{"id":37625,"date":"2017-06-11T07:00:20","date_gmt":"2017-06-11T14:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=37625"},"modified":"2017-06-11T01:40:13","modified_gmt":"2017-06-11T08:40:13","slug":"uclas-ms-in-business-analytics-prep-for-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century-episode-208","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/uclas-ms-in-business-analytics-prep-for-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century-episode-208\/","title":{"rendered":"UCLA’s MS in Business Analytics: Prep for the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century [Episode 208]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Listen<\/a><\/p>\n

Are you a quant jock with a bit of a poet in you? Learn about UCLA Anderson\u2019s new MS in Business Analytics!<\/a><\/p>\n

Harvard Business Review<\/em> declared in 2012 that being a data scientist is the \u201csexiest job of the 21st century.\u201d Glassdoor<\/a> last year claimed it\u2019s the \u201cbest job of the year.\u201d And in a February Business Insider<\/em><\/a> article, Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor\u2019s chief economist said, \u201cIt\u2019s one of the hottest and fastest growing jobs we\u2019re seeing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enter UCLA Anderson\u2019s MS in Business Analytics and its newly appointed executive director, Paul Brandano. Paul earned his MBA from UCLA Anderson in Management and Marketing in 2006. After earning his MBA he worked for IBM becoming a Business Analytics Software Specialist before returning to Anderson to serve as the Executive Director for Marketing of Management Field Study Programs. This month, he became the Executive Director of Anderson\u2019s new Masters of Science in Business Analytics \u2013 and that\u2019s the program we\u2019re going to discuss today. Welcome, Paul!<\/p>\n

Can you give us an overview \u2013 what is the MS in Business Analytics at Anderson?<\/strong> [1:50]<\/p>\n

Business Analytics has been part of our MBA program for a long time \u2013 in every one of our programs, quantitative analysis is a component (marketing, finance, operations, etc). But when you look at the world today, the data is growing, and the demand for an increasingly complex set of analytics is increasing with it. The tools for analysis also grow, and you get a very complex environment.<\/p>\n

When I was at IBM, I saw there was often a gap in the marketplace between the people in IT who understood the technologies, and the managers who were looking for that real-time feedback. We see an opportunity to create a liaison \u2013 a person with an MS and the analytical training and skills to understand new technologies, with real business communication as a foundation.<\/p>\n

What does the program consist of?<\/strong> [3:50]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a 13-month MS program. We wanted it technically oriented. Students start with a five-week intensive course (off-site, asynchronous). This is focused on making sure you have the skills to be successful \u2013 you take four courses in that first five weeks to acquire a strong business\/technical foundation.<\/p>\n

Then there are two full (10 week) quarters of courses, followed by a summer internship, then a final fall quarter on campus before going on to your first job.<\/p>\n

Courses include: fundamentals of business; data management; prescriptive modeling; and an industry seminar each quarter (including case studies).<\/p>\n

What are the options for the industry seminar?<\/strong> [6:36]<\/p>\n

We\u2019re initially focusing on internet, entertainment, and healthcare. These are areas where big data technologies are being applied each day, and where data scientists are in high demand.<\/p>\n

We also have many centers on campus focused on these (and other) key industry areas.<\/p>\n

If you look at Anderson as a school, we differentiate on that practical\/experiential learning component \u2013 every student will have done something in the real world, working for a real company.<\/p>\n

Business Analytics is a mushrooming field. What\u2019s distinctive about UCLA\u2019s program?<\/strong> [8:50]<\/p>\n

We specifically put it in the business school. Business analytics programs can often be in the engineering school, the CS department, stats, etc.<\/p>\n

I mentioned earlier that gap in business practice between IT and business \u2013 we saw an opportunity to put it in the heart of our business school. Our faculty wanted to draw on advanced quantitative methods, and it was a great fit.<\/p>\n

What are you looking for in the admissions process<\/a>?<\/strong> [10:00]<\/p>\n

A person who is first and foremost a quant \u2013 who has a tremendous skill set. But they have to have a bit of a poet in them as well \u2013 they have to understand the nature of business, and create unique insights that can be communicated to a CEO, CFO, chief of marketing. So they need to communicate well. And they need to be able to take complex unstructured data-sets and turn them into new and better decision-making on the part of a company \u2013 so there\u2019s a bit of artistry in it.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re looking for someone who did really well on the quantitative side of the GMAT\/GRE.<\/p>\n

What about work experience<\/a> \u2013 is it required? Preferred?<\/strong> [12:50]<\/p>\n

We\u2019re primarily looking for strong quantitative aptitude and an interest in business. There isn\u2019t necessarily a work requirement \u2013 if you have a strong computer science background, we believe you can be successful right out of undergrad and we take a certain number right out of undergrad.<\/p>\n

If we were to be approached by someone who wanted to retool after some years of work experience in IT, we\u2019d definitely consider that person.<\/p>\n

Most of our applicants are probably one to two years out of undergrad. But it\u2019s wonderful to have people with more work experience, too. Our answer will evolve as the program grows.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re looking to bring in as diverse a class as possible.<\/p>\n

What is the application process?<\/strong> [15:05]<\/p>\n

We\u2019re admitting our first class for the fall.<\/p>\n

Go on our website, register for an info session. You apply online. There are two essays<\/a> (and a third optional essay). The topics are standard \u2013 why MSBA, why UCLA Anderson, why now? And a personal history statement. We ask for test scores, undergrad educational experience (transcripts, international diplomas, etc). Pretty standard things.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be down-selecting the pool to a group that we\u2019ll interview \u2013 we\u2019re looking to make offers quickly, and have a class in place by mid-summer. We start in November.<\/p>\n

What is your target class size \u2013 both this year and ultimately?<\/strong> [17:33]<\/p>\n

Space is always our limiting factor. I expect our first year\u2019s class to be around 25-50 students, growing up to 60-65. A useful comparison is our sister program, the Masters in Financial Engineering, which grew steadily and then opened a second section.<\/p>\n

How many do you plan to interview?<\/strong> [19:00]<\/p>\n

It depends on the fit of the applicants. But about twice as many as we accept.<\/p>\n

What is the interview like?<\/strong> [19:50]<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be one to one, typically audio only. We\u2019ll ask quantitative questions.<\/p>\n

How does the MS in Business Analytics differ from a MS in Stats?<\/strong> [20:45]<\/p>\n

The spectrum of applications for a MS in Stats is probably broader, since you can use that in a lab setting or as a stepping stone to other science fields. We\u2019re seeing this through a business filter \u2013 so we\u2019re taking a business oriented approach to the questions.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll use similar tools you might learn in a stats or applied math degree \u2013 but with a business orientation\/application.<\/p>\n

How do the field placements work?<\/strong> [22:25]<\/p>\n

This program will allow our students to apply their skills in real time to customer questions.<\/p>\n

A client could come to us with data and our teams would pull datasets together with new insights. Our capstones will be oriented at companies no matter the size or type \u2013 helping create new insights.<\/p>\n

What is next year\u2019s application timeline? <\/strong>[28:05]<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be following a traditional MS tour timeline \u2013 getting on the road to meet with people in early fall.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll open in three rounds next year: one deadline probably in late October, one in the winter, and one in May.<\/p>\n

This timeline will be a great advantage for us next year.<\/p>\n

We want to be as precise as possible in our search \u2013 we\u2019re building a program for the right skillsets. I see it almost like an athletic coach recruiting exactly the right people for a team.<\/p>\n

I should also say that internet, entertainment, and healthcare are really a starting point \u2013 every industry is thinking about these questions. We anticipate demand all over the place.<\/p>\n

Is there any discussion about a joint MBA-MSBA?<\/strong> [30:50]<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no official discussion, but we\u2019ve spoken about the connection points. We already have joint programs between the MBA and other degrees at UCLA, so it\u2019s something to think about.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re starting out with a pure fulltime program. But in the future it would be in our interest to think about our connection points.<\/p>\n

Any advice for people interested in applying next year?<\/strong> [33:46]<\/p>\n

Look at what this program is really about and think about your interests. It\u2019s a short time-frame \u2013 just 13 months. So it\u2019s helpful to come in with some idea about how you might apply your skill set \u2013 how you want to impact the world with your degree\/skills.<\/p>\n

This is a program we\u2019ve built over a long period of time. It started with discussions with faculty about tools they were using, and developed with conversations about jobs\/recruiting.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a really compelling story as we\u2019re getting ready to launch our first class.<\/p>\n

For those of you who are more interested in the MBA than the MSBA, join us for Get Accepted to Stanford GSB<\/em><\/a> at either 10 AM OR 5 PM PT on June 7. The webinar is free, but you do need to register<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 UCLA Anderson\u2019s Masters of Business Analytics<\/a>
\n\u2022 P&Q on Anderson\u2019s MSBA<\/a>
\n\u2022 Introducing MIT Sloan\u2019s New Master of Business Analytics Degree<\/a>
\n\u2022 UCLA Anderson MBA Essay Tips<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Shows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Get Into IE, A Business School with a Program for Everyone<\/a>
\n\u2022 Contemplating a Career in Data Science\/Business Analytics?<\/a>
\n\u2022 Entrepreneurship at UCLA Anderson<\/a>
\n\u2022 UVA MS in Global Commerce: 3 Continents, 2 Masters, 1 Amazing Year<\/a>
\n\u2022 How To Think Like A Dean Of Admissions<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>get accepted<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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