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.
Rutgers University provides a wonderful program. The faculty is enthusiastic and eager to work with students. They emphasize skills that I believe are very important in the work world and will be very relevant to my career. While starting a nonprofit organization, I received assistance from many faculty members, some of whom did not even have me in any of their classes. Professors checked my accounting records, helped me with my business plan and strategy, one even joined my board of trustees. Rutgers has a wonderful MBA program that I would, and have already, recommended to friends. --Nonprofit
My expectations were easily surpassed from the outstanding Rutgers MBA Program. In addition to the technical skills that I improved upon and acquired, I learned how to solve problems. I learned to organize my thoughts and develop a plan of attack commensurate with my personality. Furthermore, I improved upon my people skills, an essential but often overlooked set of skills. The professors emphasized the mastery of soft skills in addition to mastering technical skills.
Rutgers proved to be a tremendous value for the money I invested in my education. I feel that I received a Harvard Business School education at a considerably cheaper price than if I were to go to Harvard Business School itself. The professors were all academically and technically outstanding. In addition, most had real world experience in their respective field which added to the educational experience. I would recommend the Rutgers MBA program to anyone who wants a top notch education at a low cost. --Anonymous
Coming into this program from a strong science background, I may have a different perspective than many other students. Yes, the core skills (accounting, finance, marketing, etc.) were well taught, but the other lessons of teamwork, intercultural cooperation, time management, and situation analysis will be at least as valuable as any courses listed in the catalog. Rutgers is starting an MBA concentration in pharmaceutical management. Unfortunately a bit too late for those of us who would have liked to have taken that official path. But this is an exciting program, and should do a lot to bolster the school's image. It also is indicative of the school's efforts and commitment to providing more and better options to the students. --Finance
The external resources, like the connection to big firms in New Jersey and the location close to New York city, gives me the most advantages in my MBA learning experience. Moreover, Rutgers provides excellent facility in campus with comparable lower tuition, which gives a high return on my spending for MBA. Most importantly, I can feel that Rutgers MBA program continues to improve and to catch on the latest business needs. For example: Rutgers MBA started to provide elective classes for e-commerce concentration in 1999. --Finance
By far, the strongest part of the full-time MBA program at the Rutgers Graduate School of Management is the integrated modular system for first-year core curriculum. All first-year courses are either one or two credits, and overlap so that synergies are created from one course to the next. For example, in the second full semester operations management, optimal decision making and advanced statistics are designed to work in concert so that courses pick up theory where others have left off. --Marketing
I was disappointed when I was initially rejected by all of my top choices (big name private schools), despite my high scores and diverse background. In retrospect, I must have marketed myself badly. However, I was accepted at Rutgers and was pleasantly surprised from the beginning. The quality of the courses and the instruction was excellent overall, especially in the core curriculum. And with less than $20,000 in total debt, I feel that I got a great bargain on a first class education. From this experience, I was able to get a job in equity research on Wall Street, and I am proud to be associated with Rutgers as an alumnus. I believe that the quality of the students is catching up to the quality of the program as a whole.
In the two years that I was there, I saw that the administration took student comments very seriously and was very responsive to concerns and suggestions for improvements. The only weak points are facilities (not enough computers)and career services (a little disorganized). I expect that more companies will begin to recruit there once word gets out that the program is "on the rise." The addition of the pharmaceuticals marketing, e-commerce, and arts marketing concentrations will help the school distinguish itself in a metropolitan area where the mind share is dominated by the much larger and better known Columbia and NYU. --Anonymous
I would highly recommend Rutgers MBA program to international students. The quality of education particularly to International Business is very good. Outstanding value for money invested. Information Technology
Rutgers Graduate School of Management provided me with a valuable educational experience. I feel prepared to become a leader in my field. --Finance
Rutgers was an amazing place to go to school. It does not cost as much money as other schools, yet the quality of the education is just as superior. There are many people who attend Rutgers from the businesses in the area. These people provide both valuable information as well as a vast network. The administration at Rutgers GSM is really trying to improve itself every day, even if the students are satisfied. I commend their efforts. --Human Resources
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