Rice University's Business School has recently undergone some big changes. According to a recent press release, the business school will now be named the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. In addition to the name change, the business school has also adopted a new logo and website which is scheduled to launch August 1, 2009.

Bill Glick, dean of the Jones School, summarizes the initiatives used in the change by stating, "Overall, the new name and look, in tandem with strategic marketing initiatives, help to communicate our success in delivering innovative programs that make a positive impact on leaders and businesses in the global marketplace. Meanwhile, the more dominant use of the 'Rice' brand will help us continue to attract top-quality students and research faculty who cultivate a diverse community of learning."

Glick continues, "The update in the Jones School's name and graphic identity better reflects our association with Rice University and provides clearer branding for the Jones School's exciting programs and initiatives. Everyone already knows us as a business school. The 'Business' designation in our new name better captures the breadth of our current offerings."

In addition to these changes the school will offer a PhD in Business as well as an option for the Rice MBA for Professionals program's students to take courses on the weekends. These changes are scheduled to take place this upcoming fall.

HEC Paris and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM B) have paired up to launch an exchange program beginning in September 2009. The program is called the HEC-IIM B exchange program and will last approximately one week.

A recent article in the Business Standard regarding the new partnership quotes IIM B Director Pankaj Chandra saying, "There are lots of international institutions we are looking at and trying to develop a mechanism of interaction. We are interested in research and are looking at opportunities to address the challenges in this area. These programs also provide students with global exposure."

The article also reports that HEC already has long-term collaborative agreements with three Indian business schools: IIM Bangalore (since 2004), Indian School of Business, Hyderabad (since 2005), and IIM Ahmedabad (since 2007). The collaboration covers exchange of students and cooperation at the faculty level in terms of teaching and research.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has released its essay questions for the 2010 application. Here are the essay instructions and topics:

First Time Applicant Essays
All first-time applicants are required to complete four essays, with the option of a fifth essay that may be used to address extenuating circumstances. Reapplicants who applied for the Entering Fall 2008 or 2009 Class are to complete the re-applicant essays. All other reapplicants are to complete the first-time applicant essays.

Essay 1 (750-1000 words)
As a leader in global business, Wharton is committed to sustaining "a truly global presence through its engagement in the world." What goals are you committed to and why? How do you envision the Wharton MBA contributing to the attainment of those goals?

Essay 2 (750-1000 words)
Tell us about a time when you had to adapt by accepting/understanding the perspective of people different from yourself.

Essay 3 (500 words)
Describe a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself?

Essay 4 (500 words)
Choose one of the following:

1. Give us a specific example of a time when you solved a complex problem.
2. Tell us about something significant that you have done to improve yourself, in either your professional and/or personal endeavors.

Essay 5 (Optional) — (250 words)
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application).

Also, as noted in a previous blog, here are the application deadlines:

Round 1 October 1, 2009
Round 2 January 5, 2010
Round 3 March 9, 2010

Many European MBA programs are reporting a large influx of American applications. One example is SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan. SDA Bocconi School of Management has had great success in attracting talented candidates from all around the world to its MBA program.

Here is a recent interview with Tyler Henderson from the Recruiting and Admissions Service, Masters Division at Bocconi. Some of the topics covered in the interview include this year's admissions volume, what SDA Bocconi considers important in the application process, and how the school is adjusting in the light of current financial trends.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that former General Electric Chief Executive Jack Welch is investing $2 million for a 12 percent stake in Chancellor University to create the "Jack Welch Institute MBA" this upcoming fall. According to the article Welch, has taught a class at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has donated money and lent his name to the John F. Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.

Online for-profit universities continue to grow each year, but according to the article, "there is a concern about quality," says EduVentures Chief Executive Tom Dretler who is quoted in the article, "because there's much, much less selectivity of students in the admissions process."

Chancellor University, however, has run into some problems with its accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, being placed on probation in November for "concerns about its reputation, student turnover and resource allocation."