Boston College The Carroll School of Management

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Students Say - Academics
Boston College's Carroll School of Management prides itself on fostering a sense of community among students, and matriculants agree that networking and collaboration are among the MBA program's greatest strengths. At this medium-sized school, group work is encouraged and "100-person cohorts mean the whole class has a strong network by [the] end of the two-year term." Thanks to the "small, intimate class sizes," students really get to know each other, and everyone has a chance to "bring valuable experience into the classroom." With its "outstanding reputation" in the Northeast, BC can easily attract "big name professors," with "some even flying in from NYC each week for class." Here, "The teachers are engaged senior faculty who are passionate about their field and who are continually researching and actively contributing to that field." Despite their lofty credentials, Carroll School of Management "professors really seem to care about the students' well-being" and "are willing to take the time to get to know the students." Administrators are likewise student-oriented: "You are definitely not just a number at this school; they really take care of their students." Offering a "well-balanced" MBA, the Carroll School of Management "clearly put[s] a lot of intelligent effort into coordinating classes, projects, and external company involvement," resulting in a program that helps students "develop skills and experience directly applicable to real world challenges we will face." While theory is stressed, adjunct and full-time faculty also "bring in their experience from their workplace" and students praise the "courses organized by the Center of Investment Management and Research at Boston College, which [are] taught by experts with significant industry experience." Academically, "the focus at BC is on finance," and coursework that is "analytically rigorous and challenging." The environment is ideal for students seeking careers in asset management and investment; however, students with other interests would like the school to "provide more non-finance electives," and to encourage more creative and entrepreneurial thinking. To complement the classroom experience, co-curricular opportunities and internships are abundant. In the second semester of their first year, MBA students complete a local consulting project with a corporation, nonprofit organization, or government office. Students also get a taste of the real world through overseas programs, participation in clubs and extracurricular activities, and the required business plan project. A student enthuses, "Between the TechTrek West course and the summer international programs (IME and ICP), Carroll graduate students are provided with unique opportunities to engage with and learn from business leaders throughout the world." Back on campus, the Manager's Studio brings top executives to speak to Carroll students; many say they're "amazed with the caliber of speakers" invited to address the business school.

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the MBA program at Boston College must submit the following materials to the school: a completed application; a current resume and a separate employment history; two personal essays (students may submit a third optional essay); two letters of recommendation, an official transcript from each degree-granting undergraduate and graduate program attended; and an official GMAT score report. International applicants who attended a non-English language institution must have their transcripts translated and interpreted by a professional service. International students whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL score report unless they received their undergraduate degrees from an institution at which the language of instruction is English. BC strongly encourages applicants to apply online.

Students Say - Campus Life
Students at the Carroll School of Management are "friendly, welcoming, and respectful," and bring a "good mix of social, political and professional backgrounds" to campus. Most "take class seriously" and are "driven for success," yet they are "not at all the hypercompetitive student that is the typical MBA stereotype." On the contrary, BC's MBA students are a social bunch, who "appreciate work-life balance" and "love to interact outside of class." In the full-time program, "everyone spends time together socially" and many students like to "go out every Thursday night for drinks (the entire program is invited)." Even part-time students say, "You feel connected to the school with communications and opportunities made quite clear." Students love BC's "idyllic campus, located in [an] affluent suburb right near Boston." In fact, many students say they chose the Carroll School of Management for its excellent location, telling us that, "Boston is a great city to live in, and we try to take advantage of it as much as possible." On the weekends, students might "explore Boston, visit a museum, or try to find an adventure outdoors."

Students Say - Careers
A thoroughly Bostonian institution, "BC has a very powerful alumni network," which is a "huge strength during the hiring process." On campus, there are plenty of resources for job seekers, including "a separate full-time career placement team for the MBA program itself," staffed by professionals who are "just as dedicated and skilled as the rest of the faculty and administration." Working with local employers, the Career Center continually draws upon "the school's relationship with the Boston business community," especially its "close ties with the asset management industry" and "strong reputation in finance." Despite their deep roots in the local region, some students opine that "The counselors are ill-equipped to help students who are looking outside the Boston area." Last year's graduating class had an average total compensation (salary plus signing bonuses) of over $98,000. Financial services was the most popular field, drawing more than 30 percent of graduates, followed by consumer products (16 percent), and consulting (13 percent). Over the past few years, hiring companies include AT&T Corp, Boston Blazers, CIGNA Corporation, Comcast Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Ernst & Young LLP, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Fidelity Investments, GE Healthcare, PepsiCo, Inc, Putnam LLC, and Unilever.

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