Enrollment: 91
Average GMAT: 565.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 525-670
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.42
Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Private
Average Age: 33.00
Average Work Experience (months): 36
Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: No
Total Faculty: 28

In-State Tuition: $19,500.00
Financial Aid Deadline: 03/01

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Students Say - Academics
There are big days ahead for the MBA program at St. Mary's University. Thanks to a $25 million donation from Valero Energy chairman Bill Greehey, the university has planned major upgrades to the faculty, curriculum, and student scholarship support in the business school. The school of businessâ€"renamed in Greehey's honor in March of 2006â€"is one of the major beneficiary of the local philanthropist's largesse. Whatever improvements are made will only add to some already commendable assets here, including "a unique international entrepreneurship program" a "solid financial planning curriculum," and a professional accounting curriculum.

Prerequisites to MBA study at Greehey begin with the completion of six undergraduate-level fundamentals courses. Students arriving with undergraduate degrees in business can place out of these courses, as can students who demonstrate proficiency through CLEP and DANTES examinations. After completing or placing out of these fundamentals courses, students must complete a 30 semester-hour program that includes five core courses (in human resources, accounting/finance, international business, informational technology, and marketing). Tracks are offered in financial planning, professional accountancy and general management as well as a joint JD/MBA. (Note that the financial planning concentration requires two additional classes, meaning that students who choose this option must complete 36 semester hours to graduate.)

MBAs here praise the faculty for "focusing on teaching and understanding" and "providing real-life experience. They bring a lot of outside experience to the classroom." St. Mary's has always been known for its personal touches, and students confirm that "classes are small and the program as a whole is small. This allows for a lot of individual attention from professors and administrators." Students here appreciate this "laid- back program with not too much pressure" but wish that the administration was sometimes a little less laid back. They tell us that administrators "are very disorganized. They lose papers way too often."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the MBA program at St. Mary's must apply to the graduate school for admission. Applications are reviewed by the MBA program director, who makes recommendations to the Graduate Council. The council is then responsible for the final admissions decisions. Candidates must submit all of the following materials to the graduate admissions office: a completed application form; an official score report for the GMAT; two sets of official transcripts for all postsecondary academic work; two letters of recommendation "from individuals well acquainted with your academic/professional ability" (graduates of St. Mary's University are exempt from this requirement); and a completed health form (required by Texas State Law). An interview may also be required; candidates for whom an interview is required will be notified by the school. International applicants must provide all of the above materials as well as a signed financial statement; and, an official score report for the TOEFL (minimum acceptable score: 570 paper-based, 230 computer-based, 67 Internet; students with lower TOEFL scores may be allowed to attend the English Language School in order to meet minimum language proficiency requirements). Admitted students may receive regular admission, which is unconditional. Students may also receive conditional admission, which allows them to enroll in no more than nine hours of classes, after which their admission status is reappraised; or they may receive special admission as a non-degree seeking student. They may also receive auditor status, which is a noncredit option for students who are not working toward a graduate business degree.

Students Say - Campus Life
St. Mary's student body includes "many Hispanic women working toward improving their careers." The school has traditionally served the Hispanic community well; over half of all undergraduates here are Hispanic. On the whole, students "are diverse in age and cultures, all striving toward a common goal." Many "have careers and a family." Their classmates describe them as "team-oriented, hard-working, and friendly."

With over one million residents within city limits and almost as many living in the metropolitan area, San Antonio is the third-largest city in Texas and one of the larger cities in the country. The military and the petroleum industry both have major presences here. With nearly 20 million visitors every year, San Antonio is also a major player in the nation's tourism trade. Students speak highly of the city, although they warn that "the school is located in a very rough part of town."

Students Say - Careers
The Career Services Center at St. Mary's University serves all undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni of the school. The office provides one-on-one advisement with career counselors, a library of career-related materials including hard-copy and online job search databases, special events (Resume Drive, Business Etiquette Dinner, Mock Interview Day), a career fair, and connections to an alumni mentoring program. Students tell us that "the strong alumni network" is one of the biggest attractions of a St. Mary's degree. Employers interviewing on the St. Mary's campus in the spring of 2006 included BNSF Railway; Fisher, Herbst, & Kemble; USAA; Valero Energy; and Walgreens.

The University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at Austin

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