Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management

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Students Say - Academics
The MBA candidates who attend the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University are drawn to its "innovative and well-designed courses," its "emphasis on sustainability and design," and its "extensive scholarship program." The school's MBA program "integrates Case's Design, Sustainability, and Organizational Behavior cases, all of which are top-ranked in the world" and offers a "wonderful learning environment that encompasses real-world application in projects with real companies and real issues to solve." One student enthuses that "The academic experience has been outstanding, professors are accessible and know you by name, and the small class size is conducive to excellent and thought-provoking class discussions." In the fall of 2009, the school implemented a new "integrated" curriculum with decidedly mixed results. Some students opine that "The integrated curriculum really makes the classes fit together and make sense." They also appreciate that "the program was just redesigned to account for the recent changes in business following the current financial crisis" and that the "administration is working diligently to design a program that meets the needs of today's employers." On the opposite side of the fence are the students who argue that "while the concept is great the execution has been rocky" and that there was "a lack of coordination with planning the curriculum." They complain that the administration has been "very rigid, and at times [is] not willing to listen to the students" and that "academic changes tend to be very top-down and heavy-handed without seeming consideration for the student [point of view]." While students may differ in their opinions of the administration and curriculum, the one thing they all seem to agree on is that "The professors are some of the greatest assets the school has to offer." "Not only are they world-renowned, but they make a point to get to know the students by name and make themselves available to us." "The professors are demanding but excellent purveyors of knowledge" and "some professors even go so far as to schedule special review sessions before exams." Students also tout the school's Dean as an asset especially after having undergone several years of turnover in that position. "The current Dean has been at Weatherhead for several years now and he offers incredible leadership for the school. He is very dynamic and inspiring."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to Weatherhead MBA programs must submit the following materials to the Admissions Office: a completed application form; official copies of transcripts for every undergraduate or graduate program attended; an official GMAT score report; two letters of recommendation; a current resume; and essay responses to three questions provided as part of the application package. International students whose transcripts are not in English must have their transcripts translated and interpreted by a professional service. Students whose first language is not English must also submit an official score report for the TOEFL. All international applicants must submit a statement of financial responsibility. The school requires an interview for admission. Weatherhead prefers candidates to submit their applications online. Hard-copy applications may take longer to process, the school warns.

Students Say - Campus Life
The Weatherhead School offers its students "plenty of opportunities to socialize on campus with Dean-sponsored luncheons and happy hours." On campus there is also "a common lounge where students can socialize or do team work and this area is highly utilized. The student clubs are very active and have made significant strides in club events this year." Many students also praise their school's "strong sense of community" and express that "learning cohort teams are quite high-functioning because there is a lot of support given to them by the faculty." The small class size also lends itself to "many opportunities to take on leadership roles through clubs, team and group work, case competitions, and other activities." Weatherhead seems to attract "three types of students: international students who bring a unique flavor to the school; professional students who came here after working for a number of years; and students who came here after undergraduate or a few years out of school." The large number of international students "presents great opportunities to learn about how people from different cultures approach problems and communication."

Students Say - Careers
When it comes to recruiting and job placement, Weatherhead students deal with the stark reality that "unfortunately Cleveland is not a business capital of the world and it is difficult to bring in global/national firms here." They acknowledge that "part of the problem with a regional school is that it has difficulty attracting employers outside the region." Students reveal, "The career and placement center has brought in many companies, but has not always been clear on what they're looking for." One student suggests that there is also a need to leverage "the efforts of the professors to get good jobs to the students" while another recommends "more focus on jobs from student clubs, [and] more recruiters on campus." On a brighter note, the school does offer "a class integrated into the program to [ensure] that all students are getting a good foundation in interviewing skills." In addition, "there are several companies that have shown interest and there is a strong alumni base…. Fortune 500 companies hiring at WSOM include Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Invacare, McKinsey, Kraft, Cleveland Clinic, Cliffs Natural Resources, RJ Reynolds, [and] Wells Fargo." According to one student, "there is a lot of private equity and banking in Cleveland, and many students have had internships in New York in finance."

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