Information regarding Orfalea College of Business, California Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA,USA

We thanks Ms Yu Tse for arranging this and making this information available to MBA aspirants at UrPercentile

Cal Poly Campus View

www.UrPercentile.com : Kindly tell our subscribers about Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA Program ? MBA Office: The Orfalea College of Business at California Poly State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) offers one-year MBA programs that follow the educational philosophy of “learn by doing”. The programs’ in-class experience includes simulations of management decision-making scenarios, case studies, team exercises, extensive interaction with faculty and other students, and personal communication and presentation skills enhancement. These skills provide future managers with the ability to make data-supported, ethical decisions. The Orfalea College of Business' (OCOB) MBA programs are accredited by the AACSB and admit a limited number of students each year. This select group of graduate students fosters an eclectic student body with a strong sense of community and a culture that emphasizes high quality performance. Students accepted into and enrolled in Cal Poly’s OCOB MBA programs may: • Enter the program without an undergraduate business degree and without completing prerequisite business course requirements. • Choose an accelerated option (Track One) that allows full-time students to follow a prescribed course of study and complete the program in less than a year. (A traditional, non-accelerated option is also available; Track Two.) • Study relevant, current, challenging, and intellectually stimulating courses. • Enroll in two short intensive summer sessions to complete the MBA program and/or follow the accelerated option requirements. These special summer session courses include the Commercial Development of Innovative Technologies, Effective Communication Skills for Managers, and a 2-1/2 week business study tour to mainland China that allows students to apply what they learned during the program. • Work with renowned faculty in a friendly and professional academic atmosphere. • Live and study on California's beautiful Central Coast - located midway between the urban areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

In addition to a general management MBA, Cal Poly offers an MBA with a Specialization in Agribusiness, and an MBA with a specialization in Graphic Communication Document Systems Management. Two-year dual-degree options are also available for students wishing to pursue two graduate degrees simultaneously. For example, a formal joint MBA/MS program in Engineering Management (EMP) and various other informal MBA/MS or MBA/MA dual-degree options are available. 

www.urpercentile.com : What is the selection criteria for the courses and a typical profile of the student joining your university?
MBA Office: Cal Poly graduate programs are comprised of students with varied professional, academic and cultural backgrounds, enhancing the learning experience for all participants.  The unique design of the MBA program allows for students with undergraduate degrees in areas as diverse as Aerospace Engineering to Zoology, Art History to Manufacturing Engineering, Agriculture to Physics, and Kinesiology to Viticulture to blend together in an eclectic mix which fosters a unique learning experience.  Demographics for the past year can be viewed at http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/gradProgram/degrees/demographics.html

www.urpercentile.com : What is the required TOFEL score for International Applicants ?
MBA Office: If you take the paper and pencil version, your score must be at least 550. If you take the computer-based test, you must earn a score of at least 213 or 80 on the new internet-based exam.

www.urpercentile.com : What GMAT/GRE score and GPA will be considered competitive for admission?
MBA Office: While we consider application with a wide-range of GPA’s they must have earned a GPA of at least 2.5.  Applicants who submit a lower then average GPA (<3.3) must earn a higher then average GMAT to remain competitive.  Our mid 80% range GMAT is 570 to 690.

www.urpercentile.com : What are the guiding principles, goals and philosophy of the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA program?
MBA Office : Our mission is to create a dynamic educational environment that inspires students to think effectively, take responsible action, and make a positive impact on business and society. We strive for excellence in the learning process which includes the development, refinement, application, and dissemination of knowledge.
Our goals is to provide a broad-based understanding of fundamental concepts, principles, and practices in multiple business disciplines. Also we work to install an integrated understanding of business dynamics for effective responses to the changing global business environment. Finally we want to help students acquire skills in formulating, analyzing, and implementing significant business decisions.
Above all, we base our actions upon their positive impact on the human condition. We act with integrity. We aim to continuously improve our understanding of the learning process in order to consistently provide educational programs of the highest quality. We are committed to the highest quality undergraduate program, while continually offering high quality graduate and other professional programs. We endeavor to develop life long competencies rather than mastery of specific information. We subscribe to the philosophy of "learning by doing."

www.urpercentile.com : What are the factors used in determining if they get into the program?
MBA Office: The factors considered in the admission process are listed below:

• An acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution
• Previous academic performance as determined by a review of transcripts as well as the earned grade point average (GPA)
• Possession of adequate skills to succeed in the program as determined by their performance on the GMAT exam
• Information gathered from the supplemental application related to reason for entry into the program, future career plans, program expectations, etc.
• Information gathered from submitted letters of recommendation
• Information collected on the CSU Mentor application
• TOEFL performance
• Prior work experience (if any)

Additional Admissions Requirements including completing the Educational Background Check, Health Insurance Contract, Statement of Purpose, Financial Responsibility form and Spouse/Dependent Declaration.

www.urpercentile.com : How much will a student coming from abroad have to spend for the course?
MBA Office: The cost varies, depending on the students choice of Track 1 or Track 2.  However, if an international student pursues the MBA degree on the accelerated track option (track 1)  the tuition is approximately $23,284.  For course and tuition fees you can refer to http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/gradProgram/admissions/cost.html. Note that international applicant pay an additional $226 per unit for each regular academic quarter course.

www.urpercentile.com : Does Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business provide assistance in boarding and lodging when students come from overseas?
MBA Office: On campus and off campus housing is available.  In addition, Cal Poly’s International Education and Programs office can assist international students with their housing needs.

www.urpercentile.com : Why should an Indian student come to USA for a Management course ?
MBA Office: The Cal Poly MBA program is a 60-64 unit program that provides students who are willing to commit to a rigorous schedule of prescribed courses the option to complete the program in less than 11 months (Track I). A traditional MBA model (Track II) for those not pursing this accelerated option and/or simultaneously pursuing joint/dual degrees is also offered. Innovative elective courses are available to enhance the curriculum, including a transformational two-and-a-half week international business tour to the People's Republic of China. (To view the course blog that was started in connection with the trip to China, see www.calpolymbatrip.com.) For the Track One (Accelerated Track) Curriculum, click on (including the "Forecasted Schedule" icon): http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/gradProgram/degrees/MBA_track1.html For the Track Two Curriculum (Traditional Track), click on: http://www.cob.calpoly.edu/gradProgram/degrees/MBA_track2.html

The Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business offers a General Management Masters in Business Administration (MBA), an MBA with a Specialization in Agribusiness, an MBA with a Specialization in Graphic Communication Document Systems Management, an MBA & MS in Engineering Management (EMP) dual degree, and Masters of Science in Accounting - Taxation and a Masters in Industrial & Technical Studies (MS in I & TS). In addition, Cal Poly offers a variety of informal dual degree options including an MBA & MS in an Engineering Discipline (Non-EMP) dual degree program, an MBA & MS in I & TS dual degree program and a customizable MBA & MS/MS option where a student can link the MBA degree with certain other graduate degree programs on campus.