Enrollment in University of Richmond's MBA Program Increases 68 Percent
July 27, 2005
At a time when many MBA programs are experiencing a significant decline in applications, University of Richmond’s entering MBA class is 68 percent larger than last year’s.
A total of 62 students from eight different countries will begin classes at the Robins School of Business after completing a five-day opening residency in August.
“This will be not only our largest class since 1999, but also academically the best-qualified in 17 years,” said Richard Coughlan, associate dean for graduate and executive programs. “We have always drawn exceptional candidates, but we saw significant increases this year in GMAT scores and undergraduate GPAs among our applicants. That made admissions decisions very difficult.”
Coughlan noted that five entering MBA students already hold master’s degrees in other disciplines and six more are pursuing law degrees at Richmond’s School of Law. “They seem to appreciate the curricular changes we’ve made recently,” he said, citing new courses in investments, entrepreneurship, leadership and organizational change.
Students from China, South Korea, Bulgaria and Sri Lanka will be among the 31 men and 31 women who begin orientation Aug. 19 at the Jefferson Hotel.
“It is an extremely diverse group of individuals in so many dimensions. They will undoubtedly contribute to a very rich conversation with our faculty both inside and outside of the classroom,” Coughlan said. Twenty percent are from underrepresented populations, and more than half hold undergraduate degrees in engineering, science or the liberal arts. The group includes graduates of Cornell, Virginia, Pepperdine, North Carolina, Haverford and William and Mary. “With so many perspectives represented, the learning environment will be phenomenal,” Coughlan said.
Employees of Genworth Financial, Honeywell International, Philip Morris USA, Wachovia Securities and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals are among the entering class.
“We are also drawing students from the management ranks of local success stories such as The Martin Agency, Interbake Foods and CapTech Ventures,” he said. “A major reason for the increased enrollment is that aspiring executives now realize that they do not need to put their careers on hold for two years in order to earn an MBA. Our evening classes allow them to continue to work while completing the degree in three years or less,” he added.
The fall semester begins on August 29.