Bryant University Top Questions

Academics at Bryant are rigorous, challenging, and revolve around group work. Recently Bryant has been ranked among the Top 10 U.S. Business Schools, #4 in Management, #5 in Marketing, and #6 in International business according to College Factual. Many classes are lectures with a decent work load outside of class. However, lectures at Bryant are a little different than most schools, a class at Bryant normally contains less than 30 students, and the ratio of advisers to students is 2:1. Class discussions are an integral part of learning at Bryant with the small number of students in every classroom. You will not find your typical lecture style large class here. Homework is given often and the course load is challenging but that is what makes Bryant such a great school. Most classes are taught with a global perspective to prepare students for the “real world”. A main pillar for education at Bryant is comparing business and liberal arts. If you major in something from the Business School you must minor in something from the Liberal Arts school and vice-versa. This is a great way to make students well rounded in their studies and ultimately in their mode of thought.

The academics at Bryant are undoubtedly challenging, and professors really try to get the most out of all their students. The work load is not unbearable, and you will take away a lot from all your classes and assignments. Many classes at Bryant have group-based projects incorporated in their curriculum, which can be difficult, but also very rewarding. If there is one thing that makes Bryant standout academically, it's the professors. They are extremely helpful and want more than anything to see their students succeed.

Great academic atmosphere. Very student-centered approach to coursework and professors are always available for more individual attention if the student wishes. Never a problem asking a professor for clarification. Exceptional business program, one of the most notable in northeast.

Many students (myself included) would cite close relationships with faculty as one of the best things about this school. Whether going over your latest exam, providing you with advice and resources to help you reach your goals (in college and beyond), or simply grabbing coffee and catching up on life, professors are incredibly accessible and dedicated to their students. The large number of core class requirements can make your first couple of years at Bryant feel like a chore, but will serve you well as an upperclassman (applying for jobs or grad school) when you can speak to your strong background in all the core areas of both a business and liberal arts education, no matter your major. I personally wish there were more flexibility and options in the curriculum to take the fun electives I hear about from my friends at other schools, like calligraphy or yoga. That being said, I am really happy with my education overall. I am particularly passionate about the International Business Program at Bryant, which is one of the best in the country. “IB” majors are required to concentrate in a core business area (Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management, or Entrepreneurship), and either minor or demonstrate fluency in a foreign language (in which case you would minor in some other liberal art). Nearly every class you take is globally-focused – so while your friends are taking Finance, you’ll be taking Global Finance – and everyone studies abroad during the fall of their Junior year. When you return, you go through an intense “Integrated Block” in which you run a simulated business with your team, and your senior year ends with a real-life semester-long consulting project. “IB” students and faculty are among the most tight-knit on campus, so if you come to Bryant (in my admittedly-biased opinion), it is definitely the way to go.

Bryant's small size makes academics here a very personal experience. Classes consist of no more than 30-40 students (which would be considered a lecture). Most classes consist of 20-25 students. Professors know everyone's names, and are very involved with their student's outside the classroom. One example of this is how my Finance teacher invites all of this students to get breakfast with him in the cafeteria one day during the semester. He says his reasoning for doing so is "to understand us an individuals, he likes teaching, but enjoys meeting new people and learning more about the student body at Bryant so he can help to address each individual's needs." I was amazed to hear this. And our breakfast went amazing, he is actually helping me to accomplish my goal in double minoring in two languages, and got me in touch with the right people. This instance is a perfect way to describe the academic relationships throughout the entire Bryant community. Beyond personal attention, the majority of students at Bryant are competitive, which Bryant encourages. With constant team projects and real life business practices, students are always pushed to do their best. This is also beneficial in the classroom when not one, but multiple students are involved with the discussions.