my EMBA Chronicle

I was talking with a friend who is finishing his final year in the NYU’s MBA program.  He couldn’t recall what school I was going to for my EMBA and when I reminded him that I was enrolled at Loyola he commented, “Ooh!  Isn’t that preppy!?!”

www.davidlebovitz.com

I’m not sure what he meant by preppy, but I took it as a compliment.  From day one of the my EBMA residency, I’ve been convinced that Loyola is…like…totally…the best school, eVER.  Here are some of the reasons:

The staff at Loyola are amazing:  Not only did staff from all the departments patiently answer my questions throughout the application and admission process — I saw them every day, all day long throughout the residency.  The residency ended more than two weeks ago and I still see Loyola staff at school all the time (night and day, weekends and weekdays!).  And it’s not just that I see them from far away (down the hall or behind closed doors) — they ask me how I’m doing and want to know what I think of the program.

The faculty are brilliant:  Each week, I ask myself:  “If I suddenly had to leave this program tomorrow, have I gotten anything out of it?”  And the answer is always a shouting YES!  Our faculty are not just smart, they are inspiring, published and actively involved in their fields.  They are challenging and real.  At Loyola, the faculty actually to talk with one another and really consider the overall program strategy in their syllabi.  AND they incorporate feedback from their students — on the fly and in the broader EMBA program strategies.

The school has excellent physical resources:  Loyola has this figured out.  Swipe cards — active immediately after your photo is taken; access to physical resources:  24×7.  A dedicated lounge/resource area that isn’t just full of tables and computers…but has couches, a microwave and office supplies.  People at a reception desk (at least until 10pm) who are actually able (and interested) in answering our questions.  And, to top it all off:  a meditation room.  A space that is consistent with the schools values around reflection, diversity and introspection.

I really don’t know what my friend meant by the term “preppy”.  It is clear that Loyola has been incredibly thoughtful about their EBMA and Fellows programs and that they are passionate about the success of their students.  A school that is committed to ME and cares about MY success — geesh!  It seems obvious, but I wonder how many people are really able to say, as I am:  I couldn’t have picked a better school.