Like most B-school applicants, I applied to a bunch of schools and was very fortunate to choose between top business schools both in US and India. Anderson became one of my top choices as I learnt about the school through current students, alumni, forums, admission chats and the school website.
As an international student, I was unable to visit the school but I recommend all prospective applicants to invest in this exercise. You not only experience the school's culture but also strengthen your application.
I still remember the email and phone call I received from the Anderson admissions team. I struggled to open my application on the tiny iPhone screen and read the admission offer letter multiple times before breaking the news to my friends and family.
Why UCLA Anderson?
For me, UCLA is an awesome school with a global brand and which will give me a solid general management education, not to mention its in southern California so the lifestyle and weather is outstanding. It attracts a broad array of industries in recruiting including top consulting and Fortune 500 firms.
India vs USA
You really can’t compare Indian business schools to schools in United States. The schools are catering to different markets. It’s like comparing apples to mangoes. Since I had to decide between the two countries, I did my due-diligence. India scores more on the economy growth front, job placements numbers, and cost. But, US schools such as Anderson stand out for job readiness, leadership, exposure, diversity and experience.
I exchanged a number of emails with currents students and all of them wrote passionately about UCLA’s collaborative environment, which will allow me to intimately know my classmates and develop a sense of community. The students are relaxed but at the same time focused. I was instantly sold on the school after my application interview with a second year student. Not only I was able to connect with her but was also able to really learn about her experience at Anderson. She was joining a medical device company and gave me good insights into recruiting at Anderson.
School’s focus on entrepreneurship
Speaking to current students and following the Entrepreneur Association, I really got excited about skills that I will be able to pick up which will train me for my long-term entrepreneurship ambitions. The school has one of the largest student bodies interested in entrepreneurship, which is great.
Location
No praise is enough for Los Angeles. I know I will have a tough time keeping my mind focus on schoolwork. However the Greater Los Angeles Area, with over 900 life sciences companies, is an ideal location for me to complete my MBA considering my goal of working with a biopharmaceutical company. It also gives me access to two of the world’s largest pharma/biotech clusters, San Francisco in the north and San Diego in the south.
Have a great but thought-filled weekend. Please send any comments, burning questions, LA concert tickets and B-school freebies to [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter here.
