Nate Gibbons grew up in the small town of Batavia, New York, and, like many small-town kids eager to make their family proud, he announced he was going to become a doctor. Only, time would quickly show him that medicine wasn’t his calling. Instead, he would graduate with a degree in Spanish and land a position at a commercial equipment finance company.
Years later, Gibbons started working in commercial lending—and it felt like an uphill battle, trying to do things right. “[I] realised that I’m not prepared for it, and I’m struggling, and I’m trying to navigate that and do well,” he says. It was then that the CEO and his manager would pull Gibbons into an office, recognise both his hard work and his struggles, and agree to invest in an MBA to propel him forward.
And there Gibbons was, wondering if he might get fired.
It wasn’t just any MBA they would invest in, no — they were looking at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. Located in Rochester, New York, Simon is ranked #6 for return on investment among the top 35 business schools in the US. With a focus on analytics and economics, its programmes will prepare you to advance your career anywhere in the world and solve complex problems to build a better future.
“I strongly feel that Simon helped me to make this transition from being an employee to being a resource,” says Gibbons. “This area, where I kind of felt like a failure, actually became the area where I was asked to be responsible for training everyone. And then that led to being responsible for training and development for the whole company.”
Simon Business School has over 20,000 alumni who have found success in more than 80 countries. Source: University of Rochester
Finding connections that last
Rochester, New York, is an eclectic city. It rests on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, with the perfect balance of urban activity and natural beauty. Rochester is not like Manhattan, where it’s overrun by tourists. The community revels in independent shops, local festivals, and its popular dish, the Garbage Plate. Despite being the third-largest city in New York, it’s an intimate place—and also one of the cheapest. It ranks #2 globally for the most affordable housing market, and 90% of Simon’s full-time students receive merit-based scholarship support.
As of 2023, about 8.05% of Rochester residents were born outside the country, with the international community enriched by foreign university students. It’s no surprise that this global atmosphere is reflected within Simon, with the university’s International Services Office having supported the community to find success for decades. That means conversing with people from all walks of life and sharing the classroom with a wide range of perspectives.
The connections you’ll make do not stop there.
“International students choose Simon for a reason: one-to-one career coaching, a close-knit community, and resources that turn preparation into opportunity,” says LaTanya Johns, the Assistant Dean of the Jay S. and Jeanne Benet Career Management Centre.
For international students planning to build a long-term career in the US, there is also welcome news about recent visa policy changes:
- The new H-1B fee and entry restriction applies only to certain new H-1B filings for individuals outside the US.
- Once you are in the US on an F-1 visa and later transition to H-1B, your employer is not subject to the new US$100,000 fee or restriction.
- Students with an F-1 visa can continue to take advantage of OPT and CPT.
This update is encouraging for students and employers alike. Simon graduates continue to see strong outcomes: the MBA Class of 2025 saw a 5% increase in total salary over the Class of 2024 and nearly 90% of graduates accepted offers within three months of graduation. With STEM-designated programmes that integrate AI and analytics, Simon prepares students to thrive in a competitive hiring landscape, in the US and around the world.
From industry partnerships that connect you with professional opportunities to a 20,000+ alumni network in more than 80 countries, Simon ensures that you will graduate connected to the world. Students have undertaken over 100 real-world projects, serving more than 50 clients across various fields, including agriculture, technology, education, finance, and others. Alumni members like Gibbons have made their marks as leaders in many industries, and you can connect with them to seek career advice, whether that’s for the job search or résumé writing.
Simon trains you to build career impact through the Jay S. and Jeanne Benet Career Management Centre. Source: University of Rochester
World-class academics + career impact
Simon is truly a pioneer of its time—it was the first business school in the nation to offer STEM designation for every MBA concentration, and prior to that, every full-time MS programme was STEM-designated as well. In this digital age, the school is integrating AI across its programmes to meet the demands of a data-driven, tech-forward world.
“As an international student, Simon equipped me with the analytical rigour, professional confidence, and global perspective essential for success,” says Manuj Mittal, a Simon graduate who went on to work at Morgan Stanley.
Guiding you to tackle complex business problems are world-class faculty members dedicated to research in areas like accounting, information systems, economics, operations, and more. Outside their classrooms, you will apply your analytical skills to real-world settings around Rochester and beyond.
From the day you join Simon, the Benet Career Management Centre partners with you to forge a career path that meets your goals. Internships, consulting projects, case competitions, and workshops — the Benet Centre gives you opportunities to help you build confidence, a network, and communication skills to set you apart from the competition.
“The [Centre] provided personalised coaching, career guidance, and interview preparation that directly shaped my path to a top investment bank,” says Mittal. “Simon’s close-knit community and commitment to student growth transformed my aspirations into tangible outcomes, preparing me to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.”
Simon’s Round 2 application deadline is January 5, 2026 — apply by that date to maximise your admission and scholarship consideration!
