Every year our office receives calls from eager high school students and their parents, asking “Which school will look best on a future MBA application?” Much to the chagrin of the students and their parents, there is no definitive answer to this question. Aside from the clearly impolitic nature of comparing various institutions of higher education, there are some practical considerations that extend beyond college reputation or ranking.
Here is what we can share with you….In a learning environment that values diversity of experience and perspective, the UCLA Anderson MBA attracts students from 40-50 countries and hundreds of colleges and universities, as well as professions, worldwide. Contrary to popular urban myth, admission is not restricted to certain “feeder” industries or academic disciplines. Our students represent a healthy variety of professional backgrounds, including not only careers in traditional industries such as consulting and investment banking, but less traditional careers in government, non-profits, and international agencies. In any given class, one may find former medical doctors, individuals who have served on nuclear submarines, health care advocates, media & entertainment specialists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and others.
Academically, UCLA Anderson MBA students have earned baccalaureate or advanced degrees from hundreds of different colleges and universities in such diverse disciplines as the usual business and engineering to archaeology, music, architecture, literature, and others. The key common element is that these students have demonstrated an ability to handle academics prior to their arrival. Academic ability is measured by past academic performance, the GMAT, professional certifications such as the CPA or CFA, post-graduate work, or professional experience (calculus and statistics, while not required, are good foundation courses for the MBA.)
Our primary interest is in building an entering class of MBA students who are well-rounded, give back to community, possess leadership and/or management skills or potential, work well on teams, and have a strong sense of what the degree is and how it can help them grown personally and professionally.
Consider the following hypothetical scenarios:
• Student 1: attends small, unknown, poorly ranked, public institution in home town for family and financial reasons. Student does well academically, thrives socially, engages in extra-curricular activities, possesses solid professional experience, and performs well on the GMAT. It would be unfair to assume student 1 would not perform equally well at a better known, nationally ranked institution known for its academic rigor.
• Student 2: attends top name, Ivy League colleague, known for grade inflation. Student performs poorly academically, does not engage in many activities (formal or otherwise) outside of the classroom, shows little initiative, and has made modest progress at work. Despite having had these academic advantages, student 2 would not be a compelling MBA candidate.
What these scenarios illustrate is that the MBA admissions process at UCLA Anderson and many business schools, is very much an art as opposed to a science. We recommend that students follow their own interests or passions at the college or university they feel is most suited to their needs and personalities. This is the environment in which they are most likely to succeed and ultimately best prepare them for the MBA or whatever path they ultimately choose.
Read the full article: Advice to High Students Who See an MBA in Their Future