Texas McCombs MBA Insider

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Category: Full-Time MBA (page 7 of 14)

Tower lit up in orange with number 1 on it with text reading "national case competition win"

Texas McCombs Wins National Black MBA Association Case Competition

February 10, 2021 / / Comments Off on Texas McCombs Wins National Black MBA Association Case Competition

Every year MBA students have the opportunity to participate in case competitions and challenges. Student teams are given a business problem to analyze, and they present their recommendations to a panel of experts who offer industry-specific feedback and select winners.

The 2020-2021 case competition season kicked off in September 2020 when Texas McCombs MBA students Christopher Williams, Sean Stallings, Tyrone Smith, and Ingrid Zagzebski competed in the annual National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Graduate Case Competition and took home the first place prize.

The Team

Christopher Williams Headshot

Christopher Williams, MBA ’21

Sean Stallings Headshot

Sean Stallings, MBA ’21

Tyrone Smith Headshot

Tyrone Smith, MBA ’21

Ingrid Zagzebski headshot

Ingrid Zagzebski, MBA ’22

McCombs teams have had strong showings at the NBMBAA competition in the past,  but this was the first time the Texas McCombs MBA team won first place.

In 2019, Christopher Williams and Sean Stallings competed with another MBA team. They persevered to come back this year and win it all. Chris is a former transportation engineer, and Sean was a tech consultant, so they formed  a strong foundation and were looking for a  well-rounded team. They recruited Tyrone Smith, who had experience in automotive sales, and Ingrid Zagzebski, who had worked in marketing, to join their team.

We felt like we could do better a second time around and decided to compete this year. We recruited two other team members — Tyrone, another second year student, and Ingrid, a first year student. They brought energy, creativity and a wealth of automotive and marketing experience to the team.

— Christopher Williams, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

It was the perfect blend of talent: sales, marketing, tech, consulting and engineering!

— Tyrone Smith, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

The Competition

For over 25 years, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has partnered with the National Black MBA Association to provide a challenging case for students from top business schools to compete for $50,000 in cash prizes and employment opportunities. The competition challenges MBA teams to dissect complex, real-world business problems, come up with a thorough solution and present their findings to a panel of Fortune 500 executives.

The McCombs MBA team, along with over 30 other teams from universities around the country, were faced with the need to problem-solve innovative digital retailing solutions and car delivery options. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 competition was hosted virtually, which added another challenge for students. 

What was the key to the McCombs team’s success? Sean thinks it was their team’s diversity and experience.

 I think our diverse backgrounds were a strong differentiator for the judges.

A big reason McCombs did so well that was Chris and I competed last year. Having made some mistakes, we internalized a lot of the judge’s feedback. We also learned from other top-tier MBA school presentations, and felt we could outdo them. It didn’t hurt to have completed coursework in Corporate Strategy, Tech Strategy and Operations — those frameworks definitely set us apart from other first year heavy teams.

— Sean Stallings, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

Even with having a strong team and prior case competition experience, the group had to overcome  a set of challenges. For one, there was the issue of time management: How can four Full-Time MBA students juggle their coursework, extracurriculars, and personal life on top of this competition? Tyrone, who is also a professional Olympic athlete, was still training and competing while the team was in the beginning weeks of planning and strategizing. Because of that, he correlates his team’s overall success to their synergy in those crucial early stages.

It feels absolutely incredible to be a part of this team. We worked our butts off with all of us having exceptionally full plates. We started meeting before school started and myself, being a professional Olympic athlete, I was still training and competing during the first few weeks. This team covered for one another excellently and we pulled together in perfect harmony

— Tyrone Smith, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

A First Place Victory

The team worked hard and made sacrifices. Their efforts paid off abundantly — in addition to new employment and networking opportunities, the team was awarded a $25,000 scholarship. Here’s how they felt when they got the news:

I literally screamed when we won although, if I’m being completely honest, I very much expected us to win. Chris and Sean competed last year and had a solid idea of the quality of presentation they would take. I was confident that knowledge — combined with the insider info, recommendations and our expertise in tech —would be difficult to beat.

For me, as far as new doors, the finalists were all invited to speak with McKinsey&Co., and I had an excellent one-on-one info session with them. I was encouraged to apply and they genuinely seem interested in my experience and story, something they would not have been exposed to without the competition.

— Tyrone Smith, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

 

I felt AMAZING. Our team put in a lot of effort to prepare for the case and bring data-backed, well researched and feasible recommendations to address the case challenge. 

The scholarship from NBMBAA & FCA has had an immediate impact on my financial health, helping to reduce my student loan liabilities. More broadly, the case allowed me to meet and network with other minority MBA students and continue building my network. 

— Christopher Williams, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

 

screenshot of Christopher William's linkedin post announcing their win

 

I was speechless!  It felt like I was inside of a dream. After the shock wore off, I wanted to scream and shout, but I was sitting at my gate at the ATX airport and didn’t feel like it was the place to make a scene.

 The scholarship money was a big reason why we signed up to compete last year; however, as we got further along in the process, it was less about the money and more about proving ourselves on the national stage. The $25,000 will be split up evenly amongst the four teammates and will be used to pay down some loans upon graduation.

— Sean Stallings, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

Advice For Future MBAs

If you’re a current or future MBA student interested in participating in next year’s National Black MBA Association Graduate Case Competition, here are some final words of advice curated by the team. 

Get ready early.

The case is typically released in mid-August. I attribute a large part of our success to preparation and giving ourselves enough time to fully flesh out our ideas.

From the start, we came to a consensus on expectations. We knew we wanted to position ourselves for a win and decided to dedicate several hours each week to prepare. Even so, we stretched ourselves to make things work. We had a great team dynamic and trusted each other to get the work done. That made it easy to prioritize and focus on specific aspects of the project, rather than having to worry about doing everything individually. 

— Christopher Williams, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

Be meticulous and say on task.

My advice is to have someone on the team who is meticulous about planning and have them take charge. Chris did an amazing job getting us started early to plan, so we were always a head of the curve. When the inevitable, unforeseeable things came up and we had to miss a meeting or change a time, it was okay because we were one-to-two weeks ahead of schedule.

Everyone is going to have to sacrifice at some point, and when it’s your turn, don’t hesitate. Show the team that you are in this to WIN — not just to make the final, or hopefully top 3, but to WIN.

— Tyrone Smith, Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA, Class of 2021.

Visit Texas McCombs MBA to find out more about all our programs, events, and community, or take a peek into student life on Instagram. Hook ’em!

After Admission: Deciding Your
MBA Offer

February 1, 2021 / / Comments Off on After Admission: Deciding Your
MBA Offer

Making it through the MBA application process to receive an offer of admission from Texas McCombs is a big accomplishment! But it is not the end of your MBA admissions journey. The decision process goes both ways and you must accept your offer of admission to be enrolled in the next class. As a driven and competitive MBA candidate,  you may be deciding between offers at multiple business schools. Everyone’s individual decision is different, but a few common themes always come up when we ask our students, “Why McCombs?”

The City

Austin, Texas tops rankings for quality of life, growth, tech and innovation year after year. ATX was named the No. 1 Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2017, 2018, and 2019!

A few photos of Austin - Lake Travis, the city, the Capitol, & a concert

The MBA program moved into a new, world-class facility in 2018. Robert B. Rowling Hall sits at the intersection of the university and the Austin business community, acting as a launchpad for ideas. Open, transparent, and flexibly designed, the building creates the physical space for you to engage, collaborate and learn experientially. Our dedication to excellence, plus our new home, made us a Top Ten Business School to Watch in 2021.

Rowling Hall exterior

Robert B. Rowling Hall, Graduate Business Building, UT Austin

The Network

Right at the center of Austin is the McCombs School of Business–  a tight-knit, driven community of students, staff and faculty, making up part of one of the largest university networks in the world:

500,000+ UTY Austin Alumni, 100,000+ McCombs Alumni, 25,000+ MBA Alumni

Our MBA culture is famously welcoming and our students come from diverse backgrounds that make our community dynamic and inspiring. It has been said that McCombs MBAs are relentlessly driven, yet they are the first to jump in and encourage and support each other to excel. Connect with current MBA students to learn more about what sets us apart.

Texas McCombs MBA Consortium Students at Rowling Hall, fall 2018

Texas McCombs Consortium MBA students at Orientation 2018

The Focus on the Future

Texas McCombs is human-centered and future-focused, meaning we have our eye on what’s coming next in business– from the exciting research coming out of McCombs every day to the many rankings where we are among the best schools in the nation. We strive to be a top business school, giving our students the best possible experience. Recently, we landed on six Top 10 lists in Princeton Review’s 2021 rankings, including No. 1 Best Campus Environment for the third year in a row!

Visit Texas McCombs MBA to find out more about all our programs, events, and community, or take a peek into student life on Instagram. Hook ’em!

Banner announcing STEM Certification

Full-Time MBA Program Receives STEM Certification

December 17, 2020 / / Comments Off on Full-Time MBA Program Receives STEM Certification

Top-Ranked Programs Emphasize Quantitative Management and Analytics

We are excited to announce that the Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA Program has received STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) certification for 14 of its 22 concentrations, demonstrating a high level of quantitative rigor across the program. 

“The breadth and depth of our full-time MBA curriculum is a unique complement to our close-knit class of 260 students, and we wanted to focus our STEM certification efforts on areas where we’re seeing strong and active job recruitment post-graduation, such as business analytics. The fact that these 14 concentrations were judged to meet STEM standards after an exacting review by our faculty, university office of graduate studies, UT System, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board points to the strength of our offerings in these subject areas.”

– Tina Mabley, Assistant Dean for Full-Time MBA

Texas McCombs received the STEM designation after a rigorous review of the MBA curriculum and how the programs are categorized by the National Center for Education Statistics under a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. The approval process went through several levels including the McCombs School of Business faculty, the University of Texas at Austin Office of Graduate Studies and Provost, the University of Texas System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. As a result, the existing single Full-Time MBA degree program was split into three degree programs, two of which (Management Science & Quantitative Methods and Financial Mathematics) are classified with STEM codes. These degrees are earned by completing specific concentrations within the Full-Time MBA program.  

Beginning with the graduating Class of 2021, the following  concentrations will have the STEM degree designation.

Management Science & Quantitative Methods degree code:

  • Information Management 
  • Supply Chain & Operations Management 
  • Business Analytics 
  • Brand & Product Management
  • High Tech Marketing
  • Marketing Analytics & Consulting 

Financial Mathematics degree code:

  • General Finance 
  • Corporate Accounting 
  • Investment Management 
  • Corporate Finance 
  • Energy Finance 
  • Clean Tech 
  • Private Equity 
  • Real Estate Finance  

Several of McCombs’ one-year, specialized Master of Science programs are also STEM certified, including Business Analytics, Information Technology and Management, Finance, Marketing, and Technology Commercialization.

“Our goal at McCombs is not only to educate students from across the globe but also to make them competitive for business professions that the market is dictating. STEM certification is an indication that our programs and our curriculum are both thorough and rigorous.”

– Interim Dean Lillian Mills

The STEM-designated degree program was established by the U.S. government to address a shortage of qualified workers in STEM fields and benefits all students by providing exceptional educational experience and broadening career opportunities. Additionally, the degree designation benefits international students by giving them up to three years to work in the U.S. without an H1-B visa through OPT (Optional Practical Training), instead of just one-year for non-STEM degrees.

How to Have a Successful MBA Interview

October 21, 2020 / / Comments Off on How to Have a Successful MBA Interview

We understand that if you are planning to apply this application cycle , you may be affected by challenges posed by COVID-19. The University of Texas continues to prioritize your safety and you can stay updated on safety measures and announcements via Protect Texas Together.

After you submit your MBA application, you may receive an invitation to interview.  The weeks after submitting create a new set of questions, especially because of the current restrictions for on-campus visits and virtual interviews. Common questions include:  What interview format options are there? What sort of questions will I be asked? Who conducts the interview? How should I prepare?

Different schools have different interview processes. It’s important to be familiar with how the Texas McCombs MBA runs the virtual interview experience. Be sure to read all confirmation emails and instructions very carefully.

Interviews Are Invitation Only 

Currently, all interviews are being conducted virtually.

Full-Time MBA Program Interviewers
For our Full-Time MBA program, interviews will be conducted by a current MBA student, MBA Alumnus, or MBA Admissions staff.

Working Professional MBA Program Interviewers
For our working , interviews will be conducted by the dedicated Admissions Officer for your program.

If you receive an interview invitation, an email will point you to our online platform and allow you to select an interview time slot that works with your schedule. There is a deadline to complete your interview, so be sure to schedule it as early as you can.

Interview invitations can come at any time during the application round. You will want to check your email (and  your Spam Folder) regularly after you submit your application  so you can  respond to our invitation and secure your preferred time slot.

An Un-Biased Approach  

Going into each interview, our interviewers do not have access to anything about you or your application, except for your resume. (Even so, it’s always a good idea to have a copy of your resume on-hand during the conversation.)

All of our interviewers are fully trained on conducting an interview that is professional, fair, impartial and helpful. Interviews typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Most interviews follow the general framework of introductions, questions from the interviewer for you to answer, then leave time  at the end for you to ask questions about the program and/or application process.

Top Tips

  1. Be On Time: Arriving on time is “Interviewing 101,” yet it still manages to trip up even the most prepared of candidates. Please follow all the instructions in your confirmation email about how to connect with your interviewer.
  2. Test Technology: Virtual interviews are being conducted through Zoom. If you don’t have one already, create a Zoom account. You’ll want to find a good space to conduct your interview, ideally with good lighting, stable internet, and access to a plug. We recommend connecting directly to your internet for the most reliable internet connection.
  3. Pace Yourself: You’d be surprised how many times, at the end of an applicant’s long answer, we are asked to repeat the original question. Most often this happens to people who try to put too much into the first answer for fear of not being given an opportunity later on to address their prepared examples.  Don’t worry, you will have time to get to it.  Plus, there is often an opportunity at the end of an interview to mention anything you didn’t address in the formal line of questioning.
  4. Be Professional But Loosen Up: Given our program’s famously friendly culture, our interviews are relatively informal.  If you still find yourself nervous, practice your answers in front of a mirror or with a friend or colleague and ask them how you did. Did you answer the question? Did you rush through it? Take a moment to outline your answer in your mind first, and then address it calmly and confidently.  Don’t get too comfortable, though. While we’re an easy-going group, maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism is always a good idea. This includes professional language and attire, as if you were interviewing for a job.
  5. Know What We’re Looking For: We listen for confidence, clear and concise communication of career goals, concrete examples of teamwork and leadership, in-depth knowledge of our MBA program, and overall genuine enthusiasm.  Also, the interview can be a place to showcase secondary skills that are difficult for us to determine solely based on your application: interview skills, self-awareness, communication style, and “hire-ability.” Keep these in mind so we can get a feel for the application intangibles.
  6. Come with questions: A good list of questions for your interviewer can illustrate a few key things about you as a candidate: You’ve done your research, you care about our program, you have envisioned yourself as an MBA, and you can formulate coherent thoughts under pressure. We usually leave anywhere from 10-15 minutes for questions, so limit your list to 2-3 good ones and have a few backups.

Some applicants anticipate an interview and feel nervous, which is natural. If you are nervous, here is some key advice: The interview is your official opportunity to share your story, provide examples, and tell us why you chose McCombs like no one else can. Take advantage of this opportunity; It can be just the thing the Admissions Committee needs to understand the rest of your application elements and gives us the chance to get to know you better!

If you have any questions during the application process, we’re here to help. Please visit our website for details on applying to each program and follow us on Instagram for an inside look into the the Texas McCombs MBA.

Hispanic Heritage Month with LAHMBA at McCombs

September 25, 2020 / / Comments Off on Hispanic Heritage Month with LAHMBA at McCombs

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 – October 15, is a national celebration of the accomplishments and cultural history of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and organizations in the United States. At Texas McCombs, our students are a constant reminder of the positive impact that diverse backgrounds and perspectives bring to our communities. We are proud to highlight some of our Latin American & Hispanic MBA Association (LAHMBA) students’ stories, their “Why McCombs?” and LAHMBA initiatives this year.

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Women at Texas McCombs

August 26, 2020 / / Comments Off on Women at Texas McCombs

Today, Texas McCombs celebrates Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting some women the right to vote 100 years ago in 1920. The Texas McCombs MBA program is proud to have made strides to increase the number of women in our programs, but in both business and business education, we acknowledge there is still much progress to made toward gender parity.  Meet some of our Texas McCombs women who are already leading the way below.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Texas McCombs MBA COVID-19 Test Waiver

August 20, 2020 / / 3 Comments

 

Standardized exams like the GRE, GMAT, EA, TOEFL & IELTS help us to evaluate a candidate’s academic preparedness for the rigor of business school and is one metric used to compare candidates within a large pool of applicants.

In addition, studying for and taking the exam – for some, even taking it multiple times – can show the admissions committee your commitment to the competitive business school application process and how you may approach academic challenges as a student. 

However, we understand that many are experiencing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that these challenges may be affecting your applications plans and ability to take an exam. Due to the unprecedented circumstances, we are providing applicants who are unable to take an exam in person or online the opportunity to petition for a test score waiver.

Here, our Admissions Team answers some questions you might have about the Texas McCombs MBA COVID-19 test waiver, including who the waiver is for and how it might impact your application. 

Who is eligible for a COVID-19 test waiver? 

Applicants who meet both of the criteria below have the opportunity to petition for a special test waiver:

  • You are unable to take an exam in-person at a designated testing center due to lack of availability in your region, or because you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, AND    
  • You are unable to take an exam online due to lack of availability in your region, technology or other test-taking requirements (e.g. device availability or compatibility, slow internet connection, testing environment) 

If you do not meet both of these criteria, we require that you complete the standardized tests prior to submitting your application.  Both GMAC and ETS have introduced remote testing options for the  GMAT, GRE, EA, and TOEFL exams for candidates impacted by coronavirus, and the majority of testing centers have re-opened globally with stringent health and safety precautions.   

How do I request a COVID-19 test waiver? 

If you meet both requirements above and would like to request a COVID-19 test waiver, please email TexasMBA@mccombs.utexas.edu to receive a link to the petition and to learn more about the test exception process.  

Is there a deadline to request a COVID-19 test waiver? 

The test waiver petition must be approved by the admissions committee before you submit your application to McCombs. The admissions committee may take up to five business days to review your petition, so please complete the petition 10-15 days prior to your planned application submission date.

How does a test waiver impact my application? 

If you are approved for the COVID-19 test waiver, you may be asking yourself, “What are my chances for admission?” 

The truth is that by removing one component from your application, your other components will carry more weight in the committee’s final decision. Below are some items to consider as you craft your application. 

Academic History 

Does your undergraduate or graduate transcript accurately reflect your academic ability? If your GPA is low, and you do not submit a GMAT or GRE score, the admissions committee may have concerns about your ability to succeed in the rigorous MBA curriculum.  

One other factor to consider is whether or not your quantitative ability shines elsewhere in your application. While many of our MBA students come to McCombs from non-quantitative majors, these applicants are typically able to prove their quant prowess through the GMAT or GRE. If you come from a non-quantitative background and qualify for a test waiver, you will need to find other areas within your background or experience that can demonstrate your quantitative skills. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that you are set up to succeed academically in the program. If the admissions committee has concerns about your quantitative ability, it may impact your chance of admission, or you may be required to complete pre-MBA coursework prior to admission and/or prior to enrollment.  

Work Experience 

Your work experience will be reviewed thoroughly by the committee for leadership potential, progression and/or increasing responsibilities, and achievements. Generally, the level of responsibility someone has within a company correlates positively to how they will perform in a rigorous graduate educational program.  For those with less than the average work experience, a standardized test score may make your application more competitive. 

If you have any professional certifications, such as the CPA, CFA, Series 7, or others – be sure to highlight these on your resume and within your application, as attaining these types of certifications helps show the committee your academic readiness.  Advanced or terminal degrees should also be highlighted.  

Career Goals 

If your post-MBA career goal is to work in management consulting or investment banking, employers in these industries may ask that you provide your GMAT score when applying for internships or full-time positions. If you qualify for a test waiver and are considering pursuing post-MBA jobs in these industries, it is important that you are aware of this before enrolling because you may end up having to take the exam to apply for these roles. 

Scholarships 

Scholarship awards are competitive and limited in number. Scholarship decisions are based on a longstanding holistic review process that takes into account your entire application and serves to assess the overall strength of your candidacy, including readiness for academic rigor, career goals, leadership potential, and fit with our program culture. Submitting an application without a test score may limit the information available to award a merit-based scholarship.   

One other note: Admission deferral requests for the Full-Time MBA program will not be considered if you gain admission to Texas McCombs and have a test exception. 

What if I’m an international student and am not able to take the TOEFL or IELTS? 

If you are an international student who does not qualify for our standard TOEFL/IELTS waiver based on work experience and/or education history, but you meet the criteria for a COVID-19 test waiver, you may be asked to prove your mastery of English via other avenues, such as a meeting with an admissions committee member or an additional essay request. In addition, if admitted you may be required to enroll in and pay for the pre-MBA Business English Program, which occurs in June 2021.  

Final Thoughts on the COVID-19 Test Waiver

The COVID-19 test waiver is intended only for those who cannot take the exams in person or virtually due to circumstances beyond their control.  If you qualify for a test waiver and believe that your application will not be negatively impacted by the lack of a test score, we encourage you to submit the petition and apply when you are ready. However, it is important to remember that we have multiple application rounds for a reason! For some, it may be best to wait to apply until you can submit with test score in-hand.  The decision will be different for every applicant, and we encourage you to approach this thoughtfully.   

We wish you well during these difficult times. Please contact us if you have any questions, and best of luck on your application! 

Full-Time MBA Rounds

When Should You Submit Your MBA Application?

July 22, 2020 / / Comments Off on When Should You Submit Your MBA Application?

The 2020-2021 Full-Time MBA application will open soon, and the Admissions Committee is accepting applications in four rounds this cycle. We usually receive questions about application deadlines and whether or not it matters when you submit your application– Round 1, 2, 3 or 4.

You should NEVER rush to submit your MBA application simply to take advantage of “more spots.” – The Admissions Committee’s best application round advice

Timing is a key factor in your overall application strategy. A lot of details go into deciding which round to apply, and one answer is not right for everyone. So, let’s break it down by round so you can get a clearer picture of when might be the best time for you to hit “Submit.”

Round One

Round 1 is a good choice for a couple of reasons:

  1. It is our first priority scholarship deadline– If you want to be considered for all merit-based scholarships, Round 1 is your best shot. As each round closes, our scholarship funding pool decreases.
  2.  All of our spots are still available! Plus, historically we’ve received fewer applications in R1 than in R2.

But, the best piece of advice for any round is that you should NEVER rush to submit your MBA application simply to take advantage of “more spots” or “more funding.”  Once you submit your application, you cannot “re-submit” a stronger application in a later round for the same term of entry. If you skip important preparation, including a formal test prep, articulating your “why MBA,” or conducting research just to be able to submit in Round 1, you could end up with a test score and application that doesn’t reflect you at your best.

In any case, submitting in Round 1 might not be a good idea, especially if you know that you can improve a component of your application. Waiting to apply until all aspects of your application are strong is always the best approach.

Round Two

Applying later is okay, too! If we filled up the class in Round 1, the Admissions Committee might be out of a job by February. Round 2 is traditionally our largest round, and receives many strong applicants. Scholarships and fellowships are still available and all information and data included in your application help the Admission Committee allocate scholarship awards. In short: A strong application will stand out in any round.

Round Three

Round 3 tends to be a smaller round. Many applicants in Round 3 simply didn’t realize an MBA was an option or on their radar until later in the application cycle. Historically, we always have spots available in Round 3 (which is why we have a Round 3), but each year the number varies. We can’t say it enough– A strong, complete, well-researched application always stands out.

It’s also worth noting that for international students this is the last round to apply.

Round Four

Round 4 is the newest round– an opportunity for those in a similar situation as Round 3, and for those not wanting to wait until next cycle. Many of the applicants who apply in this round are engaging in the MBA process later due to career, life, and employment changes or goals. Others will apply in this round because they are ready to start in the fall rather than waiting another year. Due to the limited and competitive nature of funding, one can expect a decrease in scholarship availability.

Before you hit “Submit,” points to keep in mind:

  • Submit your application only when you’re 99.9% ready. Supplemental application materials submitted after a round deadline are risky, since there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will see them. Once your file is read, we will not re-review again based upon new information received post-deadline.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute! We are not able to accept applications submitted after 11:59pm CT on the day of the deadline. Technical difficulties plague applicants every round, every year. Stay aware of deadlines the best you can, so you don’t become a cautionary tale. In the interest of a fair process, we don’t make exceptions to our deadlines, no matter what reason you have for a late submission.
  • Be patient. The Admissions Committee does not begin reviewing applications until the round deadline has passed. In other words, you might be far ahead and submit your application in August, but we won’t begin reviewing any submissions until after the Round 1 deadline in October.
  • The Admissions Committee does not provide individual feedback on applications, out of fairness to all applicants and due to the volume of requests we receive.

If you feel good about your application, we encourage you to apply but if you aren’t ready yet (i.e.: You need to retake your GMAT/GRE, rework your essay, or wait for a promotion at work to come through), don’t risk it– wait until you’re confident in your application before hitting the “Submit” button.

We look forward to reviewing your application this year, and are always here to answer your questions about applying. Hook ’em!

eQual MBAs #Pride Stories

June 29, 2020 / / Comments Off on eQual MBAs #Pride Stories

As Pride Month comes to an end, Texas McCombs would like to highlight how our Engaged Queer & Ally (eQual) MBAs organization has continued to support the McCombs and Austin communities, share resources and organize exclusively in a digital platform to celebrate Pride this year. Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, McCombs students continue to stay engaged, as world-changing leaders committed to serving our many diverse communities.

Equal MBA team photo

eQual MBA students at Texas McCombs

Who are eQual MBAs?

Engaged Queer & Ally (eQual) MBAs, McCombs’ LGBTQ+ affinity group, is dedicated to promoting diversity & inclusion in the @utexasmba program & community at large. Every year, they’re committed to recruiting more LGBTQ+ prospective students, organizing regular events, connecting to alumni, and building relationships with allies and sponsors. Furthermore, through their efforts, eQual MBAs bring forth educational discussions to McCombs about gender and sexuality, advocate for allyship and inclusion, and connect members to the larger Austin LQBTQ+ community. Overall, the group is divided into three different pillars: allyship, alumni, and service.

Aside from being full-time MBA students, everyone involved in the organization has faced additional challenges throughout their eQual MBA journey. Despite being the smallest affinity group at Texas McCombs, they continue to grow. Currently, they hold 14 LGBTQ+ members — a record high for the club – along with many allies as members. 2020-2021 co-presidents Andie Parazo and Matt Mason look forward to continuing to grow membership and offering support and resources to the LGBTQ+ and ally community at McCombs.

The eQual MBAs organization, to me, means having a community that will always be there to support me. The members of eQual are not only the people that I rely on to help organize events for the advancement of queer and all underrepresented people’s rights, but they are also some of my closest friends in the MBA program.

— Matt Mason, eQqual MBAs Co-President, MBA Class of 2021

Allyship, Intersectionality and the Importance of Showing Up

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Why MBA? MBA Admissions Insight

Considering Your MBA
in Uncertain Times

March 26, 2020 / / Comments Off on Considering Your MBA
in Uncertain Times

Dave Jackson is the Senior Admissions Officer for the Texas McCombs MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth program and is a proud McCombs MBA alumnus . He has 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, and communication. Dave graduated from the MBA program in 2010 amidst the Great Recession. Here, he provides a personal perspective of his time in the program that may be helpful to those currently evaluating an MBA amongst the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. 

Dave Jackson Headshot

Dave Jackson, Senior Admissions Officer of MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth

I remember sitting in a conference room in the Fall of 2008, in my first year of the Texas McCombs MBA at DFW program. For those who remember that time, we were in the midst of one of the worst recessions in our country’s history as the subprime mortgage crisis brought the financial system to its knees.

The alum standing at the front of the room talking to our class asked, “Who thinks this is a good time to be looking for a job?”

None of us even gave a thought to raising our hands. Most of us were more worried about keeping the jobs we had, let alone finding something new.

He looked at his audience of skeptics and said, “I would argue that this is the best time of all to be looking for a job. Because companies are only hiring people for positions that they know will add value. And those are the jobs you want.”

One simple argument changed our whole perspective on what appeared to be a bleak economic situation.

Now we’re facing another crisis – a public health challenge combined with an economic one. And it’s perfectly rational to ask: Is now the right time to make an investment in an MBA?

This is ultimately a personal question: Everyone has their own set of criteria for what makes a good investment and when is the right time to make it.

Here are a few things to consider:

Return on Investment – Just as investment advisors recommend that you invest your money for the long-term, recognize that you have many more years ahead in your career and your MBA will pay off over a long period of time. But in thinking more specifically about payback, the most recent GMAC survey of business school alumni found high-levels of both satisfaction and return among both full-time and part-time graduates. Employers value the MBA and despite an uncertain hiring environment, there will be opportunities for good candidates in the future. Additionally McCombs was named No. 1 Best Value among top 20 business schools by U.S. News and World Report, based on the gap between average starting salaries and debt.

Network – Remember that the concepts of return and value are two different things. While return is more easily quantifiable and you should expect a reasonable payback period, you begin accruing value with your MBA from the day you start, and you continue to accrue that value over the rest of your life. A big part of that value comes from the network you build with your classmates and alumni. As a McCombs student, you instantly join a powerful and passionate network of 500,000+ University of Texas at Austin and 100,000+ McCombs alumni who are eager to help their fellow Longhorns. Being surrounded by a group of smart, goal-oriented, diverse and downright interesting people will give you new perspectives on how to do your work differently, provide you with new tools for solving problems and give you connections (and friendships) that will always be with you throughout your career.

Knowledge – Another main source of value in an MBA is the knowledge you gain, which has no expiration date. MBA faculty are the best in their fields, and they also recognize the strength of knowledge in the room. They know how to facilitate discussion and draw on the expertise of you and your fellow students. At McCombs we are fortunate to have extraordinary breadth across academic disciplines, as one of only five schools in the nation to rank in the top 20 across 11 or more U.S. News graduate business specialties. Additionally our faculty have been named top 10 Best Professors by The Princeton Review for 10 of the last 11 years, based on feedback from students about teaching quality and accessibility outside the classroom. We assume that everyone seeking an MBA aspires to be a leader, and our curriculum is geared toward preparing you for leadership. As we’re learning each day, strong leadership skills and empathy are critical in difficult times to ensure that our businesses, organizations, and team members are prepared to get through difficult challenges. As an MBA graduate, you will be well-equipped to play a leading role in solving the next crisis we face as a society.

Perspective – Finally, it’s important to recognize that the current environment, while difficult and unprecedented, is temporary. The world economy has weathered many challenges over its long history. And while the “when” isn’t clear, things will get better. It’s important to consider whether waiting to pursue your MBA is worth the opportunity cost of missing out on the benefits you can start receiving sooner.

Warren Buffett, a child of the Great Depression who has become one of the world’s greatest investors in good times and bad, has said, “By far the best investment you can make is in yourself.”

An MBA is an investment that will pay off over a long time horizon, in ways both easy to measure and less tangible but still significant. So if you’re thinking about whether these turbulent times are right for making the MBA investment, it’s worth considering that this might be the best time of all to go for it.

Visit Texas McCombs MBA to find out more about all our programs, events and community, or take a peek into student life on Instagram.

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