MBA Insider's Blog

From The Dean's Desk: Round 1 Decisions Released Today

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

---

Just after midnight today, we released all of our decisions to our full-time MBA Round 1 applicants for our Class of 2022! Admissions officers also called each admit, so we had the chance to break the news to a lot of surprised candidates. It was so wonderful to hear the joy and excitement on the other end of the phone line! 

All Round 1 applicants received an email to check their Status Page for their decision letter, as we use that secure site to display letters rather than actually sending them by email.  If you applied but did not see the notification email, please check your spam folder, or just go directly to your Status Page to view your admissions decision.

We are already receiving Round 2 applications and we know, as always, it will be our biggest round of the year.  We look forward to seeing many more excellent candidates in the new year by the Round 2 deadline of January 8 (or Round 3 deadline of April 16).

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our application for Round 1, good luck to those working on applications for Rounds 2 and 3, and congratulations to all of our new admits!

 

Cheers!

Alex

 

 

-- Alex Lawrence

Assistant Dean and Director - MBA Admissions and Financial Aid

 

 

---
Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our application for Round 1, good luck to those working on applications for Rounds 2 and 3, and congratulations to all of our new admits!

 

Cheers!

Alex

 

 

-- Alex Lawrence

Assistant Dean and Director - MBA Admissions and Financial Aid

 

 

Happy Holidays & How to Reach Us

It's hard to believe 2019 is drawing to a close already! Thank you all for getting to know us this year and for sharing your stories and Anderson spirit in person as well as in your applications.

The MBA Admissions team is currently in the process of moving to new offices in the brand new building, Marion Anderson Hall -- so until the start of the new year, we will not have phone access and will only be available via email (mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu) which will be checked daily though responses may be a bit delayed. Please also note that the entire UCLA campus will be closed from Saturday, December 21, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, January 2 and our campus experience programming resumes Monday, January 13.  

Don't forget that coffee chats with current Anderson students are also still occurring through the first week of January all over the world -- click here for more information and to RSVP.

 

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2020!

 

-- MBA Admissions & Financial Aid team

 

 

---

Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Top Questions from International Applicants

his 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.

---

APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

TOP QUESTIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

 

As many of you are working on your application for Round 2 (January 8, 2020), we thought it would be helpful to share some of the common questions that we receive from international applicants. Below are some of the top FAQs that apply to international candidates:

 

Q1. Is the application for international applicants the same as the application for domestic applicants?
A1. Yes, we use the same application for both international and domestic applicants.

Q2. If I have dual citizenship (i.e., Italy and U.S.), am I considered an international applicant or a U.S. applicant?
A2. We use the primary citizenship listed on your application --  if you list your U.S. citizenship as your primary citizenship, you are considered a U.S. applicant. However, if you list your U.S. citizenship as your secondary citizenship, you are considered an international applicant. 

Q3. What academic records do I need to submit with my application? What if they are not in English?
A3. In order to submit a completed application, you will need to upload a complete transcript and degree certificate or diploma in the native language of the country in which your degree was earned, as well as a certified translation in English. Please make sure that your degree certificate or diploma shows the exact degree received and date awarded. If invited to interview, you will be required to send us official hard-copy documents.

Q4. My undergraduate university does not use the 4.0 scale for my grades. Do I need to convert my grades?
A4. No, please do not convert your grades to a 4.0 scale. We will evaluate your transcripts using the grading scale used by your institution. It is helpful if the grading scale is visible on your transcripts or degree certificate/diploma.

Q5. If I earned a three-year undergraduate degree, am I still eligible to apply?
A5. Yes, you are still welcome to apply. We do admit students with 3-year degrees, but the rest of your application needs to be exceptionally strong to compete against other applicants with 4-year degrees. If you would like your academic records to equate to a 4-year degree, you would need to either complete a master's degree or other post-graduate degree/diploma.

Q6. Is the TOEFL or IELTS required for all international applicants?
A6. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all international applicants EXCEPT those from a select list of countries. For more information please refer to UCLA Graduate Division Office English Requirements.

Q7. Is the TOEFL preferred over the IELTS?
A7. No, both exams are accepted equally. It is up to you to decide which test you prefer. 

Q8. If I completed my bachelors or masters degree in the United States, do I need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score?
A8. No, if you have a bachelors or masters degree from a university in the United States, you do not need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The same applies if your bachelors or masters degree is from a university located in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the medium of instruction (e.g., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom).

Q9. How does the interview process work?
A9. Interviews are conducted on an invitation basis only after submitted applications are reviewed. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes and are intended to be an interactive conversation. We are interested in getting to know you as an individual and understanding how you'll fit into the next class. A large portion of our interviews are conducted by student ambassadors.

Q10. If invited to interview, do I have to interview on the UCLA Anderson campus?
A10. No. We offer two interview options: on-campus or online via Skype. If invited to interview, you will be able to choose which option is best for you. If you would like to visit campus to interview in person, you are welcome to, but we do not expect all applicants to do so. There is no difference or preference between interviews.

Q11. If I am visiting campus and have not received an interview invitation, can I request one?
A11. While we encourage applicants to visit a class or attend on-campus events, it is not possible to request a formal application interview if you have not received an invitation. Since our interviews are conducted on an invitation basis, we need to respect our process in order to be fair to all applicants.

Q12. If I need more time to submit my application, can I apply in Round 3 as an international student?
A12. Yes. While Round 3 is generally more competitive because fewer seats are usually available in the class, it is still a very viable round.

Q13. If I am admitted in Round 3, will I still have time to process my student visa?
A13. We regularly admit international students in Round 3 and they are able to process their student visa in time to start the program. However, since you will be working with the individual U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is most convenient for you, it ultimately depends on their processing time.

Q14. If I am admitted to the UCLA Anderson MBA Program, by when do I need to be in the Los Angeles area?
A14. International applicants admitted to the MBA Program must be in the Los Angeles area by mid-July.

---

Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Top 10 FAQs from Applicants

his 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.

---

APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

TOP 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

We have compiled the top Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we have received from prospective applicants via e-mail, phone calls, and in person. We hope the tips below help you on your MBA information gathering and your application journey.

Q1. What events are available at UCLA Anderson for prospective students interested in learning more about the MBA program and where can I sign up for them?

A1. UCLA Anderson offers group information sessions, school tours, class visits, coffee chats, lunch chats, and webinars as opportunities for prospective students to get to know us. To sign up, you can visit our Events calendar to register for a day that works for your schedule. Please note that some of these events have capacity limits. More events will be added at the start of the new year.

Q2. How do I get in touch with current students and alumni?

A2. You can reach out to our current students through our Connect with a Student interest form. Here, you can select your specific career interests and get linked up to current students pursuing similar career goals.

Q3. Do I need to submit my official transcripts and/or official test (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) scores when I apply to UCLA Anderson?

A3. No, you do not need to submit your official transcript documents or official test scores when applying. With your application you upload scanned unofficial copies of your transcripts and documents, and self-reported test scores are perfectly sufficient for the admissions committee to evaluate. If invited for an interview, you will be asked to provide hard copies of your transcripts and official test scores (more specific details will be provided). 

Q4. Do I need to take the TOEFL/IELTS?

A4. We require all international applicants to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores (with exception of some countries -- please contact the MBA Admissions office to check), regardless of the language of instruction during your undergraduate studies. This is a requirement from UCLA Graduate Division, which is the authority that oversees all graduate admissions.

Q5. Do you offer a GMAT/GRE waiver?

A5. We do not offer GMAT/GRE waivers for any reason. All applicants must submit either GMAT or GRE scores and we recommend you take the test you feel most comfortable with, as there is currently no preference for either exam in the admissions review process.

Q6. Can I submit updates to my application after I have submitted it?

A6. Unfortunately, we do not accept official updates to the application once it has been submitted. If you do wish to add information after your application has been submitted, it can be added to your file but there is no guarantee it will be used in the admissions review process. If you would like, you can request that your application will be moved to a later round for consideration if you want to ensure any updated information is included during evaluations (assuming this request gets submitted in time). 

Q7. Do you accept transfer students or credits from other MBA programs?

A7. No, we do not accept transfer students or credits from other MBA programs. We believe that part of the Anderson experience is developing relationships with classmates during the two years of attendance in the MBA program.  You may still apply, but you would be required to begin as a first-year student. It may be possible to test out of some core courses to be replaced by MBA elective courses of your choice.

Q8. Is there a minimum GMAT/GRE score or GPA required for admission? 

A8. No. Many factors are considered in the decision process. Admissions decisions are not made solely on the basis of grades and test scores. However, you may want to note our average and range of scores in our most recent class profile and ensure that your GMAT or GRE score (including Writing Assessment) represents your ability. If your score doesn't reflect your ability, we recommend that you consider retaking the test.

Q9. If I earned a three-year undergraduate degree, am I still eligible to apply?

A9. Yes, you are still welcome to apply. We do admit students with 3-year degrees but the rest of your application needs to be exceptionally strong to compete against other applicants. If you would like your academic records to equate to a 4-year degree, you would need to either complete a Master’s degree or other Post Graduate Degree/Diploma.

Q10. Can I begin the MBA program in the winter or spring?

A10. Unfortunately, we do not offer spring or winter admission.  All students in the Full-Time MBA program start at the same time (end of summer).

---

Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu

Entrepreneurship at Anderson

Ranked by Poets and Quants as top-10 in the world for best entrepreneurship program, UCLA Anderson is truly a great place to start a company. As my friends have embarked and I begin a journey of starting a company at Anderson, here are some of the many resources we have utilized and appreciated.

Academics: Coursework and E-ACT

Coursework – What other school has an entire curriculum dedicated to entrepreneurship? Beginning with a two-quarter series and culminating in a capstone project, several Anderson alumni have found success launching businesses from Anderson. In their first year, many students come in with a nascent idea for a company and grow this idea into a concrete plan through EVI (Entrepreneur Venture Initiation) and BDP (Business Plan Development). In their second year, students form teams of five and take this idea through BCO (Business Creation Option), the capstone project where they gain access to resources such as the Anderson Venture Accelerator, the Price Center for Entrepreneurship, and first-class mentorship and guidance from faculty members and esteemed industry professionals.

E-ACT – E-ACT, or Entrepreneurship Anderson Career Team, is an 8-week opportunity during Fall Quarter for 1st year to learn while doing. Led by 2nd years, each week covers a different aspect of entrepreneurship (e.g. how to approach market sizing or how to assess customer acquisition cost) and culminates in a showcase at the end of the quarter where each student presents a pitch-deck for their business idea. It is an incredible opportunity to actively work on an idea and see what steps are necessary to build it into a reality.

Beyond the Classroom: Entrepreneur Association and the Price Center

Entrepreneur Association – The oldest club on campus, EA is a great resource. They host events such as Speaker Series with esteemed entrepreneurs, Think Tanks sessions, Lunch and Learns about various entrepreneurial subjects, company visits, and so much more. EA is entirely student-led and student-run, which means everything put on is initiated for the students. Some of my favorite events have been attending a speaker series with Alix Peabody, the founder of the canned rose company Bev, and seeing all of the startups in the LA area participate in EA Career Night.

The Price Center – The Price Center knows everything that you would hope to learn about entrepreneurship in 50 years and about a thousand times more. Staffed by a dedicated team of academic and industry gurus, they provide resources and industry knowledge for students interested in exploring venture capital, startups, or entrepreneurship. Many fellowships are run through the Price Center, including the Venture Fellowship (providing resources and a network for students interested in venture capital), the Wolfen Fellowship (providing a stipend for students to pursue their business venture over the summer), and the Haskamp Fellowship (providing supplements to students working in the non-profit or public sector over the summer).

---

Student Blogger: Mai Bui '21

Undergrad: Stanford ('14) - BS Materials Science and Engineering
Grad: Stanford ('16) - MS Mechanical Engineering

Pre-MBA: Mechanical Engineer, Gate Labs

Leadership@Anderson: Director of Innovation, Entrepreneur Association; Director of Admissions, Asian Management Student Association; Director, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Mellow Adventures, Outdoor Adventure Club

Club of the Month Spotlight: Marketing Association

About Claire: Prior to Anderson, I worked in financial services for five years in New York City, first on the client-facing side at AllianceBernstein and most recently on the marketing team at J.P. Morgan. I came to Anderson to transition to technology, and spent the past summer as a product marketing MBA intern at Intuit. At Anderson, I’ve enjoyed planning marketing workshops as VP Career Development for the Marketing Association and mentoring first-year students as a Marketing ACT Coach.

What would you say helped you the most at Anderson to get a marketing internship?

A combination of Anderson resources, from Parker Career Center to ACT and IPT, helped me prepare for interviews and ultimately land my marketing internship. The Parker Series was foundational in helping me craft and tell my story along with refining my resume and cover letters. I also leaned on my Parker advisor for guidance throughout the recruiting process. My weekly Marketing ACT group was a great supplement to the Parker Series by helping me stay on top of marketing industry trends and get valuable recruiting tips from my second-year coaches. We did interactive exercises in ACT to practice everything from the 30 second pitch to marketing case questions. Finally, Marketing Association’s IPT was a safe space for me to practice behavioral and case questions in a smaller group setting, and at the same time get to know my fellow classmates recruiting for marketing. 

Are there any marketing specific skills that the Marketing Association or coursework helped you build?

The Customer Assessment & Analytics course was very helpful in providing me with the toolkit to conduct market and consumer research and make data-driven marketing decisions. For example, I learned how to create a conjoint analysis and as part of our final group project, collected survey data and analyzed the results to come up with a strategic recommendation. The coursework was directly relevant to my summer project at Intuit, where I developed and implemented customer surveys in partnership with the consumer insights team. I also enjoyed attending Marketing Association events, from the Alumni Speaker Series to casing workshops, which gave me a deeper understanding of the marketing industry and skills needed to succeed as a marketer.

You’re involved with MA and you’re an ACT coach. How would you describe the culture of marketing at Anderson?

Similar to the Anderson student culture, the culture of marketing at Anderson is very collaborative and supportive. Particularly through my ACT and IPT groups, I was able to develop close relationships with my fellow classmates recruiting for marketing. In addition to sharing research we’ve done on various companies, we relied on one another for interview prep. I had standing meetings with several first year classmates, where we set an hour aside to practice marketing cases and take turns asking questions and providing feedback. Second-years were also very supportive and generous with their time in giving company-specific advice and doing mock interviews. It was awesome having a close-knit community of Anderson classmates who were going through the interview process together and eager to help each other out. 

What was your summer project?

This past summer, I interned on the QuickBooks Live product marketing team at Intuit’s Mountain View headquarters. QuickBooks Live is one of Intuit’s newest offerings, where QuickBooks-certified virtual bookkeepers help small business owners with all of their bookkeeping needs. It was super exciting to be a part of such a high-energy and growing team. My project was focused around gathering customer feedback on the service and using those insights to inform future commercialization and long-term retention. I interviewed 15+ QuickBooks Live customers and synthesized key learnings to develop a recommendation on actionable next steps. I loved the opportunity to work cross-functionally as a product marketer at Intuit and put the marketing concepts I learned at Anderson into practice.

---

Student Blogger: Claire Fu ‘20

Undergrad: Columbia University 

Pre-MBA: Marketing, J.P. Morgan

Leadership@Anderson: VP Career Development, Marketing Association; VP Admissions, Women’s Business Connection; Marketing ACT Coach

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Choosing an MBA Program

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.

---

APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

CHOOSING AN MBA PROGRAM

With our Round 1 release date in a couple of weeks, we wanted to give you some food for thought over as you consider your options -- below you'll find some recommendations for action items to take to help you make a decision. If you're applying in Rounds 2 or 3, hopefully this post will give you a quick look into what to expect once the applications and interviews are all done!

 

(1) Connect (or re-connect) with students and alumni

Once you've gotten admitted into a program, it's natural that the type of questions you have will change. Share the good news with people you interacted with along the way, and take this opportunity to set up follow-up conversations to discuss your next-level questions. At UCLA Anderson, we pair you exclusively with a student buddy and an alumni buddy once you're admitted so there will be two more additional resources for you, too.

(2) Save the date for admit weekends

Even if you've visited the school before submitting your application, we highly recommend visiting on admit weekends. These events are the best way to assess a school's location, culture and overall environment, in addition to meeting your potential future classmates. Anderson's Round One Welcome (AROW) and Anderson Days (A-Days for Rounds 1 and 2) feature sessions with our top-ranked Parker Career Management Center, faculty spotlights, housing tours, student-hosted dinners, 1-on-1 loan advising sessions, and more. 

(3) Consult your personal "Board of Advisors"

At the end of the day, you want to attend the best program possible for you and your goals. Assemble a list of the people in your life who are your personal and professional mentors that can advise you. Don't forget your "gut feelings", too -- those intangible qualities about a school that leave you feeling more empowered, inspired, and included can make the difference between an "OK" MBA experience and a life-changing one.

 

We also encourage you to think beyond the immediate post-MBA job. I am proud to call UCLA Anderson my home because of what our school stands for -- sharing success, thinking fearlessly and driving change - and how we live those values every day.  My classmates and professors pushed me to a new level of potential, and I am so excited that UCLA Anderson could be a part of your journey!

 

-- Ilana Van Allen '13

 

---
Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu

Days-on-the-Job (DOJ) Week 2019

Every fall, Days-on-the-Job (DOJ) Week gives Anderson students the opportunity to visit companies, meet alumni, and learn more about their industries of interest. DOJ treks are organized by professional clubs in collaboration with Parker Career Management Center. Treks this year included Technology, Investment Banking, Sports Business, Entertainment, Healthcare, and Retail Business. 

Check out below for my reflection on the Technology Trek, and other student reflections on their respective treks. 

Technology Trek 

I traveled to Seattle and San Francisco for the Technology Trek. Students could choose to visit companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Qualtrics, Uber, Docusign, Expedia, LinkedIn, and many more. My favorite moment was talking to Anderson alumni from the companies we were visiting. Learning about their day-to-day, as well as their experiences at Anderson helped me further reflect on how to best use my two years in business school.

Entertainment Trek

First-year students Alexa Cohen and Mirela Kosminksy visited Lucasfilm, Pandora, Pixar, Electronic Arts, YouTube, Netflix, and PlayStation on the Bay Area Entertainment Trek.

What was your favorite moment of the trek? [AC] During our visit to Pixar we got to do a tour of the offices and see the storyboards for Toy Story 4. This was an amazing experience because we got to see how the story is created and how the characters transform from the artist’s initial view to the final product in the movie. [MK] Definitely, visiting Lucasfilm and seeing how so many of my favorite movies came to life through breakthrough technology.

What is one key takeaway you would like to share? [AC] A passion for storytelling was a common theme at all the companies we visited during DOJ week. Whether a film studio, music company, or gaming company, everyone is working together to make the story come alive. [MK] Disruptive technologies are changing the entertainment landscape in so many ways, and companies in that space need to find a balance between art and science.

Retail Business Trek

Carmen Andrea Chavez offered her insights on the Retail Business Trek, in which students visited Gap Inc., Levis, Rothy's,  ThirdLove, Chubbies, Brandless in San Francisco. 

What was your favorite moment of the trek? I enjoyed learning about Gap Inc.'s Color Proud Council, which is a group founded by employees who were seeking to make  product design, merchandising and marketing more inclusive. One of the council’s first big projects was the True Hues collection for Banana Republic.

What is one key takeaway you would like to share? When asked what her key takeaway was from the trek, Carmen notes, “There's more to retail than fashion. Each of the companies we visited have made important strides to reduce waste and improve sustainability efforts.

Healthcare Trek

First-year student, Rosa Segura helped organize the Healthcare Business Association trek to the Bay Area to visit Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Intuitive, Evidation, GRAIL.

What was your favorite moment of the trek? In addition to getting to interact with engaging and intelligent company representatives, the DOJ gave me the opportunity to form even stronger relationships with my fellow classmates who are also recruiting for healthcare. My favorite moments happened after the company presentations, when we could share our excitement and new knowledge.

What is one key takeaway you would like to share? I learned so much about the scope of the healthcare industry, even from companies that I was not originally interested in. If you go in with an open mind, you can learn from everyone.

Sports Business Trek 

Austin Josiah traveled to Portland and New York City on the Sports Business Trek, visiting Nike, Adidas, Portland Trailblazers, National Basketball Association, New York Yankees, ESPN Southstreet Seaport Studios, ESPN Corporate, and The Madison Square Garden Company. 

What was your favorite moment of the trek? My favorite moment of the trek was getting the opportunity to tour the newly constructed Southstreet Seaport studios for ESPN in NYC. I’ve been watching some of the shows filmed there including Around the Horn and High Noon with the industry’s most prominent sports media personalities since I was a kid. We were able to meet them, attend the live filming of the shows, and even got a UCLA shout out from Bomani Jones on the live broadcast. It was great getting behind the scenes and learning the business of broadcast media as it relates to sports.

What is one key takeaway you would like to share? One of the most significant takeaways I gained from visits with different sports companies throughout the industry across leagues, teams, media companies, and apparel companies is that each one is very different with various nuances. Therefore, you have to know why and what skills align to the different parts in the industry. Also, I learned that merely being a passionate sports fan is not enough to land a position in sports. It takes heavy networking, a great story, and transferable skills that will allow you to add value from the first day on the job.

---

Student Blogger: Swathi Mummini ‘21

Undergrad: Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, CUNY

Pre-MBA: Data Analyst, Institute for Community Alliances

Leadership@Anderson: Director of Diversity, AnderTech; Director of Think Tank, Entreprenuer Association; Director, Admissions Ambassador Corps