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.
Simon helped me to develop into the manager that I wanted to be. They did not try to mold me into the manager that they wanted me to be. I don't think that any individual can truly reach their potential unless they are allowed to mature in their own way and are provided an opportunity to develop their ideas and creativity. This is what Simon did for me. --Marketing
The best part of the Simon experience is the relentless pursuit of problem-solving from several different approaches. All my classes have been woven together to enable me to attack business problems with much more assertion than I previously could have prior to B-school. However, the program is very quantitative and extremely competitive, so be prepared for a rigorous two years. Business school is a mirror image of the real world in that you get out of it what you put into it. If you want to maximize your experience at Simon, you must be prepared to work hard and volunteer to take the lead on group projects. --Consulting
Simon provides a first-class educational experience in a small, learning-friendly environment. Professors, many of whom are leaders in their fields, are open to student inquiries and are quite receptive to student opinions. I feel that the school has done an excellent job at listening and responding to student concerns ranging from the curriculum and career services to the computing center and orientation. I would characterize myself as an exceptionally satisfied customer of the Simon school and plan to be an active alum. --Investment Banking
This is a school where one can get a top education, especially in finance. However, the school's career services department is not at par with its academics. The biggest complaint of most students at the Simon school is the career services department. Many students do not believe that school administrators delivered on promises last summer to hire a career services director with top MBA school experience and credentials.
The school DOES have a great alumni network. The school has just embarked on a large spending program to increase the size of the school and hopefully improve some of the school's services. But many graduating students felt that the dean and top administrators were not responsive to their needs while they attended the school. Over the past two years, career services were the number one complaint among most students, but I do not think that most students would tell you there was a visible improvement in career services over that time. The school's academics in finance and alumni network are top-notch. --Investment Banking
People at that school have too many complexes about international students coming from some specific parts of the world. If you perform poorly, they react as if they did not expect you to do much. If you are an outstanding student, then they are surprised and you can see on their face that they are obviously uncomfortable about that. There's just no way around it. I hope they will change! --Anonymous
The best thing about Simon School of Business is its outstanding finance faculty, without any doubt. If you really want to master the advanced finance theory and develop top quantitative skills, come to Simon. The location is a major minus for job searching, but the school is working hard to improve the career service office. --Investment Banking
The number of firms recruiting on campus was very disappointing. --Anonymous
Over the two years I have been at Simon, I have seen the school make tremendous strides on a variety of fronts. There is a consensus among students, faculty, and the administration to build on the strengths of the school such as its renowned faculty, small size, and an economics-based approach to business that emphasizes academic excellence. New courses have been added, a groundbreaking ceremony for an extension of Schlegel Hall was recently held, new firms have been targeted, and the Simon student clubs have never been more active. The career services office has improved, but there is still scope for further improvement. Overall, the morale of the student body is upbeat. The Simon school is all set to grow from strength to strength in the coming years. --Information Technology
Truly outstanding faculty. Super core program. Not for the faint of heart... --Venture Capital/Private Equity
Attending the Simon School was the best decision I ever made - zero doubts. --Finance
The Simon school is undergoing dramatic administrative and structural changes, all for the better. With an increased attention towards career services as well as the new facility, I am confident that the Simon school will compete for the most talented business school applicants. I applied to the Simon school due to the quantitative nature of the curriculum and the strong finance focus. Simon provided me with the interaction with top professors that any B-school student would want. Simon's economic approach to learning helps me analytically on a daily basis. Simon can compete academically with any business school. The combination of exceptional faculty and unlimited access should put the school on top of any candidate's short list. I would recommend Simon to anyone looking for a challenge and an excellent education. --Finance
Overall, my experience in Rochester was extremely rewarding. As expected, I encountered here an outstanding and approachable faculty, particularly in the finance area, and the cozy small-school environment enticed me to become very involved and take leadership positions in student organizations. Although at times controversial, I did enjoy the heavily team-based structure we're submitted to in the first year. I was exposed to leading ideas in my field of interest and I was able to land the job I desired in Northern California. But perhaps the most important aspect of my experience was the fantastic and diverse group of people I met among my classmates and the friendships that will last a lifetime. --Finance
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