University of Florida - Hough Graduate School of Business

The Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida offers four career-focused programs (Full-Time, Professional, Online, and Executive) and six concentrations that allow students to fully customize how and what degree they receive based on their job needs. On top of that, all admitted students in the Full-Time MBA program receive completely free tuition, and can further choose from one of three programs (two-year, one-year for all majors, and one-year for business majors). With small cohort sizes, learning can be individualized and “one-on-ones are not an uncommon sight between student and professor.” The entire school administration is “extremely well-run and prompt with [answering] student questions and concerns.” Furthermore, they integrate all students into the administrative process “promoting a sense of responsibility for how the school quality is and looks to external networks.” Basically, “everything about the experience is catered to each individual and their own backgrounds and experiences,” truly making a unique MBA experience for each student.

While the program is “very challenging,” it is clear that the professors want students to succeed. They are “caring and easy to reach” with strong field experience, with many “having private sector backgrounds and using their experience to drive experiential learning.” “Every class has given us skills that we can use in our current positions immediately.” They have credentials from “top institutions across the nation and the world” and provide “outstanding educational insight.” UF has “invested heavily in technology platforms that make registration and student management very easy,” and the MBA program is run “in a very professional and impressive manner.”

The career development in particular is “world class” and a “standout” in every program, with “strong and increasing results for the last few years.” The school promotes diversity and “limitless opportunities for success and career development,” and there is a great return on investment in terms of “fantastic” job placement and the possibility of an accelerated program schedule. Admissions to all programs has become incredibly competitive in recent years, which has allowed the school to build “a national reputation for academic excellence.” The administration is “passionate, dedicated, and helpful to driving our careers in the right direction,” and the alumni network is expansive, with “Gators all over the country willing to reach out and help in any way possible.” There are innumerable clubs and organizations catering to “virtually any interest,” and the Careers Services team has a “laser focus on recruiting and preparation for post-graduate careers,” meaning they meet with everyone individually and are “truly dedicated to helping each of us find a job.”

The school has a very small cohort-to-cohort size (in the twenties), and due to this tight-knit nature students “become extremely close with [their] classmates and spend a large amount of time together.” There is a very personal atmosphere throughout all of the programs with a variety of undergraduate degrees and work experiences represented, and the ensuing culture “promotes a desire to push each other to all succeed academically and in careers” as well as promoting “a sense of camaraderie.”

People are very involved with both academic and social activities outside of the classroom, and about once each semester there’s some type of social gathering (“usually pizza and beer”) where all the cohorts can meet up and talk.

The city of Gainesville revolves around the university, and it means “you get to live close to school for cheap prices, which is great.” About half of the students walk to class from home, and “everything students could want or need is within a tight radius of campus,” whether you’re looking for a wide range of places to eat, activities to do, or just escaping into the nature in the multiple state parks and natural springs nearby (about half an hour drive).