Founded in 1929, Menlo College was originally envisioned as a two-year introductory college to prepare young men for upper-division undergraduate work at Stanford University, which was considering the notion of eliminating underclass undergraduate studies. This continued until 1932, when Stanford’s Board of Trustees elected to keep Stanford a four-year institution with graduate coursework offerings. In 1949 the Menlo College School of Business opened as the first four-year program offered here. In 1979 the college became coed, and in 1986 Menlo College became exclusively a four-year college with an emphasis on various aspects of business coupled with other aspects of a liberal arts education.
Mission/Vision
The mission of Menlo College as a whole is “to develop future leaders through a liberal arts-based business education that integrates academic study and fieldwork in a Silicon Valley environment unmatched in its potential for innovation.” In addition to this, the Menlo School of Business has its own mission and vision statements. According to the MSB vision statement, “Menlo College’s School of Business aspires to be Silicon Valley’s Business School. The School of Business will achieve a reputation as one of the preeminent small, private, business management programs in the United States.” Its mission statement says in part, “Menlo College’s School of Business mission is to provide quality business education programs that reflect the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of our Silicon Valley location.”
Campus Setting
Menlo College is located in Atherton, California, almost precisely halfway between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley. The cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto are within easy walking distance of the college, which enjoys the exceptionally temperate Northern California climate and weather.
Academics
Menlo College offers 12 undergraduate academic programs in the fields business, marketing and psychology. Study-abroad opportunities are available, as are internships both locally and beyond the area, state, or country.
Currently Menlo College does not offer any postgraduate programs, but does have a program in place to assist with locating compatible graduate programs elsewhere.
Athletics
Menlo Park athletic teams, the Oaks, participate in the CalPac Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes. Men’s varsity sports include basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, golf, cross-country and soccer. Women’s varsity sports offerings include basketball, softball, volleyball, wrestling, cross-country, soccer and women’s golf. Currently the only co-ed varsity sports offering is Competitive Cheer.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Annual tuition at Menlo College is $36,900, plus a student body fee of $620 per year. Additional costs include books, housing, and transportation if living off campus. Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and federal student aid is available for qualified students.
Accreditation
Menlo College has been regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since February 28th, 1961. The college is also accredited through Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, also known as AACSB, a distinction awarded to less than 5% of business schools worldwide.
Admissions
Admission to Menlo College is highly competitive, and the admissions process reflects this. Students are required to apply and pay a $40 application fee. All students write a 250-word personal essay explaining your decision to apply to Menlo College. All students must also include a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor and provide current SAT or ACT scores and official school transcripts upon admission.
To contact Admissions, you can reach Menlo College Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm except on college holidays.
Mailing Address
Admissions
1000 El Camino Real
Atherton, CA 94027-4301
Phone: 800.55.MENLO or 650.543.3753
Fax: 650.543.4496
