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 University of Michigan Business School provides outstanding learning in a collegial environment. The emphasis on teamwork makes the learning experience become also a relationship building experience. UMBS not only teaches you knowledge, but how to think and how to build consensus to apply that knowledge to the word and make an impact as a leader. Overall, it was an excellent experience!! --Human Resources
Michigan stands out as an excellent school for three reasons: 1. The school is extremely responsive to students requests for change. It always empowers students and supports them in their efforts to initiate new programs, classes, organizations, etc. 2. The school is strong in every academic area. As such, students not only have an opportunity to learn from top-notch professors in every academic field, but they also have access to recruiters from the best firms in every professional field. 3. The academic instruction methods are very diversified. There is a very good balance of case study/teamwork courses and courses where an individual must learn without being assigned mandatory team meetings. --Investment Banking
I came from a nontraditional MBA background (geology degree) and worked as an environmental consultant for 5 years. Michigan's program had enough breadth to allow me to learn the business skills I was looking for as well as pursue other interests. There is no "typical MBA" at Michigan. The quality and diversity of students made the last two years the greatest learning experience of my life. --Anonymous
Getting my MBA at UM was one of the best decisions I've made. The educational experience was amazing and my fellow students were wonderful. While you asked a few questions about peers in the program, I would like to emphasize the importance. Fellow students can make or break the feelings one has about a top MBA program. The quality (intelligence) and team spirit of the people I went to school with well surpassed my expectations. One of the most unusual surprises for me at UM was also the administration's value of its students. Our opinions were sought out and acted on. We had open doors to the deans and felt that we were vital members of the community. --Entrepreneurship
UMBS may not have as fancy a reputation of some other top schools, but the quality of the education and the quality of the student body makes an MBA from UMBS second to none. --Anonymous
The MBA here at Michigan has opened my eyes to the possibilities available in the U.S. In Europe, the focus was on large companies, and not so much on entrepreneurial ventures. Coming to Ann Arbor has allowed me to participate in many entrepreneurial activities with startup firms in the local area. This, together with Michigan's very strong all-round program, has given me the tools and the vision to obtain the job I wanted and prepare me for future steps after a first job out-of-school. The student body also contributed to a large extent to my development. Though the diversity is very high (ethnically as well as career wise), everyone is a talented achiever. People always managed to work together and learn from each other. Michigan is a great place, and I believe in many aspect surpasses other top 10 schools. Michigan is now building a stronger presence in the entrepreneurial space and will use its successful student and alumni base to build it well and quickly. --Investment Banking
I am nearly a decade older than my classmates and had already started one successful business. This program did not suit me well -- it was tightly focused on people making a transition, largely in image, from fresh-faced yeoman to credible first-rung manager. (In my section of approximately. 70 students, for example, few of us had formal business training.) I went into the program knowing this issue, and the program did not do poorly by me -- I got the technical training I needed. It was surprising, though, how much of the experience was a rite of passage for my classmates -- reshaping a professional image, rather than developing a new suite of skills. The only characteristic exception to this were students who got involved in entrepreneurial ventures (even if just for a 14 week course), writing business plans and thinking heavily about making themselves truly cross functional. There were many classmates I would gladly work with, professionally; these latter are the ones I am more likely to trust professionally. I wish the program had sought this sort of feedback. --Finance
Although technology and using technology is the big thing these days, it is EXTREMELY difficult to actually make it work. I had some courses where it was used extremely well, and it enhanced the entire learning experience. However, I had other courses where the technology was actually a burden and detracted from the entire experience. It needs to be noted -- just because a school requires every student to have a laptop and provides data ports in the classroom doesn't mean that it is on the forefront of technology.
The real value lies in the details -- why is the school requiring laptops? What do they use the data ports for in classes? There are two pieces of advice that I would have for any entering MBA: 1) Which companies recruit at your school makes ALL the difference. Many companies have only 2 or 4 core schools from which they recruit MBA students. If your school is not on that list then you are out of luck. Period. Many companies won't even talk to you. I would suggest that if someone is looking for a particular company or industry, find the school that can bring in the greatest number of companies from that industry. Although Harvard might look great on your resume, if you want to do anything but consulting, you will have a more difficult time. 2) Look at the allocation of resources between undergrads, MBAs, and executive programs. At Michigan, the one issue that really chaps me is the fact that we share the computer resources with the undergraduates. I have never had to wait for a computer during my undergraduate [years], but as an MBA paying twice as much, there is almost always a long wait. Also, although many "star" professors are listed on the faculty, most of the time they are teaching in the executive programs.
Lastly, I have found that because MBAs seem to have more power than other grad students vis a vis their professors, etc. the faculty are reluctant to push their students academically. Many students are capable of so much more, but the faculty let them off the hook. At the top schools, a great question to ask is: Do you feel challenged? Have the school/faculty members pushed you further than you thought you could go? Although the answers vary for each student, the average should be a resounding yes. --Marketing
I definitely got what I had wanted from an MBA education, and more. However, the school's emphasis on teamwork and 'hands-on' experience is getting out of hand. --Entrepreneurship
Michigan is a fabulous school. Many of my biggest issues with the program would likely be the same at other top schools. A significant portion of the faculty are leaders in their fields and are at the cutting edge of research, but can't teach! They are missing the skills to involve and captivate their students and therefore created a boring learning environment. Professors should be required to have a certain level of skills before being placed in the classroom. --Marketing
University of Michigan Business School taught me how to approach decisions and how to make them. It taught me what it means to be a leader. I loved my classmates, and I loved the dean (Joe White). There is no doubt that without my MBA from Michigan, I would not have the leadership/management capabilities I have now, and I would not have the authority/salary I have now. Although the school helped me get two good offers before graduation, the perfect offer for the perfect job was found on my own. --Nonprofit
The MBA experience was on of the greatest experiences of my life. Michigan is a great place to get an MBA from. I had an incredible time. Business school helped transform me from a restaurant manager to leading the marketing efforts of an Internet startup company. My future career opportunities are unlimited. Business school helps you grow as a person and businessman. I feel incredibly lucky to be graduating from such a great business school at the perfect time for business school graduates. --Information Technology
Professors are always accessible and really want to have interaction with the students. The skills of the students are very well-rounded. Students genuinely like each other and care about others careers. It is not uncommon for a student to encourage another student to interview for the same job, if they know the job is something that would interest the other student. --Venture Capital/Private Equity
The professors at Michigan are the best teaching professors I could have imagined. Their knowledge is cutting-edge and they make teaching their highest priority. Combined with the high-caliber student body, the classroom dynamics are excellent for learning and enjoying. The student body at Michigan is extremely talented and unassuming. It is great to learn and work with such a cooperative and engaging group of people. It is a network that will last the duration of my career. Dean White has created a fantastic program. The enthusiasm of the students and faculty alike is unparalleled in my experience. Dean White's focus on ethical leadership and social responsibility will have lasting effects on the business world of the future. --Operations
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