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.
Very approachable administration that's going the extra mile. -- Entrepreneurship
The school has the capability to rise above most other schools of the same size in the future for the following reasons: It's strategically located about four-and-a-half-hours away (average) from Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. If it incorporates the benefits of having programs such as Maxwell (Public Affairs), Newhouse (Media/Television/Radio/Film), IST (Information Technology), etc., and creates a flexible program, it would be beneficial. They should allow students to choose a more flexible program. At this point in time, only 21 credits of 60 are electives. Some are not useful for the kind of work I will be doing or want to do. The career center, which is a pathetic excuse for one right now, can really help out in the future. A number of small- to medium-sized businesses are prevalent in the neighboring counties, and would welcome a Syracuse MBA grad. Additionally, they should remove the present staff in the career office. Some suggestions would be (since the school is 60% international) to have a specialist for international students, as some other universities are doing, and make the career center responsible to students -- not the administration. -- Finance
[The program] was challenging, considering I did not have a business background, but well worth it. Syracuse allowed me to take electives to tailor their traditional marketing background to my interests and needs. -- Marketing
The career center at Syracuse really helped me solidify my interview skills and talk though many personal issues that came up in terms of which career to choose. Had it not been for the dedication of the associate dean and the faculty, I would not have been encouraged to push myself to get a second degree. Syracuse University has provided me with the opportunity to learn extremely valuable information and, though the program is not perfect, as none are, I feel it can offer students a tremendous MBA experience. -- Finance
I was greatly disappointed in my experience in the Syracuse University MBA program. The support that we received from the administration was less than adequate in all areas, from class scheduling to allocated funds for an end-of-year banquet. The teaching and classroom atmosphere was a joke. I don't believe that I have improved myself in any way throughout my tenure in this program. -- Consulting
Out of 32 courses offered, I was not fully satisfied with only two to three and this was usually due to instructor performance. Nearly all of my courses were excellent. All professors were understanding and sensitive to student needs -- this is very important since my class was 50%, if not more, international. The career-services office significantly improved during my second year when it switched from a paper-based database to computer-based services, and when the newly hired director took care of it. However, it is still more reactive then proactive. I would expect it to have workshops preparing students to find a job -- this is especially important for foreign students who have different backgrounds, and often might not have any prior experience with such services in their countries. -- Anonymous
The Syracuse University MBA program provided a good theoretical business foundation and it met my basic expectations. However, there are three areas which need substantial improvement. First, the Career Planning and Placement Department is very weak. The department attracted very few companies to recruit MBAs. The office should have done much more to attract recruiters as well as companies looking for interns between the first and second year. Second, the program prides itself at being integrated but there are too many one- and two-credit classes which duplicate content or do not offer anything of value to the MBA experience. Finally, the faculty needs more real-world experience so that they can relate the theory to actual practice. They should also take a more active role in helping career placement in attracting recruiters to campus. -- Finance
Overall, I consider the MBA experience very useful. In order to remain competitive in this fast-paced economy, it is necessary to [get] an advance business degree that can give you the right tools to operate efficiently. My personal experience at Syracuse University was good mainly because I enjoy the diversity of students attending the program and the small size of the classes. I could not find this combination in many schools I researched. -- Anonymous
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Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P.
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