MBA Insider's Blog

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Round 1 Decisions Released Today

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 DECISIONS RELEASED

Just after midnight today, we released all of our decisions to our full-time MBA Round 1 applicants. Admissions officers also called each admit the day before, 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 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 5 (or Round 3 deadline of April 12).

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

 

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Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

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

UCLA Anderson Application Insider: Academics

This blog post is part of our weekly "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:
ACADEMICS

We want all our MBA students to benefit from the rigorous academics here at UCLA Anderson and to help others learn, as well.  So we carefully screen all applicants to ensure that they have the "academic horsepower" to thrive here based on their past performance in school.  For this, we analyze the whole undergraduate record and for those who also have prior graduate degrees, we examine those, too.  Naturally, we take into account the full context of each applicant's academic profile so that our evaluation is a balanced assessment of past accomplishments in the classroom.  

When you submit scans of your transcript with your application, rest assured that our years of experience give us the context we need to analyze your records properly. We know the relative rigor of schools around the world and the difficulty of different majors. International applicants are evaluated in terms of their country's own system, so for example we would not try to convert grades to the American 4.0 scale.  What we look for in each file is a record of above-average achievement, and if there are weak spots then we seek offsetting strong points (e.g., a trend of grades getting better over time). Quantitative coursework is a plus since the MBA program core is quant-based, but we need a variety of backgrounds in the class including liberal arts majors. Overall the applicants we tend to like are those who consistently performed above their peers in similar schools and concentrations.

If your academic profile could use a boost, you can take additional coursework in MBA-related fields (such as accounting, statistics or finance) and add that additional transcript to your application.  Professional certifications such as a CPA or CFA, or a whole graduate degree, can help too.  Just remember that there are many different elements to a successful application and we look at everything so you do not necessarily need superstar academics as your strong suit in order to get admitted. 

On a logistical note, please do not send us hard-copy documents unless we request them (generally this will happen along with an interview invitation).  The scans you upload with the application are sufficient for our preliminary evaluation.  Please see our application requirements website for more information on academic evaluations and other aspects of the application.  

The academic environment at UCLA Anderson is fast-paced and challenging, and we welcome those who are well-prepared to come join in for the benefit of all!

 

Make sure to check back next week for the next "Application Insider" blog post about TOP APPLICANT FAQs!

 

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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: Keys for Application Success

This blog post is part of our weekly "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:
KEYS FOR APPLICATION SUCCESS

This Application Insider blog post series has offered peeks inside the black box of admissions regarding specific elements of our Full-Time MBA application. This post, however, will pull back a bit so you can see more of an overall view of what's inside the box. Those whom we admit have individual strengths -- but no two admits are alike -- and the magic of MBA Admissions is that we manage to create a balanced class of 360 people here each year to represent the whole wide world with individuals of varying backgrounds, interests, and potential contributions to the class.

Looking for your strengths is what the admissions committee primarily does when evaluating your application. Nobody is perfect, so we compare and contrast elements of your profile to see what balances out. Maybe your GMAT score is not the greatest but your strong undergraduate grades show your academic potential better. Perhaps academics are not your strong suit but you have shown skill leading others in your workplace or community. For everybody, the past is just a prelude to the future, and we especially like people who show that they have done their research on UCLA Anderson and now have a great plan to share success, think fearlessly and drive change for themselves and others -- both at school and in the years beyond graduation.

 

Applicants can help themselves most by making it easy for the admissions committee to see their potential in the following areas:

• Academic Horsepower: UCLA Anderson is a rigorous school, and applicants must show that they could handle our fast learning process. Test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) are one measure, undergrad grades are another, and better yet you'd have strength in both. We also take into account the rigor of your undergraduate school and your major there, as well as other academic achievements, as we always look for the context of your accomplishments.
  
  
• Student Contribution: To a great degree, our school's energy is student-driven, and we need activists who will create opportunities and changes that benefit all. So prior leadership on-campus during your undergraduate studies and/or in the workplace is a good sign, as is community involvement. 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.
  
  
• Employability: Getting a big career boost is, of course, one of the top reasons to do an MBA, so how prepared are you to achieve your goals? Transferable job skills to carry from past to future roles are key, and so are personal skills such as communication, coachability, interpersonal chemistry, and perseverance in the face of challenges. Your career progression to date is one indicator, as we like to see people taking on greater responsibility over time. But as always, we evaluate progress in the context of the time you had and in terms of a bridge to the future.
  
  
• Focus: Developing a compelling future plan is the hardest part of an MBA application, yet it is an element you can still change now (as distinct from the past). It all starts with doing your homework -- on yourself and on the school. Do you understand how the MBA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform yourself into a new professional? Why is UCLA Anderson in particular a great place for YOU to thrive personally, e.g., sharing success in a collaborative culture? How would you turn specific classes and activities here into fuel for your future achievements? And what is that bright future vision that inspires you for life right after graduation, then 5 or 10 years later? You may well refine your trajectory once you get to business school, but we have to thoroughly understand your initial flight plan before you can take off.

In short, your MBA application may start off inside our black box of admissions here, but then we want to see where you will go and how high you will fly. Show us the fuel for success that you have already, and we will give you the high-power boost you need!

 

Make sure to check back next week for the next "Application Insider" blog post about INTERVIEW TIPS!

 

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

From the Dean's Desk: Join Us For Anderson's Biggest Open House!

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

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On Saturday, October 15, UCLA Anderson will be opening its doors for its largest open house information event of the year, Access Anderson. In today’s post, hear directly from Rob Weiler (’91), Associate Dean of the full-time MBA program, who answers FAQ about this upcoming event for prospective applicants.

 

Q: What is Access Anderson?

It’s an open house for individuals interested in learning more about the UCLA Anderson full-time MBA program. In one morning, attendees will get an inside take and advice on how and why to apply. Our MBA admissions team — the people actually reviewing all of the applications — will be on hand to answer questions and offer insider tips. Current students and recent alumni will also be there to share their own MBA journeys, from application through career ROI. The morning will end with a Networking Fair that will give attendees the opportunity to talk one-on-one with students, faculty and alumni in their specific areas of career interest. This is a really special half-day event, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about getting an MBA at UCLA Anderson from its own students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Q: Should people who have already attended another UCLA Anderson information event attend?

Yes! No matter what point in the MBA consideration process you may be in, from just considering an MBA to already applied, this is a once-in-a-year opportunity to take a deep dive into all that Anderson has to offer. Year after year, we hear from prospective applicants and students that it’s Anderson’s culture and environment that truly set us apart from other top schools. There’s no better way to find out if Anderson is the right fit for you than by coming to spend time with us, interacting with our students, faculty and staff. We are expecting more than 200 attendees, which means this day is also a great way to meet your future classmates, too.

Q: Will I be able to get one-on-one time to ask my questions?

We’ve structured the day with a mix of panels and networking to give attendees the opportunity to make the most of their time with us. The panels will address the topics that prospective students tend to ask about most frequently. The Networking Fair will give attendees the one-on-one time to talk directly with students, alumni, staff and faculty. Whether you want to learn more about a specific field of study, Anderson’s career resources or our student clubs, we’ll be available to answer your questions.

Q: Can you give me a sneak peek into what you are looking for in prospective MBAs?

First and foremost, we want to maintain the culture that differentiates us from other top business schools. We want to continue strengthening diversity of all sorts in our class — including diversity of life and work experience. Our students learn as much from each other as they do in the classroom, so it’s incumbent upon us to build a class of 360 exceptional individuals who don’t just qualify academically but enrich each other through their unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Q: How do I find out more agenda details and RSVP for Access Anderson?

Please visit the Access Anderson 2016 registration page for all event details and to RSVP. Here’s a summary of the agenda:

• Check-In (8:30 – 9:30 a.m.)
• All About Anderson: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get advice from the MBA Admissions team
• Student Spotlight Q&A Panel: Hear directly from current students and alumni
• Networking Fair: Mingle and network over light appetizers with members of our community representing a wide array of career functions, industries and interests

 

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

Q: What is Access Anderson?

It’s an open house for individuals interested in learning more about the UCLA Anderson full-time MBA program. In one morning, attendees will get an inside take and advice on how and why to apply. Our MBA admissions team — the people actually reviewing all of the applications — will be on hand to answer questions and offer insider tips. Current students and recent alumni will also be there to share their own MBA journeys, from application through career ROI. The morning will end with a Networking Fair that will give attendees the opportunity to talk one-on-one with students, faculty and alumni in their specific areas of career interest. This is a really special half-day event, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about getting an MBA at UCLA Anderson from its own students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Q: Should people who have already attended another UCLA Anderson information event attend?

Yes! No matter what point in the MBA consideration process you may be in, from just considering an MBA to already applied, this is a once-in-a-year opportunity to take a deep dive into all that Anderson has to offer. Year after year, we hear from prospective applicants and students that it’s Anderson’s culture and environment that truly set us apart from other top schools. There’s no better way to find out if Anderson is the right fit for you than by coming to spend time with us, interacting with our students, faculty and staff. We are expecting more than 200 attendees, which means this day is also a great way to meet your future classmates, too.

Q: Will I be able to get one-on-one time to ask my questions?

We’ve structured the day with a mix of panels and networking to give attendees the opportunity to make the most of their time with us. The panels will address the topics that prospective students tend to ask about most frequently. The Networking Fair will give attendees the one-on-one time to talk directly with students, alumni, staff and faculty. Whether you want to learn more about a specific field of study, Anderson’s career resources or our student clubs, we’ll be available to answer your questions.

Q: Can you give me a sneak peek into what you are looking for in prospective MBAs?

First and foremost, we want to maintain the culture that differentiates us from other top business schools. We want to continue strengthening diversity of all sorts in our class — including diversity of life and work experience. Our students learn as much from each other as they do in the classroom, so it’s incumbent upon us to build a class of 360 exceptional individuals who don’t just qualify academically but enrich each other through their unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Q: How do I find out more agenda details and RSVP for Access Anderson?

Please visit the Access Anderson 2016 registration page for all event details and to RSVP. Here’s a summary of the agenda:

• Check-In (8:30 – 9:30 a.m.)
• All About Anderson: Learn about our academics, career resources and culture
• Admissions Insider Q&A Panel: Get advice from the MBA Admissions team
• Student Spotlight Q&A Panel: Hear directly from current students and alumni
• Networking Fair: Mingle and network over light appetizers with members of our community representing a wide array of career functions, industries and interests

From the Dean’s Desk: About Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions Alex Lawrence

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

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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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Recently the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) interviewed me as a part of their "In the Spotlight" series where they feature different school representatives.  Check out the below to learn a bit more about me!

 

 

-- Alex Lawrence

 

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

From the Dean’s Desk: First Day of School

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

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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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On Monday, members of the new Class of 2018 stepped onto the UCLA Anderson campus for the first time as a collective group. Even though it is more than 1 month earlier than usual, I could still see the nervousness, confidence, the joy and excitement in everyone’s faces.

For me, it was like a reunion because I have personally met most of this group. In some cases, I have known individuals for several months (if not years) from past recruiting activities, one-on-one conversations, on-campus events like A-Days, and events on the road in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC, to name a few. And for a few students who I was meeting for the first time, it was nice to finally put a face to a person I felt that I already knew from reading their applications, interview reports, and letters of recommendation. 

Regardless of how and when we met, as the new Class of 2018 sat together in Korn Hall, it was evident that everyone was extremely excited about the next 2 years as a student and lifelong member of the Anderson family.

The Class of 2018 getting to know each other right before orientation kicks off

Along with Deans Olian, Shih, Weiler, Fraser, and Regazzi,  I had the honor of welcoming the Class of 2018 to the UCLA Anderson campus on their first day. During my welcome speech, I always enjoy sharing fun facts about the class (for example, one of our Class of 2018 students is a U.S. Armed Forces Bronze Star Medal recipient!) and the many opportunities to stay engaged with the MBA Admissions office (check out the Admissions Ambassador Corps!).

I look forward to “hitting the road” again later this month in Boston and Washington DC with the Parker Career Management office to share information about our full-time MBA program for our next class of students. I highly encourage those in the area to register for the events, meet school and alumni representatives, and come learn about the school and the power of the UCLA Anderson alumni network!

 

The Class of 2018 from my perspective up on stage at Korn Hall

 

 

-- Alex Lawrence

 

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

From the Dean’s Desk: Summer Start

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

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Today’s post is from Rob Weiler, Associate Dean of the Full-Time MBA Program. Rob oversees everything from Admissions to Career Services to Student Affairs.  Rob is a UCLA Anderson MBA alum (Class of 1991), spending his post-MBA career working in Finance prior to returning to UCLA Anderson where he has been for nearly 9 years. In this post, Rob tells us more about why UCLA Anderson MBA students will be arriving on campus to start the program on August 1st, over a month earlier than in past years.

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Q: The UCLA Anderson MBA program is starting in just 1 week on August 1^st -- what was the rationale behind starting the program earlier than in past years?

The August 1^st start for all incoming UCLA Anderson MBA students is a radical change from the past. (Actually, our international students are arriving today for International Orientation!).  This earlier summer start was born out of a desire to solve two issues: first, our previously later start relative to other MBA programs put our students at a disadvantage in having sufficient time to explore career options and build skills necessary to secure summer internships; and second, the first Fall quarter was extremely intense and very quant-heavy (students took Statistics, Economics, Accounting, and Finance or Marketing).  This heavy load was exacerbated by how quickly students had to get moving on recruiting.  

Q: What will students be doing during this additional time in the program?

Faculty from our Organizational Behavior and Statistics courses offered to adjust their syllabi and teach their normal 10 weeks course in 5 weeks.  This will allow students to take only three classes in the Fall quarter and will allow our “less-quant-able” students to ease into the MBA experience more easily.  During the first of the 6 weeks, students will take a crash-course in being a student at UCLA Anderson, hear from staff with whom they will work for the coming years, and also take the Leadership Foundations course with our Organizational Behavior faculty.  That will be followed by 5 weeks of Statistics and Organizational Behavior.  Woven throughout these 6 weeks will also be career-related programming from the Parker Career Management Center.  After the completion of Summer Session, we will engage the students in more traditional Orientation activities, as we have done in the past.

Q: How will these extra weeks added to the program benefit UCLA Anderson students?

We expect substantial benefits from this gigantic shift.  First, students will have months instead of weeks to explore careers.  The vast majority of students entering an MBA program are changing industries, functions, or both.  Learning about new opportunities takes time, and getting our students here on campus, fully engaged and focused on this next phase of their careers, will allow them to make better decisions about what they focus on for their summer internships, and even more importantly, will give them substantially more time to prepare for summer internship interviews.  No longer will they feel like they are months behind the competition at other schools.

Equally beneficial is that the new arrivals will be able to ease into academic life by taking one quant class and one class that might be more in the wheelhouse of those without quant training.    Since the pressure is high in the early part of the program, which can result in some people having to choose between focusing their efforts on either academics or career, we feel that this will take some of the pressure off, thereby allowing students to perform better, both in the classroom and in the job search process.

Q: Any final words to the new Class of 2018?

We are excited to welcome the next group of Andersonites to our illustrious club and look forward to excitement of having 360 highly accomplished, energetic, and brilliant MBA students gracing the halls of the Anderson complex!

 

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

Assistant Dean Alex Lawrence in Washington, DC

Assistant Dean Alex Lawrence's next stop on his east coast swing was Washington, DC attending the QS MBA Tour and Consortium MAPS events last week.  We hope you had a chance to meet him during his trip!
 

The last leg of this East Coast visit is our nation’s capitol, Washington DC.  For a more efficient use of my time and ease of travel, I hopped on board an Amtrak train between New York and DC in the morning.  My next objective was the UCLA Anderson Diversity in the MBA Lunch event. I hosted a group of 2016 applicants interested in learning more about our full-time MBA Program. At Graffiato Pizzerianear the Verizon Center, the topics of conversation focused on the success of our Parker Career Management Center, the entrepreneurial courses, the Fink Center for Finance and Investments, andfellowship opportunities.  We said our good-byes at the end of the event knowing that I would see many of them at the Consortium MAPs event that night and/or the QS Tour event on Thursday. 

Later that evening, I participated on a panel discussing the MBA application’s letter of recommendationrequirement. And in particular, why an applicant should not write it on behalf of the recommender. UCLA Anderson values its partnership with the Consortium organization.  The school fair following the panel provided another opportunity to connect with more local residents interested in UCLA Anderson.

The next day, I used a Capital Bikeshare to ride to the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library and work there instead of my hotel room. You know, leverage the great wifi resources, scenary, and do a little bit of research before the QS MBA Tour event at the National Building Museum. Along the way, I saw a few familiar sites but resisted the temptation to grab a DC slice of pizza. I must have spoken with nearly 30 people that evening interested in UCLA Anderson.  Many indicated they are either attending our November Embracing Diversity event, visiting the campus, having lunch with a faculty representative, and/or speaking with a current student about the MBA experience in Los Angeles.

So, now I am headed back to the West Coast but was able to snap an early morning photo of the Washington Monument before catching my flight. Next week is Chicago and Minneapolis. I’m looking forward to returning to the MidWest and join our awesome alumni at the Women in the MBA Lunch and information session in both cities. Stay tuned…….

Recruiting update from Assistant Dean Alex Lawrence

Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions & Financial Aid Alex Lawrence is in the east coast this week meeting prospective students and alumni. Today he provides a sneak peek into his busy schedule during his stay in New York.

 

I always enjoy traveling to New York. Whether it be personal or business, I love the opportunity to return to the East Coast where I grew up and interact with the so-called “City that never Sleeps”. After a red-eye from LAX to La Guardia, I arrived in the city around 10am. A quick infusion of Starbucks products revived me in time to connect with The Riordan Programs alumni for lunch. Of course this is a special organization supported by UCLA Anderson for 26 years and one that is near and dear to my heart.  I brought them up to speed on my recruiting efforts and activities not only in New York but all over the country this month.  They are my eyes and ears for talent in the City…sort of like a special forces that can get me anything I need if/when I want it.

After watching (on my iPad NFL app) my beloved Cowboys lose to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, I hustled over to the QS World Tour event.  I shower/changed into my “uniform” with plenty of time to participate in a panel titled – “Successful Strategies when Applying to Business School”. It was a perfect platform not only to share the activities/habits of candidates who are competitive and successful, but a chance to showcase the UCLA Anderson brand too. It must have worked because the line at my career fair table that night was 15-20 people deep at all times until the event closed. I met some really talented candidates who had questions related to UCLA Anderson’s 6 Centers, partnership with the Consortium, other fellowship opportunities, the school’s tracks and specialties, culture of our students and the community, concerns about the recent NY Times article focused on gender equity, and at least ½ dozen more topics of interest. I talked to every one of those visitors because I want them to know who we (UCLA Anderson) are as an institution.

 

The next couple of days included some “ground work”. I hosted a Women in the MBA Luncheon with my friend Valerie (’97 alumna) targeting female MBA candidates. I returned the next day for our MBA Diversity luncheon at OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria. Reggie (’14 MBA candidate) joined me to answer the candidates’ questions about UCLA Anderson. Reggie really “knocked the ball out of the park” with his candid comments about the caliber of students, the power and influence of having a great career management team like the Parker Career Management Center directed by my colleague Dean Regazzi.  The next subway stop was meeting with another great Riordan alumna – Adrienne - who has always supported me. She provided ½ dozen names as potential recruits within the banking organization she works. Thanks Adrienne!

Washington DC is next on my travel schedule….I’m looking forward to the Consortium MAPs event, another Women in the MBA luncheon, and more “ground work” before returning to LA.

UCLA Anderson introduces Assets Digital magazine

We are happy to announce the introduction of the new Assets Digital Magazine. Check out the many compelling stories about our wonderful community in this inaugural issue of Assets Digital. For the best viewing experience we recommend downloading it for your iPad. 

To learn more visit the Anderson Digital site.