APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

Reapplying to UCLA Anderson

In life, like in many Hollywood movies, audiences love to root for the underdog. We are no exception here. If you have applied before, and did not succeed, you should consider giving it another shot. 

The truth is that sometimes people are not admitted because we just don’t have room to admit all the qualified candidates we believe would benefit from attending our program. Other times, applicants miss their shot by a small margin for issues that could easily be addressed through some self-reflection or additional preparation.

Every year, the applicant pool changes, and you have the benefit of additional time and insights to present a stronger application. As a reapplicant, you start with a clean slate. Every year, we accept a group of highly qualified re-applicants to our program, who go on to be very successful throughout the MBA program and into their post-MBA careers.  In fact, we truly appreciate and are inspired by their perseverance and contributions to our community. 

We have streamlined the reapplication process to help those who submitted their full-time MBA application within the previous two years (note that if you applied earlier than the previous two years, you would be considered a “new” applicant and should follow the new applicant guidelines). The streamlined process means that you will only need to submit only one new recommendation and you are not required to write a new essay. Instead, we give you the opportunity in your reapplication to highlight what has changed since you last applied across different categories – Test Scores, Academics, Professional/Employment, Extracurriculars, and “Other”. These sections are a great place to show the Admissions Committee that you have taken additional time to strengthen your candidacy and direct their attention to your achievements and improvements.

• Here are some specific examples of what you could choose to highlight:
• Test Scores: Many of our re-applicants use the additional time to re-take the GMAT/GRE to help improve their candidacy. The higher the score, the better, but look at our class profile GMAT averages and 80% range to help you evaluate whether or not you should take the test again — also remember that we admit individuals below (and above) these averages every year.  Ultimately, if you believe you can do better on the exam, you may want to consider re-taking it if you believe it will improve your candidacy and is worth your time, energy, and money. Note that your standardized test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and IELTS) remain on file if previously reported, though scores are still subject to expiration dates. Lastly, we will only factor your strongest valid scores so if your results don’t exceed previous attempts there is no harm done to your application.
• Academics: If you feel your academic performance was sub-par and/or that you didn’t demonstrate your ability to handle quantitative work, you may want to consider taking additional courses. The Admissions Committee will still be evaluating your undergraduate performance as a part of your profile, but additional coursework may help demonstrate your ability to handle the academic rigor of our program. 
• Professional & Extracurricular Experiences: In the time since your prior application, you should have had sufficient time to build upon your professional experiences (i.e., new skillsets, accomplishments, projects, promotions, etc.) and extracurricular activities (i.e., new leadership opportunities, volunteering, etc.). Make sure to highlight these in your re-application.
• Self-Reflection & Research: Take the time to think about what you communicated in your previous application and ask yourself some of these questions: Have my post-MBA goals changed or become more specific? Did I demonstrate why now is the right time in my career path to get an MBA? Do I have a better understanding of what UCLA Anderson’s program has to offer me?  Was I clear in my goals and why I want to go to UCLA Anderson? Your re-application will be a fresh start for you, meaning it is definitely OK to share your new goals if you feel they have changed. 

Insider Pro-Tip: Do not assume that the Admissions Committee will reference your previous application. This means you need to communicate everything you want the Admissions Committee to know, even if you covered it in your prior application.  Ultimately, your reapplication gives you a fresh start and puts you on the same evaluation standards as first-time applicants, giving you absolutely no disadvantage to reapplying.

Check back for more “Application Insider” blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!

— Adrian Aguirre ’01, Associate Admissions Director, MBA Admissions

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