Simon Games
Simon Business School is investing a half-million dollars in scholarships for working professionals.
Simon Games provides you the opportunity to start and run your own business. You will be the CEO of a large international 3D printing business focused on bicycles and will be responsible for making decisions on everything, including marketing, distribution, and manufacturing. If your strategy in the game places you in the top ten among your competitors for your program of interest, you will be invited to report to the Board.
Prizes
We’ll name two grand prize winners—one Executive MBA candidate and one Professional MBA candidate:
⦁ One winner will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Simon’s part-time Professional MBA program.
⦁ One winner will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Simon’s part-time Executive MBA program.
Over $500,000 in scholarships awarded to the top 20 finalists who enroll in Simon’s Executive MBA or Professional MBA program in 2023—don’t miss out!
Earn an MBA as a working professional.
Advance your skill set without pausing your career. Whether it’s our flexible Professional MBA program, ranked No. 3 in New York State, or our Executive MBA program, which can be completed online or in person—Simon Business School is dedicated to supporting working professionals.
We offer evening, weekend and online course options and let you select the pace that suits you. It’s graduate business education tailored to meet your professional and personal goals. Earn your MBA on your terms.
Compare programs to learn more.
Please note that Simon’s Executive MBA and Professional MBA are non-visa sponsoring programs.
Format and Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | Early January |
| Information Session* | February 8 |
| Registration Closes | February 22 |
| Prep Session for Participants* | February 24 |
| Game Begins | February 27 at 12 p.m. ET |
| Game Ends | March 12 at 12 p.m. ET |
| Networking Reception | March 15 |
| Finalists Announced | March 20 |
| Report to Board | April 1 |
| Winners Announced | April 5 |
*While attendance is not required to participate in the competition, it is strongly encouraged.
Registration
Information Session
Wednesday, February 8 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Simon Games
February 27 – March 12
Register by February 22 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Information & Guidelines
Review information about the competition and participant guidelines.
Competition Information:
- In the game, participants will play against the computer.
- The game runs for two weeks and each participant needs to meet six scheduled business decisions.
- Each decision cycle will take one to three hours to complete.
- At the end of the game, the individual cumulative balanced score will be tabulated.
- The top twenty participants (ten from PMBA and ten from EMBA) will be invited to the final round.
- In the final round—Report to the Board—participants will give presentations on their performance.
- A panel of Simon faculty, alumni, and admissions staff will announce scholarship recipients.
Competition Guidelines:
- Each participant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US or Canada.
- Participants are required to pay a $30.00 USD registration fee.
- Participants must submit a résumé as part of registration.
- Each participant will choose a desired part-time MBA program during registration.
- Résumés will be used to ensure the candidate’s background and goals align with their desired program.
- The tuition scholarship awards can only be used for 2023 admission (enrollment).
- Scholarship recipients must complete Simon's online application and meet admission requirements.
- Scholarship recipients must be admitted into Simon's Executive MBA or Professional MBA program.
- Scholarship awards are applied to student tuition, and not University or student program fees.
For more information or if you have questions regarding the competition, contact us at simongames@simon.rochester.edu or (585) 275-3533.
For more information on the business simulation, as well as access to business demos provided by our partner in this venture, Marketplace Simulations, visit the Marketplace website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review questions we’ve received from past participants.
Registration for the Simon Games opens each year in January. The registration fee is $30.00.
The registration deadline is February 22, 2023.
During the registration process, you will be required to submit your résumé and pay the registration fee. Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation receipt via email. If you do not receive the e-mail, contact the Admissions & Programs Office at simongames@simon.rochester.edu or (585) 275-3533.
Each participant will receive game instructions with a game license and login several hours before the Games start. If a participant does not receive an instruction email, they should contact the Admissions & Programs Office immediately at simongames@simon.rochester.edu or (585) 275-3533.
It usually takes one to three hours for each decision cycle, and six decision cycles over the course of the Games. Each participant should plan their schedule accordingly.
It varies. On average, participants should expect 30–40 competitors total.
You can email your Simon Games Administrator directly from within the game interface. You can also email the Simon Games Administration Team at simongames@simon.rochester.edu or technical support at Marketplace at support@ilsworld.com with any questions.
At the conclusion of the game, the competitors’ scores will be tabulated. The top ten participants (from Professional MBA and Executive MBA—20 participants in total) will be notified by email that they are finalists and invited to give a 10-minute presentation in the final round of the competition, Report to the Board.
The board is composed of Simon Business School faculty, staff, alumni, and current students who have participated in the games previously.
Participants give 10-minute presentations on their performance in the competition before the board. Finalists will receive instructions on presentation guidelines and expectations at the completion of the game.
A full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to both the first-place Executive MBA competitor and the first-place Professional MBA competitor. In total, over $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded to the top-20 finalists toward attending Simon’s EMBA or PMBA program in 2023.
Of course! Please contact our office at (585) 275-3533 or admissions@simon.rochester.edu. We are happy to provide additional information as you explore our Executive MBA and Professional MBA programs.
Yes! Upon completion, you we be evaluated for additional scholarship opportunities if you apply and are admitted to Simon’s EMBA or PMBA program.
Eligibility
⦁ The Simon Games competition is reserved for candidates interested in Simon's Executive and Professional MBA programs.
⦁ Candidates may participate even if they have not yet started or submitted an application to Simon Business School.
⦁ Past Simon Games participants are not eligible to participate in future competitions.
⦁ Current matriculated students at Simon Business School are not eligible to participate in the Simon Games.
⦁ Each participant in the Simon Games must be at least 22 years of age.
⦁ Each participant must have an undergraduate degree (from an accredited institution) before beginning study at Simon.
⦁ Each participant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US or Canada. There may be an opportunity for those on a work visa in the US or Canada to participate as well—if you have questions or would like to discuss your eligibility in the competition, contact us at admissions@simon.rochester.edu.
⦁ Tuition scholarship prizes can only be awarded to those who are admitted to Simon and begin an EMBA or PMBA degree in Fall 2023.
2021 Winner Spotlight
Martina Benedict ’24S (MBA)
Professional MBA Program
KRC Research, part of the Weber Shandwick Collective
Communications Research Consultant
“I had always thought I might want to get an MBA someday, and Simon Games gave me a peek into the program. Participating confirmed that pursuing an MBA was the right move and gave me the confidence to officially enroll. Winning gave me the financial ability to make my dream a reality.”