Fairfield University The Charles F. Dolan School of Business

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School Says - General Information
Fairfield University was founded in 1942 by the Jesuits, a Roman Catholic order renowned for its 450-year-old tradition of excellence in education and service to others. This Jesuit tradition inspires a commitment to educating the whole person for a life of leadership in a constantly changing world. Fairfield University welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs who value its mission of scholarship, truth, and justice, and it values the diversity their membership brings to the university community.

Faculty members are in the classroom at all times and are unusually accessible to students as mentors and advisors. The relationship between faculty and students leads to creative collaborations on independent study and hands-on research.

School Says - Student Body
Student Body: 44% Women, 56% Men

Reference Guide for Graduate Student: http://www.fairfield.edu/documents/academic/AdultInfoBro04.pdf Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 | (203) 254-4000

School Says - Academics
Grades and academic average computation are identical to those of the MBA and MS programs. Certificates are awarded to candidates who complete their programs with at least a 3.00 overall grade point average.

Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 | (203) 254-4000

School Says - Admissions
Myrsini Papoutsis
www.fairfield.edu/mba

Students Say - Academics
The Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University excels in finance, a strength that dovetails nicely with the school's proximity to America's financial center, New York City. Students report that "the placement of the school in relation to key industries/businesses is a particular strength" and that "the ties with well-placed alumni are invaluable." Location also allows Dolan to draw its faculty from a powerful pool. One MBA notes, "Most all professors are either published authors or business owners (e.g., fund managers and investment advisors). This is very beneficial as they teach us in the real-world scenarios." "Jesuit traditions and philosophies" aren't just slogans here; students pick Fairfield "for its strong commitment to Jesuit ideals." Jesuit values include an emphasis on teaching, and here students "work with professors outside of class regarding personal business situations, and all are more than willing to speak and help where they can." Professors are "flexible and accommodating;" two valuable traits in serving a working professional part-time student body. One student observes that they "want to create a comfort level for their students, knowing that will make them most successful in school. Fairfield's teachers also are thick-skinned when students challenge them in class discussions. They encourage such open-minded dialogue; the instructors are not like some of the other high-and-mighty professors who insist their way of thinking is the only way." Part-timers here enjoy "flexible night schedules and course terms," as the school offers a variety of seven- and fourteen-week terms as well as mini-term options. "This program is tailored for working students," MBAs here agree. Resources are solid; "The school is as technologically advanced as could be expected, and is more so than some of other colleges in the area and neighboring states." Students' wish list includes "more online hybrid classes. For those of us with a long commute to school after work, online hybrids are helpful because I still get classroom interaction, but without the commute every week."

Students Say - Admissions
Applications may be submitted to Dolan via mail or the internet. Applications are processed on a rolling basis, and students may commence the program in any term. The Admissions Committee considers applicants' post-secondary academic records, GMAT scores, two letters of recommendation, and resume or other self-evaluation of work experience. In general, applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 and a score of at least 500 on the GMAT. International students from non-English speaking countries must submit TOEFL scores (a minimum score of 550 paper and pencil, 75 to 80 computer-based, is required). Applicants to the MS program in Accounting and Taxation must meet all the above criteria and must also provide a Statement of Certification from their accounting department faculty and a letter of recommendation from either a former employer or a faculty member outside the discipline of accounting. This program is only open to students who hold, or are in the process of earning, an undergraduate degree in accounting. All entering students in all programs must demonstrate proficiency in microeconomics, macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics. Successful completion of undergraduate work in these areas is the most common way of demonstrating proficiency.

Students Say - Campus Life
"There is little to no interaction outside of class," Fairfield MBAs report, explaining that "Since most students are working professionals, most are preoccupied outside of the MBA program." However, "This doesn't detract from the educational experience." Students note that "there have been many attempts to create extracurricular activities, but with little response from the graduate student population…. In practice, most parttime, fully-employed students are too busy to take part in such activities." Still, some believe that "if there were more networking opportunities for students," they "would feel better situated when searching for jobs." "The only activities for graduate students occur one night, during class time, at the beginning of each semester," one student says. On the other hand, another points out, "there have been many attempts by faculty and staff to listen to students and respond to their needs, but in practice, most part-time, fully-employed students are too busy to take part in such activities." The Fairfield campus is "dynamic in that it's like an oasis." "It has a rural, small-school feel in a major metropolitan area. Major NYC-area and Fairfield County companies such as IBM, GE, and Pepsi, as well as many media, publishing, and financial companies are all within a 60- to 90-minute drive of the campus, allowing for students to land opportunities at a major company without having to move far."

Students Say - Careers
The Dolan MBA program is a small, predominantly part-time program in which most students already have careers. In fact, a number of students actually attend at their employers' expense. This situation creates a relatively small demand for career services within the program, so students seeking such services must use the Career Planning Center that serves the entire university. The Dolan Graduate Business Association, run by students, is probably the most aggressive advocate for career services within the program. Professors and alumni are also regarded as valuable resources for those seeking internships or careers. Most students wish that the school would "bring a greater diversity of businesses to career fairs." "Right now every business is in the financial arena, I would like to see them expand beyond those borders," one student says. Employers most likely to hire Dolan MBAs include General Electric, People's Bank, American Skandia, United Technologies, Pitney Bowes, The Common Fund, Bayer Corporation, UBS Warburg, Gartner, Unilever, and Pfizer.

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