Rice University - Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

The “top-notch” Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is renowned for its “rigor” and the “quality education” it provides. And given the program’s “generous scholarships,” myriad “entrepreneurship opportunities” and “amazing campus culture,” it’s easy to understand why MBA hopefuls clamor to attend. Beyond entrepreneurship, Rice Business is known for its “strong finance and energy program[s].” The “curriculum offer[s numerous] electives,” which allows students to “tailor [their] program to [their] career goals.” Some individuals do caution that workload is “heavy,” especially “given the mandated core classes requiring students to be well-versed in a wide array of subjects.” Nevertheless, they are greeted by “incredible and engaging” professors “who have a strong balance of academic expertise and industry experience.” What’s more, they continually prove themselves to be “willing to help students outside of the classroom.” The “administration is really good at responding to student needs and altering things if needed.”

The Rice University MBA provides phenomenal “access to the Houston business market.” As one thankful individual explains, “[The city is] booming…with every big firm you can imagine operating here and no other MBA programs [in the area with which] to compete.” A fellow student agrees, “Career opportunities abound.” More specifically, Rice maintains “strong connections to the energy, healthcare, consulting and banking industries.” And you are sure to discover a “strong pool of companies recruiting on campus.” Certainly, many openings are found through the “very strong and helpful alumni network,” as well. Another pleased Rice Business student shares, “[I’ve received a] 100 percent response rate from alumni to cold emails.” Students can easily turn to the school’s Career Development Office for support. Interested parties can capitalize on resume workshops, access amazing job boards and gain assistance in implementing a personal career strategy. Top companies that tend to recruit Rice MBA graduates include Amazon, Apple, Chevron, Credit Suisse, Shell, Morgan Stanley, McKinsey & Company, KPMG, GE, Goldman Sachs, ExxonMobil, Google and Deloitte.

Rice MBA students can certainly expect their social calendar to be chockfull of events. After all, there are “weekly networking parties with food and drink[s].” One student explains, “We are a small class [hence] we all have lunch together on Monday and happy hour on Tuesday [and] we also have a party every Thursday night [that’s] usually…sponsor[ed] by a company that wants to recruit on campus.” Importantly, Rice is also “extremely active with Greater Houston and partners with non-profit organizations to give back to the community.” And of course, “attending sporting events and tailgating is a regular occurrence for the business school” as well. Best of all, this “close-knit” community “welcome[s]” the spouses and children of MBA students with open arms. When it comes to their classmates, Rice Business students have nothing but kind words. The school does a fantastic job of recruiting “amazing” individuals who are destined to become “leaders” in whatever sector they pursue. And while students here hail “from all walks of life,” everyone seems to “know when to knuckle down for business.” Thankfully, they continue to display “good humor” as well. Rice MBAs are generally “happy to help each other” and an atmosphere of “congeniality” permeates the campus. As this grateful student concludes, “We are a family and have built a network to help each other over the course of our lives.”