Academics
This Silicon Valley undergraduate business school has fewer than 800 students, but students say this provides them with 鈥渟mall classes that allow students to receive a more one-on-one education.鈥 Menlo鈥檚 size also allows it to cultivate a 鈥渇amily atmosphere,鈥 in which 鈥測ou get to know everyone and the president of faculty is willing to make you pancakes on the weekends with eggs from her own chickens.鈥 Students also find a top-notch education that is grounded in 鈥減reparing its students for the real world鈥 through a 鈥渓iberal arts based鈥 approach to business education 鈥渢hat focuses on corporate social responsibility as the main reason for business, rather than profits.鈥 鈥淢ost of the professors [at Menlo] have worked in the field they teach, and are able to give real-world examples of concepts in action,鈥 and they 鈥渙ften assign relevant research or homework鈥 that students can connect to their own career aspirations. Students also tell us that they get plenty of after-hours attention from the faculty: 鈥 I have had a professor on the phone with us until midnight answering questions about a test, and another professor on campus helping us study until 1:00 a.m.鈥 Many students complain that the 鈥渇acilities are outdated鈥 and need updating, and they wish that the school would offer 鈥渂etter resources to connect with corporations/firms.鈥
Student Body
Menlo students are all 鈥渁bout business and sports鈥 as the student body 鈥渋s roughly 70 percent athletes鈥 who take advantage of the school鈥檚 many sports teams and clubs. But that doesn鈥檛 mean everyone is the same. 鈥淭here are students who come from all over the world . . . due to our big athletic department,鈥 one student tells us. And while many told us that students form cliques, most agree that 鈥渟tudents are very welcoming.鈥 In fact, most students agreed that 鈥渆veryone is pretty friendly and open鈥 and 鈥渁nd willing to meet new people and grow their network.鈥 A 鈥渉igh entrepreneurial spirit鈥 on campus means that 鈥渕ost students are driven and have at least one or more leadership positions.鈥 Overall, Menlo 鈥淸has] a great environment . . . especially since we are a small-knit community.鈥
Campus Life
With San Jose and San Francisco minutes away and Palo Alto next door, students have access to a wide array of eateries, bars, clubs, and music venues. 鈥淪ome people are very focused on fitness and sports while others party and go out,鈥 students say. The school offers 鈥渄ifferent field trips and guest speakers鈥 as well as social or entertainment gatherings like 鈥淭avern Night,鈥 which usually features live entertainment or dancing, but students find most of their nightlife and weekend fun off campus. 鈥淔or fun, I travel down to San Francisco or San Jose and walk around and explore. Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay is relatively close so I like to chill at the beach as well,鈥 one student explained. Students who aren鈥檛 lured by the surrounding area 鈥渟pend time in various clubs and activities set up by our Student Government.鈥
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