Tag: Texas MBA (page 4 of 10)

Student Spotlight: Lily Yap, DFW MBA Class of 2020

Lily Yap Headshot

Lily Yap, MBA Class of 2020

Our Dallas/Fort Worth Class of 2020 welcomed its largest class ever, with 88 new students. This is also the most international class the DFW program has ever had and the most diverse in terms of companies/organizations represented.

We recently caught up with Lily Yap, a DFW MBA student originally from San Francisco, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Business Management and works on coordinating life-saving programs and operations for animal welfare services in Dallas.

Lily’s “WhyMcCombs?”

Lily was excited to see how passionate the current MBAs in her field are and looked forward to taking leadership classes. She believes classes that refine “soft” skills are extremely beneficial and looks forward to sharing her unique knowledge with other students and organizations.

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Student Spotlight: Guilherme Junqueira, Full-Time MBA Class of 2020

Headshot for Guilherme Junqueira

Guilherme Junqueira, MBA Class of 2020

Our Full-Time Class of 2020 is composed of 284 impressive MBAs from all over the world.  Students from outside the U.S. are a valuable part of the Texas McCombs network, bringing their individual perspective and cultural background to Austin. 24% of our 2020 Full-Time MBAs are international students.

We recently caught up with MBA ’20 Guilherme Junqueira, a student originally from Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil. His journey to Texas McCombs offers insight to future international students wanting to earn their MBA here.

Guilherme’s “Why McCombs?”

Guilherme lived in Sao Paulo for nine years where he attended university to study Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Before coming to Austin for his MBA, Guilherme worked at Oxiteno as a Lead Product Management Analyst.  

When applying to graduate school, Guilherme researched different schools and their admission process online and attended events in Sao Paulo. He expanded his research after taking the GMAT by attending Texas McCombs MBA events, and speaking with current students and alumni via phone calls and emails.

“I wanted to join a top MBA program located in a small to mid-size city and with a small class; these were important factors because I wanted to develop close connections with my classmates in a more focused program environment. After submitting my applications, I came to the U.S. to visit five schools that I had applied to; this definitely was the best way to confirm that McCombs was the best fit for me.”

He attended business school events in Sao Paulo and multi-school events such as the MBA Tour. For him, events offered clarity to understand the similarities and differences of each program. After being admitted, he attended company-sponsored pre-MBA events in both Brazil and the United States. The A.T. Kearney Bootcamp helped confirm and narrow his career priorities post-MBA. He found that he enjoyed participating in national career fairs, such as Prospanica, in career treks and entrepreneurship events.

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Military Resources: Texas McCombs, UT and Austin

Texas McCombs recognizes the value military veterans bring to our campus. Our community is one of support, collaboration, and dedication to prepare you for career success, which is why our MBA is consistently a top-ranked program for veterans.

Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be challenging.  An MBA degree is and unbeatable resource for veterans. While in the program, you’ll enhance business skills, connect with a global network of Longhorns, and transition into a civilian role in the business community.

Texas Veterans in Business

As the primary MBA student organization for military veterans in the program, Texas Veterans in Business (TViB) is a great way to get connected and involved in our community. The organization focuses on drawing parallels between the principles learned in the military and the skills required to be successful in business.

Veteran's Day "Ruck March" Hike and BBQ

Veteran’s Day “Ruck March” Hike and BBQ

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Crossing all the T’s in your MBA Application

This MBA Insider info comes from the Texas McCombs MBA Admissions Team.

We know you want to put forth the best application you can when you apply to any Texas McCombs MBA program. And we’ve covered many components of the application in the past, including the resume, letter of recommendation, essays, and test scores (as well as some tips for interviewing if you are selected). But some components of the application that might be viewed as procedural are just as important, and if not addressed properly, they can delay processing, which can in turn delay your decision.

When you apply to a Texas McCombs MBA program, you’re actually applying to two separate entities at the same time. One is the McCombs School of Business; the other is the Graduate School of the University of Texas at Austin (which we’ll call GIAC, for the Graduate and International Admissions Center).

Three key components of the application are required by GIAC before it will be considered complete, and GIAC does not allow McCombs to issue a decision until these three elements are completed.

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How Test Scores Factor into Your MBA Application

This is the final installment in a series of posts on GMAT/GRE testing. We encourage you to review previous posts, if you have not already. This content was written by Dave Jackson, Senior Admissions Officer, Dallas/Fort Worth MBA.

The Texas MBA Admissions Committee recognizes that you might be putting a lot of pressure on yourself to achieve a high test score.  After all, you’re competitive and driven enough to want to pursue an MBA! It’s important to remember that your test score is only one piece of your story, and it’s considered in the context of your overall application. We review your scores with the knowledge that a test is only one day in your life, and your academic and work history span many years.

Nevertheless, the test is an important component in evaluating your application.

“Quantitative test scores, in particular, have proven to be predictive of success in an MBA program, and taking the GMAT or GRE gets you back into the practice of preparing for exams. The preparation you put into the test sets you up for the mindset you’ll have to bring to your MBA– setting aside time to study on a nightly basis and working your way through problems analytically.”

– Sharon Barrett, Director of Working Professional MBA Admissions at Texas McCombs

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Robert B. Rowling Hall Grand Opening

This post was written by Kimberly Jones, Marketing Coordinator, Texas McCombs MBA Programs.

The next class of Texas McCombs MBAs will start their MBA journey in a brand new business graduate school here at UT Austin: Robert B. Rowling Hall! On February 22, 2018 Rowling Hall held its Grand Opening Celebration. We were so excited to welcome the wider business community to our new home:

We shared the celebration excitement on social media:

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Executive MBA vs Part Time MBA: Which Program Is Right for You?

Your choice of MBA program can redefine your career path, expand your influence, and accelerate your growth. Selecting the right fit isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about unlocking the leadership potential that propels you forward.

Executive MBA and Part-Time MBA programs both empower working professionals, yet they serve distinct audiences with unique goals. Our Executive MBA program caters to mid- to aspiring senior-level leaders ready to refine strategic vision and elevate into C-suite roles. Part-Time MBAs — often called Working Professional MBAs — support early- to mid-career talent looking to strengthen business administration fundamentals, pivot industries, or advance into management while maintaining full-time work.

At Texas McCombs, you don’t have to choose between career momentum and a Hildebrand MBA. Our Part-Time MBA options — Executive MBA, Evening MBA, and Weekend MBA — are purpose-built for ambitious professionals. Each program has the opportunity to leverage our innovative ecosystem, world-class faculty, and a community that’s driven to make a global impact. 

What Is an Executive MBA?

An Executive MBA is built for accomplished professionals — typically with seven to 10 years of experience — who are ready to elevate from managing teams to steering organizations. You’re already influencing strategy; now you want a program that sharpens your decision-making, deepens your global perspective, and positions you for senior-level impact.

In the Texas McCombs Executive MBA, every course centers on strategic leadership. Faculty guide you through high-level analytics, innovation frameworks, and boardroom-level financial insights that translate immediately to your workplace. Because the cohort is composed of mid- and senior-level leaders from diverse industries, class discussions mirror the complexity of real business challenges, expanding your problem-solving lens beyond your own sector.

Leadership growth here goes beyond academics. You’ll gain access to executive coaching, targeted career resources, and a robust alumni network that opens doors to global opportunities. Graduates often step into C-suite roles, launch entrepreneurial ventures, or champion transformational initiatives within their organizations — proof that an Executive MBA is more than a credential; it’s a catalyst for senior-level influence.

Program Format and Immersions

Texas McCombs’ Executive MBA cohort meets one intensive weekend per month at Rowling Hall in Austin — an efficient schedule that respects your demanding calendar while immersing you in a tight-knit learning community. Yet the real signature of our EMBA program is six immersive experiences that weave together coursework, leadership practice, and global insight.

Each immersion aligns tightly with semester coursework, ensuring concepts move from the classroom to real-world context immediately. You’ll collaborate with classmates on consulting projects, meet high-level executives, and cultivate relationships that last well beyond graduation — an invaluable return on interaction that distinguishes our Executive MBA from other EMBA programs.

As a program option that blends rigorous academics, experiential learning, and global business exposure, the Texas McCombs Executive MBA empowers you to lead confidently in any boardroom.

What Is a Part-Time MBA?

A Part-Time — or Working Professional — MBA is crafted for early- to mid-career talent with typically two to eight years of experience and who prefer not to pause their career momentum for graduate studies. You’re juggling deadlines, leading projects, and eyeing your next promotion; this program lets you cultivate advanced business acumen without stepping away from the office.

The McCombs working professional coursework grounds you in core disciplines — finance, statistics, economics, marketing, operations — while layering leadership development and strategic management. What you learn in the classroom gets applied in the workplace right away,  allowing you to show immediate value and accelerate your growth.

Team-based projects and hands-on simulations connect you with classmates from technology, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, consulting, and more. This range of professional backgrounds broadens your perspective and builds a supportive network that stretches across Texas and beyond. Many graduates secure managerial roles, pivot industries, or even launch startups.

Program Flexibility and Scheduling

Texas McCombs offers three scheduling paths designed for working professionals:

  • Evening MBA in Austin: Meets weekly on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6–9 p.m., ideal if you prefer a consistent weekday routine and want to keep weekends free for family, travel, or passion projects. Located in the heart of Austin’s innovation hub, the program frequently features guest lectures from local founders and tech leaders who want to pass on business skills and proficiencies.
  • Weekend MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth: Held on alternating weekends, with classes offered in Uptown Dallas on Friday evenings and all day Saturday. This format is perfect for professionals across North Texas who prefer immersive, condensed learning that minimizes weekday disruptions while still providing space to learn in-person from Austin-based professors. Proximity to major corporate headquarters in the DFW metroplex enhances coursework through company presentations and real-world case studies.
  • Weekend MBA at Houston: Following the same alternating weekend schedule, with Friday-Saturday coursework designed to let you focus fully on business learning with peers before returning to work energized to apply new insights. Positioned in a key global business hub, the program offers unparalleled access to leaders in various industries. For example, sectors like energy, healthcare, aerospace, real estate, manufacturing, and consulting.

All three formats require full-time employment, ensuring classroom discussions mirror real-time business challenges. Faculty leverage this dynamic, encouraging you to apply frameworks immediately, gather feedback, and refine strategies before the next class session. Whether you prefer weeknight consistency or biweekly weekend sessions at our Dallas or Houston campuses, McCombs meets you where you are — without forcing you to compromise career progress.

Key Differences Between Executive MBA and Part-Time MBA

Both programs empower working professionals, yet the experience you’ll have — and the outcomes you can expect — vary in meaningful ways:

Experience Level

  • Executive MBA: Most EMBA students bring eight+ years of professional experience, often managing departments or divisions before entering the program.
  • Part-Time MBA: Candidates on average have two–eight years of experience and are preparing to move into their first managerial or senior specialist roles. It’s also common for candidates to have more than eight years of experience from a non-business field and want to gain the skills and knowledge to have a seat in the boardroom. 

Career Trajectory

  • Executive MBA: Designed for leadership acceleration — think VP, C-suite, or entrepreneurial founder.
  • Part-Time MBA: Focuses on career growth, functional mastery, and optional pivots across industries or roles.

Program Intensity and Duration

  • Both tracks span roughly two years, but the EMBA’s once-per-month weekend format compresses coursework into high-impact sessions and immersive residencies.
  • Part-Time MBA spreads learning across weekly evening or biweekly weekend classes, delivering steady progress without overwhelming your calendar.

Investment

  • Executive MBA: Typically requires a higher financial commitment, reflecting the exclusive immersions, executive coaching, and senior-level networking.
  • Part-Time MBA: Tuition is lower, offering a strong return on investment for professionals who anticipate salary growth or role changes during the program.

Networking Ecosystem

  • Executive MBA: Intake classes average 65 students — each a seasoned leader — creating intimate, high-level peer connections that often translate into board appointments or joint ventures.
  • Part-Time MBA: Entering classes across Austin, Dallas, and Houston average 250 students, giving you a broader network of professionals across Texas and access to multi-program networking in electives and international trips.

Learning and Curriculum

  • Executive MBA: Centers on strategic leadership, corporate governance, and enterprise-level analytics. Courses emphasize case studies that mirror boardroom dilemmas, preparing you to influence vision and organizational culture. Executive coaches and leadership diagnostics personalize your growth plan, sharpening decision-making under pressure.
  • Part-Time MBA: Builds a solid foundation in finance, marketing, operations, and data analytics through lectures by expert professors and application of case studies, then layers leadership development through electives and experiential modules. Real-time application lets you apply learnings at work and return to class with fresh insights, enriching discussions for everyone.

The Hildebrand Leadership Fellows program immerses high-impact Part-Time, Executive, and Full-Time MBA students in advanced leadership workshops, industry treks, and executive mentorship, adding depth to your managerial toolkit.

Shared Strengths

Regardless of track, you access world-class faculty, hands-on projects, and the powerful Texas McCombs alumni network. Yet the balance of strategy versus fundamentals — and the caliber of your peer group — differs, guiding you toward the program that aligns best with your current role and future vision. Plus, all programs have a fall start date and walk together for graduation when wrapping up the MBA program, so you’ll start and end at the same time among your fellow students. 

Ready to pinpoint your fit? Let’s explore how to evaluate personal factors like experience, goals, and time commitment before making your decision.

Determining Which MBA Program Is Right for You

Start by taking an honest inventory of where you stand today and where you intend to go next. Your level of experience, career ambitions, and life commitments all shape whether an Executive MBA or Part-Time MBA will serve you best.

Look At Your Work Experience and Career Stage

If you already lead teams, manage P&L, or influence corporate strategy, the Executive MBA’s executive-level peer group will match your pace and perspective, assuming you meet the minimum eight years of work experience. If you’re climbing toward your first management role or seeking a strategic skill set to pivot industries or functions, the Part-Time MBA delivers the business fundamentals and leadership coaching to get you there.

Have Your Desired Program Format and Time Commitment in Mind

The Executive MBA’s once-per-month weekend classes and six immersive residencies suit professionals who can carve out concentrated blocks of time, plus the potential commute. Either the Evening or Weekend MBA option disperses class time across weeknights or alternating weekends in your area, a rhythm that accommodates continuous full-time work and family obligations.

Think About Your Long-Term Goals

Aspiring C-suite leaders benefit from the EMBA’s focus on high-level strategy, global business, and peer-executive networking. Professionals planning a functional pivot or mid-career leap gain versatility through the Part-Time MBA’s broad curriculum and immediate, on-the-job application.

Experience McCombs Culture Firsthand

Sit in on a class, connect with current MBA students, or attend an admissions event to test-drive each program’s environment. Engage with admissions consulting resources or review tuition overviews to ensure the investment aligns with your personal and financial plan.

Explore Texas McCombs MBA Programs: Making Your Academics Work for You

Executive MBA or Part-Time MBA — each Hildebrand MBA path at Texas McCombs empowers working professionals to lead with vision and agility. The Executive MBA delivers an immersive, strategy-focused journey alongside seasoned executives. The Part-Time MBA offers flexible evening and weekend classes that let you master business fundamentals while advancing your career. Both share world-class faculty, a collaborative community, and access to Austin’s innovative economy. Additionally, all programs start with an orientation and coursework kick-off in Austin and end with an MBA graduation together.

No matter your career stage, you’ll find a program engineered for growth. Our Hildebrand MBA initiatives, leadership fellows’ experiences, and global immersions ensure every McCombs student develops the insight and confidence to drive meaningful change.

Ready to discover your perfect MBA program fit? Explore the Executive MBA, Evening MBA, and Weekend MBA options in Dallas and Houston today, and see how a Texas McCombs School of Business degree propels you toward your next leadership milestone.

Balancing Act: Family, Work, and Your MBA

This post was written by Dave Jackson, Senior Admissions Officer, Dallas/Fort Worth MBA.

Working professional MBA programs can be challenging when it comes to the competing priorities of work, school, and your personal life. Many wouldn’t think of adding to that mix, perhaps the ultimate challenge: caring for a new baby. Nevertheless, McCombs Working Professional MBA students have shown that a growing family can make it though the program with the right planning, prioritizing, and support network.

“There’s never a ‘right’ time to have a baby,” says Denise Xue, Texas Evening MBA Class of 2017, a financial analyst at Intel who gave birth to her son Daniel in April of 2016, during her fourth semester in the program.

“Having a baby while getting an MBA is certainly not easy, but I never regret one bit. You will be extremely busy, and feel challenged both physically and emotionally, but at the same time you will also feel proud of yourself for the things that you accomplished.”

Here is some advice from Denise and other recent parents for those contemplating parenthood in combination with their Texas MBA:

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Texas MBA Love Stories

This post was written by Jolene Ashcraft, Head of Marketing, Texas McCombs MBA Programs.

This Valentine’s Day, we checked in with some of our MBA alumni who found love at McCombs and have tied the knot in the last year. Find out how they met and what they’re up to now.

Michelle Sutton ’16 and Javier Armenteros ’16

Wedding Date: October 21, 2017

Wedding Location: Chapel Hill, NC

How We Met: By chance, we were seated next to each other at the MBA Orientation Banquet on our very first day of the program, but we did not get to know each other well until our second semester when we traveled to Park City, Utah on the Graduate Business Adventure Team (GBAT) Ski Trip and then to South Africa as part of the McCombs Global Connections Study Tour program.

Currently: We live in Dallas, TX, where Michelle is an Associate Brand Manager at Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and Javi is an Associate Finance Manager at PepsiCo Frito Lay. We are both proud Longhorns and are involved in MBA recruiting for our respective companies.

“We loved having such a strong contingent of McCombies at our wedding!”

Christie Sutton ’15 and Patrick McConnell ’15

Wedding Date: October 14, 2017

Wedding Location: San Francisco, CA (We originally planned for Healdsburg in Sonoma County, but due to the Northern California fires, we made a last minute move to San Francisco with the help of many of our McCombs friends.)

How We Met: We met in Austin during one of the McCombs Adventure Program (MAP) Day Trips, which take place before school officially begins. We sat next to each other on the bus to the wine tasting tour in Fredericksburg, TX and were friends from the start.

Currently: We currently live in San Francisco, CA and both work at Apple. Christie works in market development for the Corporate Retail division, and Pat works as a program manager on the new product launch team.

Christie and Pat with MBA classmates at their wedding

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Choosing a Test for Your MBA Career Search

This is the third in a series of posts on GMAT/GRE testing. We encourage you to review previous posts, if you have not already. This content was written by Dave Jackson, Senior Admissions Officer, Dallas/Fort Worth MBA.

Before you make a final decision on which test to take, it’s best to research some of your target companies or industries and determine two things:

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

Regardless of which test you take, you should consider it as another opportunity to not only impress the Admissions Committee, but also potential employers.

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