UCLA Anderson with 50k or apply next year?

Question

Gmat: 720
GPA: 3.2

Age 28, Female, Licensed Architect, Design-School Undergrad (Top 10)
Looking for a change in career and turn towards more real estate development and specifically, affordable housing. Was dinged at Stanford GSB, Berkeley and Columbia w/o interview. Yale SOM waitlisted. Accepted at UCLA Anderson with 50k.

Los Angeles seems like a great choice for getting into real estate and the affordable housing problem. However, I thought I would get more traction with my background. Would it be worth reapplying for Round 1 next year or should I get what I can?

ak99 · Answer

I would think back to why you chose UCLA in the first place. Will Yale set you off that much better? If not, I'd take the 50k. UCLA is a great school.

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avacado90 · Answer

I should have mentioned above that although I have lived here for a long time (10 years), I am an international student. With that in mind, schools like Columbia and Yale (while carrying a similar US News ranking) carry a lot more brand-value internationally than UCLA. I applied to UCLA primarily because I connected with the student demographic, its down-to-earth approach and its location on the west coast, which would allow me a change from New York. All these things still apply - I guess it comes down to the question of brand value. You only do an MBA once so is it worth trying again?

ket310 · Answer

what can you improve in your application next year? Obviously the top schools that didn't interview you thought your application wasn't strong enough. I see three aspects you can marginally or drastically change.

1. GMAT: 720 isn't low but for international, it is low for the schools you mentioned. All the schools dinged you have average of 727~734, and that's average. You're below average and you're an international (usually they are higher than average)

2. Career: Any big promotion or meaningful work product by the end of summer?

3. Essays/Recommendations: These are very subjective, but do you think you can make them much better? This is where admission consultants would be helpful.

If you don't see any major improvement in those three areas, I'd take money at UCLA. IF you do see big improvements in 2-3 areas above, then I say it could be worth giving a shot.

However, given your career goal, I recommend go with UCLA $50K. RE development usually hires last minute as opening is available and also doesn't pay as well as other industries (banking/consulting). I generally recommend not pouring debt on you unless you want to go banking/consulting.

sorrowhill9 · Answer

This is what i would do.

If you think you can improve your application substantially in the next 6 months, then re-apply in R1. Otherwise Put down the deposit at Anderson, continue to work on Yale waitlist.

Sobes4life · Answer

Another question- if you’ve been here for 10 years are you really planning on leaving?

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zonke16 · Answer

Take UCLA 100% - no doubts!!!

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ak99 · Answer

UCLA Anderson with 50k or apply next year?

UCLA or Reapply?

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