Illinois Tech’s main MBA programs are located “in a separate building in downtown Chicago. That building houses law, design, and business school students only, so there isn’t much activity there really, just serious-looking students walking to and fro.” Still, “the open-space layout of the building and the open-minded students allow for students to be able to talk, ask questions or even ask one another to watch their stuff while they go use the restroom.” The main campus has more life, including “amenities for kids and spouses,” and there is a free shuttle to transport students between campuses. MBA stu- dents participate in “lots of study groups, there are socials many Wednesdays and “there is plenty of time for students to be involved in extracurricular activities.” The way that Stuart is designed, there are also “many opportunities to network both inside and out of school through events,” and a “high level of trust, cooperation, and communication among students.”
The student body includes many “young, hardworking, and individualistic” students, who have considerable work experience, and it is “highly diverse,” meaning that stu- dents are “very accepting of different cultures and backgrounds.” One student observes, “The diverse population aids in creating a learning experience unlike any other. Students learn as much (if not more) outside the classroom than in the classroom, just by inter- acting with everyone around them.” When they can find the time, students love to take advantage of “the world’s biggest financial city,” which also offers plenty in the way of culture, entertainment, fine dining, and nightlife. Again, it comes back to location. “Stuart is located near the Chicago Loop in the midst of big-name business companies, allowing for excellent networking and job opportunities. It’s also very close to public transportation.”