This blog post is part of our “Application Insider” blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.

---

APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:

WORK EXPERIENCE

If you are like most applicants, you have probably looked the class profile page of your target school and have noted that your actual years of work experience may differ from what’s on the class profile, or perhaps you have questions about how we evaluate your experience. If that is your case, this post is for you.

Here are the top eight work experience questions we get from applicants:

1. Do admissions officers look at quantity or quality of work experience?
   We look at your overall career trajectory and the decisions you made along your career path. Promotions, title or employer changes and increases in responsibilities will display your growth within an organization or across multiple employers. Cross-functional experience is also very helpful as it shows you can work well with others and manage increasingly more complex projects. As you can see, it is more about the quality of your experience than the length of it.
   
2. How do I communicate my work experience throughout the application process?
   Your essay will allow you to connect your past work experience and skills to your future short- and long- term goals but make sure your response is aligned with your essay prompt. Your resume will allow you to quantify your accomplishments and scope of responsibilities in the appropriate context for evaluation. And finally, the interview part of the process will let you connect all the pieces and add your own personality and voice to make your application unique and memorable.
   
3. What if I have less or more years of work experience than your reported average?
   UCLA Anderson does not require work experience to apply. However, the vast majority of students have some level of full-time work experience prior to starting the program (See our class profile for details). The Admissions Committee cares more about what you have done during the time you have worked and the skills you may have acquired in the process. Your past successes are often strong clues about your future potential.
   
4. When do I start counting my work years of work experience?
   For most people we consider your first full-time job post-college graduation as the start of your work experience and count it all the way to the time you will leave work to start the MBA. If you have worked during college or done an internship that you believe relevant to your MBA goals, you can always use our optional essay to expand on your explanation and share the details with committee.
   
5. What if I have worked at a lot of companies. Is this going to be seen as a red flag?If you have changed jobs a few times you should discuss new responsibilities and leadership opportunities that you gained, especially in areas connected with your post-MBA goals. If you feel it necessary, you can explain why you switched jobs, and how these experiences led you to your career goals. If there is a rational reason for changing companies frequently and you clearly explain why, it will likely not be a red flag. 
   
6. How is non-traditional experience counted (e.g., Military service, self-employed/entrepreneur, lawyer, doctor)?
   UCLA Anderson values diverse perspectives in the classroom, and we welcome applicants from both traditional and non-traditional backgrounds. We recommend that you focus on what you have learned in your past experiences and the skills you’ve gained in your non-traditional experience, and how those may be transferable to allow you succeed in an MBA program and in your post-MBA career goals. Non-traditional students may have work experience prior to the start of their undergraduate career, and we will note this on an individual basis. Military experience is considered work experience in the perspective of the UCLA Anderson Admissions Committee, as you have grown significantly in leadership and decision-making.
   
7. I don’t directly manage other people and/or projects. Is there something else I can do to show my leadership and management potential?We understand that not all individuals are given the opportunity by their employer to directly manage people or projects, regardless of their ability or desire to do so. Sometimes your leadership roles can be something that you have sought out on your own through volunteering roles inside or outside your organization, especially when your formal job does not provide with direct opportunities to do so. Make sure you talk about those aspects of your life that highlight your ability to work well with others, think big picture and use your analytical and planning skills.
8. I don’t have any full-time work experience yet. Is there something I can do to strengthen my application?
   Every year a few great applicants with little-to-no full-time work experience are admitted to the program. These individuals often bring stellar academics and leadership potential, and can often display their abilities through their own individual accomplishments, such as internships and participation with other organizations as well as very strong academic record of accomplishment.

We hope this helps you understand how your work experience will be evaluated during your application and how to bests use what you have to contribute to our program. If you have more questions about work experience, check out the Application Requirements section of our website or email us at mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu.

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!

---

Stay in Touch: Introduce Yourself
Follow the Admissions Team @uclaMBA:  Twitter and Instagram
Questions? Contact us at: mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu