General:
When and where will Accelerator be held?
Friday, May 29 through Friday, June 26, 2009
Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management in Nashville, Tennessee
What is Accelerator?
Accelerator is an intensive four-week business boot-camp for undergraduates and recent grads from all majors who are looking to gain insight into the intricacies of the business world through 100+ hours of business classes and 250+ hours of consulting for leading companies. In four weeks, you will help to resolve real-life issues in marketing, logistics, finance, operations, and branding.
What will I gain from participating in Accelerator?
Accelerator offers participants the unique opportunity to build critical business skills that cannot be learned in a typical summer internship. During the program, you will utilize 'grab it and go' business learning in working with major companies on actual problems they are currently facing. Upon graduating from the program, you will emerge with a strong foundation in business etiquette, a strong business network and the confidence to enter the business world and perform at the highest level.
Will participating in Accelerator help me get into the Vanderbilt MBA program?
While Accelerator will help develop some of the business skills you will need in an MBA program, the admission processes are completely unrelated. Accelerator provides students the opportunity to formulate relationships with Vanderbilt MBA professors should you decide at a later time to apply to the Owen Graduate School of Management.
Is the program open to students from schools other than Vanderbilt?
Definitely. Accelerator is open to students from colleges and universities from around the country and the world. Student majors range from Arts& Sciences, Music and Engineering to Economics and Business.
Academic:
Please describe the curriculum?
The program covers topics in 10 main disciplines: strategy, financial accounting, managerial economics, marketing, finance, operations, HR/operational behavior, problem solving, communication and teamwork. Courses are organized to complement the problems presented in projects and help students during the problem solving process. Additionally, the information in the courses is foundational and assumes students have no previous coursework in business-related subjects.
How is the program organized?
The program is operates seven-days a week over the span of four weeks. While the schedule can vary greatly from day to day, a day typically starts with classes across a variety of disciplines that will be directly correlated to an upcoming or existing project. A typical afternoon and/or evening will have students participating in project launches or breakout sessions with teammates to work as consultants for the participating companies. Students will ultimately present their strategic business recommendations to top executives from the participating companies at the conclusion of a project. Additional activities also include networking opportunities with over 125+ companies over the course of the program.
Provide some insight into the company projects.
Accelerator believes in a real-time "grab it and go" educational experience. Therefore in addition to traditional course work, participants will be broken up into teams of eight to 10 participants and also paired with a current Vanderbilt Owen School of Management MBA student, who will act as a coach, mentor, and facilitator to the team. During the course of the program, eight or more different companies will present the Accelerator students with a current strategic challenge/issue they are facing within their company. Together the Accelerator teams will develop and present their solutions to top company executives. The company executives will rank the projects, give feedback to the participants and select a winning project team. Past companies include: American Airlines, Bridgestone,Caterpillar Financial,FedEx,Gresham Smith & Partners,Humana,Lexus,National Civil Rights Museum,William Morris Agency and Yum! Brands.
Who teaches in the Accelerator-Vanderbilt Summer Business Institute?
The Accelerator courses are taught by a variety of distinguished Vanderbilt University faculty members, most of whom from the Vanderbilt MBA program at Owen. Faculty members are available to the students throughout the entire program and lay a strong foundation of the fundamentals of business, which is instrumental in the success of the project work.
Do I receive grades or course credit for the program?
Course credit is handled on an individual and school basis, and grades are not given. Students who complete the program will be awarded a certificate of completion. Please call the Accelerator office for more information on course credit for your specific school.
Will there be homework or outside reading?
No. All of the project and class work is completed during program hours.
I am an Economics major. Can I still apply?
Yes, Economic majors, as well as students from all majors (English, Music, Engineering, Art History, Sciences, etc.) are encouraged to apply to the program.
Should I attend Accelerator to prepare for an MBA program?
Accelerator is not a pre-MBA program. The program is designed to provide an overview of business fundamentals and does not specialize on a specific topic area. However, students will complete over 100 hours of MBA class work and MBA project level work for eight or more companies. Students will finish the program with a more distinct idea of their future career paths and a strong understanding of what a traditional MBA program will entail if they choose to apply at a later date. In addition, Owen faculty members are available to the students throughout the program, as are Accelerator staff members, who will help students develop their resumes, networking skills and prepare for interviews.
Will Accelerator strengthen my resume?
Definitely. Participants will be better able to present themselves to employers as well-rounded candidates ready to make contributions on the job from the first day. Additionally, participants will have experience in a business setting and will have greatly increased their network and business acumen.
Campus Life:
Who will be in class with me?
Accelerator is designed to be a small, selective program allowing participants, faculty and business leaders to have multiple opportunities to interact with one another. Because of this personal involvement, the total enrollment for each Accelerator class will be kept at approximately 80 students from diverse educational backgrounds, areas of interest and achievements. The mix of students ranges from rising sophomores to recent graduates up to two years out of school.
Where will I live and eat while attending the program?
Participants live in Vanderbilt University housing and have access to a wide assortment of resources available on campus, including the recreational center. Since Accelerator is an all-inclusive program, three meals a day are catered to the Owen Graduate School of Management (or on location at a company site) and an extensive assortment of snacks and drinks are available to students throughout the program as well.
I have a disability. Will I be accommodated?
Absolutely. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity affirmative action university. During the application process, please request the necessary accommodations needed and we will work with you to meet your requests and ensure that your experience is rewarding.
What is the dress code for the program? Will I need business professional clothing?
Dress is business casual during the course of classes and meetings, but there will be opportunities where business professional clothing will be required (meetings with companies, presentations, mock interviews, business dinners, etc.). You will be given a list of necessary items prior to arrival. Activities will also include excursions where casual, comfortable clothing will be needed.
Admissions:
What are the admissions criteria? How selective is the program?
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college studies. Additionally, recent college graduates up to two years out of school will also be considered for admission. Admission is based on the applicant having a strong record of achievement, desire to learn and ability to apply the concepts taught during Accelerator, as well as the candidate's willingness to bring energy and a "go-getter" attitude to this intensive experience.
When is the application deadline?
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through March 1, 2008. Accelerator is a competitive program and spaces are limited. We encourage you to apply early for priority in the application review and interview process. Additionally, students who apply before December 15, 2008 will receive an additional $500 off the cost of the program.
How do I apply to the program?
Complete and submit an online application. You will be contacted by a member of the Accelerator team to schedule a personal interview.
Is a hard copy of the Accelerator application available?
No. We do not offer hard copies of the application. You must complete our online application.
How much does the program cost? What does my fee cover?
$8,500, all inclusive – includes all lodging, meals, snacks, books, material, activities and excursions. All you need to bring is yourself, your clothes, a laptop and lots of energy to do more than you ever imagined!
Do you offer financial aid or payment plan options?
Accelerator does offer payment plans that can extend your payments over a period of time. Additionally, SallieMae has established a loan for the Accelerator program. For more information on the SallieMae loan or to apply, please follow the instructions below:
Visit www.slmfinancial.com
--> schools and students
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--> program – Vanderbilt Accelerator
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For additional information, please call the Accelerator staff at 615-343-6291.
Who should write a letter of recommendation?
Each applicant must have at least one letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught you in the classroom, a faculty advisor or someone who has supervised you in a work setting. The second letter of recommendation can be from a personal or professional peer.
Do you interview candidates?
Yes. Interviews are part of the application process. Upon submitting your online application, you will be contacted by a member of the Accelerator admissions team to schedule your personal interview.
Do I need to take the GMAT to attend Accelerator?
No. GMAT scores are not required for admission to Accelerator.
I can't get an official transcript by the deadline. What should I do?
You may submit an unofficial transcript with your application package initially. Please request that your school send an official transcript to the address below:
Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management
Accelerator-Vanderbilt Summer Business Institute
401 21st Avenue South, Room 326
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Can I apply if I am an international student?
Absolutely. Accelerator welcomes international students from all majors.
For answers to any additional questions that you have, please contact us at 615.343.6291 or accelerator@owen.vanderbilt.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.
