MBA Insider's Blog

Student Spotlight: David Frankel - From New York to LA (UCLA Anderson Class of 2019)

This post is a part of the Student Spotlight series where we highlight a current Anderson student or alum to learn about his/her experiences at Anderson. 

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DAVID FRANKEL
UCLA Anderson Class of 2019

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Name:  David Frankel UCLA Anderson MBA Class: Class of 2019 Hometown:  Woodmere, New York Undergraduate Studies:  Yeshiva University, Finance Pre-MBA Career:  ff Venture Capital Post-MBA Goals: Venture Capital / Private Equity

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Q. Introduce yourself to your classmates!
A. I am a born and raised New Yorker who hails from the world of finance and private investing. I moved out to Los Angeles with my beautiful wife Valerie and adorable one year-old son Henry to refine my career path, build a new network of peers, and check out LA living :)

Q. Why did you decide to attend UCLA Anderson? #whyAnderson?
A. UCLA Anderson was the right combination of diverse peer group, small class size, focus of entrepreneurship and private investing, and a fantastic city to live in and get to know.

Q. What are you most excited about at UCLA Anderson?
A. The Price Center for Entrepreneurship, the many different social and professional clubs, Parker Career Center, and living in Los Angeles.

Q. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA degree?
A. I wanted to build up my leadership skills, and promote a diverse network of peers in a new and up & coming "ecosystem"

Q. What is a piece of advice you have for prospective business school applicants?
A. Have a clear and linear story of where you have been and where you're looking to get to.

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

From the Dean’s Desk: Q&A with Director of MBA Admissions, Alex Lawrence

This post is part of a “From the Dean’s Desk” series, where we hear directly from our UCLA Anderson leaders across the school.

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Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program Alex Lawrence ('99) recently participated in a podcast where gave his insider view into the UCLA Anderson MBA program and the admissions process.  Below is an excerpt of the interview -- for the full question-and-answer audio and transcribed podcast, click here

 

Q. Can you give us an overview of Anderson’s full-time MBA program? [1:50]

A. It’s a great program in a fantastic location – Los Angeles – that offers so many opportunities. We have recruiting strengths in management consulting, finance, real estate, entertainment. Students have a flexible curriculum, and an amazing career services center. There are so many opportunities for those who attend Anderson and become part of the family.

 

Q. What’s new or changing at Anderson? [2:55]

A. We’re building a new building! Marion Anderson Hall – we’re breaking ground soon and we expect it to be ready in 26 months. It will be fantastic, building on what we already have.

We have a new leadership development program, which launched last year. And our social development specialization just launched.

We changed the start of the school year for first year students. Now we bring first year students to campus in August (instead of September). They appreciate the chance to get used to the environment earlier – they take one course and have an orientation before fall quarter starts at the end of September. It also means that recruiting and info sessions are spread out over an extra month and a half.

 

Q. You mentioned Anderson’s location – how is it an advantage? [23:20]

A. Many times people think automatically about media and entertainment, and that’s definitely a strength of being in LA, but it’s much more than that. The student experience is very rich – people are taking advantage of academic year internships in all industries. The classroom environment is exciting: we have lecturers who bring in their industry experience. And the Dean brings industry leaders to speak and meet with students.

 

Q. What do you wish people would know about Anderson? [52:25]

A. They don’t realize we’re not just an entertainment school. People here go into tech, finance, consulting… They start their own businesses. LA is an incredibly vibrant startup/small business scene. It’s more about what you want to do.

We have a worldwide alumni network and a strong brand.

Being in an environment where people are not just going to be part of the status quo is exciting.

 

Listen to the full podcast or read the transcribed discussion by visiting the Accepted blog. 

 

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Instagram @uclaMBA #TuesdayTakeover: Sophia Nguy '18 - Summer Internship @ American Airlines

Introducing you to today's Instagram #TuesdayTakeover student, Sophia Nguy! Sophia will be taking over our Instagram account @uclamba for a whole day today to show everyone a "Day in the Life" of a UCLA Anderson student and MBA summer intern!

Check in throughout the day to our @uclaMBA instagram account to hear about a "Day in the Life" as an MBA Summer Intern!

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Name: Sophia Nguy Hometown: Vallejo, California Undergraduate Studies: UC Berkeley - Business Administration Pre-Anderson:  Virgin America - Senior Financial Reporting Analyst Summer Internship: American Airlines - Commercial Strategy

 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SOPHIA: 

Academic Specialization: Strategy and Travel & Hospitality

Leadership@Anderson:

• VP Corporate Outreach, Travel and Hospitality Association
• VP Communications & Social Media, Asian Management Student Association
• VP AnderGlam, Retail Business Association
  
  

Clubs@Anderson:

• Entrepreneurs Association
• Anderson Tech Business Association
• Anderson Wine Club
• Women's Business Connection
• Travel & Hospitality Association
• Asian Management Student Association
• Retail Business Association

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Student Spotlight: Nikita Sewak - From India to LA (UCLA Anderson Class of 2019)

This post is a part of the Student Spotlight series where we highlight a current Anderson student or alum to learn about his/her experiences at Anderson. 

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Nikita Sewak
UCLA Anderson Class of 2019

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Name:  Nikita Sewak UCLA Anderson MBA Class: Class of 2019 Hometown:  Lucknow, India Undergraduate Studies:  Nanyang Technological University, Computer Engineering Pre-MBA Career:  Uber - Marketing & Operations Post-MBA Goals: Operations Consulting

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Q. Introduce yourself to your classmates!
A. I run! I used to run in school, continued running in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) where I did my bachelors in Computer Engineering and a minor in Business. I ran the Standard Chartered marathon while I worked in its competitor firm, Citibank, for three years in Singapore as a Management Associate. I hope to cover some distance at UCLA and make new friends along the way!

Q. Why did you decide to attend UCLA Anderson? #whyAnderson?
A. My interest in business dates back to 2010 when I took a course in Investments during a summer exchange program at UCLA Anderson. I furthered my passion for business along with my computer-engineering course and completed a minor in Business at NTU. It is this first-hand experience of studying at Anderson that has urged me to pursue my MBA at UCLA Anderson. Anderson's curriculum and the vibrant city of Los Angeles offer a lot of diverse opportunities which I wish to explore in the future.

Q. What are you most excited about at UCLA Anderson?
A. Being a fan of basketball, I am excited about the Anderson Basketball Club and also seeing a Lakers game. I am also looking forward to our first class trip to Las Vegas in August which will be a perfect opportunity to know my classmates. The Parker Career Management Center has also been very active after I received my admission letter -- I am fortunate to have such a dedicated career service center and I look forward to working with them and recruit for the companies I wish to work for.

Q. What are some UCLA Anderson clubs you're interested in joining?
A. Anderson Basketball Club, Anderson Eats Club, Management Consulting Association

Q. What do you plan to do in the months leading up to starting UCLA Anderson?
A. I have done an internship in Uber to explore more career paths and also took up drumming lessons -- I always wanted to learn drums but never found the time to learn!

Q. Fun fact about yourself?
A. I love to run long distance and to eat. They both balance each other out!

Q. What is a piece of advice you have for prospective business school applicants?
A. Start early! Its said a lot of times, but looking back I think this was the best advise I followed. Prepare for GMAT and do your applications well in time.

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Instagram @uclaMBA #TuesdayTakeover: James Hinckley '18 - Summer Internship @ Deloitte

Introducing you to today's Instagram #TuesdayTakeover student, James Hinckley! James will be taking over our Instagram account @uclamba for a whole day today to show everyone a "Day in the Life" of a UCLA Anderson student!

Check in throughout the day to our @uclaMBA instagram account to hear about a "Day in the Life" as an MBA Summer Intern!

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Name: James Hinckley Hometown: Dallas, Texas Undergraduate Studies: BBA Finance - Notre Dame Pre-Anderson:  Finance at NBCUniversal and GE Capital Summer Internship: Deloitte Consulting

 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT JAMES: 

Academic Specialization: Strategy

Leadership@Anderson:

• VP of External Affairs, Management Consulting Association
• VP of A-Days, Anderson Admissions Corps
• VP of Casino Night, Challenge for Charity
• VP of MANbassadors, Womens' Business Connection
• VP of Technology, Travel & Hospitality Association
• VP of Admissions, Sports Business Association
• ACT Coach, Consulting & Internal Strategy

Clubs@Anderson:

• Management Consulting Association
• Admissions Ambassador Corps
• Challenge for Charity (C4C)
• Women's Business Connection
• Travel & Hospitality Association
• Sports Business Association
• Entertainment Management Association
• Entrepreneurs Association
• Anderson Wine Club
• Anderson Craft Beer Club

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: New Essay Questions for the 2017-2018 Application

This blog post is part of our "Application Insider" blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.

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APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:
NEW ESSAY QUESTIONS RELEASED

When our new MBA application goes live on August 1st, you will find we have made some changes to our essay questions for this application year (for the full-time MBA Class of 2020) --  here are our newly released questions!

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NEW APPLICANTS

 - Essay Question: Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. How can the UCLA Anderson experience add value to your professional development? (500 words max)

 - Short Answer Question: Describe how you would contribute to the UCLA Anderson community. (250 words max)

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REAPPLICANTS

Reapplicants are those who submitted a completed MBA application within the previous two years (those who applied for the MBA program starting in 2016 or 2017). If you applied three years or more prior, then please answer the "New Applicant" questions. 

- Reapplicant Essay Question: Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (750 words maximum)

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OPTIONAL

As in previous years, we also have an optional question for those who need some additional space to explain extenuating circumstances that are not evident in the application. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit a response to the optional question. The optional question can be answered by either new applicants or reapplicants.

 - Optional Question: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

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It's never too early to begin thinking about your answers to these questions.  As you begin to brainstorm and write your essays, remember that your responses are the primary way for you to share your perspectives and plans with the admissions committee. The best essays are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and responding to our topics -- craft an essay that truly represents YOU. Whatever your target goals may be, your essay is the platform to distinguish yourself with your passion, clarity, planning and eloquence. Refining your career plans once you get here is fine, but first your application should make a compelling case for how you would use the UCLA Anderson MBA to build on your transferable skills to reach a distinctive future.

View our Admissions Requirements webpage for more information about the essay requirements, as well as the other elements of our application. 

 

Check back for more "Application Insider" blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Instagram @uclaMBA #TuesdayTakeover: Alexis Ryan '18 - Summer Internship @ Google

Introducing you to today's Instagram #TuesdayTakeover student, Alexis Ryan! Alexis will be taking over our Instagram account @uclamba for a whole day today to show everyone a "Day in the Life" of a UCLA Anderson student!

Check in throughout the day to our @uclaMBA instagram account to hear about a "Day in the Life" as an MBA Summer Intern!

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Name: Alexis Ryan Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Undergraduate Studies: Georgetown University, International Business & Marketing Pre-Anderson:  Global Business Development Supervisor at Omnicom Media Group Summer Internship: Google - Emerging Business Development

 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ALEXIS: 

Academic Specialization: Technology and General Management

Leadership@Anderson: Vice President of Partnerships, Women's Business Connection; Vice President of Interview Development, Marketing Association

Clubs@Anderson: AnderTech, Marketing Association, Women's Business Connection

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Ask MBA Admissions Directors Questions at #TheMBATourChat Twitter Chat (July 11)

UCLA Anderson admissions directors will be joining the upcoming "Ask Admissions Directors' Live Twitter Chat (hosted by The MBA Tour) to help answer any questions you may have about MBA programs. Follow and use the hashtag #TheMBATourChat on Tuesday, July 11 starting at 9am PST/12pm EST to get answers to commonly asked questions from prospective MBA applicants, and also have the opportunity to tweet us your specific questions, too!

Topics that will be covered include:

• Advice about applying to MBA programs
• Insider admissions information
• How to stand out when meeting admissions officer
• And more!

For any questions and to learn more, visit The MBA Tour's Twitter Chat blog post

Looking forward to tweeting you soon!

 

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

UCLA Anderson MBA Brochure - New!

Happy Friday from Sunny SoCal!

We wanted to let you know that our UCLA Anderson MBA Brochure has been updated -- make sure to add it to your summer reading list! 

In this brochure, you can learn more about our curriculum, unique Applied Management Research (AMR) program, top career services, faculty, class profile, and more!  

 

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Student Spotlight: Ali McCarty '18 - Entrepreneurship and Leadership at UCLA Anderson (Live Webinar)

Tune in TODAY, Thursday, July 6 at 6:30PM PST for a LIVE webinar with a current UCLA Anderson MBA student! This week you will have the opportunity to connect with full-time MBA student Ali McCarty as she tells her story of her first year experiences, entrepreneurship classes, and leadership programs at UCLA Anderson.  

PROFILE:

• Name: Ali McCarty
• Class: Class of 2018
• Hometown: Ventura, California
• Undergraduate Studies: Bachelor's in Latin American Political Economics at Davidson College
• Pre-MBA Experience: Strategy and Operations Consultant, Deloitte Consulting
• Summer Internship: HR Associate, Capital Group
• Anderson Activities:  President of the Admissions Ambassador Corps, Human Resources Anderson Career Team Coach, Entrepreneurship Leadership Development Program, Anderson Leadership Development Program, Women's Business Connection, Anderson Wine Club, Entrepreneurship Association
  

 

Register and view webinar here: UCLA Anderson Liveguide 

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]