BW-online: How to Star at UCLA

flyingty · 发表于 2004-1-31 10:22:00

Linda Baldwin, director of MBA admissions at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, No. 16 in BusinessWeek's latest B-School rankings recently took her turn in BusinessWeek Online's series of Admissions Q&As. Prior to becoming Anderson's director of admissions in 1991, Linda served as the senior associate director of UCLA's MBA admissions. She also has a specialized knowledge in minority recruitment and retention. Baldwin holds a BA in psychology and political science, as well as a masters in education from UCLA. She was interviewed by BusinessWeek Online reporter Mica Schneider. Here's an edited transcript of their conversation:

Q: Do you have a sense of how this year's MBA admissions season will pan out?
A: It's difficult to tell at this point. I am cautiously optimistic that we will see a slight increase [in applications]. Our number of online applications is relatively high. Typically, we receive the largest number of applications just before the deadline date of a given round. While we have noticed fewer attendees at forums and fairs, the number of hits to our Web site is very healthy. We are finding a lot more variation in the venues that "prospectives" pursue to find information about MBA Programs.

The BusinessWeek article on the worth of an MBA (see BW, 9/22/03, "What's an MBA Really Worth?" ) came at an excellent time for those who were thinking about their next career move. The article was insightful about the tangible monetary rewards of an MBA over a 10-year period and yet equally convincing about the intangible reward of the degree. If more people seriously consider the long-term benefits and trade-offs of an advanced degree, I think they'll see an MBA in their future. Hopefully it will be at UCLA Anderson.

Q: Will UCLA Anderson be recruiting in any new regions of the world in 2003?
A: We're covering the same areas, but the team that's going out to recruit is different. We're sending fewer of our own people and having our alumni play a larger part in the process. Part of that is to fortify the alumni participation, and the other part is budgetary.

Q: UCLA slid four slots in BusinessWeek's 2002 rankings. Has that affected admissions?
A:: There are places in the world where rankings have a greater impact, but because there's such a proliferation of rankings, and they seem to come out all the time -- The Economist had us as No. 7 -- you have to ask yourself, "Who is reading what?" The Economist is read by a certain market. U.S. News & World Report may not be read by the same market.

The decline in applications last year was more about the uncertainty that people had about the value of an MBA. Internationally, people were inclined to question a lot of things, such as whether it's worth going overseas to study. Their decisions are based a little more on materials -- rankings, for instance -- but with the war, a lot of people felt safer closer to home.

Q: Some MBA hopefuls look at U.S. B-schools and consider the education to be lacking in global topics.
A: The students we have look for [global] experience in and outside the classroom. They do internships with international companies. They transcend what I call the regionalist bias of the B-school community and do a better job of integrating across the campus. They are very proactive in broadening their experience.

Q: Why study at U.S. B-schools when classrooms are more international abroad?
A: When we talk about the nationalities of students, we assume their perspectives are international. That's not always true. Students from abroad get to be in a unique environment, in which they get to verify if that's true. They wouldn't be able to get the essence of American business in a European or Asian environment.

And international students do speak their minds [in class]. This makes our classrooms to be highly stimulating. You get a rich exchange of perspectives. I'm not sure if classrooms elsewhere have that rich exchange.

Q: What makes an applicant suitable to join the 330 MBAs your office enrolls each year in the two-year MBA program?
A: We work hard to identify students who fit what we're looking for. We're looking for people who have a sense of entrepreneurial flair, are opportunity-focused, innovative, and engaged. We look for people who understand that things are fast-paced and who aren't afraid of that pace. We want candidates who are able to utilize the resources we have today and in the long term.

We look at a candidate's GMAT score, grade-point average, work experience, essays, recommendations, and their interview. For the most part, the application process is an experience that allows students to articulate what they value, how they view their accomplishments, what they aspire to, and what kind of impact they hope to leave on this world.

We look at how they articulate all that through their essays and accomplishments. When you get down to the basics, there's not much variance in terms of GMAT scores and GPAs [between the majority of applicants and the admitted students]. Most applicants fall around a mean of 680 for the GMAT. The admitted students are at a slightly higher level. Work experience is around four years in both groups.

The difference is in the subjective area. How well you can articulate what you have done, how well you've reflected on those accomplishments. How has that attitude been reflected in your interaction with other people? We look for that in the recommendations. We won't always be able to sense that attitude in your essays or in 30- to 40-minute interviews.

Q: When is the best time to apply to UCLA Anderson? [Editor's note: UCLA Anderson's application deadlines are Nov. 5, Dec. 29, Jan. 29, or Apr. 14.]
A: We admit the largest number of students in the first and second rounds.

Q: Eighty-five percent of students accepted to the program complete an interview. What is Anderson's interview policy, and what can applicants expect from an Anderson interview? Any tips?
A: An interview is a dialogue, where you have the opportunity to share things about yourself and in turn have the opportunity to learn what we have to offer. Your questions to us are very important. Individuals often see it as a performance. But there is some give and take. It also takes down the tension level if you look at it as a dialogue. We want to hear about your accomplishments, aspirations, and distinctive qualities, and the unique situations you've faced.

If a school offers you an opportunity to visit campus, visit first. Sit down with students at lunch and interview in the afternoon. It will take away some of the stress, and you will have knowledge [for your interview], which will help you drill down deeper in those 30 minutes.

flyingty · 发表于 2004-1-31 10:24:00

Q: Applicants need two letters of recommendation to apply to the program. How should applicants choose recommendation writers, and how will your office evaluate the recommendations?
A: Selection of the recommender is critical. You should think about selecting a recommender who understands not only what you've accomplished but also what you aspire to accomplish. This should be someone who has interacted with you and observed you over time. The person who recommends you should be able to note your evolution in your position -- that is to say, understand how you have gained skills, taken on increased responsibilities, and evolved in your interpersonal skills

They should have been able to observe your interactions with groups and one-on-one in a variety of situations. Great recommendations come from individuals who have gotten to know you and who respect what you have to offer.

Recommendations need not come from a president or CEO. In most cases the recommendation should come from someone a few levels above [the candidate] who may understand how the candidate is viewed by his or her department or firm, and who can speak about the candidate relative to others with similar or slightly more advanced responsibilities. Co-workers may not be the best recommenders: They are typically performing similar work, and may not know how to describe the career trajectory of an applicant.

Ideally the recommender might be the applicant's manager, director, or department head. In some cases it isn't possible to obtain a recommendation within the work environment for fear of a loss of bonus or job. If so, then perhaps a client who has interacted with the applicant, and has assessed the applicant's work and performance, might suffice.

Q: How does the admissions office review the recommendation?
A: The recommendation has two parts: a grid that is used by the recommender to assess key qualities of the applicant on a scale of "below average" to "truly exceptional," and a series of questions that ask for specific examples. A recommender's attention to both is extremely important.

We seek an assessment of the applicant's leadership potential, interpersonal skills, and his/her capacity for further development. We ask open-ended questions to allow recommenders to highlight strengths and special talents through examples. Recommendations augment the work history and the essays, and often affirm the exceptional qualities of an applicant. They can conversely indicate weaknesses and reveal the applicant's capacity to improve.

Often, recommenders will attach a letter that broadly answers the questions posed. The attached letter might be one submitted to many other schools, with the only change being the name of the institution. While this is very expedient, it's often too generic. The applicant might be viewed as not seriously interested in that particular school.

It's most important [for the applicant] to state the importance of the recommendation and to take time to instruct and prepare recommenders by letting them know the deadlines, providing logistical support -- stamped envelope (if mailed) and a résumé so your recommender can review your life's progress.

If you are having your recommender e-mail your recommendation, it's still important to take time to provide him/her with your rationale for MBA study, your intended post-MBA goals, and maybe a summary of some of your accomplishments. Check back to ensure that they have been sent, and don't forget to send a thank-you note!

Q: Essays often stump applicants. What's an example of an essay that didn't win your committee's heart?
A: Ones that don't answer the question. The other kinds are when the applicant is redundant, gives us no new insights, and sees all of the questions as the same, rather than approaching them in creative ways. Go beyond the superficial. If you use the essays as a point of self-reflection in your career, you'll gain so much more from them.

If you can show how some of your goals will be achieved through the school's offerings, you're telling the admissions committee that you're thorough, that this wasn't a haphazard process.

[Editor's note: UCLA's full-time MBA application asks three essay questions: 1. Please provide us with a summary of your personal and family background. Include information about your parents and siblings, where you grew up, and perhaps a highlight or special memory of your youth. 2. Discuss a situation, preferably work-related, where you have taken a significant leadership role. How does this event demonstrate your managerial potential? 3. Discuss your career goals. Why are you seeking an MBA degree at this particular point in your career? Specifically, why are you applying to The Anderson School? 4. (Optional) Is there any other information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application?]

Q: When is it appropriate to submit an optional essay?
A: Anytime you feel the complete story can't be told through the rest of the application.

Q: What can an applicant do about a low GMAT score?
A: When we see a low GMAT score, we look at the applicant's academics (the transcript and GMAT). If the individual has taken any post-baccalaurate work, it's an opportunity to make themselves a better candidate, to show us that they're focused, and that their performance is at a top level.

The overall GMAT score doesn't mean that much to us. Sub-scores on the GMAT are the most important. If the sub-quant score wasn't high, a candidate could take post-baccalaurate courses to fortify their case.

Don't take one GMAT exam after the other. It's very damaging just to assume that another retake will boost your score. Today, we're seeing a lot of candidates taking at least two GMATs. Some don't need to, but we'll take the higher score.

flyingty · 发表于 2004-1-31 10:25:00

Q: In 2003, 3,492 people applied to the full-time MBA program -- a slight dip from 2002. Anderson accepted 20% of those applicants, and 51% of the admitted applicants chose to enroll. Where are the others attending B-school?
A: For 2002, we lost the greatest number of candidates to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. A number of candidates decided to stay at work, which was one of top reasons for not accepting our offer. Often the very factors that attract a candidate to us are the same ones that prompt their companies to offer them a promotion or added benefits to forego MBA study.

Q: Does it help applicants when they tell UCLA Anderson that UCLA is their first choice?
A: Candidates rarely state that a school is their first choice. Rather, in their essays they articulate their reasons for applying to UCLA Anderson and explain why it is a good fit for them. We hope each applicant will have actually visited UCLA Anderson to get a sense of the culture, academic offerings, and our students. When applicants can juxtapose their rationale for MBA study with a good knowledge of UCLA Anderson, we get a true picture of their "fit" as well as interest in us.

Q: A large percentage of the MBA class is re-applicants, right?
A: Re-applications accounted for 14% of our applications for 2002, and 22% of the admitted students were re-applicants. Given the highly selective nature of admissions, it's easy to see why there's an increasing number of re-applicants. Not surprisingly, a good number of individuals who get admitted the second time around.

Q: The school placed 245 people on its wait list in 2003. What's your advice to wait-listed candidates? And when's the latest you'll admit someone from that list?
A: Be patient, because the largest number of wait-listed candidates comes from our first round of admissions, which tends to be a strong round. You can provide limited, supplemental information if you're on the wait-list. Take advantage of the opportunity to interview. And afterward, perhaps provide an additional piece of information that might affirm the application. The last person taken off the wait-list was in the first week of September, which was very late.

Q: Non-U.S. applicants are encouraged to submit a form with their application that shows they have the means to pay for their MBA. What are an international applicant's chances of admission if he or she doesn't have adequate resources to pay for the MBA?
A: They're encouraged to submit the Confidential Financial Statement either prior to, or as soon as possible after, admission. Our admission decision is independent of the information provided [in the form] and it plays no part in our admission decision. But receiving it with the application allows us to expedite the I20 [student visa] process.

Q: Does your office handle admissions for the school's Fully Employed MBA Program?
A: The admission process for the part-time program is separate. Applicants can find information on our Web site about the Fully Employed MBA Program and the Executive MBA Program.

Q: How does Anderson notify applicants if they are accepted?
A: Admitted candidates are e-mailed, phoned, and receive a written letter upon admission.

Q: How does the Anderson School verify that information applicants submit to the school is true?
A: Using a random sample of the admitted students, we verify recommenders, leadership experience, and extracurricular activities. We stop at things that look inconsistent. For instance, someone who says, "I was president, spent five hours per week [focused on that task], and I have a whole other list of activities from university." It's going to take a little more time to be a student president. So we ask, "What do they mean by saying they were a president in college? Are they talking about student government? Can we see patterns of involvement that lead up to certain roles?" Someone who suddenly appears as a leader, with no previous access to leadership, makes us stop.

Most people don't intentionally attempt to deceive us. They tend not to lie, cheat, or deceive. And when they do, they tend to leave tell-tale marks.

Q: Why are so many schools running checks on applicants now, compared to the past?
A: We were always looking for inconsistencies. But so much is done quickly and electronically these days, such as recommendations. In the past, there were more protections [against fraudulent materials]. As the process becomes less personal in some ways, we want to make sure all the safeguards are there.

And I won't disregard the fact that we're in an environment of mistrust, not just at business schools, but throughout the world. At UCLA, finding false data means that the offer is rescinded. And we've gotten a little more sophisticated: We now ask individuals to sign a form that says the application is true.

BW-online: How to Star at UCLA

BW-online: How to Star at UCLA

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