MBA Insider's Blog

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Researching MBA Programs

 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:

RESEARCHING MBA PROGRAMS

 

So you're considering pursuing an MBA degree? If the answer is yes, you've successfully taken the first step towards your path to business school. But this is the first of many questions you'll need to answer to make sure you pick the best MBA program for you and your goals. Here are some of the top questions prospective MBA applicants may have:

Doing your research to answer these questions now will not only help you narrow down which business schools to apply to, but will also help you with the application process by arming you with key information that you can incorporate into your essays, interview, and more.

Here are some of the many ways you can conduct research on MBA programs:

 

 

Business schools often offer robust opportunities to meet with members of their communities, including current students, alumni, and admissions representatives, all around the world at MBA fairs, information events, panels, coffee chats, and more. Some events are specific to one school, but fair-formats often let you meet with individuals at dozens of business schools in one afternoon!

--> Action Items: View our calendar of Admissions events to see where you can meet UCLA Anderson representatives. 

 

Reading about MBA programs on online websites, blogs, social media, and forums can provide key insights directly from the comfort and convenience of your home. Many schools will also publish official MBA program brochures, as well as career employment reports that can give you further insights into academics, programming and career support offerings.We also recommend you stay up-to-date with the business world by reading industry articles, especially ones that relate to your target career goals -- this is especially important for career-switchers and those who come from non-traditional backgrounds (art majors and scientists, we're speaking to you!). 

--> Action Items: Read our MBA Program website, check back on this MBA Insider Blog, follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@uclaMBA), and view our brochure and employment report. 

 

As the business world continues to incorporate digital forms of communications into daily practice, so are business schools, many of which now have a library of videos that highlight different aspects of their programs, including interviews with students, campus tours, and professor lectures. Many schools also offer the opportunity for live interactions with admissions officers and students via webinars which offer a wonderful opportunity to ask any questions you may have and get immediate replies.

--> Action Items: Join UCLA Anderson for a General Information Session webinar, listen in on an upcoming student-led Liveguide Webinar, and check out our UCLA Anderson YouTube page for great videos, such as our Day In The Life as a UCLA Anderson Student

 

Nothing beats first-hand experience, so if you have the opportunity to visit MBA school campuses, we recommend you go! Doing so will help give you an opportunity to connect with members of the MBA community face-to-face and get a glimpse of what it would be like to go to school at that program.  

--> Action Items: Visit the UCLA Anderson campus to join our Campus Experience program for the opportunity to go on a campus tour, join a student for a coffee or lunch chat, listen to a General Information Session presentation, and sit in on a class.  UCLA Anderson also has special events throughout the year for prospective students to learn more about our program -- save the date for Access Anderson (October 14, 2017) and MBA 101 (May 2018). 

 

The above list is only a sample of the many different things you can do to research MBA programs.  However, by partaking in just some of the above action-items, you'll successfully equip yourself with key information and insights that may be able to help you decide where to apply and ultimately, which school offer to accept. 

 

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]

MBA Intern @ Facebook: Erin Riddle '18 (Instagram @uclaMBA #TuesdayTakeover)

Introducing you to today's Instagram #TuesdayTakeover student, Erin Riddle! Erin 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: Erin Riddle Hometown: Moorpark, California Undergraduate Studies: California State University Northridge - Finance & Marketing Pre-Anderson:  AdColony -  Manager of Video Creative Operations Summer Internship: Facebook -  Monetization Product Marketing Management

 

 

  

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIN: 

Academic Specialization: Technology, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship

Leadership@Anderson:

• Vice President of Alumni Relations, Anderson Technology Business Association
• Vice President of Alumni Relations, Women's Business Connection
• Anderson Career Team (ACT) Coach
• Admissions Ambassador Corps Interviewer and General Information Session Leader 

Clubs@Anderson:

• Women's Business Connection
• Anderson Technology Business Association (AnderTech)
• Marketing Association
• Anderson Wine Club
• Admissions Ambassador Corps

 

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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: Mihir Kunal (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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MIHIR KUNAL
UCLA Anderson Class of 2019

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Name:  Mihir Kunal UCLA Anderson MBA Class: Class of 2019 Hometown:  Edison, New Jersey Undergraduate Studies:  Rutgers - Finance Pre-MBA Career:  Senior Consultant - BTS Post-MBA Goals: Venture Capital or Investment Banking

Q. Introduce yourself to your classmates!
A. I'm a Strategy Consultant from New York City, who has resided on the East Coast since 1996 (after moving from India). Love to travel, enjoy weekend trips with friends, eat at new places and keep to date with technology.

Q. Why did you decide to attend UCLA Anderson -- #whyAnderson?
A. When I was thinking about getting my MBA, ultimately three things needed to be true: 1. I needed to move out of the east coast and get a different perspective. 2. I wanted to go to a school where I could use the resources at the school to switch careers. 3. I wanted to meet new people. Anderson allowed me to check all the buckets. The school is situated in LA, a city with great social & ethnic diversity as well as great weather. It also has great centers of excellence in the fields of finance, a career I would eventually like to transition towards. And finally, I'm so excited to work & enjoy the city with all the talented students from all over the world.

Q. What are you most excited about at UCLA Anderson?
A. I am thrilled to make Los Angeles my home for at least two years. Having never been away from the east coast for an extended period of time (except for 6 months studying abroad in Delhi, India), I am looking forward to a change in pace, a bit of discomfort, but also a lifetime of memories to be made. Also excited to attend football & basketball games as a new Bruin! From a school perspective, really looking forward to meeting all my classmates and networking with folks in industries I'm interested in pursuing after Business School. Joining clubs such as the Investment Finance Association and Entrepreneurship Association are high on my list of to-dos once school kicks off.

Q. What is a piece of advice you have for a prospective applicant?
A. Start getting your application materials together as early as possible! Ask for resume & essay help from not only people you know, but also from lesser known acquaintances to get multiple viewpoints.

 

 

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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: Letters of Recommendation

 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:

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

 

Continuing with our series on application tips, we'd like to provide some insight into letters of recommendation and why they are important to our evaluation process. As noted in our application requirements, we require two letters of recommendation (and just one for re-applicants). We prefer that your letters of recommendation speak to your accomplishments and abilities within your professional career. As such, you should request your letters of recommendation from preferably a direct supervisor or manager. But don't worry, if you are working in a family business or have an entrepreneurial background, this blog will also give you some tips on who would be good recommenders, too.

Why are letters of recommendation important? 
Letters of recommendation are important because they allow us to see you through the eyes of your direct supervisor/manager. We want to learn about your leadership potential, your teamwork skills, as well as your ability to overcome challenges. They provide us with information on how you’re going to function on a team: are you someone who is equally comfortable in a leadership role as in a support role; if issues arise will you be able to solve them by evaluating all perspectives involved; do you know how to compromise when needed? Letters of recommendation also speak to what you have accomplished in your career and shed some light on how that can position you for future success. The information that is included in your letters can help support your post-MBA goals.

How should you request a letter of recommendation? I think that it’s always best to make the request in person. Why? Because making the request in person allows you to see how the person responds. Pay attention to not just how they respond verbally but also to the nonverbal communication that comes from their body language. Are they smiling and do look happy? Are they averting their eyes and avoiding making eye contact with you? Do they look uncomfortable? Picking up on these small clues can make the difference between choosing a recommender who will write a lukewarm letter versus choosing someone who will put in the time to make sure that their letter enhances your application.

Who should you consider for your letters of recommendation? Your letters of recommendation should ideally come from someone who is familiar with you in a work setting, such as a direct supervisor and/or project manager. If you cannot request a letter of recommendation from your most current supervisor, you can always contact a former employer. Keep in mind though that it is always best to reach out to someone who you are still in contact with so that they can speak to your growth since you worked with them.

If you are an entrepreneur or are working in a family business, in addition to considering previous employers, you can consider clients, vendors, as well as supervisors from volunteer organizations. It is not advisable that your recommender be someone who you are related to since they will most likely be biased in your favor.

Always remember that we are more concerned with how well your recommenders know you, not their titles.  So don't worry about getting a letter of recommendation from the CEO of your company if they can't provide us with detailed and insightful information on who you are and how you have impacted your organization.

Before deciding who to reach out to for your letters of recommendation, we recommend that you take a look at the recommendation questions. Make sure that you reach out to individuals who can provide useful and detailed responses to the questions on the form. Take the time to choose your recommender wisely and give them ample time to complete your letter of recommendation by the deadline for the round to which you are applying.

Does UCLA Anderson use the "Common Letter of Recommendation" form and what is it? Yes, new this year, UCLA Anderson has adopted the Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR) form. The Common LOR is a recommendation form developed in conjunction with the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) with the goal of saving recommenders valuable time by providing a single, common set of questions. The questions remain embedded in each participating school’s existing application system so you your recommendation requests and submissions will still be processed and submitted through our UCLA Anderson application form. UCLA Anderson is one of 35 (and growing) MBA programs to use this form.  For more information and to see the form, visit the GMAC Common LOR website. 

One last bit of advice: Dedicate some time to share your MBA plans with your recommenders. Share a copy of your resume, talk about some of your professional accomplishments, and let them know why you are interested in pursuing an MBA and how you hope to grow both personally and professionally through the experience. By sharing your plans, you will help them to write a more compelling letter of recommendation.  

 

Good luck and make sure 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]

MBA Intern @ Genentech: Angela Tseng '18 (Instagram @uclaMBA #TuesdayTakeover)

Introducing you to today's Instagram #TuesdayTakeover student, Angela Tseng! Angela 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: Angela Tseng Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergraduate Studies: Dartmouth College - Studio Art, English, Psychology Pre-Anderson:  Bio-Tissue Summer Internship: Genentech - Pipeline Marketing

 

 

  

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ANGELA: 

Academic Specialization: Healthcare Management

Leadership@Anderson:

• Co-President, Asian Management Student Association
• Vice President of Admissions & Membership Engagement - Healthcare Business Association

Clubs@Anderson:

• Asian Management Student Association
• Healthcare Business Association
• Marketing Association
• Women's Business Connection
• Anderson Wine Club

 

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

Upcoming Information Evenings in the Bay Area!

If you live in the Bay Area, you're invited to join us at an Information Evening next week in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. These events are wonderful opportunities for prospective MBA students to learn about our full-time MBA Program's admissions process, student life, career options and curriculum, directly from our admissions staff and esteemed alumni -- and as a special guest, our Dean of the full-time MBA program, Rob Weiler, will be leading the sessions! 

• San Francisco - Monday, September 25 (7-9pm) - RSVP
• Silicon Valley - Tuesday, September 26 (7-9pm) - RSVP

Sign-up soon as space is limited and registration will close shortly -- we are looking forward to seeing you there!

 

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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: Margaret Yu - Returning to UCLA as a Double Bruin (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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MARGARET YU
UCLA Anderson Class of 2019

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Name:  Margaret Yu UCLA Anderson MBA Class: Class of 2019 Hometown:  Los Angeles, CA Undergraduate Studies:  UCLA - Psychobiology Pre-MBA Career:  Tillys - Associate Buyer Post-MBA Goals: Technology Product Management

Q. Introduce yourself to your classmates!
A. Hi everyone, I'm Margaret! I am a double bruin and have been living in LA for the past ten years. I ran my own door-to-door business in college, and have been working in fashion retail buying for the past five years. I've learned a lot in the process, but I'm now focused on pursuing a career in tech.

Q. Why did you decide to attend UCLA Anderson -- #whyAnderson?
A. I went to UCLA for my undergraduate studies so it only made sense to return for my MBA as a double bruin! UCLA has always been a good cultural fit for me personally, and this was reinforced through my conversations with second year students during the application process. While every business school prides themselves on their sense of community, I truly believe Anderson students and faculty went the extra mile in taking time out of their days to support me through my decision. They were in touch every step of the way, and I felt like I was an Anderson student before accepting admission.

Q. What are you most excited about at UCLA Anderson?
A. I'm most excited to be surrounded by classmates, faculty, and alumni who are intent on driving change. From my past experiences, I've learned that being a part of a community of ambitious and motivated individuals is not only contagious and incredibly impactful, but can generate tremendous momentum. And while driving change is a key focus at Anderson, I love that sharing success is just as important. I can't wait to discover the things we'll achieve together in the future!

 

 

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

Live Webinar: Round 1 Coaching Q&A (Tuesday, September 19th @ 9am PDT)

Are you working on your UCLA Anderson application and have questions? Join us this Tuesday, September 19 at 9am PDT, join us for a live webinar to get answers to your full-time MBA application questions directly from our admissions committee members! This session will help you prepare your strongest MBA application, in anticipation of our Round 1 deadline on October 6th or future rounds. There will be a quick upfront presentation giving an overview of the application process, followed by open Q&A.

 

Register today!

 

 Come prepared with your questions to make the most of this session! Also don't forget to view our Application Requirements webpage for more key information. 

 

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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: Join us in 1 Month for our Biggest Open House!

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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On Saturday, October 14, UCLA Anderson will be opening its doors for its largest open house information event of the year, Access Anderson. In today’s post, hear directly from Rob Weiler (’91), Associate Dean of the full-time MBA program, who answers FAQ about this upcoming event for prospective applicants.

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Today’s post is written by Rob Weiler, Associate Dean of the Full-Time MBA Program. Rob oversees everything from Admissions to Career Services to Student Affairs.  Rob is a UCLA Anderson MBA alum (Class of 1991), spending his post-MBA career working in Finance prior to returning to UCLA Anderson where he has been for nearly 10 years.

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Q: What is Access Anderson?
Access Anderson is an open house for individuals interested in learning more about the UCLA Anderson full-time MBA program. Attendees will get an inside take and advice on how and why to apply to our program. Our MBA admissions team — the people actually reviewing all of the applications — will be on hand to answer questions and offer insider tips. Current students and recent alumni will also be there to share their own MBA journeys, from application through career ROI. The morning will end with a Networking Fair that will give attendees the opportunity to talk one-on-one with students, faculty and alumni in their specific areas of career interest. This is a really special half-day event, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about getting an MBA at UCLA Anderson from the people who make it happen -- students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Q: Should people who have already attended another UCLA Anderson information event attend?
Yes! Whether you are just beginning to explore if an MBA is the right next step for you or you've already applied (or somewhere in between!), Access Anderson is a once-a-year opportunity to take a deep dive into all that Anderson has to offer. Year after year, we hear from prospective applicants and students that it’s Anderson’s culture and environment that truly set us apart from other top schools. There’s no better way to find out if Anderson is the right fit for you than by coming to spend time with us and interacting with our students, faculty and staff. We are expecting more than 200 attendees, which means this day is also a great way to meet your future classmates, too.

Q: Will I be able to get one-on-one time to ask my questions?
We’ve structured the day with a mix of panels and networking to give attendees the opportunity to make the most of their time with us. The panels will address the topics that prospective students tend to ask about most frequently. The Networking Fair will give attendees the one-on-one time to talk directly with students, alumni, staff and faculty. Whether you want to learn more about a specific field of study, Anderson’s career resources, our many student clubs, or the academic opportunities we offer, we’ll be available to answer your questions.

Q: Can you give me a sneak peek into what you are looking for in prospective MBAs?
First and foremost, we want to maintain the culture that differentiates us from other top business schools. We want to continue strengthening diversity of all sorts in our class — including diversity of life and work experience. Our students learn as much from each other as they do in the classroom, so it’s incumbent upon us to build a class of 360 exceptional individuals who will thrive academically and enrich each other through their unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Q: How do I find out more agenda details and RSVP for Access Anderson?
Please visit the Access Anderson 2017 registration page for all event details and to RSVP. Here’s a summary of the agenda (tentative):

• Check-In (9:00 – 9:30 a.m.)
• All About Anderson: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get advice from the MBA Admissions team
• Student Spotlight Q&A Panel: Hear directly from current students and alumni
• Networking Fair: Mingle and network over light appetizers with members of our community representing a wide array of career functions, industries and interests

 

Looking forward to seeing you in one month!

 

-- Rob Weiler

 

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

Q: Should people who have already attended another UCLA Anderson information event attend?
Yes! Whether you are just beginning to explore if an MBA is the right next step for you or you've already applied (or somewhere in between!), Access Anderson is a once-a-year opportunity to take a deep dive into all that Anderson has to offer. Year after year, we hear from prospective applicants and students that it’s Anderson’s culture and environment that truly set us apart from other top schools. There’s no better way to find out if Anderson is the right fit for you than by coming to spend time with us and interacting with our students, faculty and staff. We are expecting more than 200 attendees, which means this day is also a great way to meet your future classmates, too.

Q: Will I be able to get one-on-one time to ask my questions?
We’ve structured the day with a mix of panels and networking to give attendees the opportunity to make the most of their time with us. The panels will address the topics that prospective students tend to ask about most frequently. The Networking Fair will give attendees the one-on-one time to talk directly with students, alumni, staff and faculty. Whether you want to learn more about a specific field of study, Anderson’s career resources, our many student clubs, or the academic opportunities we offer, we’ll be available to answer your questions.

Q: Can you give me a sneak peek into what you are looking for in prospective MBAs?
First and foremost, we want to maintain the culture that differentiates us from other top business schools. We want to continue strengthening diversity of all sorts in our class — including diversity of life and work experience. Our students learn as much from each other as they do in the classroom, so it’s incumbent upon us to build a class of 360 exceptional individuals who will thrive academically and enrich each other through their unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Q: How do I find out more agenda details and RSVP for Access Anderson?
Please visit the Access Anderson 2017 registration page for all event details and to RSVP. Here’s a summary of the agenda (tentative):

• Check-In (9:00 – 9:30 a.m.)
• All About Anderson: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get advice from the MBA Admissions team
• Student Spotlight Q&A Panel: Hear directly from current students and alumni
• Networking Fair: Mingle and network over light appetizers with members of our community representing a wide array of career functions, industries and interests

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Work Experience

 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:

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

Work experience is a key component of most business school applications and it yet may be a topic surrounded by a fair amount of confusion.  The majority of business schools prefer candidates that apply to their programs with some work experience under their belts for various reasons; however, most applicants are less than a 100% certain on what constitutes "enough" and/or "good" work experience, on how it is going to be measured, or on how to make it sounds as meaningful as it should.

To help you along we have compiled a list of the top 10 questions we get about this topic from our years on the road answering your questions:

1. What is the Admissions Committee really looking for in my work experience? 
Our admissions officers are looking at your overall career trajectory and the decisions you made along your career path. Promotions, title changes, and increased responsibilities will display your growth within an organization. If you have led projects or supervised individuals, let us know the number of people, and duration of time. Discuss your cross-functional experience, too, as this will show your increased business acumen and understanding of additional functions of business.

2. How do I communicate my work experience throughout the application process?
There are a few different places to do so. Your essay will allow you to connect your past work experience and skills to your future short- and long- term goals. The resume will allow you to quantify your accomplishments and set them in the appropriate context for evaluation. And ultimately, the interview will let you connect all the pieces and add your own personality and voice to make your application unique and memorable.

3. I noticed your average years of work experience for the Class of 2019 is 5 years. What if I have less or more years of work experience than 5 years?
UCLA Anderson does not require work experience to apply. However, the vast majority of students have some level of full-time work experience prior to starting the program, with the average being between 4 and 5 years. (See our class profile for details). It is not so much the quantity of your work experience, but the quality. The Admissions Committee cares more about what you have done during the time you have worked, and why you want to get an MBA. For some candidates, that could be 2 years of work experience, and for others it can be over 10.

4. When do I start counting my work years of work experience?
We consider your first full-time job post-college graduation as the start of your work experience and count it all the way to when you will leave work to start the MBA.

5. I have held several jobs in a few years. Is this going to be seen as a concern or red flag?
If you have changed jobs, be sure to discuss new responsibilities and leadership opportunities that you gained, especially in areas that have given you skills required for your post-MBA goals. If you feel it necessary, explain why you switched jobs, and how these experiences led you to your career goals. This is all part of your story and you should own it and be comfortable talking about it.

6. I don’t have any full-time work experience yet. Is there something I can do to strengthen my application?
Every year a few amazing individuals with minimal-to-no full-time work experience are admitted to the program. These individuals often bring to our class stellar academics and work ethics, and can often display leadership potential and the potential to succeed in an MBA program through their own individual accomplishments, such as internships, school, and/or participation with other organizations.

7. Do college internships count as work experience?
We typically do not count the college internships while in college as full-time work experience since many college internships are truly not “full-time”. That said, if you believe your internship is significant enough and is relevant to your professional career goals, you can always list them in your resume and provide the relevant details, level of responsibility and areas of oversight, and the Admissions Committee will take it under consideration as a part of your application profile. If you do not include an internship under your career history, you can also include it undet the Activities/Extracurriculars section of our application. 

8. I don’t directly manage other people and/or projects. Is there something else I can do to show my leadership and management potential?
We understand that not all individuals are given the opportunity by their employer to directly manage people or projects, regardless of their ability or desire to do so. Sometimes your leadership roles can be something that you have sought out on your own through volunteering roles inside or outside your organization, especially when your formal job does not provide with direct opportunities to do so. Make sure you talk about those aspects of your life that highlight your ability to work well with others, think big picture and use your analytical and planning skills.

9. How should I format my resume to better communicate my work experience?
We have no standard resume format that we require, but please try to limit your resume to 1-2 pages maximum (is is very rare that an applicant would have a justifiable reason to go beyond 2 pages). We ask that your resume be up-to-date and formatted in a way that we can quickly find important accomplishments, milestones achieved, leadership roles, and career progression. Whenever possible, include adequate context and provide numbers to quantify the size/impact of your contributions, plus minimize the industry jargon in favor of plain English descriptions. Your resume is an opportunity to give the Admissions Committee a summary of your pre-MBA academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences.

10. How is non-traditional experience counted (e.g., Military service, self-employed/entrepreneur, lawyer, doctor)?
UCLA Anderson values diverse perspectives in the classroom, and we welcome applicants from both traditional and non-traditional backgrounds. We recommend that you focus on what you have learned in your past experiences and the skills you’ve gained in your non-traditional experience, and how those may be transferable to allow you succeed in an MBA program and in your post-MBA career goals. Non-traditional students may have work experience prior to the start of their undergraduate career, and we will note this on an individual basis. Military experience is considered work experience in the perspective of the UCLA Anderson Admissions Committee, as you have grown significantly in leadership and decision-making.

For more information on work experience, check out the Application Requirements section of our website.

 

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]