Owen School sees greater selectivity, record increase in GMAT and second straight year of increased applications
NASHVILLE, September 1, 2006 – With classes underway for the newest crop of students at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, this year’s incoming group of MBAs represents the biggest jump in average GMAT score in the school’s 37-year history and a second straight year of increased applications. Total applications to Owen’s full-time MBA program jumped by more than seven percent, reflecting continued growth of and interest in the Vanderbilt brand of management education and resulting in a significant rise in selectivity.
The incoming class of 161 students boasts an average GMAT score of 642, an 18-point increase from last year, and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.23. International students make up about 25 percent of the class and represent more than 20 different countries, including Sudan, Ecuador, India, Korea, Suriname and Japan. The class is comprised of 26 percent women and six percent minorities, and has an average of 4.6 years of work experience.
A diverse mix of career and extracurricular backgrounds is also represented in this year’s incoming student body, an element that is encouraged to enhance the collective learning experience. In addition to young professionals from leading companies worldwide, the class also includes a U.S. Coast Guard captain, a collegiate NASA trainee and several decorated athletes, including the new quarterback of the Vanderbilt football team.
“This year’s class is exceptionally strong in terms of ability and background,” said Jim Bradford, Owen Dean. “We look forward to their contributions to the learning community here at Vanderbilt, and to introducing them to our unique world of academic and business immersion.”
Strong interest in health care, finance and executive degree programs
Now entering their second year, Owen’s two newest curriculum offerings – the Health Care MBA and the MS-Finance – have generated strong interest among students seeking a leg up in the health care and financial services industries. This year, nearly 40 new students will begin the Health Care MBA program, which is offered in partnership with Vanderbilt’s world renowned Medical Center. This specialized management education program, designed in collaboration with leading industry executives, provides students with the most robust and innovative health care management curriculum of its kind and features a unique “immersion” component that puts MBA students on the front lines of the nation’s complex health care system.
Owen’s MS-Finance program also saw strong demand from students, and overall applications to this specialized program have nearly doubled over the previous year. This year’s incoming class of 19 students has an increased average GMAT score of 670 and higher average GPA of 3.5. Designed for students interested in careers in financial analysis and risk management, corporate control, simulation modeling and asset allocation, the nine-month intensive is a flexible and modular program that draws upon Owen’s leading finance faculty and complements the finance concentration in the MBA program.
Owen's Executive MBA (EMBA) program also saw an increase in applications of 21 percent and a jump in enrollment of 15 percent. The Vanderbilt EMBA is one of the premier, full MBA programs offered on weekends for seasoned executives, and the full-60 credit curriculum is one of the more quantitatively rigorous programs available. Designed for individuals deep into their careers, this year's EMBA class of 46 students has an average GMAT score of 570, and higher average work experience (12.5 years) and average age (36).
“We’re seeing strong interest across the board in our broad range of programs,” said Bradford. “Students want a cutting-edge, relevant education that provides them with the tools they’ll need to succeed in today’s increasingly complex business environment. Our new students will find themselves challenged during their time at Owen, and I know the experience will impact them for a lifetime.”
Founded in 1969, the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University is ranked as a top institution by Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. For more news about Owen, visit www.owen.vanderbilt.edu.
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