Students - Frequently Asked Questions

Applications will be assessed primarily on the likelihood of the applicant's success in meeting our clients' needs and on their interest in learning and applying investment analysis skills within the CFE and in their career. We will make this assessment on the following information:

• Career plans
• Carlson School academic record
• Motivation and interest level
• Analytical and problem solving ability
• Team work and interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to dedicate required project time
• Previous work and leadership experience
  

The project and coursework students experience provides core skills in critical thinking, structured analysis, effective communication, project management and business analysis tools that will help prepare them for challenging, high-impact positions in a number of fields including; corporate finance, investment management, equity research, investment banking, and other general asset management careers. Bio Book. Resume Book.

Undergraduates: Each undergraduate student is required to take specific pre-requisite and core courses, For more information, please go to the undergraduate CFE site and review the "Recommended and Required Classes" section or view our printable timeline.

MBAs: Each MBA student is required to take specific classes, depending on which fund they are assigned to. For more information about these courses, please review our printable guide or visit the MBA section of the CFE website.

Students accepted into the CFE will have complete access of the Financial Markets Lab, room 1-170 CSOM, which includes three Bloomberg terminals, a printer and a study area. Students are also granted year-long licenses and access to FactSet, a financial tool that allows you to monitor global markets, public and private companies, and equity and fixed income portfolios in a single, intuitive interface.

Enterprise participation is time-intensive. Students will need to weigh carefully their ability to go to school full-time, to be part of an Enterprise, any part-time work, and involvement in other activities. To be truly successful in an Enterprise, students should be able to devote on average 15 hours a week.

Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00-9:40 AM.

Undergraduate students: Upon successful completion of the two semesters, students will receive 6 credits for the course (3 credits each semester). We recommend that students contact their advisor to discuss implications for major and graduation requirements.

MBA students: Upon successful completion of the two and a half semesters, students will receive 10 credits for the course. The enterprise program is a part of your graduation requirements.

The Carlson Funds Enterprise is located on the first floor of the Carlson School of Management. The lab is located in the Atrium, in room 1-170. The office, room 1-170A, can be located by going through the entrance of 1-160.

View a map of the area.

An information session/open house for new students is typically held in mid October. Students should start looking for postings on both the CFE website and the News and Events monitors around the school starting in October.

Undergraduates need to apply to the fund in October of their junior year in order to be considered for a spot in the program. For more information about the application process, visit our How To Apply section on the undergraduate page.

MBA students do not need to apply, as it's part of their core curriculum. In October, MBA students will go through a preferencing process, at which time they will decide which fund they'd like to be in. For more detials about this process, please visit our Preferencing Process site.

Yes, part-time students are eligible to apply to the Funds Enterprise. However, it's on a case-by-case basis. Due to the time requirements of the program, it's not always feasible for part-time students to attend the classes, presentations, etc. on a regular basis so those interested in the program are required to meet with both the Program Directors to make sure it's worthwhile for both parties. Depending on students' individual expectations of the fund, participation may not be advised. If part-time students do wish to discuss their participation with the Directions, they will need to setup an appointment to speak with the Directors no later than September of their first year, as preferencing and placement decisions are made in October/November.

Although travel is not required, it is strongly suggested that students take advantage of the Carlson Travel Stipend Fund that allows students to travel to corporations to gain insight into the company they are researching. Students are urged to meet with the management team in their company in order to acquire more information about their stock or bond.