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Interview with UCLA Admission Director

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发表于 2003-11-6 14:35:00 | 显示全部楼层

Interview with UCLA Admission Director

How to Star at UCLA
A creative approach to your essays really helps, says Admissions Director Linda Baldwin. "Go beyond the superficial"


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.
发表于 2003-11-6 21:43:00 | 显示全部楼层
thanks, josh_han brother.
发表于 2003-11-7 02:26:00 | 显示全部楼层
you see, if you dig between the lines, the applicant pool is SHRINKING, even top 20 schools are affected. What about those average school?

So for everyone who is going to average schools, please bargain with them for Scholarship, you have a good chance to get at least part of your tuition covered. remember it is like an airplane, it cost the same for a half full flight comparing to a full flight, why not give out a discount to get everyone on board.
发表于 2003-11-7 05:33:00 | 显示全部楼层
Could I ask for the scholarship during the interview?
发表于 2003-11-7 06:12:00 | 显示全部楼层
Tracy, it's not a good idea to show your enthusiasm for fellowship before you get admitted. Let's keep patient.
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