Hofstra University Frank G. Zarb School of Business

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School Says - General Information
A university large enough to have extensive resources yet small enough to give students individual attention Ââ€" this is Hofstra University. With an outstanding faculty, advanced technological resources, and state-of-the-art facilities, Hofstra has a growing national reputation. Yet our average graduate class size is just 13. Hofstra offers a dynamic, vibrant campus life on a 240-acre campus that is a registered national arboretum. A suburban university just 25 miles from New York City and all the cultural and business opportunities it has to offer. Find your edge at Hofstra University.

School Says - Student Body
Students enrolled in the graduate programs at the Zarb School form a dynamic, achievement-oriented community. These students represent 10 states and 23 countries. About 25% are members of minority groups, 24% are international students and 37% are women. Many students in these graduate programs have previous work experience.

School Says - Academics
The Frank G. Zarb School of BusinessÂ' accounting and general business programs are accredited by AACSB International. The school offers a challenging 41-48 credit M.B.A. program that includes a 15-credit concentration in a major discipline. Our unique curriculum focuses on analysis, decision making and management, through which students gain the knowledge they need to succeed in business. The Hofstra M.B.A. program provides students with broad exposure to the functional areas of business, opportunities to gain hands-on experience in a specific field and specialized instruction in the leadership aspects of business.

School Says - Admissions
Admission is selective. Candidates are required to complete the graduate application and all supporting forms and to submit two letters of recommendation, a résumé, a statement of professional objectives, official transcripts from every college or university attended, and scores obtained on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). International students are also required to submit scores obtained on the TOEFL. For the most recently admitted class, the middle 80 percent range of GMAT scores was from 450 to 630; the average undergraduate grade point average was 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. All credentials submitted in support of the application for admission are carefully considered in making the admission decision. Hofstra subscribes to a rolling admissions policy, with suggested filing deadlines of May 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Candidates are generally advised of admission decisions no later than four weeks after the application is completed.

School Says - Campus Life
The Hofstra campus houses 112 buildings, including 37 residence halls and a fully computerized library containing 1.2 million volumes. C.V. Starr Hall, home to the Zarb School of Business, features a state-of-the-art academic trading room complete with Bloomberg terminals and Internet access at every student seat. Additionally, through HofstraÂ's online library, students have access 24/7 to about 30 business databases.

Students Say - Academics
With programs for both full-time students and working professionals, Hofstra University's "up-and-coming" business programs are contemporary, well-rounded, rigorous, and "highly recognized in NYC." Recently, the school introduced a new full-time day MBA to complement its long-running evening program. In the full-time program, "Students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects and topics" through the cohort-based core curriculum; thereafter, they can tailor their education through a concentration in accounting, finance, health services management, information technology, management, sports and entertainment management, or marketing, among other business areas. Described as "entrepreneurial and innovative," Hofstra excels at "meshing technology with learning," and the business school is equipped with "Blackboard, email, library databases, great technologies in the classroom, access to appropriate and relevant computer programs for download[ing] onto personal computers, and a Wi-Fi network." Though located on Long Island, Hofstra definitely picks up the New York City vibe, with a state-of-the-art trading room with Bloomberg terminals on campus, a "reputable finance program," and "many opportunities to go on corporate visits" in the city. A strong global influence in the program (both in the curriculum and throughout the student body) seems to echo New York City's international atmosphere, and "The diverse student body and professional staff makes for a great experience and better preparation for a global economy." Despite the program's myriad strengths, some students would like Hofstra to "add environmental sustainability, as well as green topic classes, to stay ahead of the curve," while others suggest that, "The school should further incorporate writing into the program." A private school, Hofstra University takes teaching seriously, and this commitment extends to the graduate programs. Discussion is encouraged in the classroom, and professors "work hard to engage students in well-organized, clear lectures that provide the tools to apply class material to not just assignments and exams, but also the real world." Executives, consultants, and industry leaders, Hofstra professors are "knowledgeable and have real-world experience." On a personal level, professors "all seem to genuinely care about our wants, needs, and aspirations" and "they [are] always easily accessible and flexible in scheduling meeting times." While some students observe that Hofstra's administration suffered some growing pains as it worked to get the full-time MBA off the ground, all agree that administrators "are very nice individuals that support the growth and transition of students to the MBA program."

Students Say - Admissions
Hofstra "has a good reputation, and its entrance requirement is not as high as some other top-tier schools in the city," says one student happily, although another student sees this more as a cause for gripes: "The school could be more selective in who it accepts and, thus, raise some of the academic standards." Indeed, Zarb's 78 percent acceptance rate paints a rosy picture for determined applicants who may not have stellar academic credentials or extensive work experience. The average entering student reports a 3.14 GPA, 521 GMAT, and 5 years of work experience.

Students Say - Campus Life
Offering an excellent atmosphere for studying and socializing, Hofstra's facilities are "modern and technologically-advanced," and include a "trading room and study room" within the business school building. There is always something going on outside the classroom, and "On any given day there could be a guest speaker, conference, social event, or just a student gathering. Students typically find themselves having to choose which event or activity they wish to attend." Additionally, a variety of student organizations provide "interesting networking opportunities and clubs that are relevant to business majors." Unfortunately, part-time students often "feel that many of the beneficial workshops and seminars that are offered are not available to [them]," as they are offered during business hours. At the same time, another evening student acknowledges, "I work full time and go to school at night and find the class setup at Hofstra extremely accommodating." At Hofstra, the character of the evening and full-time programs is somewhat divided. In the evening program, most students "work full time in the Tri-state area and attend class at night," and represent "the diverse nature of the New York metropolitan area." For the daytime MBA, Hofstra attracts students "from all over the world, which makes group work very interesting and worthwhile." In the full-time program, "students often get together outside of class to hang out and socialize." "The off-campus pubs and bars are a great place for having a drink and socializing with students while taking a break from school work." In fact, even "the libraries are fun and social."

Students Say - Careers
Hofstra MBA candidates work closely with counselors at the Graduate Business Career Services office. On the whole, the Career Center gets good reviews, and "The faculty in the Career Center is very helpful and offers a great variety of information for job searches and preparation for job searches." Student advocates with deep ties in New York City, "These advisors not only provide use with workshops on how to revise a resume or how to search for internships and jobs, but they also push students to get involved in activities outside of the classroom." However, those who aren't NYC-centric would like Hofstra to "reach out to other companies outside New York state." Recent graduates of Hofstra's MBA programs reported a starting salary between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, with a mean base salary of $68,000. Almost 60 percent of graduates who were seeking employment had already received a job offer by graduation, and almost 90 percent within three months. Most students (over 95 percent) stay in the Northeast region. Recent employers include AT&T, Citigroup, Con Edison, Deutsche Bank, Ernst & Young, Nokia, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and Thomson Financial.

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