9.10.2007 - 02:00pm ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - September 10, 2007 - Net Impact, a nonprofit organization with 10,000 graduate business students and professional members dedicated to creating a better world through business, released its second annual edition of Business as UNusual: The 2007 Net Impact Student Guide to Graduate Business Programs.

This guide is the first to focus on MBA and other graduate students' perspectives on social and environmental themes in curricula, career service, and the perspective of other students at business schools worldwide.

"Business as UNusual contains detailed profiles on 56 programs, as well as student ratings of their schools along 20 different categories," explained Liz Maw, Executive Director of Net Impact, an international nonprofit (NGO) with over 10,000 network members dedicated to leveraging business for social and environmental impact "This is a 44% increase in schools participating from the 2006 edition with international schools jumping from two last year to ten in 2007."

The Guide includes rankings in categories including overall preparation of students, support from faculty and administration, and career services at the schools. Top-ranking schools in one or more categories include Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Presidio School of Management, University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management, University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of California Davis, Yale University, George Washington University and University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

"85% of the student survey respondents said they thought their program prepares them for ethical and socially responsible leadership," noted Maw.

Business as UNusual: The 2007 Net Impact Student Guide to Graduate Business Programs was created in response to inquiries from students applying to business school with social and environmental interests. In addition to preparation of students to become responsible business leaders, the guide also compares data on different MBA programs and educates graduate school applicants to help them find the program that is right for them.

The information in the Guide was compiled from a qualitative survey completed by 56 Net Impact student chapter leaders and an online survey completed by 1,264 student Net Impact members. Schools were rated on a variety of factors including curriculum, student activities, career services, and administrative support. The Guide also highlights school stand-outs and overall trends.

Also new for 2007, in addition to the Guide being available for download at www.netimpact.org/bizschoolguide, a limited number of printed copies will be sold on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Business-As-UNusual-Graduate-Programs/dp/B000VHPCQO.

"We generally shy away from printed publications due to the negative impact on the environment," Maw noted. "Fortunately, Eco-Libris, a social enterprise led by Net Impact member Raz Godelnik found at www.ecolibris.net, sponsored this year's guide and is planting a tree for each of the printed copies. In this way, the guide will have a positive impact on the environment and make the guide more accessible."

Net Impact, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is an international nonprofit (NGO) organization comprised of a network of more than 10,000 people in 99 countries spread across six continents. Members are primarily committed to using the power of business to improve the world. This network spans the globe with more than 150 student and professional chapters including chapters at 116 graduate schools. Members believe that business can both earn a profit and create positive social change. Net Impact offers a portfolio of programs to help members transform this ideal into measurable results. For more information, visit Net Impact's Web site at www.netimpact.org.

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Commitment to Transparency: This organization is committed to transparency and stakeholder dialogue and encourages your comments and feedback.

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