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Simon Business School

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Build your future in business


University of Rochester Simon Business School

Earn Your HWS Degree and a Simon Business School Master's in Five Years

Simon School of Business

Learn More

To learn more, connect directly with a member of the admissions team at the U of R Simon Business School.

Through a partnership with the University of Rochester and its Simon Business School, qualified Hobart and William Smith students can earn a bachelor's degree from HWS and a master's degree from Simon in just five years.

Students in the Business Master's Pathway benefit from early admission opportunities (conditional admission as early as high school), graduate-level career support and scholarship opportunities while preparing for careers in accounting, finance, analytics, marketing, artificial intelligence and business leadership.

 

Available Programs

Choose from High-Demand Graduate Programs

Students in the pathway may pursue a master's degree in:

Students also have access to an affiliated MBA pathway after graduating from HWS.

Applying

How the Program works

  1. Apply Early or During Your Junior Year. Students may apply to the Business Master's Pathway in one of two ways:
  • As a high school senior, receive conditional admission to Simon upon acceptance to HWS. Students admitted as high school seniors confirm their enrollment in the Simon master's program through a brief online process during their junior year at HWS.
  • In the spring of an HWS student’s junior year, students in good academic standing from any program of study may apply to the program.
Meet the Academic Requirements

To remain eligible, students must:

  • Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA or higher at HWS.
  • Complete Calculus I and Statistics with grades of B or higher.
  • Remain continuously enrolled at HWS through completion of their bachelor's degree.
  • Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing.
  • Students who complete selected HWS courses with a grade of B or higher may be eligible to waive certain Simon coursework, allowing additional flexibility to pursue electives.

Program BEnefits

Students admitted to the pathway gain early access to selected Simon Career Services resources beginning the summer before their senior year at HWS after confirming their intention to enroll. These services complement the advising and career preparation students already receive through HWS. Students also receive academic advising and support from both institutions throughout their undergraduate and graduate studies.

Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid

  • During the first four years at HWS, students pay standard HWS tuition and remain eligible for HWS scholarships, grants and financial aid programs.
  • During the fifth year at Simon, students pay Simon tuition rates and are eligible for Simon scholarships, grants and financial aid programs.
  • Guaranteed Scholarship Opportunity. Students admitted to the pathway who maintain a 3.25 GPA during their undergraduate studies receive a 30% tuition scholarship from Simon Business School for their master's degree. To retain the scholarship while enrolled at Simon, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their graduate coursework.
  • Students must submit a non-refundable $3,000 enrollment deposit during their junior year at HWS to secure their place in the program. The deposit is applied toward graduate tuition once students enroll at Simon.

MBA Pathway

Continuing your education: The HWS Alumni MBA PAthway

Professor Tom Dennen

Reach out to Professor Tom Drennen for more information.

HWS graduates also benefit from a special MBA opportunity through Simon. Alumni who apply within seven years of earning their HWS bachelor's degree or Master of Science in Management receive:

  • Priority consideration for admission to Simon's full-time or part-time MBA programs;
  • A waived application fee; and
  • A 30% scholarship if admitted to the MBA program.

For more details on accelerated degree program pathways, please consult Stine Family Endowed Chair and Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Tom Drennen, drennen@hws.edu.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What makes Simon Business School a strong choice for graduate study?
Simon Business School at the University of Rochester is nationally recognized for its strengths in analytics, finance and quantitative business education. Its graduate programs combine rigorous academics with experiential learning and strong employer connections, preparing students for careers across a wide range of industries.
How does Simon complement an HWS liberal arts education?

An HWS education develops the critical thinking, communication and analytical skills that are essential in business. Simon builds on that foundation with specialized graduate study that prepares students to apply those skills in fields such as finance, accounting, marketing, analytics and artificial intelligence.

Who is eligible for the Graduate Pathway?
Students from any major at Hobart and William Smith may apply. Whether your interests are in economics, mathematics, psychology, political science, the natural sciences or the humanities, the pathway provides an opportunity to combine a liberal arts education with advanced business training.
What graduate degrees can HWS students pursue through the pathway?
Students may earn a Master of Science in Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics or Artificial Intelligence in Business. HWS alumni are also eligible for a special pathway to Simon's MBA program.
What are the advantages of applying early?
Students may receive conditional admission to Simon as early as their senior year of high school or apply during their junior year at HWS. Early admission allows students to plan ahead for graduate study while benefiting from academic advising, scholarship opportunities and career resources.
How does the scholarship work?
Students admitted to the pathway who maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA at HWS will receive a guaranteed 30% tuition scholarship toward their Simon master's degree. The scholarship helps make graduate education more affordable while recognizing students' academic achievement.
What career support do students receive?
After confirming their enrollment in the pathway, students gain early access to selected Simon Career Services beginning the summer before their senior year at HWS. They also continue to benefit from HWS Career Services throughout their undergraduate experience, receiving guidance from both institutions.
What kinds of careers do Simon graduates pursue?
Graduates work in accounting, finance, consulting, marketing, business analytics, artificial intelligence, technology and other business leadership roles. Simon's graduate programs are designed to prepare students for careers in an increasingly data-driven global economy.
Why is this pathway especially valuable for HWS students?
The pathway allows students to pair the breadth of an HWS liberal arts education with specialized graduate business training. By combining early admission, scholarship support and professional preparation, students can move confidently from undergraduate study to advanced education and career opportunities.
Can I participate if I'm not a business major?
Absolutely. The pathway is open to students from any academic discipline who meet the program's eligibility requirements. HWS's liberal arts curriculum prepares students with the communication, analytical and problem-solving skills that Simon values, while prerequisite coursework in calculus and statistics provides the quantitative foundation for graduate business study.