Smeal Business School
(Pennsylvania State University)
QUICK FACTS
- Location: State College, Pennsylvania, USA
- Program Length: 1 years
- Program Cost: $49,612
- Average GMAT score: 661
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
Employment Reports (2022)
- Received an Offer: 90%
- Accepted an Offer: 86%
- Median Salary: $116,500
- Median Signing Bonus: $20,000
RANKINGS
- #37 US News - Best Business Schools
CLASS OF 2023
- Total Enrollment: 54
- Women: 33%
- Average GPA: 3.48
ABOUT
The Penn State Smeal College of Business is a vibrant intellectual community offering highly ranked undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive education opportunities to more than 6,000 students from across the country and around the world. Since introduction in 1953, it has prepared 95,000 students for professional success, annually adding to Penn State’s vast alumni network. They are a destination of choice for top global organizations seeking talent that will make a positive difference. Through leading faculty and network of research centers and institutes, they are a source of knowledge that influences the business practices of tomorrow.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Round 1: October 1th, 2023
- Round 2: December 1th, 2023
- Round 3: February 1th, 2023
- Round 4: April 1th, 2023
APPLICATION PROCESS
Transcripts
As part of the application process for the Penn State Smeal One-Year MBA program, applicants are required to submit copies of official educational transcripts and, if applicable, degree certificates from all institutions previously attended. These materials are to be uploaded directly to the Penn State Graduate School online application. It’s important to note that while uploaded transcripts are considered “unofficial,” official/original transcripts will be necessary upon admission to verify the educational credentials.
Foreign Language Requirement
For international candidates, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. Official English language proficiency exam scores are required as part of the application process.
Recommendations
Applicants are required to provide the names, titles, relationships, and contact information for three professional or academic references. Unlike many other programs, Penn State Smeal One-Year MBA does not request formal letters of recommendation as part of the initial application. Instead, the admissions team may reach out to these references for additional information if necessary during the evaluation process.
Essay Description
As part of the application process, applicants are required to respond to an admissions essay question. This essay component is separate from the virtual interview and provides applicants with an opportunity to express their thoughts, experiences, and motivations in a written format. The essay prompt is provided within the Kira Talent platform, where applicants complete both the virtual interview and the essay.
Applicants are expected to provide a well-thought-out and concise response to the given essay question within a timed session. The essay allows the admissions committee to gain insights into the applicant’s communication skills, thought processes, and alignment with the values and goals of the Penn State Smeal One-Year MBA program.
Similar to the virtual interview, the essay must be completed within seven business days of submitting the Graduate School Online Application. Successful completion of both the virtual interview and the essay is crucial for the application to be considered complete and ready for evaluation by the admissions committee. Applicants are encouraged to carefully consider the essay prompt, reflect on their experiences, and present a compelling response that highlights their qualifications and enthusiasm for joining the Penn State Smeal One-Year MBA program.
Resume
A current and comprehensive resume is a mandatory component of the application. Applicants must include details about their work experience and secondary education up until the date of application. The resume is to be submitted online as part of the application process and should highlight the applicant’s professional background and academic achievements
Interview
The interview process for the Penn State Smeal One-Year MBA program involves a virtual format conducted via Kira Talent. Within 24 hours of initiating the online application, applicants receive a link to complete the virtual interview and an essay. The virtual interview comprises one-way video responses to three behavioral questions. Additionally, applicants must provide a timed, written response to an admissions essay question. Both the interview and essay must be completed within seven business days of submitting the Graduate School Online Application for the application to be considered complete.
Application Fee
To initiate the application process, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $65. The application will only be considered complete and ready for evaluation upon successful payment of the application fee. It’s important for applicants to adhere to all deadlines, including the fee payment deadline, to ensure their applications are processed efficiently.
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Alumni Network
At Penn State, a student is part of a worldwide community of instructors, learners and more than 700,000 alumni who support one another and strive to make a meaningful impact in the world. Within that network, more than 86,000 are graduates of the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Penn State Smeal alumni benefit from connections around the globe as well as networking events, podcasts, webinars, a powerful LinkedIn community, and countless opportunities to give their time and talents. The Alumni Career Services team supports students across all career stages with professional advancement opportunities and coaching to help them stay focused on achieving their goals.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The Smeal MBA program offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of business, including finance, marketing, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. Students gain a holistic understanding of the business world, preparing them for leadership roles in diverse industries.
Cutting-edge Research and Faculty
Smeal boasts renowned faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. Their cutting-edge research and industry experience enrich the learning environment, providing students with the latest insights and trends in the business world.
STUDENT LIFE
State College, Pennsylvania – also referred to as “Happy Valley”, ranks among the top college towns in the nation for being student friendly and accessible. The region offers vibrant nightlife, theater and concert performances, a diverse array of spectator sports, and ample opportunities for outdoor activities across the region. The University Park campus, the largest campus in the Penn State system, is home to a diverse population of more than 46,000 students. Although the Penn State Smeal College of Business is among the largest business schools in the country, the intentionally small Smeal MBA class size guarantees unparalleled access to top-ranked faculty and team of professional staff. As a Smeal MBA, students can expect to become an integral part of a tight-knit, collaborative community with opportunities to grow both inside and outside of the classroom.
MBA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
First Year
In the first year of the MBA program at Smeal Business School, students typically engage in a comprehensive curriculum that lays the foundation for their business education. Core courses cover essential topics such as accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, and organizational behavior.
The emphasis is on building a strong theoretical understanding of these fundamental business disciplines. Students also delve into real-world applications through case studies and group projects, honing their problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills. Leadership development is a key component, with workshops and seminars aimed at nurturing managerial and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the first year provides numerous networking opportunities and career development events, enabling students to explore potential career paths and connect with industry professionals and recruiters.
Second Year
In the second year, the MBA program at Smeal Business School offers a more specialized and tailored experience. Students have the flexibility to choose from a variety of specialized tracks or concentrations, such as finance, marketing, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, or data analytics. These specializations allow students to focus deeply on their areas of interest, gaining expertise in specific fields of business.
Second-year students may also opt for internships, providing valuable practical experience and often serving as a gateway to post-graduation employment. Furthermore, the second year offers advanced elective courses, enabling students to explore niche topics and stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in their chosen fields.
The year culminates in capstone projects, where students apply their knowledge to substantial research or consulting projects, integrating their learning and solving real-world business challenges. Throughout the second year, students continue to enhance their professional skills through workshops, interview preparations, and mentorship programs, ensuring they are well-equipped for their post-MBA careers.
FEATURED PROFESSORS
Lisa E. Bolton
Lisa E. Bolton is a Professor of Marketing and Frank and Mary Jean Smeal Research Fellow at the Pennsylvania State University. Her Ph.D. is in Marketing from the University of Florida. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from the Royal Military College of Canada. Her research focuses on judgment and decision-making by managers and consumers, with substantive interests in new products, pricing, risk perceptions, consumer spending and finances, health marketing, luxury consumption, branding, and cross-cultural marketing. She has published in leading marketing journals, including the Journal of Marketing Research, the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Retailing, the Journal of Consumer Psychology, and the Journal of Service Research. Her research has also been recognized by MSI (MSI Young Scholar’s Program 2005) and the AMA (the John A. Howard AMA Doctoral Dissertation Award 1999-2000), and she serves on the editorial review boards of the Journal of Consumer Research (AE), the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing (AE), the Journal of Marketing (AE), the Journal of Retailing (AE), the Journal of Consumer Psychology, and the Journal of Consumer Affairs. She teaches marketing courses, with an emphasis on consumer insight, in undergraduate, MBA, and Ph.D. programs in the Smeal College of Business.
David A. Cather
Dave Cather joined the Smeal College of Business in 2006. Prior to his current position at Penn State, Dr. Cather taught at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S.B.A. from Bowling Green State University and an M.B.A. and Ph.D. in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia. Dr. Cather’s research interests include corporate risk management, insurance data analytics, auto insurance, and corporate governance. His research has been published in a variety of journals, including Journal of Risk and Insurance, Risk Management and Insurance Review, Journal of Banking and Finance, and the Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance. In the classroom, Dr. Cather is an accomplished instructor who has received several teaching awards. He was the 2008 recipient of the Les Strickler Innovation in Instruction Award, presented by the American Risk and Insurance Association. While at Wharton, he was the recipient of the Sigma Kappa Phi Outstanding Professor Award. Before starting his academic career, Dr. Cather worked in the property-liability insurance industry as a licensed independent agent.