Accepted Admissions Blog

Accepted’s B-School Selectivity Index shows that UCLA Anderson is 23rd in selectivity and 17th in the U.S. News’ ranking. Its average GMAT is 713, up six points from last year. The acceptance rate at Anderson climbed from 20.7% for the class that entered in 2016 to a high of 34.4% for the class that entered in 202. However it has since declined and for the class that entered in 2021, it was 29.8%. Many other MBA programs also saw increasing acceptance rates during the period that Anderson experienced the increase.

The essay advice that UCLA Anderson provides on its website is excellent, not just for Anderson’s essays, but for most MBA essays. Read it carefully.

UCLA Anderson 2022-2023 MBA application

We look forward to learning about your perspectives and plans via your essay responses. Essays complement the answers you provide throughout the application to show us your whole profile. The best applications are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and showing clear plans for the future.

UCLA Anderson MBA essay question

For the 2022-2023 application year, we have one essay question that is required for first-time applicants and optional for reapplicants:

Tell us about a recent personal or professional achievement and how it connects to your MBA goals. (250 words maximum)

Strong essays describe the impact of your achievement and clarify its connection to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term. We look forward to learning about the specific ways your achievement helped set you up for future success.

First create an inventory or list of your achievements – activities that you are proud of, where you shouldered responsibility, and made a difference.  Obviously you will choose one that connects in some way to your goals, but also  think about which of your achievements show that you share Anderson’s innovative, collaborative values.

You only have 250 words to succinctly describe the challenge you faced, what you actually did to meet it, and the results or impact of your initiative, leadership, and actions.  You can use a CAR (challenge – action – response) structure for this part of your response. Another and extremely brief approach is known as “ABT,” which stands for “And, But, Therefore.” Similar to CAR, you will tell your story using this structure:

• This and this was the situation or challenge.
  
  
• But, I did A, B, C, to address the problem(s)..
  
  
• Then, X,Y, and Z were the results.

Finally, tie the achievement story you just told to your “future MBA plans in the short- and long-term.”  The connection could be the impact you had and would like to have more of. It could be dealing with a certain kind of challenge or problem that you feel you are particularly well-suited to do and which your goals will give you more of.  There are many ways to make the connection, just ensure that your goals are clear in your response as well as the connection to your achievement.

UCLA Anderson MBA optional question

No preference is given in the evaluation process to those who choose to respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment:

Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

If there are extenuating circumstances that would add perspective or context for a weakness, you can discuss them here. A few years ago, UCLA added the following: “Please do not submit redundant information in the Optional Essay.” Good advice for all optional questions. For more suggestions, please see Optional Essays: When and How to Write Them.

Special instructions for 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 may answer one or both of the essay questions above as options, and they must provide additional updates within text boxes given in the application for any new test scores, career developments, or other changes since their last application.

Watch: Anderson Asst. Dean of MBA Admissions talks about how to master your application

UCLA Anderson at a glance

UCLA Anderson average GMAT score: 713

UCLA Anderson average GPA: 3.47

UCLA Anderson acceptance rate: 29.8%

U.S. News ranked UCLA Anderson #17 in 2023.

Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats.

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your UCLA Anderson application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

UCLA Anderson 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines

Source: UCLA Anderson website

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your MBA Application Essay, a free guide
• Expert Advice for Applicants and an Inside Look at UCLA Anderson from an Intl MBA, a podcast episode
• What MBA Students Can Expect at UCLA Anderson, a podcast episode