Concordia University John Molson School of Business

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Students Say - Academics
The John Molson School of Business MBA program "is steeped in pragmatism," students tell us. "This isn't a theoretical program. You come out of JMSB able to apply the stuff you learned in the workplace" because "whenever possible, we learn by doing." As one student explains, "I felt at John Molson I would be able to learn more everyday tools that I can apply in the real world." In addition, "strong ties with the business community and great alumni" add further value to a JMSB MBA. Finance and accounting are among the strongest areas here, students tell us, and John Molson professors are "leaders in their respective fields." The program is flexible and meets the needs of part-time students by providing classes on Saturdays and Sundays. To enrich the learning experience, students can take a one-credit course in New York City to learn first-hand the realities and complexities of doing business in a major international city. The John Molson MBA's core courses include "Business Ethics" and "Strategy and Social Responsibility in Action"; electives include courses on sustainability, global climate change and corporate governance. Overall the administration is "quite friendly and helpful for day-to-day questions." One of the high points of the school's academic year is the John Molson MBA Case Competition, held on campus and billed as "the oldest global case competition in the world." JMSB students are extremely passionate about this event. The Concordia Small Business Consulting Bureau offers students another opportunity to flex their business muscles while helping local businesses fine-tune their business plans and reach new consumers. The school offers a co-op option to all full-time students; the school's big-city setting strengthens this option considerably.

Students Say - Admissions
Concordia admissions officers seek students with "real-world work experience, strong academic backgrounds, clear career objectives, and a commitment to excellence." Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements: undergraduate GPA of 3.0; two years of full-time work experience; a GMAT score of 600; and, for international students who have not previously completed an undergraduate degree in English or French, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computerized), or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. Career/leadership potential, level of maturity, communication skills, and how closely the student's goals match those of the program are also weighed. Complete applications include a personal essay, a resume, official undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and test scores. Applications are processed on a rolling basis, a method that favors those applying early.

Students Say - Campus Life
"There are many student-run clubs and thus activities abound" for Concordia MBAs, "making it extremely easy to participate beyond the regular classroom…and bond outside of school." Organizations provide "various initiatives going on throughout the year," including "a social event every Thursday, and some sort of dinner or big social networking event about twice per semester." Students engage in "some charity events as well: hockey, poker tournaments, and fundraising for Breast Cancer and Make-a-Wish Foundation." One student opines that Concordia provides "a great environment not only in which to learn but also to network." The vibe at Concordia is "very informal and open." "Students come and go from the lounge to their classes and openly share their insights or talents to assist others," a student explains. "It's a very team-oriented atmosphere, and not as cutthroat as I thought it would be." The new building for the John Molson School of Business opened in fall 2009 and the student social spaces are more generous. Many were "especially excited about it being a green building...whose heat and power will be generated by solar panels." Molson students are "a diverse lot," "with a good number of international students as well as a varied range of work experience backgrounds." About half "work full time and study part time while still taking an impressive course load." "The full-time students are extremely involved in student life, even more so than the part-time students, running events and case competitions and doing extremely well at it," one student says. "The networking opportunities are amazing and you finish your business school with a large extended network of friends that have bonded with you through many shared experiences beyond the classroom." As another student puts it, "The social experience at the JMSB is phenomenal. I have made friends for life."

Students Say - Careers
The Career Management Services Center rolled out many initiatives to make graduate students have a much better chance of connecting with employers and take charge of their job search. A Business Development Manager was recently hired to cultivate relationships with new prospective employers. The office has also "worked hard to foster cooperation between career placement and the co-op program," exploiting previously underutilized synergies. The center provides the standard complement of career counseling, guest lectures, mock interviews, job postings, and seminars in networking, resume writing, and salary negotiation. Employers who most frequently hire Molson MBAs include Royal Bank, Bombardier, Deloitte Consulting, CIBC, Hasbro, Deutsche Bank, ICAO, Lafarge North America, IMS Health, and CN. Approximately one-third of Concordia MBAs take jobs in consulting; about one-quarter wind up in marketing and sales.

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