Quantitative Skills Workshops

Alumni, corporate recruiters and University of Michigan Business School faculty all agree that developing strong quantitative skills in students is a significant component of an MBA program that is responsive to the needs of business.

The Quantitative Skills Workshops (QSW) are designed for incoming students to refresh the basic quantitative tools essential for the successful completion of the MBA program. These workshops, offered during the week immediately prior to the Leadership Development Program, are voluntary "refresher courses" in the types of quantitative skills required in the MBA program and highly valued by the business community. A major focus of the workshops is to apply these skills to business situations.

Students are mailed an assessment test to help them determine whether they feel that their skill level is on par with what they will need for the MBA program. They then can choose to attend one of two workshops offered. A 4-day workshop mixes lectures with small-group, problem-solving sessions and proceeds at a more leisurely pace. The 2.5-day workshop is taught at a faster pace with fewer small-group sessions and is intended for those confident in their quantitative skills, yet rusty in their use. Last year, approximately 50% of the incoming students took advantage of one of the Quantitative Skills Workshops.

QSW feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Students report that the material is very relevant to their core courses, and the workshops give them an opportunity to interact with faculty and other incoming students in a relaxed atmosphere while re-orienting themselves to "academic life" after time in the work force.

To contact QSW, email us at umbsqsw@umich.edu.