Anderson School of Management

-Anderson is extremely strong not only in core subjects such as marketing and finance, but also has premier faculty and centers supporting more niche subjects such as entrepreneurship and real estate. Additionally, UCLA has the advantage of hosting graduate programs that are first class in a number of other areas (law, medicine etc.). I saw numerous examples of students taking advantage of cross-collaboration opportunities, particularly in the area of start-ups.

-Although this does not apply to me, I have heard that it was a bit harder to find jobs outside of California. Given the quantity and quality of companies in both Southern and Northern California, I can see why this emphasis is made, but not everybody can/wants to stay here.

-A lot of business schools have dreamers. A lot of business schools have high-caliber students. UCLA Anderson is a school full of people who happen to be both. You won't find another school where the same people running the surfing and snowboarding club are starting award-winning small businesses and winning high-profile case competitions.

-The school calendar does pose logistical challenges, and the location, which I think is a strength, lends itself towards an east coast bias. Coming from NJ and having grown up in MA, I believe this is strongly a factor to why Anderson may not rated a top 10 school, which it is.

-It is incredibly balanced. UCLA has everything from academics, rankings, beautiful city, location, people, professors, relationship with companies, and a great attitude.

-One thing that I think could make Anderson stronger, is more of an emphasis on international business. While they certainly touch on it, I am certain that it could be improved by offering more classes and more ways to integrate it into the curriculum. As time goes on, education in this area it will only increase in importance (not that it isn't already important). I would add that while international business education in general is important, providing courses specific to various industries would be even better. For example, I know that the Ziman Center for Real Estate is trying to add an international real estate class. This is a very positive step and something that I would have definitely appreciated as part of my MBA experience.

-Anderson attracts a well-rounded MBA and hones business skills in an extremely collaborative environment where your classmates as much as the school itself help prepare you for interviews and job placement. My classmates are not just smart- they are athletic, artistic, and socially mature. The school is very much student-run and driven by an outgoing, ambitious, fun student culture.

-The student interests fall heavily into less traditional MBA careers, but the career services remain very focused on traditional placement areas. This function needs to evolve and place greater emphasis on off-campus recruiting preparation.

-UCLA Anderson is a unique mix of high academic rigor and collegial, collaborative culture. 10-week quarters make for fast-moving courses and, related, a high level of workload, augmented by our unique Applied Management Research project--a 6-month, 200+ hours consulting engagement with an outside firm.

-The quality of 90% of the faculty is truly amazing, but there were certain core professors that were not providing the quality of teaching that matches up to the others. Really take care to make sure all of the classes (especially the core classes) have good teachers.

-People are just nice at UCLA. I didn't see that at many schools. Ultimately, to be a successful leader, one needs to be authentic, and one needs to treat others well, that's what UCLA imbibes in one, fundamentally.

-Pushing for more gender and ethnic diversity would be great. This is a problem endemic to MBA programs generally, but it would help the program to have more women and people of color (particularly African Americans).

-It's cliché to say, but its the personality and manner of work of its people. Being such a strong school in entrepreneurship, it draws a lot of creative, free thinkers who thrive in a collaborative environment. In an increasingly global economy, it is crucial to come out of b school knowing how to work strongly with people from all over the world and from all different backgrounds. UCLA fosters this environment and teaches its students how to succeed in real world situations by tapping into the expertise of those around them.

-Build better alumni communities from day 1 through a clear explanation of what it means to be part of the Anderson family combined with increased reaching out to existing Alumni.

-1) Best finance program on the west coast 2) I don't think the Anderson culture can be beat 3) Southern California is a great place to spend 2 years before heading back to the workforce