Princeton Review: Mercer Business, Law Schools Among America’s Best

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Mercer Seal

ATLANTA/ MACON — The Princeton Review named Mercer University’s law and business programs among the nation’s best today, announcing that the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics in Atlanta and Macon was among the “Best 296 Business Schools” in its 2009 book and that the Walter F. George School of Law was among the “Best 174 Law Schools” in the 2009 edition of its law schools guidebook.

The business school’s Atlanta MBA program also was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the category of “Greatest Opportunity for Women.”

The Princeton Review selects schools based on its high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data collected from the schools and the opinions of students attending the schools.

“The vision statement of Mercer University is ‘where every student matters and learns to make a difference’ and this recognition by the Princeton Review shows the commitment of the faculty of the Stetson School of Business and Economics to this vision and to our students,” said William Mounts, interim dean of the business school. “Of all the various other rankings given in the Princeton Review, ‘the greatest opportunity for women’ is one of the few that directly relates to the importance of all students to our program. This recognition affirms our commitment to student-centered learning.”

The Princeton Review ranked the programs in this category “(b)ased on the percent of students who are female, the percent of faculty who are female, and student assessment of: resources for female students, how supportive the culture is of female students, whether the business school offers coursework for women entrepreneurs and whether case study materials for classes proportionately reflect women in business.”

The Law School’s student-centered approach was also evident from the surveys completed by Mercer students that appear in the school’s profile, which reads, in part: “In Mercer, students find an institution that ‘rejects the ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality of most law schools,’ adopting instead a ‘no man left behind’ approach. “Every single person — librarians, professors, classmates, and even the sweet lady in the bookstore — is there to help you if you need it,’ a 1L reports.” And the profile includes quotes from students about professors as well. “The school is committed to producing lawyers who demonstrate  ‘compassion for the client,’ and this goal is reinforced by professors who are accessible and ‘seem to really care about the student.’ Students agree that ‘at any given time, you can pop in on a professor,’ ” according to the profile.

The ranking lists are based on surveys of law and business school students during the 2007-08, 2006-07 and 2005-06 academic years.   On average, 100 students at each law school and 65 students at each business school were surveyed for the rankings lists appearing in the new editions of the books.   The 80-question survey asked students about their school’s academics, student body and campus life, themselves, and their career plans. 

School profiles in “Best 174 Law Schools” and “Best 296 Business Schools” cover admission, academics, financial aid, campus life and career information.  Introductory chapters offer information and advice on funding the degrees, taking the LSAT and GMAT, applying to the schools and excelling at them. 

About the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer:
Established in 1984, the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics offers bachelor’s, MBA, Professional MBA, Executive MBA and Master of Accountancy programs. The School holds accreditation from the prestigious AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, considered the hallmark of excellence among the nation’s top business schools and placing it among the top 25 percent of all business schools in the world. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu/business.

About the Mercer Law School:
Founded in 1873, the Walter F. George School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country. The Woodruff Curriculum, Mercer Law School’s model curriculum, focuses on ethics and practical skills. The Law School ranks among the nation’s best in bar passage rates, job-placement records, student/teacher ratio, and success in student competitions. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Mercer’s Legal Writing Program as one of the top two in the nation for four consecutive years.

About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University has more than 7,500 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah; three regional academic centers across the state; a university press; two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center and the Medical Center of Central Georgia; educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
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