Chat with Admissions: January 8, 2008

How important is work experience to the admission process?

Work experience is one of a number of things we consider about each applicant—we don’t have a particular profile we’re seeking or a specific kind or amount of work experience we require. We do want to understand what experience you have had and what you have contributed and what you have gained from that experience. For our Full-Time MBA, we don’t require work experience—but if you are coming directly from undergraduate school, we will be interested in whatever team or organizational experiences you’ve had—as an intern, a volunteer, in class projects.

What is the average GPA of last year’s class?

The average GPA for the entering Fall 2007 Full-Time class was 3.4 and for the FlexMBA it was 3.3.

What is the probability of being accepted into the program right after graduating from a 4-year university?

We admit each year a few students coming directly from undergraduate programs. Typically these students have very strong academic records and have done interesting or exceptional things outside of the classroom—whether in extracurricular, as student leaders, in internships, as entrepreneurs. We want to understand why coming directly from undergraduate studies makes sense for you individually and what you hope to gain from the MBA. Our students who are right out of undergrad have gained high respect from their peers and have been successful in internship and job searches.

I wanted to know the timing and days for FlexMBA evening classes.

We’re right now working on laying out the FlexEvening schedule, in consultation with our faculty. Details will be available shortly, but expect 2 evenings a week, with a class time of 6:30 or 7pm. We will have dinner available for the group before the start of class, so that you can come directly from work, and have the dinner hour to interact with classmates informally or to meet with study teams.

Will a score of 570 be helpful in getting admission in your full time MBA program?

We look not just at the overall score but at each of the components—we’d want to be sure that your abilities on the quant, verbal and analytical writing sections of the test were all adequate. And then we’d want to look at these specific scores in conjunction with your undergraduate record. The average GMAT score for our entering Full-Time class for fall 2007 was 675 (80 percentile range was 610-730). Rady does not have a minimum GMAT requirement, as we are looking at each individual, not a number.

What if my work experience varies between different industries and between part-time and full-time employment over the last 5+ years?

Just make sure your resume is clear, so we understand the path you’ve chosen. And if there is anything you’d like us to know about your career choices that don’t fit into one of the required essays, please use one of the optional essays to tell us.

I come from China. How to apply?

The application is on line and is the same for domestic and international prospective students. Please visit our website at http://rady.ucsd.edu/ under MBA Programs to learn more about the entire application process and to begin your application.

What networking opportunities exist in the full-time program?

Lots! Beyond your classmates and your fellow Rady students in the FlexMBA program for working professionals, you’ll have opportunities through our career center, MBA Career Connections, which runs information nights and career panels, and career fairs; through our Professional Seminar, which brings a wide range of business leaders to campus; through the Executive Mentor program; and through the multitude of opportunities Rady students have to be involved with professional organizations in the San Diego area.

What are the typical GMAT ranges for full-time MBA admission, and what is the average GMAT score?

The average GMAT for the Full-Time MBA program for Fall 2007 was 675. The 80% range was 610-730. I anticipate we will have an average in the upper 600s again this year, but I won’t have that information until the entire class is seated and the profile is compiled. We are looking to admit students based on several factors, not just a GMAT score.

What do you feel are the strong points of Rady, and what type of students do you feel should choose Rady over other MBA programs?

We are really focused on innovation and how innovation reaches the marketplace—and our students really see and value that difference, and it excites companies in industry sectors driven by innovation. We are very team-based and very focused on learning. Students who value the opportunity to shape their education to meet their needs and goals, who really want to learn (not just get a credential), and who are excited about innovation will be very happy here.

Do you consider students with a lower than average GPA?

The minimum required undergraduate cumulative GPA is 3.0 for admission to any graduate program at UC San Diego. However, if we are interested in admitting someone whose GPA falls slightly below this average, we can petition for an exception to the minimum. There are more factors involved than a GPA in determining of an applicant is prepared for Rady and the fit is right.

Can the FlexEvening MBA program be completed in 2-years timeframe; if yes, what would be final free structure for the program?

The sample curriculum we’ve laid out (see the public website) shows a 30-month timeframe for completing the FlexEvening program. If your schedule enables you to take additional electives in the quarters after you complete the core, you would be able to complete the program in a shorter timeframe. The fee will be identical regardless of program duration, as it will be based on number of credits you are taking in any one quarter.

I took the GMAT twice: the first time was in August 2006 and the score was 660 (math: 51 verbal:27 aw 4.0); the second time was taken one month later, September 2006, and the score was 720 ( math:51 verbal:37 but I didn’t finish my essay so aw is only 3.0). According to your program, which one is better for my application?

We would be considering the highest overall GMAT score you present, which would be 720. The quantitative and verbal sections are more accurate in assessing how well you will do in the required core classes. If we have any concerns with the writing score, we will discuss this with you. I look forward to receiving your application.

How does the Rady School compare to other high ranking graduate schools?

How you answer this in deciding where to apply depends on what criteria are most important to you as an individual. We believe that in terms of academic quality and rigor, we are the equal of any top school, that our curriculum is different in its focus on innovation, in its emphasis on a balance of theoretical and applied learning, in its capstone project sequence (Lab to Market). We are more collaborative, more focused on learning and individual growth and development.

I am currently a senior but will be graduating in May. Do I just send in my current transcripts and is there anything extra I need to do to apply?

Yes, send us your current transcript now with the application and then when you graduate, you will need to send the final transcript that indicates your degree award. An admission decision will be determined before you complete your degree, but if admitted, starting the program will be contingent upon receiving your official transcript.

What types of companies recruit from Rady?

We have lots of interest from companies of all sizes in the San Diego are, plus strong interest from technology and life sciences companies elsewhere (especially the Bay Area). Companies who’ve participated in various kinds of recruiting activities include major ones like Hewlett Packard and Sony and SEMPRA, smaller companies like Amylin and Invitrogen and Biosite, major financial firms like Wachovia—and a number of smaller investment firms and hedge funds; consulting firms with PRTM. Really a very wide range.

What is average GMAT score for FlexMBA program?

The average GMAT for the entering Fall 2007 FlexMBA class was 613 with an 80% range of 550-690. The Class Profile is available on our website under MBA Programs, FlexMBA, Class Profile.

Are recommendation letters from personal sources considered credible?

I think it would depend on the exact nature of the relationship. If you look at the recommendation form and the kinds of questions we’re asking your recommenders to address, that will probably help you the most: you will want to identify someone who can really respond to these questions in a specific, detailed way. And you will want your recommenders to talk about you straight-forwardly and in a balanced way.

Will you waive the GMAT for PhD students who are finishing up their thesis work and will be graduating in May?

A waiver of the required GMAT is only granted to those applicants who have already had their PhD conferred. You will need to have this recorded on your transcript. However, you may want to consider submitting your application now without the GMAT for us to hold until the PhD is complete. I would want to see a copy of your transcript now to make certain the GMAT would be waived once the degree is conferred. It is possible that the class will be full and you would be on a waitlist at that time, but we will work with you as we move through the admissions process.

I am interested in the MBA for working professionals and currently employed at Qualcomm. I am interested in knowing about the career placements this year. My GMAT is 790 and my GPA is 4.0. I am planning to apply for the class of 2010. I couldn’t find much information about career placements in the website.

For working students in our Flex program, we see a very different pattern of career interests and a different career/placement timeline than we see among our Full-Time students. You’ll see a report on Full-Time MBA placement on the website. Many of our Flex students are seeking growth and promotion internally to their organizations—and we have seen high success at that, including some students who achieved 2 or more promotions between starting the program and graduation. We’ve also seen others who decide during or shortly after the program to seek career change—and we’ve seen all kinds of moves without significant advancement. We’d be happy to talk with you individually about this, so we can be more focused in answering your questions.

Does Rady have an MBA focus on Consulting of any nature, particularly General Business Consulting?

We don’ have a specific focus in consulting. We do offer elective coursework in structured problem-solving and decision-making, which is the core of the strategic consulting skill set. And you will have multiple opportunities to engage in project work for companies—we have a very high percentage of students engaged in independent study projects for companies large and small.

I’m from Australia and my university does not calculate GPA grades, so what would happen in my application, do I need to go to a degree evaluation company?

No, you do not need to have a degree evaluation company provide information. There are several universities (both domestic and international) that do not calculate a GPA, or provide one based on a 4.0 scale. We are familiar with assessing academic preparedness w/o this statistic, so, no worries mate!

What kind of extracurricular activities could I do during my undergraduate program that would benefit me in the admissions process?

There isn’t a specific kind of extracurricular activity that is better than another—what we’d be interested in is more about your level of involvement or contribution: being a member of a club and just attending meetings is less interesting than being a leader or organizing something for the club. A long list of things you were only minimally involved in would be less interesting than a shorter list of things you cared deeply about and engaged in fully.

Are my chances significantly lowered by applying to the third round application deadline of February 1st rather than the earlier rounds?

Admission at Rady is on a rolling basis, not rounds. The deadlines we provide are guidelines to the entire process. We are more interested in receiving the best application you can give us than you meeting one of the “deadlines”. Of course, as the admission process proceeds, more spaces are filled, so in a sense, it is more competitive as we move into April. We are looking for individuals that are right for Rady and where Rady is the right program for them. We are not bound by an exact number to admit to our program.

What kind of tools/opportunities does a Rady MBA provide a student to succeed in a global economy?

Business is global, and our core courses will address that. There are a number of electives that are international or global in scope (international finance, global leadership, etc). We have had a number of student-organized study tours and are just now looking at several school-sponsored global immersion classes that will include study tours. A number of students have also had opportunities through the Beyster Institute, a unit of the School, to participate in their global work.

Since your focus is on innovation, will it help in the admissions process if someone hold US patents?

We’d certainly want to know that—you’ll see a question on the application which asks for information of this sort.

How can I access transcripts of this session? I have a Login ID for the Rady application?

Transcripts from our chats are available on our website under MBA Program, Admissions, Admissions Events. You don’t need a login ID to access these—they are part of our public site. If you have trouble finding them, please email MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu and we’ll send you a link.

A clarification to the earlier question—How does the Rady MBA differ from other that of other UC schools in terms of preparing for careers in upcoming technology-oriented businesses?

Reactions from companies of this sort strongly indicate that they see the Lab to Market course sequence and project as very relevant to their needs. And that’s not just small or emerging companies. One of our first Full-Time MBA interns at HP said that the things he learned in Lab to Market mapped directly onto the work he was asked to do as an intern in the new business group at HP.

I plan to submit 2 recommendations from junior colleagues I’ve mentored and collaborated with. Does it matter that one is not from one of my own mentors?

What matters the most in selecting your recommenders is that they will address the questions we ask in a thoughtful and in-depth manner. The letters are key to various attributes we think are important to know about you.

I plan to apply during the last round for the Full time MBA in Fall 08. In the past, what percent of applicants who apply during that time are accepted?

It’s hard to give you a useful answer to this question: we don’t have enough history to be able to offer much data. Please do note that we do review applications on a rolling basis—we don’t have “rounds.” Our experience has been we can always find a seat for another great candidate—but you should know that some seats in the class are already taken.

Is there any current MBA student in the chat room who could tell us about his experience in internships or projects?

This particular chat does not include current students. We do have a transcript of one chat with current students posted on our website under MBA Programs, Admissions, Admissions Events you might find useful. And we are planning to hold another this quarter. Our students just returned from winter break yesterday (beginning winter quarter), so nothing on the books with them this early.

Do you expect the full-time MBA enrollment to grow in the coming years or will it remain under 100?

Now that we are in our own building, Otterson Hall, we can slightly grow the size of each class cohort (our case classrooms now have room for about 70, so if we see a few more great people, we will grow slightly). We do expect to add a second section to the Full-Time MBA program at some point—but that’s at least 3 years further out. We are balancing growth in student numbers with faculty recruiting—we want to be absolutely sure we can deliver the quality program we want.

What more important-cumulative GPA or major GPA?

The cumulative GPA is what is reported on your application and becomes part of the class profile. However, as we read and review everything in detail in the application, we will be looking at all coursework, including the major courses and grades received. If you have a particular situation with regard to your GPA you think we should know about, or understand, please do use one of the optional essays. The more information the better—otherwise we are trying to guess and fit the pieces together without the additional information.

Will Rady look for more international students in the future years to create a diverse student group? I believe it’s at 30% now with the full time enrollment of 60 students, so it is considered as a small class, why small class over large?

We are interested in a diverse class on many dimensions—work background, cultural experiences and background, educational background. Now that we are in our own building, we have the space to consider growth—and as we add faculty, we will be in a position to deliver the best quality program to a larger student body. We absolutely expect to—and plan to—grow, but we think it’s important to do that in a deliberate and well planned way.

What criteria would consider waiving the GMAT score?

A waiver for the required GMAT will be considered for those who hold an MD degree or PhD degree in quant, science or technical fields. If you are in this category, we would want to take a look at your transcripts/diploma to officially waive the GMAT requirement.

When considering a PhD for the GMAT waiver, do you consider a PhD from other countries too?

We will consider a waiver with a PhD from outside the U.S. but we will need to see copies of transcripts, diploma, degree certificate and your resume to ascertain if a waiver is to be granted.

What is available at Rady for students interested in social enterprise? Is there a Net Impact chapter at Rady?

Yes, Net Impact was one of the first student clubs established here—and our chapter is unusual in that it includes students from across the UCSD campus who are interested in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. They’ve done a number of programs. We’ve also certainly seen student interest in coursework in these areas and have offered some already (and will continue to do so). UCSD has a cross-campus Environmental Sustainability Initiative, has just become one of the first universities to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, and is actively looking at how to reduce its carbon footprint. We have seen a number of students use their Lab to Market projects to focus in areas of environment—there’s a group working right now with a UCSD faculty researcher on a project around algae as biofuel.

I am going to take my GMAT in February again. How should I notify the Admissions Committee of my new GMAT score?

You can fax us your new GMAT score (you get your unofficial scoresheet from the testing center before you leave). Our fax is 858-822-5896. Also, I would recommend that you email MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu with the scores so we can move quickly on an admission decision. Have you already notified Rady Admissions of the date scheduled for the retake? If not, please do that at the email above and we will mark your file.

What advanced math should be taken by applicants?

We have a pre-requisite of one year of calculus with grades of B or better. However, this pre-req is not required for admission; it is required before the program begins. If you do not meet this requirement, once admitted, we will work with you on options to fulfill it.

I just found out about your program last weekend and was excited to learn that you are closely aligned with the local (bio)chemistry industry. My question was regarding the fit of the FlexMBA program with my background and particular situation. I have a MS in Chemistry from UCSC, worked 5 years in the semiconductor capital equipment industry (Negevtech and KLA-Tencor), but am teaching chemistry full-time at a local community college until June. Would I be able to participate in the FlexMBA while looking for local positions? Would I be able to fully utilize career resources while enrolled (before graduation) at Rady?

We don’t have a “requirement” that applicants to the FlexMBA program be currently fully employed—but we would want to be sure you had enough employment history to contribute to the learning of your classmates. MBA Career Connections is open to students during their enrollment—but I’d offer the caveat that they are tapped into the local market for MBA, not the market for scientists or engineers. Typically, FlexMBAs find MBA Career Connections most useful when they have (at least) completed the core curriculum and can begin to be credible in seeking MBA-type positions.

Are the chances of applying at the late round very slim, meaning the admission on a rolling basis, or like some schools, is it more about the student fit to the program, so a later application has equal chance?

We admit on a rolling basis, so there really are not “late rounds”. The later deadlines give you an idea of the whole admissions process. We are looking at individuals who would be contributors to Rady and where Rady will be right for those students. Collaboration, teamwork, energy, passion and a desire to make an impact are important to our students and to Rady. The timing of admission is a factor, of course, as we fill the class, but the individual is much more important. We are not bound by a set number to admit.

Would working for a year or so after my undergrad give me a better chance of getting accepted as opposed to applying straight from undergraduate school?

This is really individual—not all work is equally valuable in giving you the experience of working in an organization or a team, of contributing to significant projects or initiatives. And some of it will depend on whether you’ve had good internships while in school, whether you’ve had leadership roles on campus or volunteer organizations, etc. There’s no one answer.

What would you say are stand out differences between Rady and other area schools in San Diego and southern California?

Again, we are really focused on innovation and how it reaches the marketplace—no one else in southern California is considering this seriously (and hardly anyone anywhere else on the globe).

How important is the quantity of work experience to admissions?

We look at each applicant as an individual, and we don’t have a specific formula we use or a specific profile we look for. Quantity of work experience is not particularly important—we’re far more interested in what you contributed, what impact you had, what you learned—from whatever experiences you have had.

I understand, as with most MBA programs, admission is based on a number of factors and, including space available upon application review, GMAT score, GPA, work experience, and even the application itself. If someone has slightly lower than average scores on the GMAT and GPA, would Rady still be a possible good fit for that person?

Could be—what we’d want to understand is why you think Rady is the best place for your goals—and w hat you bring to the table in other ways that will make you a great contributor to your classmates and the program.

I am interested in the FlexMBA. Since I live in the area, is it required to stay in the hotel over night on the weekends?

There’s no requirement, but the hotel is always available and is part of the fee for the program. Many study groups will meet after dinner on Friday night of class weekends, and the hotel becomes a useful resource for making that happen.

If I submit my application on February 1st, when I would have an answer from the admissions committee?

We are turning around admission decisions within 4-6 weeks—and even sooner. Since all admitted students are interviewed, the timing is often dependent on when an applicant who has been invited to interview can schedule this. If there is an extenuating circumstance with you having a decision within a particular timeframe, we would want to know about this to see what we might be able to do. Just email us at MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu once you have submitted your application.

I am planning to take the GMAT in mid Feb and I have other components of my application ready. Can I apply right now, or do I have to wait until I complete my GMAT to submit my application for consideration?

Please go ahead and hit “submit”—the application provides a place to let us know when you will be taking the GMAT, and our admissions coordinator will begin to work with you to let you know where we are in the process of assembling your file and if we’ve gotten all the pieces (transcripts, recommendations, etc).