UCLA Anderson 2013 - Calling All Applicants

Essays:

(From Anderson Website)
Essays are the primary way for you to share your perspectives and plans. The best essays are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and responding to our topics.

• Essay questions are listed below for both first-time applicants and re-applicants.
• You should try to distinguish yourself by showing what makes you different from others who share similar profiles.
• Personal expression is what we are looking for, not platitudes.
• Making a strong case for your future plans requires you to first do research on career paths and find one that resonates. Even if this target will change during business school, your application essays should lay out a clear trajectory for short-term and long-term goals. Do this by demonstrating how you expect to build on skills from your past, and those you expect to gain from the MBA.
• Essays are more compelling if they include specific courses, programs, groups, opportunities, activities, etc. from which you would benefit, if admitted to UCLA Anderson. These references are best found through website research, personal discussions and a campus visit (if possible).
• Content and clarity are key elements, as we seek superior communication skills.
• Style is a consideration too, although we understand that those who speak other languages may have different manners of expression in English.
• We do check your essays for plagiarism, so make sure you always submit your own work.
• Length does not equal strength. A well-written short essay can have even more impact than a longer essay. Please try to respect the word limits indicated below.
• All responses to essays must be on double-spaced pages that are uploaded as a document. We do not accept essays in any other media but written form.

FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS - TWO REQUIRED ESSAYS:

1) What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace, and how has it impacted you? (700 words maximum)
2) What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from UCLA Anderson specifically help you achieve these goals? (700 words maximum)

OPTIONAL ESSAY:
The following essay is optional. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay. Please note that we only accept written essays.

1) Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

RE-APPLICANTS - ONE REQUIRED ESSAY:
Reapplicants who applied for the class entering in fall 2011 or 2012 are required to complete the following essay:

1) Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (700 words maximum)

Class Profile:

MBA Class of 2014 Profile

Applicant Pool & Class Size
Applications Received - 3404
Target Class Size - 360

Age Distribution
Average Age - 28
Age Range - 23 - 38

Academic Profile
Average Grade Point Average (GPA on 4.0 scale) - 3.5
GPA Range (mid-80%) - 3.2 - 3.9
Average GMAT - 706
GMAT Range (mid-80%) - 660 - 750

Diversity
Minorities - 26%
Women - 33%
International - 33%
Countries Represented - 45
Undergraduate Institutions - 177

Work Experience
0 - 3 Years - 15%
3 - 6 Years - 61%
6+ Years - 24%
Average Years of Experience - 5.0

Undergraduate Majors
Business - 27%
Engineering - 20%
Economics - 18%
Humanities - 20%
Math/Computer Science -6%
Physical and Biological Sciences - 5%
Other - 4%

Top Backgrounds by Industry
Finance - 26%
High Tech - 21%
Consulting - 17%
Public and Non-Profit - 15%
Consumer Goods - 6%
Health Care and Biotechnology - 6%
Entertainment & Media - 5%
Real Estate - 4%

Hi folks,

So, we finally have a thread for UCLA Anderson 2013 applicants. Let's get started.

I'm currently researching and writing essays and will be applying in Round 1. All the best to everyone who is applying as well.

Cheers,
Sudish

I'm in as well! I'll be applying R2, have to get that GMAT score up a bit...but I'm excited!

Love the essay questions, these are exactly the questions I want to answer. Good luck, everyone!

I hope to apply first round. I think UCLA would be a great fit for me. Good luck everyone.

I'm in the essay writing stage. Good luck to all.

hi,
i am lookin for information regarding the fall admit in the Anderson school of business. My profile is as follows:

CGPA 2.8-Undergraduation from a top 10 ranked university in india
GMAT 710
2 yrs work experience in construction and design in the power sector(3 yrs wen i join if i get an admit)
Loads of extra curriculars and sports.

I would like to know if i surpass the minimum criteria for being considered for an interview in this school.

2-3 years is on the lower end of the work experience for UCLA , I would suggest to look around gmatclub with people having similar experience as yours and then possibly take a clue from that

can some one pl post the reccomendation questions here ?

Hey everyone, best of luck. I would love to hear some thoughts about Essay #1.

1) What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace, and how has it impacted you? (700 words maximum)

By far my proudest achievement has been my start-up, which I ran as a side project for the first two years before leaving work to focus on it full time. I'm not sure if this would still be considered "outside the workplace" but feel it may be valid since it took up a significant portion of my spare time.

I think I'll be an interesting case study:

3.25 Undergrad in Econ / 750 GMAT
4 years in banking then went off and tried to start my own business
ZERO extra curricular - this is one of my biggest concerns

PS: Is anyone else paranoid about adcoms lurking? Does it matter?

I will be applying Round 2 to Anderson, pending a good GMAT the first time around (or second time).

One of my recommenders tells me today that he has prepared a word document for the reco.
However, when he tries to copy and paste it in the form, the app form does not take it.

It is awkward to ask him to type the whole reco again in the online form. Has anybody else faced the same issue ?
_________________

Hi, my recommender had that problem and said the following:

Thanks londoncalling. How do you disable/enable javascript paste ? Do I need to change the code ?

Also, if UCLA has disabled it intentionally, would it be wise to do so ? Or shall I put this question to the Adcom ?
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Anyone else think it's a bit much that UCLA asks for a copy of a government issued id?

Posted from my mobile device

Submitted apps in R1.
All de best to everyone

Yes, my DMV mug shot definitely isn't benefiting my candidacy...

Round 1 application submitted last night. Good luck to all other fellow GC members!

I definitely look like a convict in my driver's license pic. Submitted my app this week, good luck to all!

Just submitted my app. The final signature step showed the date as 25th Oct. Is it already past 11.59 pm PST ?
This is scary.
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No, it is 11:04PM PST here in Los Angeles, well before midnight.

I believe the server the application system is running on is located on the US east coast in EST. When I submitted my Anderson application last night 10/23 at 9:07PM PST, the final step showed the date as October 24th. I think you should be good.

Hey folks,
Any idea when do the invites start pouring in?