Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business

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School Says - General Information
The SMU Cox School of Business is committed to transforming the world of business - one person at a time. Toward that end, we bring students, professors, and business practitioners together in an engaging, close-knit environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas, rigorous scholarship, and practical application. The result is a robust educational experience that enables you to achieve your professional goals.

School Says - Student Body
At SMU Cox, you will find a small, private school environment thatÂ's team-oriented with open communication across faculty, staff, and students. The quality of your peers is equally matched with those of other top MBA programs in the United States. We welcome candidates from a broad cross section of educational, professional, personal and geographic backgrounds to ensure the classroom and extracurricular experiences enhance the program framework through dialogue and collaboration.

School Says - Academics
The full-time MBA program at the Cox School of Business provides students with the opportunity to specialize in up to two areas of concentration after completion of courses in business fundamentals. Concentration and specialization opportunities include: Accounting, Finance (with specializations in Alternative Assets, Corporate Finance, Energy Finance and Investments), Financial Consulting, Information Technology & Operations Management, Marketing (with specializations in Marketing Consulting and Product & Brand Management), Strategy & Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Leadership.

Students can also choose to study abroad at one of our 19 partner schools during the second year of the program.

School Says - Admissions
Admission to the full-time MBA program is highly selective. The Admissions Committee seeks a diverse group of candidates demonstrating the following attributes:
- Significant professional and life experiences.
- Strong academic capabilities, leadership potential, and interpersonal and communication skills.
- Personal qualities such as maturity, integrity, self-confidence, and motivation.
- A strong commitment to learning and achievement.

To be considered for admission, you need to complete the online application (including submission of a professional resume and 2-3 essays) and submit undergraduate transcripts, a GMAT score report and 2 letters of recommendation from those who can speak to your professional skills and abilities. International candidates must also submit a TOEFL score report.

The full-time MBA program offers four application deadlines and encourages candidates to apply when they feel their package will best reflect their achievements and goals. Candidates who wish to be considered for scholarship consideration must complete their application packages by the Round 3 deadline. International candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by the Round 2 deadline.

For information on the admissions process for any of our other programs, please visit the programÂ's website.

School Says - Campus Life
At Cox, you have ample opportunity to enhance what you learn in the classroom through pioneering programs, innovative enrichment activities, and specialized institutes and centers of expertise all supported by state-of-the-art resources and facilities.

Students Say - Academics
A contemporary and challenging business program situated in a lively, commerce-oriented city, Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business is touted by students as the "best program offered in Dallas/Fort Worth area" in its balance of "course offerings, rankings, network ability and recognition, and faculty quality." All MBA students are initially enrolled in the general business concentration, taking a series of courses that provide a thorough introduction to business theory, including "very deep and modernized topics in the area of finance and accounting." Once they have finished the core curriculum, students may tailor their education through one or two academic concentrations, including management, marketing, finance, information technology, and strategy and entrepreneurship. Students appreciate the fact that SMU is highly focused on the latest trends and on a practical approach to business education, saying "Teachers bring relevant material to the class and challenge students every day." Responding to the increasingly global economy, Cox offers a "forward-thinking, cuttingedge program with a strong focus on the international marketplace." In 2000, Cox inaugurated the Global Leadership Program, a partnership with more than 90 leading businesses and government organizations throughout Asia, India, and Europe. All full-time MBA students participate in the Global Leadership Program, and take a seminar in their first semester, which provides a comprehensive study of the culture, politics, and business in Asia, India, Latin America, or Europe. At the end of the second semester, students travel to the region for a two-week, hands-on immersion into global commerce and culture. For those who wish to further enhance their international acumen, the school operates a number of international exchange programs with universities in China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, among others. In addition to the traditional, two-year, full-time MBA, the school offers two part-time programs: the professional MBA for students who wish to work full-time while pursuing the MBA and the executive MBA for students who already have advanced business experience. Students in the part-time programs appreciate the camaraderie they feel among their classmates as well as the support of the faculty. One student assures, "They realize that we are all working professionals, and [they] are always there to lend a hand." Whether full-time or part-time, many say the greatest benefit of the program is "the way the b-school administration cares about the individual students." A current student shares, "Before I was even accepted, the admissions staff and administration made me feel as if I was a part of the school."

Students Say - Admissions
Successful applicants to SMU have leadership experience, a strong academic record, and competitive scores on the GMAT. Last year, the average GMAT score for accepted applicants was 642. Personal qualities are also heavily weighed, and Cox admits students with a history of professional and personal growth, demonstrated achievements, proven academic abilities, and leadership potential. Although an academic background in business is not a requirement for admission, SMU recommends students enter the program with a working knowledge of calculus, accounting, statistics, and microeconomics. Qualified applicants are offered the opportunity to interview with the Admissions staff.
Admissions criteria differ slightly for students seeking admission to Cox's part-time programs. In addition to the aforementioned, applicants to the PMBA program must have at least 2 years of professional work experience and a strong basic knowledge of accounting, statistics, and microeconomics. Applicants to the executive MBA program are expected to have a minimum of 8 years of experience in mid- to upper-level management and to currently hold a senior-level title.

Students Say - Campus Life
On the Cox campus, you'll find "a great group of people, most in their 20s, some in their 30s, with different backgrounds and interests, but all outgoing." Conversation and camaraderie are not limited to the classroom, and "The school makes a strong effort to have students interact outside the classroom. They host events all the time to mingle with fellow students, professors, alumni, and even guests that people bring." For those who wish to augment the academic experience through a club or recreational activity, "there are plenty of chances for anyone who wishes to get involved with extracurricular activities to do so." However, many part-time students say the demands of work and study are overwhelming. A second-year student laments, "Being in the professional MBA program I wish I had more time to take advantage of all the school offers." Located in Dallas, Texas, the campus is within striking distance of every form of entertainment imaginable, including restaurants, museums, shopping, and seven major sports teams. On the flip side, the school's pleasant campus offers relief from the bustling city. A current student enthusiastically sums it up: "The campus is beautifulâ€"shady, tree-lined streets with really attractive people in one of the most pro-business cities with an awesome nightlife. Seriously, who could ask for anything more!?"

Students Say - Careers
For those hoping to work in Texas or the Southwest region, Southern Methodist University is an excellent choice; the school maintains a "great reputation and alumni network in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Texas, and the Southwestern U.S. cities." In fact, 76.7 percent of graduates took jobs in the Southwest last year, many in hometown Dallas. Since Dallas itself is a "very corporate city," many stay put after graduation. However, some feel the school is too Dallas-centric and "would improve the value to its graduates by increasing the number of companies recruiting for positions in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio." Cox graduates have a high job-placement rate, and the majority of students take finance/accounting or marketing/sales positions, comprising 45.5 percent and 11.3 percent of last year's graduates, respectively. The average salary of a Cox graduate is $83,381.

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