Inside Thunderbird Admissions

Judy Johnson, Thunderbird's admissions director, recently answered questions online about what the school is looking for. Here's a transcript

Judy Johnson
The Thunderbird School of Global Management

Story Tools

• post a comment
• e-mail this story
• print this story
• order a reprint
• digg this
• save to del.icio.us

The Thunderbird School of Global Management is trying to shake things up. Earlier in 2007 the school changed its name for the fifth time (BusinessWeek, 2/22/07) since opening in 1946 and announced that it is on a mission to improve its brand recognition by 2010. Smaller and younger than other top B-schools, and located in Glendale, Ariz., Thunderbird has created a niche all its own by requiring students to learn a second language and focusing on global issues.

In 2006 the school admitted 77% of the 704 people who applied. Although the school caters to a select group of students, its yield was 60% last year. Recently, Judy Johnson (JudyThunderbird), director of admissions, fielded questions from an audience of prospective students and BusinessWeek reporter Francesca Di Meglio (FrancescaBW) in a live chat event. Here is the edited transcript:

lwfmaia: What are considered the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the Thunderbird program?

JudyThunderbird: Thunderbird's biggest overall strength is the institution's expertise in global management and business. This is the greatest part of Thunderbird's DNA. Our curriculum incorporates the global dimension in every required and elective course, which are taught by faculty who have worked, taught, and consulted in all the regions of the world that they reference. Another strength is our emphasis on how to build and manage in different cultural settings, all the while paying attention to sustainability.

I admit to a bias in favor of Thunderbird, but I do not think we have weaknesses. Of course, being the specialized school that we are, our whole organization works very hard to see that the experience of our students is top-notch. A big emphasis is placed on recruiting students from many parts of the world so that their various cultural and management experiences become part of the education.

FrancescaBW: What can our guests do to write successful essays? Can you offer some tips?

JudyThunderbird: Applicants should do their best in the essays. It is one of the primary ways that we get to know you. Because the Thunderbird program is focused and built around the knowledge and skills needed for successful global management, we spend a lot of time reviewing the essays. First—answer the question that is asked. Second—clearly define your career goals, how you determined this career path, and why Thunderbird will be the best program for you to pursue goals.

FrancescaBW: Do you weigh certain parts of the application more than others? Why or why not?

JudyThunderbird: The GMAT is very important. Performance on that test accurately predicts an applicant's chance of success within the academic structure of the program. If the GMAT is not within our validated range, the application will not go to review.

The essays are important. We look at different areas—writing skills, ability to concisely build communication, the passion that an applicant has for the school. There is a distinct qualitative feeling we want to get from reading the essays.

Work experience—the experience must show that the applicant has been in situations where ownership of the task has been assumed and that the task has been completed successfully. We like validation of professional experience from the recommenders. I would say these are the top three areas.

FrancescaBW: Tell us about the international appeal of Thunderbird. What makes this school unique?

JudyThunderbird: The school is unique in every way, but the students provide the excitement and the passion. Collectively they are adventuresome people who have had living experience in many different cultures and who already know that cultural and regional differences translate into a whole different way of addressing management challenges.