BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

To MBA or not...

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am

To MBA or not...

by MisterRoboto » Sun May 09, 2010 9:44 pm
Hi MBA Consultants!

I was recently accepted at UCLA but, like a bride on d-day, I'm getting wet feet... I think I was most phased when I went to the McKinsey website and realized that while certain schools like HBS, Tuck, NYU and others have dedicated McKinsey recruiters and websites, UCLA had nothing! I wonder if there will be similar obstacles/discriminations at other firms if applying as an Anderson MBA...

I suppose my point of contention is: How good of a school is UCLA? What are your thoughts on the Anderson MBA and how would you rate the program in comparison to other top schools?

I was originally VERY excited to enroll, but the more I think about the copious amounts of debt I'll be facing, the more I question whether to postpone for a year and shoot for Top 5 next year.

I would like to get into Finance after graduation.

Any info. or viewpoints would be great!
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pm
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
Followed by:523 members
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Sun May 09, 2010 11:46 pm
Hmm - buyer's remorse. It's classic. Let me break it down for you.

First, UCLA is a good school. It is not HBS, however. You will get top-quality education at UCLA and you will have most of the opportunities that you would get at HBS.

Second, I would rate UCLA slightly lower than, but in the same range as, Tuck and NYU for most fields. The latter do offer more opportunities in the finance industry, however.

Third, If you feel that you are an HBS/Wharton material and that you really want to give those schools a shot, you can choose to not enroll and take your chances with the applications this year again. But be realistic about your odds. You can request UCLA to defer your admissions. But it's rare for top schools to defer an admission.

Last, UCLA is a difficult school to get into as well. What are the chances that you will get in the next year you apply there?

Just some food for thought. (Which schools did you apply to for this year, by the way?).

Hope that helps.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:26 am
Thanked: 16 times

by student22 » Mon May 10, 2010 8:45 am
If you go to the Bain & Company site, they have UCLA as one of the schools with official recruiters. Likewise if you go to Boston Consulting Group's website - they also have UCLA as a target school. As you can see, 2 out of the top 3 consulting firms recruit at UCLA.


If you're still worried, email the school's career department and specifically ask them about how they do with recruiting at management consulting firms like Mckinsey. Email Mckinsey directly and ask if they have a representative that deals with UCLA recruiting.

I wouldn't rush to write off UCLA so quickly.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pm
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
Followed by:523 members
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Mon May 10, 2010 8:57 am
Agree with student22.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am

by MisterRoboto » Tue May 11, 2010 4:23 am
Yeah, I definitely think that underestimating UCLA's a mistake- it's a great school! And more importantly, I think I'd fit in perfectly... oddly even enough (considering my post), UCLA was one of my favorites going into the application process... Shame on you buyer's remorse....

I applied to HBS, Columbia, Yale, USC, NYU, and Tuck. I'm on the waitlist for the last two but got dinged by all the others =(


Anyways, thanks for the thoughtful replies. This is precisely why this site's so valuable! The depth of knowledge/perspective is such an incredible resource =)
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pm
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
Followed by:523 members
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Tue May 11, 2010 7:52 am
So you certainly chose your schools well. I am glad the discussion helped. Remains still the question of your finance career. The best way to attack that is by being proactive in your finance club at UCLA (assuming that is where you enroll) and by seeking out approporiate internships early on. You can also design your course work to enhance your potential for finance career. Once you start your MBA, touch base again and I would be glad to help.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am

by MisterRoboto » Wed May 12, 2010 5:40 am
Perfect. Thanks again for the help.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2109
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pm
Location: New Jersey
Thanked: 109 times
Followed by:79 members
GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Wed May 12, 2010 5:44 am
When will you find out about the others? My friend was on the waitlist at NYU and heard back already.
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog

Me featured on Poets & Quants

Free Book for MBA Applicants

Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am

by MisterRoboto » Thu May 13, 2010 6:40 am
i think for most schools they start reviewing the waitlist mid-may all the way up until mid-august. did your friend get in? if so, then i'd assume my chances are probably pretty low... at nyu at least.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2109
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pm
Location: New Jersey
Thanked: 109 times
Followed by:79 members
GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Thu May 13, 2010 6:41 am
he said he was told that he could hear from anywhere from April - September
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog

Me featured on Poets & Quants

Free Book for MBA Applicants

Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:26 am

by MisterRoboto » Thu May 13, 2010 10:55 pm
just to clarify, your friend was and still is on the waitlist. right?
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1