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2004 FULL-TIME MBA PROFILE
The University of Chicago
Graduate School of Business
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CLASS OF 2004 GRADUATE COMMENTS
Despite its reputation as a premiere finance school, Chicago surpassed my expectations. The program truly challenges its students, and requires a true commitment to learning -- theory first, and then application. I only wish I could experience a year in the new business school building.--Finance
[Recommend program to friends/colleagues?] Chicago GSB offers a truly life-changing experience. Whether someone is a career-switcher or already a banker or consultant, the GSB's teaching quality and curriculum flexibility make it easy for anyone to successfully map out his future career. The career services department is also very helpful in assisting students and the school attracts a large and diverse group of recruiters.--Finance
I greatly enjoyed my time at the University of Chicago. I met a lot of very smart, fun people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. The program has also provided me with career oppoortunities that I never would have had access to without the network and reputation of the Chicago GSB. Finally, unlike many other programs, all professors (including the famous Nobel winners) are required to teach. Learning from them has been an amazing experience. For these reasons, I would (and already have) recommend the Chicago MBA program to anyone interested in graduate business education. In particular, those interested in fields such as Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Venture Capital and Private Equity, and Management Consulting, will find that few schools that provide as strong a theoretical foundation and recruiting network as the Chicago GSB.--Investment Banking
Basically I tell my friends the following -- if you get into Stanford, go there. Otherwise, Chicago GSB is your best bet. Chicago has probably the best balance of accademics, professors, and students, except, I think, for Stanford.--Consulting
[Recommend program to friends/colleagues?] Chicago GSB has provided me with the education and inspiration to take the next step in my career. I cannot speak for any other school, but I can assure any candidate that he will learn a great deal about academics, other people, and himself at this school. The curriculum is primarily elective which meant that I could choose the subjects most suitable for my career goals and aspirations. It is particularly inspiring to study under nobel laureates and other celebrated professors. The school's entrepreneurship program, facilities and faculty are world-class. As a former strategy consultant, I found the general manangement and marketing programs very strong also. The careers office works tirelessly to get the best opportunities for us for summer internships and full-time offers and, by all accounts, has been very successful at this and at grooming us for interviews, etc. The class is very diverse, supportive and inspiring. There is a certain intangible momentum at the school, and people here are very positive about their experience.--Venture Capital/Private Equity
I feel that the quality of education and the people with whom you work at the GSB provide you with an unparalleled learning and growing experience that complements all prior professional responsibilities and prepares you to be a future business leader. If you are not financially constrained in the short-term, I would wholeheartedly recommend returning to business school, and specifically, the University of Chicago GSB. Compared with students I have met from other prestigious institutions, the education offered by the GSB is tantamount.--Finance
[Recommend program to friends/colleagues?] I loved the two years I have spent at the University of Chicago. I wish it was a three-year program with another internship. I was able to take classes in many different areas because of the Univeristy's unrestricted curriculum policy. As a result, I vastly increased my knowledge base. Plus the school's recruiting was incredible. I was able to interview with dozens of companies and was referred to numerous contacts within the industy I chose.--Investment Banking
[Recommend program to friends/colleagues?] It depends on what they are looking for. If they want to go to a quantitative and rigorous program that will put them at the top of the list for jobs in high finance, banking, investment management (fixed income in particular), economic analysis, accounting, risk management, and others, then my answer is yes. If they want more general skills and networking time, then my answer is that this is probably not the best choice.--Finance
We helped a very successful entrepreneur in the healthcare-software industry, who was then the founder, CEO, and principal investor in a communications startup, determine that it was in his best interest to close down the company because the market was not ready for his product. This was an invaluable opportunity to work on a live project applying many skills directly for the analysis of this failed company that ended up costing $18 million out of the entrepreneur's personal bank accounts.--Consulting
I worked on a project for a local pharmaceutical firm. This was my first consulting experience. My learning was greatly enhanced by the quality of my team and classmates. I had the opportunity to learn a great deal in a real-world setting at the very beginning of my school experience. It helped shape my thinking and actions going forward.--Not Available
[Did consulting project enhance learning?] Best thing I did in school! I learned more from that crash course (during my second quarter of B-school) than I have from many textbook-based courses. Teamwork, learning, using your strengths, and getting new skillls and experiences were stressed. The 8 a.m. class time and long hours were worth connecting with and helping the company and its owner to go in a new direction. It was a big confidence builder and a formative experience that I will not forget.--Not Available
I participated in the Management Lab course, in which a group of six to eight students works as a consulting team for established companies. I found the experience very rewarding. Not only were the tasks we were asked to perform very high level and important, but we were in constant contact with CEOs and VPs of large companies. Also, there were three full-time professors to guide us and give suggestions on content of discussions, how to relate to clients, and teamwork/teambuilding. It was a great experience and it greatly enhanced my learning experience.--Not Available
The school's policy of Grade Non-Disclocure is incredible. I was able to take classes that were outside my comfort zone without fear of getting a B or C that might hurt my recruiting process. If this policy was not in place, I would have taken more standard, basic-level courses that wouldn't have challenged me as much but would have guaranteed me an A. The social aspect at the university were ten times better than expected. Many students actually live downtown and every week there was an organized social outing. Then there were usually student-group functions at various fun downtown locations. I was worried about attending a school in Hyde Park beforehand, but looking back, it's a great balance having the city of Chicago so close to campus. I really enjoyed our LEAD program, where students are divided into cohorts and take a class taught by second-year students. The program kicks off with a three-day retreat in Wisconsin that I will remember for the rest of my life. The initial friends from my cohort are still some of my best friends and are also people I might not have met otherwise.--Investment Banking
I am sad to be leaving the GSB after two years of stretching, expanding and challenging my business and leadership capabilities. The professors at the school are incredible -- better than even my high expectations. The students come from all over the world and are intelligent and enthusiastic about the school and their future careers. My wife and I decided I should go to Chicago instead of Wharton (my second choice) because we love the city and were very impressed with the other students and the administration members we met at the orientation. We have been very happy with the choice -- it has really been a wonderful time.--Consulting
I cannot imagine having attended any other business school. I feel confident that I have gotten the best possible education here at the GSB.--Entrepreneurship
I still believe the business school education at University of Chicago GSB is second to none. The faculty, course material, research, and preparation that the program offers is of the highest quality.--Finance
The GSB not only provided me with a wonderful business education, but it also gave me the confidence, network, and skills that I believe will allow me to succeed in today's ever-changing business environment. The community, access to leading faculty, and business professionals and, of course, the rigor of the coursework make it an experience that I highly recommend.--Marketing
It gave me the three great benefits: 1.) Real world exposure to identifying a problem and coming up with an innovative and practical solution. 2.) Exposure to very high-level clients -- our final presentations were made to the Asia Pacific head of a major global financial institution. 3.) Great opportunity for building leadership and team skills with seven other talented classmates.--Not Available
The intellectual environment at the GSB is unlike any I have ever experienced. While I expected talented classmates, I greatly underestimated the caliber of students and faculty attracted by the school. As an example, one of my classmates entered school with a PhD in astrophysics; another was a flight commander in the Navy who was in the Pentagon on 9/11. These are two examples of the diversity and leadership background representative of the Class of 2004.--Marketing
The University of Chicago GSB allowed me to successfully migrate from a career in sales and marketing to a career in investment research. The GSB armed me with a suite of quantitative analytical skills that gave me the credibility and the confidence I needed to earn a job as an analyst.--Finance
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