University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa Manderson Graduate School Of Business

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The MBA program at Tuscaloosa is full-time only, with concentrations offered in five areas. Students speak highly of the finance and enterprise consulting programs; several (who apparently don't require sleep) praised the joint JD/MBA program. Professors here are "fantastic. Most write leading textbooks in their subject areas. Better still, they are highly accessible and willing to work as hard as students, and they passionately desire to help students grow as leaders." The program itself is "very rigorous, with high levels of interaction with students and a strong team atmosphere." Some students told us that the workload "sometimes seems impossible."

Administrators here "respond to changes in the marketplace, totally dropping something or taking on something new full force because they know that it will be needed for success in the marketplace." The school also does a great job of keeping "the greatest alumni in the country" in the loop, an endeavor students especially appreciate when it comes time to find a job.

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the Manderson MBA program must submit three copies of the completed application form; two copies of a personal statement detailing their past accomplishments and future ambitions; a copy of their current resume; an official GMAT or GRE score report (score must be less than 5 years old); three letters of recommendation; and two official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended. International applicants must also supply an immigration and visa information form; certification of finances; and, for those applicants whose first language is not English, an official TOEFL score report (score must be less than 2 years old). The Admissions Committee requires an admissions interview, except in rare cases. The school reports that it formulates each incoming class "to represent a diversity of academic, work, cultural, and international experiences that reflects today's workplace. An applicant's background that has the potential to make a unique or missing contribution to an incoming MBA class's make-up can be the deciding admissions factors that supercedes other factors." Incoming students are expected to know how to use Microsoft Office software.

Students Say - Campus Life
"Life as an MBA student is busy" at Tuscaloosa, as students "have 15 credit hours per semester, and the work is challenging." Students tell us that "although classes usually only last for half the day, the rest of the afternoon and much of the evening in spent going over material. Most of the material is so detailed and comprehensive that it takes tremendous effort at times to meet professors' expectations." In addition, "Team projects are a key part of our grade," and they, too, demand time. The heavy workload helps build a tight campus community; students "go out together, study together, and end up being involved in most aspects of each others' lives." Even when the school day is done, they continue to hang out; "On the evenings and weekends, the MBAA Association, Net Impact, and NAWMBA offer events and socials. Well-known speakers are brought in on almost a weekly basis."

UA Tuscaloosa students fully embrace the school's football program, "which is very much an essential part of the experience at the university and is a huge part of the traditions. This is a school that is heavily involved in its athletics." Students also tell us that "the school has a beautiful campus that offers countless opportunities to get involved" and that "Tuscaloosa is a great college town, incredibly fun," with "restaurants and bar/grill locations as well as retail and a grocery store on ‘the Strip,' which is within walking distance of the b-school complex." The larger city of Birmingham is close enough to provide occasional nights out as well as internship opportunities and professional contacts.

Manderson MBAs tend to be "young, unmarried, and straight out of college," meaning that "many have never worked full-time out of school. This results in a relatively immature class with little appreciation for the opportunity cost of being here." Fortunately, students are "highly intelligent and motivated," so they're capable of managing the challenging work required of them. They're also "competitive yet willing to lend a helping hand at a moment's notice. It's a friendly atmosphere."

Students Say - Careers
Students tell us that "currently, the Manderson program is very regional as far as career placement. However, the administration recognizes this weakness and is working to fix that issue in a variety of creative ways. Given their dedication and gung-ho attitudes, expect the program to see quick results." The school has the proper building blocks; MBAs report that "career administrators are awesome, sending constant correspondence regarding our progress and upcoming events." Top employers of Manderson MBAs include Accenture, the AEA Group, Southern Company, Capgemini, Lithonia Lighting, Mercedes-Benz, Proctor & Gamble, International Paper, FedEx, Johnson & Johnson, AmSouth, Regions Bank, and KPMG.

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