MBA Insider's Blog

Inside the Black Box of MBA Admissions Evaluations

Our MBA Admissions Committee (AdCom) is busy reading applications here in our peak season, and now we’d like to give you a little peek inside the black box that normally hides our evaluation process from view.

Every MBA application gets a thorough and balanced review, as we consider the individual’s attributes and what they could add to the dynamic mix in our class. Context is everything as we see what the applicant achieved relative to their peers in the years available. Excitement feels contagious, so people who do good research share their enthusiasm for the opportunities that UCLA Anderson can provide to boost careers and change lives.

Part of our holistic process involves ratings on an “ACE” scale, where we consider Academics, Contribution and Employability as primary factors:

Academics: To check readiness for the intellectual rigor of our MBA program, we look at undergraduate grades and courses, plus any scores that are provided. Quantitative coursework, business-related classes and certifications can boost academic profiles.

Contribution: Community involvement and leadership development are vital at UCLA Anderson, so we look for such strengths in applicants’ university years and afterwards too. Adding diversity to the class in terms of background, career, geography, interests, etc. is always a plus.

Employability: Strong applications show transferable skills and an action plan that will leverage MBA resources to maximum effect. Coachability is also key, as are skills in communication and perseverance that are the raw materials for success in school and in life.

Candidates who submit a compelling application are invited to interview with us. This conversation is a friendly chance for applicants to make their case verbally for their goals and why an MBA at UCLA Anderson will make a huge difference in their lives. The real challenge is to figure out the case to make in the application, and then the interview will be fun!

In sum, we look for candidates who ACE the application process by showing they are prepared to hit the ground running here and make the most of the MBA experience. The best applicants come and prove how much potential they have to boost themselves up, add to our community and ultimately benefit the world.

Academics, Recruiting, and Extra Curriculars: How to Prioritize Self-Care

About Cassidy: Cassidy Waters (’24) is from the Bay Area and graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a minor in Marketing. After graduation, Cassidy worked for a media agency executing the integrated advertising strategies for various clients, most recently Universal Pictures. At Anderson, she is looking to pivot into a content or strategy role at an entertainment/media tech company. 

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Academics, Recruiting, and Extra Curriculars: How to Prioritize Self-Care

Life is all about finding balance. Never has this statement felt more applicable than in the last six months since starting at Anderson. Between countless networking and recruiting events, meeting new people and building friendships, and actually studying for classes, there is little time left to devote to self-care as a first-year MBA student. However, maintaining a healthy balance is not only essential for your happiness, but it has also been proven to boost productivity and lead to greater career success in the long run. So here are some of my personal reminders on how to balance all that Anderson has to offer, while keeping your sanity in check:

1. It’s okay to say “no”

This is one that I struggled with a lot at first. In your first days/weeks/months of business school, it will seem like you simply MUST go to every club event, happy hour, and extracurricular activity Anderson is promoting. While you definitely want to take advantage of all the exciting new opportunities, you also don’t want to stretch yourself too thin and put both your physical and mental health at risk. The reality is you won’t be able to attend every single event, so remember to prioritize your time and say “no” to things that don’t spark joy – I know FOMO is real, but I promise there will be more than enough chances to make up for it!

2. Don’t compare yourself to others

When it comes to finding an internship (or full-time job), it’s easy to get swept up in what your other classmates are doing and how they’re approaching the recruiting process. But it’s important to remember that everyone has a unique career path and is on a different timeline. As someone who is currently recruiting for Entertainment, it’s been easy for me to compare myself to those in Consulting or Finance industries who are already receiving offers for summer positions. Rather than letting the outside noise in, it’s important to focus on your individual goals and ultimately remember the reason why you came to Anderson in the first place.

3. Break out of the Anderson bubble every once in a while

By this, I mean don’t forget that life exists beyond the walls of Anderson. Starting business school is a huge life change and the newness of everything can often feel overwhelming and all-encompassing. While I fully support submerging yourself in the experience, it’s also important to find footing elsewhere to remain rooted in your own perspective. Stay in touch with family and friends, explore new areas in and around Los Angeles, introduce others to your favorite hobbies, and continue to nourish your pre-MBA identity. In doing so, you’ll learn how to balance all aspects of your life in a healthy and enjoyable way.

4. Carve out me-time and allow space to unwind

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is take a step back. Whether that’s from recruiting, social outings, or anything else, try to take a moment for yourself and prioritize self-care: get a good night’s sleep, disconnect from your email/slack for an afternoon, go for a long walk, meditate, treat yourself to a massage, etc. Taking the time to destress will not only improve your current mental state, but your future self with also thank you in the long run.

Creating balance is often easier said than done and while it can seem easy to get distracted by the stress of so many things going on at once, don’t forget to prioritize yourself and ultimately ENJOY your first few months of MBA life.

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Student Blogger: Cassidy Waters ‘24

Undergrad: University of Southern California (’17)

Pre-MBA:Digital Media Advertising, Essence Global

Leadership@Anderson: Marketing Director, Admission Ambassador Corps; Director of Brand/Communications, Marketing Association; Entertainment Management Association, Women's Business Connection

Instagram: @casswaters

Practical Tips for the First Year of Your MBA

About Esteban: Esteban Ortega (’24) is originally from Chile. He graduated as a structural engineer in 2017, and since late 2016 worked in a local boutique investment bank until starting his MBA. This next summer he will be joining an investment bank’s LatAm group based in New York City, seeking to stay in investment banking for the long term. Esteban enjoys mountain biking, playing the guitar, meeting new people, and spending time with his family. 

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Starting your MBA journey is an exciting time, filled with opportunities to meet new people, explore different cultures and backgrounds, and develop new skills. During the first week, you will be welcomed with breakfast with the whole class, official receptions, and several other introductory events. You'll soon discover that your classmates are highly motivated, and that their diverse backgrounds bring valuable perspectives to class discussions.

Despite the never-ending events, it's important to balance academics, socializing, and recruiting. While some people may feel overwhelmed, the best advice is to embrace every opportunity. During the summer, make the most of the intense socializing and forming connections with your classmates.

In the fall, you and your classmates may begin the recruiting process, which can bring its own set of anxieties. It's important to remember that recruiting outcomes vary by industry and that some things are beyond your control. To make the most of your MBA experience, focus on balancing your academics, socializing, and recruiting efforts.

Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your MBA experience:

1. Manage your time effectively: Make a schedule and stick to it, prioritize your tasks, and allow for some down time (emphasis on this last point).

1. Network: Attend events, join clubs, and reach out to alumni to expand your network.

1. Stay organized: Use tools like calendars, to-do lists (I’m a huge fan of to-do lists) and note-taking apps to keep track of your academics, social activities, and recruiting efforts.

Overall, I am sure you will remember this time for the rest of your life, and that you will make long-lasting relationships with your classmates.

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Student Blogger: Esteban Ortega ‘24

Undergrad: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile – Structural Engineering

Pre-MBA: Boutique investment banking

Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admission Ambassador Corps; Latin America Business Association. Member of the Student Investment Fund.

First Year Perspective: Consortium Fellow and Beyond!

About Jessica:Jessica Naves (’24) was born and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors in Sociology. After graduation, Jessica worked in various marketing roles from marketing assistant in theatrical brand marketing at NBC Universal to social media coordinator at a non-profit called Fulfillment Fund. Most recently, Jessica worked as a marketing manager for a marketing and advertising agency that specialized in outreaching multicultural audiences. At Anderson, she seeks to pivot her career to product marketing for a streaming service such as Disney+ or HBO Max. Jessica is interested in being an advocate for diverse representation in the entertainment industry and she becomes a marketing leader in the space. 

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As I reflect on my time at Anderson thus far, I can say that my experience has truly been enriched by being a Consortium fellow. From getting an opportunity to network with top employers during the annual Orientation Program (known as OP) to making life-long friendships with my Anderson-Consortium family, here is why my experience as a consortium fellow at Anderson has been so rewarding:

The Consortium Orientation Program

In early June of last year, I attended OP, an event for all the new fellows to meet and network with alums and corporate partners. OP took place in Aurora, Colorado, and for five days, we got to attend career development workshops and connect with top employers and consortium fellows from other business schools. At OP, I connected with recruiters from companies such as Amazon, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. From my connection with Microsoft at OP, I was able to secure an interview for a product marketing MBA internship which I later received an offer for in the fall. Although I ultimately did not accept the offer, OP allowed me to start practicing my 30-second pitch and getting comfortable speaking to employers. However, the most fun part of OP was meeting my Anderson-Consortium classmates and building friendships before school started. We all hung out in the evenings, either in the lazy river, hot tubs, or the sports bar in the hotel we were staying in. In those five days, we all bonded and formed our Anderson-Consortium family.

Anderson-Consortium Family

A lot is going on during your first year, from classes to applying to summer internships and preparing for interviews. It can sometimes feel overwhelming but having a community you can rely and lean on makes all the difference. For me, that community is my Anderson-Consortium family! During the summer quarter, when we were taking accounting, we had study sessions led by one of our friends with a background in accounting. Those study sessions were super helpful as we went over practice exams and problems which helped all of us who had not taken accounting before. As we were searching for summer internships, we would also share internship opportunities and help each other by reviewing resumes and conducting mock interviews.

Aside from supporting one another in our classwork and recruiting, we also make sure to have fun! We have group dinners, gone bowling, tailgated for the UCLA vs. USC football game, gathered for holiday potlucks, and come together to celebrate each other’s successes. I am super grateful for my Anderson-Consortium family; my Anderson experience would not be the same without them.

Suppose you are applying to business school and have demonstrated a commitment to the Consortium’s mission through community activism, professional involvement, and/or life experience. In that case, I highly recommend you apply for the Consortium Fellowship. Not only will you get financial support to cover tuition and access to top employers, but you will also meet incredible people who will become an extension of your family. 

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Student Blogger: Jessica Naves ‘24

Undergrad: UCLA (’16) – B.A. Sociology

Pre-MBA: Marketing Manager, Wicked Bionic (Marketing & Advertising Agency)

Leadership@Anderson: Director EDI, Admission Ambassador Corps; Director of Corporate Relations, Entertainment Management Association; Director of Admissions, Alliance for Latinx Management