Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business

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Students Say - Academics
Many factors combine to convince MBAs at Penn State's Smeal College of Business that their program offers "one of the best returns on investment in the world." The "reasonable tuition and amazing financial assistance from the program" certainly play a large part, not to mention the school's small-town location, which provides "a cheap place to live and study, so costs are minimal." There's also "the world-class education provided by professors who are extremely respected in their industry," and, last but not least, "the benefit of the Penn State network with the largest active alumni base in the country." One student describes the alumni as "rabidly loyal to the school and very willing to help current students. . . . They also come back for football tailgates, so students have a great opportunity to connect with many alumni in person." The Smeal MBA is "a very small program" (between 75 and 110 students in each incoming class) that "facilitates a more personalized education" through "great access to professors and professional development opportunities." Students love the "many opportunities to build close relationships with a world-class faculty." One student explains, "MBAs are on a first-name basis with all faculty and staff. Everyone really goes out of their way to make sure you are on the right path in virtually everything." Administrators "join the students daily for coffee and are tremendously responsive to our needs. They also join us for social events and attend outside events." Students are especially pleased that the Dean "is committed to transforming this program into a national powerhouse." Smeal excels in supply chain management; students tell us that finance is another strength of the program, as is business-to-business marketing (a product of Smeal's Institute for the Study of Business Markets, which "brings the thought leaders from around the world together to face the challenges in today's B2B markets"). They warn that "the first year at Smeal is packed. Students coming into the program should expect to be in class 16 hours a week and working outside the classroom around 20 hours." Things don't let up that much during the second year, but students don't mind; they tell us that the program "prepares students for the challenges they will face once they re-enter the workforce in a management capacity. Students develop both technical and leadership skills and are well-positioned to lead business in the future. In addition, the collaborative culture of the program translates well into successful behaviors in the business world."

Students Say - Admissions
The Smeal admission's website notes that Admissions Officers work hard to optimize class composition for each entering class. Diverse backgrounds in terms of both professional and life experience are sought so that a wide range of perspectives inform group work and class discussion. Applicants to the program must submit the following materials: a completed online application form; official copies of all transcripts for all postsecondary academic work; an official GMAT score report; two letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess your past professional performance; personal essays; a resume; and an interview. In addition to all of the above, international applicants must also submit an official score report for the TOEFL; and evidence of sufficient funds to cover at least 1 year's expenses while in the program (approximately $40,000 to $45,000). The school admits some students directly from undergraduate programs, but most students enter with at least 4 years of professional experience.

Students Say - Campus Life
State College, Pennsylvania, may not have Manhattan's glitz and glamour, but it is "a beautiful town and a fantastic place to spend two challenging years of your life." The town provides "great nightlife and a downtown bar scene," while the school provides the football beloved by so many here. Major events such as THON and Arts Fest pepper the academic calendar, and students report that "outside of the classroom, opportunities abound for crosscultural learning (student organizations host numerous events), philanthropic involvement (Habitat for Humanity, etc.), and social events (we went skydiving at the beginning of the semester!)." In 2005, the business school moved into a "state-of-the-art $68 million building that takes advantage of cutting-edge technology available today. The building helps strengthen a sense of community that is already very evident at Penn State." On the downside, students tell us that "activities can be limited due to the small size of the school. There are always demands for more clubs, but not always enough students available. Several students and spouses started a partners club, Lion Partners, this year, which helps new students with domestic partners."

Students Say - Careers
Career Services is a mixed bag at Penn State. Students grumble that "due to the small size of our MBA program, the school struggles to bring in a large number of recruiters in various disciplines." However, they also point out that "career services have been upgraded recently." The school facilitates recruitment and job searches nationally and on-campus. Students note, "contacts at every major company in the world." Overall, most agree the placement picture here is pretty good.
Companies most likely to employ Smeal MBAs include: Air Products & Chemicals, Apple, Bank of America, Black & Decker, Bristol-Myers Squibb CIGNA, Citigroup, Dell, DuPont, ExxonMobil, General Electric, Hershey, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell International, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Kennametal, Mars, M&T Bank Pfizer, Praxair, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sears Holdings and Time Inc.

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