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 students enrolled in the MBA program at The George Washington University are very international. Given [that] we are in a global economy, this only enhances a student's understanding of international business. In addition to business theory and applications, students are exposed to working with students from many different cultures. This will only serve to help them succeed in the future. --Consulting
I had an outstanding experience overall and my MBA from G.W.U. definately helped secure my job. In other words, [from] no [other] MBA, would I have been offered a high-ranking government job in an area that I was passionate about. My degree qualified me by enhancing my previous experience beyond competiton. I am loyal to the school, faculty, and staff for their outstanding direction and support. --Operations
The George Washington MBA experience is unique and has a global focus, that is exactly what I was looking for in a MBA program. --Anonymous
GWU's MBA was fantastic, and I feel as though I made a very sound investment in time and money. Fortunately, I had a very good idea of where I wanted the MBA to take me and how to get there. Fortunately, because career services at GWU is a joke. There was virtually zero on-campus recruiting, and what little there was involved dead-end entry-level clerical jobs. The graduate career center has absolutely no relationships whatsoever with local businesses. If you come to GWU's MBA looking for an absolutely top-notch education, you're in the right place. If you come hoping to get a sweet hook-up, forget about it. --Consulting
The two greatest problems with the GW MBA program were the rigidity of the program (no electives the first year) and the apathy of the professors. I developed far fewer personal relationships with professors than I did at my undergraduate school. Professors never came across as mentors, only [as] formal instructors. It was very discouraging. --Anonymous
I came to graduate school to earn an MBA with the purpose of redirecting my career path away from my architecture background toward sports and entertainment management. I chose GWU because I was familiar with the school's unique programs in event management and sports marketing, and thought I could build a strong foundation on which to pursue a new career after graduation. I was not wrong. After two years of being enrolled as a full-time student at GW, I feel like I have grown by leaps and bounds, personally, professionally, academically -- literally in every aspect that I think will help me move on quickly and with confidence to the next level of my career. Because my career interest (sports and entertainment management/marketing) is not particularly common among my MBA peers, I have not participated in the general business job recruiting or counseling offered by the school. But I have been thrilled by the connections that my adviser and professors in the sports department have been able to help me establish in order to secure my current internship with a top firm in the industry. I have not yet begun my formal search for a full-time, post-graduation job, but I am confident that when I do, my adviser will offer me her rolodex of names and companies that match my interests (because she's done it before). I applied to other schools that are currently among the top 20 MBA programs in the country, but I can not imagine finding a school that I could have enjoyed more than GWU, or that could have taught me more. --Anonymous
Generally speaking, SBPM of GW is an excellent school with many good professors and MBA program. BUT, there is one very bad professor. The problem is that the MBA office does not take any action. We simply ask to review the class survey from the students. Another problem is the school's policy. They accept foreign students as much as possible (there are 38 MBAs in 1998 from Mainland China!), but could not provide relative assistance to them including the proper career guidance. --Information Technology
I really enjoyed my GW experience. One of the school's greatest attributes is its location. We are one block from the [International Monetary Fund] and two from the World Bank. Washington is a great city to learn and live in! I have a very different opinion of my experience between my first and second years. This is mostly because of the setup of the full-time cirriculum during your first year. --Consulting
GWU is an excellent program that has prepared me well for the future. I strongly reccomentd it to anyone interested in a high-quality, intense, and vastly intereesting program. --Operations
I was highly disappointed with my experience at George Washington University. The quality of many professors was low and, worse yet, those with good credentials often did not want to be bothered even during office hours. Class sizes were too large to foster discussions, and professors often preferred to simply lecture for two straight hours with no interaction. I filled out standardized course evaluation forms, as did my peers, but we felt that our feedback was ignored. The school pays lip service to the 'New Economy', requiring only one course. Some of the classrooms have computers but they aren't integrated into the course of instruction. Often, students know more than professors about changes and trends in the IT field.
To be fair, one of the strengths of GW is the fact that they offer a Joint MA/MBA program. Although there are definitely some administrative issues that need to be worked out (i.e. students caught in the middle between two schools), the program does provide a broad perspective on international business/relations. --Anonymous
My experience at GWU's School of Business & Public Management has far exceeded my expectations. I have learned from truly outstanding professors. Also, GWU incorporates a significant amount of 'practical' learning into its courses. As a small business/entrepreneurship major, I engaged in consulting projects with at least 14 companies in the greater Washington, D.C. area, which gave was a phenomenal experience. Many of the companies offered me a full-time position after graduation. --Consulting
GWU has an excellent faculty and a very good program. I feel very good about the quality of my education. Where it has fallen short (and is trying to improve) is in peripheral activities and services -- the career center, some information technology, and facilities. --Information Technology
Although some of the administrative portions of my experience (dealing with financial aid office, etc.) were frustrating, the educational experience I received was excellent. Several business colleagues in the D.C. area suggested the program to me as one with excellent professors, and they were not mistaken in their high opinions. --Finance
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