MBA Insider's Blog

UCLA 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

 

Before you copy and paste your resume into your MBA application, we wanted to share with you a few tips that should help you avoid simple mistakes and get the most benefit from your resume:

• Your resume visually conveys a sense of professionalism, clarity and structure. The standard business formatting is best. Don’t try to surprise your reader with very cutting edge or innovative formats ­-no colorful blocks or photographs.
• Check your use of white space, spelling and avoid redundancy and repetition of information.
• Reverse chronological resumes are the most common for a reason. They are simple to read and they tend to be the most clear and concise.
• Your resume should work like your personal sales rep. It needs to showcase your value and your potential, highlighting expertise, accomplishments and transferable skills.
• 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.
• Make sure to include some quantifiable or measurable descriptions to help us put things into context (sales, volumes, growth rates, percentages of improvement or cost reductions, etc.)
• Your extracurricular involvement and leadership can help round out your professional profile and can signal how likely you are of being involved in the future. Make sure to list your most meaningful undergraduate and post-grad involvement in the relevant section of your resume (You can 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 should be with the express purpose of supporting your application and how you would like to be perceived.
• Try not to use industry-specific jargon. You want your reader -- regardless of their background -- to understand what you have done.
• 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.
• If you resume shows multiple job hoping after very short stints, you may also want to address this to avoid confusion or incorrect assumptions.
• And once again, because it is that important: Don’t neglect the basics. Proofread and avoid careless typos or grammar mistakes.

I hope you find some value on these tried-and-tested tips. Let us know if you think we missed a good one. We would love to add them to our list!

 

-- Adrian Aguirre, Associate Director of MBA Admissions 

 

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 Application Insider: Core Qualities We Look For in UCLA Anderson 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 the same core qualities as future leaders with the desire to share success, think fearlessly and drive change. We continue to look for students whose values align with the culture of the program and will thrive in our community. This is the "fit" piece that people talk about during the admissions process. Just like how we're looking to see if you fit in with us, you need to know if UCLA Anderson will be a good fit for you to grow professionally and personally during your two years here.

Showing an admissions committee that you a certain program is the right fit for you may be one of the most challenging parts of the application process. 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 all aspects of your profile (academics, extra-curriculars, and career) to see if you're a strong candidate for UCLA Anderson.

• When we are looking at your academics, we're looking at your test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) and your undergrad history. UCLA Anderson has a rigorous core curriculum and we want to make sure our students will succeed in such an environment. We'll take into account the school you went to, grades, courses taken, and academic major.
• 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.
• 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 should highlight areas such as career progression (promotions and/or increase in responsibilities), career impact, and transferable skills. We also want to see personal skills such as communication, coachability, interpersonal skills, collaboration, and how you receive feedback. As always, we evaluate progress in the context of the time you had and in terms of a bridge to the future. Your letters of recommendations should also bring to life the story within your resume. Make sure your recommender is an advocate for you and can really highlight your accomplishments and leadership potential.

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]

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 in a prior application year, please 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 hopefully 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 re-application.

• Self-reflection & Research: Take the time to think about what you communicated in your previous application (especially in your essays) 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 2018 or 2019 -- if you applied prior to the previous two years, you are considered a "new" applicant and should follow those application guidelines). 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 information on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (500 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
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

From the Dean's Desk: A Message to Round 1 Applicants

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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Thanks to all those who have applied to UCLA Anderson in Round 1. You should be very proud of this accomplishment and we appreciate your effort to share your story.  We understand that it is no small feat to collect and submit all of the necessary application materials. At times, it might have been stressful, frustrating, complicated, or...maybe even fun! But in the end, YOU DID IT!  We truly appreciate your interest in UCLA Anderson.

So, what’s next? Well, we have already started the process of reviewing your applications. In the coming weeks, we will be inviting individuals to interview. In the meantime, here are some reminders and ideas on how to stay connected with us

• Enjoy the MBA Campus Experience: Now that the fall quarter has started, there are still opportunities to attend a class, enjoy coffee with a student, and more. Some of the cool classes to check out include Business Plan Development, Ethical Consideration in Business, Insight to Outcome, Business Law, and more.
• Connect with a Student: You can learn more about the campus life and get the “inside scoop” directly from a student.
• Attend an Event: We have a few remaining (BIG) events besides our regularly scheduled campus experience events. You should check out Access Anderson in October, the Embracing Diversity Conference in November, or join me in Atlanta for our happy hour session with alumni. Visit our events page to see the entire calendar of activities.

If you are invited to interview, you will be able to see all of the necessary details (date/time/other options) to schedule the meeting. We know it may be difficult to wait, but please have patience and rest assured the Admissions Committee is carefully reviewing all of the hard work you put into telling your story throughout the application.

Good luck throughout the process!

-- 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
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Visit UCLA Anderson! Sign up for a Campus Experience

Get to know us in person and experience everything UCLA Anderson has to offer!

When it comes to deciding if a school is the right fit for you, there is no substitute for first-hand experience. That is why we would like to encourage visit us in person (or virtually if you can’t travel). You can preview the UCLA Anderson MBA experience by participating in our MBA Campus Experience program during fall.  Our programming started earlier this week and will last until the end of November. The Campus Experience program will resume in mid-January when our students are back from their winter break.

When you sign up for a Campus Experience you have the option to select from all the activities available during the day of your visit. These 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.
  
  
• Access Anderson (Oct. 19, 2019)
  While not part of our Campus Experience program directly, Access Anderson is our largest open-house preview event in the year where you can hear directly from our school leadership and engage in lively discussion with our community of students and alumni to learn all about our program in a single but very comprehensive event.

If you can’t join us in person at our 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. Past Liveguides are also available in our archives.

While participating in these events does not have a direct effect on the way applications are evaluated, we feel that applicants that have taken the time to learn more about our school are able to make a stronger case for why they want to be here (for example, in your essays) and tend to do better on their admissions interviews.

We hope you can take advantage of these resources as you learn about our school or prepare your application.

 

-- Adrian Aguirre '01, Associate Director of MBA Admissions

 

 

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