UCLA Anderson School of Management

FAQ

What is the tuition for Anderson’s MBA program?

The tuition for Anderson’s MBA program is $67,737 per year. The total cost of the Anderson MBA program is $113,893 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

How hard is it to get into Anderson’s MBA program?

The acceptance rate for Anderson is around 12 percent. It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 711.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Anderson’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Anderson is 711. The GMAT middle 80% range is 660 to 760.

Does the Anderson MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Anderson MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Anderson’s MBA program?

Anderson does not publish an average GRE score for its incoming class, but does accept the GRE for admissions.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Anderson’s MBA program?

Anderson does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 6 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Anderson’s MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a Anderson student?)

The average number of years of work experience among students in Anderson’s MBA program is 6.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the Anderson MBA program?

The average starting salary for Anderson MBA graduates is $132,460. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Anderson’s full-time MBA program?

Anderson offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the application deadlines for Anderson’s MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 5, 2022. The Round 2 application deadline is January 4, 2023. The Round 3 deadline is April 12, 2023.

What percent of Anderson MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Anderson that are women is 35%.

What type of interview does Anderson use for MBA admissions?

Anderson offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

Admissions

The Class Profile

Anderson received 2,471 applications the Class of 2024 and 330 students matriculated. The middle 80% undergraduate GPA of students choosing to matriculate at Anderson ranged between 3.1 and 3.8, and their GMAT results averaged 711 with a middle 80% range of 660 to 760. Students entered Anderson with an average of 6 years of professional experience. Forty-seven percent of the class is made up of international students. Women constitute 35% of students, while individuals identifying as members of U.S. minority groups represent 28% of the class.

As undergraduates, 26% of members of the Class of 2024 elected to major in business. The same percentage had majored in engineering, followed by 14% each in economics or humanities. Math/science was pursued by 10% of the class. By industry, Anderson drew the highest percentage of its students from high tech, 26%. The finance industry closely followed with 24%. Fourteen percent had worked in consulting and 11 percent came from marketing. 

Application Procedures

Prospective MBA students wishing to apply to Anderson may submit their materials in one of three rounds that span from early October to mid-April. The school accepts applications via its online system only; the form includes questions regarding the applicant’s personal and professional background. Applicants should also be prepared to submit an application fee, GMAT results and TOEFL or IELTS scores if applicable, two letters of recommendation, an essay, a short answer question, and copies of academic records. 

Interviews are required for admittance and are conducted by invitation only. Those applicants invited to interview may do so on campus with a current Anderson student. Applicants may also opt for an off-campus interview, and these are conducted via Skype.

Application Checklist

• Online Application
• 4-Year Bachelor Degree/Equivalent
• GMAT or GRE
• Work Experience
• Two Recommendations
• Essays
• Interviews by Invitation Only
• TOEFL/IELTS if applicable
• Application Fee

Interview Reports

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

Interview was exactly 30min. The interviewer was very engaging and friendly and I think the conversation went smoothly. The interview felt conversational and he constantly provided me with feedback. The structure of the interview was basically a few questions about the goals then more behavioral teamwork questions then concluded with Anderson questions. Tell me about […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Really conversational, very chill second-year student [interviewer]. Questions: Walk me through your resume. Why an MBA, why now? Short-term/long-term goals? Plan B short-term goals? Why are you interested in finance? Why Anderson? What will you contribute to Anderson? Greatest strength/weakness? What is your best quality when working in a team? Tell me about a time […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

The interviewer was a very chill second-year student. We had about 20 minutes of interview questions and the rest was asking the interviewer questions. I was asked the following: Walk me through your resume. Why MBA, why now? Why are you a good fit for Anderson? How would you contribute to Anderson? Tell me about […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Resume-based interview with a 2nd. Pretty standard questions: Tell me about yourself. Why MBA? Why now? Why Anderson? Why are you a good fit for Anderson? Long-term goals? Plan B for short-term goals? Tell me about a time you used your strengths to help a team reach a goal. The interviewer was really friendly and […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Normal questions asked: resume walkthrough, tell me about your goals, plan b, why mba, how did you handle a conflict at work, etc. Not feeling good about this interview. I think I did ok, but felt a complete lack of connection to the interviewer. Tried to ask them multiple questions while I was speaking, but […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Current Student / Zoom

I had a Zoom interview with a current student. The interviewer had a list of questions to go through and did not introduce themselves at all. My interview wasn’t very conversational, but the interviewer became friendlier towards the end after they had gone through their list of questions. So be prepared accordingly – as I […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

It was really conversational and easy to get through. We did 30 minutes of Q&A then ran out of time so I could only ask 2 questions. 1) Walk me through your resume. 2) Why business school? 3) Why now? 4) What’s your plan B? 5) What industry within consulting would you like to focus […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

30 minute Zoom with a second-year student. General hellos at the beginning but then right into it (questions below). A bit tricky to gauge how I was doing because the interviewer was taking notes and therefore looking down while I spoke. –> If anyone knows more about how the second-years assess the interviews for Anderson, […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Introduced himself – tell me about yourself – tell me about your interests – why mba – why Anderson – what clubs would you join and for what position? – what’s your plan b if your first job doesn’t work out – tell me about a time you had to lead a diverse team – […]

UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Conversational and casual. Took about 40 minutes total. 100% resume-based. Basic questions first: 1) Walk through resume 2) Why MBA 3) Why now 4) Why Anderson 5) What’s your Plan B if MBA doesn’t work out 6) Any specific companies for your short-term goals. Behavioral question afterward: Name a time you influenced a team with […]

Ucla-anderson Q&As

Admissions Director Q&A: Alex Lawrence of UCLA Anderson School of Management

The Anderson School of Management at UCLA boasts diverse career placement, but stands out for its strengths in marketing and technology. MBA students also enjoy a tight knit community—class size hovers around 360—amid the larger setting of Los Angeles.  Here to discuss additional features of the leading MBA program is Alex Lawrence, the Assistant Dean […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Alex Lawrence of the UCLA Anderson School of Management

Alex Lawrence, an alumnus of the UCLA Anderson School of Management (MBA ’99), took the helm as the school’s assistant dean of MBA admissions and financial aid in August 2012.

Admissions Director Q&A: Alex Lawrence of the UCLA Anderson School of Management

~ A CLEAR ADMIT EXCLUSIVE ~ Alex Lawrence, an alumnus of the UCLA Anderson School of Management (MBA ’99), took the helm as assistant dean and director of MBA admissions and financial aid in August 2012. Lawrence, who replaced interim director Rob Weiler, knows the school intimately. Five years after receiving his MBA, he returned […]

UCLA Anderson LiveWire and DecisionWire

Academics

Faculty

Over 160 professors and lecturers teach courses across Anderson’s eight academic areas and an interdisciplinary research group. They also contribute to Anderson’s seven research centers, which focus on topics ranging from entrepreneurial studies to global management.

Curriculum

The entering class of the full-time MBA program typically numbers about 360 students, and each class is divided into five sections designated A through E; first-year students take three of their five fall courses with their section mates. Each quarter, MBA students are further separated into learning teams of five individuals who work on homework and proj¬ects together. Anderson divides its calendar into seasonal quarters, and students attend classes during the fall, winter and spring quarters; and first year students also attend a five-week summer quarter prior to their first year. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of lectures, case- and project-based approaches.

First-year MBA students are required to attend approximately one week of orientation prior to starting classes. This orientation consists of a week-long course called “Leadership Foundations” before the condensed, five-week summer quarter in which students take their first two core courses, “Financial Accounting” and “Organizational Behavior.” The fall quarter begins in late September and concludes in mid-December. During the first quarter, first-year students also partake in the Parker Career Series course, during which they take part in workshops and training sessions to prepare for job searches and interviews. The winter quarter commences in early January, and courses conclude in the middle of March. Spring quarter courses start at the beginning of April and end in early June, with Commencement occurring the day after the weeklong exam period.

In total, students take 12 courses in their first year; students may complete between 24 and 28 courses in total throughout the two years of the MBA program.  The first-year schedule comprises a very structured curriculum, and students may determine the order in which they take two of the required 10 courses.  First-years can first take an elective or two in the spring quarter.  In the second year, students may choose to pursue one of 15 specializations.  The only academic requirement for second-years is the Capstone Project, which offers students two different choices. The Applied Management Research Program (AMR) is a hallmark of the UCLA program that provides students with 20 weeks of team-based, experiential learning as they complete strategic studies for real business clients.  The second choice is the Business Creation Option (BCO), in which students spend two academic quarters researching and ultimately launching a company while still in school. Second-year students may also spend a term studying abroad.

Other MBA Degree Options

While UCLA Anderson’s full-time MBA program spans two years, the school also offers three other degrees of varying duration. These include the Executive MBA and the Fully Employed MBA, which allows its students to remain in the workforce while taking classes on weekends and in the evenings. UCLA Anderson also offers a dual-degree executive MBA program in conjunction with NUS Business School in Singapore. Eight concurrent degree options are available for those in the full-time MBA program.

Specializations at Anderson

• Accounting
• Brand Management
• Consulting
• Corporate Finance
• Easton Technology Leadership
• Entertainment
• Entrepreneurship
• Executive Development
• Global Management
• Healthcare Management
• Kayne Investment Management
• Leaders in Sustainability
• Marketing Analytics
• Real Estate
• Social Impact

Degree Offerings at Anderson

MBA
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/full-time-mba

Fully Employed MBA
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba

Executive MBA
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/executive-mba

Global EMBA for Asia Pacific
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/ucla-nus-executive-mba

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

Students at Anderson find many opportunities to enrich their MBA experience through extracurricular activities. The school has nearly 50 student-run clubs that represent a broad range of professions, cultures, social interests and sports. For example, students looking to enter real estate can enjoy offerings from the Anderson Real Estate Association such as workshops, job site visits, a mentorship program and networking mixers. Meanwhile, the group Anderson Eats helps students and their family and friends get to know each other while exploring the various cuisines available in Los Angeles. On the athletic side, students can join clubs focused on soccer, tennis, surfing, and skiing and snowboarding, among others. 

In addition to their regular meetings and smaller-scale events, Anderson’s clubs organize a variety of conferences each year.  These include the PULSE Entertainment, Sports & Technology Conference hosted by the UCLA Anderson Sports Business Association, and the Greater China Business Association’s annual Greater China Business Conference.  Students can also put their business skills to the test through competitions such as the UCLA Anderson High Tech Case Competition and the Knapp Venture Competition.

Campus Spaces 

The Anderson School of Management is located in the center of the northern end of UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles, California. Anderson’s campus is comprised of six buildings that are connected to each other. At the center of the complex lies the Marion Anderson Courtyard, which serves as a common meeting place for members of the school community. In addition to plentiful classrooms and meeting rooms, the school also boasts a café, a large library, an auditorium and an executive dining room. 

Although on-campus housing is available through seven UCLA-owned apartment buildings, the school reports that two-thirds of students live within five miles of campus in nearby neighborhoods such as Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and the South Bay Area. Students hoping to receive on-campus housing are advised to apply early, as space is limited.

MBA Careers

Career Services

All MBA students may work with the Parker Career Management Center for help in securing employment after graduating from Anderson. The Center offers students one-on-one career advising, myriad recruiting events organized by a dedicated recruiting staff, and a spring Recruiters’ Day and MBA Career Fair hosted by UCLA Anderson.  Students may also avail themselves of resources such as job postings via the online Parker CMC Classifieds. Interviews for second-year students seeking full-time positions with potential employers begin in October and continue throughout the duration of the year; interviews for summer internships begin in January and may last throughout the winter quarter.

Career Statistics

Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2020 reported receiving job offers within three months of graduation.  Of those reporting salary data, students earned an average base salary of $132,460 in their post-MBA roles.  The top industry pursued by 2020 graduates was technology, which drew nearly 32% of the class.  The financial services industry employed roughly 15%, and consulting and consumer products employed about 25% and 6% of the class respectively.

Financing

Anderson estimates a student budget for the 2021-2022 year to be $113,893; the school also identifies a computer allowance fee of $1,137 that is applicable only to first-year students.  Of those budget totals, tuition makes up $67,737 of the total cost.  In June 2013, UCLA Anderson converted its full-time, state-supported MBA program to self-supporting status. This means that the school now retains all tuition for the full-time MBA program rather than receiving a combination of state funds and a portion of the student tuition and fees.  Students may receive financial assistance in the forms of fellowships, grants and loans, and last year approximately 40% of Anderson students received fellowships.  Applicants are automatically considered for fellowships upon admission to the MBA program, and students selected for fellowships, grants, and loans receive their awards in three disbursements marked by the fall, winter and spring quarters.  Domestic students may also receive federal loans and must file the FAFSA to do so, while international students may pursue private loans with or without a U.S. co-signer.

Estimated Student Budget 2021-2022, Class of 2023

• Tuition/Fees $67,737
• Room & Board $25,200
• UC Student Health Insurance Plan $5,354
• Computer (1st Year Only) $1,137
• Books & Supplies $836
• Travel $6,846
• Personal $5,460
• Loan Fees $1,323
• Total $113,893

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