MBA Insider's Blog

Best Wishes for 2021 and How to Reach MBA Admissions

As 2020 is drawing to a close, we are filled with hope that 2021 will be a better year for all. Thank you for getting to know us this year (primarily virtually!) and for sharing your stories and Anderson spirit in person, online, and in your applications. 

Please note that the MBA Admissions and Financial Aid Office will be closed during the University closure at noon on December 18, 2020  through January 3, 2021. During this time, we will check emails sent to the MBA Admissions inbox ([email protected]) but responses may be a little delayed. Regular operations will resume on Monday, January 4. 

You still have the opportunity to learn more about our MBA program throughout December directly from current Anderson students by signing up for a Virtual Student Chat.

 

We wish you a wonderful and healthy holiday season and all the best in 2021!

 

-- MBA Admissions & Financial Aid team

 

 

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Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
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Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

From the Dean's Desk: Round One 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.

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Just after midnight today, we released all of our decisions to our full-time MBA Round 1 applicants for our Class of 2023! Admissions officers also called each admit, so we had the chance to break the news to many 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 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

 

 

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

 

-- Alex Lawrence

Assistant Dean and Director - MBA Admissions and Financial Aid

 

 

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Letters of Recommendations

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

Letters of recommendation are an integral part of the application process. They provide the admissions committee with insight into your management and leadership ability and continued potential. As noted in our application requirements, we require two letters of recommendation (but just one for re-applicants). This blog will provide you with guidance to help you ensure that you receive supportive letters of recommendation. We’ll also provide you with some advice on who to consider if you cannot request a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, are working in a family business or have an entrepreneurial background.

Who should write my letters of recommendation? 
Your letters of recommendation should ideally come from a direct supervisor and/or manager who will advocate on your behalf and can speak to your work performance, capabilities, and potential for graduate studies and future career success. Your recommenders should be able to provide us with detailed and insightful information in response to our recommendation questions. They should be able to address 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.

What if I cannot request a letter of recommendation from my current supervisor?
If you cannot request a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, you can always 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 with 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.

What does the admissions committees hope to learn from a letter of recommendation? 
The admissions committee wants to learn about your leadership potential, your teamwork skills, as well as your ability to overcome challenges. Letters of recommendation allow us to see you through the eyes of your direct supervisors/managers; individuals who have witnessed your career progression. They can speak to what you have accomplished in your career, how your career to date can position you for future success, and help support your post-MBA goals. For this reason it’s important to make sure that your recommenders are familiar with your MBA plans. Take the time to speak with your recommenders about why you are interested in pursuing an MBA and what you hope to gain. Share a copy of your resume and remind them of some of your professional accomplishments. By sharing your plans, you will help them write a more compelling letter of recommendation.

How and when should letters of recommendation be submitted? Letters of recommendation can only be submitted electronically. You will need to enter each recommender’s details in your application so that they can be sent the link to the recommendation form. Recommendations should be submitted by the round deadline in which you are applying, to ensure that your application is evaluated on time. Make sure to inform your recommenders of the deadline and stay in touch with them to confirm submission of your letters. 

One last bit of advice:
Don’t forget to thank your recommenders for taking the time to write your letters and for supporting your future.

Good luck with your letters of recommendation and make sure to keep checking back with us to learn more about our process and our program!

 

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: Moving from New York City to Los Angeles

About Bebe: Bebe Silberzweig is a first year MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson. She went to Lehigh University and majored in Finance and Economics. Bebe started her career as a consultant at PwC and more recently, worked as the Brand Strategy Manager at Flywheel Sports, a boutique fitness company offering nationwide indoor cycling and precision training classes. Bebe is interested in furthering her career within the sports and fitness space post-MBA. 

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East coast or West coast!? Well, I grew up in Westchester, New York and for undergrad, I went to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. After college, I moved to NYC, where I had been living for the past 4 years. I’ve spent my whole life on the east coast, and most of my family and friends live there. When deciding where to apply for business school, I felt it could be a great opportunity to move somewhere new and different. There were SO many reasons I was excited about the possibility of attending Anderson, and a big draw for me, personally, was the school’s location in Los Angeles. I was drawn to the weather, the beach, the endless outdoor activities, the restaurant scene…the list is endless. How exciting: the opportunity to go to a leading business school in a vibrant city with an ideal climate!

Moving from NYC in the middle of the Corona pandemic seemed stressful at first but, it was actually pretty seamless. I found an apartment online in Santa Monica (about half a mile from the beach), and planned my move for early August, when our summer quarter would begin. When I first arrived, I settled into my apartment and explored the neighborhood. Many of the restaurants and bars have successfully arranged new set-ups with outdoor dining (which will last year round!) There’s a farmer’s market on Wednesdays and Sundays just a few blocks from my apartment. I love hiking in the Pacific Palisades and biking along the boardwalk to Manhattan Beach. 

My transition to L.A. was great because I instantly connected with many other Anderson students. In the summer quarter, we were separated into Learning Teams, where we worked on projects with a select group of 5-6 other students. This helped create immediate connections with other students regardless of the virtual format. Another fun thing about moving to Los Angeles is the possibility to explore nearby areas. I have gone to Santa Barbara and Palm Springs, and am excited to plan trips to Tahoe, Big Sur, and Joshua Tree in the future! Within a relatively short distance, you could be at the beach surfing, in the desert hiking, or up in the mountains skiing.

So NY and LA are very different. I loved New York City’s hustle and bustle, fast pace, and buzzing traffic. I would jump on the subway and go from one neighborhood to the next, and I appreciated the city’s vibrant energy. However, L.A. (so far) has exceeded all of my expectations. Instead of the NYC skyline, I bike through streets of endless palm trees and views of mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean. I am still learning L.A.- it is much more spread out than NYC and I am getting used to driving around. But, it’s been three months, and I am already OBSESSED with it! 

And, since I’ve gotten here, the LA Lakers won the NBA Championship and the LA Dodgers won the World Series, so I guess I moved at the right time! 

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Student Blogger: Bebe Silberzweig 2022

Undergrad: Lehigh University 2016

Pre-MBA: Brand Strategy Manager at Flywheel Sports

 

Leadership@Anderson: Director of Anderson Ambassador Corps; Director of Business Development, Sports Business Association, Director of Ski Trip, Challenge for Charity

 

Activities@Anderson: Strategy and Operations Management Association, Outdoor Adventure Club, Wine Club, Jewish Business Students Association, Women’s Business Connection, Yoga and Wellness Club

Student Perspectives: Deciding Which Clubs to Join

About Christina: Prior to Anderson, Christina Tadin (’22) lived in New York City and worked in retail real estate at a boutique consultancy firm called Robin Zendell & Associates. Her MBA focus is on entrepreneurship, more specifically in the health & wellness sector. In her spare time, Christina enjoys eating out at new restaurants, playing tennis and spending time with her three nephews who live in Chicago. 

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With over 50 student led clubs, deciding which clubs to join at Anderson can be daunting at first. I know I felt overwhelmed the first few weeks of summer quarter as I was slowly exposed to student life and involvement at Anderson. My biggest piece of advice? Listen to the onboarding committee’s guidance and do not worry about clubs until you are formally introduced at the club fair. Administration does not give first year students access to clubs until the start of fall quarter because they want you to get settled and have a better sense of your career trajectory. Clubs can then serve as a tool to best support your career path.   

This year, we had two virtual club fairs. The first was a “no pressure club fair” at the end of August, which I used as an opportunity to better understand what clubs exist. At that point, the only club I knew I wanted to join was the Entrepreneur Association. Otherwise, I joined breakout rooms for clubs that I thought sounded interesting so I could get a better feel for what they do. Use this as an opportunity to meet club leaders and to better understand the clubs’ missions. See what you like and do not like and ask questions!

By the beginning of October when the official club fair rolls around, you should hopefully feel more settled into life at Anderson, with fall quarter having started. Let both your professional and personal interests drive you in deciding which clubs to join. Joining clubs without taking a leadership position is a relatively low time commitment, but membership fees are expensive, so try and narrow membership down to a handful of clubs.

I would suggest joining at least 1-2 professional clubs focused on your career of interest. Most professional clubs send out a weekly newsletter only accessible to members. The letter highlights internship opportunities, as well as upcoming events and coffee chats with industry professionals. For interest-based or socially focused clubs, ask around and see what clubs your friends plan to join. For example, I signed up for wine club with a few of friends, which is a great way to socialize and meet people in a more relaxed setting. I also signed up for tennis club to stay active and meet other players.

When thinking about applying for club director roles, focus on positions that play to your skillsets and strengths. I love to network and meet new people, so I applied to be a Director of Speaker Series within the Entrepreneur Association, knowing that I would get to connect with entrepreneurs. Director roles are a time commitment, so apply only to positions that you are passionate about. That way, dedicating your time and effort is more of a fun task than a burden.

One of the nice things about clubs is that there is no cut-off date to sign up. You can always wait and see how you feel and join later in the fall or winter quarter. Remember to pace yourselves and just enjoy the moment!  

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Student Blogger: Christina Tadin ’22

Undergrad: Georgetown ’16

Pre-MBA: Retail Consulting

Leadership@Anderson: Entrepreneurial Leadership Development Program (ELDP), Director – Admissions Ambassador Corps, Director of Wellness – Women’s Business Connection, Director of Speaker Series— Entrepreneur Association, Riordan Scholar Mentor

Top Frequently Asked Questions by 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:

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

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

Question 1: How can a prospective student learn more about the UCLA Anderson MBA program?
UCLA Anderson offers group information sessions, student chats, webinars, and more as opportunities for prospective students to get to know us. To sign up, you can visit our Admissions Events webpage to register for events that work 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.

Question 2: Can I be connected with a current student?
Yes and we highly encourage it! You can reach out to our current students through our Connect with Our Students portal. Here, you can submit a question to student and also get access to a database of students representing our 40+ clubs so you can find someone with specific career goals, interests, and backgrounds. 

Question 3: Do I need to submit my official transcripts and/or official test (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) scores when I apply to UCLA Anderson?
No, you do not need to submit your official transcript documents or official test scores when applying. For your initial application, uploaded scanned unofficial copies of your transcripts and documents, and self-reported test scores are perfectly sufficient for the Admissions Committee to begin evaluations. 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 at that time). 

Question 4: Do I need to take the TOEFL/IELTS?
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.

Question 5: Do you offer a GMAT/GRE waiver?
We do not offer GMAT/GRE waivers. All applicants must submit either GMAT or GRE scores (only current UCLA School of Law JD or UCLA School of Medicine MD students have the option to submit the LSAT/MCAT scores respectively in lieu of the GMAT or GRE).  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. At this time we are also accepting the at-home versions of these exams, too.

Question 6:  Can I submit updates to my application after I have submitted it?
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). 

Question 7: Do you accept transfer students or credits from other MBA programs?
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.

Question 8: Is there a minimum GMAT/GRE score or GPA required for admission? 
There are no minimum test scores or GPAs required to be admitted. Many factors are considered in our holistic 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 you do not believe your score reflects your ability, we recommend that you consider retaking the test if you are able.

Question 9: If I earned a three-year undergraduate degree, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply. We do admit students with 3-year degrees but the rest of your application needs to be 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.

Question 10: Can I begin the MBA program in the winter or spring?
We do not offer spring or winter admission.  All students in the Full-Time MBA program start at the same time (end of summer).

 

We hope this information was helpful -- to get more answers to your questions, visit our Admissions FAQ webpage. 

 

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: Stay Connected
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Student Perspectives: From Teacher to Student: Lessons From a New MBA Student

About Jordan: Prior to Anderson, Jordan ('22) spent 8 years teaching computer science and mathematics by way of Teach For America in Miami then DC (where he also built a public high school). He's also spent 14 years in the US Army Reserves. At Anderson he hopes to explore the intersection of entertainment and technology.

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Before attending UCLA Anderson, I taught in public high schools for eight years. In addition, my father has been a public school teacher for the last 25 years. Needless to say, I’ve been thinking about teaching and learning for a large part of my life. So when I made the plunge to attend graduate school full time, in addition to being anxious about not having worked in corporate America since undergrad, I was very anxious about how I would cope with being on the other side of the classroom.

Teaching is Hard

Learning something new and unfamiliar is hard, teaching is harder. I remember analyzing my professors’ pedagogy at the beginning of term thinking to myself: “I wouldn’t have explained it that way,” or “That wasn’t a great check for understanding.” At times I felt like an injured athlete on the sidelines. But then I remembered that a classroom at UCLA Anderson is much more diverse than your typical K-12 classroom; diversity in professions, undergraduate study, geography, general life experience, and so much more. Finding common ground among 70 very different students every lecture is a tall order. But it is this very aspect that makes this experience so worthwhile; every classmate has a wealth of knowledge and the educator in the room isn’t the source of all the learning.

Forever Group Work

Like other business programs, students are placed into groups of classmates to work on assignments and projects for the entire term. I’ll be completely honest, when I was a teacher I avoided assigning group work to students because of all the things that can go wrong in groups. Here at Anderson, I would not have gotten through a class or two if it had not been for the folks in my Learning Team. Having the initial conversations with my group about the working style profiles we completed through the Parker Career Center were invaluable. And even though it is very apparent where people’s strengths and weaknesses are in the group, people here really do embody the Anderson value of “Shared Success.” So despite my light aversion to group work in the classroom, when it comes to my graduate education I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Extracurriculars

I would like to take this time to apologize to every former student I lectured about “finding balance,” “prioritizing commitments,” or “learning to say ‘no’.” Business School moves at a very high tempo starting the first day of Fall Quarter. It also becomes apparent very quickly that my experience here will highly depend on how much I get involved and take advantage of all the amazing resources a university like UCLA has to offer. And though I will never minimize the amount of hours teachers across America put in for our kids (teaching is a heavy emotional and intellectual endeavor), I really thought that these next two years were going to be a mini vacation. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s to take my own advice: find balance, prioritize commitments, and learn to say “no.”

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Student Blogger: Jordan Budisantoso ‘22

Undergrad: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (’11) – BS Computer Information Systems

Pre-MBA: United States Army and High School Teacher (Math and Computer Science)

Leadership@Anderson: Director, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Section B; Director of Allyship, Black Business Student Association; Executive Director, Alliance for Latinx Management at Anderson; Director of Innovation, Entrepreneur Association; Board Fellow;

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.

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APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

Choosing an MBA Program

With our Round 1 decision release date coming up soon, we wanted to share some advice that you may want to think through as you consider your options. Below are some recommended action items to take to help you make a decision on which MBA program is the right one for you. If you are 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 have been 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 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 events:
We highly recommend participating in our many events and activities we host for admitted applicants! These events are the best way to assess a school's offerings, culture and overall environment, in addition to providing the opportunity to get to know your potential future classmates. Anderson's Round One Week (AROW) and Anderson Days (A-Days for Rounds 1 and 2) feature sessions with our top-ranked Parker Career Management Center, faculty spotlights, 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!

 

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!

 

-- Ilana Van Allen '13, Director of Strategy & Marketing, MBA Admissions

 

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