Are you interested in applying to the UT McCombs School of Business this year? Then get ready to start brainstorming! The Texas McCombs MBA application essays for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle have been confirmed. Last week, the school announced several changes to its application process designed to increase accessibility and reduce bias. These changes appear in the school’s testing requirements, a new video component, and the new Admissions Connections program.
If you’re interested in UT McCombs, this is a can’t-miss episode of the B-Schooled podcast! Erika interviews Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director, MBA Recruiting and Admissions at McCombs, who gives extremely insightful advice and information for aspiring MBAs.
UT McCombs MBA Application Essays
In order to streamline the application process, the Full-Time MBA Admissions Team has reduced the number of required essays from two to one.
Required Prompt
Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words)
Optional Statement
Additionally, and if applicable, applicants can provide an optional statement in the essay section of the application. Applicants should only provide an optional statement if there is something they wish to explain about their candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere. (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances)
Texas McCombs Video Assessment
For the first time, the Texas MBA program is introducing a video assessment to its application package. As the McCombs AdCom team explains:
All applicants will complete the video assessment, which will give MBA candidates increased accessibility to the application process and the opportunity to share their story with us in their own voice. Through the video assessment, the Admissions Committee will have a chance to experience the “real” you, beyond a resume, test scores, and transcripts. Lastly, the video assessment will enable Texas McCombs to reduce bias in the admissions process by providing all applicants with a structured and consistent assessment experience.
The video assessment is virtual and on-demand, so applicants can complete it from anywhere in the world at a time in the day convenient to them. The video assessment will help the Admissions Committee evaluate the following competencies that are crucial for the fit and success of our students within the program and their future careers:
| Adaptability/Resilience | Ambition |
| Motivation | Career Goals |
| Empathy/Inclusivity | Verbal Communication |
| Collaboration | Self-Awareness |
Applicants will be asked to use the video assessment tool to record responses to seven questions, with each response lasting no more than three minutes. Detailed instructions will be provided with the video assessment invitation so you know what to expect, and applicants will have the opportunity to practice as many times as they wish before completing the final video assessment. Applicants will have seven days from the invitation to complete the final video assessment.
This is your time to show us your personality and enthusiasm! We recommend that you prepare for the video assessment similarly to how you might prepare for an interview. Think reflectively about your work experience, strengths, weaknesses, and practice your delivery.
Texas McCombs Admissions Connection
Also new this year is a component designed to further foster the human component between applicants and the school. As the admissions team explains:
We pride ourselves on getting to know you at a personal level during the admissions process and will continue to provide hundreds of virtual and in-person ways for you to meet our students, alumni, faculty, and Admissions Team.
We invite all MBA applicants to close out their application process by signing up for a “Texas McCombs Admissions Connection” after completing all other MBA application requirements. These live, virtual get-to-know-you sessions are an opportunity for our applicants to engage directly with a Full-Time MBA student. While not required, registering for and attending an Admissions Connection session is highly encouraged.
These sessions are NOT your traditional admissions interview. MBA applicants will have 15 minutes with a member of the McCombs Ambassador Committee (MAC) to ask questions about the program/student experience, discuss information about their candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere, and align on the next steps in the application process. You will be able to choose your host whenever you register for a slot. There is no evaluative component to this session, although your student host will be able to pass along any information you share to the admissions committee.
Because the session will last approximately 15 minutes, we recommend applicants to come prepared with 3–5 questions about the MBA program and/or next steps in the application process.
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For additional information on applying, please visit the McCombs admissions website. If you need guidance on your Texas McCombs MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!
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