This week: an inside look at UCLA Anderson, with Associate Director of Admissions Jessica Chung. If you’re especially interested in careers in entrepreneurship, entertainment, or media, or you’re just interested in learning more about Anderson, this is the show for you!
Jessica Chung provides an overview of Anderson’s FT MBA program (1:59)
It’s practical and customizable. You can customize the sequence of your first year core classes (finance, marketing, consulting). And there are 13 specializations to choose from, so you can tailor your experience. (A specialization is not required.)
The benefits of Anderson’s location in LA: good weather, outdoor activities, a diverse metropolitan environment with a lot of industries—LA has a lot to offer!
Balancing a broad management education with specialization (5:15)
You can take the core courses your first year and electives your second or vice versa, which can be particularly helpful to career-changers wanting to get a foundation in preparation for a critical internship in their new field.
Anderson is well known for its collaborative culture. (8:05)
Chung discusses what that means in real terms: how it goes beyond supportive teamwork to an encompassing attitude where classmates are truly invested in each other’s success. She gives some examples: students helping each other in class, students sharing recruiting info. There’s a friendly atmosphere on campus.
Anderson may be best known for its strengths in entrepreneurship and entertainment/media related fields, but it has a lot of other strengths. (12:41)
Chung highlights the program’s strength in tech (and the development of Silicon Beach). She also highlights Anderson’s career services, which provides great mentoring to students.
Chung mentions a recent exciting project launched by an Anderson grad. (16:53)
Vow To Be Chic, which offers designer bridal party dresses for rental.
Some advice on the application process! GRE vs GMAT? (20:09)
The adcom sees them no differently- so take whichever one you’re more comfortable with and will do better on. (They still see more GMAT scores overall.) With regard to the GMAT’s new IR section—she says they’re waiting for more data, since they’re still receiving applications from people who took the exam before that section was added. So it’s weighed less heavily right now than the verbal and quantitative sections. (Don’t blow it off, though.)
Is it true that applicants who plan to go into certain fields (eg finance, consulting) should take the GMAT rather than the GRE? (22:33)
This doesn’t affect admissions—but it is true that some companies ask for GMAT scores during the recruiting process. So it makes sense for some people to take the GMAT in anticipation of that process.
What happens when you hit “submit” on your UCLA Anderson application? (23:38)
First, every piece of the completed application is read, carefully, by members of the adcom. Then the committee decides whether to extend an invitation to interview. Interviews are held either on campus or by skype (they’re weighted the same). The interviewer will see your resume, but not the full application. In the interview, expect behavioral questions, questions about your experience and goals, why Anderson. After the interview, the committee reviews the interview report. Decisions are posted by the decision date.
The waitlist process. (28:58)
Being waitlisted is an indication that your application is strong. If you’re waitlisted Round 1, you’ll be updated each successive round.
Waitlisted candidates can and should submit updates with significant accomplishments/new info.
What gets her excited about an applicant, in a positive way? (33:36)
Applicants who make a real effort to put their best foot forward, and who show genuine interest and enthusiasm for Anderson.
A discussion of the challenge of gender equity in faculty hiring, and how to make the b-school environment inclusive. (37:43)
Anderson recently received a $100 million gift from Marion Anderson. (42:37)
A short discussion of some of the exciting areas this money could go towards, including faculty research, student programming, funding/outreach resources, and building projects.
Advice for applicants: be yourself! (44:08)
Don’t try to imagine what the adcom wants to read. Think about what you want the adcom to know about you, and think about what Anderson is. Speak to current students, do research.
Relevant Links:
• Anderson MBA Admissions
• UCLA Anderson 2016 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines
• Anderson MBA zone
• UCLA Anderson Bags $100 Million Gift
• Indian In IT Finds Her Fit At Anderson
• Vow to be Chic
Relevant shows:
• Entrepreneurship at UCLA Anderson
• Sustainability, Ross MBA & The Erb Institute
• Tuck Talk: IV With The Dean Of Admissions
• How To Earn A Spot On Team Fuqua
• It’s MBA Season: Do You Know Where Your Applications Are?
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This article originally appeared on blog.accepted.com.
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