About Genie: Genie was born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles. She earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied Public Health Sciences and Sociology. After graduating, she returned to LA to begin her career in health management. Over the past eight years, Genie has held operations roles across healthcare systems and early-stage startups. Her experience includes work with the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. At UCLA Anderson, she is focused on building her business fundamentals while exploring opportunities in tech strategy and venture capital.

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One of the most anticipated moments in the MBA application process is the admissions decision. Like many prospective applicants, I spent weeks refreshing my phone and email while waiting to hear from UCLA Anderson. I felt both excited and anxious as decision day approached. 

When I didn’t receive an acceptance call and instead learned that I had been placed on the waitlist, I was disheartened. Anderson had been my top choice for business school, and I was unsure what my next steps should be.  

Looking back, being waitlisted taught me a valuable lesson in resilience. Three actions helped me navigate the process: reframing, reflecting, and reconnecting. 

Reframe

During a conversation with a mentor, I described how I was already preparing to reapply the following year. He was surprised and asked why I was viewing the decision as a rejection rather than a continued consideration. Having gone through a similar experience himself, my mentor reminded me that being waitlisted meant the Admissions Committee saw potential in my candidacy but needed more time to evaluate it. Instead of viewing the waitlist as a setback, he encouraged me to see it as an opportunity to strengthen my application. Shifting my perspective was essential. Rather than focusing on uncertainty, I took time to clarify my career goals and consider how I could demonstrate my continued interest in the program. 

Reflect

I spent time reviewing my application and identifying areas where I could grow. To strengthen my quantitative skills, I enrolled in an MBA Math course to prepare for graduate coursework such as Accounting and Finance. I also volunteered as a mentor for two nonprofit organizations that aligned with my career interests. Through my waitlist form updates, I shared these experiences along with other professional developments. Taking the time to reflect allowed me to identify ways to further improve my application and reaffirm my motivation for pursuing an MBA at Anderson. 

Reconnect

One of Anderson’s pillars is “Shared Success,” and I experienced this value firsthand through my interactions with students, staff, and alumni.  

When I reconnected with students I had previously spoken with during the application process, they were incredibly generous with their time and advice. They introduced me to other students who shared similar career interests and offered helpful guidance on how to connect with the greater Anderson community. I attended a class visit and enjoyed learning about current topics in Emerging Technologies and Markets. I also spoke with faculty and had coffee chats with student leaders from the Admissions Ambassador Corps (AAC) and professional clubs like AnderTech and the Healthcare Business Association (HBA). I also attended on-campus events including a Cross-Campus Innovation Challenge Live Pitch and the Healthcare Analytics Symposium. 

Through these experiences, I gained a stronger understanding of the Anderson community and the ways I hoped to contribute as a future student leader. When I submitted my Letter of Continued Interest, I was able to highlight these experiences and share specific examples of why pursuing an MBA at Anderson was the right fit for me. 

A few months later, I received the call offering me a place in the Class of 2027, and I was overjoyed. Through reframing, reflecting, and reconnecting, the waitlist period became more than just a waiting game. It was an opportunity to grow, strengthen my candidacy, and build meaningful connections with the Anderson community. 

If you’re currently on the waitlist, remember to stay positive and stay engaged. Use this time intentionally—continue to grow and strengthen your connections. My path to an MBA at UCLA Anderson may have been longer and less linear than I expected, but the experience taught me that some of the most meaningful opportunities arise from moments that challenge us to persevere. 

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Student Blogger: Genie Alvarez ‘27
Undergrad: University of California, Irvine ‘13
Pre-MBA: Operations Associate at AMPAworks
Leadership@Anderson: Director of Inclusive Excellence, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Alumni Relations, Alliance for Latinx Management; Riordan MBA Fellows Mentor