Babson: A Virtual Tour

Olin Graduate School of Business

Images courtesy of Babson

By Sommer Saadi

Olin Graduate School of Business

Babson College, home of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, is located in Wellesley, Mass. Although the 370-acre campus sits just 14 miles outside of Boston, it is complete with woods, rolling hills, landscaped grounds, and even a 25-ton, 28-foot-diameter globe, a notable campus landmark.

The university offers highly ranked one-year and two-year MBA programs, as well as evening and fast-track programs. It also offers a master's degree in accounting and two master's degrees in management. Undergraduate students can also earn a bachelor's degree in business.

The MBA program is consistently ranked among the best for entrepreneurship by several media outlets, making the school a popular choice for students interested in startups and small business.

"[Babson] may not be well-suited for those chasing MBA programs based on rankings," says one student in a Bloomberg Businessweek survey. "However, if you are looking for a vibrant and integrated curriculum, where unconventional approaches to learning are sometimes taken, then this is definitely a place where you can experiment and be creative."

Photos provided by Babson. Caption information provided by the school and Bloomberg Businessweek research.

Babson (Olin) on Business Exchange

Babson (Olin) MBA Profile

Babson (Olin) MBA Events Calendar

Babson Undergraduate Business Profile

Slide Show: Top Undergraduate Business Programs

B-School Forum

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The Economical Appeal of Mini-MBAs

MBAs can typically cost students anywhere from $50,000 to upwards of $200,000 for only two years of education.  However, for those students who simply want to supplement their business knowledge in order to make better decisions in their career, mini MBAs are now an attractive solution to this dilemma.  Mini-MBAs typically cost less than $5,000 and offer business professionals an insight into the program, as well as other career-driven students who need some business background in order to make informed decisions. 

Mini-MBAs developed as part of the executive MBA program and typically give students a condensed overlook of the program without delving too deeply into topics.  While this may not be enough for the business professional who wants to move ahead in the company, this is perfect for the person who wants to own his own business and does not want to have the burden of $100,000 school bills.  This has also become an appealing opportunity for students who have recently become unemployed and want to learn more about business for the fraction of the cost. 

Known as MBA Boot Camps in the past, Mini-MBAs have since found a new outlet for students who otherwise would not have the funds for an MBA.  These programs hold many valuable opportunities for students because they offer many students a peek inside the MBA world without committing themselves to the expense of a traditional MBA degree.  However, they walk away with the knowledge necessary to open their own business or make business deals with other companies.  Recently, people who have been laid off are looking to this degree to supplement their resume, using their severance packages to pay for the cost.

This quick program offers students the opportunity to gain an additional degree within a few weeks, which is incredibly appealing to the recently laid-off.  The days of the recently unemployed consist primarily of job-hunting (which becomes increasingly frustrating), and taking classes which supplement degrees is a more productive use of time and can earn many students a better job outlook for potential employers. 

While mini-MBAs have not been accepted by every part of the business community, they have provided many people the opportunity to gain a further education for only a fraction of the cost which in turn aids them in getting a better job.  Similar degrees will probably develop throughout different fields, as the economy slowly begins to resuscitate itself. 

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100 Best MBA Admission Tips All in One List

If you’re in the midst of your MBA application, you’re probably swamped by rankings, school comparisons, essay writing, letters of recommendation, and even more headaches. We’re urging you to take one step back, breathe deeply, and browse this list before diving back in. Below are 100 tips and resources to keep you organized and on top of it all.

Rankings and Research

Take school rankings with a grain of salt, but they can be useful when picking back-up schools and evaluating your chances of getting in.

  1. Business School and MBA Surveys: Read reviews of business schools like University of Virginia, Purdue, Yale, UT Austin and others.
  2. Choosing a Business School: This resource has tips for researching full-time programs, part-time programs, accelerated and Executive MBA programs.
  3. Rankings and Admission Criteria: Review percent of applicants accepted, average GMAT score and average student age for schools like MIT, Duke, University of Chicago and more in this chart.
  4. Business Schools: BusinessWeek’s rankings are well-respected. Check to see how they rank your top school.
  5. Best Business Schools 2008: Get stats of top business schools from U.S. News and World Report here.
  6. The Best Part-Time MBA Programs: Going to business school doesn’t mean that you have to quit your job and try to get into Harvard. Here’s a look at the top part-time programs at places like Indiana University and Rollins.
  7. Business School Diversity Profiles: Find out which of the top schools offer the best diversity.
  8. Best distance-learning MBAs: The Economist lists international distance-learning programs from Open University and IE Business School as its top choices.
  9. How do you research programs?: The Wharton Business School has put together this tips guide for researching business schools and programs.
  10. Quick Search: Business Programs: The Princeton Review publishes this very useful directory as well as its guide to the rankings.

GMAT Tips

Be sure to gain admission into the best online university with our GMAT tips below.

  1. GMAT Score: Before you take the test, understand how it’s scored and what score you’ll need to get into your top school.
  2. Build up your floor: Your floor is the level of questions you can consistently answer correctly. Practice easier questions first.
  3. Pay attention to the first questions: Your answers to the first few questions of each section are used to determine your level of difficulty, so take your time on these.
  4. Don’t fill in guesses randomly: This technique actually counts against you, so West.net recommends that you "try to eliminate at least one answer choice before you confirm your response."
  5. Advice on Test Preparation: Learn how to focus on only certain areas, and don’t over prepare yourself.
  6. GMAT Math: Achieve a Top Score: Learn how to get a better math score here.
  7. GMAT Tips: The Numbers Game: Don’t look for trick questions on the GMAT: everything is supposed to be pretty straightforward.
  8. Need-to-Know GMAT Tips and Strategies: Get tips for reading comprehension, data sufficiency questions and more here.
  9. GMAT Prep Resources Hacks: Use study guides like the ones found on this list to familiarize yourself with the format of the test beforehand.
  10. Take a practice test: Learn the format and prep yourself with practice questions to make yourself feel more comfortable with the GMAT.

Important Dates

Don’t miss the test! Here are links to keeping your dates straight.

  1. Take the GMAT: Schedule the GMAT using these tools.
  2. Clear Admit application deadlines: This blog posts upcoming application deadlines in its left sidebar.

Standing Out

For help figuring out how to stand out from the rest of the applicants, take a look at this list.

  1. The Admissions Office Finds Facebook: This article explains how admissions offices "are seeking applicants through social networking sites," so clean up your profile.
  2. How to get into a top MBA program: This About.com article offers advice from admissions representatives from schools like Columbia, UT and others.
  3. Understand what sets you apart: Admissions reps want to know how you’re different, so take some time to figure out what it is that makes you different from everyone else, like your family background, small business story or something else.
  4. How B-Schools Catch Resume Liars: If you think no one will catch the way you padded your resume, think again. It’s best to be honest.
  5. Don’t be shy: The admissions process can be cutthroat, so don’t be shy about sharing your story, speaking up during an interview or acknowledging your racial or ethnic background.
  6. Have a clear, specific plan for post graduation: If you want to go to a business school in order to network and learn the skills you need to start your own cosmetics line, put that in your essay and include it in your interview. The more specific, the more you stand out.
  7. Letters of recommendation: These can really help your cause, so pick people who know you really well and who believe in your potential.
  8. Write a winning essay: Your essay may be one of the most important factors in your entire application process, so make sure it’s error-free, well-organized, and personal.

Tools for Staying Organized

From calendars to practice tests, these tools will keep you better organized.

  1. MBA Depot: Use this website to keep track of your choice schools and more.
  2. HipCal: HipCal is a great little web-based calendar, address book and alert system that can help you keep track of study time, exam dates and more.
  3. Check Seat Availability: Use this tool to preview testing centers before you register.
  4. GMAT Practice Tests: GMATCAT.com’s free sample questions are a great help for nervous test takers.
  5. Study Suggestions: MBA.com, the website for the Graduate Construction Management Admission Council, has lots of suggestions and tips here.
  6. Timing your application: Check out this guide that has tips for planning out the best time to submit your application.

Your Application

Below are tips for cleaning up your application and making sure it’s error-free.

  1. Make copies: Before marking up the original, make sure you can make copies or print out several editions so that you won’t have to scratch through or white-out your mistakes.
  2. Triple check each question and box: It’s absolutely important that you don’t leave anything blank.
  3. Remember your name: Don’t forget your name and/or signature!
  4. If you have bad handwriting, type it: Type in your answers if you have terrible, illegible handwriting.

Scholarships and Grants

Part of the admissions process is evaluating what kind of financial aid you need and where you can find it. Read our tips below for help locating scholarships and grants.

  1. How to Go to Business School for Free: Don’t discount options like full tuition and hefty grants.
  2. Funding and Scholarships: Read tips for evaluating your financial need here.
  3. FastWeb: This site lists all kinds of scholarship information that will help you pay for business school.
  4. National Association of Women MBAs: Women MBA hopefuls should consider applying for this scholarship.
  5. National Black MBA Scholarship Programs: African American applicants may want to apply for assistance through the National Black MBA Association, Inc.
  6. NSH MBA: The National Society of Hispanic MBAs also has scholarship programs for Hispanic students going to business school.
  7. Scholarships.com: Search by school or scholarship to find the best solution for your needs on this site.
  8. FAFSA: You can find federal aid for graduate school, too.
  9. Paying for Your MBA: School-Based and Federal Aid: Learn about these two types of MBA tuition assistance here.
  10. 4 Things to Know About Receiving Tuition Reimbursement from Your Employer: Getting your boss to pay for your MBA is very tempting, but make sure you’re aware of all the loopholes and fine print first.

Evaluating Your Skills and Experience

From preparing for interviews to asking for letters of recommendation to finding the best MBA program for you, we’ve got a lot of advice and resources to help you evaluate your skills and experience.

  1. Career Planning: Learn how to identify your skills using this guide.
  2. Leadership Skills Assessment Questionnaire: Rate your leadership skills to help you design your resume and application.
  3. How Schools Evaluate Your Application: By understanding how admissions departments analyze your application, you’ll have a better feel for what to include and what to leave out.
  4. Personal and Professional Career Assessment: The Harvard Business School has put together this resource to help students identify their strengths, goals and career goals.
  5. SMU Admissions Criteria: Here you’ll find plenty of admissions tips as well as gain insight into the kinds of skills and experience candidates are expected to have when they apply to a respected MBA program.
  6. Credit for Work Experience: If you’ve already put in many years in the business sector, you might be able to enroll in a program with some credits already satisfied.
  7. HBS Gives Advice on Letters of Recommendation: Learn what to ask for when you request letters of recommendation.
  8. Work after your undergraduate degree: Most competitive business schools, including international schools require, or at least prefer, their incoming students have a few years of experience working in a business environment.
  9. Foundation Skills: Use this resource from The Career Key to better evaluate your marketable skills.
  10. Are You Ready for an MBA?: Before you even start researching schools, ask yourself if you’re ready to take the next step and if you’re at the right place in your life to go back to school.
  11. Work Experience: Learn "what your work experience says about you" and how others view your experience.

Essays and Interviews

Follow these links to even more tips about acing the interview and writing a winning essay.

  1. Application Tips from the MBA Class of 2008: Stanford MBA students share tips in this video.
  2. MBA Admissions Essays: Learn strategies for successful essay writing here.
  3. Look at Your Competition: Before heading into an interview or writing your essay, anticipate how your competition is going to try to stand out.
  4. MBA Admissions Interview: Tips, Sample Questions, Feedback: Access sample interview questions that will help you prepare.
  5. Sample MBA Application Essays: Read examples of four types of essays: the background essay, the goals essay, the personal essay and the example of what not to write.
  6. MBA Admissions Interview Tips: Before going to an interview, learn how to set your own communication objectives and speak coherently.
  7. Write for Acceptance: Consider taking an essay-writing class or getting professional help designing your MBA essay.
  8. Application Essay Dos and Donts: Listed in this guide are 20 different dos and donts for MBA application essay writing.
  9. Essays: MBA.com’s resource features a list of things all essays should consider and important points to remember when crafting your MBA admissions essay.
  10. Admissions Interview Tips: Click on a specific business school to find out what kinds of interview questions they typically ask.

Articles and Guides

This list includes tips about tweaking your resume, analyzing your GPA, and more.

  1. MBA Admissions Resume: Read this guide to learn about the characteristics of a good resume.
  2. GMAT Test-taker Rights and Responsibilities: You’ll need to familiarize yourself with your rights before taking the tests.
  3. Recipe for Disaster: Application Mistakes You Want to Avoid: Learn what not to do when you read this guide.
  4. Academic Record: Know how admissions offices will regard your academic record and GPA.
  5. Letters of Recommendation: Kaplan shares more tips for making your letter of recommendation personal.
  6. MBA Admissions: Low GMAT or GPA: Learn how to address a low GMAT score or GPA during the applications process by reading over this guide.
  7. Managing Your Offers: Get tips on what to do when you’re rejected, admitted and deferred.
  8. How Important is Your GMAT Score?: If you’re a nervous test taker, read this guide to get a more realistic idea of how much your score matters.
  9. Admissions to Business School: Yahoo! Education’s guide to applying to business school lists top schools and admission statistics, and gives you insight into the competition.
  10. Glossary of Terms: Look up business school terms to make your application process easier.

Forums and Blogs

Turn to these resources for advice from the people who’ve already been there.

  1. GMAT Hacks: This blog has daily tips for cracking the GMAT.
  2. MBA Forums: Check out what MBA students are saying to get an impression of what you’ll really encounter in business school.
  3. MBA Zone: Categories and threads here include "What are my chances?" and "Application questions."
  4. BW Business Schools: BusinessWeek’s forum includes discussions about going back to school, early decision and more.
  5. Beat the GMAT: Get tips for acing GMAT strategy, math and verbal sections.
  6. GMATClub: Here’s another forum for cracking the GMAT.
  7. Veritas Prep: The blog for the Veritas organization has tips on essay writing and more.
  8. MBA Admissions Wire: MBA applicants can find plenty of advice and links here.
  9. Journey to my MBA: Get tips on the TOEFL, interviews and more on this blog.
  10. The MBA Insider’s Blog: UCLA Anderson School of Management offers up plenty of tips and news for its programs.

General Tips

Our last list features a round-up of tips that can help you organize your admissions process.

  1. Know why you want to go to business school: This question will come up in your essay, interviews, and everywhere else in the admissions process. Expressing a clear set of goals for how business school will affect you personally is what deans and presidents want to hear.
  2. Be thorough: Be thorough with your research, tracking down teachers who can write your recommendations, evaluating your skills, and reviewing your application.
  3. Be honest: Admissions directors conduct background checks, so if you lie on your application, you’ll be disqualified immediately.
  4. Pick a backup school: It’s the same rule as college, but even more necessary now, since MBA schools are even more competitive. Have a backup school waiting in the wings in case you don’t get in to your first choice.
  5. Emphasize Your Leadership Skills: Business schools have an invested interested in how well you can demonstrate leadership skills before, during and after you earn your MBA.
  6. Proactively Address Academic Gaps: Make sure all of your prerequisites and transcripts are in order.
  7. Every Contact Counts: Don’t blow off an interview or make a rude phone call. Know that every contact with your business school counts.
  8. Visit the campus: This shows the school how interested you are and gives you a better idea of how you think you’ll fit in.
  9. Prepare adequately for the GMAT: Take practice tests, understand the format, and of course, get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast before the exam!

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Free 2010 Online MBA School Reports in Under a Minute

What is an MBA?

MBA is short for “Masters of Business Administration” and it is a post-graduate degree. It is one of the most well-known degrees and also one of the most highly-esteemed achievements. An online MBA can help those who are in the field of business and management, especially those who are looking to move up in the company such as those in executive and managerial positions.

Online MBA

An online MBA can be the key to achieving your career goals and financial dreams. Even if you don’t have the time to leave your current profession and go back to school, because of online MBA classes you can set a flexible schedule and time line and begin making the changes in your life that are required to help you grow, prosper, and move on to heights of success that you perhaps had stopped dreaming of. Stay at home mothers, busy workers, and even those who simply can’t afford to attend classes while not working have all found that achieving their online MBA is something that can be done despite their challenging circumstances.

Online MBA Courses: What will I learn?

There are different kinds of online Masters of Business Administration programs, but they all require similar standards and demand the same work ethic. A student of the online MBA program will be able to gain business knowledge, leadership abilities, as well as be able to network with other students. The MBA programs, as well as the business schools, will equip you with the knowledge necessary to get ahead in your career. Students will be taught business strategies, successful business models and concepts, and will also be able to gain experiential training which are usually demanded in the MBA courses.

Through the training, students of the online MBA schools will get to learn faster and be prepared for real life encounters. Online MBA courses may ask students to go through rigorous training, complete assignments, reports, presentations, group projects, and more so that they will come out fully capable of handling any situation with confidence.

Online MBA Programs: What kind of online MBA programs are there?

Most MBA programs are similar in structure and will have similar standards. However, there are different types of programs for those who want to obtain the online MBA degree so that students can maximize their time. There are four main types of Masters of Business Administration programs: 2-year MBA program, 1-year MBA program, part-time MBA program, and executive MBA program.

Most online schools with full-time online MBA programs will be the 2-year MBA program, or 21 months. These programs will often require the students to participate in an internship or similar so that they can network and create business contacts to apply and use in their online courses.

The 1-year full-time Masters of Business Administration program is another popular path that students will take. This online MBA program will cover the same material but, instead, it will be accelerated. The acceleration is possible because the 1-year program is designed for students who already have the experience, but want the degree to advance into another position in their workplace.

Online MBA Courses

The headlines are filled with stories of economic uncertainty and hardship and the top online MBA courses might be the cure to what ails you.. Prices are rising and incomes are going down. As a result employers are now faced with a flood of candidates for even the simplest professions. One way to stand out in the crowd of applicants is to have a higher degree that shows those hiring that you have the necessary drive and determination to learn the skills you need to manage businesses, consult on marketing advertising, or sales team methods, and to do the necessary business functions of accounting and data analysis. Online MBA courses are designed to fit a variety of situations and it is certin that you can find one that fits you.

Online MBA Programs

With online MBA programs there is rarely a set schedule or required times to study. When you have to attend your child’s concert or play, you would miss a traditional class, but with online MBA programs you can simply do the work when you have the necessary free time. The flexibility is one reason why so many people are taking courses while still working, raising children, or being faced with the many challenges that come up in modern life situations and requirements. Programs will challenge you and test you just as those in colleges and universities do, but the difference is you won’t be challenged to find the time to do the program. That portion of the challenge lies in what you have available which can take a lot of the stress and hardship out of your studies.

Online MBA Degrees

An example of how online MBA degrees can benefit you comes from a recent study of CFOs working for companies with or without an MBA. Those without any degree typically earned an income of approximately $38,910, those with a Bachelors Degree did better with an income of about $88,386, and those CFOs who held an MBA were earning close to $105,000. That’s a great reason to make the investment of time and money required to achieve online MBA degrees. An MBA is more than a piece of paper, it is a certified notice to your employer that you have the necessary skills to perform the work and duties they want to trust you with.

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5 Sneaky Ways to Save $100 a Month

Did you save 6.4 percent of your paycheck last month? That's how much Americans managed to sock away on average, according to a recent Commerce Department study. If your savings rate is not up to snuff and you're finding it hard to pinch those pennies for a rainy day, try some of these sneaky switches to trick yourself into saving more than the national average.

[In Pictures: 8 Painless Ways to Save Money.]

1. Fire your bank?

I dare you to add up all your banking fees. Go ahead, add your ATM fees, monthly account fees, overdraft protection fees, minimum balance fees, debit card transaction fees, and the myriad of other miscellaneous fees to see how much your bank is costing you. If you're not careful, those seemingly small bank fees can sneak up and take a serious bite out of your savings. If you're paying a pretty penny for the privilege of using your own money, then maybe it's time to give your banker the pink slip and switch banks. There's no doubt that switching banks can be a pain, but spending the time to open a no-fee checking account or negotiating a lower fee plan could save you up to $100 (or even more) each month. Download this free Switch Bank Accounts Checklist to make your move smoother.

2. Make your kids pay for it!

If your kids keep asking for stuff they don't need, then maybe it's time to get sneaky by closing the bank of mom and dad and making your kids spend their own allowance. Teaching kids the value of earning a dollar can help them grow into financially savvy teens, and not giving in to every childhood whim could save you hundreds each month. Be strong. You can do it. A fun way to get your kids to start saving for stuff is to teach them about setting financial goals -- download this How to Set Financial Goals Worksheet to make saving money a family affair.

3. Lower your mutual fund fees.

If you put your retirement savings into mutual funds, chances are those sneaky investing fees -- management expense ratios (MERs), loads, and trailer fees -- are all drastically decreasing your investment returns each year, without you even noticing! Do yourself a financial favor by reading your mutual fund prospectus -- that booklet your financial advisor sends you every year -- and adding up your total investment costs.

Use this Portfolio MER Calculator to tally the average management expense ratio for your entire portfolio as well as the total yearly expenses incurred. This handy financial tool may just inspire you to switch to lower-cost investments, such as index funds or exchange-traded funds. Cutting your investment costs by over 1 percent could save you thousands per year, depending on the size of your portfolio.

[Visit the U.S. News Personal Finance site for more insight and money management tips.]

4. Pay your mortgage biweekly, not monthly.

Paying your mortgage every two weeks saves you an astounding amount of money and pays off your mortgage sooner. By opting for biweekly payments, you will pay a bit more each month and there will be a few months where three mortgage payments are due, depending on how the weeks fall, but if you are on biweekly paychecks, you won’t notice the difference. For example, when compared with monthly payments, switching to an accelerated biweekly payment plan can save you around $30,100 in interest and end your mortgage almost four years sooner, assuming a $200,000 loan at a 5.6 percent interest rate with a 25 year term. That's an average of $100 saved each month! Also, try these 6 Ways To Avoid a Mortgage Meltdown for more sneaky ways to own your home sooner.

5. Plug in your slow cooker.

Coming home after work without a family dinner plan is a surefire way to spend big bucks on takeout. So why not get sneaky by making your family a home-cooked meal while you're away at work? Just throw a few tasty ingredients into a slow cooker the night before, and plug in the pot before heading out the door.

Not only are slow cookers easy to use and frugal to buy, but they can also cut your grocery bill significantly by allowing you to purchase cheaper cuts of meat and tenderizing them over low heat for a longer time. Need more convincing? Check out 6 Reasons to use a Slow Cooker and How to Buy a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot for all the healthy, cost-cutting, and time-saving details. When you're ready to get cooking, try these slow cooker recipes to save on your food budget this month.

Kerry K. Taylor writes at Squawkfox.com, a blog where personal finance and frugal living are sexy, delicious, and fun. Kerry is the author of 397 Ways To Save Money: Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less.

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UCLA: A Virtual Tour

Anderson School of Management

Images courtesy of UCLA

By Sommer Saadi

Anderson School of Management

Founded in 1935, the Anderson School of Management is one of 11 professional schools at UCLA. The top-tier program offers full time, part time, and executive MBA programs, as well as doctoral programs in seven major fields and executive-education courses.

The business school campus consists of six buildings, each focused on a specific aspect of management education, such as entrepreneurial studies, finance and investments, and real estate. Construction began in l987 with a founding gift from John E. Anderson, class of 1940, and was completed in 1995.

With the campus situated in Los Angeles' Westwood neighborhood, Anderson students can access bountiful commercial and cultural activities. The Greater Los Angeles Area hosts companies dedicated to aerospace, biotech, finance, consulting, and media and entertainment, as well as a hub of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Students polled in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek survey say UCLA Anderson is a good match for anyone looking to start a career in Southern California.

Photos provided by UCLA Anderson. Caption information provided by the school and Bloomberg Businessweek research.
UCLA (Anderson) on Business Exchange

UCLA (Anderson) MBA Profile

UCLA (Anderson) MBA Events Calendar

Slide Show: Top U.S. MBA Programs

B-School Forum

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INSEAD VIrtual Tour

INSEAD MBA Program

Image courtesy of INSEAD

By Sommer Saadi

INSEAD MBA Program

For students at INSEAD, one of the world’s largest graduate business schools, diversity is key and having a multicultural experience is inevitable.

Across the school's two campuses in Singapore and France, and the two centers in Israel and Abu Dhabi, 137 faculty members from 35 countries work with more than 1,000 degree participants—MBA, Executive MBA and PhD—and more than 9,500 executives from companies around the world. The 10-month, full-time MBA program pioneered 50 years ago now welcomes more than 900 students of about 70 nationalities, all with the opportunity to spend time on the Asian and European campuses and engage in two different cultural and business environments.

"There is no other place like INSEAD to meet people from all over the world, extend your international exposure, and learn from one another," says one MBA graduate surveyed by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Photos provided by INSEAD. Caption information provided by the school and Bloomberg Businessweek research.

INSEAD on Business Exchange

INSEAD MBA Profile

Slide Show: Top International MBA Programs

B-School Forum

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Harvard: A Virtual Tour

Harvard Business School

Image courtesy of Harvard University

By Zachary Tracer

Harvard Business School

Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. and one of the most well-known. Founded in 1636 to provide an English university education in England's colonies, Harvard now offers academic programs ranging from law and business to divinity. Breaking with its English roots, Harvard awarded an honorary degree to George Washington after his army pushed British troops out of Boston in 1776. The university has educated seven U.S. Presidents and has more than 320,000 living alumni worldwide.

Harvard Business School has been educating aspiring business leaders since 1908, when the first class of 80 students entered the school. Soon after, the school adopted the case method of instruction, in which students apply classroom principles to real-world problems. The case method has since spread to many other business schools, and HBS now sells more than 7 million cases a year. In addition to a highly ranked two-year full-time MBA, HBS also offers doctoral and executive education programs.

Photos provided by Harvard University and specified photographers.

Harvard on Business Exchange

Harvard MBA Profile

Slide Show: Top U.S. MBA Programs

B-School Forum

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