University of Rochester William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration

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School Says - General Information
The William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York offers an integrated, cross-functional approach to management, which uses economics as both the framework and common language of business, and the skills to become an effective leader. Programs offered are full-time MBA and MS programs, Executive MBA and Part-Time MBA and MS programs.

The school is accredited by the AACSB---The International Association for Management Education since 1966. Simon: where thinkers become leaders.

School Says - Student Body
Each September approximately 160 students enter the Simon community. Another 60 students join their classmates in January. September entrants complete the first-year core courses during the fall, winter, and spring quarters; the majority of January entrants complete core courses during the winter, spring, and summer quarters. Within each cohort, students are assigned to a study team of 4 or 5 members. Each team always includes representatives from at least three countries.

In the class of 2011, 16 countries are represented. Prior full-time work experience averages 4.1 years, and the average age is 25. Women comprise 30 percent of the class. Nineteen percent of Simon students are members of American minority groups

School Says - Academics
The Simon School's MBA programs are designed to train individuals to solve management problems as team members in a study-team structure. It is a place where thinkers become leaders. The curriculum emphasizes learning the principles of economics and effective decision making through a mix of lecture, case study, and project courses. Nine core courses are required. A three-credit course over two quarters in business communications is required of all full-time students. Eleven elective courses are required.

School Says - Admissions
A Simon School Admissions Committee reads each application individually and evaluates recommendations, teamwork and communication skills, the nature and scope of prior work experience, the undergraduate academic record, GMAT scores. All undergraduate majors are represented in the program.

School Says - Campus Life
The following is a description of Simon School facilities:

Schlegel Hall is a four-story classroom and student-services building. The building contains nine case-style classrooms, which seat 35 to 100 students, and 21 rooms for group study. Classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual technology.

Carol G. Simon Hall houses the school's administration, faculty and PhD students. Carol G. Simon Hall is linked to Schlegel and Gleason Halls by the Florescue-von Manstein Plaza and is also connected to it by a tunnel. The building contains more than 75 offices, several conference rooms, and a variety of lounge spaces for faculty and staff.

James S. Gleason Hall is the 38,000-square-foot classroom building linked to Schlegel Hall. Gleason Hall houses five new classrooms, up to 16 study rooms, and a significantly expanded Career Management Center suite, including eight dedicated interview rooms.

Students Say - Academics
Founded in the 1960s under its already revered parent institution, the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration is not only a "top school in the region," with "a strong faculty and course work and a solid reputation," it has gone on to stake its claim as a leading business school in the nation. Known for its "small size, economic-based academic framework, international diversity," "analytic curriculum," and "approachable faculty," "it is considered one of the best finance schools in the world." Life at the Simon School "is very involved. Since the school is small, more responsibility is placed on students to fill leadership positions in clubs and student government. If somebody is looking to get involved both in[side] and out[side] the classroom, then Simon is definitely the place for them." Classes are "very intense." "Coupled with the clubs and job hunt, it can get overwhelming at times," says one overtaxed student. "Luckily we work in teams, so everyone is going through the same thing!" Others add, "Anyone who has been through the Simon MBA knows that what you receive in challenge and stress comes back two fold in confidence and business expertise." Small class sizes at Simon "create phenomenal professor-student interaction" and are a consistent highlight for students. "By having a class of roughly 200 students you really have the opportunity to build relationships with all of your cohorts." Professors at Simon "are top-notch." Many operate on an "open-door policy, and even the most distinguished professors are accessible." Others note, "The best teachers (tenured and otherwise) teach the core courses at Simon, which leaves us very well-prepared for our internships in the coming summer." In addition, the school boasts "three very well-reputed journals edited on campus (Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Monetary Economics, and the Journal of Accounting and Economics)." The administration here "is 100 percent behind its students" and "is willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure all of its students are satisfied." "Our Dean [specifically] has impacted almost every student at our school. He is an amazing role model for all of the students and faculty." Succinctly put, "The overall academic experience is flawless at Simon; if you are seriously interested in receiving a top-notch education, I don't think you can consider any other university."

Students Say - Admissions
As a general rule, students with the best combination of GPA, applicable test scores, and relevant team/leadership experience (either through internships, post-baccalaureate work, or extracurricular activities) will have the first opportunity to enter the programs, according to the school's website. Applicants to the school's MBA program must submit the following materials: an online application, including three required essays; an official copy of undergraduate transcripts from all institutions where course work was completed; two letters of recommendation; a current resume; an official GMAT score report; and an interview (if requested by the Admissions Committee). In addition to the above documents, international students whose primary language is not English must also provide an official score report for the TOEFL, unless they have studied for at least one full academic year in a college or university where English is the language of instruction.

Students Say - Campus Life
With over 50 percent of 2009's incoming class hailing from abroad, the student body at Simon is "very diverse, both in terms of work experience and ethnicity." "The culture mix is amazing, but also very rewarding to the b-school experience." Overall the student body reflects a mixture of younger students and returning executives which produces "a great bunch of students and professionals." With many students coming fresh out of undergraduate studies, "the mix is younger on average." The Executive MBA class "is close, and many socialize outside of class and study times. We have a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, ages, and cultures." Overall, the atmosphere at Simon is "competitive yet very cooperative, [and] adaptive to the changing business environment." Although some may appear "to have a chip on their shoulder about attending Simon," [including] many wannabe investment bankers that have very little work experience," by in large students here are "intellectually curious, and very kind and helpful." Ambition and a hard-working attitude aren't hard to come by. Simon's students "are the most fascinating, motivated people you could hope to meet." "Every student is passionate about some area of business. I often find conversations taking place in the coffee shop about how what we are learning relates to the real world." "Many Simon students forgo the opportunity to have an internship over the summer and end up starting companies/practices with one another. It is a small school and the close-knit nature of the students reflects that." Life at school is "extremely busy" with "lectures, study groups, assignments, networking, corporate presentations, alumni events, club activities, and recruitment events." In addition, "students are involved in clubs and activities and course work […] with a lot of teambased assignments, ensuring that we build communications, teamwork and leadership skills." The town of Rochester "is somewhat small, but people are friendly and there is plenty to do." The "beautiful Ivy League-looking campus" boasts an "amazing library and resources" and "separate graduate study areas both in the business school and the library."

Students Say - Careers
Students say Simon's career center "has a great NYC recruiting program." Others feel "the school could do more to attract top employers." "Given that we are a small school, not many large firms are willing to devote a lot of resources to recruit on our campus." Alumni, however, "are very responsive." In fact, students feel that perhaps this provides an avenue which the school might tap into more heavily in the future; "I would like to see more alumni come to campus to share their experiences and help the school place talented students in great positions." Despite areas of needed improvement, students are quick to note that "it's a tough market right now"; "The career management office is still a work in progressâ€"they need to diversify the job openings and provide international students more skills in networking and job search." In 2009, 81.3 percent of full-time MBA graduates seeking employment received a job offer with a mean base salary of $74,752 for those who accepted positions within three months after graduation. The University of Rochester, Aurora Capital, Deloitte & Touche, Xerox Corporation, and Booz Allen Hamilton were the top five employers. Most students matriculated into the financial services, consulting, and consumer industries.

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