Business School Admissions - McCombs School of Business - Continued

In regards to undergraduate study, do you consider other factors besides performance?

We consider performance, difficulty of the major and level of quantitative experience.

Does it matter where an applicant completed their undergraduate schooling?

Quality and rigor of the undergraduate program will be considered but is not a determining factor.

What is your position on people who apply to your MBA program directly out of college?

Generally, we like to see two years work experience for applicants at a minimum. Well qualified applicants with limited work experience may be considered for admission on a limited basis under two programs: Jump Start and McCombs Scholars. Jump Start targets undergraduate seniors who are academically qualified for a top-ranked MBA but lack work experience.

Jump Start partner companies provide work experience by hiring students for three years and McCombs offers students a deferred admission to the MBA. For more information: http://mba.mccombs.utexas.edu/jumpstart.

McCombs Scholars are a select number of applicants considered for admission immediately after completing their undergraduate degree. These applicants must possess, among other criteria, exceptionally strong academic backgrounds, demonstrated leadership experiences and a strong potential for success in business.

Does race, ethnicity, sex, and cultural background play much of a role in your admission decisions?

At the McCombs School of Business, we do consider race as a factor in admissions. We strive to bring in a diverse class along many metrics (including but not limited to, geography, gender, industry, undergraduate major and race and ethnicity). We are also an active member of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (www.cgsm.org), which seeks to enhance diversity in business education and leadership by helping to reduce the serious under-representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in MBA programs and the ranks of management.

What qualifies as a good letter of recommendation?

The two letters of recommendation that you submit should be professional in nature. Your recommenders may be anyone (current/former supervisor, former professors, etc.) who is able to comment on your personal qualities, career potential, and potential to succeed in the classroom. Recommenders should know you personally and be familiar with your work history, credentials, and career aspirations.

What is the most common mistake that applicants make?

Not researching a school well. Deciding to get a MBA is a major decision. We want to know why you want to get an MBA and why you think McCombs is the best place for you to get it.

How can an applicant stand out among their peers?

Applications that stand out are ones that complete a good story. Everything in the application should provide a consistent story about why an MBA, why now and why specifically an MBA from McCombs. The application should tell us what you want to get out of the program and conversely, what you feel you will bring to the program.

Why does your school stand out among other business schools?

When McCombs MBAs leave with degree in hand, inevitably each cites the innate collegiality of the McCombs community, both in and out of the classroom, as the differentiating force behind the success of the program and its students. With nearly 40 student organizations, McCombs MBAs pride themselves on being involved and taking advantage of the many opportunities to lead. Since each McCombs MBA has a unique path, McCombs offers a flexible curriculum that is customizable through a myriad of electives and market-driven specializations across all academic areas. With accolades in each core business discipline, McCombs’ international faculty actively engages students with case-based curricula, real-world examples and innovative academic theory, capitalizing on industry trends to give students the solid business skill set they seek.

Also, with a finger on the pulse of international business and an eye toward the future, McCombs distinguishes itself by offering three tiers of international study: McCombs Global Connections, a semester-long class capped by a two week business trip to one of six international destinations; exchange semesters at one of McCombs’ 19 partner schools worldwide; and the Double Degree program from which students graduate with two degrees, one from McCombs and a second from a Latin American or European partner school.

Finally, as a twenty-year member of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and a founding member of the Forté Foundation (www.fortefoundation.org), McCombs sets itself apart by encouraging students to explore and exchange diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

For more information on McCombs admissions, visit http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu.