University of Vermont School of Business Administration

Statistics

Programs & Curriculum

Employment

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Rankings & Lists

Students Say - Academics
Small, friendly, and as "green" as the rolling hills of Vermont, UVM's business school offers a practical, stimulating, and balanced approach to business education. Bringing "a wealth of information and experience" to the classroom, UVM "professors are current and professionals in their area of study." With only 67 students in the MBA program, the teaching staff is "extremely accessible, and classes are a great small size." In fact, it's easy to receive one-on-one mentorship and guidance, as UVM's teaching staff is "accessible, supportive, willing to give constructive criticism and advice, both for school, work, and career questions." The pleasant vibe is echoed throughout the school community, where "advisors and staff are also very helpful and friendly." The MBA curriculum at UVM begins with six core courses in organization and management, marketing, accounting, production and operations management, corporate finance, and the legal environment of business. After that, students take 10 advancedlevel courses, tailoring their coursework to their individual interests. A feature of Vermont's MBA is "the ability to attain a general management concentration while being able to take classes in other colleges (Environment, Public Administration, Community Development) to meet electives." However, while the program's small size is certainly a benefit in the classroom, it limits the range of courses the business school is able to offer. "There is a definite finance/accounting slant" within the course selection, and students suggest that the university add more operations, entrepreneurship, and international business courses. Students would also like to see "more focus on technology, especially business applications, enterprise software, and use of collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint) within the student body." UVM offers a traditional MBA, which can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, as well as an accelerated program. Working students really appreciate the fact that "most classes are at night to accommodate part-time commuters." Full-time students also benefit from the school's evening schedule, which allows them time to pursue internships. Fortunately, the surrounding town of "Burlington provides a lot of interesting and unique opportunities both inside and outside of business." With this progressive small city as a backdrop, UVM is highly "involved in green business," and "students are aware of sustainable business practices due to the university's emphasis on environmental studies." On the whole, students at UVM are "ambitious, analytical, [and] intellectual," and they "bring a lot to the table in terms of experience, insight, and determination." Encouraging participation and drawing on the experience of the student body, "classes are dynamic and discussion is facilitated well by the professors."

Students Say - Admissions
At the University of Vermont, there is no minimum GMAT score or undergraduate GPA required for admission; however, test scores and undergraduate record are considered in an admissions decision. Students are also evaluated on the quality of their undergraduate institution, perceived rigor of undergraduate coursework, quality and quantity of business experience, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and post-graduate work. The average GMAT for accepted students is 583 and the average GPA is 3.2.

Students Say - Campus Life
The laid-back Vermont lifestyle and "dynamic" university environment make UVM a highly appealing place to study. Maybe it's the calming effect of the Vermont's natural beauty, but the school attracts students who are "motivated to excel but lead a balanced lifestyle." A current student adds, "UVM feels like a second home. Class schedules are very comfortable, and there are a lot of options for spending time both on and off campus." However, "most students balance full-time jobs and part-time school responsibilities, and are very busy." As a result, "the social network is not very strong." Despite the lack of a more formal graduate school culture, social relationships often form in the classroom because "the group/team activities build the strong bonds that exist between students. That organically grows into events outside of school and off campus." On top of that, "an MBA association has been restarted, and students go out once a month for drinks and to chat." A student offers, "MBA students at UVM are some of the friendliest people I've ever met. Everyone is more than willing to offer their opinions on classes and professors as well as potential career opportunities and contacts." When looking for a little recreation or down time, the beautiful town of "Burlington is a dream," offering plenty of outdoor activities as well as a lively, collegiate atmosphere.

Students Say - Careers
The School of Business Career Services offers resume-building assistance, cover letter preparation, interview coaching, and a recruiting database, as well as an extensive library of books about job hunting, which all come in handy during the career fairs and a Spring Career Week. The UVM MBA is set up for working students, with all classes starting after 5 P.M. Therefore, most students in the MBA program are already employed and, consequently, students complain that "there are virtually no career services in place for graduate students." Some students also feel that the administration should encourage "much more interaction between the MBA program and area businesses." However, as the only AACSB-accredited program in the region, UVM has a corner on the local market.

Other Schools To Consider Top Programs