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There is nothing like working from home. It is cheaper because you don't need to commute or buy a special wardrobe to go out into the public. You can also use a home office as a tax write off. Here are some ideas to help you start and succeed in a home based cake decorating business.

- Find a Unique Way to Sell Your Cakes - Think about why people should come to you for their cakes instead of going to a bakery. Do your cakes taste better, are they more beautiful, do you offer a unique style, or do you provide better service (drop off cakes on the special day)? You may want to offer all of these things to get the customers coming to you. Once they see the beautiful work you do, they will tell everyone they know and you will be able to get more business.

- Use Press Releases: You should send a press release to local and nearby news papers every time you participate in nonprofit or community events in your town. You should also send a press release if you have anything happen with your business. When you do, be sure to mention everything that makes your business unique. This will be a bit of advertisement along with the announcement.

- Advertise in newspapers and shoppers: Make sure to advertise your business. You should take out a larger ad the month of May for graduation, in May and June for weddings, or when a big event is going to take place. Place ads in the high school paper, or if you have a college nearby, you can advertise in any paper they may have and on the bulletin board. Before you do think about what discounts or specials you can offer for these events. Make sure you specify that all orders need to be in by a certain date, this could prompt buyers to take action and order from you.

- A Business Website: You should create a website for your cake decorating business. Make the site informative and easy to navigate. Show samples of your cake decorating skills, and mention how unique your business is, if you are flexible, and what type of cake decorating you do. You may or may not want to put prices on your website, sometimes it is better to have them call you and you can quote them a price, according to their needs. When you advertise, make sure you include your web address in your advertising.

- Look for Distributors: One way to expand your business is to find other businesses who are willing to advertise your cake decorating business. Coffee shops and restaurants will probably be your best bet. This will give your business more exposure and save you from having to open a store of your own. In exchange for this service they would receive a commission on each order you receive from their establishment.

- Barter with local party and event planners: You can strike up a bargain with local planners to show your portfolio to their customers. In exchange you can recommend them to your customers. Get included in their list of vendors, and they may have you making and decorating all of their cakes.

- Offer Free Products for fund raisers, church activities, local events and festivals. Get involved in fundraising for local charities, school, church, and business events. By offering a free cake for these events, you will be gaining a great deal of advertising exposure. Make up brochures and hand them out when you are in attendance.

- Real Estate Offering: Contact local Realtors and offer a special on housewarming cakes for their clients. Realtors often give a gift to clients when they sell a home. When you make cakes for these occasions, make sure to place the cake in a beautiful cake box imprinted with your business name, address, phone, and web address. You can also include a discount coupon if they order a cake within a certain time frame.

- Referrals: Tell everyone you come into contact with about your business. Carry business cards with all of your information on it. Give them 2 or 3 cards and ask them to pass them along to others who might be interested in using your talents. You should also ask customers for referrals. Offer them a discount on their next cake if they can drum up new business for you.

Most people don't think of going into business when they start cake decorating. Usually it is a hobby or because they want to make wonderful cakes for family events. Most people start a home cake decorating business because when they made these great cakes for family occasions, and those who saw the cake wanted them to make cakes for their special occasions.

There is also the appeal of working at home, you have the freedom to work when you want, as long as you get the cake to the customer on time. Many of these artistic cake decorators have children at home and want to stay at home with them, and be able to make a living too.

Maybe you have been thinking of starting a cake decorating business in your home. Think about why you would like to start a cake decorating business. If you have a good business plan and are good at time management, this can be a lucrative business. Even though your main reason to start a home business is to stay at home with the kids, or to save cash on a daily commute. Your main reason for wanting to start a cake decorating business at home should be that you are getting so many cake orders that it is taking a lot of your time and you feel you can go into business and make a go of it.

The cake decorating business can be fun, but it is also a lot of work, and you will need to have enough money to get your business off the ground. There are certain items you will need to start. You will need a few icing tips (the ones you use most often), a heavy duty mixer, mixing bowls, food coloring, spatulas, the right cake pans, enough room to work without being cramped, and an oven. The cake decorating business is time consuming, but it is very rewarding and enjoyable.

You will need to remember that family and friends are customers, and you will need to charge them for the cakes they want you to make. You have expenses and it will cost you to make a cake and you are in the business to make money. You may want to give them a discount, but you will definitely need to charge them for your time and the money you put into making the cake. You will need to check nearby bakeries and stores to find out what they charge for cake decorating.

Don't put your prices lower than the bakeries, try to charge around the same price and let your talent show the quality of your cakes. You will never be able to charge for your time, after all is said and done, you will probably be making about $1.00 an hour. That is why you charge by the cake. Although, the more cakes you make, the faster you will become, and you will be making a bit more for your time.

While bakeries make good cakes, you can make cakes that taste as good or better. You can also offer different options such as, a variety of cake flavors, a willingness to offer unique decorating options, and discounts or specials from time to time. At first, it is a good idea to charge around the same as the bakeries, when you become more experienced you can evaluate your prices. Once you become more popular and have made a name for yourself, you can charge more.

The advantages of operating a legal cake decorating business from your home are:

1. You can work when you want and take a break when you need one.

2. You won't have the overhead expenses that you would if you opened a shop.

3. You can be home to care for your family.

4. You will be able to make appointments to see customers. They would not be able to drop in unannounced.

5. You can set your own hours and even work in the middle of the night if you choose.

You need to be an organized, disciplined person, and have a bit of business sense.

While it would be great if the business was all fun, it does require a commitment. The question is, will your family go along with the long hours you will need to put in? You will need the support of your family if you are going to make the cake decorating business succeed. Some areas to consider are:

1. Weekends are usually tied up with baking cakes, as most events are held on the weekend. Will your family be understanding when you need to work every weekend? You will need to plan your cake decorating in advance and keep good records.

2. You are going to need extra storage for all of the equipment you need for your business.

3. You may find expenses for special equipment and classes to improve your art, can run a bit high.

4. You may need a separate kitchen to use for your business because of health requirements for the state.

In any travel situation, the further in advance you can plan your trip, the better you will do on all of your accommodations. But in the world of business, it often occurs that you have to get to a destination immediately and the ability to move swiftly is critical to the success of the business goal. The good news is that you can do some preparations well in advance for short notice business trips so you are not caught completely without a plan.

You don’t want to have to flounder around about how to book a flight and where to stay if the business journey looms suddenly and immediately. Short notice business trips seem to be endemic of certain industries and job descriptions so if you know you will go through this drill often, you can make some arrangements far in advance so you have a checklist of just what to do when you find out that you must be at your destination virtually immediately.

First of all, in a short notice travel situation, economy takes a second priority. Your employer knows that if you have to book full fare on an airline to get to your destination at a specific time, the higher expense is unavoidable. Make sure that your company travel policy has some clauses to put aside travel budget limits in such a scenario.

The part of the trip where you will have the least “wiggle room” will be airline accommodations. Of course, you can use the big internet search tools like Travelocity or Orbitz. In general, those are good places to start to find what airlines do have flights at your specified times. But once you pick an airline, working through the airline’s web site directly will show you the most options they can offer and sometimes provide you with better fares, even on short notice. Be sure you watch the travel details closely so you don’t find yourself enduring long layovers that are going to jeopardize the tight timetable of the business meetings you need to attend. If necessary, spend the money on nonstop flights to assure that the business goal of the trip is top priority.

Do your homework about hotel accommodations well in advance. If there are likely destinations that you could be called upon to go to quickly, you can do your research on the closest hotels to the business site so you cut down on commutes once you are there. By having your target hotels bookmarked and the phone numbers on file, you can quickly call and set up your accommodations in a matter of minutes. But if you find that your best choices for hotels are booked up on the days you will be at your site, call them anyway. A good hotel will call around to other hotels in the area and get you a room as close to your destination as possible. They can save you hours of frustration searching for a replacement room.

Rental cars are usually not as much of a problem. It’s a good idea to call ahead and get a reservation but short of a major convention or sporting event in town, there are so many rental car agencies that you should be able to find a car to rent even if you don’t start your search until you are on the ground at your destination city.

You can make other preparations for the possibility of a short notice business trip like having your toiletries and personal affects you always travel with packed and ready to walk out the door. By having your travel clothes ready to go, you can virtually walk home and walk out in a matter of minutes for a short notice business trip because you are that well prepared.

Nowadays, brand recognition is very important in differentiating your product from the rest; this is where Harvard Business School Press change branding comes in. This organization can offer advices on how a business can establish a brand to have a great impact on the consciousness of the customers.

Choosing the suitable media from a variety of available mediums is very essential because right now, most customers already have an affinity to the brand they are using. If you are one of those brands, it is important for you to maintain this affinity even though you intend to change your corporate or product branding. On the other hand, if you are only starting out or if the company you work for is not that popular, it is important for you to change your image; one of your choices is to change your brand.

There are some companies that use the long-tail and user-generated strategy to build brand recognition and brand loyalty even while they are changing their brand image. Take the example of Dove; they used to have the Campaign for Real Beauty where women were told to embrace their differences from other women, in short, to embrace their imperfections. Now, Dove is known as the soap which has one-fourth moisturizer content. So while this campaign does nothing to strengthen this feature, women still became loyal to the brand because of what it stood for.

Whether this brand strategy will prove to be successful over the long term still remains to be seen. But if they decide to consult with an established organization such as the Harvard Business School, they will have a greater chance to know the kind of campaign they should launch. Students at the Harvard Business School will likewise know a lot because of the various materials that will be provided for them later on. This adds to their knowledge so they can become effective and highly successful when they enter the business world in the future.

Companies should look into consulting with experts in the academia because they have a practical and theoretical experience with an unbiased opinion that can help propel a company to success. As you can expect, having an outsiders view is an essential aspect in conducting business. This is because often, most people involved in the company get so caught up with issues and concern for the company that they can no longer judge their brand or their product positioning for the market accurately. Right now, the Harvard Business School change branding service is one of the most effective ways for a company to gather information that will enable them to launch a specific campaign for an effective brand development.

Companies who decide to take advantage of the services provided by the Harvard Business School will surely not regret it. The kind of service and advice they can expect from this organization is worth every penny they shell out. With this in mind, it is no wonder that the Harvard Business School is experiencing growth in this area.

The Harvard Business School is certainly an organization you can trust to provide up-to-date and reliable information and advice about today’s business environment and market trends. Most companies can expect profitability if they take advantage of the change branding services that can be given by the school.

It’s important to know your objectives on a business trip and to set out with those goals in mind and to accomplish them. But along the way, something rather amazing happens when you travel on business. You may get to go to some pretty amazing places and get chances to see things you would have never sought out if you have your wits about you as you travel.

Business trips don’t have to be all about business. There are times when you have completed your work and you can take in some of the local color, attractions and good food as part of your visit to an area. The first resource to tap to find out what is really cool to enjoy in the city or town you are visiting are the locals. If you go to a far away town to conduct business with a partner or vendor, they are often more than happy to show you the lay of the land and what is fun to see and do in town.

If you can secure the evening of a local in your destination town, you can get quite an amazing tour of the area and see things that tourists may never find. It isn’t that hard to woo a local to be your guide. If you have expense account money, you can arrange to buy your guide dinner on the company dime. They get a good meal for free and you get a guided tour of the area. The first lobster I ate in Boston happened when a person in the office I was working with took me to see the sights and find the best lobster in town. She got a great meal and I enjoyed the local haunts of one of the great cities in the country.

But don’t be afraid to be a tourist if you are in a great city and you want to see the big sites. If you are in New York and you want to take the tour of the Statue of Liberty and the boat ride around the island, by God, you just do that. It can be a fine memory of your visit to the town and after all, you worked hard on your business objectives while in town so your entitled to some relaxation.

One of the best ways to get some free time to enjoy the local events and attractions is if you are there on Friday but your work must be continued on Monday. Most businesses would rather pay for two nights in a hotel and meals rather than fly you home and back out again. So you can keep your rental car and have two days to simply be a civilian for a while and really explore the local haunts.

To find those unique events in town that not many know about, read the local paper and look for those little local culture or arts papers like the Village Voice in New York. These papers will carry details of festivals going on around the area, what is happening in the clubs and theaters in town as well. You may find a regional celebration not far away that you can be part of and pretend to be a local for a few hours and have plenty of fun along the way.

If you do have a couple days to explore, don’t be afraid to travel a bit to see some things not that far away. On the east coast, a trip up Highway One will move you through some of the most scenic New England towns you can imagine. And you can linger and take a whale watching tour if you want to. If you already have a rental car, usually it is no more expense to use it to see the state or go to the coast nearby where you are doing business. At most it might cost you a tank of gas and for that you may get so see one of the great sights in the country.

Take advantage of your business travel to see the world, have some fun and as the song says “stop and smell the roses along the way”. If you do, you will come home with successful business to deliver to your company and a nice set of new memories to keep for a long time to come.

Business school is probably one of the most unique challenges you'll face beyond college. For one, there are certain requirements you'll have to complete and for another, it does require you to produce essays as part of admissions. Some programs make it even tougher, obliging applicants to produce not just one but multiple essays. So how significant is this to you? It's an indication that business schools place extra emphasis on your ability to communicate your ideas, your initiative and vision. It's also an indication that they put special consideration for your practical experience. That means you will have to put some serious thought into the preparation of your business school essays.

What your essay will contain

What you will write about will depend on the demands of the particular program you're applying for. Generally, though, you will be asked to explain why you chose that program. You will be also asked to write about your short- and long-term goals, your past working or business experience and how you think that particular business program will be beneficial to your career and your future. You will also be asked to write about key changes in your life that made you decide to pursue that particular career path.

Writing your business school essay

You might find it difficult to begin writing the very first sentence in your business school essay but once you've begun, you will find that it will flow naturally from there. To help you create a solid essay that is relevant, here are some important considerations you must keep in mind:

Keep your focus on the theme of your essay.

It's easy to get carried away in your essay, especially if you're very passionate about what you're writing about. Keep in mind that your essay is a reflection of your personality. If it's cohesive and well-written, you will be viewed as an organized individual who is capable of presenting his ideas in a format that people will like and understand.

Don’t meander from one topic to the next. Mention something only if it is beneficial or related to your essay. If not, keep the anecdote for some other more appropriate time.

Be concise.

Don’t try to overwhelm or awe the admissions department by flooding them with words. You're dealing with professionals here, who probably have more experience sifting through business school essays than you have years spent in school.

Use active verbs to imply action and initiative. Keep your sentences short but complete and be direct to the point. Don’t speak as if you're telling them a mysterious tale. Use what valuable paper space you have to convince them that you are the right candidate for the program.

Watch your structure.

This is post-collegiate level you're pursuing. Make sure you write for such level. Don’t make the admissions department think they're reading an essay written by a highschooler. Take note of the technicalities of the language, watch your spelling and grammar. If some sentences are too short, use transition words such as furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, etc.

Be interesting.

Don’t bore your readers with a half-baked effort. Remember that apart from you, there are couple of hundred (at least) other applicants for the program. If your essay doesn’t stand out, the admissions department will have a hard time remembering you and your essay.

If you have weaknesses, don’t highlight them. Instead, address them. Your essay gives you the opportunity to tell your program director what you have done to try to improve yourself.

Don’t be afraid to revise your essay.

If you can ask anyone – a family member or a friend – to read your essay and give you good advice, do so. Reactions from knowledgeable third parties usually help. If your business school essay doesn’t stand too well, revise it. Edit, re-write and if necessary, re-write it once more until you come up with an essay that puts your personality, educational background and experience in a good light.

Entering a business school is a serious endeavor for many aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs. After all, many of the graduates of some of the top business schools in the U.S., Europe and Asia are highly acknowledged and respected members of their respective industries. Business school graduates have gone on to establish successful careers in business, politics, marketing and other private and government services. Choosing what business school to go to is also a huge investment, requiring time, effort and money. It can have a huge impact on anybody's career and future.

To help you decide on your choice, here are several important considerations to keep in mind:

The degree and program

A business school is only as good as the quality of its business programs. Find out if the school you are checking out offers the degree you want to earn and the program you want to learn. MBA programs, for example, can vary from one school to another. The type of curriculum included also matters, particularly if you want to pursue a certain field of specialization.

The length of time it will take to complete a program should also be considered. There are MBA programs that can be completed within one year, two years or four years. Some programs can also be completed on a part-time basis or as part of distance education.

Requirements for application

Some of the top business schools have highly selective admission procedures. This makes their programs very competitive, particularly if they limit the number and quality of their students for a particular program.

Find out the type of admissions requirements the school has and determine if your qualifications match.

Class size

This is not exactly a top consideration but if you're the type of student who prefers individualized teaching, you might want to look for business schools that offer smaller-size classes or those with a low teacher-student ratio. If the size of the class doesn’t bother you, then you'll be more flexible with your choices.

Your budget

It is said that to make money, you have to spend money. When investing in your future through business school, this can mean some huge costs on your part. Tuitions charged by many of the most trusted and best business schools can be very costly. If you are not prepared for the cost and have no resources with which to sustain your studies, applying for a program might prove impractical.

Consider what you can afford to pay and then look at prospective schools that will fit the budget you have set. Consider other expenses as well, such as books, dormitory or apartment rentals, subject-related resources, memberships to clubs, trips, cost of mentorship (if necessary) and other school-related expenses.

Your perception

Other than the factors mentioned above, your choice really boils down to the business school you prefer, particularly the one where you feel comfortable in. Try to get as much information about schools in your area or make a list of the schools that fit your ideal profile. Visit their websites or ask for brochures so you can learn more about their programs, curriculum, faculty, students, etc.

Many business schools are also more than happy to provide additional information about their institution. If you have the opportunity, try to visit the school campus and talk to professors and other students. If the school allows you to sit in on their classes, you might also want to take that opportunity as well. Choosing what business school you should go to should be a proactive activity, one that will allow you to make informed decisions about the future of your career or business.

Business schools are everywhere nowadays. All of them claim that they offer the best in business education. But when it comes to choice business schools, only a handful has proven that they can produce the best. And yes, Thunder Bird Business School is definitely one of them.

The school was founded in 1946 by the great Lieutenant General Barton Kyle Yount. He was the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Training Command.

During his time, General Yount envisioned that the country needed international executives and he knew that to answer that dream, he has to build a business school. The school that he built focused solely on International Management. It was in April 8, 1946 that this dream was realized.

This business school is formerly a training facility for American, British, Canadian and Chinese World War II pilots. Some of the buildings that were used for this purpose could still be found in the campus today (the most prominent are the control tower on the airfield, hangars and barracks).

It also boasts of being the largest and oldest graduate management teaching facility in all of the United States. Even up to now, its aim is still to prepare and produce global business leaders, which is evident on its mission statement-- "We educate global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide."

Some of the achievements that the school is truly proud of are the following (and these are just the most current awards given to the school):

1. #1 International Business (with its 7th consecutive first ranking)/The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Survey of Corporate Recruiters 2007.

2. #1 Best in International Business Full-time MBA/Financial Times 2007.

3. #7 Most Family Friendly-Best Business Schools/Princeton Review 2007

4. #2 International Clients Custom Programs/Financial Times 2007

5. #1 International Programs (with its 12th consecutive first ranking)/U.S. News & World Report 2008.

At Thunder Bird Business School, a student learns to perform business ‘world class’. He would also learn to be aware of different cultures and would acquire soft skills. And if you are not inclined to take business courses, the school also offers undergraduate programs in languages and liberal arts; they also offer engineering. Some of the business programs that the school offers are the following:

1. MBA in Global Management (there is a choice whether to take the course the traditional way or to study abroad).

2. (Accelerated Program) MBA in Global Management—can be finished the traditional way or by studying abroad).

3. Post MBA -Master of Global

4. Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management

5. Master of Science in Global Management

6. Global MBA for Latin American Managers

7. Post MBA On-Demand Master of Global Management

They also have the so-called open enrollment programs. These are short-term, non-degree programs that give out certificates for business experts. These certificate programs help meet the obstacles of global competition, some management issues that are cross-cultural, and they aim to enhance international leadership expertise. Examples of their leadership programs include: Global Leadership Certificate Program (which is PMI certified), Effective Leadership Communication: Engaging Employees, Key Stakeholders, and the Media (also PMI certified), Globalization: Merging Strategy with Action on the Course of Leadership, to name a few.

With Thunder Bird’s rich cultural and historical background, students are sure to develop all the necessary skills that they need to survive in the tough world of business. And once they are equipped with these skills, they will surely excel in their chosen professions.

Going to business school is one of the top priorities for many entrepreneurs who wish to learn more about their industry and advance their careers. An established business school is considered as a key component in the building of a strong background in business. This is recognized as fact by many professionals, majority of whom have completed courses in business schools and gone on to build successful careers in many industries. The only challenge here for many individuals wishing to take advantage of the training provided by business schools is that the effort takes time and money. As an alternative, is it truly possible to obtain the necessary knowledge through business school in a box?

A boxed opportunity

The main drawback of traditional business schools is that they require physical attendance, something that takes a certain amount of effort on the part of the student. This has prompted many organizations to offer what they call 'business school in a box', a series of knowledge-based learning sessions, articles and lectures that are designed to offer students a means to learn from established standards and become well-versed in many aspects of business, including accounting, finance and marketing.

Often, what is packaged as 'business in a box' is often a packaged series of lessons or serialized lectures that students can access online. Concepts, ideas and theories in business are taught in graduated lessons.

What to expect

The main characteristic of a business school in a box is that it is a form of distance education and as such, some lessons may not provide direct interaction with the instructor or fellow students. Learning is also determined by the student's own efforts and will, which means that students will have to be able to work effectively without supervision.

Lessons are typically presented in small packs and assignments, including simulations and projects, may also be included. Depending on the institution, some lessons may provide live online classes, allowing students to participate in lectures and discussions in real time.

Advantages of using a business school in a box

There are several advantages to opting to learn more about business using non-traditional methods such as a business school in a box. These include:

Convenience

A business school in a box is the equivalent of distance learning, a well-respected and established method of imparting knowledge. Many of today's top schools, including business schools, use this method in order to provide better services and reach more students. A student in China, for example, can complete business school courses offered by a school established in the United States.

Students also don’t have to be physically present in the classroom in order to participate. Students simply have to learn lessons at their own pace in the privacy of their own homes. This gives them the flexibility and relative freedom that are otherwise difficult to achieve in a more traditional classroom setting.

Cost

Generally, a business school in a box is relatively less expensive than a traditional business school. Most assignments and tasks assigned usually require only the use of available technology, with minimal need to produce hard copies. That is, unless it's indicated by the institution. The fact that the program can also be accessed from the home helps the student save on other expenses.

Access to different resources

Some of the best business schools in a box programs can use a combination of teaching methods to optimize the learning experience of the student. Other than passive lectures, for example, students can also take advantage of online classroom settings, forums, chats and instant messaging in order to communicate with their instructors and peers.

Try to visit the Kellogg School of Business and you will observe that their curriculum is certainly one of the most updated ones in the country today. Courses such as Biotechnology, Internet Marketing, Entertainment Management, Derivative Securities, Models and Technology, Empirical Methods in Strategy, and Spreadsheet Decision Models are all available here. This kind of curriculum is certainly not what you can find in other business schools in the country because other schools take time to adapt to the rapidly changing environment.

Meanwhile, the Kellogg School of Business has endeavored, over the past couple of years, to be a place where new and exciting ideas and nourished. This establishment believes that new ideas can provide diverse learning opportunities for their students so they can be successful in the industry. It is not surprising to discover then that the Kellogg School of Business has opened 50 new courses since 1995. Besides learning how to create financial statement and apply business theories, students in this school will also learn how to get enough capital to start up a company, enter new markets, and learn how to take advantage of the opportunity presented by information technology.

Basically, the Kellogg School is divided into six departments including the Management and Organization, Accounting Information and Management, Marketing, Managerial Economics and Decisions Sciences, and Finance. There are also a variety of professional programs available at the Kellogg School of Business such as Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Business and Markets, Health Industry Management, Media Management, and Real Estate Management. Students who are interested in interdisciplinary majors can also look into the Kellogg School because they also offer Social Enterprises and Analytical Consulting courses.

As you can see, Kellogg School of Business is certainly a well-rounded organization to get into. They want their students to excel outside the classroom as well so their students are provided ample opportunities to apply what they have learned. Kellogg students are trained to be leaders and innovators so you can see them in different fields that let them use their talents to its fullest potential. For example, some Kellogg students are accomplished athletes, volunteers, successful businessmen, famous musicians, club leaders, as well as conference organizers.

There are certainly limitless opportunities for personal and professional growth at the Kellogg School of Business. The culture at this school is another thing that students love about the school because it has a unique culture that embraces people from different backgrounds and lifestyles; this provides the school with a better learning environment where students can understand each other better. You can expect that the academic life of students can become balanced with their extracurricular activities in this school. Being set in a laid-back and academic environment definitely contributes to the student’s growth as a well-rounded person.

With all these advantages in mind, it is really no wonder that Kellogg students become great leaders later on in life. Their leadership skills are already enhanced in schools so they become very effective leaders in the workplace. Right now, you should note that the Kellogg School of Business offers action learning opportunities for its students so that they will have a hands-on experience on what to expect in the real business environment after graduation. Some pre-term curriculum they have include decision making and crisis management so that students will know how to handle stressful situation while making effective decisions for the company.

The Manchester Business School is under the umbrella of the University of Manchester. It is one of the biggest campus based business and management school in all of the United Kingdom. They are aiming to provide world-class business and management training and education to students through their many postgraduate and undergraduate programs. They are also offering training courses to experienced practitioners, as well as those who want to increase their knowledge and expertise leveling to meet a certain educational criteria or requirement.

The Manchester Business School offers management, accounting, finance, and business courses. Depending upon which course you want to take, students could easily finish the degrees in 3 to 4 years time. The accounting and finance programs offered by the university touch on social sciences as well, a curriculum not offered by other universities. Their business undergraduate courses is integrated with the broader context of social and economic factors. They also offer information systems, which is the currently very necessary in business application. And their management courses cover the specialized areas of your choice of business or profession.

The Specialist Masters offered by the Manchester Business School strives to produce graduates that are not only business savvy but also are able to provide global solutions to on-going problems. They want to form graduates that can deliver programs of international relevance, considering worldwide perspectives. The Specialist Masters courses offered are Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Global Business Analysis, and Decision Sciences / Operational Research, among others.

The MBA degrees of the Manchester Business School run for eighteen months on a full-time basis. The degrees have 3 key stages. The first is the introductory module, followed by the diploma stage, and lastly, the MBA stage. The school also offers summer internship programs to their students that will provide them with an opportunity to earn while gaining relevant experience for credits with their respective MBA degrees.

Aside from these three major educational degrees, the Manchester Business School also offers postgraduate research. And right now, the school is positioned at the second top spot in the FT rankings in 2007. Their postgraduate research program is the biggest one in the United Kingdom. They are able to keep their high rank all throughout the years because they only recruit highly qualified students for their Doctoral Programs. The three types of research being offered by the Manchester Business School are Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Degree of Master of Philosophy, and DBA by distance learning.

Executive education is also one of the premier offerings of the University of Manchester. It aims to provide corporate leaders and executives with cutting edge thinking in both the areas of management and leadership. They have created a highly progressive program that is recognized internationally. The program aims to develop middle to senior corporate manages and board members to become better in the respective line of work. All participants, regardless of their nationality and race are accepted. The program's two core values are relevance and research. Currently, development programs or customized programs being are offered to corporate executives. This is the program that is specifically created for company leaders who wants to have an MBA but don't want to go through the stress and difficulties in getting one.

But aside from all these, Manchester Business School also conducts their own research and studies on different subject matter at hand. These research are published in their website and anywhere else on the internet. They can be browsed and accessed, along with many other socially relevant information that were created by the school's best students.

Tipping is an odd practice primarily because it is common and expected in some professions and not at all in others. As adults, we become accustomed to tipping in the normal day in day out activity of our business and private lives.

But when it comes to tipping on a business trips, its best to think about the use of tipping as a common courtesy in light of your business trip and how it can be used to benefit you during the trip. To do that, think about the tip as a practice and why we tip. For the most part we do it because it is expected. If we think about how we tip at all, it is in the context that the tip is part of the server’s income and we want to help someone who did a good job for us.

But one of the best justifications for tipping comes down to nothing more than building a low level business relationship with the server so you can expect good service the next time you need it. On a business trip, you develop a lot of very short lasting relationships. But you want the best from those who can make your trip and your accommodations enjoyable and uneventful.

So if there is a hotel restaurant that you will be eating in each day, you know you will see that waiter and the staff of that restaurant again. A good tip policy can go a long way to assure that your service will be top notch every time you dine in that restaurant. This same principle applies to leaving a little tip for the cleaning crew who takes care of your room.

I had a situation in a fine hotel where I wanted the staff to leave me more than one package to make coffee in my in room coffee maker each day. Sure, I could have gone out and bought my own coffee. But on a business trip, you depend on being served so you can focus on your mission. So I left a note to the cleaning crew along with a nice tip. Each day I had more than the number of coffee packages left for me. Everybody wins in that situation.

Tipping is not a difficult skill to master. When tipping for a meal, you can write the tip directly onto your bill. Now when you order room service, there may be a question as to whether you should give the delivery person a tip for bringing the food. Often room service charges a fee for the service already. So in theory, you don’t need to tip that person. But remember, you may want good service in subsequent nights or in future stays. So slipping a tip to that delivery service person just to make sure they know that you appreciate good service makes sense.

When tipping taxi drivers or the hotel doorman, it’s appropriate to fold the money in the palm of your hand and hand it to him or her in the form of a handshake. If they are holding the door for you, they will look down to see you are giving a tip when your hand moves out. That moment of contact is important so they look at you and know you recognize their good service and remember you for future reference.

The amount of tips is pretty much standard. 15% is a standard tip for most meals or for the taxi drive. $1 per bag is standard for a doorman or bellhop who is helping you with your bags. Now if you only have one bag, it might be a good idea to bump that up a bit. Never tip with change, always with folded bills.

Preparing for tipping as you travel is part o your preparations. You should assure you have plenty of small denomination bills even before you leave for the airport, as it is common to need to tip shuttle drivers and waiters at the airport or even the stewardess on board the airplane if you buy a drink from her (or him). As your business trip progresses, keep an eye on your cash levels so you have plenty of spare cash for additional tipping. Business travel is a tipping intensive experience and you should be prepared so you don’t find yourself embarrassed and unable to reward those who make your trip more enjoyable along the way.

Here are Tips on Finding the Best and Ditching Whats Not...

Whether you are a parent scouting for the best schools in town to educate your business professional wannabe, or a student on the lookout for the first rate business schools, it is important that the right choice be made. And to be able to make the right choice, you should be able to tell which business schools offer the best training curriculum and facilities.

A good school can be measured by the alumni it has produced, the programs it can offer, and, best of all, by the ranking that it gets from several survey bodies across the globe. If you only want the best, rankings can help you make the decision. There are rankings for the schools that are selective in their enrollment process, there are those who are ranked high because they constantly procure awards from business institutions, and there are those who are recognized for their contribution in the business community.

Who does the rankings for these business schools, anyway? Practically everyone and anyone. There are surveys that are being conducted (mostly annually) and the best schools are rated by several people. Now, just how important are rankings anyway? Are these enough to prove that the top schools that you are scouting are reputable or that they provide quality set of courses?

Keep in mind that most of these schools already have proven track records in providing the best quality of business education and producing choice graduates. The only difference that rankings or accreditations make is reputation. Once a university gets a certain label on its name, then you are assured that their faculty, resources, facilities, and curriculum have all passed a definite criteria on quality.

If you are still confused on which school to choose, then it’s time to assess your goals on your career. These career objectives should coincide with the values that certain schools offer (not to mention that they have the specific program that would suit your needs). Once you narrow down your career choices, then the number of schools on your list would automatically be limited.

To further trim down the number of schools on the list, it’s time to consider the location and your budget. Full-time MBAs, of course, cost more and take longer to finish. There are business schools that offer executive and part-time programs on this. Remember that you are not looking for a low-budget program. Instead, keep in mind that you are looking for a school that provides a good return on your investment.

If your list remains long, then it’s time to consider the schools’ service department on career. Do they really produce good results? With more hits to any particular school, then it would mean that their graduates and MBA holders are hired more than the competitors. Receiving any form of scholarship would also greatly influence any potential candidate’s choice of school.

Most of the top business schools (especially those that are constantly ranked to be one of the best) have world class services, that is why it is best to prepare well before embarking on their entrance examinations and grueling interviews. Only the best of the best are accepted on the top business schools (especially the Ivy League)—the la crème de la crème; so expect the best and prepare for the worst!

Harvard Business School Press or HBSP is the publishing arm of Harvard Business School Publishing. It is a not for profit organization and is an owned subsidiary of the well-respected and admired Harvard Business School. The profits earned from the sale of its publications are used for funding research performed at Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School Press is actually a large corporation that encompasses the group that publishes books often used in the Harvard Business School itself. The sole shareholder of HBSP is the Dean of Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School Press was founded in 1984, 76 years after the establishment of Harvard Business School. Its main purpose is to publish and provide business books not only to its students but also to entrepreneurs and organizations. Due to the high quality of its publications and the stringent standards it has maintained over the years, Harvard Business School Press has become a very influential force in the business world. It is touted as one of the best sources of business ideas and has been involved in the implementation of many of the most prevalent business concepts today.

Mission and values

Harvard Business School Press aims to contribute to the improvement of management and business practices by developing media services and products that provide organizations and individuals with valuable ideas and concepts. Their goal is to become the top choice as a publisher by content providers, experts and authors who provide influential ideas in both business and management.

A meticulous process of editing

Harvard Business School Press is highly distinguished in the field of publishing due in part to its exacting editorial process and practices. In order for a manuscript to see print, it is reviewed, assessed and edited by some of the industry's most respected experts and peers. Only the best and most reliable publications are then released for distribution.

Key publications of Harvard Business School Press

Harvard Business School Press is the publisher of the preeminent Harvard Business Review. This publication is one of the top magazines on general management that provides research-based articles and information. It has one of the largest readerships in the industry and is well-respected by business experts and academics. To date, its circulation is about 240,000 (for the English language publication) and has 11 editions licensed, including releases in German, Portuguese and Chinese.

This is the same publication responsible for introducing certain business terms to the lexicon, such as: 'glass ceiling', 're-engineering', 'globalization', 'core competence' and 'strategic intent', among others.

Some of its leading titles include: Michael Watkins' 'The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels', Huselid, Becker and Beatty's 'The Workforce Scorecard: Managing Human Capital to Execute Strategy', Robert Kaplan and David Norton's 'The Strategy-Focused Organization' and 'Strategy Maps' and 'How Customers Think: Essential Insights Into the Mind of the Market'.

Harvard Business School Press also publishes works by its faculty, including books, manuals, working papers, published articles, case studies, course notes and teaching notes. The Press also accepts manuscripts from other writers and academics outside its educational system and also allows requests and offers to translate any of its publications. Case studies may be requested from the Press' case collection but they are strictly for educational purposes only and will not be released for research or media distribution.

Harvard Business School Press has approximately 400 book titles already in print.

Fleet Business School is a school in Annapolis, Maryland that offers one- to less than two-year undergraduate degrees in several programs. This is a private, for-profit institution founded in 1934. Students who prefer a low teacher to student ratio will appreciate this school. The current ratio stands at 1:11. Its student body is dominated by White and Black Americans who consist of 94% of the total population with Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders consisting of the rest.

Courses offered by Fleet Business School

Fleet Business School offers a limited number of degrees in business, computers, legal and administrative fields. Some information about these programs are provided below:

Business Administration and Management

This degree prepares students for a role in business and entrepreneurship. The program includes courses in business management, marketing, finance and accounting.

Employability outlook for this course: The field of business is highly competitive but for students who are proactive and determined to make a mark in this industry, there are sectors they can penetrate, including corporate, government and private sectors. They can also apply their new skills into building and sustaining their own business.

Business Computer Facilities Operator

This degree teaches students the fundamentals of computer monitoring and control. It also includes lessons in the processing of electronic data that will be used in science, engineering and business. The program essentially equips students with the necessary skills to operate computers and related equipment in order to manipulate and control a computer system, including the computer terminal. It will also prepare them to perform diagnostics in case of equipment malfunction and to make necessary corrections of errors.

Employability outlook for this course: Generally, students who graduate from this program will be required by employers to undergo on-the-job training. Entry level salary is approximately US$21,000 a year, with an average annual salary of US$ 33,500 a year.

Health and Medical Administrative Services

This course prepares students to become clinical managers, with more specific tasks and responsibilities than medical generalists. Their job encompasses the maintenance and monitoring of patient health records and as such, must be trained to secure these records through software and computer technology.

Health and medical administrative services graduates will also work with medical doctors and physicians. In some cases, they might even be tasked to help formulate strategies to improve clinical and hospital services and to coordinate the daily business of the facility. The course will also prepare the student to handle and manage related administrative work, such as those involving personnel, planning, patient flow, budgeting and billing and collection.

Employability outlook for this course: Health care is still an industry that will require skilled workers, so expect job opportunities to be good, especially if applicants have a solid background in training and related work or on-the-job experience. The work environment for this type of course is usually in private offices, hospitals and nursing care facilities. The course offered by Fleet Business School is sufficient for entry level positions.

Tourism and Travel Services

Students who take up this course will be trained to provide services to motel and hotel guests. With tourism becoming an increasingly competitive field, employees in this sector are expected to become proactive marketers and strategic partners. Their studies will cover office management, hotel operations and sales and marketing.

Employability outlook for this course: The tourism field is still a growth area and as such, competition in travel opportunities, hospitality services and consumer demand will continue to rise. This demand will require graduates who are knowledgeable and equipped with the right skills in order to help manage tourism and hotel operations.

Legal Administrative Secretary Program

This course will prepare students for employment in the field of law. As such, they will be trained in practical knowledge of administrative tasks and skills related to the industry. The curriculum includes courses that will familiarize students with legal, administrative and business tools and methodologies often used in a legal office.

Employability outlook for this course: The program offered by Fleet Business School prepares the student for work as an assistant in a government or law office or a corporate legal department. He or she can then pursue a different specialization, including corporate law, labor law, criminal law, litigation, employee benefits or personal injury.

If you are a confused student who doesn’t know which school to choose to have the best quality of business education, then fret no more. There are so many ways of finishing a degree in business and an equally numerous number of schools that offer varying programs. There are so many factors to consider in choosing a business school: first, you have to know if you would like to settle for a degree program or just certificate courses. There are also post-graduate programs that are being offered; also, what field of business are you most interested in? Is it accounting, marketing, management, banking and finance?

With these factors in mind (which is enough to make one acquire an instant migraine), you would also have to consider whether you have enough time to allot for your education. Given that you have the finances to support your education and the guts to finish the course, still, another question is the location of the business school that you have chosen and whether you have enough time to travel to and fro. Looking at this scenario, would you consider enrolling in an online business school?

There are now many online business schools that offer different programs to suit your available time and your needs. These schools are being marketed on the internet in countless forms. Some are done in live presentations while some are presented only during the student’s available time.

There are still a lot of questions to answer when you have finally decided to enroll online. First, how much are you willing to spend? There are Ivy League schools even on the internet and they are marketed constantly with the most colorful websites and advertising schemes. There are also those schools that could accommodate students who are on a tight budget.

Another question is how much time are you willing to commit? You would be glad to know that there are schools that offer short-term courses which could last just for a few days while there are also degree courses which could take months or even years.

If you would go online, you would notice that there are so many marketing strategies that these schools do to lure students to take their online programs. Some are highlighting the major achievements and awards that their school has gotten over a number of years. Others show the names of alumni who have marked a spot in business history.

Even major business universities have now joined the bandwagon and are now bringing in students online. Some of these schools include the following famous schools: Stanford Business School, The Sauder School of Business, Georgetown University, to name a handful.

Online business schools are, indeed, a great alternative to traditional schooling. And with so many persuasive websites out there, sometimes it can get confusing. That is why, it is wise to look at the track records of these schools rather than to just fall in love with the colorful pictures of their campus that you get to see online. It is also sensible to consider their facilities and their values. Once these factors coincide with your expectations, then it’s time to get your credit card or checkbook and start a rewarding course with your school of choice.

The Kelley School of Business is a school that prides itself for it renowned business education and highly recruited graduates who make a great impact in the business world today. There are endless possibilities when you enroll in the Kelley School of Business because of the variety of courses they offer. The measure of the quality of the education they provide can be seen in its accomplished number of alumni. And this school is still continually improving to meet the ever changing needs in its environment.

The history of Kelley School of Business goes back to 1920 when the Indiana University of Commerce and Finance was established. Today, it has evolved to encompass the highly renowned Kelley School of Business where students learn how to manage organizations, start their own businesses, conceptualize new ideas, develop new products, and shape the business environment.

Being one of the most popular business schools throughout the world, the Kelley School of Business also retains some of the best teachers who are recognized for their teaching and leadership abilities. In fact, some professors in this school are very successful in their fields and they are passing on their knowledge to Kelley students. An Indiana University graduate, E.W. Kelley stated that “No matter how successful you become, keep working harder and smarter to achieve more.” Many Kelley students also believe in this opinion, which is the reason why they are becoming successful businessmen, leaders, and innovators.

The school certainly provides a lot of opportunities for its students to have a meaningful experience in the academic learning environment. They have various leadership programs for both graduate and undergraduate students so that the students will know how to deal with real-life situations in the business world after they graduate. It is also to be expected that Kelley graduates will know how to deal with foreign business associates because of their exposure to people from different culture in the school. Take note that the Kelly School of Business also focuses their attention on international relations and international business studies.

And with over 86,000 alumni to back up the school, it is really no wonder that the Kelley School of Business is one of the most highly regarded schools today. You should also note that most Kelley alumni help each other outside the school because of their shared background at Kelley. The graduates feel more comfortable with each other and they know the capabilities that each Kelley graduate possesses.

There are two campuses that students can choose from if they want to receive this kind of education. They can either enroll in the Indianapolis campus of the Bloomington campus to get their undergraduate, masters, or doctorate degree. For students who want to take advantage of the Kelley education online, the school also has an online program, the Kelley Direct. The Kelley School is the only school within the top 20 to offer online courses that is learned exclusively through the internet. They are certainly adaptive to changes to meet the needs of students who cannot attend physically at school.

Students can ask for nothing more from the Kelley School of Business, everything is already provided. As is their mission statement, this school aims to transform of lives of different individuals, organizations, and the society in general through its education and its students.

How credible are those Business School Rankings? How do they come up with the top Business Schools in the land?

Business School Ranking is an effective tool used by many in searching for the right Business School. Most people rely on these data to determine if their chosen school is the school of their dreams. You're probably wondering what specific criteria/standards they use in ranking Business Schools and who are responsible for measuring them?

The Economist and Financial Times provide individual rankings of Business Schools. All of them use various criteria if a Business school deserves to be on the A-list or receives a failing grade. Other providers are BusinessWeek, Forbes, and Wall Street Journal.

The Economist

It conducted an Economist Intelligence Unit Survey of more than 200 senior executives. They came up with the following ten significant areas for selecting an open-programme provider

* Content and internationalism of the programme

* Faculty quality

* Provider's Amenities

* Quality of fellow participants

* Level of post-course support for partcipants

* Capable of demonstrating an impact back in the workplace

* Cost/value for money

* Wide range of courses

* Maintaining an ongoing relationship

Based on the aforementioned criteria, open programme participants were asked to rate those schools that they attended and eventually came up with top eight business schools.

Financial Times

They used twenty criteria to determine their rankings. The first eight criteria are based on alumni survey, the second nine criteria came from business schools' survey and the basis of last three criteria is on research survey.

Alumni Survey

* Weighted Salary

* Salary percentage increase

* Value for money

* Career progress

* Aims achieved

* Placement success

* Alumni recommendation

* International mobility

Business School Survey

* Employed at three months

* Women faculty

* FT doctoral rating

* International faculty

* International students

* International board

* International experience

* Languages

* Faculty with doctorates

Research survey

* FT research rating

According to Dr. N.M. Kondap, vice-chancellor of NMIMS University, "Surveys are conducted using different metrics and parameters. Some amount of discrepancy also occurs during the assessment of the survey which is reflected in the results."

Some people enroll in a business school just for fun, for leisure. Some say it's for experience, for others career advancement is their reason. Other professionals would say going to business schools is required for a possible job promotion. Peer pressure is also one, "My friends are enrolling in a business school so I'm going to join them too." No matter what the reason may be, choosing a business school may affect your career or lifestyle. It is imperative that we analyze the business schools first before you enroll, this will help determine your future career.

The website of The School of Management at the University of Dallas in Texas provides the Top 100 rankings of Business Schools. Business Week also features B-Schools page in their site that presents Business School Rankings and profiles. Bschool.com also gives out International Side by Side rankings of the best Business Schools. About.com can also help you in identifying top business schools for grads and undergrads. We may use the database of these sites to track down credentials if a Business School of your choice is really worth your time, money, and effort.

Before you spend money for the enrollment, isn't it wise if we will examine first the profile of the school and consider some important aspects? Here are some guidelines to light your path.

* Degree

Does the Business School your eyeing for offers a degree that you want? There are even several options whether you would like to take a 2-year or 4-year program. If the degree that you wish to take is not in the list then look for another school, don't waste your time in a school where your chosen degree is not offered.

* Cost

Can you afford the tuition fee and other possible expenses? Next thing that you will consider is the cost of your enrollment, is it worth your money? If you are really dying for that school and don't have enough budget you can apply for a part-time job for an extra income before the enrollment. In this case, you can gather more funds by saving for your tuition fee. You're lucky if you don't have a problem with the budget but it doesn't end there...

* Future

Consider the graduates of the school if they are achievers or successful in their fields. Most likely, the products of that Business School reflect the capability and excellence of the school. If you know a graduate of that school, have a little chit chat with him and get some feedback or bits of advice. After all, your goal is to obtain a brighter future right?

* Curriculum

Request for a curriculum and study it carefully. Is it broadly focused like a general program for business administration or is it narrowly focused meaning there are areas of specialization? Which program works best for you? If you are more on production, then choose a curriculum that is specialized in production.

* Facilities

Isn't it more convenient to study in a school equipped with great facilities, classrooms, libraries, and other buildings? This will add up to the school's competitiveness and degree of professionalism.

* Schedule

Does the school offer a more flexible class schedule? Does it only have one day fixed schedule? Know what is best for you. Do not choose a class schedule that overlaps your other work activities. You do not want to run in late always do you? You can only serve one master at the same time.

* Faculty

Get to know the faculty staff of the school. Are they morally upright? Are they also academically outstanding with masteral degrees and achievements in their own fields? Consider those instructors that you will encounter, are they worth your time? You should be able to learn a lot from them that will be beneficial for your growth personally and professionally. The teachers should be dedicated enough in teaching othewise you're just trashing money and wasting time on them.

* Dignity or Reputation

If you can afford to enroll in a prestigious Business School then do it. There are sites that you can visit, as mentioned a while ago, to determine the high ranking business schools. Bear in mind also that not all top-ranked Business Schools have good reputation. Enroll in a school that is and was not involved in any malicious or unethical scandals, this way the dignity and integrity of the school is preserved.

* Student Feedback

Sometimes, reading thorugh the brochures and official websites of these schools are not sufficient if you are a bit reluctant about the credentials of the school. Interview some students and get reactions from them. Based from their comments was the school good enough for you or are you not satisfied with what you heard?

There you go folks! Those are just some of the factors that you should watch out for in choosing a Business School. Keep in mind that you hold your future, no matter how perfect and how outstanding your Business School is if you don't strive for better perfromance, it will all be wasted. The abovementioned are only standards or criteria that will guide your way but in the end, it all depends on you.

Wharton Business School in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the best and most recognized schools of business in the United States. It is, in fact, the very first American business school to be developed. Wharton is a highly respected academic institution for would-be businessmen and entrepreneurs-in-training. It is also the institution of choice for many beginners in business who want to learn from some of the best instructors in the world.

Early history

Wharton Business School began as The Wharton School of Finance and Economy in 1881, actually the first school of business in the world. It was founded by Joseph Wharton, a philanthropist and industrialist in Philadelphia. Wharton had built his empire focusing on industrial metallurgy, running both the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and the American Nickel Company.

Wharton had dreamt of building a school that will educate and develop students for future jobs as leaders in both business and the government. As an academic institution, the Wharton School was the very first to publish textbooks in business, the first to establish an entrepreneurship center, the first to create a program for students in international management, the first to establish a Master's program in real estate and healthcare, the first to develop a program for executive development and the first to establish a research center.

The Wharton School symbol, the anvil, is a homage to its founder's contributions to the industry of metal and metal works.

Wharton Business School academics

The academic programs available in the Wharton Business School include:

Undergraduate Program

The four-year undergraduate program has a total of 37 courses, all of which allow a student to earn a degree in Bachelor of Science in Economics. The courses include, among others, subjects in accounting, finance, informational management and marketing.

MBA Program

The MBA Program at Wharton is one of the most famous in the U.S. and around the world. It is one of the few masteral in business programs that allow students to create their own major, individualized according to their desired courses of study and preferences. All they have to do is complete a core curriculum for their first year and then proceed to complete the master's program according to their goals and interests.

The highest honor in the MBA Program is called the Palmer Scholar, which is conferred to the graduating class' top 5%. Students who complete the first year of their MBA program with the highest cumulative GPA are given the Ford Fellowship.

Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program at Wharton Business School offers 12 fields of specialization. This program is full-time and awards successful students with a PhD instead of a DBA that other programs offer. The program will require at least 4 years to complete and includes specializations such as Business & Public Policy, Statistics, Real Estate, Insurance & Risk Management, Finance and Ethics & Legal Studies, among others. Students entering the Doctoral Program are funded.

Students and Alumnae

The Wharton Alumni network boasts of over 81,000 members spread across more than 140 countries. To date, there are 82 alumni clubs often participating in the annual reunion, along with Global Alumni Forums. Some of the more famous Wharton Business School graduates include many of the presidents, CEOs and chairman of the top companies in the world, business and political leaders around the world and academic pioneers.

Admissions

The admissions policy at Wharton is one of the toughest and most selective. Student applicants will be required to have excellent scores in GMAT, high GPA and a list of credentials usually considered essential for admission.

Generally, applications to Wharton Business School are accepted using two methods: the paper format and online through www.wharton.upenn.edu. Application requirements to different programs may vary.