火爆社区

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�

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�

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�