John M. Olin School of Business

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business History

Washington University, founded in 1853, is a private, coeducational institution. The 169-acre campus is located in a suburban area 10 miles west of St. Louis. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 13,531.

The John M. Olin School of Business was founded in 1917 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, John E. Simon Hall. Courses also are offered at Fudan University, Shanghai, China (EMBA). The basic educational approach is to develop critical thinking skills, to promote creative thinking, innovation, and risk taking, and to offer applied learning opportunities.

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business Academics

The Olin School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Accounting (MACC), and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) as well as a doctoral program in business administration, and a joint degree in law, social work, East Asian studies, architecture, health administration, and biomedical engineering. Other programs include a 3-2 degree, a cooperative program with the School of Social Work, internships, work-study programs, foreign exchange with the Manchester Business School in England, the Koblenz School of Corporate Management in Germany, the University of Paris at Dauphine, the Institute for Advanced Study in Administration in Venezuela, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, ESADE in Spain, and llM Ahmadabad in India, and short course summer programs in London, Paris, and Germany. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, operations manufacturing and management, strategy, and general management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These include Century Club Breakfasts, the Calhoun Lecture, the Kellwood Lecture, and guest speakers in classrooms and clubs.

Sixty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 38 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Introduction to Management and Strategy
• Managerial Economics
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Statistics
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior and Design: Leadership in Teams and Organizations
• Strategic Management
• Strategic Cost Analysis
• Integrative Case Experiences
• Career Navigator

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by waiver procedure with previous coursework.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 2 years; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2.5 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 69 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 99% hold a doctorate; there are 27 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 38.

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The Kopolow Business Library houses a collection of more than 28,700 volumes and 362,000 microform items, and subscribes to 400 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in finance. Students have access to such databases and networks as ProQuest Direct (ABI), Nexis, InfoTrac, Dow Jones Interactive, Disclosure, Global Access, Hoover’s Online Business Network, RDS Business Reference Suite, ISI Emerging Markets, Dun & Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Database, Moody’s, Zacks Company Advantage, Info USA, Sorkin’s Online, and Standard and Poor’s Net Advantage. Other opportunities for research consist of the main library at Washington University and the Reuben C. Taylor Experimental Laboratory in Business and Economics.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of PC and laptop labs. The PC lab is equipped with laser printers, scanners, and CD-RW drives. All classrooms have network connections, and the wireless LAN is accessible in all public areas. Blackboard e-learning platform provides web-based access to syllabi and course materials, and students have access to a Polycom videoconferencing system.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were corporate finance, marketing, investment banking, operations and manufacturing management, consulting, strategy, and general management. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $81,000. Placement services are extensive and those available to alumni include access to on-line job postings; assistance with resume critiquing, interviewing, and counseling; and use of the career services library and facilities. Placement is available through the Weston Career Resources Center. Eighty-eight percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within 3 months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based awards and loans (including a loan program for those without domestic cosignors). The application deadlines for fall entry are November 17, January 2, February 27, and May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a mini semester basis. Semesters are 7 weeks long; summer sessions (for part-time MBA students only), 7 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. A strong mathematics background is required. The GMAT is recommended and the GRE is accepted for MACC, MSF, and PhD programs.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 568; 305 were accepted; 139 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.37; average GMAT score was 659. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by participation in the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management(www.cgsm.org), the leading organization associated with promoting, recruting, and funding highly qualified underrepresented minorities to top MBA programs.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $100, 2 letters of recommendation, and 4 essays. The application for fall entry are November 17, January 2, February 27, and May 1. Students are notified of the admissions decision based upon the application deadline they meet. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year for special circumstances.

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management fellowship program. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is May 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $1085 per credit, or $35,950 per year. Graduate student housing consists of private housing available off campus only. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Washington University in St Louis, John M. Olin School of Business Students

Forty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 94% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of full-time MBA students are from foreign countries (39%). Twenty-nine percent are women, 14% are minorities, and 39% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 40. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 31%, business; 29%, engineering; 15%, social sciences; 11%, math and science; 8%, liberal arts; and 6%, economics. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 139 graduate business degrees were awarded.