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.
I am very pleased with the MBA experience that Emory offered. I came into the program wanting to improve my business knowledge and skills while increasing my value as a leader. I feel I succeeded my goals as I left a wonderful job to enter into my perfect position. I started working part-time for my employer in January and due to my education and experience have already received a promotion and pay increase without even having started full time! --Marketing
My expectations of business school were greatly exceeded while at Goizueta. Firmly believing that there is always room for improvement, I thought the faculty and students were constantly thinking of ideas to improve the MBA learning process and environment. Anything that I thought needed work with the curriculum and/or faculty was corrected or is now in process of correction. I tip my hat to Emory and Goizueta. I pride myself on having the ambition to accomplish any goals I set for myself, but I wholeheartedly thank my school and classmates for consistently pushing my intellect to new heights and presenting opportunities that I would otherwise not have had. --Investment Banking
I felt that the time spent earning an MBA propelled my understanding of business and the market significantly. I feel it has put me ahead by several years. The experience was well worth the time and effort. Also, I am a founding partner of NextStart Capital, compensated off of the bottom line and with a significant ownership stake in the company, so salary info and stock option figures are probably skewed low. --Venture Capital/Private Equity
I enjoyed my MBA experience at Emory. No program is perfect, and if you are interested in non-traditional post-MBA occupations (like I was), it will be hard to find a perfect program anywhere. I feel that Goizueta could have offered more and better counseling services for academics and career management. However, I did learn a great deal! Goizueta is clearly a top school and is working VERY hard to make sure it moves even higher. Atlanta is a fantastic place to live and the small size of the school adds to the experience because of the tight community. --Anonymous
I cannot say enough good things about my experience at Goizueta. I came because I sensed an opportunity to make a difference right away and because the enthusiasm of the students and sense of momentum here was palpable. I have not been let down. I had a liberal arts background and had never even taken basic economics before I came to b-school. Now I can regress with the best of them. --Marketing
I think it is important to point out that my experience as an MBA student is rather unique because I spent my first year as a PT evening program student while working fulltime at the Coca-Cola Company - before I 'jumped ship' and accelerated my studies by joining the fulltime class of 2000 during their second year at Goizueta. In many ways, I missed the value of the initial class bonding time, the summer internship experience, and the opportunity to take a leadership position within the class. Still, for a young, small MBA program, I think the Goizueta School of Business has come a long way and will continue to grow and adjust to the needs of its student body. Goizueta is in a unique position in the [south east] area, because it is one of the best schools anchored in the area that is able to meet the booming southern economy's business needs. Many of its students come to Atlanta just to attend Goizueta, but fall in love with the region and often decide to stay in the area after graduation - I think this often hurts the schools recruiting reach in other areas of the country. --Information Technology
I could not sleep more than 4 hours every day during the semester to catch up with the course. However I believe that Emory's MBA program is worth making such efforts. As an international student, it is comfortable to be in the diversified community in our business school. So many group projects in our school helped me develop leadership and management skills also. --Finance
Goizueta has a great atmosphere; very team oriented. For example, second-years would give up interview slots to classmates if they knew classmates were set on working for that particular company. Also, GBS offers plenty of leadership opportunities where you can make an immediate difference. Small class size means that everyone knows each other well. Even better, there is a great deal of respect and collaboration between students and faculty GBS. There is a sense of urgency at GBS to create a top ten business school in Atlanta and the sense around here is that this day is not far off. --Marketing
I feel great about my experience. I was able to stay in the great city of Atlanta, and have landed a job with one of the hottest investment banking firms in the country. GBS has allowed me to graduate and be placed side-by-side with students from top schools such as Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, etc. While they may have a more prestigious name on their resume, in the end we have landed at the same spot. --Investment Banking
Goizueta Business School does an excellent job of providing the classic analytical 'nuts and bolts' of an MBA degree. However, the school really stands out in its ability to provide a cooperative, innovative environment where good-natured, intelligent people thrive. GBS offers the opportunity for almost every student to take initiative and be involved in significant extracurricular projects. --Anonymous
Attending the Goizueta Business School has been the most important two years of my life. Nearing graduation, I know that I made an excellent decision. The Goizueta community has such a strong culture of cooperation and compassion. People really care about you at Goizueta. My classmates are bright and caring people with whom I will be friends for the rest of my life! My classes have been challenging and the work has been very hard. My Goizueta education has prepared me for the business side of my future as a college or university president. --Nonprofit
The community is what sets GBS apart. Instead of the back stabbing cut throat stereotype, GBS is a school where the students genuinely support each other, both in the classroom and during the job search. The smaller class size ensures that the professors get to know most of the student. Student leadership and initiatives keep the school fresh and invigorating. --Consulting
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