BW corporate ranking: 23
BW graduate ranking: 26
BW 1994 ranking: Runners-Up School

KEY CONTACTS:
President: Roy A. Herberger, Jr./602 978-7761
Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs: Melvyn Copen/602 978-7761
Associate Vice President, Admissions & Recruiting: Judy Johnson/602 978-7210
Director of Financial Aid: Catherine King-Todd/602 978-7210
Assistant Vice President, Employer Relations and Career Services: James Case/602 978-7600
Director of Alumni Services: Joy Lubeck/602 978-7135

Application deadlines:
January 31, 1998
International same as Domestic

BW SURVEY DETAILS:
As a Top 25 school, the American Graduate School of International Management, more popularly known as Thunderbird, is something of an oddity: it accepts 56% of its applicants, a number which makes it hardly selective amidst the company of some of the world's most choosiest schools. But recruiters rank it the best U.S. institution for turning out MBAs with global understanding and knowhow. That's understandable given the school's unique mission to train global managers to understand the business, political, and cross-cultural contexts of business. Indeed, Thunderbird's three faculty departments reflect its tri-partite curriculum: International Studies, Modern Languages, and World Business. This setup is unlike that found at any other business school, where management faculty are separate from international studies and language faculty.

In BW's survey, Thunderbird's career placement office is regarded as being ineffective at helping students find summer internships and jobs. And it unfortunately has one of the weaker alumni networks (third worst of Top 25 schools).

STRATEGY FOR APPLICANTS:
Thunderbird's global bent means that applicants with international experience and exposure are likely to have an advantage over others with similar GMAT scores and undergraduate grade point averages. If your professional work experience is international in scope, youu stand even a greater chance of getting through the door. Indeed, the application process requires an essay describing "international motivation and accomplishments." Thunderbird allows students to enter the program at any one of four times: summer, fall, spring, and "Winterim," an intensive three-week term held every January. The final deadline for fall or summer entrance is Jan. 31. For Winterim and the spring term, the final deadline is July 31. Admission decisions are made within eight weeks of the deadline. Interviews are not required for admission. Walking tours of the campus are scheduled every Monday, Thursday, and Friday of the school year. Tours begin at noon and include a complimentary lunch in the student dining hall followed by information sessions. To arrange a visit or gain other admission details, contact the admissions office at 800 848-9084 or via fax at 602 439-5432.

SCHOOL'S BEST AREAS OF STUDY
Strategic Global Positioning: Cross-cultural Management, Emerging Market Opportunities, Strategic International, Management

AREAS SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE
International Electronic Commerce

COURSES
Number of electives available in an academic year: 75
Percentage of electives new in past 3 years: 25%
Names of courses new in past 3 years:
Introduction to German Management, German Human Resources Management (both taught in German); International Business Policy, Forecasting for International Marketing, International Sales and Negotiations, Marketing High-Tech Products and Services, Strategies for Culturally Diverse Markets, Global Green Marketing, Strategic Services Marketing, Managerial Decision-Making and Accounting Information, Advanced Managerial Finance with Multinational Dimensions, Profit Planning and Control (Strategic Management Accounting for Domestic and Foreign Operations), Advanced Corporate Financial Reporting, International Financial Reporting and Analysis, Advanced Interpretation of Financial Statements, Project Financing (Corporate CFO Simulation Course), Small Business Taxation and Regulation, Small Business Risk Management, The Business Plan; Transnational Corporate Environment, Global Constructive Conflict Management and Resolution, Financial and Political Risk in Emerging Markets: Mexico, Russia and China, Winterim in the Republic of South Africa; Managing in a Borderless World, Emerging Economies: Competing for Strategic Advantage, Winterim on Wall St.: Understanding and Managing in Global Financial Markets; Managing Financial and Political Risk in Crisis

TEACHING METHODS
Lecture: 32%
Case study: 32%
Simulation, discussion, group projects, consulting: 36%

Number of full-time faculty: 100
Average number of students in core classes: 40
Average number of students in elective classes: 25
Number of different electives available in 1995: 75

PLACEMENT:
Number of on-campus recruiters for graduates: 269
Number of on-campus student job interviews: 3,616
Number of job opportunities posted by correspondence: 3,145
Number of on-campus recruiters for internships: 43

TOP EMPLOYERS/NUMBER OF 1997 THUNDERBIRD HIRES:
Citibank -- 12
IBM -- 10
Intel -- 10
Merck -- 10
Johnson & Johnson -- 7
3M -- 5
EDS -- 5
GM -- 4
Hewlett Packard -- 4
Exxon -- 3

ALUMNI NETWORK
Number of alumni: 29,038
Percentage of alumni who give annually to school: 15%
Average gift: $123
Number of alumni clubs: 81--worldwide
Number of dues-paying club members: N/A

CLASS OF 1996 COMMENTS FROM BUSINESS WEEK SURVEYS

"The number and diversity of the students makes Thunderbird a very challenging institution. However, because there are so many students, there is a lot of competition for the jobs and interviews on campus."

"There is not a day in which we could not talk about or actually see the changes the school is experiencing: new outstanding faculty was hired; a senior vice-president for academic affairs joined the administration; new dorms and pool were constructed; a new information technology building is under construction; a new dining hall is expected to be ready this year. All in just one year and six months! All without large endowments or government money! All of this while receiving superb teaching in languages, international studies and business!"

"Thunderbird is not in the "hiring loop." Companies usually begin reviewing resumes in the Fall and interviewing in the Spring. Thunderbird students graduate at the end of Fall, Spring, or Summer. Therefore, only a third or so are in the "loop" of US corporate hiring of MBAs. This explains our low percentage of hired graduates."

"T-Bird provides a unique alternative to the generic MBA program, with a tripartite curriculum. This is what makes Thunderbird stand out from the rest. Although the quality of teaching in core courses is not at the level of a Top 10 MBA program, there are "5000-level" elective courses offered by the school which do meet the high quality standard."

"I loved the flexibility a student has when choosing courses. Instead of being forced to follow a rigid structure, I was free to choose classes that allowed me to strengthen my weaknesses and apply my previous work experience."

"Thunderbird is not the typical MBA - that is why I love the M.I.M. Program. The unusual curriculum (languages, international studies, and international business) and the student international diversity attracted me the most to T-Bird. Also, I like the fact that the program is not rigid. You have up to five years to complete the program, allowing one to take internships and adhere to your own schedule. Also, you can finish the program in 2 or 3 semesters (less than a year). There is room for leadership and for getting involved at T-Bird. There are many clubs organized by the students (i.e. Wine Tasting, International Business Women, Adventure, etc.). We believe in party hard and study hard."

"Because the majority of the school's funding comes from tuition, the school admits too many students that don't possess work experience."

"In a day and age where the only way to do business is globally, Thunderbird provides an excellent education to future global business leaders. Not only does this school teach the basics of all the other MBA schools, but provides understanding of cultures, languages, and customs. Even the core courses have a global component. Students leave Thunderbird with an understanding of how to do business in every area of the world. You can't say that for a typical MBA program."

"While there are some courses (i.e. "Economic Development") in the international NGO route, Thunderbird should do more to network with these types of institutions. I had to find my own internship (with a UN agency in Costa Rica). While the T-Bird reputation and extensive alumni network helped me land both of these positions, the institution itself should explore its logical synergy with international NGOs and Development non-profits."

"Thunderbird is not well known domestically so many firms are missing the wealth of talent here. Students at Thunderbird exceed MBA standards in my opinion because critical leadership/team building skills that cross-cultural business requires are emphasized. Additionally, the low GMAT average does no indicate the quantitative abilities of T-Birds - there are really excellent students!"

"The school is outstanding in terms of its "international" spin, i.e. guest speakers, diverse students and faculty, symposia, and course offerings. The school is very weak, however, in general management and traditional MBA-style courses such as information technology, economics, finance and accounting, which need to be further integrated with the International Studies Department in order to be effective. More money needs to be dedicated to arming students with a core set of skills, and less on the visual appearance of the school (i.e. landscaping)."

"The administration does not respond to the students (but the faculty almost always does). I have three job offers but it is because I did my job search entirely on my own and that's the way Career Services prefers it. They don't want to lift a finger to help a student. All of their advice is outdated. This will not change because the administration has too much invested in career services to change it."

"The school still needs a better endowment and a self-made billionaire alum to put Thunderbird on the map so that other alumni will contribute."

"Every class incorporates an international angle, and I now have a true understanding of cultural, political, and business aspects on a global basis. Furthermore, the Finance education is excellent. Dr. Moffett, Dr. Davidson, Ken Ferriss, and Dr. Mills are outstanding professors. They truly push every single student. No matter what your skill specialty is, you will walk away with a solid foundation and master of those topics. The "FORAD" class is the most comprehensive capstone course in the world. It involves an understanding of every managerial skill function useful to international managers."

"The Finance curriculum is excellent. The school offers a course in Financial Engineering that is demanding and rewarding. The "FE" course is taught at very few (I believe two other) schools. The class on multinational corporate finance was top quality. The FORAD simulation is offered every term at T-Bird. Some "top" schools only offer the FORAD simulation once a year."

"I have had the opportunity to choose from an unbeatable selection of timely and interesting international business courses (e.g. "International Finance and Trade," and "Legal Environment of International Business"), core-business courses (e.g. Finance, Accounting) and language courses tailored to the international business environment (e.g. "Commercial Spanish: Documentation and Operations"). This "triumvirate" of business, international studies and language creates, in my opinion, the most valuable and well-rounded curriculum possible. Not only is the school's curriculum strong, but it offers significant and unique practical experience. I have participated in a simulated futures trading game, I have worked directly with companies like Mattel Inc. and Sensormatic Inc. as both a consultant and as a strategic international marketing planner. I have also spent a semester abroad in Mexico, where I was exposed first-hand to Mexican society and business practices."

"If there is one thing that is truly unique about Thunderbird, it is the general openness of alumni (and students) to assisting one another in any way possible, particularly when confronted with personal or commercial challenges abroad. The experience of connecting with fellow T-Birds overseas is unlike what happens when other MBA grads meet, at least from what I can tell. It is almost a spiritual experience of meeting a like-minded, kindred member of the international community. T-Birds seem to automatically go into action to support and assist each other, as if they were family."

"One of the most positive aspects of my T-Bird experience was the opportunity to study at the Thunderbird Europe campus, outside of Geneva, Switzerland. My classes were small, the teaching quality excellent, and we had several opportunities to go on company visits, both in the Geneva area and in London (we took an investment banking trip). These opportunities were extremely practical, as we met professionals and had networking opportunities."

Thunderbird, The American Graduate         1997-98 MBA STUDENT PROFILE
School of International Management     ===================================
15249 N. 59th Ave.                     1997 enrollment              1,500
Glendale, AZ 85306-6003                Part-time    None     Minority 12%
E-mail address: tbird@t-bird.edu       Non-U.S.      43%     Women    35%
================================       Interviewed in person          N/A
    PROSPECTS--1996 GRADS*             Applicants accepted            56%
Average pre-MBA salary        $32,650  Accepted who enrolled          56%
Average post-MBA total pay    $56,585  **Less than 1 yr work exp       8%
Median pre-MBA salary         $30,000  ----------------------------------
Median post-MBA total pay     $57,000  1997 TRAITS       RANGE        AVG
Average job offers per student   2.32  ==================================
Graduates with job offers       69.6%  GMAT score      450 to 760     593
-------------------------------------  GPA             2.6 to 4.0     3.4
1997 average post-MBA salary  $56,610  Work experience 0 to 26 yrs    3.7
Annual Tuition                $19,940  Age at entry    21 to 47 yrs    28
Room & board                   $5,380  
_________________________________________________________________________

*Latest available figures
**1996 data

BUSINESS WEEK's The Best Business Schools, Fifth Edition, includes in-depth profiles that will help you more fully assess the strengths and weaknesses of more than 50 of the world's best MBA programs. To place an order for this latest edition: call 1 800 352-3566 (domestic), 001-1-212-512-4100 (international), or via the Internet visit the McGraw-Hill Book Store.