Texas McCombs MBA Insider

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MBA Students

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Investing in Your Future, MBA Financial Aid Options

How to Fund Your Working Professional & Executive MBA at Texas McCombs

September 17, 2025 / / 2 Comments

Pursuing an MBA while working full-time is a significant investment—both in time and money. If you’re considering Texas McCombs for your MBA journey, you’re looking at a program that US News & World Report ranks as the #6 Working Professional MBA and #12 Executive MBA program in the country. But like most working professionals, you’re probably wondering how to make this investment more affordable.

Here’s the reality: scholarship opportunities for our Working Professional and Executive MBA students are limited, but they do exist. More importantly, there are multiple funding paths that can make your Hildebrand MBA at Texas McCombs financially feasible. Whether you’re considering our Evening or Executive MBA in Austin or our Weekend MBA programs in Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston, understanding all your options is the first step toward making your MBA dream a reality.

Most successful Working Professional and Executive MBA students don’t rely on just one funding source. Instead, they combine employer support, federal aid, and sometimes scholarship awards to create a financing strategy that works for their situation.

McCombs Working Professional MBA Scholarship Options

Let’s start with what many prospective students ask about first: scholarships. Texas McCombs offers Admissions Recruiting Awards specifically for Working Professional MBA students across all three locations. The good news is that every applicant is automatically considered for these awards during the admissions process—no separate application required.

These scholarships are merit-based, with some consideration given to financial need. They’re designed to recognize candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic and professional achievement. However, it’s important to set realistic expectations: these awards are limited in number, and the funding available varies from year to year.

When scholarships are awarded, amounts vary, but the average is around $10,000 for the duration of the program. The exact percentage of students who receive scholarships changes annually, but historically it’s between 10% – 15% of our incoming class.

If you’re applying early in the admissions cycle, you may have a slight advantage. More scholarship funding tends to be available in the earlier rounds, so submitting a strong application for Round 1 deadlines can improve your chances of scholarship consideration.

McCombs Executive MBA Scholarship Option

While Executive MBA students do not receive Admissions Recruiting Awards, they can apply for the EMBA Legacy Scholarship each year they are in the program. Generally, the EMBA Legacy Scholarship is a cash award up to $5,000. The application process is handled by the EMBA program coordinators in the spring.

Veteran Benefits and Support

Military veterans have access to several valuable funding options for their Working Professional MBA.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®:Veterans can utilize their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which provide tuition assistance along with housing and book stipends that can significantly offset program costs. UT Austin’s Veteran Certification Team works directly with students to optimize these VA Education Benefits alongside any McCombs scholarships or waivers you might receive.
  • Hazlewood Exemption: While the Texas Hazlewood Act tuition exemption doesn’t apply to Working Professional MBA programs, McCombs offers a separate Texas Military Waiver that can provide comparable financial relief for eligible veterans. This waiver is designed specifically to support military students in our part-time programs who may not qualify for traditional state benefits.

Beyond Scholarships: Other Funding Sources

Given the limited nature of scholarship funding, most professional MBA students finance their education through other means. The advantage of being a working professional is that you have access to funding sources that full-time students don’t.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Many companies offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs for employees pursuing advanced degrees, especially MBAs. This is often your best bet for significant funding support. Employers recognize that professional MBA students bring their learning directly back to work, making it a solid investment in their workforce.

If your company doesn’t currently offer tuition assistance, consider making a business case for it. Highlight how the skills you’ll gain can benefit your current role and the organization’s goals. Some employers will create ad-hoc arrangements even if they don’t have formal programs.

Start this conversation early—ideally before you even apply. Some companies require pre-approval for tuition assistance, and you’ll want to understand any commitments they might require (like staying with the company for a certain period after graduation).

Loan Options

  • Federal Loans:S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and other eligible non-citizens can typically access the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan for part-time MBA programs. You’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to be eligible. The 2026-2027 FAFSA is already available. At the latest it is recommended you have your FAFSA completed by June 1. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan may offer better terms than private loans, including fixed interest rates and flexible repayment options. The amount you can borrow is $20,500, the annual limit, for an academic year (fall/spring/summer) .
  • Private Education Loans: Private/alternative loans are an option available outside of the federal or state student loan programs. These loans can fill gaps that federal aid doesn’t cover, or you may decide to forego the Unsubsidized Loan completely and borrow only private loan. Students who plan to take only private loans do not need to complete the FAFSA. Ethically, the University cannot currently recommend lenders, so shop around if you’re considering this option.  One practical tip: check how long your loan approval remains valid to make sure it won’t expire before you start the program.

While McCombs can’t be your co-signer nor recommend specific private lenders, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid works with all major banks and lending institutions once you’ve secured approval elsewhere.

External Scholarships

Don’t overlook smaller scholarship opportunities. Professional associations in your industry sometimes offer scholarships for members pursuing MBAs. These tend to be smaller awards, but every bit helps, and they’re often less competitive than major university scholarships.

Recipients of outside scholarships can find payment information to provide their donor here: https://finaid.utexas.edu/ut-financial-aid-policy/outsidescholarshipspolicy/

Maximizing Your Funding Strategy

The strongest scholarship candidates typically have a few things in common: strong academic records, competitive standardized test scores (if submitted), and clear evidence of professional leadership and impact. If you’re serious about scholarship consideration, applying in earlier admissions rounds gives you the best shot at available funding.

But remember, most successful professional MBA students use a combination of funding sources. Your strategy might include employer tuition assistance for a portion of costs, federal loans for another portion, and personal savings or payment plans for the remainder. This approach often proves more reliable than hoping for a substantial scholarship award.

Next Steps

The best time to start planning your MBA financing is before you apply, not after you’re admitted. This gives you time to have those conversations with your employer, complete your FAFSA if applicable, and understand all your options.

Key deadlines to keep in mind: FAFSA typically opens October 1 and MBA application deadlines vary by program and round. If you’re targeting scholarship consideration, focus on those earlier application rounds.

Have questions about funding your McCombs MBA? Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to help you navigate these decisions. Don’t let financing concerns keep you from exploring what could be a game-changing investment in your career.

The path to funding your Working Professional and Executive MBA might involve multiple sources, but with planning and the right strategy, your Texas McCombs MBA education is more attainable than you might think.

Part-Time vs Full-Time MBA: Which Option Is Right for You?

August 2, 2025 / / Comments Off on Part-Time vs Full-Time MBA: Which Option Is Right for You?

Picture this: two equally powerful paths leading to the same Hildebrand MBA degree — one with weekday classes for full immersion, the other with evening or alternating weekend options so you can continue working. That’s the reality of the Part-Time vs Full-Time MBA decision at Texas McCombs

At our school, both the Full-Time MBA and the Part-Time MBA programs deliver rigorous academics, dynamic networking, and robust career services. Yet each format is intentionally designed for distinct student needs — whether you’re ready to pause your full-time job for an intensive experience or prefer to keep your career momentum while you take classes in the evenings or on weekends.

Choosing the right MBA program influences everything from your career goals and work-life balance to your financial strategy and lifestyle. The better the fit, the faster you can activate new skills, expand your network, and accelerate your career path.

No matter which format you choose, you’ll earn the same respected McCombs MBA degree from the same accomplished faculty. Our professors travel from Austin to teach the Weekend MBA cohorts in Dallas and Houston, and every student gains access to career resources designed for their specific path. The real question is timing, format, and fit.

This blog will walk you through the essentials of each format, the factors you should weigh, and the questions you’ll want to ask yourself before applying. By the end, you’ll have a clear, confident sense of which Texas McCombs MBA journey aligns with your professional ambitions and personal commitments.

Understanding Full-Time MBA Programs

Curious how Part-Time vs Full-Time MBA programs compare? If you’re ready to press pause on your career for an all-in, two-year adventure, the Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA delivers an immersive experience that accelerates transformation.

Program Duration and Structure

Over 21 months, you’ll move through a rigorous core, choose from 20+ concentrations, and complete a mandatory summer internship that tests your new skills in real-world settings. The format demands a full commitment — classes, study teams, case competitions, and leadership labs consume most weekdays, and many evenings, too.

Learning Opportunities

Elective freedom is a hallmark of our Full-Time MBA program. You’ll start self-selecting coursework in your first semester and begin taking open electives as early as the spring of year one. International students can pursue one of two STEM-designated paths — Financial Mathematics or Management Science/Quantitative Methods — while still exploring the full range of electives. Specialized tracks in areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, health care, or analytics let you tailor your degree to precise career goals from the start.

From MBA consulting projects to Board Fellows and Venture Fellows, you’ll tackle high-stakes challenges alongside top employers. Executive coaches provide personalized feedback, sharpening your leadership presence and decision-making skills.

Career Development

Whether you aim to switch industries, functions, or geographies, our Career Management & Corporate Relations team equips you with one-on-one coaching, recruiting prep, and access to more than 820 corporate partners. That support, combined with Austin’s booming business ecosystem, makes bold career moves possible.

Paid Internship Experience

A hallmark of the Full-Time MBA at Texas McCombs is the required paid internship, a cornerstone of the program that sets it apart from the Part-Time MBA options. This internship bridges classroom learning with real-world impact, allowing you to test your new skills, explore potential career pivots, and often secure full-time job offers before graduation. For many, it’s a career-defining experience that delivers both practical insight and financial benefit during the program’s 21-month journey. 

Admissions Snapshot

The full-time program attracts a diverse, global cohort — more than 2,000 applicants each cycle — fostering a vibrant classroom dynamic and an expansive international network.

Here’s how the full-time path typically stacks up:

  • Pros: Immersive learning, deeper peer bonds, stronger on-campus recruiting, robust scholarship opportunities, and the quickest route to a major career switch.
  • Cons: Requires stepping away from your career and salary for two years, though scholarships and summer internship income can offset some of that gap; demands intense time investment

For a detailed look at funding options, explore the financial impact of a Texas McCombs MBA, or dive into program specifics on our Full-Time MBA page. 

Understanding Part-Time MBA Programs

Ready to keep your full-time job while earning a world-class MBA? The Texas McCombs Part-Time MBA formats — Evenings in Austin and Weekend cohorts in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston — let you advance your education without pausing your paycheck.

Program Duration and Structure

Each part-time program spans two years, meeting on weekday evenings or alternating weekends. You’ll tackle the same rigorous core courses as Full-Time MBA students, but on a schedule built for working professionals.

Because you remain employed, you can apply new frameworks, analytics tools, and leadership tactics at work the very next day. Many Part-Time MBA students report promotions, raises, or strategic job changes before graduation — proof of instant ROI.

Curriculum Designed for Working Professionals

Our Working Professional & Executive (WPE) curriculum dedicates additional credit hours to technology, leadership, and global business. You’ll complete:

  • Two flexible core electives on technology and global management,
  • Three curated general electives in core business topics, ranging from Investment Theory and Strategic Branding to Venture Finance and Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility.

Outside of the classroom, you can opt for co-curricular opportunities through McCombs+ projects, where you’ll consult for real business issues for companies, sharpen presentation skills, and expand your professional network — without leaving your daytime role.

Career Impact 

The career outcomes are compelling. Graduates consistently report substantial salary increases and strong upward mobility, with a significant portion moving into senior or executive roles after completing the program. Many receive promotions directly after earning their MBA. 

The majority of graduates successfully pivot careers, whether changing industries, functions, or roles entirely. The program attracts employers across financial services, technology, consulting, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy — reflecting Texas’s business ecosystem. And because you’re still working while you study, you can test-drive career changes more strategically, applying for internal transfers or exploring entrepreneurial ventures with less risk than you’d face leaving a job entirely. 

Peer Networking 

Your cohort becomes your professional community. You’ll study alongside working professionals from various industries across the metro area — from tech founders in Austin to energy executives in Houston to financial services leaders in Dallas/Fort Worth. These aren’t just classmates; they’re colleagues who understand the challenge of balancing work, school, and life. 

But your network doesn’t stop at city limits. The alumni network stays active through regional events, employer networking sessions, and career fairs across all three Texas hubs. You’ll also share courses and activities with other McCombs MBA formats, creating mentorship opportunities and connections across career stages.

Evaluating the Pros and Cons

Consider how the part-time path measures up:

  • Pros: Maintain a full-time job and salary, potential employer tuition support, immediate learning application, reduced opportunity cost, and a strong peer network of working professionals in your region.
  • Cons: Juggle work, classes, and family duties; no traditional internship options; scholarships are more limited; progress toward degree milestones is paced over evenings and weekends.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Between Part-Time and Full-Time

Your decision isn’t just about scheduling — it’s about aligning the program with your ambitions, resources, and lifestyle so you can maximize the value of a Texas McCombs MBA. Here are the main items to think about:

Career Direction and Mobility

If you’re eyeing a major industry or functional switch — say, from engineering to consulting — both programs offer strong pathways. Full-time students leverage summer internships to test new industries before committing. Part-time students have flexibility: you can make a strategic job change mid-program or take advantage of on-campus recruiting alongside full-time students.  Staying in your current field but aiming for bigger leadership roles? A part-time program lets you demonstrate new competencies at work while you study, bolstering your credibility in real time.

Industry Expectations

Industry hiring practices vary by company and role. Some employers prioritize Full-Time MBA candidates with internship experience, while others value the hands-on application that students bring from working throughout their Part-Time MBA program. Research your target industry’s hiring norms before choosing your path. Either way, McCombs connects you to UT Austin’s extensive alumni base, including over 100,000 McCombs alumni. 

Personal and Professional Commitments

A full-time student typically relocates to Austin and pauses full-time employment for two years. Part-time students preserve their full-time jobs, often balancing coursework with family responsibilities and community commitments, while staying in their local metro area or commuting nearby. Plus, you can receive a top-ranked MBA education at your doorstep and in your specific market. Think through the support systems you’ll need to excel in either environment. 

Financial Considerations

Full-time candidates forgo a salary for up to 24 months, though scholarships, the internship, and part-time employment can offset that gap. Part-Time MBA students continue earning and may access employer sponsorship, spreading tuition payments across semesters and minimizing debt. Use our guide to calculate the true value of securing an MBA.

Is a Texas McCombs MBA worth it? Whether full-time or part-time, our MBA degree delivers powerful returns: higher earning potential, an expansive alumni network, and executive education-level leadership training. The right format amplifies those benefits by matching your current reality and future vision.

Work-Life Balance

Both tracks are demanding. Full-time immersion compresses the workload into weekdays, freeing weekends for social events, case prep, and recruiting. Part-time students juggle working during the weekdays, while taking classes on weekday evenings or alternating weekends alongside class assignments, requiring disciplined time management and clear communication with employers and family.

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Deciding

A clear-eyed self-assessment turns general advice into a tailored action plan. Before applying, pause and consider how each format aligns with your vision for the next five, ten, or even twenty years.

Use the following prompts to guide an honest conversation with yourself — and with the people who’ll support you during the journey:

  • What specific career goals do you want this MBA to unlock, and which format best supports that trajectory?
  • Where do you stand in your professional timeline — early career, mid-level manager, or seasoned leader — and how quickly do you need a change?
  • Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement, schedule flexibility, or project opportunities that favor one program over the other?
  • How will your family or support network adjust to the time and financial investment you’re about to make?
  • After weighing all factors, which program naturally excites you more — full-time immersion or part-time flexibility?

Keep these answers close; they’ll serve as your compass as you move into the practical next steps of choosing the right Texas McCombs MBA path.

Making the Right Decision: Practical Steps to Choose Your McCombs MBA Program

Now that you’ve matched your aspirations with the strengths of each format, turn insight into decisive action:

Research Target Roles and Industries

Review job descriptions, salary data, and hiring timelines. Identify whether recruiters in your field prioritize internships, working experience, or both.

Talk to Our Community

Schedule coffee chats or phone calls with current students and alumni from both formats. Their lived experiences — course rigor, faculty access, student life — offer an invaluable perspective.

Evaluate Financial Aid and Employer Sponsorship

Compare fellowship packages, merit-based scholarships, and corporate tuition benefits. Factor in the continued income for part-time students versus full-time immersion’s opportunity cost.

Consider Applying to Both Programs

If you see advantages on each side, submit applications to both. Just keep in mind that admission to one Texas McCombs Hildebrand MBA program doesn’t guarantee admission to another, so present a clear case for fit in every application.

Leverage McCombs Career Support

Regardless of format, you’ll gain access to career coaches, global alumni, and more than 820 employer partners eager to recruit McCombs talent. Ready to chart your future? Explore our Part-Time and Full-Time MBA program options:

Your next chapter starts when you decide which program elevates your goals — and Texas McCombs is ready to lead the way.

person's hand holding a pencil on top of an open notebook. Text reads "Writing Your MBA Application Essays - Working Professional and Executive MBA

Working Professional and Executive MBA Essay Questions

October 18, 2022 / / Comments Off on Working Professional and Executive MBA Essay Questions

Your MBA application essays are an important part of sharing your unique story with the Admissions Committee. The most successful essays will thoughtfully address the prompts, clearly communicate why you want to attend Texas McCombs, and authentically share who you are. 

There are TWO required essays for the Working Professional MBA and only ONE required essay for the Executive MBA. Additionally, you can provide an optional essay if there is something you wish to explain about your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in your application. 

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 1 – Working Professional MBA only 

Evening MBA, MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth, MBA at Houston 

We want to get to know you beyond your resume and professional experience. Tell us about yourself. You can discuss your upbringing, core values, formative experiences, special talents/interests, etc. Feel free to be creative and share anything that you think the Admissions Committee will find interesting. Select only one communication method for your response.

  • Write an essay (250 words)
  • Share a video introduction (one minute in length)

First, this prompt is purposely open-ended. It grants you the freedom to introduce yourself in a way that is genuinely “you.” Think about what defines you, what energizes you, or an event that has shaped or influenced who you are today. We want to see what drives you outside of your work and career, and that you are well-rounded and have passions in your personal life. 

Don’t forget about the first sentence of the prompt: “We want to get to know you beyond your resume and professional experience.” The Admissions Committee has already read the rest of your application (resume, transcript, recommendation letter, etc.). We want to better understand you outside of your professional life. 

Finally, the choice is yours: written essay or video. We have seen significant success with both mediums and do not have a preference for one over the other. Therefore, play to your strengths! If your skill is in writing, focus on the essay. Make sure there is clear organization and a flow to your essay. If you’re not shy in front of a camera, then record a video. However, for the video submission, we do not advise submitting a photo slideshow; this doesn’t allow the admissions committee to actually see and hear from you, which is really what we are looking for in a video submission. Have fun with either submission and do not take this essay for granted— it can go a long way in setting the stage for your MBA application and creating another great impression. 

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 2 – Working Professional and Executive MBA 

Essay Two provides an opportunity to explain why you want an MBA and why you’re excited about Texas McCombs.

Take time to reflect on your MBA journey and the direction you want to take in your professional career. Explain how the Texas McCombs MBA program will help you realize your professional goals, and how you will contribute to the McCombs MBA community. (500 words)

In your response, we want to understand why the Texas McCombs MBA is right for you, your aspirations and career plans, and how you want to develop yourself both in and out of the classroom. What resources, organizations, classes, and experiential opportunities specifically relate to your career plan? 

TIP: Connect the dots between your career goals and how McCombs will get you there. 

By answering the second part of the prompt, we will learn what you will bring to the program to make it better than when you arrived.  How do you envision yourself becoming an active member of our MBA community? Do you plan on being an active member or leader of a student organization, or even starting a new club? Let us know! 

Make sure to give us specifics. If you’ve engaged with the program, you know there is a lot to look forward to: challenging classes, organizations, student/alumni networking, award-winning professors, unique career-oriented opportunities…the list goes on. Illustrate what attributes of the program you plan to take full advantage of and how you plan to make a positive impact while you are a student. What will be your MBA legacy? Convince us that you have a unique contribution and are indispensable to our community.   

MBA Optional Statement – Working Professional and Executive MBA 

Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to MBA Admissions in considering your application (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). If living outside of the metro area that the program is held in, please provide an explanation regarding your plans to commute or relocate to the program location. (250 words) 

Optional statements should focus on filling gaps or answering questions we are likely to have about you and your candidacy. Remember that it is just that – optional. Only applicants who feel some piece of their profile deserves more explanation should submit an optional statement. This section of the application is not to tell us more about your extracurricular activities or expand upon your personal or professional introduction. While we love to see how excited you are to share additional information with us, the bottom of your resume or your interview are likely better ways to let the Admissions Committee know about additional projects or information. 

Our Top Essay Writing Tips 

  • Take time to reflect, brainstorm, write, and rewrite. It will likely take more than one draft to realize your final submission.
  • Stay on prompt. Make sure you are completely addressing the essay question prompts. If you bypass the actual questions in an effort to tell us something you think we want to hear, you will not provide the information we are looking for. This includes sticking to the word counts and time limits that are given.
  • Keep in mind the reader. They are reading your entire application including your essays, so do not re-use content from one essay to another or assume the reader knows the professional acronyms or jargon from your job.
  • Don’t copy and paste. Do not use the same content for multiple business schools. We can always spot recycled content.
  • Be honest. These essays are our way to learn more about you. Our community values authenticity and we look for essays that reflect your authentic self.
  • Edit and revise. Have someone you trust read over your essays. Those closest to you can provide valuable insights, feedback, and perspectives as you highlight your personal gifts and qualities.

We hope these insights were helpful and gave you some ideas to think about when writing (and rewriting) your essays. Good luck and happy applying! 

Please email us if you have any questions. 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!

The working professional & executive mba application: essay writing tips

Working Professional and Executive MBA Essay Questions

October 19, 2021 / / Comments Off on Working Professional and Executive MBA Essay Questions

The essays in your MBA application are an important part of sharing your unique story. The most successful essays thoughtfully address the prompts, clearly communicate why you want to attend Texas McCombs, and authentically share who you are. We’ve shared some tips below to aid you in submitting a strong set of essays.

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 1

We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation, but we want to get to know you further. Please introduce yourself. Select only one communication method for your response

a. Write an essay (250 words)
b. Share a video introduction (one minute in length)

First, this prompt is purposely open-ended. It grants you the freedom to introduce yourself in a way that is genuinely “you.” Think about what gives you energy and recharges you. When you first meet someone, what’s your personal elevator pitch? How does it share your values? Give us a well-rounded mix of information in this essay so we can better understand you beyond your work life.

Don’t forget about the first sentence of the prompt: “We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation.” The admissions committee already read your resume, letter of recommendation, education history, and goals. While your professional life is important, this essay is your opportunity to share who you are outside of those components.

Finally, the choice is yours: written essay or video. We have seen significant success with both mediums and do not have a preference for one over the other. Therefore, play to your strengths! If your skill is in writing, focus on the essay. If you’re not shy in front of a camera, then record a video. However, if you do submit a video, keep in mind that sending us a photo slideshow isn’t advisable. These slideshow submissions don’t grant the admissions committee the chance to actually see and hear from you, which is really what we are looking for in a video submission. Have fun with either submission and do not take this essay for granted— it can go a long way in setting the stage for your MBA application and creating another great impression.

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 2

Describe how the Texas McCombs MBA will help you realize your professional aspirations, and the unique knowledge and experiences you have to share with your classmates. (500 words)

Essay Two provides an opportunity to explain why you’re applying to Texas McCombs.

By answering the first part of the prompt, we will understand why the Texas McCombs MBA, your career plan, and discover how you want to develop yourself both in and out of the classroom. What classes, organizations, and experiential opportunities specifically relate to your career plan? Connect the dots between your goals and how McCombs will get you there.

By answering the second part of the prompt, we will learn what you will bring to the program.  How do you envision yourself becoming an active member of our community? What personal and professional attributes and experiences will you be sharing with your classmates?

Make sure to give us specifics. If you’ve engaged with the program, you know there is a lot to look forward to: challenging classes, organizations, student/alumni networking, award-winning professors, unique career-oriented opportunities…the list goes on. Illustrate what attributes of the program you plan to take full advantage of and how you plan to make a positive impact while you are a student. What will be your MBA legacy? Convince us that you are indispensable to our community.

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 MBA Admissions in considering your application (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). If living outside of the metro area that the program is held in, please provide explanation regarding your plans to commute or relocate to the program location. (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 piece of their profile deserves more explanation should submit an optional statement. This section of the application is not to tell us more about your extracurricular activities or expand upon your personal introduction. 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. The bottom of your resume or your interview are likely better forums for these details. Optional statements should focus on filling gaps or answering questions we are likely to have about you.

Our Top Essay Writing Tips

  • Be patient with yourself. Take time to reflect, brainstorm, rewrite, and EDIT. It will likely take more than one draft to realize your final submission.
  • Don’t Copy and paste. Do not use the same content for multiple business schools. We can always spot recycled content.
  • STAY ON PROMPT. If you bypass the actual questions in an effort to tell us something you think we want to hear, you will not provide the information we are looking for. This includes sticking to the word counts and time limits that are given.
  • Be honest. These essays are our way to learn more about you. Our community values authenticity and we look for essays that reflect your authentic self.
  • Have someone you trust read over your essays. 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 essay prompts give you some ideas to think about and some points to revisit as you write (and rewrite) your essays. Good luck and happy applying!

Please reach out to the MBA Admissions Team with any questions.

Hook ’em!

MBA career management

Meet Your Working Professional and Executive MBA Career Team

April 24, 2019 / / Comments Off on Meet Your Working Professional and Executive MBA Career Team

This Insider insight comes from our Working Professional and Executive MBA Career Team.

Texas McCombs MBA Career resources are truly unmatched among other top business schools. Our Career Management team‘s vision is focused on the future, adapting and growing to meet the needs of tomorrow’s career landscape. And they understand that the MBA career path for our Working Professional and Executive (WPE) MBA student differs from full-time students, dedicating a team of career support specifically for our WPE students in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Austin (Evening & Executive).

The McCombs Difference

MBA program administrators realized they needed to rethink their approach to career management for part-time students.

“We developed an entirely new career management framework that emphasized students’ strengths and interests and better prepared them not only for OCR (on-campus recruiting), but also for other channels that led to experienced hires and will allow them to continually progress in their careers.” – Joe Stephens, Assistant Dean, Working Professional and Executive MBA programs.

The framework, which can be applied in any phase of a student’s career and is tied to students’ career management curriculum and one-on-one advising, includes a market assessment (self-assessment, career exploration, and network creation); value proposition (your brand and competitive advantage, and elevator pitch); sales tools and channels (resume, LinkedIn profile, interview prep, and network cultivation); and launch (plan execution and offer negotiation).

“This career management framework has served as our WPE team’s vision and mission,” says Janet Huang, Director of MBA Career Management at McCombs. (source: Medium)

Meet the WPE Team

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Texas McCombs MBA Test Options

All Testing Options for Working Professional & Executive MBA Candidates

April 11, 2019 / / Comments Off on All Testing Options for Working Professional & Executive MBA Candidates

This MBA Insider Insight comes from our Directors of MBA Admissions, Sharon Barrett and Rodrigo Malta.

Preparing for and taking an MBA admissions exam is one of the best ways to get your mind back into academic mode. The most common questions we receive from candidates are about the standardized tests– how to prepare for them and if there are average or minimum scores. (Hint: There are not. Exploring the Class Profiles gives you the best idea of where our students tend to fall.)

Now, the Texas McCombs MBA Admissions Committee is excited to share that Professional or Executive MBA candidates– for Evening, Executive, Dallas/Fort Worth, or Houston— have more options than ever when considering which graduate entrance exam to submit.

Submitting Expired GRE or GMAT Scores

Many of our Professional and Executive MBA candidates come into the program with a master’s degree that was earned immediately following their undergraduate degree. Until now, only valid GRE or GMAT scores within the past five years were accepted from applicants. The reality is, prior graduate education and quality work experience are strong indicators of success in graduate business curriculum.

So if you hold a master’s degree and have your expired GRE or GMAT score report, a current exam score is not required and you may submit your expired scores.

The Executive Assessment (EA)

Three years ago, GMAC (who also delivers the GMAT) saw the need for a new test, tailored to the needs of MBA programs and their applicants who have significant years of work experience. Originally conceived for Executive MBA programs, the Executive Assessment (EA) was created in 2017. Today, over 40 MBA programs, both Professional and Executive, accept the EA. Unlike the GMAT or GRE, the EA is a readiness exam and a benchmark for academic preparedness.

If you have at least 8 years of work experience post-undergrad, you may consider submitting the EA with your Professional or Executive MBA application.

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MBA Student Parents

Student Spotlight: Dara Chike-Obi, MBA Class of 2019

April 8, 2019 / / Comments Off on Student Spotlight: Dara Chike-Obi, MBA Class of 2019
Dara Chike-Obi, Evening MBA Class of 2019

Dara Chike-Obi,
Evening MBA ’19

Dara Chike-Obi is an Evening MBA student from Houston and a new mom who recently shared her experience of being a new parent while in the MBA program. “Unthinkable exhaustion” is the very honest first response that comes to mind when she is asked about her experience, which was also rewarding and very possible with realistic expectations and family support on her side.

On Being A Student and a Mom

“Ignorance truly is bliss. I was naive and had no understanding of the amount of mental, physical, and emotional energy that is required of a new mom. But I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. As graduation nears, and my child gets older; I feel stronger, smarter, and quicker than I’ve ever felt before. If I can get through this, I can get through almost anything.”

Her Biggest Challenge

“My biggest challenge was figuring out how to balance school, new baby, marriage, and a full time job. Many times I had no other option but to put my head down and power through. You soon realize that the toughest parts of your journey are ALWAYS temporary. Take one day at a time, one breath at a time. Eventually, you look up and see how far you’ve actually gone.”

Dara’s Advice

“I have two pieces of advice:

1. Make sure you have help.

This cannot be done alone. Your support system needs to understand that this is an ‘all hands on deck’ situation for the next two years. My wonderful husband rearranged his work schedule so he can be home on class nights to put our son to bed. My mother in-law would drive 4 hours from Dallas with a trunk full of freshly prepared food for my entire family. You must allow people to help you.

2. Accept that there is no balance.

Madeleine Albright said it best:  ‘Women can have it all, just not at the same time.’ You’re going to be pulled in multiple directions by multiple people. Learning to prioritize will get you far.”

We encourage you to review our Parental Accommodation Policy for details on the kind of accommodations it can provide. When you enter a working professional MBA program, we understand that family support is a key element.  Please let us know if you have any questions or need further info.

Working Professional/Executive MBA Final Round Applicants

April 5, 2019 / / Comments Off on Working Professional/Executive MBA Final Round Applicants

This MBA Insider content comes from the Working Professional & Executive MBA Admissions team.

See if you can spot the two true statements and one myth about applying to the Texas McCombs Working Professional or Executive (WPE) MBA programs:

  • The MBA is seeking the most qualified candidates for its WPE programs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Austin.
  • We consider a candidate’s academic performance, work experience and overall motivation in reviewing an application.
  • Candidates must apply early in the process to have a chance at being considered.

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Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2021

Meet the Evening MBA Class of 2021!

March 20, 2019 / / Comments Off on Meet the Evening MBA Class of 2021!

A new class of Evening MBA students have joined us at Rowling Hall in Austin this spring to kick off their MBA journey! During their January orientation, our first group of ’21s  prepared for their classes, got to know each other, met MBA faculty & staff, and had a great week of networking and fun. Evening MBA students start their program annually every January, with classes held Monday and Tuesday evenings in Austin. With their weekends more flexible and their careers un-interrupted by their class schedule, our Evening MBA students are truly unique.

We had a very strong and enthusiastic pool of applications to pull from when putting together our Working Professional MBA classes this year, and the numbers certainly reflect that. The Evening MBA welcomed a larger class than last year, with 65 new Texas McCombs students. Texas McCombs Evening MBA Class of 2021 has 65 students; 25% women; 9% international; 27-34 middle 80% age; 3-10.5 work exp middle 80%; 3.34 GPA average; 661 GMAT average; are Q:155 & V:156

35% of the Evening MBA Class of 2021 submitted a GRE score either exclusively or with a GMAT score

8 different nationalities and citizenships are represented, including India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Spain, Syria, Italy and the U.S.

This is also one of the most diverse classes in terms of job functions and industries, that the MBA program has ever seen.

Industries represented in the Class of 2021-- tech; financial services; consumer products/retail; manufacturing; energy

In addition, over half of the Class of 2021 earned their undergraduate degree outside of Texas. After entering the workforce, these students earned an average of 5.8 years of work experience before applying to the MBA with notable companies like Apple, Tesla, Whole Foods, Facebook, IBM and Yeti.

The class has 25% women, holding steady within the overall growth in the number of women in our Working Professional programs. The number of underrepresented minorities in the class doubled this year, marking another success as we continue to advocate for the inclusion of individual perspectives and diverse backgrounds in our classes.

Our Evening students come from a wide range of companies and some of the most exciting and innovative employers in the U.S.

Where our students work

18 members of C/O 2021 already spent their undergraduate years at UT Austin… Welcome back Longhorns! 🤘

We feel humbled and privileged by the amazing experiences and perspectives making up the Texas McCombs MBA Class  and cannot wait to see what they accomplish during their time in the program. If you’d like to join them as part of Texas McCombs MBA network, our 2019-2020 application is open!

Hook ’em!

MBA Student Parents

Student Spotlight: Srija Dasika, MBA Class of 2019

January 22, 2019 / / Comments Off on Student Spotlight: Srija Dasika, MBA Class of 2019
Srija Dasika, Evening MBA 2019

Srija Dasika, MBA 2019

Srija Dasika, Texas McCombs MBA ’19,  recently shared her experience of becoming a new mom while working and being part of the Evening MBA program.  She is originally from  Portland, Oregon and works as an R&D engineer at Verizon. She says it was, “tough, but very rewarding and not impossible!” to become an MBA parent. Srija had her first baby in April 2017, during her first year as an MBA in Austin.

Being A Student and a Mom

“Becoming a new parent is one of the best things in the world, but it’s not easy. Your whole world changes, your responsibilities and priorities shift, you are actively learning to live a new way of life with very little sleep. The moments that make parenthood wonderful are what inspire me to do well and work hard. Having strong support at home, school and work helped me a lot. My MBA cohort is very close and that was a huge motivation for me to work hard and stay with my class without taking a break. My company also had a generous maternity policy that allowed me to recover and bond with my baby before going back to work. Overall, I have learned a lot, it has been a satisfying experience and I am very thankful for my support structure.” 

Juggling School and Parenthood

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