CLASS OF 2000 GRADUATE COMMENTS
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.
The MBA experience at Weatherhead not only gave me "hard" skills such as business frameworks and analytical skills, but also [helped me realize] the importance of soft skills such as group management and interpersonal skills, which is critical in the success of business activities. -- Finance
Weatherhead is a small, compact school with access to professors and one of the most diverse student bodies in the country. Students are very motivated for success and gain access to prestigious jobs through incredible individual effort and motivation. It thinks local but acts global. -- Entrepreneurship
Another benefit of the Weatherhead School is its small size of the student body. I was involved in the full-time program and the entire body was 150 students, including 40% international students. Due to this small size, the relationship between the faculty and the students was close and helpful to accomplish cooperative jobs. -- Anonymous
Given that I had the luxury of choice, I am extremely glad I chose Weatherhead over other MBA programs. The small class size definitely is a big plus. In addition, the faculty and student body are outstanding, and the program as a whole is definitely worthy of being highly ranked. Cleveland is a very affordable and livable city. For great value and a great learning experience, I highly recommend this school. Finally, when the new Peter B. Lewis building, which was designed by arguably the world's greatest living architect, Frank Gehry, is inaugurated in early 2002, the Weatherhead School of Management will gain the level of world recognition that it definitely deserves. -- Consulting
I believe that the academic portion of Weatherhead's MBA program is outstanding. The largest area for improvement resides in the administration departments (i.e. registration, financial aid, career placement). -- Finance
For me the MBA experience started with the in-class education, but was supported and greatly enhanced by out-of-class activities. Whether it was business plan writing, consulting projects, volunteer activities, or other non-academic pursuits, the whole MBA experience far surpassed my expectations. The Weatherhead School was an outstanding place to get the education that I will need in my future career, but it went beyond that in preparing me for leadership and management throughout my life. I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat. -- Human Resources
I was extremely pleased with the Weatherhead MBA experience. I came from an operations background, and wanted to learn financial decision making and transition into that field, which I did. I had some truly powerful professors, with whom I have made lifelong connections. My peers in the program were both intelligent and well-rounded. The administration has created several channels students can use to affect change which I have seen work. The only difficulty we have is our regional reputation, which is going to be difficult to overcome if we want to brand ourselves nationally. -- Finance
I am very proud of being a student of Weatherhead. The school is 40% international, so all domestic students had to work with them. For many [domestic students], it was the first time for them working with international students, and these experiences enabled them to acquire different points of view. Moreover, international students did not have to hesitate saying their opinion, because we were not a minority. -- Consulting
I can confidently say that obtaining a Weatherhead MBA has truly been a life changing experience. The combination of a strong faculty, an innovative curriculum, a diverse student body, connection with the business community, and an unswerving commitment to producing MBA graduates who would have a strong positive impact in the global community, convince me that going to Weatherhead was a priceless career-advancement move. -- Consulting
I really enjoyed my MBA experience at Case Western Reserve University. I am confident that I can accomplish anything now that I have gone through the MBA program. The program is especially challenging during the first year. All the students are working hard to do their best, but don't attempt to hurt other individuals to get ahead. It was not uncommon for one group to share notes, spreadsheets, or ideas with another group, even though they are in the same class competing for the higher grade. Academically, the school excels. The faculty are well-respected in their chosen fields, and carry that knowledge over to the classroom experience. -- Finance
The self-development aspects of The Weatherhead Schoolís MBA program combined with the excellent coursework develop strong leaders. The students really get a good understanding of themselves and their abilities and are encouraged to develop the skills that will be necessary for them to succeed in their careers. Although, the school focuses on the "soft skills" that make people better managers and leaders, the coursework (especially in finance and operations) is analytical, and enables the students to develop the quantitative skills that will help them to do well in these fields. -- Operations
Weatherhead is an outstanding school that I would recommend to anyone. The professors are top notch and the program is small enough that one can easily be on a first-name basis with the professors. The mentor program is unique and can result in life-long relationships with top management [at a company], as mine did. -- Anonymous
The only weakness of the Weatherhead Program is that the alumni network is not very active. Yes, there is a strong allegiance that alumni have for their school; however, there is not a very strong structure in place to utilize this network. Aside from this, the school exceeded my expectations on a regular basis, and I am much better off now than I was two years ago. -- Marketing
Managing diversity in a global environment is stressed a lot wherever applicable. However, when employers come to look for interns, most of them specifically exclude non-U.S. residents from attending their interviews, including multinational companies that derive 50% or more of their revenues outside the U.S. You begin to wonder why the practice and theory do not concur. U.S. first, then the rest can follow later, is a very common practice. So where is the level playing field? -- Finance
The Weatherhead School of Management provided an OUTSTANDING overall MBA experience. This school might not have the name recognition that some of the "top" b-schools enjoy, but I don't think I would have gotten more out of my MBA education at any other institution. When factors such as the diversity of the student population, cost of living, and level of student interaction are added to the formal MBA educational experience, I would put my MBA from Weatherhead up against any other b-school in the country. I am one of many extremely satisfied alumni. I plan on remaining very active and involved with the school in the future. -- Consulting
Prior to the MBA, I had the opportunity to run my own business for a couple years. The Weatherhead faculty and curriculum brought my understanding to another level. The skills in financial management, information technologies, and particularly team/diversity management that I have learned in the school-wide integrated core have made it possible for me to pursue the career goals that I came to business school to achieve. I could not have been more satisfied by any other MBA program. -- Anonymous
Weatherhead was a tremendous learning experience for me. The teachers care deeply about the development of their students. The students are remarkably supportive of each other. The EAT (Executive Action Team) experience that dominates your first year at Weatherhead provides a rich, frustrating, enlightening, maddening learning opportunity. I learned more about management from my EAT interaction than I did in any core or elective course. Weatherhead was the only school I visited that was honest -- telling prospective [students] that their aspirations might be better served elsewhere. As for living in Cleveland, I lived in Pasadena, (Calif.) prior to attending Weatherhead, and I'd never move back. Cleveland is a great place to be. -- Anonymous
It helped me develop my leadership skills and gain understanding of a free market economy (since I am from Russia, there was no such an opportunity for me there). -- Finance
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