Archive for June, 2012
Return on Investment & Financial Considerations
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
When applying to business schools, there are many things to consider. One important area of concern is financial. Taking two years out of your working career to return to graduate school is a huge financial commitment. Not only will you be giving up 20 months of salary, you must also consider tuition, books, housing, food and other expenses. Applicants should consider how quickly the cost of earning an MBA can be recouped.
According to Forbes’ 2011 rankings, a Penn State Smeal MBA will pay for itself within 3.2 years. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/95/best-business-schools-11_rank.html
Investopedia lists the Penn State Smeal MBA Program as one of the top schools for MBA ROI. http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0911/Which-MBAs-Offer-A-Good-Return-On-Investment.aspx#axzz1xhLBPmHp
Another part of the financial consideration should be financial aid. The Penn State Smeal MBA Program offers two forms of merit based financial aid awards. Graduate Assistantships are given to 20-30% on an incoming class, and include a full tuition waiver, subsidized health insurance and a monthly stipend. In return, the student works for the Smeal College 10 hours a week, with the possibility of increasing to 20 hours per week in the second year. Scholarships are given to approximately 20% of an incoming class, and are one time monetary awards which are applied to first year tuition. All in all, well over 40% of each incoming class at Smeal receives some sort of financial award.
If you have any questions about financial considerations, please reach out to us at smealmba@psu.edu.
-Ann Mallison
Tags: admissions, application, business school, MBA, MBA search, Penn State, Penn State MBA, ROI, Smeal, Smeal MBA
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10 “Must Do” Things at Penn State
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
So, you’re coming to Penn State. Or maybe you’re THINKING about coming to Penn State. Or maybe you’re still doing some planning and thinking about when you might visit us to see if the Penn State Smeal MBA Program is right for you. In ANY scenario, outside of the Smeal program visit, there are some “must do” things that you, well… MUST DO to really experience and appreciate Happy Valley while you are here. Here’s my personal opinion on the “top 10” activities to check off the bucket list as a visitor (or student!) in Nittany Lion country:
10. Drive by the stadium and soak in the sheer size of it. Coming from the airport, it appears almost out of nowhere amidst the foliage. (Don’t miss the very special weathervane on the southwest corner).
9. See Old Coaly’s bones on display at the HUB (Hetzel Union Building). Coaly was a mule (not a person) that helped with campus work in the late 1800s. Although, one of the former university presidents, George Atherton, IS buried on campus. See if you can find his grave.
8. Have a “grilled stickie” at The Diner.
7. Observe the squirrels on campus–and be unnerved about how fearless they are when it comes to human interaction!
6. Climb Mount Nittany and learn about its legend.
5. Listen for the Old Main chimes every 15 minutes while relaxing on the lawn under the legendary elms.
4. Stop by the Berkey Creamery and have a tasty treat. Who do you think taught Ben & Jerry to make ice cream? Really– that’s where they learned how to make it!
3. Have lunch or dinner at The Corner Room or The Tavern—both are historic restaurants in State College.
2. Visit the Lion Shrine and get your picture taken—while you’re at it, swing by the Nittany Lion Inn and check out its beautiful and historic atmosphere.
1. Yell out “WE ARE…” anywhere on campus or in town and see what happens. If you don’t already know, it might surprise you!
Above all—enjoy your visit!
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Tags: admissions, business school, Community, MBA, Penn State, Penn State MBA, Smeal, Smeal MBA
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