Editor's Note: BusinessWeek collected graduate comments in 2000 during its ranking of full-time MBA programs. The next ranking is scheduled for fall, 2002.
My MBA experience at Carnegie Mellon totally exceeded my expectations. I was part of different projects [located] not only in the United States but abroad. I was able to see that the analytical foundations that the school fostered combined with enhanced interpersonal skill classes made me a much better manager, capable of dealing with the most difficult challenges of our continuously changing business environment. The Entrepreneurship Center helped me to better understand how to create and develop a new business from both sides: the entrepreneur's and the venture capitalist's side. I wrote and judged business plans as part of the program. I confirmed that Carnegie Mellon's education was superb when as part of CMU's team, we won the regional and later the national venture capital case competition where all the top schools participated. Finally, the school size was just perfect for getting to know everybody on a more personal level and create a close network for life. -- Consulting
The CMU program is headed in the wrong direction. The MSIA degree is antiquated and the school shows no superiority in technology, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, or interpersonal skills. The school's excessive emphasis on recruiting an internationally diverse student body has lowered the background and work experience of incoming students. There are several examples of students that can barely speak English at the end of the second year. Many classes are only lecture format with little student involvement. Finally, there is great animosity between students and administration, especially with the career center that has had difficulty in bringing in new and out-of-state companies. -- Operations
The school seems to be trying to address student concerns, but their efforts are insufficient. I believe the lack of interpersonal skills shown by our students is disheartening. While over half the class shows quite good interpersonal skills, probably 20% just don't know how to communicate effectively. The single most critical factor contributing to this problem is input control. We accept students who clearly have little or no interpersonal skills or social graces. It often seems that our admissions group gives that issue zero weight in the admissions process -- it should have a heavy weight. Also, the administration is still concentrating on quantitative skills and, for the most part, foregoing leadership, strategic, and interpersonal skills. This is hurting the program and will continue to erode its quality until properly addressed. The history of the school is very much in the quantitative sciences, but times have changed. The school needs to concentrate less on creating number crunchers and more on creating tomorrow's business leaders. -- Consulting
I had worked in the banking business for 10 years before I entered GSIA. GSIA is not necessarily famous for finance, but I found the finance classes outstanding. Classes such as corporate finance and corporate restructuring are very practical and advanced. For the investment area, I had a chance to take not only the MBA courses but also the computational-finance course. Those courses are really cutting-edge and I have strong confidence about those areas for my future career. -- Finance
Our alumni base is small, but very supportive. My class went to amazing lengths to improve our program -- including organizing a first of its kind, student-led and organized high technology conference that drew 1,000 people from 20 states called T3: Tomorrow's Technology Today. Pittsburgh is an extremely livable city, and a wonderful place to spend a few years and more. The entrepreneurial environment is burgeoning, and the low cost of living makes the lower salaries go much further. Many of my classmates are staying on and able to buy homes right out of b-school. Even couples with "live anywhere" consulting jobs have elected to stay here and be homeowners. -- Entrepreneurship
I can't praise enough our career office. Jean Eisle and Ken Keeley have done a great job here. All other staff members have the same dedication. Together with many great professors, there are plenty of talented students who contributed their energy, creative thoughts and hard work to make our school one of the best in the nation. The only problem is because of our size, we didn't get enough publicity as other top schools. Dean Dunn, in my opinion, probably should have a clear long term strategy on how to improve our image. -- Consulting
I chose GSIA over a higher ranked school and could not be happier with my decision. The administration at GSIA (although they have some problems) are extremely responsive to the demands of the students. Based on requests from students, they moved almost all of the administrative paperwork online and added four to five classes during my two years here. The faculty here is also very impressive and seems to be on the cutting edge of research. The biggest problem with this school is that it does a poor job of marketing the quality of the education and students. For example, during my two years here we placed 1st and 2nd in two finance case competitions, beating five other top ten schools, however the school did not publicize this and our finance program remains undervalued. -- Consulting
I was impressed by my peers' level of intelligence, but disappointed by the general lack of desire or ability to lead. The quality of our faculty is impressive, but the administration is simply not tuned in with the needs of the student body. The Dean is virtually invisible. The workload is indeed inhuman, but the learning curve made up for that. The decision to attend this MBA program was risky given the circumstances, but in hindsight the best decision that I have made to date. -- Entrepreneurship
GSIA is an excellent institution for students interested in a quantitative bend on their studies. The student body is excellent and friendly. Administration could be much more involved in the life of its students. This is a research first institution, and always will be. The faculty is extraordinary, but some have a hard time bringing it down to mere mortals. -- Finance
The GSIA academic experience was outstanding and the faculty were top-notch. However, the workload in the first year was too heavy to focus on outside activities. I would not have had product marketing opportunities in high-tech firms without the Carnegie Mellon brand name. Investing time and money in the program was well worth it. -- Marketing
Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and GSIA are hotbeds for entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in starting their own business, or understanding the venture capital process, would be well-advised to investigate GSIA. -- Consulting
The best two hellish years of my life! -- Marketing
First year of b-school was a humbling experience...the classes were tough, the workload was heavy, and the students were/are incredibly intelligent. Although it was overwhelming at times, I learned a tremendous amount in school and from my classmates. The second year allowed for more social events and personal time. I got to know more people better. The class size at Carnegie Mellon is perfect, and you really have a chance to get to know everyone by the end of the two years. -- Consulting
I was very reluctant to join an MBA [program] because I have an undergraduate degree in business. GSIA clearly exceeded my expectations. I was able to exempt classes I had taken before and substitute them with more advanced electives. The MBA is very practical, I was exposed to the latest use of technology and business practices. The students at GSIA are really smart. Nobody gets intimidated with number crunching, complex statistical models or the use of Solver in Excel. -- Marketing
I enjoyed learning from others from different backgrounds. CMU does a great job of admitting students with a wide variety of backgrounds. The MBA experience opened my eyes to the many different facets of doing business, especially since my background is technical. Soft skills, such as communication and people skills, are the most important, and should be stressed, because it's these skills which will help us to become leaders. -- Entrepreneurship
Although the school boasts of a 35% to 40% international student body, faculty and staff are not willing to support "international" students and do not provide enough opportunities for job searches, studies, and financial aid. Some faculty have a biased view of international students, especially of Asians. In addition, their number of 35% or 40% of international students is tricky. Most of the "international" students have either considerable periods of work, educational experience, or a Green Card [for the U.S.]. GSIA needs to address basic business principles of Internet/e-commerce business. Most accounting faculty are not prepared to teach the accounting courses effectively. In general, putting students under time- and workload-pressures does not turn a dull Jack into a smart guy. -- Anonymous
I wasn't sure about leaving work for two years and incurring a significant debt, but the experience was completely worth it. I didn't know how much there was to learn, but I am amazed at how much I did. I can't think of a better use of my time. The factor that most contributed to this was the people I met. I was surprised to learn that paper intelligence doesn't matter as much as experience. The people I learned the most from were those who had something significant to share. -- Consulting
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Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P.
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