At Georgia Southern, students can pursue an MBA degree in general management, or customize the program through a specialization in one of three areas: health services, information systems, and international business. Georgia Southern offers their part-time, evening MBA programs at their Statesboro and Savannah campuses, as well as a part-time, distance learning MBA at the Coastal Community College campus in Brunswick, GA. The school also operates an AASCB-accredited, Web MBA program, which can be completed over the course of five semesters, and MAcc degrees, with an optional concentration in forensic accounting. The "reasonable tuition" is a feature of any graduate program so, no matter what or how you choose to study, "considering the high quality of instruction, the overall cost of attending is a steal."
In the classroom, practical applications of business principles are duly emphasized, and "professors often use current events to explain business concepts." A current student writes, "The professors are detail-oriented and the instruction that they provide can be taken away from academia and applied to the real world." With a total enrollment of fewer than 200 students in the graduate business program, Georgia Southern's "greatest strengths are smaller class sizes and the availability of faculty to students outside of class." In this friendly atmosphere, "professors gave us their cell phone numbers and home numbers to help with accessibility. They were always willing to help with questions, even at home in their personal time." In addition to the faculty, "the administration is approachable" and "very sensitive and supporting of its student body." Georgia Southern allows senior business majors in the undergraduate school to begin their work towards an MBA before they have received their undergraduate degree. Because MBA courses are taught in the evenings, these students can take undergraduate courses during the day and attend graduate-level courses at night. As a result, there is a smattering of fifth-year seniors in the MBA program; however, most students "are employed full time with several years [of] work experience." Catering to working students, "we have a diverse population and our instructors understand that most of us work or have other situations." On the whole, the academic atmosphere is stimulating and collegial, with students who are "very competitive, sharp, and goal-oriented individuals looking to advance their careers by pursuing graduate education."

Students Say - Admissions
Students are admitted to Georgia Southern University based on an admissions index, calculated by combining their undergraduate GPA and standardized test scores. A minimum GMAT score of 430 is required for admission. Students who have not taken the GMAT may be provisionally admitted if their undergraduate GPA was 3.25 or higher; these students will be expected to submit acceptable GMAT scores before they finish their third course at the business school.

Students Say - Campus Life
Georgia Southern University is a vivacious and "beautiful" campus environment, which offers a full range of student clubs, activities, and resources. However, a large majority of business students take classes at satellite campuses, or only arrive at GSU in the evenings. Others don't come to campus at all, as they are enrolled in the school's online MBA program. Therefore, a large percentage of MBA students don't have much opportunity to participate in campus activities. A current student explains, "Unfortunately, because all graduate classes are only offered at night, graduate students don't have much opportunity to join and be active in student organizations that hold their meetings during the times we are in class (6:30-9:15)."
Students who join the MBA program directly after undergrad are more likely to take advantage of the campus environment. A fifth-year senior explains, "I live on campus in a suite-style residence hall that is only 5-10 minutes (walking) from the business building, which makes my life extremely convenient." For younger students (and those who wish to participate), "the school sponsors many activities and events. We have great athletic events such as football, baseball, and basketball."

Students Say - Careers
The Georgia Southern University Career Services Department hosts a number of university-wide events and services, and also maintains a satellite office in the business school. The department's comprehensive student services include career assessment, mock interviews, and recruiting events and career fairs, and the department will assist business students with internship and co-op placements, as well as professional placements. However, for younger students who are getting their feet wet in the business world, many feel that "more resources should be established to link business students with job opportunities," including "stronger encouragement of internships and mentoring opportunities (maybe even build it into the curriculum)."
The Career Services Department hosts several career fairs and campus recruiting events, which are open to the entire undergraduate college and graduate students. Employers who recently visited campus include AT&T, Babies R Us/Toys R US, Bank of Eastman, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, GEICO, IBM, John Deere, Mary Kay, McKesson, MetroPower, Pet Smart, Sherwin Williams, Target Stores, Verizon Wireless, and Wells Fargo Financial.

Georgia State University
University of Georgia

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