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Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business

Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 750333
Dallas, TX 75275
Phone: (214) 768-1214
Fax: (214) 768-3956
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Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business Says...
The Cox School of Business at SMU is committed to transforming the world of business—one person at a time. Toward that end, we bring students, professors, business practitioners, and executive mentors together in an engaging, close-knit environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas, rigorous scholarship, and practical application. The result is a robust educational experience that enables you to...
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Statistics
Average GMAT: 642.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 600-690
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.20
Regular Application Deadline: 04/15
Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Private
Average Age: 27.00
Average Work Experience (months): 52

Programs & Curriculum
Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes
Total Faculty: 98

Employment
Average Starting Salary: $84,828.00
Hired Consulting: 24.5%
Hired Finance: 50.9%
Hired Operations: 3.8%
Hired Marketing: 11.3%

In-State Tuition: $36,592.00
Rankings & Lists
Best Campus Facilities
Most Competitive Students
Best Business Schools

School Says - General Information
The Cox School of Business at SMU is committed to transforming the world of businessÂâ€"one person at a time. Toward that end, we bring students, professors, business practitioners, and executive mentors together in an engaging, close-knit environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas, rigorous scholarship, and practical application. The result is a robust educational experience that enables you to achieve your professional goals. One of the Cox SchoolÂ's distinct advantages is our location in the heart of DallasÂâ€"a metropolitan city with a thriving and diverse economy; thousands of corporate headquarters; a warm-weather climate; and a high-quality, low-cost of living. Many of our enrichment programs and activities are designed to allow you to connect with the cityÂ's leading companies and learn valuable lessons from experienced business leaders. At Cox, you have ample opportunity to enhance what you learn in the classroom through pioneering programs, innovative enrichment activities, and specialized institutes and centers of expertise all supported by state-of-the-art resources and facilities. Key benefits and features: Access to accomplished business leaders and leadership training through the Business Leadership Center and the Associate Board Executive Mentor Program Connections to many of DallasÂ' most prominent executives and successful companies along with convenient access to the cityÂ's many cultural and recreational opportunities Exposure to and immersion in foreign economies, businesses, and cultures through the American Airlines Global Leadership Program Close interaction with classmates, faculty, staff, business practitioners, and executive mentors afforded by the schoolÂ's small size Lifelong affiliation with an internationally recognized program and an alumni network comprising more than 26,000 people worldwide

School Says - Student Body
Cox MBA students come from all regions of the United States and the world. Each fall, Cox enrolls approximately 120 new students into the full-time MBA program and joint degree programs (Juris Doctor/MBA and Master of Arts in Arts Administration/MBA). Students have a wide variety of academic disciplines and professional experiences. The average amount of work experience prior to entering the MBA program is five years, and the average age is 28 years old. Women comprise of more than 24% percent of the population, and minorities account for 20 percent of the domestic student body. Cox's small size not only promotes collaboration among students, it also creates a close and supportive environment for students, the faculty, and the staff. The small size also gives students significant opportunities to assume leadership roles in MBA student organizations and advisory groups. Our MBA students represent a diverse group of individuals who are committed to advancing their careers. At Cox your peers can speak: Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, German, Marathi, Punjabi, Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa, Bulgarian, Russian, French, Taiwanese, and Latvian to name a few. At Cox your peersÂ' professional backgrounds are: Investment Bankers, Market Managers, School Teachers, Engineers, Pharmaceutical Salespeople, White House Staff, Former Marines, Missionaries, CEOs, Programmers, Consultants, and Territory Managers as a sample list. At Cox your peers come from global, national, and regional companies including: Alcatel USA, Alliance Bernstein, American Airlines, Ameritrade, Beijing International Trust and Investment, Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Citigroup Asset Management, Deloitte and Touche, Deutsche Bank, EDS, Fujitsu Network Communications, General Electric, Hormel Foods, Indian Oil Corp., JC Penney, JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Mandalay Films, Match.com, Merck & Co., Monster.com, Motorola, Nextel Communications Mexico, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, PriceWaterhousecoopers, Salomon Smith Barney, The White House, and Toshiba Corp. to name a few. At Cox your peers are: A ski instructor, former pro tennis player, a cruise director, a professional golfer, a triathlete, a singer in a rock band, scuba divers, and cricket players. Prominent Cox alumni include: Thaddeus Arroyo, CIO, Cingular Wireless; Fred V. Ball III, Chairman and CEO, Bank of Texas; Howard M. Dean, Chairman and CEO, Dean Foods; Martin Flanagan, President, Franklin Templeton Management; Charles Hansen Jr., former chairman and CEO, Pillowtex Corporation; James MacNaughton, managing director, Rothschild, Inc.; Ruth Ann Marshall, President - North America Region, MasterCard International; and Megan Pryor, vice president of marketing, Pepsi Cola.

School Says - Academics
Academics The Cox MBA Program provides an integrated curriculum that helps students establish a solid foundation for success in business. The small class size encourages students to work closely with the faculty and individualize their MBA experience. Located in Dallas, a national and international business center, the Cox School MBA Program offers nationally recognized faculty members, a global focus, and close ties with the business community. At Cox, MBAs gain much more than a business education-they gain a personalized business experience. The two-year MBA curriculum is composed of 60 credit hours that include a global experience and a modular curriculum, the Cox School's program builds a strong portfolio of diverse international perspectives and course offerings for the Cox MBA student who is graduating in the twenty-first century. First-year students complete ten core courses, the Global Leadership Program (GLP), and two short courses in Managing Your Career and Managerial Communication Skills. In addition, there is an opportunity to complete several business elective courses. Students commence their summer internships after they return from the GLP travel-abroad experience. Second-year students focus on electives and completion of a concentration. The modular curriculum allows students to take an increased number of electives each spring and fall. Module courses are 8-week short courses scheduled within the traditional semester. Some of these courses are closely integrated, while others are short, stand-alone courses. This design provides students with greater curriculum flexibility, which allows students to build depth in an area of emphasis or create breadth for a broader perspective of business. Cox MBA students are required to select and complete a concentration in one of the following areas: Accounting; Financial Consulting; Finance (Corporate or Investments); Information Technologies and Operations Management; E-Business/Telecommunications; General Management; Strategic Leadership; Marketing (Marketing Consulting or Product and Brand Management); and Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Joint degree programs are offered in conjunction with the law school for a Juris Doctor/MBA (4 years) and with the Meadows School of Arts for a Master of Arts in administration/MBA (6 semesters). American Airlines Global Leadership Program Today's business leaders must be global thinkers. At Cox, global thinking is incorporated into the MBA curriculum. The Global Leadership Program is a mandatory, two-week, travel-abroad course. All first-year students travel to one of three regions of the world-Asia, Europe, or Latin America-to meet with business and government leaders. The goal is to allow students to experience how business is conducted globally. In addition, the School's location at the gateway to NAFTA and Latin America is well positioned for enhancing international perspectives. Business Leadership Center Cox's distinguished Business Leadership Center (BLC) complements the classroom curriculum throughout the two-year period. The BLC's innovative program is designed to help students develop effective management skills through seminars that center on interpersonal and communication skills, team building, and negotiation skills. Courses are organized by business leaders and taught by outside consultants from some of today's most progressive corporations. International Exchange Programs An international exchange program allows select students to experience their international business education firsthand by studying abroad. Cox has relationships with schools in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, and Venezuela. Other Programs In addition to the full-time two-year MBA program, Cox offers a part-time, three-year professional MBA program developed for working professionals and a 21-month executive MBA program for candidates with significant managerial experience. Cox also offers a one-year Master of Science in Accountancy program.

School Says - Admissions
Admission to the Cox School MBA Program is highly selective. The Cox MBA Admissions Committee seeks a diverse group of candidates demonstrating significant professional and life experiences; strong academic capabilities, leadership potential, and interpersonal and communication skills; and personal qualities such as maturity, self-confidence, and motivation. Finally, and most importantly, you should possess a strong commitment to learning and achievement. Successful applicants have several years of full-time work experience, a strong undergraduate academic record, and competitive scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Although not required, we strongly recommend that you also have a working knowledge of accounting, statistics, and microeconomics. Students enter the full-time program in the fall semester only (orientation is held mid-August). Application deadlines for all applicants to the full-time MBA program are as follows: November 30, January 30, March 15, and April 30. To be considered for scholarships, students should apply by March 15. International students should apply by March 15. After May 1, admission decisions are made on a space-available basis. Students enter the part-time program in the fall (orientation is held in August) and spring (orientation is held in January). The application deadline for fall admission is May 30; for spring admission, November 1. For more information, contact: Director of MBA Admissions Cox School of Business Southern Methodist University PO Box 750333 Dallas, TX 75275-0333 Telephone: 214-768-1214 800-472-3622 (toll free) Fax: 214-768-3956 E-mail: mbainfo@mail.cox.smu.edu World Wide Web: http://mba.cox.smu.edu

School Says - Campus Life
Facilities at Cox are some of the most technologically advanced, and include wireless internet access for the over 1500 students are enrolled in the Cox School working toward BBA, MBA, and Executive MBAs. The building that housed the original School of Business Administration was established in 1952 as the Joseph Wylie Fincher Memorial Building. It was joined in 1987 by the Cary M. Maguire Building and the Trammell Crow Building. Today, the Fincher Building houses adminstrative and faculty offices while the Maguire and Crow Buildings house classrooms, computer labs, and student study rooms. Included in the Cox School complex is the Business Information Center (BIC), combining traditional features of a university library with the technological advancements of online databases and other resources. The James M Collins Executive Education Center is a state-of-the-art teaching and conference facility designed to meet the evolving needs of business executives, managers, and professionals. The Collins Center will house the Cox School's Division of Executive and Management Development and Executive MBA Program. It is scheduled to open in Fall 2004.

Students Say - Academics
A contemporary and challenging business program situated in a lively, commerce- oriented city, Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business is touted by students as the "best program off e red in Dallas/Fort Worth area" in its balance of "course offerings, rankings, network ability and recognition, and faculty quality." All MBA students are initially enrolled in the general management concentration, taking a series of courses that provide a thorough introduction to business theory, including "very deep and modernized topics in the area of finance and accounting." Once they have finished the core curriculum, students may tailor their education through one or two academic concentrations, including strategic leadership, marketing, finance, information technology, and accounting. Students appreciate the fact that SMU is highly focused on the latest trends and on a practical approach to business education, saying "Teachers bring relevant material to the class and challenge students every day."

Responding to the increasingly global economy, Cox offers a "forward-thinking, cutting-edge program with a strong focus on the international marketplace." In 2000, Cox inaugurated the Global Leadership Program, a partnership with more than 90 leading businesses and government organizations throughout Asia, Latin America, and Europe. All full-time MBA students participate in the Global Leadership Program, and take a seminar in their first semester, which provides a comprehensive study of the culture, politics, and business in Asia, Latin America, or Europe. At the end of the second semester, students travel to the region for a 2-week, hands-on immersion into global commerce and culture. For those who wish to further enhance their international acumen, the school operates a number of international exchange programs with universities in China, Japan, Singapore , Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, among others.

In addition to the traditional, 2-year, full-time MBA, the school offers two part-time programs: the professional MBA for students who wish to work full-time while pursuing the MBA and the executive MBA for students who already have advanced business experience. Students in the part-time programs appreciate the camaraderie they feel among their classmates as well as the support of the faculty. One student assures, "They realize that we are all working professionals, and [they] are always there to lend a hand." Whether full-time or part-time, many say the greatest benefit of the program is "the way the b-school administration cares about the individual students." A current student shares, "Before I was even accepted, the Admissions staff and administration made me feel as if I was a part of the school."

Students Say - Admissions
Successful applicants to SMU have leadership experience, a strong academic record, and competitive scores on the GMAT. Last year, the average GMAT score for accepted applicants was 640. Personal qualities are also heavily weighed, and Cox admits students with a history of professional and personal growth, demonstrated achievements, proven academic abilities, and leadership potential. Although an academic background in business is not a requirement for admission, SMU recommends students enter the program with a working knowledge of calculus, accounting, statistics, and microeconomics. Qualified applicants are off e red the opportunity to interview with the Admissions staff.

Admissions criteria differ slightly for students seeking admission to Cox's part-time programs. In addition to the aforementioned, applicants to the PMBA program must have at least 2 years of professional work experience and a strong basic knowledge of accounting, statistics, and microeconomics. Applicants to the executive MBA program are expected to have a minimum of 8 years of experience in mid- to upper-level management and to currently hold a senior-level title.

Students Say - Campus Life
On the Cox campus, you'll find "a great group of people, most in their 20s, some in their 30s, with diff e rent backgrounds and interests, but all outgoing." Conversation and camaraderie are not limited to the classroom, and "The school makes a strong effort to have students interact outside the classroom. They host events all the time to mingle with fellow students, professors, alumni, and even guests that people bring." For those who wish to augment the academic experience through a club or recreational activity, "there are plenty of chances for anyone who wishes to get involved with extracurricular activities to do so." However, many part-time students say the demands of work and study are overwhelming. A second-year student laments, "Being in the professional MBA program I wish I had more time to take advantage of all the school offers."

Located in Dallas, Texas, the campus is within striking distance of every form of entertainment imaginable, including restaurants, museums, shopping, and seven major sports teams. On the flip side, the school's pleasant campus offers relief from the bustling city. A c u r rent student enthusiastically sums it up: "The campus is beautifulâ€"shady tree- lined streets with really attractive people in one of the most pro-business cities with an awesome nightlife. Seriously, who could ask for anything more!?"

Students Say - Careers
For those hoping to work in Texas or the Southwest region, Southern Methodist University is an excellent choice; the school maintains a "great reputation and alumni network in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Texas, and the Southwestern U.S. cities." In fact, 80 percent of graduates took jobs in the Southwest last year, many in hometown Dallas. Since Dallas itself is a "very corporate city," many stay put after graduation. However, some feel the school is too Dallas-centric and "would improve the value to its graduates by increasing the number of companies recruiting for positions in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio."

Cox graduates have a high job-placement rate, and the majority of students take finance/accounting or marketing/sales positions, comprising 56 percent and 19 percent of last year's graduates, respectively. In 2006, the average salary of a Cox graduate was $83,978.

Other School To Consider
Rice University
Texas A&M University - College Station

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