MBA Insider's Blog

From the Dean’s Desk: Around the World in 7 Days

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

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Last month, I had the extreme pleasure to visit regions in the world on behalf of UCLA Anderson MBA Admissions. Most of those areas were very familiar to me, while another was a new area for me to explore. I enjoy the opportunity to engage with the future leaders of business, especially individuals interested in an MBA at UCLA Anderson. Here is my 7 day trip around the world……of course, all accomplished with the modern conveniences of airplanes, hotels, buses, subways, and a few taxis.

1^st stop – London: This literally was a 5 hour layover from LA to my first recruiting event in India. However, I will add that I enjoy going through one of the world’s busiest airports to break-up the 20+ hours of total flying time that is required to reach Bangalore. A strong suggestion from me to you is “upgrade” to visit an airline lounge if you're able to “refresh” before the 2^nd half of the journey. PS – and travel as light as possible to avoid items being confiscated/thrown away like oversized toiletries, unmarked electronics, etc. that may not fit into the 1 visible plastic bag that must go through the x-ray machine. PS2 – I have never had anything confiscated or thrown away...yet!

2^nd stop – Bangalore, India: This is my third time this year visiting India. The people here are extremely nice and hospitable. I’m not going to give you the rundown on my every move. But, get out of your comfort zone to meet people, understand the culture, explore the food choices, and leave with no regrets. On the business side – UCLA Anderson has a strong global reputation with many alumni in the area, as well as in the US and beyond. The strong brand of UCLA is recognized around the world and people are always curious about the MBA degree offered by the school.  Each time I visit this region, many of the questions revolve around career opportunities in technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. So, I wasn’t surprised when the audience of nearly 100 individuals asked how can the Parker Career Management Center “help me”. The night session proved to be very successful given the combination of content, alumni, and reception that followed. I am sure the current UCLA Anderson students originally from India will be busy in the coming weeks and months with inquiries from the many individuals I met given the level of interest by the attendees. Even though I only spent 24 hours in this city, it was an “A+” experience including the recruiting event and opportunity to meet with alumni in the area.

3^rd stop – Mumbai, India:  This proves to be another “short” trip to a fabulous city. The schedule is relatively the same, host an evening recruiting event with another large audience. Just some subtle differences – Mumbai has a larger population, but Bangalore has a larger IT presence…and both attract talent for sure. The business landscape is global and the race for talent is fierce. The concerns and interests of event attendees were basically the same with no surprises. However, there is a subtle difference…..I find being near the Arabian Sea has a calming effect ….people are a bit more casual and seem comfortable. Thank you to the alumni who did come and support me in delivering the UCLA Anderson message :)

4^th stop – Delhi, India:  Another familiar territory as this is my 3^rd time visiting Delhi. And as an added bonus, I am arriving on India’s Independence Day (8/15/18). I truly enjoy the displays of national pride including those wearing clothing reflecting the vibrant colors, art, and genuine discussions with hotel staff, flight attendants, and random strangers about what the day means to him/her. Again, no surprises in terms of interest in UCLA Anderson nor any unusual questions. I think many were surprised at the diversity of career opportunities and the diversity of the student class knowing that UCLA Anderson is not simply a finance school or a tech school. Many appreciated hearing about the “new" essay question that focuses on one’s passion and what the admissions team is interested in learning through the responses.

5^th stop – Tokyo, Japan: It was my first (and hopefully not my last) time visiting this beautiful city. I only spent 24 hours here but what I did experience was memorable to say the least. The food is fantastic, the people are so nice/friendly, the city was clean and easy to move around even though I do not know any Japanese. I sound like a broken record when I “say” that the event was successful, but when you have nearly 100 people in the audience interested in learning more about UCLA Anderson, then it is definitely worth writing about. Plus, current international students gave me explicit instructions to share how welcoming the campus environment is to incoming international students.

Final stop – home (Los Angeles): I wished I could have stayed longer in Tokyo and explore the area. But I think I will be back next year! The flight home was uneventful filled with sleeping, 2-3 movies, plenty of reading, and some email correspondence. But after 21,732 air miles in 1 week, I was happy to be in my own home again in Los Angeles…one of the BEST cities in the world!

 

-- Alex Lawrence

Assistant Dean and Director - MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
UCLA Anderson School of Management
310.825.6944

 

 

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Today’s post is from Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean & Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program. Alex is a UCLA Anderson MBA alum (Class of 1999), spending his post-MBA career working in Management Consulting prior to returning to UCLA Anderson, where he served as the Executive Director of The Riordan Program prior to joining the Admissions team.

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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: 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

 

As application deadlines for many MBA programs are approaching, how do you begin to narrow down the schools you are applying to? There are a variety of ways you can research MBA programs and as someone on the other side of the process, there are numerous ways someone like myself reaches out to prospective students like you! 

Web Resources

The first place to research programs is through websites like ours. The website will have plenty of information pertaining to the admissions process, curriculum plans, student life, and career placement data. Taking a deep dive into our program’s website will give you a good feel about what we are looking for in our students and if the program will fit your needs. UCLA Anderson has a blog in addition to various social media accounts like Twitter and Instagram for you to check out to get first person insights on who we are. In addition, if you would like to stay in touch, fill out an inquiry form to find out about happenings around campus and when we'll be in a city near you.

School Visits

If you’re up for it, just about every school will have some type of campus experience program. They can be something short like an information session or a class visit or something with more robust programming like an open house where you can learn more about the program through networking with faculty, administration, and current students. Speaking of open houses, UCLA Anderson will have our Access Anderson event on Saturday, October 13th. Taking a trip to campus (if you can) may be ideal to determine if the school and its surrounding environment is a place you'll want to immerse yourself in for two years.

MBA Fairs & School Events Around the Globe

If you’re not in the area or if it’s not feasible for you to visit a school, admissions officers like myself will travel around the world to meet with you and introduce our programs. We usually travel from the summer months through early fall. UCLA Anderson does this in two ways: The first way we travel to meet prospective students is through fairs sponsored by partner organizations such as the MBA Tour, Centre Court, and Forte Forum to name a few. In these events, a number of schools will be tabling and looking to help you learn more about their programs. This is a very economical way to learn about many programs and schools in one afternoon and there are usually many admissions officers, current students, and alumni on hand to answer your questions. The second way we travel is to host UCLA Anderson Information Events in various cities across the world. Here you will learn about the program through an admissions officer, listen to an alumni panel from graduates residing in that particular city, and lastly network with alumni, admissions, and other prospective students.

Networking

The final way to research a program is to look within your own networks. You might have colleagues or friends who have gone through a specific program or they might know someone who has and they are typically a great resource for information and can share their experiences.

 

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]

Register Today: Access Anderson Open House Event!

On Saturday, October 13, UCLA Anderson will be opening its doors for its largest open house information event of the year, Access Anderson. In today’s post, we are answering FAQ about this upcoming event for prospective applicants interested in our full-time MBA program

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Q: What is Access Anderson?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. Please visit the Access Anderson 2018 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 Presentation: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get application 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 at this amazing event!

 

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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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. Please visit the Access Anderson 2018 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 Presentation: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get application 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: 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

As noted in our application requirements, we require two letters of recommendation (but just one for re-applicants). Ideally, your letters of recommendation should highlight your professional accomplishments and abilities. As such, you should request your letters of recommendation from a direct supervisor or manager. This blog will provide you with some guidance to help you secure supportive letters of recommendation, as well as some insight into why they are important to our evaluation process. We’ll also provide you with some options on other possible recommenders for those of you who are working in a family business or have an entrepreneurial background.

How should you request a letter of recommendation?
It’s always best to make the request in person if possible. Why? Because making the request in person allows you to see how the person responds. By paying attention to their physical response to your request, you may learn more about their true feelings through their body language and facial expressions. Are they smiling and do look happy? Are they 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. Also, make sure to ask your recommenders if they can write a supportive letter of recommendation. This might seem like common sense, but it’s important that you’re clear about the type of letter you are hoping to receive.

Who should you consider for your letters of recommendation? 
Your letters of recommendation should ideally come from someone who can speak to your career progression, such as a direct supervisor and/or project manager. Your recommenders should be able to provide us with detailed and insightful information on how they know you, how you compare to others in your organization, and your potential to continue growing into a strong leader. Keep in mind that we are more concerned with how well your recommenders know you, and not their titles, so don't worry about getting a letter of recommendation from the CEO of your company if they don’t really know you.

If you cannot request a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, you can also contact a former employer. If you do choose to reach out to a former employer, make sure that it is someone that you have remained in contact and can speak to how they’ve seen you develop since you worked with them. You want to make sure that their feedback is not restricted to speaking to who you were when they knew you, two, three, or five years ago.

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.

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.

Why are letters of recommendation important? 
Letters of recommendation are important because they allow us to see you through the eyes of your direct supervisors/managers; individuals who have witnessed your career progression. We want to learn about your leadership potential, your teamwork skills, as well as your ability to overcome challenges. Letters of recommendation also speak to what you have accomplished in your career and shed some light on how your career to date can position you for future success.

Letters of recommendation help support your post-MBA goals. For this reason it’s important to 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. By sharing your plans, you will help them to write a more compelling letter of recommendation.

Does UCLA Anderson use the "Common Letter of Recommendation" form and what is it? 
Yes, we have 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 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

 

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]

Student Perspectives: My Favorite Part of Anderson

This post is a part of the Student Perspectives series - each post is written by a current UCLA Anderson student, and provides first-hand perspectives and experiences about being an MBA student at UCLA Anderson.

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When I walk into the welcoming, open courtyard at Anderson, I am inevitably greeted by section mates, group project team members, and friends who have all quickly become some of my most trusted sources of advice, suppliers of a great laugh or a good story, and certainly reliable supporters and motivators who will always go out of their way to help one another. This is my #whyAnderson – the Class of 2019. Growing up in Los Angeles and working here prior to school, I did not anticipate the tight bond that quickly forms between your Anderson peers, but these are what I will stay with me more than anything else.

It started during Orientation Week back in early August of last year when we were a bunch of people from all over the world thrown into Korn Hall together in business casual attire on our very first day of business school. No one quite knew what to expect or that we would be thrown back into the classroom so quickly and assembled into Sections and Learning Team groups that would become our families at school. I was particularly intrigued when I met my diverse learning team with members hailing from South Korea, Canada, and right here in Los Angeles. We could not imagine a more diverse bunch, but we became a unit (all it took was one complete re-write of an Organizational Behavior paper the night before it was due during Summer quarter). One team member led accounting tutoring sessions for those of us less mathematically inclined, and we were the ones who edited emails and papers.

I then think about the next phase of recruiting. One might think it would be a cut-throat time when we all vied for the same internships, but boy would you be wrong. All throughout the fall, we interview-prepped with one another –- behavioral questions, case questions, and tons of feedback. After much back and forth and uncertainty, one classmate in particular helped me distill my unique value proposition and changed the way that I interview and did not think twice about it. We are a school of collective strength.

Lastly, the Class of 2019 consists of some of my very best friends who I will know for the rest of my life. We have been through a lot already in just one year of business school, and we rely on one another through good times and not as good times. No matter what, there is always someone there to laugh with, grab a drink with, and learn from. This openness is what sets Anderson and the students here apart. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk, and we pay it forward.

It is my wish for everyone to experience this type of community. There really is nothing like it.

-- Lauren Wolfen '19

 

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Student Blogger:  Lauren Wolfen '19 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Undergraduate Studies:  Barnard College, Psychology Pre-Anderson: Joie, Marketing JOOR, Regional Director, West Coast Summer Internship: Samsung Post-MBA Goals: Marketing Activities@Anderson:  Marketing Association, Admissions Ambassador Corps, Entrepreneur Association, Anderson Career Teams

 

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

If you are like most applicants, you have probably looked the class profile page of your target school and have noted that your actual years of work experience may differ from what’s on the class profile, or perhaps you have questions about how we evaluate your experience. If that is your case, this post is for you.

Here are the top eight work experience questions we get from applicants:

1. Do admissions officers look at quantity or quality of work experience?
   We look at your overall career trajectory and the decisions you made along your career path. Promotions, title or employer changes and increases in responsibilities will display your growth within an organization or across multiple employers. Cross-functional experience is also very helpful as it shows you can work well with others and manage increasingly more complex projects. As you can see, it is more about the quality of your experience than the length of it.
   
   
2. How do I communicate my work experience throughout the application process?
   Your essay will allow you to connect your past work experience and skills to your future short- and long- term goals but make sure your response is aligned with your essay prompt. Your resume will allow you to quantify your accomplishments and scope of responsibilities in the appropriate context for evaluation. And finally, the interview part of the process will let you connect all the pieces and add your own personality and voice to make your application unique and memorable.
   
   
3. What if I have less or more years of work experience than your reported average?
   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 (See our class profile for details). The Admissions Committee cares more about what you have done during the time you have worked and the skills you may have acquired in the process. Your past successes are often strong clues about your future potential.
   
   
4. When do I start counting my work years of work experience?
   For most people we consider your first full-time job post-college graduation as the start of your work experience and count it all the way to the time you will leave work to start the MBA. If you have worked during college or done an internship that you believe relevant to your MBA goals, you can always use our optional essay to expand on your explanation and share the details with committee.
   
   
5. What if I have worked at a lot of companies. Is this going to be seen as a red flag?
   If you have changed jobs a few times you should discuss new responsibilities and leadership opportunities that you gained, especially in areas connected with your post-MBA goals. If you feel it necessary, you can explain why you switched jobs, and how these experiences led you to your career goals. If there is a rational reason for changing companies frequently and you clearly explain why, it will likely not be a red flag. 
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.

8. I don’t have any full-time work experience yet. Is there something I can do to strengthen my application?
   Every year a few great applicants with little-to-no full-time work experience are admitted to the program. These individuals often bring stellar academics and leadership potential, and can often display their abilities through their own individual accomplishments, such as internships and participation with other organizations as well as very strong academic record of accomplishment.

We hope this helps you understand how your work experience will be evaluated during your application and how to bests use what you have to contribute to our program. If you have more questions about work experience, check out the Application Requirements section of our website or email us at [email protected].

 

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]

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Test Scores

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:

TEST SCORES (GMAT & GRE / TOEFL & IELTS)

When applying to a competitive business program such as UCLA Anderson, there’s always that potentially dreaded aspect of having to take the often required standardized tests (GMAT or GRE). However, as more business schools accept either the GMAT or GRE, you now have options to prepare and take the test that you will not only do the best in, but feel the most comfortable with.

Before you even decide which test to take, make sure you research the schools you will eventually want to apply to in order to see if there’s a required or preferred test. Here at UCLA Anderson, applicants have the option to submit the GMAT or GRE with their application. Both exams are evaluated equally in the admissions process, so we encourage potential candidates to submit the test they feel most comfortable with. To help you make this decision, US News and World Report has a good article to reference on the key differences between the two tests.

Regardless of which test to take, we recommend that you take sufficient time to prepare for the test. Test preparation can be a full-time job in itself, so it's likely that the best way to prepare is to prepare for the one that you achieve the best result in. The GMAT and the GRE generally test the same factors, but as referenced earlier, each has their own variations of questions. Take a practice GMAT and practice GRE exam to see which one you are more comfortable with. Once you decide, there are many forms of test preparation including prep classes, online practice exams, test books, and one-on-one tutoring. Given your learning style, you will want to select a method that works best for you -- no one method is right for everyone! Each exam assesses your verbal, quantitative, analytical writing and integrated reasoning ability. It is important to dedicate review sessions to each component of the test as the admissions team will evaluate your performance in each area.

Your results on the test is just one piece of information that determines your admissions decision because our admission process is holistic. Test scores are one way we evaluate your academic ability in addition to your undergraduate performance to determine your ability to handle the rigors of the Anderson MBA program. UCLA Anderson does not have a minimum score that you must reach. Our class profile will show you the average scores and the ranges that our most recent in-coming class is coming in with. Although there is no minimum score an applicant must achieve, doing well on the GMAT or GRE is also one of the ways to strengthen your academic profile, and to potentially help to combat a lower GPA or lack of quantitative courses during your undergraduate years. Remember, aside from the test, other components of your application are also taken into consideration and our review is holistic, so if your performance on the test is not as high as you might like, you can demonstrate strengths in other areas (e.g., work experience, essay, undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc.).

In terms of when you should take the tests, we recommend you should give yourself at least six months of preparation time before taking it and then guide the test date by the round deadline date in which you intend to apply. Keep in mind that it’ll usually take up to 2 weeks for the school to get your results, as well. Test scores are valid for five years, so if you are currently in an undergraduate or graduate program, it might be in your best interest to take the test now since you are already in an academic mode and mindset. At UCLA Anderson, we only evaluate your highest overall score, both the GMAT and GRE provide you with the option to select which test score you prefer to submit to the institution(s) to which you’re seeking admission. Regardless, we do not penalize applicants for taking an exam multiple times.

For any international applicants who completed their education outside of the United States, you will also be required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS exam with your application, unless your education was solely taught in English in an English-speaking country (please contact the MBA Admissions office to confirm whether or not you are required to take the TOEFL/IELTS). The purpose of this exam is to assess your English proficiency. Given the collaborative and interactive structure of the MBA program, we want to ensure that you will be able to contribute to classroom discussions from the very first day, and these exams help us evaluate this important fluency factor. You can learn more about the TOEFL/IELTS requirement on the UCLA Graduate Division webpage.

 

Hopefully these insights will help guide you as you prepare for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and/or IELTS as a part of the application process. If you have any follow-up questions about our requirements or admission process, please see our admissions webpage, our FAQs, or email us directly at [email protected].

 

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]