Starting it Right: the Best Undergraduate Business Schools

Going to school is probably not the most exciting thing to do, and certainly not when you have to face more teachers, try to get better grades, try to score high on your examinations, and still have fun and survive in the process, not to mention keep your sanity intact. Going to college is certainly a challenge where all of these are concerned, and if you are interested in going to business school, you may have to think about a lot of things, and you might have to do a lot of research in order to get yourself going.

In this day and age of digital technology, the Internet is your best friend when it comes to learning more about the business school that you plan to go to. However, there is no substitute for the human mind and will, so if you are planning to go to business school, you need to first know why you want to go to business school at all. Do you want to run your own business? Are you going to work in your family business, or at a desk job in a corporation? Will you be doing auditing for a major firm? Do you want to do some accounting?

The different business schools out there will specialize in many different fields, so before you start choosing a school, start thinking about your goals. When you finally have a goal, that is when you start choosing a school – and based largely on your prospective adviser. Look through the faculty list of each school and look for people who have interesting research work, or who are affiliated with companies that you would like to work with, or that are interesting enough for you to emulate in the future when you set up your own business.

When you finally find the faculty member that you like, email this faculty member and ask about the business school. See if the faculty member can give you a tour of the facilities, and ask to drop in for a visit. The best members of any faculty should be able to accommodate your requests and give you the chance to see how they can help you have a better future. Do not be afraid to ask questions: an undergraduate business school is a highly competitive place, and you need to know a lot of ins and outs in order to be comfortable enough in the business school atmosphere. This may lead you to perform even better.

There are other considerations, of course, that come into play, such as finances and location. Some schools will offer scholarships to academic achievers, but if you have average or only slightly above average grades, you might want to apply to a scholarship program that might be specific to your needs or status instead. You might also want to look at a school’s location: if you want to be far away from home and learn how to be independent, you will also have to spend more on lodging, out-of-state tuition, and other fees that are associated with living expenses. If you are near home, on the other hand, you can comfortably commute to school, but you need to factor in your commuting expenses as well.

These are only a few things that you may want to watch out for as you choose an undergraduate business school. Remember, there is no such thing as a single best undergraduate business school. The best school will be the one that is perfect for your needs and future goals, and it is one that will help you get through to a brighter future.

A Closer Look at Manchester Business School

The Manchester Business School is under the umbrella of the University of Manchester. It is one of the biggest campus based business and management school in all of the United Kingdom. They are aiming to provide world-class business and management training and education to students through their many postgraduate and undergraduate programs. They are also offering training courses to experienced practitioners, as well as those who want to increase their knowledge and expertise leveling to meet a certain educational criteria or requirement.

The Manchester Business School offers management, accounting, finance, and business courses. Depending upon which course you want to take, students could easily finish the degrees in 3 to 4 years time. The accounting and finance programs offered by the university touch on social sciences as well, a curriculum not offered by other universities. Their business undergraduate courses is integrated with the broader context of social and economic factors. They also offer information systems, which is the currently very necessary in business application. And their management courses cover the specialized areas of your choice of business or profession.

The Specialist Masters offered by the Manchester Business School strives to produce graduates that are not only business savvy but also are able to provide global solutions to on-going problems. They want to form graduates that can deliver programs of international relevance, considering worldwide perspectives. The Specialist Masters courses offered are Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Global Business Analysis, and Decision Sciences / Operational Research, among others.

The MBA degrees of the Manchester Business School run for eighteen months on a full-time basis. The degrees have 3 key stages. The first is the introductory module, followed by the diploma stage, and lastly, the MBA stage. The school also offers summer internship programs to their students that will provide them with an opportunity to earn while gaining relevant experience for credits with their respective MBA degrees.

Aside from these three major educational degrees, the Manchester Business School also offers postgraduate research. And right now, the school is positioned at the second top spot in the FT rankings in 2007. Their postgraduate research program is the biggest one in the United Kingdom. They are able to keep their high rank all throughout the years because they only recruit highly qualified students for their Doctoral Programs. The three types of research being offered by the Manchester Business School are Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Degree of Master of Philosophy, and DBA by distance learning.

Executive education is also one of the premier offerings of the University of Manchester. It aims to provide corporate leaders and executives with cutting edge thinking in both the areas of management and leadership. They have created a highly progressive program that is recognized internationally. The program aims to develop middle to senior corporate manages and board members to become better in the respective line of work. All participants, regardless of their nationality and race are accepted. The program's two core values are relevance and research. Currently, development programs or customized programs being are offered to corporate executives. This is the program that is specifically created for company leaders who wants to have an MBA but don't want to go through the stress and difficulties in getting one.

But aside from all these, Manchester Business School also conducts their own research and studies on different subject matter at hand. These research are published in their website and anywhere else on the internet. They can be browsed and accessed, along with many other socially relevant information that were created by the school's best students.

The Sauder School of Business: Building a Career

Choosing a career in business is a big leap for any student and searching for an excellent school to educate you on your chosen endeavor is yet a bigger leap. And why is that? Your choice of business school would determine a chunk of your future. If the best is what you have in mind, then take a look at what The Sauder School of Business could offer.

Formerly known as the University of British Columbia Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, this business school is situated right in The University Endowment Lands which is westside of Vancouver, Canada (near the city limits). Its programs include diploma courses, bachelor courses, masters and even Ph.D. As of the moment, there are about 28,000 alumni from 60 countries.

This school has a rich history to boast of. Way back in 1929, it has offered its very first degree on Bachelor of Commerce. This is in response to the lobbying of the business society. The lobbyists were members of the Vancouver Board of Trade.

1950 marked the school’s partnership with and the C.G.S, C.A., C.M.A, Banff School of Management, C.G.S., C.M.A., C.A., and the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, to establish the School of Commerce. 1952 was the year when graduate education for business was offered.

There were many more historical happenings after these years but it was in June 5, 2003 that the school was finally named The Sauder School of Business with its many educational undergraduate and post-graduate programs. These include the following:

1. Early Career Masters

2. Diploma Course in Sales and Marketing (SME)

3. Master of Management in OR

4. Master of Health Administration

5. Master of Business Administration

6. PhD/MSc

7. Executive Masters of Business Administration

8. Executive Education

9. Centre for CEO Leadership

10. Accounting diploma

11. Real Estate Division

As to the MBA programs, it is imperative that the candidate has a work experience of about 6-8 years.

Just so we would have an idea of what the school has proven, perhaps, it is best to look at some of the alumni that the school has produced:

1. Bruce Birmingham, Bank of Nova Scotia (Former President), MBA 1971.

2. Bill Dalton, HSBC Bank (Chief Executive), BCom 1971.

3. V. Paul Lee, Electronic Arts Canada & World Wide Studios (SVP & COO), BCom 1987.

4. Pedro Man, Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Limited (President), MBA 1981.

5. Henry McKinnell, Pfizer Inc. (CEO & Chairman), BCom 1965.

Recently, the school made some news on the field of sports: a Sauder Professor has offered the foremost systematic analysis on the performance of golf which he did by comparing 440 records of players from different locations. His study has been of great help in this sport.

Needless to say, the school has produced choice leaders in business and commerce. And if those are not enough to make you hop onboard, then consider the fact that it is included on the list of top 100 business schools. The Sauder School of Business also received the most number of research grants in all of Canada (as compared to all other business schools there). And with all its achievements and powerful methods of teaching, there is surefire success. So when looking for a good business school to back you up in your future business career, look no further.

Thunder Bird Business School: The Producer of Champions

Business schools are everywhere nowadays. All of them claim that they offer the best in business education. But when it comes to choice business schools, only a handful has proven that they can produce the best. And yes, Thunder Bird Business School is definitely one of them.

The school was founded in 1946 by the great Lieutenant General Barton Kyle Yount. He was the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Training Command.

During his time, General Yount envisioned that the country needed international executives and he knew that to answer that dream, he has to build a business school. The school that he built focused solely on International Management. It was in April 8, 1946 that this dream was realized.

This business school is formerly a training facility for American, British, Canadian and Chinese World War II pilots. Some of the buildings that were used for this purpose could still be found in the campus today (the most prominent are the control tower on the airfield, hangars and barracks).

It also boasts of being the largest and oldest graduate management teaching facility in all of the United States. Even up to now, its aim is still to prepare and produce global business leaders, which is evident on its mission statement-- "We educate global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide."

Some of the achievements that the school is truly proud of are the following (and these are just the most current awards given to the school):

1. #1 International Business (with its 7th consecutive first ranking)/The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Survey of Corporate Recruiters 2007.

2. #1 Best in International Business Full-time MBA/Financial Times 2007.

3. #7 Most Family Friendly-Best Business Schools/Princeton Review 2007

4. #2 International Clients Custom Programs/Financial Times 2007

5. #1 International Programs (with its 12th consecutive first ranking)/U.S. News & World Report 2008.

At Thunder Bird Business School, a student learns to perform business ‘world class’. He would also learn to be aware of different cultures and would acquire soft skills. And if you are not inclined to take business courses, the school also offers undergraduate programs in languages and liberal arts; they also offer engineering. Some of the business programs that the school offers are the following:

1. MBA in Global Management (there is a choice whether to take the course the traditional way or to study abroad).

2. (Accelerated Program) MBA in Global Management—can be finished the traditional way or by studying abroad).

3. Post MBA -Master of Global

4. Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management

5. Master of Science in Global Management

6. Global MBA for Latin American Managers

7. Post MBA On-Demand Master of Global Management

They also have the so-called open enrollment programs. These are short-term, non-degree programs that give out certificates for business experts. These certificate programs help meet the obstacles of global competition, some management issues that are cross-cultural, and they aim to enhance international leadership expertise. Examples of their leadership programs include: Global Leadership Certificate Program (which is PMI certified), Effective Leadership Communication: Engaging Employees, Key Stakeholders, and the Media (also PMI certified), Globalization: Merging Strategy with Action on the Course of Leadership, to name a few.

With Thunder Bird’s rich cultural and historical background, students are sure to develop all the necessary skills that they need to survive in the tough world of business. And once they are equipped with these skills, they will surely excel in their chosen professions.

Key Points to Remember When Writing Business School Essays

Business school is probably one of the most unique challenges you'll face beyond college. For one, there are certain requirements you'll have to complete and for another, it does require you to produce essays as part of admissions. Some programs make it even tougher, obliging applicants to produce not just one but multiple essays. So how significant is this to you? It's an indication that business schools place extra emphasis on your ability to communicate your ideas, your initiative and vision. It's also an indication that they put special consideration for your practical experience. That means you will have to put some serious thought into the preparation of your business school essays.

What your essay will contain

What you will write about will depend on the demands of the particular program you're applying for. Generally, though, you will be asked to explain why you chose that program. You will be also asked to write about your short- and long-term goals, your past working or business experience and how you think that particular business program will be beneficial to your career and your future. You will also be asked to write about key changes in your life that made you decide to pursue that particular career path.

Writing your business school essay

You might find it difficult to begin writing the very first sentence in your business school essay but once you've begun, you will find that it will flow naturally from there. To help you create a solid essay that is relevant, here are some important considerations you must keep in mind:

Keep your focus on the theme of your essay.

It's easy to get carried away in your essay, especially if you're very passionate about what you're writing about. Keep in mind that your essay is a reflection of your personality. If it's cohesive and well-written, you will be viewed as an organized individual who is capable of presenting his ideas in a format that people will like and understand.

Don’t meander from one topic to the next. Mention something only if it is beneficial or related to your essay. If not, keep the anecdote for some other more appropriate time.

Be concise.

Don’t try to overwhelm or awe the admissions department by flooding them with words. You're dealing with professionals here, who probably have more experience sifting through business school essays than you have years spent in school.

Use active verbs to imply action and initiative. Keep your sentences short but complete and be direct to the point. Don’t speak as if you're telling them a mysterious tale. Use what valuable paper space you have to convince them that you are the right candidate for the program.

Watch your structure.

This is post-collegiate level you're pursuing. Make sure you write for such level. Don’t make the admissions department think they're reading an essay written by a highschooler. Take note of the technicalities of the language, watch your spelling and grammar. If some sentences are too short, use transition words such as furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, etc.

Be interesting.

Don’t bore your readers with a half-baked effort. Remember that apart from you, there are couple of hundred (at least) other applicants for the program. If your essay doesn’t stand out, the admissions department will have a hard time remembering you and your essay.

If you have weaknesses, don’t highlight them. Instead, address them. Your essay gives you the opportunity to tell your program director what you have done to try to improve yourself.

Don’t be afraid to revise your essay.

If you can ask anyone – a family member or a friend – to read your essay and give you good advice, do so. Reactions from knowledgeable third parties usually help. If your business school essay doesn’t stand too well, revise it. Edit, re-write and if necessary, re-write it once more until you come up with an essay that puts your personality, educational background and experience in a good light.

A School to Teach You Business Planning for a Non-Profit Organization?

When you go to a business school, you learn to plan a business well: you need to know how much capital you have, so you carefully fashion a business plan so that you cover all aspects of the business, including marketing, selling, and other techniques that will allow you to make a profit. You might also include an exit plan, which will allow you to recoup your savings or still keep your money even if the business fails. However, is there actually a way to plan out a non-profit organization, and are there schools that teach this type of business planning?

There are many different schools that actually teach how you can plan out a non-profit organization, and a business plan is actually the right format to go about it. A business plan will describe your venture in great detail: is it an organization, will it give away products, will it be donating to specific organizations? What are the benefits and advantages of having such an organization? A non-profit organization needs donors who are business people, and these donors will be looking for a plan that provides enough evidence to show that the non-profit organization is sustainable. Moreover, donors want to know that their money is being put to good use, so a business plan is always in order when non-profit organizations are built.

Most business plans will also have research to back them up. For instance, for companies that are up and coming, and that are offering products that are new to the market, a business plan might include descriptions of research results showing how good the product is or how effective it can be, as well as research showing how much the product is needed in the market. In a non-profit organization, the research might show how the non-profit organization is needed, say to donate products, offer services, or even broker knowledge. Research is not just something that is confined to laboratories or academics: it is something that is needed to show how effective or required a business can be.

When searching for a school that will help you put up your non-profit organization, look for schools that have faculty members that are experienced in either running non-profit organizations, or being a part of such organizations. Better yet, look for schools that are involved with non-profit organizations, so that you may be able to get an internship or work more closely with such organizations and thereby get a clearer and better idea of how a non-profit organization operates and how it should be run.

There are other things that you may want to consider when you are planning out your non-profit organization. Simply keep in mind that your efforts are akin to applying for a grant: you need to convince your donors that you need the money and that the money is going to a good cause. Your grant proposal may include aspects such as details on how you will get the word out on the non-profit organization; how you will staff it and how much your staff will receive in compensation; how your staff will be managed; how your finances will be managed, such as your costs of operation and your overall budget; and a description of your credentials and those of your partners’, if any.

When looking for such a business school, be on the lookout for people who might help you in the future. As you build that non-profit organization, you will find that the people in your past can help you make a better organization that will last for a longer time.

Investing in Your Future in Business: Which Business School

Entering a business school is a serious endeavor for many aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs. After all, many of the graduates of some of the top business schools in the U.S., Europe and Asia are highly acknowledged and respected members of their respective industries. Business school graduates have gone on to establish successful careers in business, politics, marketing and other private and government services. Choosing what business school to go to is also a huge investment, requiring time, effort and money. It can have a huge impact on anybody's career and future.

To help you decide on your choice, here are several important considerations to keep in mind:

The degree and program

A business school is only as good as the quality of its business programs. Find out if the school you are checking out offers the degree you want to earn and the program you want to learn. MBA programs, for example, can vary from one school to another. The type of curriculum included also matters, particularly if you want to pursue a certain field of specialization.

The length of time it will take to complete a program should also be considered. There are MBA programs that can be completed within one year, two years or four years. Some programs can also be completed on a part-time basis or as part of distance education.

Requirements for application

Some of the top business schools have highly selective admission procedures. This makes their programs very competitive, particularly if they limit the number and quality of their students for a particular program.

Find out the type of admissions requirements the school has and determine if your qualifications match.

Class size

This is not exactly a top consideration but if you're the type of student who prefers individualized teaching, you might want to look for business schools that offer smaller-size classes or those with a low teacher-student ratio. If the size of the class doesn’t bother you, then you'll be more flexible with your choices.

Your budget

It is said that to make money, you have to spend money. When investing in your future through business school, this can mean some huge costs on your part. Tuitions charged by many of the most trusted and best business schools can be very costly. If you are not prepared for the cost and have no resources with which to sustain your studies, applying for a program might prove impractical.

Consider what you can afford to pay and then look at prospective schools that will fit the budget you have set. Consider other expenses as well, such as books, dormitory or apartment rentals, subject-related resources, memberships to clubs, trips, cost of mentorship (if necessary) and other school-related expenses.

Your perception

Other than the factors mentioned above, your choice really boils down to the business school you prefer, particularly the one where you feel comfortable in. Try to get as much information about schools in your area or make a list of the schools that fit your ideal profile. Visit their websites or ask for brochures so you can learn more about their programs, curriculum, faculty, students, etc.

Many business schools are also more than happy to provide additional information about their institution. If you have the opportunity, try to visit the school campus and talk to professors and other students. If the school allows you to sit in on their classes, you might also want to take that opportunity as well. Choosing what business school you should go to should be a proactive activity, one that will allow you to make informed decisions about the future of your career or business.