WSJ "Best Executive MBA" Survey

In case any of you ladies out there are interested in an Executive MBA program instead of the regular ol' MBA, check out this article that was published in the WSJ yesterday.

I don't know too much about EMBA programs, but I find it very interesting that two schools completely pulled away from the rest of the pack in this survey. Apparently, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School have EMBAs that kick everyone else's arse.

According to the article, "Kellogg and Wharton were ranked at the top more often by companies by a wide margin over their competitors. What's more, corporate scores varied the most in our surveys, with the leaders outpacing the middle of the pack, and the middle schools leaving the laggards far behind. That variation and wide lead shifted the overall rank in favor of Kellogg and Wharton."

So there you have it! For more information on these and other highly-ranked EMBA programs, check out the Wall Street Journal.

Is anyone out there interested in an EMBA?

Economist Intelligence Unit 2008 MBA Rankings Released

Phew! That subject line is a mouthful!

But this is big news for prospective MBA students everywhere... and also for all the brand spankin' new MBA students who are currently pondering whether they made the right choice (ahem, not that any of us are doing that!). The Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2008 MBA rankings today, and you can find them here.

Rounding out the top ten overall ranked programs are the following:

1. IMD - International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland


2. IESE Business School - University of Navarra, Spain


3. University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, USA


4. Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA


5. Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business, USA


6. University of California at Berkeley - Haas School of Business, USA


7. University of Cambridge - Judge Business School, UK... which, I should probably mention, is where I am attending. It's about time I declared this information to the blogosphere! I am so proud of the ranking, but more proud still of getting accepted into this wonderful program. Of course, check back with me when I'm struggling through Business Statistics and Corporate Finance and see how wonderful I think it is... but in all seriousness, this program has been amazing thus far and I am thrilled that JBS is regarded so highly by this ranking.


8. New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business, USA


9. London Business School, UK


10. IE Business School, Spain

It is important to note that no ranking is the be all and end all. There are various MBA rankings and each offers a different perspective. The most important thing, in digesting rankings and choosing from among all the great programs out there, is to focus on the fit. Prospective students, focus on finding the program with which you are, as I would say in my non-business life, MFEO. Just as in any important life relationship, you and your program should be destined for each other, Made For Each Other, a perfect fit.

Just like me and Judge.

Woohoo Wall Street!

Photo via NYTimes; credit: Mark Lennihan/AP

Wowee!

Between The Brothers Lehman, The Dudes of Merrill, and AIG, it's a fine day in the US of A, eh?Good lord. All I have to say is, I'm glad I'm into my MBA program already... because I have a feeling the state of the economy is going to drive a bunch of people back to grad school. It will be very interesting to see what happens to application numbers this year.

Of course, it will be interesting to me, since I am already on the other side of it. I would not want to be in the midst of the application process again, period - much less this year.

But! Prospective MBA rockstars, never fear! When you are close to despair, keep in mind that the best MBA programs will look for diversity on many levels, and will not let the crush of laid-off finance peeps affect their acceptances too much. Programs look for a good balance of men and women; as well as professional, socio-economic, and career-aspiring diversity. Or so they should. I believe my program does (after all, the folks who run my MBA accepted me into it!), and all programs should.

So hang in there, MBA applicants!(And don't mind me as I take just a wee moment more to rejoice - and breathe a sigh of relief - for myself.)