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FAQs
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
We receive many e-mail messages and telephone calls daily from accepted students who have questions regarding the University at Buffalo MBA program. Many of the questions are answered in this FAQ document. This document is updated as new questions are received. By reviewing this document first, you are likely to have your question answered sooner. If your concerns are not addressed in this document, please do not hesitate to send e-mail or call us at 716-645-3204 (or toll free in the U.S. and Canada at 877-BFLO-MBA). Thank you for helping us serve you better.
General
Costs
Program Structure
Classes
Student Life
Q. What is the average GMAT score?
A. For fall 2007, students accepted to the full-time MBA program scored an average of 630 on their GMAT and the middle 80 percent scored between 560 and 710. We evaluate each candidate’s overall application when making decisions, so there is no minimum cut-off. The class size was reduced by forty-five percent for fall 2007 reflecting more stringent admissions standards.
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Q. What is the average TOEFL score?
A. Due to a variety of TOEFL formats currently being offered we cannot give an average. Our computer based minimum is 230 and our IBT target is 100+ but be sure to consult with your recruiter on your score.
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Q. What are the characteristics of the incoming class?
A. The average student is about 25 years old with average work experience of about 2.3 years for the 2007 incoming class. We expect those metrics to continue to improve with a reduced class size.
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Q. What percentage of the incoming class is international?
A. About twenty-five percent of the 2007 incoming class is international. A total of 16 countries are represented, including the USA.
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Q. What is the tuition and cost breakdown?
A. Current tuition and housing cost information.
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Q. When do I have to pay tuition and fees?
A. The first payment due is your tuition deposit. In addition, there will be a fee for MBA Advantage due by mid-July. Your tuition bill will be due according to a university schedule.
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Q. What types of Financial Aid are available?
A. There are three forms of financial aid available to U.S. citizens:
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Fellowships: The University at Buffalo MBA program offers a limited number of fellowships to full-time students each year. These fellowships are awarded to the strongest candidates after interviews with our corporate sponsors. Fellowships typically award $5,000 - $7,500 per year. Students interested in consideration for awards should complete their applications by February 1, 2008.
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Assistantships: Assistantships are awarded to highly qualified candidates who did not receive a fellowship. An interview process may also be required. A student with an assistantship works 20 hours per week in return for a stipend and tuition waiver (waivers differ by department and should be verified with hiring unit.)
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Student loans: Students can apply for student loans by completing a FAFSA application.
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Q. What financial assistance is available for international students?
A. UB School of Management offers very limited financial assistance to a small number of international students prior to the start of classes. International students are encouraged to apply for assistantships once they arrive on campus.
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Q. Where can I find housing information?
A. For on campus information: University Residence Halls and Apartments
Off campus housing information is also available.
The School of Management works with the University Housing Office to allocate a block of apartments to MBA students. See current information.
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Q. Can I waive management subjects or transfer credits from previous coursework?
A. The University at Buffalo generally does not accept transfer credit and no courses are waived regardless of previous experience or education.
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Q. What joint degrees are offered?
A. The following joint degrees are offered:
- JD/MBA
- MD/MBA
- PharmD/MBA
- MA Geography/MBA
- M Arch/MBA
- BS or BA/MBA
- MSW/MBA
- AudiologyD/MBA
- MBA/MPH
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Q. What are the degree requirements?
A. All degree candidates enrolled in the MBA Program complete a required core curriculum in their first year of study. The second year is designed for the student to select electives. A detailed description of the curriculum can be found on the Web site and in the MBA Handbook. Handbook and Web site information may differ at a given time - the Handbook reflects requirements for current students while the Web site may reflect updates coming for the next year.
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Q. When can I choose my electives?
A. Beginning in the spring semester of the first year. Be sure to meet with the MBA Academic Advisor prior to beginning the program.
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Q. What concentrations are available?
A. Formal options are:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Global Services and Supply Management
- Information Assurance
- Information Systems and E-Business
- International Management
- Management Consulting
- Supply Chains and Operations Management
- Marketing Management
- Workforce Management
A specialization is also available in
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Q. Can I take a dual concentration?
A. Absolutely, although you’ll have to plan carefully from the beginning and be sure to meet with your academic advisor on a regular basis.
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Q. How do I make an advisement appointment?
A. Call us at 716-645-3204. Admitted and deposited students should make an academic advising appointment. All students should meet with their advisors prior to MBA Advantage. Group advising sessions may be scheduled for new students.
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Q. What is the average class size?
A. For 2007 we are reduced the size of the UB MBA class to approximately 100 students. New incoming classes will be divided into two cohorts of approximately 50 students in each. Cohorts will be then subdivided into study groups of approximately five students each.
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Q. What is the objective/purpose of the study teams?
A. The study groups give students the opportunity to develop team skills which are critical in today’s business world. Team skills include things such as oral and written communication, managing diversity and conflict, making meetings work, and leadership. In addition, students can work together to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths.
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Q. How many hours per week will I need to study?
A. Study time outside the classroom varies greatly from student to student and fluctuates over the course of the semester based on assignments and exams. You should expect to invest a minimum of 20 hours per week studying. Allocating time to study group meetings is critical and is the second most important aspect of the program next to class attendance. It is not unusual for students to spend eight to twelve hours a week in group meetings in addition to personal study time.
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Q. When do classes start?
A. School begins with MBA Advantage on August 18, 2008. If you are relocating to Buffalo, you should plan to arrive at least one week earlier to get settled. International students will begin orientation by August 13, 2008.
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Q. What is MBA Advantage?
A. MBA Advantage is a required professional development program that consists of 8-days over the course of your two years in the MBA program. Required sessions are scheduled in August and January of your first year, and September of your second year. Please be sure to check on dates before making any travel arrangements.
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Q. Will I need to buy books?
A. Yes. You will need to buy textbooks assigned by the faculty member and you will probably want to buy additional books to help you read around the subject. Texts are available at the University Bookstore as well as through other sources, such as a number of Web sites.
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Q. What books are required for each class?
A. A list of the texts used in each class is available at the campus bookstore. You may purchase the book at the bookstore or acquire it from other sources (i.e. online).
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Q. What is the teaching style for professors at UB?
A. UB faculty employ theoretical, case study, applied and practical teaching methods throughout the curriculum. The teaching method used in a class is the choice of the individual professor. Most courses will combine these methods.
Students are expected to participate and contribute to class and team discussions.
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Q. How accessible is the faculty to the students?
A. Teaching faculty members are there to support you. It is up to the student to contact them to make an appointment to discuss a particular issue. In addition, most faculty members use e-mail regularly and will happily answer quick questions using that technology.
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Q. What student clubs exist in the UB School of Management?
A. The School of Management offers the following student clubs:
- American Marketing Association
- American Production and Inventory Control Society
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Delta Sigma Pi
- Financial Management Association
- Graduate Management Association
- International Business Association
- Minority Management Society
- MIS Association
- Pi Sigma Epsilon
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Students in Free Enterprise
- UB Accounting Association
- Women in Management
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Q. What student activities are available?
A. There are various extracurricular activities throughout the year organized by the student organizations. You will be notified of these via e-mail and/or postings around the Jacobs Management Center and the Alfiero Center. Contact the sponsoring student organization for details.
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Q. Do I need a computer?
A. UB expects every incoming MBA student to have access to a personal computer beyond those provided in the university’s public computing sites. Faculty may assign computer-intensive work and design computer-intensive courses that will engage every entering student, on or off campus. While the easiest and most direct access will be to a PC owned by the student, ownership is not required.
As an entering student, you are expected to possess and develop computer skills in the following areas: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, Internet research and electronic mail. If you do not already have these skills, there are many campus resources available for developing them.
UB Micro, the on-campus technology store, offers many good packages and students may access a number of software packages for free. Check the licensing agreements before purchasing software.
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Q. Why is having access to a computer important to your academic success?
A. Computer and information technologies play an increasing role in teaching and learning at UB. Many UB instructors post course material on Web pages, assign projects involving Internet and database searching, communicate with class members via e-mail, and expect professionally prepared projects and research papers. If you don’t have access to a computer, you may not be able to fulfill course requirements.
Because all School of Management classrooms provide wireless computer access, you may find it useful to have a notebook computer with a WiFi card that you can bring to class. This is not required, just something to consider if you are planning to purchase a computer.
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