PrintPreparing for the FMBA
Now that you have made the decision to pursue a Full-Time MBA (FMBA) from the Fox School of Business you need to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the coursework that lies ahead.
The faculty of the MBA program at the Fox School of Business offers the following recommendations to incoming MBA students:
- Become proficient in your understanding of general business and economic terminology.
- Familiarize yourself with quantitative and financial data.
- Possess an understanding of basic organizational theory, planning process, concept of strategy, control, design/structure of organizations and the organizational process as they relate to management.
- Develop a daily pattern of business reading (e.g., The Wall Street Journal or the New York Times’ “Financial Section”) and one or two of the following periodicals: Business Week, The Economist, Fortune and Forbes.
- Possess a sound understanding of Microsoft Office for Windows (e.g., Word, Excel, and Power Point)
- Become familiar with the basic functions of a business/financial calculator.
Course Work Preparation
Accounting
If you have not been exposed to accounting, you should prepare for the course by reviewing an introductory accounting book. Be prepared to discuss any experiences you have had with your company that are related to accounting.
Statistics
A review of basic mathematical concepts, either informally or through formal course work, is strongly recommended. Many texts that cover such material can be found in libraries. These often contain titles which include the words “college math” or “business mathematics/statistics.”
Preparatory Software
Many students have found the following “pre-MBA” software (available through Amazon or other online vendors) helpful when preparing to enter the Full-Time MBA program. Completion is not required and we are not endorsing any one product over another.
MBA Survival Kit
This set of four interactive CD-ROMs was developed by leading MBA professors and provides a review of accounting, finance, quantitative skills and statistics as well as individualized feedback, clear explanations, animated graphics, and case studies.
MBA Primer – Thomson South-Western
These interactive programs prepare the incoming MBA student for the quantitative areas of business. There are four courses in all (managerial economics, financial accounting, business statistics and finance) and you can purchase them as a package or separately.
Ivy Software: Business Math & Statistics, Capital Budgeting, Financial Accounting
These CDs and accompanying textbooks provide a review of key concepts and subsequent practice questions.
