Admissions Update: Introducing our New Video Assessment!

18 August 2023 by emilyschatzle

Beginning with the 2023-2024 admission cycle, we are excited to introduce a dynamic video assessment component to the application. This is replacing our video essay that applicants historically uploaded as part of their application. The video assessment will ask questions based on a number of competencies and give us a chance to see how you think on your feet!

Shortly after you submit your MS application and your application fee is paid, you will receive an invitation to complete the Texas McCombs MS Video Assessment! All applicants will have 7 days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform. The number of questions asked depends on the program(s) you applied to (see below for more detail) and will take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Applicants will be allowed to practice before submitting their video assessment and will have 60-90 seconds to answer each prompt.

What is the Admissions Committee looking for?

This video assessment helps the Admissions Committee better understand who you are in your own voice and allows us to assess your communication skills. Within the video assessment each program is evaluating different competencies. Check out your program of interest below to learn more about what we look for in a strong applicant:

MS Business Analytics (Full-Time and Working Professional)

Career Motivation & Aspirations: The MSBA Admissions Committee is looking for a genuine interest in pursuing an MSBA and a clear understanding of how it will help to achieve their professional goals. Strong applicants put significant thought and consideration into their decision-making in applying for this program. They should understand why Texas McCombs is the right place to pursue their MSBA and how it will set them up for professional success.

Technical Skills & Analytical Thinking: MSBA students possess strong technical skills and an analytical mindset. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their coding skills and give examples of times they’ve built or worked on programming applications.

MS Finance

Curiosity & Motivation: The MSF Admissions Committee wants to understand what motivates applicants not just to get the job done, but to go above and beyond. MSF students are intellectually curious and utilize an enterprising and tenacious approach to problem-solving. Applicants should demonstrate ambition and the ability to deliver results.

Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: MSF students have an analytical mindset. They can gather and synthesize information, independently identify multiple ways to solve a problem, make deductions, conduct critical analysis, and can determine the best solution for any situation. The MSF Admissions Committee is looking for applicants that show potential to strategically synthesize information to solve complex problems at a high level.

Career Focus & Understanding of Program: The MSF Admissions Committee is looking for a genuine interest in pursuing an MSF and a clear understanding of how it will help to achieve their professional goals. Strong applicants put significant thought and consideration into their decision-making in applying for this program. They should understand why Texas McCombs is the right place to pursue their MSF and how it will set them up for professional success.

MS IT & Management

Career Motivation & Aspirations: The MSITM Admissions Committee is looking for a genuine interest in pursuing an MSITM and a clear understanding of how it will help to achieve their professional goals. Strong applicants put significant thought and consideration into their decision-making in applying for this program. They should understand why Texas McCombs is the right place to pursue their MSITM and how it will set them up for professional success.

Collaboration: Successful MSITM students foster collaboration because they value working with and learning from others. They see and value others’ perspectives, creating a supportive space to solve problems as a team. They excel at being a teammate and work conducively with anybody.

Time & Priority Management: MSITM students should be able to demonstrate a realistic appraisal of their life, prioritize conflicting responsibilities, and consistently complete tasks on time. They are detail-oriented, mature, self-guided and have concrete strategies to balance their academic, personal, and professional life.

Ability to Try & Learn New Things/Resilience: The MSITM Admissions Committee is looking for candidates who are able to try and learn new skills despite it being unfamiliar and new to them. They should possess perseverance with their ability to respond appropriately to disappointment and setbacks and accept failure as part of the learning curve.

Technical Skills & Analytical Thinking: MSITM students possess strong technical skills and an analytical mindset. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their coding skills and give examples of times they’ve built or worked on programming applications.

MS Marketing

Curiosity & Motivation: The MSM Admissions Committee wants to understand what motivates applicants not just to get the job done, but to go above and beyond. MSM students are intellectually curious and utilize an enterprising and tenacious approach to problem-solving. Applicants should demonstrate ambition and the ability to deliver results.

Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: MSM students have an analytical mindset. They can gather and synthesize information, independently identify multiple ways to solve a problem, make deductions, conduct critical analysis, and can determine the best solution for any situation. The MSM Admissions Committee is looking for applicants that show potential to strategically synthesize information to solve complex problems at a high level.

Career Focus & Understanding of Program: The MSM Admissions Committee is looking for a genuine interest in pursuing an MSM and a clear understanding of how it will help to achieve their professional goals. Strong applicants put significant thought and consideration into their decision-making in applying for this program. They should understand why Texas McCombs is the right place to pursue their MSM and how it will set them up for professional success.

Note: If you are applying for two Master of Science programs, you will need to complete a video assessment for each program.

Tips for a Successful Video Assessment

Practice: You will be able to respond to practice questions for as long as you wish. Take advantage of this opportunity! The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be with the technology when answering real prompts.
Test Technology: The Video Assessments are conducted through the Kira platform. It will require a desktop or laptop computer (no smart phones/tablets) with a functioning webcam, microphone, and internet connection. We recommend connecting directly to your internet for the most reliable internet connection – and make sure you have plenty of charge on your laptop or that you’re plugged in! Most browsers are compatible (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera) but the platform will not work well on Safari.
Pace Yourself: We limit the responses to 60-90 seconds because it is great practice for your McCombs experience. Keeping responses concise but clear is important when recruiting for jobs. However, you want to make sure you answer each question in full! The practice questions will be a great way to gauge what a minute or more actually feels like when responding to a question.
Be Professional, but Comfortable: If you’re nervous, practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend or colleague is a great way to get the nerves out. Did you answer the question? Did you rush it? Take the prep time to outline your answer in your mind first, and then address it calmly and confidently. You can also jot some quick talking points down on a piece of paper to help jog your memory – just don’t forget to maintain good eye contact when you record your formal responses. Don’t get TOO comfortable – this shouldn’t feel too formal but maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism is always a good idea (this includes professional language and attire).
Be Yourself! The questions we ask were not designed to trip you up or be impossible to answer, but rather to give you a chance to draw from your experiences. We’re using this video assessment to get to know YOU, beyond the limits of a traditional application. This is your chance to share your story, give us examples, and explain why you’re choosing an MS program at McCombs in your own voice.

If you have any questions during the application process, we’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your admissions team at:

MSBA (Full Time & Working Professional): TexasMSBA@mccombs.utexas.edu

MSF: TexasMSF@mccombs.utexas.edu

MSITM: TexasMSITM@mccombs.utexas.edu

MSM: TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu

Admissions Update: GRE/GMAT Test Scores are Optional!

7 June 20236 October 2023 by emilyschatzle

Beginning with the 2023-24 admissions cycle, we are pleased to announce that GMAT and GRE test scores are now optional for the Texas McCombs Master of Science Programs! Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions profess if they do not submit test scores, and applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school may submit scores for consideration.

Apply Today!

If you opt to submit GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE scores, you will need to provide your test scores in order to submit your application. While the official score report may reach the Graduate School after we have received your application, you will not be able to submit unless you have entered your scores and at least uploaded an unofficial score report. Please reach out to the appropriate admissions team (contact information is listed at the bottom of this post) if your testing plans change after you submit your application.

The MS Programs admissions committees review all applications holistically to determine preparedness for our programs. Factors that the committees consider in additional to test scores include academic background (major), prior GPAs, relevant pre-requisite coursework, videos and written essays, work or internship experience, and letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references

Many applicants are concerned about the impact that not submitting a test score may have on their chances of admission. The admissions committee of each program is committed to a holistic review of all applications, and absent of test scores will focus closely on the other application components listed above. We encourage applicants to think about ways they can amplify their quantitative and verbal strengths across their application. Think about relevant coursework, projects, internships, and work experience that can demonstrate adequate quantitative preparation. You can also utilize your essays to demonstrate verbal strengths. While not required, applicants have the option to submit additional information that demonstrates their potential and readiness. These additional elements may be important for applicants who wish to enhance their portfolio by providing evidence to address gaps, uneven performance, or areas of their application that are less fully developed. GRE/GMAT scores, certifications, personal statements, or supplemental essays will all be considered when submitted, and will be used as additional data points for application evaluation.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team:

TexasMSBA@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSF@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSITM@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu

Application Tips: When Should I Apply?

3 October 202213 December 2023 by emilyschatzle

When you start your application to graduate school, you probably have questions about admissions requirements, application components, and deadlines. But what is the difference between each of the deadlines, and when does it make sense for you to apply? Our admissions team dives into some factors for you to take into consideration when applying below:

What does “rolling admissions” actually mean?

Our application typically opens at the end of August and remains open through May. Depending on whether you’re an international or domestic applicant, this gives you 4-9 months to submit a competitive application. To save time for the admissions committee and allow early applicants to receive early decisions, we’ve established deadlines throughout the cycle. Applicants can expect to receive a decision on their application 6-8 weeks after the closest application deadline. Applicants who submit around a deadline will likely be reviewed in batch with other applications submitted around that time. If you apply significantly outside an application deadline window, your application may be reviewed sooner. For example, if you apply in mid to late December, your application would likely be reviewed after the January 9th deadline. If you apply in mid-November, the admissions committee MAY opt to review your application sooner (note – this is not guaranteed and depends on the program you’re applying to and committee bandwidth).

When is the last date I can apply?

For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle (students applying to begin the program in July 2024 or June 2024 for MSBA-WP), we have four deadlines:

Round 1: October 11, 2023

Round 2: January 10, 2024

Round 3: March 6, 2024

Round 4 (MSBA-WP only): April 10, 2024

Round 4 (All full-time programs): May 1, 2024

If you are an international student, you must apply by January 10, 2024. We set the international deadline earlier so we can ensure all admitted students can complete the visa process in time for classes to begin. This applies to international students applying from abroad as well as any international students currently located in the United States. If you are currently in the United States on an active visa, we still require you to apply by the January 10th deadline so we can ensure you’ll be ready to start the program in time. US citizens and permanent residents can apply towards any of our four deadlines – the final deadline is April 10 for MSBA-WP and May 1 for all other full-time MS programs.

When SHOULD I apply?

The right time to apply is not the same for every applicant. When planning your timeline, consider the following:

You cannot apply until you have completed all components of your application. This includes test scores, where applicable – we don’t require the official score report when you submit your application but you must include unofficial score results in the application.
We encourage applicants to submit their application when they feel it is strongest. For example, if you’re taking a course in the fall semester that is relevant to your program of choice, you may want to wait until you’ve received a grade for that course to apply so the admissions committee will be able to consider that along with the rest of your materials.
Each year, the admissions committee aims to enroll the strongest cohort possible. We know this won’t happen if we only admit students who apply during one of the first rounds. All applicants are given fair consideration for admission and scholarship, regardless of when they apply. However, towards the end of the cycle, fewer spots are available since we offer admission throughout the cycle. We typically receive the majority of our applications during the first and second rounds. If you feel your application is strong early in the cycle, we recommend you submit earlier for your best chances.
Applying from outside of Austin or Texas? Submitting your application early gives you plenty of time to visit campus if admitted and seeing if this is the right fit for you!

Ultimately, the right time to apply differs for each applicant. If you have any questions about the best process for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our program office!

TexasMSBA@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSF@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSITM@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu

Application Tips: Letters of Recommendation

9 April 2021 by emilyschatzle

One of the first things you’ll want to think about when starting your application to the McCombs Master of Science Programs is who you’d like to write your letters of recommendation. The most effective letters will describe an applicant’s quantitative skills and intellectual ability. For MSITM, letters should also emphasize the applicant’s programming ability. We’ve provided some helpful hints below to get you started:

How many letters of recommendation are required?

For MSBA, MSF, and MSM, you are required to have 2 letters as part of your application. MSITM requires 3 letters.

Should my letters come from academic or professional sources?

The admissions committees of each program highly recommend that at least one letter (or two for MSITM) come from an academic reference. You are welcome to have all of your letters come from academic references, or professional references will also be considered. When thinking about your letters, consider the amount of time you’ve been out of school. For those with significant work experience, it may be more appropriate to have your letters come from professional references. Applicants who are recent graduates may fine that their professors are best suited to discuss their qualifications.

When should I complete the recommendation section in my application?

Complete this part of your application first. Recommendation letters should be received by the application deadline, so you want to give your recommenders plenty of time to complete these requests. Letters of recommendation are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal. While completing your application, you will be able to send your recommender an invitation to access this secure portal to submit their recommendation. Contact your recommenders as soon as possible to let them know they’ll receive an email once you save the section. Sometimes these emails end up in a junk folder. Once your letter of recommendation is received, you will receive an automated email. You can monitor the status of your recommendations on your McCombs application status page and resent notifications and reminders from within the application as needed.

What else should I think about when considering my recommenders?

The admissions committees of each program want to hear from academic and professional references who know you well and can speak to your abilities. These are typically professors and supervisors that you have engaged with throughout your academic and professional careers. We recommend meeting with the person you’d like to write a letter for you and discuss your interests in the program and why you think they would be a good person to speak to your qualifications. Be mindful of the time commitment and give them as much of advance notice as possible.

Questions about recommendation letters or any other application components? We are here to help! Send us an email at TexasMSPrograms@mccombs.utexas.edu.

Application Tips: Essays

11 January 20213 October 2023 by emilyschatzle

You’re well on your way to finishing your graduate school application. You’ve studied for the GRE or GMAT, polished your resume, submitted your transcripts, and wowed your recommenders. While all of these components will speak to your accomplishments and qualifications, now you have a chance to tell the admissions committee in your own words why you want to study at McCombs. How? Through your essays!

Each Master of Science program requires two written essays (with an optional 3rd written essay). If you’re not sure what the essay prompts are for your program, you can learn more on the MSBA, MSF, MSITM, and MSM admissions pages.

The essays are great opportunities to take everything listed in your application and connect it with your personality and goals. The admissions committee can look at your transcript and resume to see what you’ve done so far, but these documents won’t tell them where you’d like to go.

Make sure that your essays are well written and address the prompts. If there’s anything in your application that you’d like to explain further, the optional third essay is a great space to do that. You may have had a lower than expected grade in a tricky class one semester and want to give the admissions committee some extra context, or maybe you’re working on a really interesting project at work that’s gotten you even more excited about the program. Anything that can help the admissions committee in their review is great to include! However, if you can’t think of anything else you want to say, feel free to opt out. Applicants aren’t penalized for not completing the optional essay.

More questions? We’re here to help! Email us at TexasMSPrograms@mccombs.utexas.edu. We can’t wait to review your application!

Application Ready Resumes

8 July 20189 April 2021 by canipec

When evaluating your application, our MS Programs Admissions Committees are looking for a holistic picture of your qualifications for a complete picture of your academic background as well as any internship or work experience you may be bringing to our programs.

Quality Matters

When creating your resume, the admissions committee should be able to get a clear picture of what your job duties were – do not assume they will know based on your job title. Take every opportunity on your application to illustrate just WHAT about your job is relevant to your academic goals. Even if your job title sounds impressive, what kind of company you worked for and how extensive your duties were is very relevant. An impressive title with no experience relevant to the program you’re applying to may not go as far.

What you should know about work experience: Years, titles, and accomplishments are not, by themselves deciding factors. To help you provide us with a clear picture, here are our top tips for highlighting the quality and quantity of your work experience on your resume:

Tailor Content – You may have heard the adage that your resume should be tailored to your audience, which is true. But customizing your resume may be as easy reordering or swapping out bullet points. Avoid putting irrelevant experience on your resume unless it creates a large gap in employment.
Emphasize Results – What results came from your position? Be specific to YOUR experience – if your resume could be carbon-copied onto another person’s resume, you should consider individualizing your tasks and duties on the job.
Avoid Redundancy – Think of each line on your resume as a valuable piece of real estate. Put down distinct tasks you completed at your job, rather than the same version of the same task multiple times. Show off the variety of skills you may have needed in your position.
Show Balance – We want to see a “balanced” candidate – someone who has been strong in the classroom and in the workplace while participating in extracurricular activities and having unique interests outside of work. Consider creating an “Additional” section to detail your activities and interests for use as a potential conversation starter.
Utilize White Space – Don’t feel like you have to use every square inch of your resume. A good resume uses its white space so it can be read clearly and coherently.
Enlist Proofreaders– Review, review, review. A single typo can ruin an otherwise perfect resume, so don’t hesitate to ask a friend (preferably one with excellent proofing skills) to look over your resume.
Convey Personal Brand – Think of your resume like an advertisement for yourself. What will be the impression you leave your audience with? Your resume is like your brand, so make sure it paints a picture of how you want to be seen.

Remember, your resume is important, but it’s only one data point for you as a candidate. Years of work experience give only one sense of you as a candidate, so use your resume to make the quality of those years really stand out!

If you have any questions about applying to the Texas MS Programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us: TexasMSPrograms@mccombs.utexas.edu

MS Application Ready: Now Which Test to Take?

6 April 20189 April 2021 by canipec

The Standardized Test – Oh My!

You’ve got all your materials lined up for your chosen Master of Science Program, and you’re staring down the testing requirement. GRE or GMAT? GMAT or GRE?

Can’t decide? Need some help preparing? Look no further.

Usually the first – or the last – thing our applicants complete for their application is their standardized test. It can be overwhelming. Which test should I take? What if I don’t score high enough? How to I prepare to ensure that I do? Can I retest? All of these questions and more are answered right here!

If you’ve started your application process, you’ll know that the Master of Science Programs accepts either the GRE or GMAT (we accept both the in-person and at home versions of both exams). One of the many questions our admissions team is asked is, “Which test do you prefer?” Either one! Our committee generally does not have a preference. However, once you’ve submitted one test score, if you need to retest, check with your specific program regarding your retest. Some admissions committees will be open to you swapping tests while others may ask you to take the same test again.

There are some pros and cons to each test, so use these tips to help decide which test might be right for you.

Choosing a Test

The GMAT is looked at by most large consulting and investment banking companies because they use your score as a baseline qualifier for the recruiting process. If consulting or investment banking are in your sights, this means that the GMAT is the best choice because you could take it once and use your score for both your MS application as well as your career recruitment profile.

The GMAT is simply more common among business school students, so recruiters will have more experiences assessing skills of applicants based on the GRE. However, if you’re in a field like our MS Marketing degree, which typically does not operate through recruiting, you may be better suited to the GRE.

Most graduate business programs only started accepting the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT within the last decade. Alumni and hiring companies are simply more familiar with the GMAT and its score scale. However, as it currently stands, the MS degrees here at UT see about half and half scores submitted each year, and our students have an excellent post-graduation career placement rate. So while the GMAT is still the prevalent exam within most business schools, our students are seeing success no matter which test they choose to take.

Preparing for the Test

Whether you’re taking the GRE or GMAT, we strongly encourage that you dedicate some time to studying for and preparing yourself for the test. Most students are spending anywhere from 50 to 200 hours preparing for standardized tests. There is no minimum score for any of our MS degree programs, but they are a strong factor in the admissions committee consideration of your application. Keep in mind that since we are quantitatively-based Master of Science degrees, our admissions committee is especially taking into consideration your quantitative test scores. Don’t ignore the qualitative side, though! As business degrees, we’re interested in candidates who have great communication skills as well as an ability to handle data and numbers.

Sometimes it’s the little things. Bear in mind that the GRE is about 3 hours long and the GMAT is about 3 and a half hours – so you need to be mentally ready! Don’t cram the night before, get a good night’s sleep, and eat beforehand. No one wants to go into a test on an empty stomach!

GMAT Test Prep Resources

For the GMAT, look no further than MBA.com. No longer a website for just MBA applicants, our MS applicants can utilize these resources to help them get ready for the GMAT. This page will help you understand how to spend your time studying, how to manage test anxiety, and there’s even a quiz to come up with your own customized study plan! You’ll also want to take some practice exams. GMAT offers a number of official practice exams – you’ll need to download the free test prep software to access their two free practice tests. These two are almost identical to what you’ll see on test day, so it’s important to take it seriously and note where you’re having issues.

As you go through the practice tests, it’s as important to understand what the test is asking you to do as it is to understand portions you are struggling with. Consider keeping an error log to identify not only what section you struggle at but also if there’s a time pattern (did you miss most of your questions around the two hour mark? This can help you mentally prepare to give yourself a boost around that time in the real test!).

GRE Test Prep Resources

Consider starting at ETS’ own free resources. They provide some great options to review Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and the Analytical Writing portions of the test. There are also options to take sample tests via POWERPREP online. It will not only get you ready for the format of the actual test (navigating between questions, types of questions, etc. ); it will also give you a good gauge of what materials you need to brush up on more.

Feel like you may need a little more preparation? Here are some recommended practice tests and resources you can get new or used to help you get ready.

Barron’s 6 GRE Practice Tests (Barron’s)
Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions & Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions (ETS)
Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep (Princeton Review)

Retesting

If you take your test and feel like you could score higher or you’ve submitted your application and the admissions committee has asked for a new score, try not to stress over your retest. Check out this blog regarding preparing the retest – you’ll see the FIRST piece of advice is to lower your anxiety. There’s also some great advice on accessing more practice tests and checking which resources you used to prepare the first time. Identify new resources, identify points of struggle, and work on improving those rather than doing another holistic study review. The upside to a retest is that you should be at least somewhat familiar with what’s coming, which is a significant portion of the battle when it comes to test-taking.

We hope our GRE/GMAT Testing blog was helpful! If you have additional questions regarding submitting your test scores to the MS in Business Analytics, Finance, IT & Management, or Marketing programs, utilize our websites to reach out to our admissions team to get your questions answered. We look forward to your application to join #TXMS!

Mastering McCombs

Texas Master of Science Programs Blog

Category: Admissions