Urbana-Champaign (U Illinois) - Calling 2016 MBA Applicants

Guys..applying for Urbana ?? Me too!!
Any ideas about essays, does any one have a reference essay??

Stats Added!

The adcom allowed me to defer matriculation by one year, so i'm in the same class of "16 like you guys. I paid $700 to hold my seat. If you have questions about the application process, let me know. I would say though, the adcom are the best! Although i'm reapplicant elsewhere, i would be happy just to go to UIUC because of the love i have gotten from the adcom.

Hello VoyagerII,
Nice to meet you!
I am currently in the process of writing the personal statement. Though the adcom say that they need a 3 page statement, they have not specified the words. Any idea, around what number may I stick to?
Any other minute detail of the application process that you may want to shed light on?

2. I think that all the schools value evidence of one's ability to succeed in graduate school. You know, the gpas, gmat, etc. However, i think that the uiuc guys also value potential. If you want to be a government leader in your later years, don't be afraid to mention that. I didn't see it in all the other schools i applied to, but the uiuc guys value AMBITION. They want ambitious people. etc.

I can hand over my essay, but I would have to reduct some parts that are too personal.

Heyy.. thats nice. You must have had that 'very proud' feeling during the interview!
Well, I don't see any reason for you to share your essay here, people ought to sweat out on their own for their essays.
And yeah, thanks for your tips!

Anybody going to the MBA career connect this weekend in Chicago? I think i will go. It's on a Saturday, so i have no excuses.

Hi All,

I am from Chennai (India) and planning to apply to UIUC for Fall 2014 in Round 1 (deadline Nov 3).

Well, I am just drafting my Personal Statement. I want to know about the student run activities on campus and the core and elective courses. Are there any clubs or career enhancing activities outside normal course work? Also, I want to know what kind of companies from the consumer industries take students of UIUC into their organization. Is there some webpage or forum that discusses these aspects especially about UIUC?

Thanks,
Sridhar

Dear Sridhar! How is Chennai? Haven't been to India, but do hope to go there someday. I will answer your question in parts.

1. There are many initiatives geared toward your professional development. There are many student run programs that help you with your career/professional dev. The illinois Business Consulting is one of the popular program. anyway, find more infor on these here: https://www.mba.illinois.edu/experience/

2. The list of companies that recruit illinois MBA is diverse. The class of 2013, got recruited by such famous firms, including my dream firms like... Deloitte Consulting, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, etc. The consumer goods firms on the list include Unilever, Target, Walmart, Pepsico, etc. Find the whole list here: https://business.illinois.edu/bcs/recrui ... stats.aspx

In summary, it is my understanding that the Illinois MBA sets you up to enter whatever field you want, just like all the top MBA programs across the US. Like you, i care a lot about my post MBA school prospects. I want a greater, better job. the Illinois MBA seems like a good fit, at a sweet price, for that.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Hola ppl!
Is any one attending or already attended the online presentation of the Illinois MBA today?!
I would have loved to... but I have office commitments at those times..
Anyone attending.. could you please share your experience here!?

@7of9 - It was really good to see your reply. I will be going through those links soon.

@Siddharthac1 - I attended the online info session conducted by Ben Moreland, the Associate Director of Admissions.

The session was about an hour followed by half an hour of questions and answers. It did prove informative in the sense that he said what is expected from the Personal Statement, Resume and general tips for applying.

UIUC is looking at the confidence and clarity that a prospective student has that will land him a job after two years. Also, they want students with involvement not just inside the classroom but outside as well.

- Sridhar

Hello All,

I need a small guidance here.I took my gmat in august and scored 660 and done with toefl a few days back.I havent started with application process for urbana.Should i try for R1 or attempt for R2?Are there any advantages in applying early?Also i am thinking of reappearing for GMAT.What do u all think?I have around 3 yrs exp in IT.

Ohh thats nice!
I would have loved to attend one such session, but time didn't permit me

- If you have a chance to re-write the GMAT, i would say take it! Why? If you can improve your score, your chances of getting a higher scholarship increases. A simple rewrite of the GMAT can mean the difference between getting a $20k scholarship instead of the usual $5k that they give to the majority of people.
- However, i would think that knowing your 'fate' earlier, can help with your planning. All things being equal, i would say that R1 is better than R2. One important thing to remember is that, you can be wait-listed in R1, meaning that they will review your file again in R2, so the earlier you apply, the better.
- After going through the same process last year, i can safely say that there is no relationship between you writing the GMAT and when you apply. As long as the committee hasn't made its decision, you can continue re-writing the GMAT. Why? They will continue to update you scores, regardless of whether the application deadline is over, or that you have already done your interview.

Curious, anyone considering the joint JD/MBA program? I really want to do it. Since i got done with the issues of getting into the MBA program, battling my LSAT etc right now. I'm sure the logistics of the four years of doing the JD/MBA will be a nightmare, but i think i can do it.

@VoyagerII Thanks for the input....I think i will concentrate my effort on GMAT now..i am planning it by mid november so that i can get enough time for R2.Do you have any idea on what are flagship specialisations for Urbana?I am looking for a school with good track record in MIS?Any suggestions on any part of the world will be a big help for me.