Welcome 2026-2027 McCombs Applicants Join McCombs chat | Add to my Schools | MBA Applicants WhatsApp Community Hey everyone! As the new admissions cycle officially gets underway, this thread is the central home for everyone applying to the Texas McCombs MBA program for the 2027 intake. Whether you are prepping for Round 1 in October or planning a strategy for the winter deadlines, this is your community space to share updates, bounce ideas around, and help each other through the application journey. Use this space to: 🤝 Network with fellow applicants and swap profile insights. 📝 Discuss essay strategies —from the creative graduation "look-back" prompt (picturing yourself at the end of your MBA) to highlighting a defining core value, both packed into tight 250-word limits. 💡 Brainstorm how to showcase fit with the uniquely collaborative McCombs culture, experiential opportunities like the MBA+ Leadership program, and the massive energy of the Austin business ecosystem. 📅 Track timelines together—from hitting the submit button to handling the required video assessment and sharing interview invites. Drop a comment below to introduce yourself! Let us know your industry background, what round you're aiming for, or your thoughts on how to stand out in the application. https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?id=71520 Applications for the Full-Time MBA program are accepted in three rounds, and the program enrolls annually every August. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Central Time on the deadline date for each round. Round 1 Application Due: October 15, 2025 Decision Delivered: December 16, 2025 Round 2 Application Due: January 15, 2026 Decision Delivered: March 26, 2026 Round 3 Application Due: April 1, 2026 Decision Delivered: May 7, 2026 McCombs MBA Essays 2023-24 Essay 1 Imagine yourself at the completion of your MBA journey. Why was pursuing your MBA at Texas McCombs the right decision for your personal and professional growth? Reflect on how you made the most of your time in the program—academically, through hands-on learning opportunities, and within the McCombs community. Highlight how you contributed to the McCombs community and used its resources to grow both professionally and personally. (250 words) Essay 2 Reflect on a core value that defines you. Share a specific example of how it has guided your decisions and actions, and explain how it will shape your contributions and growth as a McCombs MBA student. Highlight how this value has influenced your leadership style and life path, and how it will shape your MBA experience. (250 words) Essay 3 Optional Please explain any gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, and/or academic performance issues that may help the admission committee in reviewing your application. (Limit: 250 words) UT AUSTIN GMAT CLUB SPOTLIGHT KEY TAKEAWAYS 2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Tepper offers a STEM-designated MBA in three formats: full-time, online hybrid, and accelerated. The full-time program is 21 months with an internship, while the online hybrid allows students to work while studying. The accelerated option is for those with a business undergraduate degree, completing in 12-16 months. CURRICULUM & SPECIALIZATIONS The curriculum emphasizes analytics, business fundamentals, and leadership. Students can choose from 14 concentrations, including AI in Business and Entrepreneurship. The program allows for customization, with students often graduating with multiple concentrations. ADMISSIONS Application requirements include a resume, transcripts, test scores (GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment), and a professional recommendation. A written essay and a two-minute video essay about career goals are required. Application fee is waived for attendees of the session, and test waivers are available within the application. CAREER OUTCOMES The Master's Career Center supports students with career counseling and events. Average starting salary for graduates is $154,000, with 83% receiving job offers within three months of graduation. Top employers include Amazon, Deloitte, and McKinsey. COMMUNITY & LOCATION Tepper's smaller class size fosters a close-knit community. Located in Pittsburgh, the city offers a high quality of life with affordable living and numerous cultural and recreational activities. Students benefit from Carnegie Mellon's broader university ecosystem, with access to electives across various disciplines. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES Tepper integrates AI into its curriculum, offering courses like machine learning for business. The Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship provides resources like seed funding and mentorship. Students can engage in capstone projects with startups and companies, enhancing practical learning experiences. UPDATE FROM DAY 2 SESSION (JUN 11, KAREENA, ASSOC. DIRECTOR) • BECCI program (Business English and Cultural Immersion) eases international students into US academic/cultural life • International financing: private loans via Prodigy Finance and Empower (no US federal loans) • Merit scholarships automatic - no separate application • Common applicant mistakes called out: applying before profile is strongest, neglecting the video essay, under-preparing for interviews • All work experience counts, including internships and contract work; explain career gaps in the optional essay McCombs Class Profile Class of '26 Average GPA 3.46 Average WE 6 Average GMAT 704 Average GRE 321 Average Age 29 McCombs Application Stats Class of '25 Applicants 1889 Accepted 716 Acceptance Rate 38% Enrolled 241 Yield Rate 65% McCombs Class Profile Class of '24 Avg. GPA 3.46 Avg. WE 71 Average GMAT 706 Median GMAT 710 Avg. GMAT Domestic 699 Avg. GMAT International 714 % GRE 30% Avg GRE Quant 162 Avg. GRE Verbal 161 Avg. Total GRE 323 McCombs Employment Data Class of '23 Employed at Graduation 81% Employed 3 Months 91% Average Salary $157,735 Average Bonus $32,915 Salary and Bonus $190,650

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Calling all UT McCombs MBA Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029

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ggs123

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17 Aug 2026, 07:53

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I have applied

Awesome!

Did you talk to people from MAC?

trojan911

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17 Aug 2026, 07:55

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I haven’t no just a bunch of alums

ggs123

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17 Aug 2026, 07:55

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I haven’t no just a bunch of alums

Oh cool!

I would still talk to MAC

iondieki

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17 Aug 2026, 07:59

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I started only essays and LOR remaining

WA@ykd8305

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17 Aug 2026, 12:35

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This post came through our private GMAT Club WhatsApp Group.
Join the WhatsApp Community or Log in to view the full message.

ggs123

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17 Aug 2026, 12:38

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Not yet, I'm still prepping for GMAT, planning to take it early next month.
Resume, transcripts and all are done, but essays, lor and test scores are pending for me 🥲

You'll be fine!!!

itsmeuday

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19 Aug 2026, 03:53

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What is the full form of MAC ???

Manosij010

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19 Aug 2026, 04:02

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Hi guys, I am preparing for my GMAT currently and have my exam scheduled later next month.

Honestly, being here for the first time I am not completely sure how to go about and ahead with the entire application prepare. Feels a bit overwhelming.

Can someone just give some word of guidance or maybe connect for some starter points on the same. Highly appreciated

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ggs123

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19 Aug 2026, 06:25

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Focus on gmat!
It's important to nail it

Quote:

Focus on gmat!
It's important to nail it

In Parallel, start thinking about your post mba goals and research suitable colleges

Manosij010

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19 Aug 2026, 06:36

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In Parallel, start thinking about your post mba goals and research suitable colleges

I have researched on this, and McCombs is definitely one of the target Bschools. Hence I want to parallelly start the application process for UT. That is where I need some perspective

ggs123

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19 Aug 2026, 06:40

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I have researched on this, and McCombs is definitely one of the target Bschools. Hence I want to parallelly start the application process for UT. That is where I need some perspective

Start by talking to current students

Quote:

McCombs Ambassador Committee
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate ... directory/

^^^

Varshhinni

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19 Aug 2026, 06:44

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hi guys, I’m 22 and graduated in 2024, i have around 15 months of work experience and have been building a community of 10k+ people over the last 2 years. Do you guys have any idea on mccombs looks at people with lesser traditional work experience as they say on their website specifically that they prefer people with over 2 years!!

Aadilshaikh

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19 Aug 2026, 07:58

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Just wanted to check, being around the median, say 665 on the GMAT Focus, would it be better to put all my energy into strengthening the application, or is pushing for a higher score still advisable?

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19 Aug 2026, 08:34

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its a decent score for McCombs. lMake sure your applications are very strong and support your candidature

Namita, MBA Decoder

ggs123

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19 Aug 2026, 08:43

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Hey

You should probably attend admissions events and then connect with one of the admission committee members and talk to them!

Quote:

Just wanted to check, being around the median, say 665 on the GMAT Focus, would it be better to put all my energy into strengthening the application, or is pushing for a higher score still advisable?

I am not an expert, but I agree with Namita

I know a folks who got into McCombs with a 665 last year
But it's important to have a strong application!

Quote:

Just wanted to check, being around the median, say 665 on the GMAT Focus, would it be better to put all my energy into strengthening the application, or is pushing for a higher score still advisable?

https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate ... s-profile/

gmatheld

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20 Aug 2026, 09:25

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Hi everyone, welcome to the Texas McCombs MBA Applicants group! 👋

📅 Application Deadlines | Class of 2029

Round 1: October 15, 2026
Round 2: January 15, 2027
Round 3: April 1, 2027

Round 3 is the final Full-Time MBA deadline. Applications are due by 11:59 PM CT.

📝 Essay Prompts | 250 words each

Essay 1

Imagine yourself at the end of your McCombs MBA. Reflect on why choosing McCombs proved to be the right decision for your personal and professional growth, including how you used academics, experiential opportunities and the McCombs community.

Essay 2

“Reflect on a core value that defines you.” Use a specific example to show how that value has influenced your decisions and actions, and explain how it will shape your contributions and growth at McCombs.

Optional Statement | 250 words

Use this section to explain relevant issues such as employment gaps, recommender choice or academic-performance concerns.

🎥 Video Assessment

All applicants complete a video assessment after submission. There are six questions with 90 seconds per response.

Feel free to ask any questions about Texas McCombs or the application process in the forum. Happy applying! 🎓