His tenure began in 2008 with the goals of strengthening the school’s educational offerings, increasing students’ global competencies, and increasing the school’s intellectual reach. Since then, Dean Anand has pursued initiatives to improve the student experience and better connect the school with outside audiences, including business leaders, policy makers and the media.

The school redesigned its MBA program under Dean Anand to incorporate experiential learning through an integrated “Smith Experience.” More global learning opportunities were created through study trips and international consulting projects structured to provide relevant and challenging educational experiences, and global issues were woven throughout the curriculum at all levels.

“The Smith School has accomplished some remarkable things during a very difficult time for the local, national and global economy,” says Dean Anand. “I’m proud of the progress we have made, and look forward to making further contributions to the school’s success.”

With Dean Anand’s guidance, the school surpassed its goal for the University of Maryland’s Great Expectations capital campaign, raising more than $110 million to support scholarships, facilities and faculty recruitment. These and other efforts have cemented the school’s place as a top-tier institution. Smith was ranked No. 24 in the 2012 BusinessWeek rankings—which also rated the school as No. 2 in student satisfaction, No. 2 in career services, and No. 2 in teaching.

When he moves on from his current role, Dean Anand plans to pursue leadership in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship in partnership with institutions worldwide. A global search is underway to find his replacement.

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

The lead article to the new BW rankings, “Part-Time MBAs: Greater Expectations,” explains how student motives are shifting away from career advancement to a switch in job or career placement. Because of this shift, students are expressing a greater demand for career services than did their predecessors.

Monica Powell, associate dean at the UT-Dallas School of Management, explains:

When you talk to this current group and ask them why they are pursuing this degree, students say they are doing it because they want to make themselves more marketable in the job arena, distinguish themselves from others, and further their educational backgrounds. It’s partly generational because of Gen Y and the Millennials, but there’s been a shift away from doing the degree for the company toward doing it for themselves. For them, it is almost as if they are doing this as an insurance policy for their careers. If they are going to be on the chopping block, maybe they will be later in line if they have this degree, as opposed to the head of the line.

Why do Gen Yers and Millennials feel the need to pursue an MBA as insurance? It always comes back to the same thing: The Economy.

And now…the rankings:

Top 10 Part-Time MBA Programs (Rated best for…/average salary increase)

1. CMU Tepper (Job changers, 44%)
2. Drexel LeBow (Career switchers, 24.9%)
3. U. of Richmond Robins (Job changers, 47.5%)
4. Maryland Smith (Career switchers, 31.9%)
5. Lehigh University (Career advancers, 18.2%)
6. U. of Nebraska (Job changers, 60.7%)
7. Michigan Ross (Career switchers, 44%)
8. Indiana University Southeast (Job changers/career switchers, 28.9%)
9. Chicago Booth (Career switchers, 33.2%)
10. Case Western Reserve Weatherhead (Career switchers, 38.4%)

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Of course, each school will attribute its recent drop in selectivity to different causes. Michigan Ross, for example, opened a new building which allows for a larger class, thus allowing the adcoms to accept more students this year than in the past.

University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, the school that reported the greatest selectivity decrease among the top 30, attributes its drop to “better marketing.” The school also increased its class size by 22% this year.

Randall Sawyer, assistant dean of admissions, financial aid, and inclusion at Cornell’s Johnson School, states that the program’s decrease in selectivity is due to the increase in the quality of applicants. “Candidates are getting smarter about where they apply,” he says, “giving admissions committees fewer but better choices.”

Some programs, on the other hand, are bucking the drop-in-selectivity trend. While some schools are expanding their class size, some are decreasing it. Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Management is one such example of a program that decreased its class size; 38% of applicants were admitted in 2005, but only 20% in 2010.

Other schools that have reported higher selectivity or no changes include Chicago Booth, Harvard Business School, Notre Dame Mendoza, and Northwestern Kellogg.

And of course this article reflects last year’s application stats. This year both Cornell and Ross happily report that their first round application volume has headed north in comparison to last year’s round 1.

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Read on for valuable advice!

Q: Do you have any tips for MBA applicants on how to network effectively at MBA Fairs?

Randall Sawyer, Director of MBA Admissions, Cornell’s Johnson School of Business:

1. Dedicate time to self-reflection early in the process and present a brief description of your background and goals when introducing yourself at MBA Fairs. If you provide clear information about your goals, we can provide relevant details about aspects of the program.
2. Dress professionally. Business or business casual is appropriate.
3. Relax. Fairs provide an opportunity for making a first impression, but they are mainly informational.

Suzanne Ashour, Assistant Director of MBA & MS Recruiting, Robert H. Smith School of Business:

Take the time beforehand to research the schools in attendance or that you are interested in. This way you will make good use of your time at the fair and speak to those you really want information from. Come prepared with well-thought out questions that are short and concise to allow enough time to get your answers and allow others time to speak with that representative as well.

Alison C. Goggin, Director of MBA Admissions, NYU Stern School of Business:

1. Do your homework prior to attending the fair. Find out which of your potential target schools will be present and visit their websites to gather information. The most valuable conversations between Admissions Officers and applicants occur when the applicant has some knowledge about the benefits of a school and can ask targeted questions about his or her specific interests. Develop a few questions that go beyond the website information for your target schools.
2. Take advantage of other attendees’ questions. Admissions Officers often ask the group waiting to ask a question to listen in on what they are saying. You can learn some great details about a school this way – and possibly even hear the answer to your question.
3. Be respectful of the Admissions Officer and fellow attendees’ time. If you see that your target school’s table is busy, be mindful not to take up an Admissions Officer’s time with a long list of questions. Choose your 1-2 questions carefully and then step aside to allow others to ask questions. Most Admissions Officers welcome you to stay and listen, and you can ask further questions when the group waiting gets smaller in size.

Q: Are there any specific things applicants should not do at an MBA Fair?

Randall Sawyer: Avoid interrupting conversations or acting impatiently. We focus on responding to individual questions and this may require a short wait, but it provides more valuable interactions.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Don’t monopolize a representative at a particular school.
2. Don’t lay out your complete background and resume during a time when others are waiting to speak to that school rep as well.
3. Don’t come in casual attire; Be professional.

Alison C. Goggin: Schools’ policies on accepting applicant materials at a fair vary greatly. Before providing any potential application materials, such as a resume, ask the Admissions Officer if he or she is collecting any information from applicants.

Q: What are the elements applicants should be exploring early in their research into schools?

Randall Sawyer: Coursework and opportunities for applied learning related to your career goals, student body (size, level of engagement, diversity), overall reputation of the school in specific fields, style of instruction (case/lecture), alumni connections.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Is it an area I am comfortable moving to/living in?
2. Length of the programs offered and do they fit into career goals?
3. Cost of the programs? (This helps to focus your time at a fair to those you can afford.)
4. Get a basic understanding of the school/program and the mission to make sure it aligns with personal goals.

Alison C. Goggin: Applicants should research their specific academic areas of interest to see what courses, student clubs, and programs the school offers in these areas. Applicants also should make note of important Admissions information, like application deadlines, the class profile, required application components, and the schools’ interview policy and process.

Q: What questions annoy you?

Randall Sawyer:

1. Why should I apply to your school? We all love our schools and we could certainly provide a list of reasons why, but the best business school for you is the one aligned with your goals.
2. What is your median GMAT? (This information is listed in the class profile.)

Suzanne Ashour: Why would I want to get an MBA?

Alison C. Goggin: In general, Admissions Officers who attend MBA Fairs are accustomed to prospective applicants having varying levels of knowledge about our MBA programs. However, any basic topics, such as application deadlines or the class profile, are covered on our websites and can be found in the materials distributed at our table.

Q: Can you recommend good next steps for after the fair?

Randall Sawyer: Send a pleasant follow-up email to admissions representatives and alumni you meet during events.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Send an email or contact the representative of the schools you are truly interested in as a follow-up.
2. Find ways in which to interact with those schools whether it is making sure to be on the mailing/emailing lists, reading and keeping up with news about the school, attend open events if feasible.
3. Indicate you attended the fair on the application when you apply.

Alison C. Goggin: Once you have made a personal connection with and gathered more information about potential target schools, begin to narrow your list to those schools you would like to explore further. Find out how you can contact current students or student clubs at those schools to learn more about the student experience. If possible, schedule a visit to your short list of schools as this is the very best way to see how you will fit into a school’s community. Most schools have information about contacting students and visiting readily available on their MBA Admissions websites.

*****

It’s always important to heed advice from those who know what they’re talking about. Mr. Sawyer, Ms. Ashour, and Ms. Goggin are three such people. Follow their advice and not only will you present your best face at the next MBA Fair, but you’ll make the most of the event as well!

The MBA Tour will be hosting upcoming events in:

New York, February 6

Washington, D.C., February 7



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