Why Walton?

I get this question a lot, actually. Often it stems from the fact that my parents have never lived anywhere near Northwest Arkansas (and so I have no seeming connection to this area), but quite frequently it has to do with the fact that “Arkansas” does not have the best connotation for a majority of the population.

Here’s the thing…this “majority of the population” is wrong. Arkansas, specifically Northwest Arkansas, is one of the best kept secrets around. This area of the country is beautiful (most notably in the fall, it’s breathtaking). Not to mention, the people here are incredible – I mean, come on, it’s the South, we can do hospitality – and it’s one of the up-and-coming areas thanks to a little company called Walmart (located 20 miles from campus).

So, why come to school HERE? Well, in addition to the area, the school itself is pretty neat:

• We have an incredible faculty – the professors genuinely care about how their students do in their classes. I’ve had more than one give the class their cell phone number and say, “If you have questions, just give me a call.” You don’t get that everywhere. And it’s not just the faculty, the staff is incredible. Any question, any concern (down to needing a post-it note) is important and they will do their absolute best to help you succeed.
• The facilities are great. We have classes in a practically brand new building (built in 2008), in tech-savy classrooms (the window blinds and lights are controlled from the podium), and we have study rooms available to us 24/7. The “state-of-the-art” trading center classroom is kinda neat, too. And, did I mention being 20 minutes from Walmart’s HQ? Just FYI, that means being 20 minutes from 300 of the Fortune 500 companies…where else are you going to get that kind of location?
• The classes are small enough that you really get to know (and bond with) your classmates, but large enough that there is a great cross section of backgrounds represented. We have engineers, artists, musicians, small business owners, brand new graduates, PhDs, etc. Such varied backgrounds bring interesting element into class discussion and really make you look at things differently.
• The program helps you find an internship! Especially in an economic time such as this, jobs are hard to come by. Every student in the Walton program has to have an internship, and the school basically puts opportunities in your lap. The Walton Career Center’s focus is finding jobs for the grad students – you really couldn’t ask for more help than they provide.
• There are study abroad opportunities to countries like Brazil, China, and India. I recommend study abroad to EVERYONE! It’s a unique experience and you’ll never get the same chance again. My international experience helped me find MY job, so I can say with confidence that it pays off.
• Also, there is financial aid available (probably should have mentioned this point first, huh?). I am on a full ride plus stipend, as are many of my classmates. Walton wants the best students, and if that’s you, they’ll provide incentive to get you here.

There are all kinds of other reasons that make Walton a fantastic choice, but trying to list them all would just make this post ridiculously long. Hopefully some of the things I’ve included above will answer your “Why Walton?” question (and perhaps change your view of the U of A and NWA as a whole). If you’re looking for more information, check the links to the right or just come visit. Believe me, it’s hard to spend time in this city and not fall in love.