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How to Submit a Successful MBA Recommendation Letter

The Texas McCombs Working Professional and Executive MBA applications require one professional letter of recommendation from a person who has supervised your work and/or has directly assessed your work performance during your career.  

A recommendation letter is the only component of your application where you rely on someone else to provide information, so it is important that you carefully decide who you will ask to be your recommender. The Admissions Committee uses this recommendation to assess your work capabilities, such as your motivation, contribution, strengths, areas of growth, etc.  

What is in the Recommendation Letter?  

First of all, this is NOT the traditional letter of recommendation you typically think of where someone writes a letter on your behalf to vouch for your professional performance. Texas McCombs uses the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation. Your recommender will receive a link to assess specific competencies/traits and answer three short-response questions.  

 Keep in mind that while there are other programs using this form, some schools will ask a different series of questions.  If you’re applying to more than one MBA, you may be asking your recommender to separately fill out different forms. Make sure they do not copy and paste their responses.  

Who should write your MBA Recommendation?  

Circumstances differ for every applicant and deciding who you should ask might vary.  Below are some scenarios to help guide you in choosing the best recommender for your MBA application.  

 Your Supervisor 
Your current direct supervisor is traditionally the best choice. This is likely the person in your network that knows your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else and can speak to your professional capabilities.  

However, in some instances, your current supervisor may not be a viable option for you.  Perhaps you aren’t able to communicate to your employer that you’re applying to business school or you do not work with your direct boss that closely. It could also be that you attained a new role recently and your current supervisor has not had a chance to work with you very long. Or, you’re an entrepreneur and don’t have a supervisor.   

All of these are valid reasons to look for other recommendation sources. If you choose to request a different recommender than your current supervisor, please explain your choice in the Optional Essay.  

Your Former Supervisor
If you cannot ask your current direct supervisor to write your recommendation, maybe you can ask a previous supervisor? Depending on how recently you worked with them, your previous boss may be the best choice, especially if you had a strong professional relationship with that person. This is the most common alternative option. 

Your Indirect Supervisor 
Asking an indirect supervisor can be another option, especially if you’ve worked with this person closely on long-term projects or significant assignments.  This is a nice alternative to a supervisor that you may not work with closely. 

Your Client or Vendor 
This recommendation source is typically useful for entrepreneurs or for applicants who work for a family business. If you work for a family business, it is preferred that you ask an individual outside of your family to write your letter of recommendation. 

Mentor or Other Options 
Mentors can be from inside or outside of your workplace who have a clear understanding of your professional value. Also, there are many individuals who may fall in the category of “other recommenders.” For example, a former professor, a colleague, or a coach. However, be sure that the person you select has worked with you on measurable tasks and understands your professional experiences to ensure they will provide a recommendation with depth. This is the least preferred option by the admissions committee. 

 

Other Tips:  

  • Don’t focus only on title – the CEO of a large company may sound like an impressive recommendation, but unless they work with you closely, the recommendation letter will likely fall short of delivering the information that the Admissions Committee is looking for.  
  • Steer clear of asking a direct report (someone who reports up to you) or a family member to submit a letter of recommendation.  
  • When it comes to other options, use your best judgment. An undergraduate professor may not be the best person to address some of the questions posed on the recommendation form, and the Admissions Committee is looking mainly at your post-undergraduate work experience.    

You’ve chosen a recommender. What’s next?  

First, before asking your recommender to take this on, keep in mind that they are likely a busy individual – be sure to give them plenty of notice before the application deadline.   

Secondly, give them a heads-up about your request. You don’t want to blindly email someone and ask them to write something for you without having a conversation. It may be a good idea to revisit certain projects you worked with them on. Most importantly, explain to your recommender why you’re pursuing an MBA. Giving them some context behind your ask will go a long way and will likely result in a stronger letter.   

Finally, make sure you give them all the information on the recommendation before you ask, especially the timeline for when you will be submitting your application. Let them know they will be receiving a link to fill out the recommendation, and that they do NOT need to write a supplemental letter.  


If you have any questions during the application process, we’re here to help. Join us at an upcoming event to connect and learn more about Texas McCombs.  Please sign up for MBA news and follow us on Instagram at @UTexasMBA to stay updated. 

Hook ’em! 

 

Getting to Know our Candidates: Working Professional and Executive  MBA Video Assessment and Interview 

Shortly after you submit your MBA application and your application fee is paid or waived, you will receive two “action requested” emails – one pertains to your Video Assessment, and the other to your Interview. 

All Working Professional and Executive MBA applicants are required to complete both the Video Assessment and the MBA Interview in order to successfully submit their application. 

The Video Assessment and Interview are two opportunities to share your story and tell us why you belong atMcCombs in your own voice. 

Video Assessment 

This application requirement helps the Admissions Committee better understand your goals and the work that you do  and allows us to assess your communication skills. All applicants have seven days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform.

The video assessment has 4-5 question prompts and will take between 20 – 30 minutes to complete.  Applicants will be allowed to practice before beginning their video assessment and will have between two and three minutes to answer each prompt, depending on the question. You do not need to fill the full amount of time if you reach your conclusion earlier. 

The video assessment evaluates different competencies for every Texas McCombs MBA student. Below are some of the topics you may be asked about:

  • Career Goals
  • Engagement/Impact
  • Problem-Solving
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration
  • Resilience
  • Coachability

Tips for Completing Your Video Assessment 

  1. Test Technology:  Virtual Assessments require a desktop or laptop computer (no iPhones/iPads) with a functioning webcam, microphone, and internet connection. Most browsers are compatible (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera) but the platform will not work well on Safari. 
  2. Pace Yourself:Videos have a time limit. Keeping responses concise, yet clear, is important. However, make sure you are answering the question in full. Those practice questions will be a great way to gauge what the response time actually feels like when responding to a question. And don’t feel compelled to use the entire time limit if your response can be achieved in less time.
  3. Be Professional: Approach the video assessment the same way you would a live job interview. If you wouldn’t wear a t-shirt to an in-person job interview (and you shouldn’t), then don’t for your video assessment. Ensure that there are no noise or visual distractions where you record your videos. Texas McCombs is known for its “famously friendly” culture, but we still want to be able to see your professional side. This includes your language, attire, and setting.
  4. Practice:  You will have the ability to practice responding to test questions for as long as you wish. Practicing helps you become more comfortable with the technology when answering the real prompts. 

    Our questions aren’t meant to be a trick or to catch you off guard. If you search the internet for commonly asked MBA or business job interview questions, you will likely find variations of what we ask. Think ahead about how you will answer them. Reflect on successes or learning moments from your career that might be good examples to bring up. Practice your answers in front of a mirror or with a partner/friend 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. 

MBA Interview 

The Interview provides an opportunity for you and a member of the Admissions Committee to have a one-to-one conversation about you and your MBA candidacy. It’s a chance for us to get a deeper understanding of your readiness for the demands of this rigorous program, as well as how you will contribute to and engage with the Working Professional and Executive MBA cohort. 

Similar to the Video Assessment, we’re assessing your verbal communication skills and your professional presence. Interviews are mostly conducted via Zoom, with periodic opportunities for in-person interviews during campus visit events. The interview lasts 30 minutes total, including time for your specific questions. 

Tips for Completing Your MBA Interview

  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 via Zoom. If you’re interviewing on campus, scope out the location of the MBA Program Office in advance. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Come with questions: You’ll have about 10 minutes for questions with your interviewer, so please come prepared with 2 or 3 questions. 

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 Texas McCombs MBA.  

What Round Should I Apply In?

The 2023-2024 Full-Time MBA application is now open!  

We usually receive lots of questions about application deadlines and whether or not it matters whenyou submit your application– Round 1, 2, 3 or 4. 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 1 

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 Round 1 than in Round 2.  

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 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 2 

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 Texas McCombs receives many strong applicants in this round. Scholarships and fellowships are still available and all information and data included in your application help the Admission Committee allocate scholarship awards.  

Applying later is okay! A strong application will stand out in any round. 

Round 3 or Round 4 

Our later rounds – Rounds 3 and 4 – tend to have a much smaller volume of applicants than the first two rounds. Many applicants in Round 3 or 4 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 late in the cycle (which is why we have these later rounds!), but each year the number varies.  

We can’t say it enough– A strong, complete, well-researched application always stands out.  

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 incredibly 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 impact applicants every round, every year. Stay aware of deadlines the best you can. 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 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 Texas McCombs MBA. 

 

Good luck and Hook ’em!

Cover Letter for Working Professional & Executive MBA

MBA Cover Letter 

The application cover letter is a critical means of learning who you are as an applicant and assessing your writing skills. Here is your prompt.

Please write an application cover letter summarizing your aspirations, qualifications, personal and professional experiences that make you a strong candidate for the Texas MBA program you are applying to. (max 500 words)

MBA Optional Statement 

Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to the MBA Admissions Committee in considering your application. (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances) (250 words) 

 Honestly, the most important piece of advice we can provide you on the optional statement is to remember that it is just that– optional. Only applicants who feel some of their profile deserves more explanation should submit an optional statement.

This application section is not designed for you to tell us more about your extracurricular activities or expand upon the essay prompt. While we love to see how excited you are to share additional information with us, there are other ways to let the Admissions Committee know about additional projects or passions. Your resume and the video assessment are better forums for these additional details.

Optional statements should focus on filling gaps or answering questions we are likely to have about you.  

Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is an opportunity to sell yourself to the Admissions Committee and make your case for why you belong in our programs. The best cover letters will catch our interest immediately (please do not start with “My name is”), will flow seamlessly from topic to topic, hit all of the points we’ve asked you to cover and wrap up with the closing thoughts you want to leave with us. We understand this is not a creative writing program, but being able to communicate your ideas clearly, succulently, and persuasively is a vital skill in business and in our classes.  

  • Be patient with yourself. Take time to reflect, brainstorm, rewrite, and EDIT. It will likely take more than one draft to craft your final submission. 
  • Don’t copy and paste. Do not use the same content for multiple business school applications or repeat things verbatim from your resume. We can always spot recycled content, and we want to know you’ve put time and care into your application. 
  • STAY ON PROMPT. Approach this as you would drafting a cover letter for a job – who are you, why do you want to come to McCombs, and how will you contribute to the program?  
  • Show your personality. The cover letter is a way to learn more about you. Our community values authenticity and we appreciate submissions that give us an understanding of who you are and what kind of student you will be.
  • Have someone you trust read over your cover letter. Those closest to you can provide valuable insights, feedback, and perspectives as you highlight your personal gifts and qualities.

We hope these insights into the written portions of our application give you some ideas to think about and some points to revisit as you write (and rewrite) your cover letter. Good luck, and happy applying! 


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 Texas McCombs MBA.  

Test Options for Working Professional & Executive MBA

Preparing for and taking an MBA admissions exam is one of the best ways to get your mind back into academic mode as you prepare for business school. 

 Working Professional and Executive MBA candidates have several options when considering how to complete the standardized test requirement in their application.  All applicants are required to submit a GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) score.

We will waive the testing requirement if: 

  • Expired (taken 5+ years ago) GMAT, GRE, or EA score is submitted 

or

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.  Our preference will always be a recent test score, however, we recognize that many students have other accomplishments and credentials that prove their ability to handle the rigors of our programs. 

This post contains a lot of information, broken down into three sections:  

  • Should I Petition for a Test Waiver? 
  • Which Exam is Right for You?  
  • Submitting Your Test Requirement 
  • Impact of Your Test Score  

Should I Petition for a Test Waiver? 

Standardized exams like the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, and EA 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.  Submitting a strong, valid test score will give the Admissions Committee an additional, relevant data point that may strengthen a candidate’s position for admission.  

Scholarship awards are another aspect to think about when deciding which test to submit. All of our Working Professional MBA programs– The Weekend MBA in Dallas and Houston, and the Evening MBA in Austin– award small recruiting scholarships to outstanding incoming students based on the merits of the application. While the committee reviews each candidate holistically when awarding scholarships, a strong, valid test score is one of the clearest ways to distinguish yourself.

Executive MBA candidates must have at least 8 years of work experience to apply, but Executive MBA students have an average of over 14 years of experience. If your work experience is below average and only have a bachelor’s degree, plan to submit the EA.

Submitting a Test Waiver

 A merit-based test waiver is available by request prior to submitting your application. Waivers/Exceptions are not available for applicants who have already sent scores to UT. 

To be considered for a test waiver, an applicant must have: 

  • A minimum of three years of substantive and progressing post–undergraduate work experience, preferably of an analytical or quantitative nature. 

AND at least one of the following:

  • Completion of an undergraduate degree, with a strong academic record, preferably with analytical or quantitative courses.
  • Completion of a graduate degree, with strong academic record, preferably in an analytical or quantitative discipline.

To complete the merit-based test waiver petition, candidates must submit a short statement highlighting the merits of their request, an up-to-date resume, and undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts. If you do not already have a UT EID, create one here.   

  • Submit the  General Test Waiver  petition form prior to submitting your application.   
  • A decision on your test waiver request will be shared within 5-10 business days after submission. Test waiver petitions must be submitted no later than 7 days prior to the application deadline for the round to which you are applying. 

Approval for the test waiver petition is merit-based and considers your work experience and academic history. The Admissions Committee will be assessing your academic and professional background, looking for evidence of demonstrated readiness –specifically in quantitative subjects –for the rigorous MBA curriculum. To improve the chances of petition approval, we highly advise applicants to have an overall GPA of 3.0 or more.   

The truth is that by removing one component from your application, your other components will carry more weight in the committee’s final decision.  

 As you evaluate your testing options or consider a test waiver petition, we challenge you to assess the quantitative data points on your application and think about what will strengthen your overall MBA candidacy.  While some applicants may not need a test score to build their case, other applicants may significantly enhance their chances of being admitted (and getting a scholarship) by having a strong test score.   

Which Exam is Right for You?   

The Admissions Committee does not prefer one test over the other in terms of demonstrating your preparedness for business school, but it is important to think about which exam is best for you as an individual. There are different reasons to consider taking the GMAT vs GMAT Focus vs the GRE vs the EA.  

While the GMAT, GMAT Focus, and GRE tests both have quantitative and verbal sections, they have noticeable differences. We encourage you to do your research and take practice tests to learn each test’s points of emphasis, and how they are scored.   

 When you’re considering an MBA program for a specific career path, it’s good to know what the recruiting landscape looks like. Be sure to educate yourself on choosing a test for your career search before starting your test prep.  

 Both The GMAT, GMAT Focus, and GRE are adaptive, which means that your success in answering questions correctly has an impact on the future questions you are given. But the tests deliver adaptive questions in different ways.  

  • The GMAT and GMAT Focus are adaptive by question. When you get an answer correct, the next question is more difficult, and when you get an answer wrong, the next question is less difficult. This also means that once you answer a question, you can’t go back to that question.  
  • The GRE is adaptive by section. If you do well on the first verbal section, you get a more difficult version of the next verbal section and vice versa.  

 We have included some more details about the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, and EA below, but if you are unsure which exam is best for you, here are our tips:  

  • We recommend taking some practice tests! There’s a chance you may be more comfortable with one test format over the other.  At the end of the day, the choice of which exam to take is yours. 
  • Build in study time and leave yourself enough room on the calendar to retake an exam if necessary. If you’re not happy with your score, you can retake either test. While many candidates take the test only once thinking it will fulfill the requirement, others recognize that a second effort is likely to yield improvement. It comes at the cost of additional time and another test fee, but the payoff can be significant if it makes you a stronger candidate.
  • Make sure you submit your application as confidently as possible and with a score you feel good about. 

Submitting Current or Expired GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or EA Scores  

For current scores, you must self-report your test scores in your application as well as have official score reports sent directly to UT– Austin by the testing agency. The date your official scores are sent to UT– Austin by the testing agency should be no later than the application round deadline, as it can take up to 3-4 weeks for new scores to be processed. If you are taking the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or EA online, allow up to two weeks to receive your score from the testing agency. You must have your test score in hand by the application deadline in order to submit your application.  

 For expired scores (5 years or older), you must self-report your score and upload proof of the test score in the application. Examples of proof for expired test scores include a score report you received previously from the testing agency OR documentation from another educational institution that previously received the score (e.g. for another graduate/terminal degree application).  

Impact of a Test Score  

Future Employment 

Before you make a final decision on your testing options or a waiver petition, it’s best to research some of your target companies or industries and determine two things:  

  • The extent to which they evaluate a test score in reviewing job candidates.  
  • Whether they have a preference for one of the tests. At McCombs, we have found that most top-tier consulting and investment banking firms do ask for a candidate’s test scores, and both industries historically have favored the GMAT.  

You should consider taking the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or EA as another opportunity to not only impress the Admissions Committee but also potential employers.  


Academic History
 

Does your undergraduate or graduate transcript accurately reflect your academic ability? If your GPA is low, and you do not submit a strong test 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 quantitative prowess through their test scores. If you come from a non-quantitative background and do not submit a strong test score, 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. 

 

Scholarships 

 Scholarship awards are limited to Weekend MBA in Dallas and Houston, and Evening MBA candidates, and are competitive and limited in number. Scholarship decisions are based on a longstanding holistic review process that considers 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 a strong, valid test score will give the Admissions Committee an additional, relevant data point that may strengthen a candidate’s position for scholarship awards. 

Please note the Executive MBA program does not provide scholarships. 

Summary  

As you evaluate your testing options or a test waiver petition, we challenge you to assess the quantitative data points on your application and think about what will strengthen your overall MBA candidacy.  While some applicants may not need a test score to build their case, other applicants may significantly enhance their chances of being admitted (and getting a scholarship) by having a strong test score. At the end of the day, being objective about the quantitative data points you present on your application will help ensure you put your best foot forward in the admissions process.  


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 Texas McCombs MBA.  

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