Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the case competition.

Q: Who may participate in the Fisher Invitational MBA Case Competition?

A: The competition includes teams from business schools by invitation only. One team of four 1st year MBA students (full-time or part-time) is sent to represent each school.

Q: What schools participate in the Fisher Invitational Case Competition?

A: The 2012 Fisher Invitational will be represented by the following schools:

• Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota)
• Eli Broad Graduate School of Management (Michigan State University)
• Fisher College of Business (The Ohio State University)
• Illinois MBA (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• Kelley School of Business (Indiana University)
• Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University)
• Krannert School of Management (Purdue University)
• Ross School of Business (University of Michigan)
• Smeal College of Business (Penn State University)
• Tippie School of Management (University of Iowa)
• Wisconsin School of Business (University of Wisconsin)

Q: Can 2nd year MBAs participate?

A: The competition is limited to first-year MBA students (full-time or part-time).

Q: What is the cost to register?

A: Registration is $125 per team. On-site hotel accommodations and food are provided at no cost to participants.

Q: What is the deadline to register?

A: The deadline to register is Friday, February 24, 2012.

Q: What are the dates and times of the Case Competition?

A: The case competition begins on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 5:00 pm and ends on Saturday,April 14, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

Q: How long are students given to analyze the case?

A: Students are given 24 hours to analyze the case and prepare a presentation.

Q: Is the case specific to a business function?

A: Teams analyze a complex, multi-disciplinary business case and recommend a course of action. The case may require knowledge of accounting, finance, marketing, operations, strategy and/or supply chain.

Q: Who determines the winners?

A: Senior level industry judges from regional, national and international firms select the teams who advance to the Final Round and then select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries after the Final Round.

During the past few years, senior level managers from the following companies have judged at the Fisher Invitational (partial list):

• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Cardinal Health
• Deloitte & Touche
• Discover Financial Services
• Fifth Third Bank
• JPMorgan Chase
• Limited Stores
• Nationwide Financial
• The Scotts Company

Q: What is the prize?

A: The top three teams at the Fisher Invitational are invited to participate in the Big Ten/Pac 12 "Rose Bowl" Challenge in 2013.