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Sep 0311:00 AM PDT
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We go inside the MIT Sloan School of Management with Donna Levinson, Assistant Dean of Admissions at MIT Sloan, for a detailed conversation on Sloan’s MBA experience, curriculum, global community, application process, and admissions philosophy.
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Meet Tuck at an informal student or staff-hosted coffee chat in a city near you! Next dates are in Irvine, CA and Washington, DC
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Join our free webinar on building a stronger Round 2 MBA application for INSEAD, LBS, Kellogg, HEC & other T20 B-schools after missing Round 1. Learn what actually changes in Round 2 and rebuild your candidacy.
Sep 0412:00 PM EDT
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The old MBA recruiting playbook is dead. Here’s how top admits are getting ahead this summer.- Sep 07
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Meet AdComs and explore top Master’s programs - MiM, MiF, MSc, MSBA and more. - Application Fee Waivers - Free 1-Week of GMAT Club Tests: - Master's Application Toolkit - Grand Prize Giveaway 
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The old MBA recruiting playbook is dead. Here’s how top admits are getting ahead this summer.
27 Jun 2026, 22:59
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Join UCI Merage chat | Add to my Schools | MBA Applicants WhatsApp Community
Welcome to the central discussion thread for applicants targeting the UC Irvine (Paul Merage) MBA program for the 2027 intake. Located in the heart of Southern California's tech coast, Merage focuses heavily on digital transformation and innovation. Whether you are aiming for the Round 1 deadline in October or navigating the winter and spring rounds, consider this space your go-to community yard to coordinate, share strategic advice, and keep pace with the cycle.
What are people talking about right now?
How does this thread work? This is a peer-to-peer tracker. Use the comments section below to ask about test waivers, share your background stats for feedback, analyze the Irvine network, or notify the group the moment those official interview invites start rolling out.
Merage UCI MBA Deadlines 2026-27
Merage UCI MBA Essays 2024-25
UC Irvine Merage at MBA Spotlight 2026: Key Takeaways
Serene (Host), Melanie Coburn (Senior Director of Recruitment and Admissions, UCI Paul Mirage School of Business)
LOCATION & ENVIRONMENT
UC Irvine's Paul Mirage School of Business is located in Orange County, California, known for its safety and tech hub status. The school benefits from proximity to a diverse range of industries, including tech, healthcare, and entertainment.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The full-time MBA program at UCI is a 21-month course designed for early to mid-career professionals, typically with 3-8 years of experience. The program emphasizes career pivots and includes a mandatory summer internship, with 100% internship placement for over 25 years.
SPECIALIZATIONS & CURRICULUM
UCI offers specializations in entrepreneurship, analytics, finance, and accounting. The program also emphasizes digital transformation, with courses integrating AI, such as competitive intelligence and negotiations. Students can choose from various electives and immersions, including innovation, real estate, healthcare, and digital transformation.
ADMISSIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The application process includes two essays (one video, one written), two recommendation letters, and optional GMAT/GRE scores. The application deadline for fall 2023 is June 30, with the next cycle starting in August. Merit-based scholarships cover up to 50% of tuition, with some full-ride offers available.
CAREER OUTCOMES
The MBA program is designed to facilitate career transitions, with strong connections in tech, healthcare, CPG, financial services, and real estate. The average starting salary for graduates is $125,000, with potential up to $150,000.
UNIQUE FEATURES
UCI offers a high staff-to-student ratio, fostering personalized attention and support. The program includes site visits to local companies, networking events, and a focus on leadership in a digitally driven world. The school also emphasizes teamwork, organizing students into diverse study teams.
NOTABLE Q&A
Applicants with career gaps should explain them in optional essays. The program's focus on digital transformation and inclusive excellence distinguishes it from other West Coast schools. The application fee waiver code GMATClub2026 is applicable to all programs.
UPDATE FROM DAY 2 SESSION (JUN 11, MELANIE COBURN, UCI MERAGE)
Additional details from the Day 2 UCI Merage session:
• Application deadline extended to June 30 (transcript said "Fall 2023" start - year is garbled, verify)
• GMAT/GRE optional; strong profiles may skip it entirely
• Admitted students typically receive a 50% tuition scholarship; some get full rides; awarded automatically at admission
• Full-time MBA ranked 51st by US News; 21 months, mandatory summer internship with 100% placement
• Application: one written essay, one video essay, two letters of recommendation
• Average starting salary: $125,000; JD/MBA and MD/MBA dual degrees available
Merage UCI Application Stats Class of '25
Merage UCI Class Profile Class of '25
Class Profile: https://merage.uci.edu/_files/documents ... O25_r2.pdf
Merage UCI Employment Data Class of '23
https://merage.uci.edu/_files/documents ... 023_r3.pdf
Welcome to the central discussion thread for applicants targeting the UC Irvine (Paul Merage) MBA program for the 2027 intake. Located in the heart of Southern California's tech coast, Merage focuses heavily on digital transformation and innovation. Whether you are aiming for the Round 1 deadline in October or navigating the winter and spring rounds, consider this space your go-to community yard to coordinate, share strategic advice, and keep pace with the cycle.
What are people talking about right now?
- The 60-Second Video Essay: Figuring out how to concisely pitch your background and lock down your short-term goals on camera in exactly one minute.
- The Core Value Prompt: Selecting a defining personal value and mapping out a strict 500-word narrative that proves how it dictates your decision-making and future campus contributions.
- The STEM & Tech Coast Edge: Exploring how to highlight analytical readiness, especially for those looking to leverage Merage's STEM-designated curriculum or applying via the test-optional essay pathway.
How does this thread work? This is a peer-to-peer tracker. Use the comments section below to ask about test waivers, share your background stats for feedback, analyze the Irvine network, or notify the group the moment those official interview invites start rolling out.
Merage UCI MBA Deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Application Due |
| Round 1 | |
| Round 2 | |
| Round 3 | |
| Round 4 |
Merage UCI MBA Essays 2024-25
| Essay 1 | Applicants are required to provide a link to a 1 minute (60 second) video as part of their application. In your video, please introduce yourself to the admissions committee, telling us about your professional experience, including a brief overview of your short-term career goals and how an MBA from UCI’s Merage School will positively impact that direction. Most applicants use websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, or Google Drive to upload their video essays. On all these platforms, be sure to mark the video as “Unlisted” rather than “Private”. Unlisted means only people with the link will be able to see it. Just click “Get Shareable Link” in your privacy settings and paste into the FTMBA application. If your video is listed as private, we will not be able to view it and your application processing will be delayed. |
| Essay 2 | Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student experience and to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the UCI Merage culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute? (500 words or less) |
| Essay 3 (Optional) | At the Paul Merage School of Business, we are ambitious. We are intellectually hungry. We have a calling to deliver educational excellence valuing diversity, collaboration, inclusivity and respect. In an effort to better understand the context of your achievements, is there any other information about your background, family or experience that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words or less) |
UC Irvine Merage at MBA Spotlight 2026: Key Takeaways
Serene (Host), Melanie Coburn (Senior Director of Recruitment and Admissions, UCI Paul Mirage School of Business)
LOCATION & ENVIRONMENT
UC Irvine's Paul Mirage School of Business is located in Orange County, California, known for its safety and tech hub status. The school benefits from proximity to a diverse range of industries, including tech, healthcare, and entertainment.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The full-time MBA program at UCI is a 21-month course designed for early to mid-career professionals, typically with 3-8 years of experience. The program emphasizes career pivots and includes a mandatory summer internship, with 100% internship placement for over 25 years.
SPECIALIZATIONS & CURRICULUM
UCI offers specializations in entrepreneurship, analytics, finance, and accounting. The program also emphasizes digital transformation, with courses integrating AI, such as competitive intelligence and negotiations. Students can choose from various electives and immersions, including innovation, real estate, healthcare, and digital transformation.
ADMISSIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The application process includes two essays (one video, one written), two recommendation letters, and optional GMAT/GRE scores. The application deadline for fall 2023 is June 30, with the next cycle starting in August. Merit-based scholarships cover up to 50% of tuition, with some full-ride offers available.
CAREER OUTCOMES
The MBA program is designed to facilitate career transitions, with strong connections in tech, healthcare, CPG, financial services, and real estate. The average starting salary for graduates is $125,000, with potential up to $150,000.
UNIQUE FEATURES
UCI offers a high staff-to-student ratio, fostering personalized attention and support. The program includes site visits to local companies, networking events, and a focus on leadership in a digitally driven world. The school also emphasizes teamwork, organizing students into diverse study teams.
NOTABLE Q&A
Applicants with career gaps should explain them in optional essays. The program's focus on digital transformation and inclusive excellence distinguishes it from other West Coast schools. The application fee waiver code GMATClub2026 is applicable to all programs.
UPDATE FROM DAY 2 SESSION (JUN 11, MELANIE COBURN, UCI MERAGE)
Additional details from the Day 2 UCI Merage session:
• Application deadline extended to June 30 (transcript said "Fall 2023" start - year is garbled, verify)
• GMAT/GRE optional; strong profiles may skip it entirely
• Admitted students typically receive a 50% tuition scholarship; some get full rides; awarded automatically at admission
• Full-time MBA ranked 51st by US News; 21 months, mandatory summer internship with 100% placement
• Application: one written essay, one video essay, two letters of recommendation
• Average starting salary: $125,000; JD/MBA and MD/MBA dual degrees available
Merage UCI Application Stats Class of '25
| Applicants | 342 |
| Accepted | 82 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24% |
| Enrolled | 36 |
| Yield Rate | 44% |
Merage UCI Class Profile Class of '25
| Avg. GPA | 3.46 |
| Avg. WE | 72 months |
| Average GMAT | 653 |
| Median GMAT | - |
| Avg. GMAT Domestic | 647 |
| Avg. GMAT International | 684 |
| % GRE | 6% |
| Avg. Total GRE | 320 |
Merage UCI Employment Data Class of '23
| Employed at Graduation | 73% |
| Employed 3 Months | 86% |
| Average Salary | $122,201 |
| Average Bonus | $25,846 |
| Salary and Bonus | $148,047 |
