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.
This MBA program was outstanding. When I was searching for a school in 1998, this was the only one offering an e-commerce concentration. Even with all of the new programs being started at top schools, I still feel this is one of the best. I may be better prepared and more comfortable with e-commerce technology than some of the consultants I will be working with in the future. Even with programs starting at other top schools, the combination of the e-commerce leadership role and the intimate class size would still make me choose Vanderbilt again. I can't say enough positive things about the program and will recommend this program to family and friends. -- Consulting
The caliber of students at Owen very much surpassed my expectations when I entered the school. -- Information Technology
My four years of [work] experience prior to the MBA program allowed me to be more critical, and to enjoy much more the learning experience. When we had to read three or four articles, my classmates with less experience sometimes found the articles too long or too boring, but I found them so interesting that sometimes I couldnĄt stop thinking: "If only I would had known this six months ago." I would encourage the school to not accept candidates with less than three years of previous experience. -- Consulting
Vanderbilt provided me with a great opportunity to further my career in a small-school environment. I would highly encourage my friends to do the same. How else can you triple your pay in two years? -- Investment Banking
Owen has been through some tough times the last few years. Our Dean passed away last year and the school is still looking for a replacement. [Editor's note: Vanderbilt has hired a new dean as of August, 2000] Internally, it has been hard to define the school's mission. Several key faculty and administrators left, which hurt the school. However, I think Owen has some very talented professors, especially in operations and finance. The students are very motivated to succeed, and I would put them up against the students of blue-chip schools like Harvard and Wharton. There is a friendly, team-based atmosphere at Owen. Some of my best friends in the whole world are Owen students. I even met my future wife here. The Telecommunications Electronic Commerce program has given me a competitive advantage talking to technology based firms. One problem with Owen is that it is in Nashville, hence I have decided to move to Silicon Valley with no job and find one once I get there. Employers in that field want to see you commit to an area before they hire you. The school does need to improve its placement office, which I think it is its weakest area. Administrators in the placement office need to be in better touch with the students. I think students would like more support to make the [job search] easier. I highly recommend Owen to my friends looking at B-schools. It is not perfect. Like life, it is what you make of it, but I believe it is a great place to spend two years. -- Information Technology
Excellent faculty, top 20% of class is outstanding, bottom 50% pretty mediocre. Poor administrative leadership. No dean for two years, huge faculty turnover. -- Venture Capital/Private Equity
Owen is a great school. The faculty is excellent and well prepared for classes. Where they really excel is in their willingness to hear your concerns and help you in any way they can. The same goes for the admissions and placement staff. You feel like you are part of a family. I am extremely happy about my decision of coming to Owen. -- Marketing
Owen is an outstanding institution with a shining future ahead. I have confidence in the school's leadership, that they will continue to improve the school and thus improve the output. I am also confident that the value of my Owen MBA will continue to appreciate throughout my career. -- Human Resources
Owen has recently implemented a wireless LAN [local-area network], making it much easier to work from anywhere in the school. I'm taking my Owen experience to a startup in Silicon Valley, and I couldn't be more satisfied. -- Entrepreneurship
My experience at Owen was very valuable, both in terms of return on investment and education. The faculty at Owen is really outstanding. Owen has an excellent electronic commerce program; as a result, the number and variety of companies actively recruiting has risen sharply in the last year. The placement office is also excellent.... Problems at Owen: five professors are leaving this year, either to pursue their own interests or to join other schools; faculty and the American students are not doing enough to better integrate international students into the school; the school is quietly accepting [fewer] international students starting with the class of 2002; because of a quarter system, the work load is tremendous during the first year; furthermore, the use of teams is excessive, in my opinion. -- Anonymous
A great aspect about Owen is that it is located in Nashville, Tenn. There are many social activities that take place outside of the busy school schedule. I could not think of a nicer town to spend two years in.... Owen has been a great experience for me. I could have decided to work in any field or area in business and I would have been able to get the job I wanted. I am completely happy with my decision and investment in my graduate education. At Owen, I had both telecom/electronic commerce and finance concentrations and that made me more attractive than all the other finance people on second-round interviews with high-tech firms. This was a terrific leg-up that I was provided with. -- Finance
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Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P.
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