UCLA Anderson 2008 MBA Essays, Deadlines, and Tips

UPDATE- THE TIPS FOR UCLA ANDERSON’S 2009 MBA APPLICATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE. PLEASE POST QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO THE NEW BLOG POST.

UCLA Anderson 2008 MBA Deadlines

 

Round    Application Deadline    Decision Mailed By
1                    Oct. 24, 2007                  Jan. 18, 2008
2                    Jan. 2, 2008                  Mar. 28, 2008
3                   Feb. 20, 2008                 May 16, 2008
4                   Apr. 23, 2008                  Jun. 6, 2008

UCLA’s questions are virtually the same as last year. My comments (in red) are largely unchanged, but I am posting them here for your convenience.

UCLA Anderson 2008 MBA Essays 

Personal essays are one of the best ways to distinguish yourself by showing how you can contribute to and benefit from the UCLA Anderson MBA program.  Successful essays show strong clarity of expression and focus, and make a good case for doing an MBA now specifically at UCLA.  They should be in the applicant’s own style, and directly answer the following 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 special memory of your youth.  (Please limit to 2 pages, double-spaced)

For years this question has been UCLA’s first and one of its longer essays. That status reveals the importance UCLA places on getting to know you as a human being and individual. 

Choose 1-3 important elements of your background and youth to discuss in this essay. You can focus on your family life, vacations, mealtime, seminal experiences or events that were formative. The key is to highlight particular topics and not write the sweeping (and superficial) bio.   Avoid “I was born in Timbuktu and when I was 4 we moved to Outer Mongolia and then when I was …” or the equivalent.

2. Discuss a situation, preferably work related, where you have taken a significant leadership role.  How does this event demonstrate your managerial potential?  (Please limit to 1 page, double-spaced)

The situation is important but more important is how you answer the second part of the question. How does the event you describe “demonstrate managerial potential.” Think about  Anderson’s collegial atmosphere and emphasis on teamwork.

3. Discuss your career goals. Why are you are seeking an MBA degree at this particular point in your career? Specifically, why are you applying to UCLA Anderson? (Please limit to 2 pages, double-spaced)

UCLA’s is a pretty straightforward goals question. What are you goals? Why now? How will UCLA Anderson help you achieve your goals. As always be specific and make sure you answer all elements of the question.

4. Optional: Is there any other information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application?

Please do not submit redundant information in the Optional Essay; instead use it to explain topics that are not addressed anywhere else in the application such as gaps in your job history or your choice of recommenders.

Please see The Optional Question: To Be or not To Be.

If you would like help with UCLA’s essays as you prepare for its next January 3 deadline, please consider Accepted.com’s UCLA Anderson Comprehensive Packages or our other MBA admissions consulting and editing services.