EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF MS REBEL SMITH TO UrPERCENTILE ON SUPPLY CHAIN RETAIL MANAGEMENT COURSE AT SAM M. WALTON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS , USA With retail sector booming and with many multi national companies entering the retail sector in India many of our subscribers were interested in pursuing a carrer in Retail Management. Many of our subscribers were interested in knowing about MBA programs available abroad in Retail Management. So we took interview of Rebel Smith, Assistant Director of Marketing and Recruiting, Graduate School of Business, Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, USA which conducts an Supply Chain Retail MBA program. We thanks Rebel Smith for her time for MBA aspirants at UrPercentile.com. Here is the Transcript :

UrPercentile.Com : Kindly tell our subscribers about the Supply Chain Retail MBA Program run by Sam M. Walton College of Business ?
Ms. Rebel Smith : The Walton College offers an exciting, newly redesigned retail and supply chain management focused MBA. The 48-hour program starts in January and continues for three semesters. Students choose one of the following four career tracks: retail marketing, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and finance. Assistantships are awarded to qualified students within a variety of companies, including: Wal-Mart, Tyson, Procter & Gamble, Dial, Sunbeam, Masterfoods, and Land O’Lakes. During the summer, students will either study abroad or intern. Internship sites include: Saatchi & Saatchi X, Acxiom, Wal-Mart, Newell Rubbermaid, GE, and FedEx Freight.

UrPercentile.Com : What is the selection criteria and a typical profile of the student joining Retail Management program in your university?
Ms. Rebel Smith : To be considered for admission, students must submit a completed application, application fee of $50, official undergraduate transcripts from four-year bachelor’s degree (B.COM + M.COM), two essays, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a GMAT score. The ideal candidate has a 3.4 undergraduate GPA, at least a 600 on the GMAT, and a minimum of two years of work experience.

UrPercentile.Com : What is the duration of Retails Management program ?
Ms. Rebel Smith : 16 months – this MBA begins in January and students graduate the following May.

UrPercentile.Com : How much will a student coming from abroad  have to spend for the course ? Are there any banks offering education loan for the course being conducted at University of Arkansas?
Ms. Rebel Smith : Tuition information can be found at: http://gsb.uark.edu/tuition.asp.
Students who receive a top level assistantship receive a tuition waiver and a stipend of $7500 ($2500 a semester). Students who receive a tier 2 assistantship pay in-state tuition, receive a stipend of $7500, and an additional scholarship of $2500.

UrPercentile.Com : Kindly tell our subscribers about scope and future prospects of MBA in Retail Management in USA ?
Ms. Rebel Smith : Students who are awarded assistantships have the opportunity to be placed at: Wal-Mart, P&G, Dial, Sunbeam, Masterfoods, Land O’Lakes, and Tyson. Summer internships occur at the following companies: Wal-Mart, GE, Newell Rubbermaid, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Acxiom, and FedEx Freight. For career information, please go to: http://waltoncollege.uark.edu/careerdevelopment/default.asp?show=natureofthework.

UrPercentile.Com : Does Sam M. Walton College of Business provide assistance in boarding and lodging when students come from overseas?
Ms. Rebel Smith : Upon admission into the program, information is sent to the students that includes lodging options.

UrPercentile.Com :Can you please tell us about typical job profile and salary that a student can expect after doing program in Retail Management.
Ms. Rebel Smith : This varies greatly on the career concentration, the amount of work experience the student has, and the geographic location in which they will be working. For more information, go to: http://waltoncollege.uark.edu/careerdevelopment/default.asp?show=natureofthework.

UrPercentile.Com: How can Indian students contact you for admission in Supply Chain Retail MBA Program run by Sam M. Walton College of Business ?
Ms. Rebel Smith : There is an online version of the application to the Graduate School of Business. Aspirants will be able to complete the application, enter resume, and print out forms for letters of recommendations. There are also instructions for submitting the extra materials to the Graduate School.
Admission information can be found at: http://gsb.uark.edu/admission.asp

UrPercentile.Com : Anything else you want to tell to MBA aspirants at urpercentile.com?
Ms. Rebel Smith : The GMAT score is very important. Students need to take the time necessary to prepare adequately for this test. The admissions committee also looks more favorable on applicants with work experience.
The Walton College encourages the application of international applicants. Our current MBA class is 30% international. Students of various backgrounds will be considered. Less than half of our current MBA students have an undergraduate degree in business.
For more information go to: http://gsb.uark.edu/default.asp. Email gsb@walton.uark.edu with questions.

UrPercentile.Com : Thanks a lot Ms Smith for your time for UrPercentile.com. It will help lot of MBA Aspirants.