Deadlines:
Round 1: 1 October, 2024
Round 2: 6 January, 2025
Round 3: 7 April, 2025
UCLA MBA’s Essay questions for the 2024-2025 admission cycle are:
Short Essay Questions (mandatory for first time applicants):
1 – Why are you pursuing an MBA? (150 words)
2 – Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (150 words)
3 – At Anderson, our mission is to prepare transformative leaders by developing students to think innovatively, problem-solve, and adapt to others – all with a driven and purposeful mindset. How do you plan to achieve your goals and develop into a transformative leader during your time at UCLA Anderson? (250 words)
Optional Essay:
Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)
Reapplicants:
Reapplicants are those who applied to the MBA program within the last two application years, so those who applied three or more years ago are considered new applicants.
Reapplicants are required to answer the first two Short Essay Prompts. It is suggested, but not required, to also answer the third Short Essay Prompt, as well as the Optional Essay.
Recommendation: Reapplicants can submit only one new recommendation (can be same recommender as previous application)
Other Application Components:
Recommendations:
UCLA requires two recommendations from individuals who know your performance in a work setting, preferably your current supervisors or managers who are best equipped to answer questions about your leadership, communication, teamwork and initiative.
If you are unable to ask a current supervisor for a recommendation, then you can ask a former boss, a manager from another department, or a consultant or client who knows you well enough to answer the questions insightfully.
Recommendation questions are:
1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization (50 words)
2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths? (Recommended word count- 300 words)
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response (Recommended word count- 300 words)
Resume:
Submit a one-page resume and no more than two pages that illustrates your increasing levels of responsibility over time, leadership in work, campus or community organizations
Interview:
Interviews are by invitation only. Interviews are blind in order to avoid interviewer bias. Questions are straightforward and generally cover topics already addressed in the application, such as reasons for getting an MBA, short-term and long-term career goals, fit with UCLA Anderson and personal interests. These last approximately 30 miniutes and conducted by second-year MBA students
Reapplications:
Reapplicants are those who applied within the past two years. Instructions for their application are mentioned above.
Re-applicants only need 1 recommendation.