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Texas McCombs MBA Community

Student Spotlight: Laura
Gallardo, MBA at Houston
Class of 2021

February 3, 2020 / / Comments Off on Student Spotlight: Laura
Gallardo, MBA at Houston
Class of 2021
Laura Gallardo Headshot

Laura Gallardo
MBA at Houston ’21

Laura Gallardo is a first-generation college student that learned to navigate her own way through undergrad to Texas McCombs. From applying for scholarships & aid, to registering for classes for the first time, Laura took the initiative to ensure optimal success in her professional life. She is now taking her attained journalism and public relations skill set into the business world as she works toward her MBA at Houston degree.

In October, Laura Gallardo took over Instagram stories on MBAchic  to show followers what a day in the life of a working professional student is like in our Texas McCombs MBA at Houston program.

Laura’s motivation to pursue her MBA is fueled by the desire to make her family proud. 

“My parents emigrated from Mexico in pursuit of a better life. My father’s work ethic has always resonated with me and motivated me. As a teenager, it’s so easy to be influenced by the wrong crowd, particularly in the area that we grew up. I knew that if I wanted my sister to stay on the right track, I needed to set the right example for her.”

Choosing a Business School

After completing her undergraduate degree, Laura pursued a job in journalism as a local news producer. She worked in the newsroom for six years before transitioning into a traditional public communications role at a law firm. After 11 years as a working professional, Laura realized she had to move outside her comfort zone. An MBA felt like her calling.

In recent years, I found myself making multiple lateral professional moves, when in fact I’d been vying for leadership roles. I took a hard look at my career and determined that in order to shift my professional life in an upward direction, I had to re-invest in my education. A BA in communications has served me well so far, but I am hungry for strong professional growth.

Laura says she had a gut instinct that drew her to attend McCombs. She knew she wanted to ensure that she was pursuing a degree from a school that held weight in the business world, and was drawn to the University of Texas at Austin for its recognizable name and reputation.

I made my decision to apply to McCombs after sitting through an admissions webinar series hosted by our program’s amazing admissions counselor, Jenn Cole. The webinar series was incredibly helpful in walking me through the admissions process from point A to point Z. From my very first interactions with the program, I know it could potentially be a right fit for me. 

That gut instinct was solidified after attending an open house in the spring and sitting through a class. The program’s culture immediately drew me in. Current students were extremely helpful in answering questions about the workload, schedule, and overall culture – in other words, just keeping it real! Their willingness to share was very comforting. Now as a student, I can confirm that is still the case – the class of 2020 has been incredibly welcoming and inclusive.

Work-Life-School Balance

As a mother of twin 4-year-olds, the MBA at Houston program also offered Laura a convenient weekend class schedule that worked for her family. Her husband’s job requires him to travel during the week, so they felt the program’s alternating weekend structure would be the best fit. Laura developed a routine with her husband to make the addition of the program a smoother life transition.

Laura, her husband and her two children.

“The alternating weekend structure allows my family to have our normal routine during the week, and plan ahead for class weekends. On weeknights leading up to class, I excuse myself immediately after dinner to study, but make sure to read my kids their bedtime story and tuck them in to bed.

Fortunately, now at 4-years-old, they understand why mommy is not around some weekends. As a result, we’ve had some endearing conversations as they’ve asked me questions about school based on their own experiences in pre-k, such as if we have ‘circle time’ and if I ‘learn about colors.’ I try to explain to them as much as possible about my weekend absences or having to step away after dinner to ‘do homework.’

Balancing a family, full-time career, and an MBA does have its challenges for Laura. Having limited time means missing a few soccer games and special occasions. Laura credits her friends and family for being understanding and supportive in the process and her parents for being readily available to provide child care.

“Most importantly in this MBA journey, having a support system that I can rely on for emotional and moral support has been so crucial.”

Laura’s Post-MBA Plans

“Ideally, I would like to apply my current skill set (attained from a career of journalism and public relations) to a different industry. I am increasingly interested in an investor relations role where I can use my new knowledge about accounting and finance, gained here at McCombs, and compliment it with my previous experience. If I remain solely in the communications field, I would hope to lead the marketing strategy team for a publicly traded company or a private equity firm. My long-term goal is to lead at a Fortune 100 company.”

Laura and her children posing by the UT tower

Laura’s Advice to You

“If you’ve been even remotely considering pursuing an MBA, go for it! Invest in your career and yourself. Prepare and begin the admissions process early so you’re not cramming to meet the final deadlines: study for the GMAT, request your letter of recommendation, think about how you’ll fund tuition– set the wheels in motion early. Once June rolls around, the enrollment process moves extremely fast,

Don’t let your role as a parent keep you from pursuing graduate school. Like any major life change, having the right support will be crucial when returning to school, and especially if you have a family. Between classes, projects, and studying, the program will inevitably keep you away from your loved ones, so surround yourself with friends and family who have your best interest at heart, understand, and are there to encourage you.”

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!

Texas McCombs and Austin

MBA Student Life in Austin:
The City, Campus, and Culture

November 14, 2019 / / Comments Off on MBA Student Life in Austin:
The City, Campus, and Culture

As an MBA student at Texas McCombs, your world-class education comes with access to the vibrant city of Austin. Ranked as the #1 place to live in the U.S., there is always something to do in the Texas capital. Our local Longhorn network extends far beyond Texas McCombs, and you will enjoy all the outside-the-classroom perks that come with being a student at The University of Texas at Austin. 

The Silicon Hills

Nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” Austin has become a hub for technology and entrepreneurship. With companies like IBM, Google, Intel, Apple, Oracle, Dell, and Samsung growing their presence in the city, Austin ranks as the no. 1 place in America to start a business and the no. 2 best city for startups. Austin is home to about 5,500 startups and tech companies, hosts an annual Austin Startup Week, and is home to one of the biggest tech business innovation showcases in the world– SXSW.

The city is also geographically small enough that the Google Offices are only a twenty-block, bike ride from campus, unlike megalopolises like New York and Los Angeles.

“The largest factors of my attendance decision were corporate partnerships, program culture, and location. The growing presence of tech companies in Austin, TX was an attractive option for full time employment, and I loved the strength of the relationship between McCombs and the city. While it was important to me to join a prestigious program, I would not have done so at the sacrifice of a cultural fit.”

— Kyle Johnson, MBA Class of 2021

The University of Texas also has strong ties with growing industries in The Texas Triangle–Houston, Austin, and Dallas. In a recent interview with Menlo Coaching, Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA Recruiting and Admissions, highlighted the advantages of the incredible location of Texas McCombs, life in Austin, MBA Fellows Programs, and job placement opportunities outside of Texas.

Thumbnail to a video produced by Menlo Coaching of an interview with Rodrigo Malta

Austin and its neighboring cities, Houston and Dallas, offer more to students now than ever before with industries like tech, real estate, and consulting booming—all headquartered in central Texas.

In the interview above,  Rodrigo highlights that Houston is famous for its energy and banking sectors– Shell, BP, and Exxon-Mobil are all headquartered or partially headquartered in Houston, making the city a hot market for energy-focused MBAs. Investment banks in Houston also have strong energy practices,  broadening the scope of careers.

Dallas is a mix of little of everything, but consulting and manufacturing are especially strong with companies like BCG, Ericsson, and Toyota calling Dallas home.

“The city itself gives our students a lab in which to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom. What really differentiates us from other business schools is the relationship that the university has with the city of Austin.”  –Rodrigo Malta, in an interview with Menlo Coaching 

What’s on Campus

Step outside Rowling Hall, and be immersed by The University of Texas campus. Head to the gym for a quick workout, a swim, a quick basketball game, climb on our rock wall or relax in the sauna. Our facilities also offer massage sessions and classes in yoga, various levels of exercise, different sports training, CPR, First Aid and Wilderness Medicine, and more. 

Students are also granted free admission to museums in Austin. The Harry Ransom Center that specializes in collecting literary and cultural artifacts like the Gutenburg Bible and the first photo ever taken–the Niépce Heliograph. Our other museums around campus include The Blanton Museum of Art, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas Memorial Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

 

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The City’s Culture

In recent years, Austin has been noted as one of the best travel destinations with 27.4 million domestic visitors annually. During the day, outdoor enthusiasts can float along the Colorado River by paddle-board, canoe or kayak, dive into the Barton Springs Pool, or take a hike at the Barton Creek Greenbelt. At sunset, watch as hundreds of bats fly out from under the South Congress Bridge. 

Austin locals swimming in lake.

Locals enjoy the springs outside of Barton Creek pool. Photo by Tomek Baginski on Unsplash.

Our “Keep Austin Weird” mantra is noted for the city’s live music, art galleries and shows, festivals of all kinds, and countless breweries. The popular South Congress Avenue, SoCo for short, is home to the famous “I love you so much” mural,  Homeslice Pizza, and many unique shops and boutiques.

“From the first time I stepped foot in Austin, I’ve been amazed by the energy and vibrancy of the city. Although all great business schools offer tons of resources, Texas McCombs’ seamless integration with the surrounding city was a huge factor in my decision. There’s nowhere else I could experience being at the nexus of equally amazing academic, technology, and entrepreneurial communities, all whilst eating some proper Texas barbecue.”   — Alice Xu, MBA Class of 2021

For a night out, visitors and residents alike head to Sixth Street or Rainey Street, two of the busiest bar districts, for their late-night drinks. Sixth Street is the main entertainment district in Austin with something different at every end with an abundant amount of bars to choose from. Rainey Street, while busy, is more relaxed. The street is lined with houses that were renovated into bars and is popular for its brunch scene on Sundays.

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Our Longhorn Community

Texas McCombs welcomes around 270 full-time MBA students a year, which is perfect for fostering a collaborative, tight-knit student environment. With over 40 different professional, social, and community-centered student organizations, there is a place for everyone.

The Texas Alumni Network is one of the largest in the world with more than 500,000 UT Alumni, 100,000 McCombs Alumni, 25,000 MBA Alumni and more than 30 Alumni Chapters. 

“I had three main reasons to choose McCombs: The collaborative culture of the school that leads to owning one of the best networks, the world class career management center that guides you through one of the best recruiting experience ever, and the new mini silicon valley of the USA – Austin. After all, MBA for me was all about building professional relations, career progression, and exposure to potential hubs of the future.”

 — Haimanti Gupta, MBA Class of 2021

We are deeply committed to developing a supportive alumni network and dedicated career staff that can tailor your experience to get you where you want to be. With more than 200 unique employers and over 1,300 on-campus interviews,  rest assured that the Texas McCombs MBA program will help you launch your dream career at every step of the way.

Master's candidates are presented with their degrees during a MBA graduation celebration at Gregory Gym on May 19, 2017. Photo by Lauren Gerson DeLeon.

Stay up to date with all things McCombs by subscribing to our newsletter.

If you have any questions, please reach out to MBA Admissions. Hook ’em!

Diversity Weekend 2019 Recap

November 11, 2019 / / Comments Off on Diversity Weekend 2019 Recap

This October, the MBA program welcomed 84 future MBA students to Austin for our annual Discover McCombs: Diversity Weekend, which focuses on increasing underrepresented populations in business school. The two-day event brought attendees together to meet current students, alumni, and McCombs faculty and staff to see first-hand all that Texas McCombs has to offer. 

McCombs pop up banner that reads "powering positive change."

Networking in the Heart of Austin

The event kicked off on Friday, October 25th at Facebook Austin for a welcome reception filled with food & drinks and networking. Partnering with Facebook was integral to delivering an authentic Austin business experience for our guests.

Kyle Johnson, MBA ’21 and a student ambassador for MBA admissions, shared his thoughts as an event co-lead at the networking reception:

“I am excited to be here at Diversity Weekend. This was a pivotal event for me last year when I was deciding what school to come to. I had a great time interacting with prospective students and giving them a candid view of what life as a Longhorn is like.”

The fun didn’t stop there. After the reception, attendees received glow sticks in different colors and were invited to hang out at Upstairs at Caroline, a popular Austin nightspot, for a casual night out with current MBA students.

Getting to Know Texas McCombs

group photo of current students at diversity weekend.

Current MBA students gearing up to welcome attendees.

On Saturday, October 26th, starting in the morning, attendees gathered for breakfast and were warmly welcomed by McCombs’s Assistant Dean of the Full-Time MBA Program, Tina Mabley. Then, panels of students shared their experiences in the program and MBA Career & Talent Development Consultant, Scott Brownlee, presented our globally-recognized Career Management team and resources. An alumni panel closed out the morning with a discussion about navigating post-MBA life.

 

“I think it’s really important to have events like these because there’s a lot of stereotypes about business school,” said Kathie Xiao, MBA ’20, “Someone might look at the stats when they’re applying to business schools and feel like they don’t see themselves in those statistics. We’re really making an effort to make everyone feel included and have a good experience.” 

At noon, attendees joined a networking lunch with current MBA students. Complementing the student panel, this is where MBAs were able to offer more personalized, candid insight and valuable tips for applying to McCombs. Among the topics discussed in conversations were “class culture,” “commuting to campus,” and how the cost of living prices compare across Austin. 

After lunch, we were proud to spotlight two of our professors for Mock Class Breakouts: Professor Badolato from the Department of Accounting, and Professor Murphy from the Department of Management. These class breakouts gave applicants the opportunity to immerse themselves in student life by highlighting classes from our core curriculum, which every student takes during their first year in the program.

Alumni Panel at Diversity weekend

Texas McCombs MBA alumni panel at Diversity Weekend, 2019.

Diversity Weekend came to a close with several speakers sharing insight on why getting an MBA is a worthwhile venture. First, Executive Communication Coach, Nadina Sandlin, led a workshop on understanding and communicating your value and personal brand. Similarly, our keynote speaker and Microsoft’s Head of Global Talent Optimization, Monica Pool Knox, spoke about her professional journey after getting her MBA at Texas McCombs, and how the program helped shape both her career and the way she thinks about the world around her. Finally, if there were any lingering questions, a second panel of first and second-year MBAs discussed their paths to pursuing their degree, the culture and community at McCombs, and what life in Austin is truly like.

“Austin is very diverse in every sense of the word: Diversity of thought, experience, backgrounds,” said Kyle Johnson. “You can be who you want to be here, and I love that.”

Diversity weekend organizers

MBA Admissions staff Jaden Felix and Rebecca St. Nicholas, and students Carmen Kuncz, Lola Sholola, Vicky Wu, and Kyle Johnson.

Texas McCombs is grateful to all that attended, and to the teams of people that made this event so successful. The event might have ended, but our commitment to fostering a welcoming space for our community is constant.

“It’s two years of your life,” said Kathie. “You really want to be able to give back and leave the place hopefully better than when you came.”

If you have any questions, please reach out to MBA Admissions. For more information on our community and programs, check out our website. Hook ’em!

United States flag in the sky.

The Military Community at
Texas McCombs

November 1, 2019 / / Comments Off on The Military Community at
Texas McCombs

Texas McCombs recognizes the value military veterans bring to our programs. Our community is one of support and dedication helping prepare you for career success, which is why our MBA is consistently a top program for veterans. This November, in honor of Veterans Day on 11/11, the MBA program honors all of our active and former military students and supporters.

Scholarships, Financial Aid and Career Support

All veterans are eligible to receive our merit-based admissions scholarships and are automatically considered for these upon applying to the program. Veterans will also automatically receive a waiver for the application fee upon submitting their application to the program.

The UT Austin Office of Student Veteran Services is available to help MBA veterans navigate federal and state education benefits as well as connecting them with additional grants and scholarships that may be available to them. Student Veterans Services also offers academic support, health care, and wellness services and helps foster a community among veterans across the UT Austin campus.

No matter what your goals are, our MBA Career Management team, with dedicated counselors for each program, based in Austin, Houston, and Dallas/Fort Worth, offers endless resources for helping you discover your strengths and relevant transferable skills that will make you stand out.

Military Student Organizations

Texas Veterans in Business is the primary student organization for military MBAs. TViB draws parallels between military principals and skills to be successful in business. The org is also a great way to get connected with other military MBAs and participate in community events. 

The Student Veterans Association is dedicated to creating a welcoming social environment for veterans and their families, providing information on relocating to Austin, and offering programs to promote academic and professional success.

Rebecca Larson, President of the association says their goal is to provide a sense of belonging at UT. “We also aim to be a positive example and advocate for other non-traditional student population,” she says. “Our events provide a social setting for our members and their friends and family to bond, relax, and network with those who share a similar background.”

Austin and the Military Community

The city is not only “The Live Music Capital of the World,” but is also a growing hub for technology, healthcare, media and more. WalletHub ranked Austin as the No. 1 place to live for veterans based on employment, economy, health, and the quality of life in 2018.

There are several organizations in Austin that host celebrations or events for our military community throughout the year, including the annual Austin Veterans Day Parade, the Austin Veteran Arts Fest, and Capital Factory’s Veterans in Tech Summit.

The Air Force debuted its latest technology innovation hub in Austin last summer within the Capital Factory. AFWERX Austin specializes in integrating innovative technologies with Air Force programs, augmented and Virtual Reality technologies for Airmen training, and rapid testing and evaluation with Air Force stakeholders. 

Austin is also home to the U.S. Army Futures Command, which has grown from 12 to 24,000 personnel, in only one year. The command was created to oversee the Army’s modernization efforts and is now the Army’s largest reorganization effort in more than 40 years. Austin was chosen as the headquarters location for the “combination of top-tier academic talent, cutting edge industry and an innovative private sector,” said Secretary of the Army at that time Mark T. Esper. UT Austin is serving as a long-term partner and a research hub for the Army Futures Command as faculty and students work with the Army on areas of mutual interest and help to solve problems to serve our country.

Texas McCombs Military MBAs

Caroline Green
Full-Time MBA ’21

Caroline Green completed a six-year military commitment in June 2019 where she worked as an Internal Medicine Physician in the U.S. Air Force. She holds a B.S in Biological Sciences and a B.A in English from the University of Norte Dame and an M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She decided to pursue her MBA to help push for systematic change in the U.S. healthcare system and hopes that learning “the language of business” will help her advocate for both doctors and patients.  

Why McCombs?

“Coming from a medical training background, I honestly didn’t know where to start in evaluating different schools.  Researching school culture was difficult as I was applying from an overseas location, but I combed the school’s website, followed the school’s social media platforms, and was able to get a great sense of the culture from questions I asked during my interview. I knew Austin has great hospital systems as well as a medical school with a strong focus on healthcare innovation, so proximity to these institutions was also attractive. McCombs also has a very flexible curriculum that would support my career ambitions.”

“I felt that this school genuinely emphasized its commitment to support veterans, women, and mothers. I am a member of all of these subgroups of students, and felt very welcomed and encouraged to apply. I felt that the interest and attention each individual gave me was genuine and heartfelt.”

Austin Price
Full-Time MBA ’21

Austin Price served for six years in the Marine Corps as an Intelligence Officer after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. He led teams in analyzing crucial developments of technology and the broader international relationships in geopolitics. He decided to pursue his MBA after realizing that he was interested in the tech sector, pushing innovation, or in the finance sector, analyzing markets.

Why McCombs?

“I knew that I wanted to work within the tech or the asset management space. McCombs immediately leaped out as a clear leader in both areas, with the massive growth in the Apple, Google, Facebook, and Oracle presence in the area and the MBA Investment Fund, the first and one of the largest of its kind. When I came to interview, I immediately connected with a fellow veteran in his first year in the program, and his description of the program and the amazing new facility completely sold me on coming here. Having now spent several months in Austin and in the program, I am so glad I came here. I would put our location, climate, job opportunities, and local affordability against any other MBA program.”

“The passion with which every student seems to live their life surprised me. No matter what you want to focus on, from studies to community impact, to the Austin food or outdoor scene, to just plain fun, it is easy to find someone who is willing to do something with. I can just drop a message into one of our Slack channels and be playing volleyball at Zilker Park a few hours later.”

headshot for Elijah Tramble

Elijah Tramble
MBA at Houston  ’20

Elijah Tramble is an Active Duty Acquisitions Officer in the Air Force and a Working Professional MBA student at our McCombs campus in Houston. Elijah saw the opportunity to continue his development and gain a diverse perspective in a weekend program..

Why McCombs?

“I was spending a lot of time researching evolving trends in space and cyber technology while implementing organizational change initiatives to improve the products we developed. I became really interested in how to build a highly effective organization that stayed on the forefront of technology. I knew how the military did it, but was interested in how other small and large organizations dealt with this challenge. Business school seemed like a great environment to learn from the diverse experiences of faculty and classmates. I was impressed by the excitement and quality of the people I met when visiting McCombs. The professors not only had an academic perspective but most of them also had practical experience to share. The admissions counselor – Jennipher Cole, was authentic and incredibly helpful throughout the process making it an easy decision.”

Cameron Gilmore's headshot

Cameron Gilmore
MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth  ’20

Cameron Gilmore proudly served as a logistics officer in the United States Army. During his time he was able to serve as a platoon leader, executive officer, company commander and senior program manager. Cameron realized that while he had leadership and operations experience he was lacking the corporate experience and context that would separate him from other top candidates.

Why McCombs?

“I chose McCombs because it was the top-ranked program in Dallas/Fort Worth that placed an emphasis on community partnership and student collaboration. In addition, the career services support alongside the University of Texas brand and network made my decision easy. I have used my time at McCombs, in conjunction with working in financial services, to hone the skills necessary to best position myself for success as a leader in Corporate America.”

 

Stay up to date with all things McCombs by subscribing to our newsletter. 

We hope you’ll come visit us in Austin to learn more about how the Texas McCombs and UT Austin Communities support our Military MBAs. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Hook ‘em!

Picture of Rowling Hall

First Look: Executive MBA
Class of 2021

October 24, 2019 / / Comments Off on First Look: Executive MBA
Class of 2021

The Round 1 application deadline is approaching for our Executive MBA, currently ranked #8 in the U.S. by Poets and Quants, and our admissions committee is preparing to put together another elite class of students to bring their skills and experience to the McCombs network.

This past August, our newest enrolled students started their MBA journey at Rowling Hall. Introducing the Executive MBA Class of 2021:

stats for the Executive MBA program class of 2021.

 

The Executive MBA welcomed 48 top-caliber business professionals to the Texas McCombs MBA network with women leaders making up 21% and international students making up 18%.  We also have a growing military population throughout all programs at McCombs with 10 veteran students included in our Executive class this year.

These executives represent a wide array of industries, including technology, energy, government, banking and finance, and consulting. Our students also have rich educational backgrounds, as 27% of the class already hold advanced degrees.

They also have an average of 14 years of experience, signaling their skills in managing teams, decision-making, and entrepreneurship. Their experiences will challenge and inspire one another in order to reach new heights in their careers over the next two years in Austin.

As Austin continues to grow, 28% of Executive students live outside the Austin metro area and commute to the city every other weekend for classes. Commuters are not uncommon for the program and all students benefit from the strong, expansive business culture of McCombs and Austin.

We feel humbled by the amazing experiences and perspectives making up the Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2021 and cannot wait to see what they accomplish during their time in the program. If you’d like to join them as part of the Texas McCombs MBA network, start your application!  

To learn more about the MBA, download our brochure, check out other Executive MBA events, or follow us on Instagram for an inside look at student life. We look forward to meeting you and reading your application.

Hook ’em!

Houston skyline

First Look: MBA at Houston
Class of 2021

October 24, 2019 / / Comments Off on First Look: MBA at Houston
Class of 2021

The deadline for the Round 1 MBA at Houston application is just around the corner! Our admissions team is committed to selecting bright, world-changing students that offer unique perspectives to their incoming class. 

Last year, our admissions team received a strong pool of applications to pull from, and the stats certainly reflect that. With that said, Texas McCombs is proud to welcome our talented students from our Houston MBA program! Check them out:

Texas McCombs MBA at Houston welcomed 83 motivated students to the program as new members of the Longhorn family. These students are no strangers to the fast-paced, hard-working town of Houston and they are all a true testament to the institution they will come to be challenged by over the next two years.

We are excited to see the continued diversity of industry backgrounds from the energy sector & technology, to consulting, the nonprofit space, and government. Through our 83 students, there are over 40 world-renowned companies represented, such as Chevron, Ernst & Young, Oracle, and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

We are excited to see the addition of more students from Healthcare this year. Our students also have robust educational backgrounds, as we welcome students with PhDs, RNs and JDs to our class. We have representation from many of the leading healthcare organizations in Houston and our students have backgrounds in entrepreneurship, law, and nursing.

Other industries we introduced to the class this year include telecommunications, retail, and hospitality/consumer services, making this class even more professionally diverse.

Group photo of the Houston Class of 2021.

Introducing our MBA at Houston Class of 2021.

Women make up 24% of our total class population and international students make up 22%. Our MBAs also include members from the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy. Overall, we have seen increasing growth in both under-represented minorities and first-generation college graduate students.

Our Longhorn pride is strong at McCombs but we also celebrate our students from different undergraduate universities as well. Students from this class represent 53 different undergraduate universities, including Stanford, MIT, and Georgia Tech.

Our admissions team feels humbled by the amazing experiences and perspectives making up our latest MBA at Houston students, and cannot wait to see what they accomplish during their time in the program. If you’d like to join them as part of the Texas McCombs MBA network, start your application soon. 

To learn more about the MBA, download our brochure, check out other  MBA at Houston  events , or follow us on Instagram for an inside look at student life.

We look forward to meeting you and reading your application.

Hook ’em!

Full-Time MBA Admissions Team

The Full-Time MBA Admissions Team

August 18, 2019 / / Comments Off on The Full-Time MBA Admissions Team

Every year, the Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA admissions team travels around the world to participate in events to meet you, share what makes McCombs such a unique place,  and answer any questions you have about the program or application process. This team is also who will support your application process, really getting to know you and your goals.

Get to know more about them, below. 🤘

Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA AdmissionsRodrigo Malta
Managing Director, MBA Recruiting and Admissions

How long have you been with the MBA program and what is your background?
I grew up in Brazil and moved to the United States in high school. I earned my bachelor’s degree in management from Missouri State University. I then used my MBA experience at McCombs to transition from an internal audit career in the telecommunications industry to a marketing role in the technology industry with Dell. During my time as an MBA student, I was very involved in our McCombs Ambassador Committee. This passion for MBA admissions eventually led me back to McCombs and to my current Director role – my dream job!

What has been your most rewarding experience so far with the MBA Admissions Team?

The graduation ceremony in the spring of every year is very special and rewarding to me. I love seeing our excited students walking across the graduation stage and enjoy meeting their families and friends that supported them in this great endeavor.

What are some of the strongest attributes of a Texas McCombs MBA class?

Hands down the diversity of our class! We bring together students from all corners of the world with unique personal stories and varied professional backgrounds. Add in our award-winning faculty members and this is the perfect recipe for lively class discussions and an amazing learning environment.

Stephen Sweeney, Director of Texas Full-Time MBA AdmissionsStephen Sweeney
Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions

How long have you been with the MBA program and what is your background?

I have been leading the recruiting and admissions for the Full-Time MBA at Texas McCombs since January of 2014. I am also an alum of the program and volunteered with the McCombs Ambassador Committee as a student. Prior to enrolling at McCombs, I worked in the hedge fund industry and taught fourth grade through Teach For America.  After I graduated from the MBA, I worked in management consulting until returning to McCombs.

What are some of the strongest attributes of a Texas McCombs MBA class? 

Our accessible faculty along with the hands-on opportunities that McCombs offers truly sets our program apart. Whether being selected for one our Fellows programs or doing an MBA+ project, our students have ample ways to apply what they learn in the classroom to current issues facing companies. I also feel that our Career Management team is the best in the business. This is evident in our placement rates, but you have to see how students transform over the two years and much of this can be attributed to our stellar team.  Lastly, no other top MBA program is located in Austin– the best city in the country!

Senior Admissions Officer, Stacey KammerdienerStacey Batas
Senior Admissions Officer, Full-Time MBA 

How long have you been with the MBA program and what is your background?

I’m a higher ed lifer! I became a part of the Texas MBA team in 2015. Prior to my current role, I worked for an Austin-based marketing firm focused on college and university admissions. We helped clients with social media, branding, search campaigns, publication design, etc. I also spent 8 years in admissions and marketing at a private college in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I managed our events and recruited transfer and international students. While in Charlotte, I attained my MA degree in Higher Education. I’m originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania so I’ve been slowly making my way down to the warm weather!

What has been your most rewarding experience so far with the MBA Admissions Team?

I manage and supervise the “MAC,” or McCombs Ambassador Committee. They’re our (super amazing) students who answer your emails & phone calls, grab coffee with you, host you at our on-campus events, and help Admissions recruit a strong and diverse incoming class. It’s been very rewarding to work with such a collaborative & intelligent group of individuals who are passionate about giving back and talking about their love for Texas McCombs with future students.

What are some of the strongest attributes of a Texas McCombs MBA class?

The student culture! Our Texas MBAs are so supportive of each other. They want everyone to succeed and push their classmates to be their best selves. Students even go so far as to help each other prep for the same interview! The culture of the program also reflects our great location– the city of Austin. MBA students are friendly, laid back, and take advantage of all that Austin has to offer.

Jaden Felix, Senior Admissions Officer, Full-Time MBA Jaden Felix
Senior Admissions Officer, Full-Time MBA

How long have you been with the MBA program and what is your background?

It’s been a quick one and half years on the Texas McCombs MBA recruiting and admissions team, but 9+ years at the University. I was born and raised in Fresno, CA and graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in political science. Prior to joining Texas McCombs, I worked at University of Michigan and in the Office of the Dean of Students at The University of Texas at Austin where I focused on leadership development, intercultural education, wellness and safety, as well as, student success initiatives. My interest in positive leadership, change, and effective teams within organizations led me to pursue a Master of Science in Leadership and Change at St. Edwards University. I’m looking forward to meeting you on the road and on-campus.

What has been your most rewarding experience so far with the MBA Admissions Team?

My most rewarding experience is preparing and welcoming our community of Consortium students to the annual Consortium Orientation Program and Career Forum. With assistance from Career Management, Employer Relations, Admissions, and the 2ndyear MBA Consortium liaisons, we design a dynamic training to jump start their Texas McCombs MBA journey with mock interviews, alumni speakers, coaching, experiential learning activities, and community building. To top it off, we even create playlist of each person’s song of choice – think of it as their ultimate mix tape – which is very eclectic. It was full of memorable experiences and takeaways, including you’re always on, prioritize your time, recharge, and chanting Texas Fight.

Jamie Moon, MBA Admissions Counselor

Jamie Moon
Admissions Counselor, Full-Time MBA

How long have you been with the MBA program and what is your background?

I have been with the MBA program since December 2015. Prior to working at McCombs, I worked for a physician’s office in Austin doing billing and administrative functions. Originally from Georgia, I attended Georgia State University for my bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

What are some of the strongest attributes of a Texas McCombs MBA class?

Definitely the students’ willingness to communicate and collaborate with each other. They are all very supportive of one another, even when in direct competition – like interviewing for the same job! I also appreciate their willingness to give back, not only to their class and the McCombs community, but the broader Austin community as well, be it through Board Fellows, or student organizations.

If you have questions or would like to connect with a student or staff member of our Admissions Committee, please reach out to us.

We can’t wait to meet you. Hook ’em!

MBA Application FAQs

The Top 5 MBA Admissions Questions

July 25, 2019 / / Comments Off on The Top 5 MBA Admissions Questions

If you have reviewed the Texas McCombs MBA application process, you are familiar with the basic steps to applying. Here are some of the steps we’ve highlighted on this blog:

Of course, the above list does not cover everything. Each application is unique, and you may have a special situation or questions specific to your career goals or background. Our MBA Admissions team has put together our Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions below.

Who has Texas residency status?

Everyone who applies to the Texas McCombs MBA is classified as a non-resident until they are admitted, accept the offer, and complete a Texas Residency questionnaire. So even though your status may look incorrect to start, if you’re a Texas resident, you’ll have a chance to prove it later on in the process.

How do I submit transcripts?

We get all sorts of questions on transcripts– foreign language transcripts, study abroad transcripts, old paper transcripts, and electronic transcripts. Here’s a breakdown of the steps for transcripts:

  • Order official transcripts from any university or college you attended EXCEPT junior or technical colleges. Have the transcripts sent to you directly. If your transcripts are in a foreign language, they must also be accompanied by an official English translation.
  • Scan and upload all transcripts to your McCombs Application online.
  • Pay your Application Fee. (see #5 below)
  • Scan and upload transcripts to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC).
  • Store your official transcripts safely. If you’re offered admission and intend to enroll, you’ll then send your official transcripts to GIAC.

Are letters of recommendation required?

We require one professional letter of recommendation from a person who has supervised your work and/or has assessed your performance during your career. We cannot accept additional letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal in your application. While completing your application, you will be able to send your recommender an invitation to access this secure portal to submit their recommendation. Once your letter of recommendation is received, you will be notified via automated email.

A few helpful hints:

  • Complete this part of your application first. This will launch email notifications to your recommenders and allow them to get started on the form while you’re working on the other components of your application.
  • Contact your recommenders ASAP to let them know they should receive an email to avoid them ending up in someone’s junk/spam email folder since they come from a generic Texas MBA email address.
  • Monitor the status of your recommendations in the McCombs application portal to ensure they’re completed within a reasonable amount of time, and by the deadline. You can resend notifications from within the portal as needed.

How long do I have to submit my test scores?

As long as you’ve taken a test and have made the request to have your official scores sent to UT Austin by the round deadline, your application will be considered “on time.” During the admissions process, we sync what you reported in the application with what’s received by UT Austin. It can take several weeks for your official score to be received by the university, and your application marks this item complete once it arrives.

If you’ve decided to retake the exam after you’ve submitted your application, please notify the appropriate program as soon as you have your score. Please note there is no guarantee that your updated test score(s) will be considered in the evaluation of your candidacy, as this depends on when the McCombs Admissions Committee receives the update from you. Again, it’ll take several weeks for the official score to reach UT Austin, but be sure you’ve made the request to have the updated score sent.

If you’re applying to multiple programs at McCombs, you don’t need to send separate scores to each program. UT Austin has a central repository for official scores that all departments can access.

When do I pay the application fee?

You will not be able to pay the application fee for about two business days after you hit the submit button, depending on when you submit your application. Your application is considered “on time” if submitted by the deadline, regardless if the fee is paid on that date. However, your application will not be evaluated if you do not pay the fee once it’s due.

Please be sure to complete the following steps AFTER you hit the submit button on the application:

  • Within two business days of submission of your application you will receive an email with instructions for how to log into your GIAC MyStatus Page. Log into your GIAC MyStatus page to pay the $200 application fee. Your application fee status should reflect “Paid” in the McCombs application portal within five business days of submission.
  • Upload Transcripts to GIAC after you have paid the fee. Note: Former University of Texas at Austin students will pay a transcript fee in lieu of uploading UT Austin transcripts to GIAC.

We encourage you to carefully review all the MBA application components in detail as you complete your application. And if you have additional questions, please reach out to us.

Hook ’em!

These tips were originally posted on Sept. 18, 2017 and have been updated for this application cycle.

mba women students and staff at forte conference this summer in Chicago

Community Spotlight: Texas McCombs MBA Women

July 11, 2019 / / Comments Off on Community Spotlight: Texas McCombs MBA Women

Texas McCombs has had the privilege of partnering with the non-profit organization  The Forté Foundation to provide access to education, opportunities, and a supportive network to empower women in business education and management leadership since 2001.

Forté is committed to “changing the balance of power in the workplace” and strives to provide women with the resources they need to become leaders in business. The foundation has awarded $180 million in fellowships and has helped nearly 8,000 women earn and pursue their MBA.

Forté also provides advice and resources on their Business 360° Blog, hosts women-lead webinars and connects students and working-professional women all year around.

McCombs continues to be an active partner by participating in Forté events across the country and hosts women-focused conferences and events every year. We also attend their annual conference every year. This event brings together women from across the nation for a weekend of professional development and networking with top industry leaders, employers, and peers. This year’s conference was held in Chicago in July.

Firsthand Experience: Being a Forté MBA

Elpidia Gamez, MBA Class of 2021

Elpidia Ellie Gamez, new MBA and Forté Fellow, said she chose to attend McCombs for the collaborative community and plans to pursue a healthcare concentration. She appreciated that McCombs gives her the opportunity to work with the globally-recognized Dell Medical School and the College of Pharmacy on pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization.

“I can continue to develop and improve my leadership skills through McCombs’ unique MBA+ Leadership Program and participating in student-led organizations, such as GWiB and MBA Healthcare Association,” says Elpidia. “Also, Austin is not only a cool city with great eats and a fun social scene, but also a center for innovation and budding technology.”

McCombs hosted a pre-conference dinner for our Forté fellows at Giordano’s for a taste of famous Chicago deep dish pizza. This gave our fellows the chance to meet and talk about their post-MBA ambitions and goals. The conference kicked off with keynotes and discussions from business leaders. The fellows then had breakout sessions and panels based on their career and industry interests.  Forté also held a Career Expo and Networking Reception where the fellows met with representatives from Forté corporate sponsors who were ready to provide opportunities, advice, and insight.

“It was really great to see so many companies demonstrating their commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing women in leadership with their participation throughout the day and then at the career expo. The room was abuzz with excitement to meet and speak with potential employers so I’m very grateful to our Career Services team who helped us prepare our pitches and for the engagements we had throughout the conference,” says Elpidia.

A panel of women leaders at The 2019 Forté MBA Leadership Conference in Chicago.

The second day of the conference kicked off with discussions from industry-leading women from Chevron, Google, Liberty Mutual, and Walmart. Forté then hosted career development breakout sessions like, “Leveraging Men as Mentors & Sponsors,” “Classroom Communication Strategies,” and “Set Yourself Apart with Personal Branding.” The fellows also got the chance to vote on Power Pitch Presentations where women-led teams pitch a business plan to panel of judges for feedback and chance to win seed money to continue their business idea during or after business school.

“I thought it was incredibly brave and empowering to see these ladies present their business plan with so much passion and polish to a room full of strangers who were all there to support with cheers and applause,” says Elpidia. The day wrapped up with the Edi Hunt Award and a conversation featuring Jessica Bennett, author of the Feminist Fight Club.

In conclusion, Elpidia expresses one of the best takeaways from the conference:

“I left Chicago inspired and better prepared to further the progress driven by the women who came before me who are now industry leaders both on-campus and in my future workplace.”

Elpidia with her power word “victorious” at the 2019 Forté MBA Leadership Conference in Chicago.

McCombs Graduate Women in Business (GWiB)

The McCombs chapter of the National Graduate Women in Business organization (GWiB) hosts an annual Women in Business Leadership Conference which brings together students, alumni, faculty, and influential businesswomen to address issues and challenges that affect women in today’s business environment.

GWiB also sponsors a professional development series, meets with prospective students, offers a mentoring program, hosts social outings, and organizes an annual boat cruise across Lake Austin. The org also spotlights it’s members on their Instagram page to highlight goals and achievements.

View this post on Instagram

Every week, we feature a woman from our community. Our #wcw this week is second-year Manasa Murthy! #whymccombs Name: Manasa Murthy Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA Past Work Experience: Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist (Ascension Health) Future Career Goals: After graduation I will be working at HEB as their Director of Health & Wellness. Our goal is to improve the health of Texans through food and innovative services. McCombs organizations and leadership positions: Past Co-President: Health Innovation Fellows, Past Co- VP Events: GWIB, Past VP: Indian Graduate Business Association, Past Board Fellow: Half Helen Foundation, Past Co-Women’s Weekend Chair, MAC Member Who is YOUR #wcw and why? I have many #wcw at McCombs but if I had to pick one it would be Lily Trieu. Lily  is always the first in a group to make others feel welcome and included. She is passionate about education and diversity and goes above and beyond to make meaningful change. I respect Lily for always standing up for what she believes in and know she will do amazing things in the future.

A post shared by GWiB at McCombs (@gwibmccombs) on

Discover McCombs: Women’s Weekend

In addition to conferences and meetups, Texas McCombs encourages all women MBAs interested in the program to attend our annual Discover McCombs: Women’s Weekend held each fall. Students get the opportunity to tour the beautiful UT Austin campus and Rowling Hall, plus engage with our community through panels, events, and sessions on program resources.

Last year’s Women’s Weekend welcomed 56 MBAs and kicked off at the Kendra Scott Home Office! The attendees also helped FloCode put together 315 Flo Packs for women in need and participated in Google’s #IAmRemarkable workshop. It was truly an amazing event.

McCombs also hosts diversity and inclusion conferences and workshops such as Elevate and Diversity Weekend.

If you’d like to connect with Elpidia about her experience with Forté, the MBA application process, or her background, reach out to her.

We will be highlighting more students and events throughout the year so be sure to subscribe to our blog. If you would like more information about the Texas McCombs MBA program, we encourage you to attend an MBA event—class visits, campus tours, or info sessions on-campus.

Contact our MBA admissions committee with any questions you have. Hook ’em!

Exterior of The Centrum in Uptown Dallas

The MBA at DFW is Moving to The Centrum!

June 26, 2019 / / Comments Off on The MBA at DFW is Moving to The Centrum!

The McCombs School of Business has found a new home for the Dallas/Fort Worth Weekend MBA  at The Centrum in Uptown Dallas. The highly visible, 17,000 square-foot, first-floor space will open in the fall and provide interactive classrooms, group study and breakout rooms, individual study nooks, 16-seat board interactive room, meeting rooms, offices, and open community space. The new location will accommodate current and future classes and provide easy access from multiple freeways for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

“We’re excited to move to our new home at The Centrum, which will give us a central location to the DFW business community. The new location will increase the awareness and reputation of the program within that community, while also providing a space that’s customized for the needs of our students,”

– Dave Jackson, Sr. Admissions Officer, MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth

What The Centrum Has to Offer

The Centrum is located in Uptown Dallas and provides unique opportunities for students to network and connect with other innovative organizations including Capital Factory, Salesforce, and BRIT Systems,  who all operate within the building.

Amenities include a fitness center, five restaurants, a coffee shop, a tenant lounge, rooftop deck,  outdoor courtyard, underground parking, secure bike room/racks, and more.

“The new location is in the middle of the action in Dallas – it’s lively, has proximity to the major highways and is in a rapidly developing area in uptown. The modern design and innovative use of space will allow better collaboration between the students, faculty, and professors. The tech-friendly, connected hub will facilitate better quality study group meetings, private rooms to review exam material, and ample space to practice presentations.”

– Claire Mitzner, Texas McCombs MBA ’20

The building’s many amenities will make it a premier gathering place for our MBA students in all stages of their MBA journey. The Texas McCombs community is excited to show off our new Dallas home at admissions events, student events, and alumni gatherings starting this fall!

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