Ask Mendoza (University of Notre Dame) MBA Admissions

Sorry for taking so long to respond - we are all traveling quite a bit right now with intermittent access to the web.

I would say that the AWA isn't as important as a well-written essay, resume, slide presentation, etc. We will see your writing samples first hand in e-mails and other documents that we receive. That's probably more heavily scrutinized than the AWA score although it can be a tiebreaker in situations where there is concern about communication ability. Hope that clarifies.

Thanks for your interest in Notre Dame and have a great weekend.

Andrew

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

Thanks for the question @dsin10!

We don't really do pre-application evaluations. There are too many components that we look at in the evaluation to comment based on just a few data points. So it's very difficult to say what someone's chances might be without seeing things like recommendations, interview, essays, etc.

That being said - we do typically have a number of STEM graduates in our two year program. In any given year they typically make up at least 1/3 of the class. So it's a skill set that we know works. I would note that your GMAT score is significantly below the class averages for our last few classes. That could be balanced to some degree by transcripts and GPA's to demonstrate academic aptitude. But keep in mind that our fellowships are all merit-based and GMAT is a large component of that assessment.Hard to say more than that without a full application, but I would recommend that you take a look at our evaluation criteria and class profiles when you have a chance. That may help further.

https://business.nd.edu/mba/admissions_a ... ncial_aid/

https://business.nd.edu/MBA/Two-Year_MBA ... tatistics/

Thanks again for your question and have a great weekend!

Andrew

Andrew J. Sama
Sr. Assoc. Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

Hi Andrew,

I am an International student and I am planning to apply for R3 for the 1Y MBA program. Since the number of places for the 1Y MBA are quite limited, I am wondering that I could be at a disadvantage, if I opt for R3. Unfortunately, health issues and work related commitments have been a party to this delay. Additionally, I want to submit the best possible application, but I just want clear this out before I proceed with my application.


Thanks
Muneeb

Muneeb....thanks for your question.

We evaluate applications the same in every round.

Your best bet is always to submit your app when you believe that it's as strong as it can be.

If you need the extra time, then I would encourage you to take it.

Hope this helps. Take care.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I appreciate your prompt reply. I have a question about the TOEFL exam. I completed my baccalaureate from a U.S. university and worked there for approximately 4 1/2 years after graduation. Can I request for a waiver from the TOEFL requirement ?

Thanks
Muneeb

Yes - our process is pretty simple. Just send along your transcript from the U.S. university and we will take a look and then grant you the waiver.

In order to grant a TOEFL waiver we have to see your official transcript or a letter from your Registrar that states that the medium of instruction was English. Then we allow your application to be processed without a TOEFL/PTE/IELTS if everything checks out.

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

Does Notre Dame give preference to applicants that come to campus? What if you can't make it there due to work schedules, etc?

Good question TLCforever.

We definitely encourage applicants to come to campus because we feel like it benefits both parties. Never forget that when you interact with any Admissions office, at Notre Dame or elsewhere, you are not just giving *us* information but you should be collecting information for yourself as well!

Going to b-school is a huge decision and a big investment of time, energy, money, etc. You will be connected with the school that you choose for the rest of your life so applicants should make sure it's a good fit. I think a campus visit is the best way to know if a school is the right one for you. When you come to Notre Dame you can meet our students, sit in on an MBA class, take a tour of campus and conduct your admissions interview. I think you come away with as much info as you give us. 10 minutes on campus is probably more informative than hours on a website.

That being said - we realize that not everyone can get to campus. So we don't penalize anyone for not making the trip. There are lots of other ways to get to know us that don't require a trip to campus.

City Tours - you can meet us on the road and conduct a formal Admissions interview or just chat one-on-one about the program and learn more. These are almost always hosted by an MBA Admissions staff member. Really a great chance to engage with our office. Sign up here:

https://webapp.business.nd.edu/mba/city_tour/

Online Chats - we actually have one coming up TOMORROW - October 19th! You can submit your questions in an online chat format and our current students and staff will answer them live via written responses. You can sign up here:

https://webapp.business.nd.edu/mba/chat/

Irish Coffee Chats - when our current students go home for Christmas Break we ask them to make themselves available to prospective applicants in their hometowns. We haven't posted any dates yet but check the link below in November for more info:

https://webapp.business.nd.edu/mba/mba_e ... ffee_chat/

Hopefully this helps and I encourage you to engage with us in any one of the ways listed to get a better feel for what makes Notre Dame unique and whether or not we might be the right fit for you.

Go Irish!

Andrew

If you are planning on applying for our Oct. 31 deadline then don't miss tonight's online chat. Students and staff will answer questions from 6pm to 7pm Eastern.

Register here:

https://business.nd.edu/mba/event.aspx?id=9756

Hope to see you in there!

Go Irish! Beat Trojans!

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

I missed the chat - is there a transcript available?

I have Two questions......

1.I want to know How is University of Notre Dame different from other business schools?

2.I have 2.5 Years Exp in a software industry and i have 86.5% in my 10th standard,88% in my high school and 81.1 in my under-graduation where do i stand in getting into Notre Dame, and with my academics what is the required Gmat score to get into this business school?

Thanks in advance.........

Here is the chat transcript from our chat last week. If there is anything you were hoping to have answered that's not included, please don't hesitate to post it here or send us an e-mail at mba.business@nd.edu!

https://business.nd.edu/MBA/Chat/MBA_Cha ... _10-19-11/

Go Irish!

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

@kotela.....thanks for your questions!

I think two things set ND apart from other top b-schools.....

A. Small class size. We are among the smallest programs in the top tier. We only have about 130-140 students in a 2YR class and about 60-70 in a 1YR class. We typically only have around 330 in the program total. That's the size of many schools incoming class! I think this is important because it generates a different kind of attitude and camaraderie amongst our students and between students, staff and faculty. You will really have the chance to know your professors and get personal attention from Student Services, Career Development, etc. And the network you create while you're here is very strong because it's built on personal connections and shared experience. ND typically gets very high marks for the strength of it's alumni network and I think that's due in large part to the fact that people actually know one another on a personal level.

B. Ethics & Sustainability integration. We are not different because we have required ethics courses. A lot of schools have started to jump on that bandwagon in light of recent events. I think what sets us apart is how we integrate these concepts into everything we do. We offer more than 90+ electives where at least one class session is spent on some ethics or sustainability aspect of that subject matter. So for example, I recall being in Brand Strategy class and discussing the ethical dimensions of marketing to kids. That's a different conversation than when you discuss the same topic in an ethics course. And that repeated exposure and discussion to these topics helps to shape a decision making process for our students that just naturally includes consideration of things like "what's impact on people I manage?", "what's impact on community?" and "what's impact on environment?". But let's be clear....you still have to know the bottom line "shareholder value" answer as well. And we will make sure you know that. It's just that we really do ask you to think about *more* than that as well. So I would say we're not different because we do ethics, we are different because of the way in which we approach ethics.

As to your question on the competitiveness of your application - it's really hard to say based on only a few data points. We look at a lot of different aspects of an application when making decisions. You can get a full breakdown here:

Evaluation Criteria - https://business.nd.edu/mba/admissions_a ... ncial_aid/

The average GMAT for our most recently admitted group was 692 and the middle 80% range was 620 to 760. Hopefully that gives you some idea of the competitiveness of the app pool. You may also want to review the class profile for more info:

https://business.nd.edu/MBA/Two-Year_MBA ... tatistics/

Thanks again for your question. Let me know how else I can help and Go Irish!

Andrew

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

I'm headed to North Carolina in a few hours for a City Tour! Looking forward to meeting all the applicants and prospective students through my stay!

You can meet us on the road throughout the U.S. and the world. Just check this link for updated travel dates/locations:

https://webapp.business.nd.edu/mba/city_tour/

Hope to see you out there!

Go Irish!

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

I was not able to apply for the Oct 31 round.....what are my chances of getting fellowship for the Jan 9 round?

We typically have fellowships available at all rounds - and we assess applicants the same in each round.

At some point later in the cycle we of course have to meter our fellowship offers based on the decisions of earlier admits. But that typically doesn't happen until the very last round, if at all.

My advice is always to apply when you feel you have the strongest application. The strength of your app will have far more impact on your chances for a fellowship than the date on which it is received.

Hope that clarifies - thanks for the question!

Andrew J. Sama
Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions
University of Notre Dame

Hello,

I am 31/Indian/Male, have graduated from one of top 10 colleges in India, I am working with a leading MNC in India, have 9+ years of experience in Sales and Marketing - Consumer durables, I have been promoted to youngest Regional Manager at the age of 29 in my current company. I am enthusiastic, goal-oriented and optimistic individual and I want to pursue MBA to enter global consumer market. Though I have dozens of applauds, promotions and community service initiatives under my belt, my current GMAT score of 640 raises doubts in my mind of applying to Notre dame. I wish to know with my current score, shall I apply to one year full time MBA at Notre dame? I want to make sure that my application will be read and not discarded just because of low score.