Iona College Hagan School of Business

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Students Say - Academics
"Iona has a good reputation in the Tri-state area," students tell us when explaining why they chose the MBA program at Iona's Hagan School of Business. Convenience is another major factor: "The proximity to Stamford, New York City, and its location in Westchester County…makes it ideal for job searches," one student writes. Familiarity with the program is a third contributing factor; many of the students in our survey attended Iona as undergraduates and "had a great experience." For them, the only question is why they wouldn't continue at Iona for their graduate degrees. Hagan's relatively small MBA programs offer a surprising number of options to students, most of whom attend part time while working at full-time jobs. A fast-track MBA hustles students through the program in as little as 13 months. There's also a conventional MBA and a Saturday MBA. Classes are offered in a traditional classroom setting, online, or in a hybrid format that mixes on-campus and online study. Concentrations in financial management, information systems, general management, human resources management, marketing, general accounting, public accounting, and healthcare management are all available. Students speak especially highly of the HR program; many note approvingly of the entire MBA program's international focus, and several appreciate the "Christian influence" at this Christian Brothers-affiliated school. Most of all, students love Hagan's faculty, which they describe as "outstanding." The faculty includes "some seasoned professionals with previous illustrious business careers" and teachers who "have owned companies or currently own companies, [and] who have provided a wealth of knowledge for future perspective entrepreneurs." Professors "are always available to help the students," "genuinely care about educating their students, and go the extra mile to help. They are accommodating, fair, and highly knowledgeable in their fields." The "excellent" administration "will reach out to you" as well. Campus resources, including the library and "up-to-date" technology, also earn accolades.

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the Hagan MBA program must submit the following materials: a completed Hagan School of Business application form, along with a $50 application fee; copies of official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended; two letters of recommendation; and an official score report for the GMAT reflecting a score no more than 5 years old (the GMAT requirement may be waived for applicants with at least 7 years of post-undergraduate professional experience). International applicants must submit all of the materials listed above, as well as an official score report for the TOEFL, WES, and cash support affidavit. Transcripts in languages other than English must be translated and interpreted by an approved service. Applications are processed on a rolling basis and are valid for 1 full year from the day they are received by the school. Applicants may request an interview, which the school recommends but does not require.

Students Say - Campus Life
Iona's campus "is beautifully maintained and manicured," making it a welcome respite from the hectic and cluttered New York metropolitan area beyond its walls. Undergraduates will tell you it's an "active campus" with plenty of "events, entertainment, guest speakers, and sporting events." These events "are well-planned and publicized both on campus and via the web and emails," one MBA explains. The result of all this extracurricular activity is a solid community that engenders plenty of school pride, and even the MBAs feel it, even though they are mostly too busy to participate. As one explains, "Life at school is all about the classroom. Students do not hang out around school. They show up to class, then go home."

Students Say - Careers
The Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development handles counseling and placement services for all Iona students and alumni. Online job searches are facilitated by GAELlink, Iona's proprietary job database. The school also holds a career and internship fair in the spring and welcomes on campus recruiters. Students tell us it's not enough, wishing that the school did more in the way of "helping us network and bringing more recognized companies onto campus." The situation is complicated by the fact that many students attend at the expense of their current employers, who presumably do not want the school to assist students in finding better opportunities elsewhere. Professors, who "aid in networking," are considered a more dependable source of career assistance. Students tell us that the school is also beginning to reach out to its considerable alumni network on behalf of MBAs, "which should help the graduating students entering the labor market."

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