MBA Insider's Blog

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Round 1 Deadline on October 5th!

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 5, 2021 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.

As of right now, our Campus Experience offerings are still virtual due to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. However, we encourage you to learn more about us through many of our virtual offerings. 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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Follow the UCLA Anderson:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Test Scores

This blog post is part of our "Application Insider" blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.

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APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

TEST SCORES (GMAT & GRE / TOEFL & IELTS)

Though some changes were made with testing modalities due to Covid-19, we want you to know that we will still continue to take the online version of the exams and treat them exactly as if they were in-person. We know that getting to a test center may still be of concern in some parts of the world, so we want to remain as flexible as possible. People will always ask if we prefer the GMAT over the GRE. The honest answer is that there is no preference with one over the other and we mean that! Both tests are evaluated equally in the admissions process, so we encourage potential candidates to submit the test they feel most comfortable with. Reference this US News and World Report article on the key differences between the two tests.

At UCLA Anderson, the standardized entrance exams are a part of your admissions requirements. This is not a requirement that will be waived under any circumstances. Therefore, the best advice we can give for you to tackle this is to prepare, prepare, prepare! Test preparation is key and may be a full-time job in itself, but doing so will set you up to do the best you can. Each test assesses your verbal, quantitative, analytical writing and integrated reasoning ability. It is important to dedicate review sessions to each component of the test as the admissions team will evaluate your performance in each area. We recommend you should give yourself at least six months of preparation time before taking it and then guide the test date by the round deadline date in which you intend to apply. Below are a couple key things to keep in mind:

• Test scores are valid for five years, so if you are currently in an undergraduate or graduate program, it might be in your best interest to take the test now since you are already in an academic mode and mindset.
• We only evaluate your highest overall score, both the GMAT and GRE provide you with the option to select which test score you prefer to submit to the institution(s) to which you’re seeking admission.
• We do not penalize applicants for taking a test multiple times.
• We do not have GRE averages in our profile, that's because we don't have too much of a pool to share those in a meaningful way. However, you can use this ETS converter to see what your predicted GMAT score will be. 
• It usually can take up to 2 weeks for the school to get your results, you can report your unofficial score, so if you take the test a day before our round deadline, that is still okay.

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

 Remember that the test scores are just one way we evaluate our candidates. Your application is more than a test score and we look at all candidates holistically to determine if they will be a solid candidate for our program. Hopefully these insights will help guide you as you prepare for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and/or IELTS as a part of the application process. If you have any follow-up questions about our requirements or admission process, please see our admissions webpage, our FAQs, or email us directly at [email protected].

Check back for more "Application Insider" blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!

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

Q&Anderson: Jovanna Youssef (MBA '16)

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MBA Spotlight:  Jovanna Youssef MBA Class of 2016 From Management Consulting... to Retail Tech Marketing

 

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• Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
• Undergraduate: UC Irvine - Economics & Accounting
• Pre-MBA: Deloitte Consulting – Senior Consultant
• Internship: Apple – Product Management Intern
• Post-MBA:
  • Rent the Runway - Director, Product Marketing & Customer Strategy
  • Apple - Lead Global Product Manager
• Leadership @ Anderson: 
  
  • AnderTech - Director of Startups
  • Anderson Career Coach - Team Captain & Technology Coach
  • Entertainment Management Association - Director of Music
  • Riordan Program - Scholar Mentor
  • Admissions Ambassador Corps - Vice President of Yield & Special Projects
  • Women's Business Connection - Member

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7 QUESTIONS WITH JOVANNA YOUSSEF (MBA '16)

Q1: What career pivot did you make via your MBA?
A: I transitioned from consulting at Deloitte Consulting into my dream trifecta of an opportunity at a company I love (Apple), in a function I was deeply interested in (Product Management) in an industry I'm passionate about (Retail Tech).

Q2: What do you wish you know now that you wish you knew as a prospective Anderson MBA student?
A: You come into the whole MBA process thinking you have a good idea of the things and areas you like and don’t like. And then next thing you know you are sitting in a class unrelated to your career goals. Before you know it, you’re interested in the subject and considering a different path. This element of surprise and self-awakening makes business school a pivotal transition in one’s professional growth.

Q3: How has your Anderson experience changed you?
A: I developed an even deeper appreciation for the importance of diversity of thought of individuals of various backgrounds. Leading up to business school, we’ve all had very different experiences, lived in different cities, utilized different skills, and this all comes together in the classroom. Everyone’s varying experiences and backgrounds have shaped their thoughts and how they approach issues and problems found in and outside of the classroom. I’ve learned so much from the different perspectives of my classmates and it’s helped me become even more open to new ways of thinking.

Q4: Why would you recommend Anderson?
A: I chose Anderson for two main reasons: the collaborative culture and the opportunities. The collaborative culture at Anderson is unique and unlike anything I’ve experienced. My classmates, the alumni network, and the administration are always available to help with everything from classes to recruiting.

From a professional perspective, Anderson had all of the opportunities I was looking for. The strong West Coast network was very important to me. Going to school in a city like LA gives you access to leaders based right in the city who can easily drop by to speak on campus or meet for coffee. Those unique opportunities and that level of access are what drew me to Anderson.

Q5: Which class was your favorite at Anderson and why?
A: Urban Real Estate Financing and Investing with Paul Habibi. First, Prof Habibi is an excellent lecturer. Second, I learned so much about an industry I had little knowledge about in just 10 weeks. The class is engaging, the content is real world examples, and it was great to chase the curiosity in this space that wasn't directly related to my career goals.

Q6: What activity or hobby did you enjoy most during your MBA years?
A: What I enjoyed most and am also most proud of was my role as an Anderson Career Team (ACT) Coach for the technology industry. As an ACT coach, I led a weekly class of first-year students to prepare them for recruiting for summer internships. For me, it was an opportunity to give back at Anderson. And it was incredibly rewarding to see the class grow and become more confident in their abilities and go on to secure their dream internships. The role also helped reveal to me just how much I had grown and learned in a short time.

Q7: I geek out on...
A: ...helping others prepare for interviews and job offer negotiations. Seeing people WIN!

 

 

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UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Essay Tips

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:

ESSAY TIPS

 

Here are UCLA Anderson’s full-time MBA essay requirements for the 2021-2022 application cycle.

NEW APPLICANTS

- Essay Question: How have recent events influenced the impact you would like to make in your community, career, or both? (250 words maximum)

OPTIONAL

Similar to previous years, we also have an optional question for those who need some additional space to explain extenuating circumstances that are not evident in the application. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit a response to the optional question. The optional question can be answered by either new applicants or reapplicants.

 - Optional Essay: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? Please use your best judgment. (250 words maximum)

REAPPLICANTS

Reapplicants are those who submitted a completed MBA application within the previous two years (those who applied for the MBA program starting in 2020 or 2021). If you applied three years or more prior, then please answer the "New Applicant" questions. 

- Reapplicants may answer one or both of the essay questions as options, and they must provide additional updates within text boxes given in the application for any new test scores, career developments, or other changes since their last application. 

Strategies for Tackling the Essay Question: 
We welcome reflection on any events that influenced you in your personal or professional lives, or in society in general, and look forward to learning about specific ways you want to leave your mark. We are wanting to understand who you are on a deeper, more personal level. This essay is meant to align more closely with our culture and values and it will help us determine if you will fit in with our student-driven community.

To start, think about recent events that have affected you? Have they motivated you to do something? If so, how and why? Whenever choosing something to write about, remember that the incident itself is only one part. The other part is the outcome of the experience. What was your reaction? Consider what your essay reveals about you. Is it meaningful and insightful about who you are? Given the limited amount of space you have to respond, be sure that you are genuine, clear, and concise.

The Purpose of the Optional Essay:
The essay is very much optional and should only be used to describe any extenuating circumstances in your application or profile. Examples include an extended gap in your resume, a personal matter or family situation, poor grades due to a circumstance otherwise not explained, and the like.   

Use your best judgment and know that no preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay. 

Parting Words (Read Before You Hit Submit!)
Always have at least a few people review your essay(s). Ask someone who knows you well to read your essay(s) to ensure that it is representative of you and your values. Afterward, ask someone else to give you an objective perspective of how you may come across to the admissions committee. Finally, make sure you are clear, concise, and free of any spelling and/or grammatical errors.

Best of luck!

Q&Anderson: Tiffany Lu (MBA '17)

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MBA Spotlight:  Tiffany Lu MBA Class of 2017 From Entertainment and Education... to Investment Banking and M&A

 

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• Hometown: Arcadia, California
• Undergraduate: Duke University - Economics
• Pre-MBA: Arcadia Academy – Educational Consultant; Paradigm Talent Agency – Tour Coordinator
• Internship: Moelis & Company – Investment Banking Summer Associate
• Post-MBA:
  • Live Nation Entertainment - Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Moelis & Company – Investment Banking
• Activities @ Anderson: 
  • Anderson Career Team (ACT) - Investment Banking Coach
  • Asian Management Student Association - Vice President of Career, Mentorship
  • Admissions Ambassador Corps - Vice President of Marketing

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7 QUESTIONS WITH TIFFANY LU (MBA '17)

Q1: What career pivot did you make via your MBA?
A: I pivoted from my previous careers in entertainment and education to investment banking -- a transition that 100% would not have been possible without the Anderson and its resources.

Q2: What do you wish you know now that you wish you knew as a prospective Anderson MBA student?
A: I wish I had known that I didn't have to put myself into a box and limit my options based on my previous experience - that if something sounded interesting to me and I wanted to pursue it then business school is absolutely the best time to do so. Luckily I discovered this late in the Fall quarter and was still able to successfully recruit for banking, but the process would definitely have been a lot less stressful if I had known from the jump.

Q3: How has your Anderson experience changed you?
A: Other than the friendships I formed with some of my amazing classmates, my experience at Anderson taught me that I'm capable of overcoming what may at first seem like a challenging situation. And the opportunities that Anderson provided for me to completely change my career path then paved the way for me to acquire a set of skills that would not have been attainable otherwise. I'll always be grateful for the twists and turns in my MBA journey, and that Anderson supported me through it all.

Q4: Why would you recommend Anderson?
A: Anderson does a great job preparing its students for recruiting - this was apparent when I sat on the other side of the table and was interviewing business school students for internships. The difference between Anderson students and those of other business schools was stark: Anderson students were just much more polished and prepared in all aspects, from the questions they asked in sessions to the way they would first conduct outreach for informationals and their follow-ups. I really think Anderson's career training gives its students a large advantage over those from other schools.

Q5: What is your most favorite Anderson memory and why?
A: Israel trek during my first year. This was an unbelievably amazing trip, one that I never thought I would go on but am so glad I did. For me, the effects of the trip were long-lasting as I developed an appreciation for Israeli movies and television shows (which have kept me well entertained during the pandemic).

Tiffany Lu with her Anderson classmates on the Israel Trek

Q6: What activity or hobby did you enjoy most during your MBA years?
A: I loved being an investment banking ACT (Anderson Career Team) coach and having the opportunity to impart my knowledge and experience onto the first-year students and help guide them through their recruiting processes. It was well worth the time commitment to see my ACTees interview successfully and receive their internship offers.

Q7: Which class was your favorite at Anderson and why?
A: Corporate Financial Reporting with Eric Sussman - this should come as no surprise but Professor Sussman taught us how to analyze financial statements and think critically about whether the story told lined up with what was actually being reported in the filings. Super interesting case studies that looked at big accounting scandals both past and present, as well as fantastic class discussions.

Tiffany Lu (1st row, 3rd from right) and her fellow Class of 2017 bankers with Parker Career Management Center staff

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