University of Florida Hough Graduate School of Business

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Students Say - Academics
No matter what your educational background, professional experience, or career goals, you're likely to find a fit at the University of Florida. This large university caters to a diverse student body, offering a slew of MBA and master's programs for business mavens at every stage of their professional development. Among the school's three full-time MBAs, there are two one-year programs and a traditional two-year program. The school also offers a professional MBA for working students and an executive MBA for advanced professionals. In both "convenient" part-time programs, students come to campus one weekend each month, and "Assignments are turned in electronically during the intervening month between classes." In addition to its campus-based programs, University of Florida offers one of the top-ranked distance MBAs in the country. Across programs, the curriculum is well-balanced, designed to "teach students about fundamentals, as well as real-world applications of course materials." Emphasizing creative thinking, "The experience does not only provide students with skills; it expands their minds enormously and teaches the critical thinking and insightful and thoughtful analysis required of business leaders." Lessons are further augmented by the MBA executive speaker series, alumni mentoring programs, and ample group work outside the classroom. Within the full-time program, "Teamwork is a must, and we change up the teams so you work with different people which has been great to really meet new people." Professors come in every flavor, from those who are "very current on events and management issues" to those who are "very quantitative and have you learn financial formulas." What they share is excellence. At this top-ranked business school, "The professors are not only accomplished, but are very good at relaying the required material in interesting and meaningful ways." At the same time, the curriculum is very challenging. Here, "academic expectations are intense" and, even for high-achieving students, "A's are definitely hard-earned." A satisfied student declares, "I have never felt so uncomfortable and out of league in my life. And, isn't that the point? An MBA should be difficult and enriching." Despite the scope of the graduate programs, the school runs smoothly and students are amply supported. To the delight of many, administrative staffers "assist with all enrollment issues, tuition, and course arrangements for working professional students." A current student explains, "When we arrive in Gainesville for the first day of a new semester, our books and meal vouchers are waiting for us." While excellence and ease are the program's greatest strengths, the icing on the cake is the school's great value: "Scholarships combined with small class sizes and the resources of one of the nation's great research universities have combined to make the UF MBA the best value in the nation."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to Florida MBA programs must submit the following materials to the Admissions Office: official copies of transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate programs attended; an official score report for the GMAT (scores may be no more than 5 years old); a resume showing meaningful post-undergraduate professional experience (at least 2 years for the full-time MBA, at least 8 years for the executive MBA; two letters of recommendation from those in a position to evaluate professional performance; and essays. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. International applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official score report for the TOEFL (minimum score: 600 on the written version; 250 on the computer version). The school conducts a Graduate Minority Campus Visitation program, a 'Women in Business' Recruiting Day, and a Diversity Recruitment Day in its efforts to attract underrepresented demographics.

Students Say - Campus Life
Gator pride is alive and well at the University of Florida. On this lively campus, the student experience is "very reminiscent of undergraduate studies many years ago, despite everyone being older, more professional, and focused on academics now." "Social life is vibrant," there are numerous clubs and activities, and Gator sports are a huge draw. In the part-time programs (which meet on campus once a month), most students don't live within driving distance. However, almost everyone "stays overnight near campus on the weekends we attend class," and, during that time, "Everyone tends to eat together, attend basketball games together, party together, study together, etc." In and around the business school, "Facilities are convenient, with food and coffee shops everywhere." Of particular note, "The library system is ample and well-integrated, and the newer libraries are great places to study or meet for group meetings." In addition, there are "excellent gym facilities" and plenty of "opportunities for activities such as intramural sports, museum/library lectures, and the arts." Amedium-sized city, Gainesville is a "cozy college town" boasting a ‘"low cost-of-living" and plenty of recreational activities. And, don't forget, it's Florida, so the "weather is fantastic."

Students Say - Careers
The Graduate Business Career Services (GBCS) works exclusively with MBA candidates, helping them prepare for a career through individualized counseling, mock interviews, an active on-campus recruiting program, and corporate site visits. Career counselors also send out a bi-weekly email update with job listings, and maintain a database of alumni who are willing to serve as job contacts and advise current students. For part-time students who receive tuition assistance from their employers, Career Services are provided by an outside career consulting company; however, to avoid ethical conflicts, their participation in recruiting programs is limited (part-timers who pay their own tuition may participate in recruiting.) All MBA candidates may also use the school's university-wide Career Resource Center. University of Florida has a "very strong alumni network," which is an enormous asset to professional students, as well as those looking to start a new career. UF alumni are represented at a wide range of companies, including AIG, Allstate, AOL, Bank of America, Ashland Chemical, Bell South, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Citicorp, Delta Airlines, Deloitte & Touche, Ericsson, EDS, Ernst & Young, FedEx, General Electric, Morgan Stanley, Nissan, Motorola, Proctor & Gamble, Siemens, Time Warner, Wachovia, Walt Disney World, Wells Fargo, and many more.

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