MBA Insider's Blog

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Resume

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:

RESUME

 

As you probably have heard ad nauseam by now, the evaluation of MBA applications is a very holistic process. This means that we are going to look at all the pieces of information submit to make sure we understand who you are and what you can contribute to the educational process and your future classmates.

In addition to setting up the chronology of your educational and professional accomplishments and listing extra-curricular activities, a solid resume communicates that you can present yourself in a professional manner and that you have thoughtfully and carefully curated the information that would be most relevant to your MBA application.

Here are some tips to help you as you prepare your resume:

• Your resume should work like your personal sales rep. It needs to showcase your value and your potential, highlighting expertise, accomplishments and transferable skills.
• While we require no specific resume format we recommend that you keep your resume clean, relevant concise. One or two pages are typically all you will need.
• Consider using the S-T-A-R framework to convey your accomplishments, leadership and progression:
  • SITUATION ― mention the challenge/obstacle you had to overcome
  • TASK ― describe the purpose and task at hand
  • ACTION ― list the concrete actions you took and the skills it required to solve the issue.
  • RESULTS ― summarize the outcome in a quantifiable manner to show your direct impact.
• Don’t forget to include newly received responsibilities or promotions so we are current with your most recent accomplishments.
• Your extracurricular involvement helps round out your professional experience and often serves as an indicator of how involved you will be as a student or alum. Make sure to list your most meaningful undergraduate and post-grad involvement in the relevant section of your resume (include the name of the organization, your position or role and dates of involvement).
• Remember to be strategic about the information that you choose to share with the committee on your resume. Everything you are listing in the page should be with the express purpose of supporting your application.
• Try not to use industry-specific jargon. You want your reader -- regardless of their background -- to understand what you have done.
• Make sure you are highlighting your successes and transferable skills to show how you can make an impact and contribute to our community.
• Make sure the timelines you are using make sense. If there are big gaps of employment, you should probably think about explaining them in the appropriate essay available in the application.
• Last but not least, don’t neglect the basics. Proofread and avoid careless typos or grammar mistakes. Attention to detail is key here.

We hope that these tips can be of help as you work on preparing a great 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]

Student Perspectives: How UCLA Anderson Helps Students Succeed

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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Today’s student blogger is Jose Leon, UCLA Anderson MBA Class of 2020. Jose is from Santiago, Chile and graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and prior to starting Anderson, worked at PICTON as Deputy Manager of Equities.

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Student Blogger:  Jose Leon '20 Hometown: Santiago, Chile Undergraduate Studies:  Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - Industrial Engineering Pre-Anderson: Deputy Manager of Equities, PICTON Post-MBA Career Goals: Investment Management

 

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Q1. What was it about UCLA Anderson that attracted you when you were considering schools?

A1. There are three main reasons why I decided UCLA Anderson was the best place for me. First, it is arguably one of the best MBA programs in the world, and among the top schools.  It is the only school that I truly felt shared my values (sharing success, drive change and think fearlessly). Second, UCLA Anderson is a school with an extremely strong alumni network in Chile. The Chilean Anderson alumni are a very active community that organizes all sorts of activities and is committed to the success of all its members. And finally, I knew Anderson would do anything it could to help me finance the MBA. This was important for me considering that I did not have the financial situation to fully afford the 2-year program.

 

Q2. How did UCLA Anderson work with you to make the MBA more affordable?

A2. From the very beginning, when I attended to the information session in Santiago, the staff was warm and friendly. I was able to reach out to them afterwards, and they answered all of my questions regarding the admissions process. It was through one of these conversations that I became aware of the financial resources I could have available as an incoming student. For example, they offer competitive student loans, and incidentally UCLA Anderson is one of the few schools that help international students get loans without the need for US co-signer. Also merit fellowships were available to cover part and even the full cost of tuition. In my case, I was awarded two fellowships that are helping me pay for my MBA.

 

Q3. How does UCLA Anderson award fellowships?

A3. There are several ways to get awarded a fellowship. Everyone that applies to the MBA program is automatically considered for fellowships. The selection is based on the overall strength of the application. That includes academics, test scores, work history, essays, and even your fit the school culture. In some cases, applicants and admitted students can also apply to fellowships that will provide you both professional and financial help. As a second year student, you will be able to apply for additional fellowships, too. Overall, receiving a fellowship is a competitive process and typically a third of the class will qualify for fellowships so make sure to submit your best application. All students –- whether or not you have been awarded a fellowship -– are also still able to apply for loans to help offset the cost of their education.

 

Q4. What are your career plans post-MBA?

A4. After graduating from Anderson, I intend to look for a leadership position in an Investment Management company here in the U.S. I want to broaden my expertise, which today is mainly in the Chilean stock market, and learn about different industries and perfect my investment technical skills.  In the long-term, I wish to create an ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Investment Fund that connects capital from the U.S. and all over the world with businesses and ideas in Chile and the rest of Latin America. The result of being such a connector and promoter will mean growth and development for my country in a discipline that needs to be exploited around the world.

 

Q5. How has your experience been here at Anderson?

A5. I just got married on March, only a couple of months before we arrived in Los Angeles to start school! And so far, my wife and I have had an amazing experience! Even though we came from far away (Chile), we feel completely at home here. I think the main reason is the super friendly and supportive environment at UCLA Anderson. Classmates, staff, professors -- everyone is willing to help you and guide you to make this a pleasant experience. My wife has been part of almost every school event we have had. She already knows my classmates and has started to bond with them and their Sig-Os (significant others), who can actually become active members of our Anderson community.  On top of that, the classroom experience has been really amazing Every classmate has different skills and background that enrich our  discussions. Both professors and classmates will make this an intellectual challenge that will not be easy, but I am sure that it will help me grow much more than I expected to before.

 

 

Q6. What are you most excited to do here on at UCLA Anderson?

A6. Actually, it is the whole experience of an MBA in the U.S. I am looking forward to assuming leadership roles in the clubs I will join, like IFA (Investment Finance Association) and LABA (Latin American Business Association). Also, I am very curious about the summer internship process here in the U.S., because it is very different from what I am used to in Chile. Furthermore, I am excited to learn from the best professors in the world, which will make a huge impact on my professional path going forward. And finally, I am really enthusiastic about all of the extracurricular experiences I will be able to do here in LA, like hanging out with my classmates in Anderson Afternoons and organizing weekend trips, like the one we did at Sequoia National Park.

 

Q7. Overall, can you sum up how you feel going into the Anderson experience thus far.

A7. This is so much more than what I was expecting… this experience has been amazing so far and I am completely sure that I made the best decision coming to Anderson. I am excited about the challenges to come during these two years, which I know I can successfully navigate because I can count on a great team in this school. Now that I am a bit less worried about my paying for school, I can take the time to more fearlessly explore some of my passions. Being awarded a fellowship was life-changing for my wife and me. We are greatly thankful to school and the staff for being so supportive. We are excited to be able to call UCLA Anderson our family now!

 

-- Jose Leon '20

 

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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: What We Look For In Applicants

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:

CORE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS

 

At UCLA Anderson, our students all share certain values that we look for when crafting an open-minded, diverse and talented class. However, this is a two-way street for both school and applicant. One of the most important things when applying and then ultimately choosing an MBA program is finding your “fit”. You want to make sure your values align with the culture of the program. As you progress in evaluating MBA programs and preparing your application, it's important to ensure your values align with a school. Your work experiences, life choices and opportunities may differ coming onto campus but you will be united by your core qualities as future leaders: the desire to share success, think fearlessly and drive change.

When evaluating your application for these qualities, the admissions committee will review the various elements of your profile to see your strengths and contributions to the class in addition to areas for growth where you would benefit from our program and community. We also want to see a road map on how Anderson will help you get to your specific goals. Developing a compelling future plan and tying it to the Anderson experience may be the hardest part of an MBA application. However, it all starts with doing your homework -- on yourself and on the school. You must ask yourself three questions: 1) Why an MBA? 2) Why an MBA now? And 3) Why an MBA from Anderson? We understand how plans can change once you get to business school and are exposed to more opportunities, but we have to know that you can focus and build a plan when needed to accomplish your goals, whatever they may become.

As an applicant, you should take a step back and review your profile to see if you can play your “ACE” card to make yourself a strong candidate for UCLA Anderson:

• Academic Profile: UCLA Anderson is a rigorous school and we expect our students are able to master the business fundamentals of our core curriculum in order to be successful in their academics and eventually, their career. When we discuss academics, we are looking at your test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) and your undergrad grades. However, those are just two data points to a story within academics. We will take a deeper dive in your academic profile by determining the rigor of your undergraduate school, major, and coursework, your trends in grades, as well as other academic achievements to get a better sense of the context of your achievements.
• Contribution to Anderson: Sharing success is in the DNA of the Anderson community. We need students who will engage with their peers in a meaningful and impactful way during their time here and after. Our students support one another by creating opportunities and changes that benefit all. This might mean taking on leadership roles in our Anderson Student Association (ASA) and 40+ clubs or leading one of our Anderson Career Teams. We will assess this by looking at your prior involvement and/or leadership on-campus during your undergraduate studies, in the workplace, and/or through your community. All students need to add something special to the class, so we look for those who will bolster the diversity of voices here from different backgrounds, regions, and interest areas.
  
  
• Employability: Accelerating your career is one of the top reasons to pursue an MBA, so how prepared are you to achieve your goals? How focused and attainable are your goals? Your resume and letters of recommendations will guide us in determining which transferable job skills will carry you to future roles, especially if you are looking to pivot function or industry. We also want to see personal skills such as communication, coachability, interpersonal skills, collaboration, and how you receive feedback. Career progression is important as well, so we will take into account promotions or taking on greater responsibility over time and driving change within your organization. As always, we evaluate progress in the context of the time you had and in terms of a bridge to the future.

Through each of these areas, we can compile a complete picture of you and how your core qualities align with our community here at UCLA Anderson in sharing success, thinking fearlessly, and driving change.

 

 

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]

Apply to the Forté MBALaunch Program!

UCLA Anderson is a proud partner of the Forté Foundation organization, and we wanted to share this opportunity to apply for the Forté MBALaunch program for prospective MBAs. 

Forté MBALaunch is a hands-on 10-month program for pre-MBA women. This program's goal is to help you showcase your unique story, strengthen your application and become the best business school candidate possible.

MBALaunch gives you a clear road map to help you navigate the entire MBA application process — from GMAT study prep, to application tips, to practice on admissions interviews. The program includes a application fee waivers, monthly webinars, peer group meetings, and coaching from experienced advisors.

 

What You'll Get

• Tailored, intensive GMAT study help from the leading GMAT test prep companies
• Connections with hundreds of women who have similar MBA goals
• Insights and advice about the admissions process from current students and alumnae
• Webinars on building a top-notch application
• Coaching appointments with admissions representatives from leading business schools
• Peer group meetings and application feedback from your peers and MBA alumnae advisors
• Application fee waivers from 35+ Forté schools and discounts from leading GMAT test prep providers and admissions consultants
• One month of Forté Premium Access Pass when you apply
  
  
  

Application Deadlines

• Round 1: Oct. 8 -- Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.
• Round 2: Oct. 15 -- Atlanta, Boston, Houston, London, San Francisco, Seattle and Toronto
• Final deadline for all cities: Oct. 22

 

 

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Reapplicants

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:

REAPPLICANTS

 

If you were unsuccessful in getting admitted into our MBA program, do not be discouraged! Sometimes there is just not enough room for all of the qualified candidates, or perhaps you needed a bit more time to strengthen the competitiveness of your profile.  The good news is that the applicant pool changes every year and you have additional time to improve your candidacy, so we highly encourage individuals to re-apply to our program. Every year, we accept a group of highly qualified re-applicants to our program, who go on to be very successful throughout the MBA program and into their post-MBA careers.  

When the Admissions Committee reviews re-applicant profiles, we want to see that you have taken this additional time to strengthen your candidacy. To do so, we recommend that you take an honest look at your prior application and reflect on where you can strengthen your profile. Some areas you may want to evaluate include: 

• Test Scores: Many of our re-applicants use the additional time to re-take the GMAT/GRE to help improve their candidacy. The higher the score, the better, but look at our class profile GMAT averages and 80% range to help you evaluate whether or not you should take the test again -- also remember that we admit individuals below (and above) these averages every year.  Ultimately, if you believe you can do better on the exam, you may want to consider re-taking it if you believe it will improve your candidacy and is worth your time, energy, and money. Note that your standardized test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and IELTS) remain on file if previously reported, though scores are still subject to expiration dates.
  
• Academics: While you cannot change your undergraduate GPA, if you feel your academic performance was sub par or that you didn't demonstrate your ability to handle quantitative work, you may want to consider taking additional course(s)...and perform well in those courses! The Admissions Committee will still be evaluating your undergraduate performance as a part of your profile, but additional coursework may help demonstrate your ability to handle the academic rigor of our program. 

• Professional & Extracurricular Experiences: In the the time since your prior application, you should have had sufficient time to build upon your professional experiences (i.e., new skillsets, accomplishments, projects, etc.) and extracurricular activities (i.e., new leadership opportunities, volunteering, etc.). Make sure to highlight these in your application.

• Self-reflection & Research: Take the time to think about what you communicated in your previous application (especially in your essay) and ask yourself some of these questions: Have my post-MBA goals changed? Did I demonstrate why now is the right time in my career path to get an MBA? Do I have a better understanding of what UCLA Anderson's program has to offer me?  Was I clear in my goals and why I want to go to UCLA Anderson? Your re-application will be a fresh start for you, meaning it is definitely OK to have new goals if you feel they have changed. 

The good news is that the process to re-apply is streamlined for those who submitted a completed UCLA Anderson full-time MBA application within the previous two years (i.e., who applied for the MBA program start in 2017 or 2018 -- if you applied prior to the previous two years, you are considered a "new" applicant). You will only need to submit one new recommendation and you will be asked to respond to a different essay question, which is the following for this application season: 

Please describe your career progress since you last applied and how 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)

Here's an insider tip to consider as you respond to this re-applicant essay question and put together your application: The Admissions Committee member may reference your entire previous application to provide context, but do not assume that they will necessarily do so. This is a positive for you because you're essentially starting with a fresh slate. But this also does mean you need to communicate everything you want the Admissions Committee to know that you may have covered in your prior application, in addition to highlighting any updates and progress you have made.  

Ultimately, your reapplication gives you a fresh start and puts you on the same evaluation standards as first-time applicants, giving you absolutely no disadvantage to reapplying.

 

 

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]

Visit UCLA Anderson! Sign up for a Campus Experience

 

We invite you to preview the UCLA Anderson experience by participating in our MBA Campus Experience program during Fall Quarter -- programming began this week and will end the last week of November. We strongly recommend you sign up if you are able, as this will be your last opportunity until students return to campus in January (this is especially important for those considering applying Round 2!)

Our Campus Experience offerings may include General Information Session (GIS) presentations, school tours, class visits, and coffee chats. These events are great ways to learn more about the MBA program, our culture and individual experiences through the career recruiting process and club involvement.

• General Information Session (GIS) Presentation
  Learn about what sets us apart as a leading MBA program, pick up tips on how to successfully navigate the admissions process and get answers to your questions. Sessions are held generally on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and are hosted by a second-year student ambassador or an admissions officer.
  
  
• School Tour
  Stroll through our beautiful campus and surrounding grounds with a student ambassador tour guide to see how our students make the most of our world class facilities. Tours are offered generally on Mondays and Wednesdays during the academic year at 4:00 PM.
  
  
• Class Visit
  Join our students in an actual full-time MBA class and experience the collaborative environment among our students and faculty. Classes are generally held Monday through Thursday during the academic year.
  
  
• Coffee Chats
  Learn first-hand from a current student all about our culture and opportunities at UCLA Anderson. Grab your favorite beverage and join the conversation. Student coffee chats are offered at varying times Monday through Thursday.

If you can’t join us in person on-campus, you can still connect with us online at an General Information Session Webinar hosted by a student ambassador or admissions officer on most Thursdays from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM and/or watch one our featured students on a Liveguide webinar session (check out the archives!) as they share highlights of their personal MBA journeys.

 

-- Ilana Van Allen '13, Associate Director of MBA Admissions

 

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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: Round 1 Deadline on October 2nd!

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:

ROUND 1 DEADLINE

 

Our first application deadline of the season is on Tuesday, October 2, and we already have hundreds of applications flowing in for this Round 1. If you need a refresher on what you need to submit, please visit our Application Requirements page.  If you cannot make this October deadline, don’t worry – our biggest round each year is Round 2 with a January 8th deadline. As a reminder, read our previous Application Insider post that covered some of the pros and cons of applying in each round.

For those who will be applying in our first round, interview invitations will start going out in early October, and the Admissions Committee will be taking the time in autumn to carefully assemble this first part of our next MBA class.  All Round 1 decisions will be released by mid-December.

If you are able to visit us on campus, please note that classes have just begun so we encourage you to sign up for a Campus Experience that features class visits, campus tours and more.  Registration is now open – RSVP soon since spots are limited! Even if you have already submitted your application, it's always a good idea to continue to gain a better understanding of our program. 

 

For those applying in Round 1, we wish you the best of luck! And to everyone, if you have any questions, we are here to help.

 

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]