Texas McCombs MBA Insider

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woman sitting down using a laptop. an orange banner reads "Reapplying to Texas McCombs"

How to Reapply for Your MBA

October 12, 2021 / / Comments Off on How to Reapply for Your MBA

With each new admissions cycle, questions come in from those who have applied in the past about applying again to join the next class of Texas McCombs MBAs. 

First, having applied in a previous year is not considered a negative factor in your application. We are pleased to see your continued interest in the program and will evaluate your new application on its merits and in the context of the new applicant pool, just as if you are applying for the first time. Below is an overview of important info and tips for reapplying to the MBA program that we hope you find helpful.

Application

All candidates reapplying are required to complete a new application, new essays,  a new resume, and pay the application fee. Our essay prompts can change from year to year, so copying and pasting your essay responses from a previous application cycle is not recommended. In addition, rewriting your essays shows effort!

Review essays and application components for:

Official Transcripts

We keep your official transcript on file for one year. You will need to submit your transcripts again if you have taken any additional coursework or if you applied more than one year ago. You can always review your application status on the “MyStatus” page to make sure you have current transcripts.

Test Scores

GMAT  and GRE  scores are also kept on file for one year and overall, scores are valid five years after the date the test is taken. For TOEFL scores, this period is two years. The McCombs Admissions Committee considers only the highest total submitted score in the evaluation of applications.

Recommendation Letter 

Although not required, we suggest you submit a new letter of recommendation. Determine if another recommender may provide a more current, insightful, and thorough perspective on your experience. If you choose to submit a prior recommendation, you will need to email MBA Admissions with a request to resubmit.

How Have You Improved?

While completing your application, you will be asked, “Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to enhance your candidacy?” The Admissions Committee reviews this answer closely so please ensure that you spend time reflecting on and explaining these improvements.

Choosing to re-apply to the MBA program shows perseverance and dedication. We encourage you to consider giving yourself a fresh start when you approach your new application. Think through and reassess your application, address any weak areas, and add new information that may be helpful in the admission process.

Please reach out to us at TexasMBA@mccombs.utexas.edu with any questions. We look forward to receiving your new application.

Good luck and Hook ’em!

Submitting Your Full-Time MBA Application blog banner

Submitting Your Full-Time MBA Application

October 7, 2021 / / Comments Off on Submitting Your Full-Time MBA Application

The 2021-2022 Full-Time MBA application is now open!

We usually receive questions about application deadlines and whether or not it matters when you submit your application– Round 1, 2, or 3.

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

Round One

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

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

You should NEVER rush to submit your MBA application simply to take advantage of “more spots” or “more funding.”

Once you submit your application, you cannot “re-submit” a stronger application in a later round for the same term of entry. If you skip important preparation, including formal test prep, articulating your “why MBA,” or conducting research just to be able to submit in Round 1, you could end up with a test score and application that doesn’t reflect you at your best.

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

Round Two

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

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

Round Three

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

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

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

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

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

Apply Now to Start Fall 2021

2021 Working Professional and Executive MBA
Applications are Open

June 1, 2021 / / Comments Off on 2021 Working Professional and Executive MBA
Applications are Open

The Texas McCombs  Executive MBA, MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth and MBA at Houston programs are accepting applications for Fall 2021 on a space-available basis. If you were unable to submit before the last deadline, this is a great opportunity to start in August as part of the Class of 2023 without waiting another year to begin your MBA.

Your McCombs Application

 

 

Note: Spots are not guaranteed. If any classes fill, the application for that program will close.

Applying Now vs. Earlier in the Cycle

In contrast to full-time MBAs, working professional MBA classes fill up later in the cycle. Your chance for admission is the same now as if you had applied in earlier rounds. And there are many reasons to consider starting your MBA this fall:

  • An MBA will provide you with the leadership and business skills to help with post-COVID organizational change.
  • You’ll gain a supportive network of classmates, alumni, faculty, and staff– there are over 100,000 McCombs alumni around the world.
  • Texas McCombs provides unmatched career support for working professional students.
  • All applicants submitting for Fall 2021 before the application closes will receive an application fee waiver worth a $200 USD value.

Testing and Scores

All applicants should note that our testing options have changed for this cycle

UPDATE 6/22/21 – TEST WAIVER FOR DALLAS/FORT WORTH AND HOUSTON MBA APPLICANTS:

General Test Waiver: Although submitting a strong test score is always advised, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston MBA applicants may submit a petition to waive the test score by using the Optional Essay within the application to share the reasons for considering your application without a score. (i.e. strong undergrad/graduate GPA, certifications, extensive work experience) Waiver petitions are considered along with the rest of your application components and reviewed holistically. The MBA Admissions Committee will view each applicants’ petition in the context of their entire application and render a decision based on the application as a whole, versus a separate decision on just the waiver.

Ready to Apply?

The best time to apply is always when you feel you are ready to start the program and have a strong application. All applicants applying to the program must be prepared to start the program in August 2021.

If you have any questions now about starting the program, please contact us:

 

MBA and ROI

Your MBA Return on Investment

March 26, 2021 / / Comments Off on Your MBA Return on Investment

 

Pursuing an MBA is a significant commitment of time and financial resources. At Texas McCombs, we understand that finding the best return on your MBA investment (ROI) is a priority. We are proud to have been consistently named a “Best Value” among Top 20 MBA programs!

In addition to (McCombs) having the lowest tuition and fees out of the top 20 schools for the last two years, McCombs’ grads had the largest gap between how much students made after graduation and how much they owed." U.S. News, 2017

As you evaluate the ROI for business schools you are considering, remember that the benefits of a top-ranked MBA go way beyond the potential for a higher salary.  Growing your professional network, and the expansion of knowledge and skills should also play a role in evaluating  ROI.

 

Expand Your Network

Texas McCombs is a globally recognized brand. When you join the program, you gain priceless membership in a lifelong alumni network that will continue to support and accelerate your career. Our alumni take great pride in giving back to this campus by helping mentor, support – and often hire – Texas McCombs students. Being a UT Austin alumni connects you to the most innovative leaders, thinkers, and doers around the world. You are a Longhorn for life.

The Texas McCombs and UT Austin Network

500,000+ UT Alumni
25,000+ MBA Alumni
100,000+ McCombs Alumni
30+ McCombs Alumni Chapters

 

The Numbers

Of course tuition and living costs are also considered in your ROI. Your individual considerations will vary when it comes to funding your MBA, but it’s always good to note current estimated tuition for the year you plan to start the program, cost of living, and any anticipated scholarships or financial aid.

Texas McCombs MBA Tuition

Current estimated annual tuition rate for the Full-Time MBA is $51,020 for Texas residents and $56,572 for non-Texas residents.

Texas McCombs MBA compares favorably against the national averages of $60,000 & $65,000, respectively, charged by other top 20 MBA programs at public universities. And the average annual tuition rate for private institutions in the top 10 is $72,485.

On average, 40-45% of admitted Texas McCombs Full-time MBA students receive scholarship offers.

Cost of Living in Austin

The cost of living in Austin is less than in many major cities. What costs $1 here is:
$1.56 in New York,
$1.43 in San Francisco,
$1.32 in Boston,
$1.30 in Los Angeles,
$1.29 in Seattle, and
$1.18 in Chicago

Texas consistently ranks as one of the nation’s most favorable business climates. Read more about the cost of living here.

 

Knowledge & Skills

While most graduate programs narrow your subject matter expertise through extensive research activities on a specific topic, an MBA curriculum allows you to learn about a variety of industries and business functions resulting in increased flexibility in potential career paths.

Texas McCombs is currently ranked in the top 3 for Business Analytics, Marketing and Accounting– we are consistently no. 1 for Accounting.  The MBA also offers a new “Leading for Impact” curriculum component to provide focused individual assessment & leadership coaching within your MBA.

The value of your graduate degree is measured in more than dollars and cents. If you have any questions about the opportunities offered at Texas McCombs or how your goals may fit with our program, please reach out to us.

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2021

February 12, 2021 / / Comments Off on Celebrating Lunar New Year 2021

February 12, 2021 marks the first new moon of the year and the start of the Lunar New Year. The holiday is celebrated by many communities in Asia and around the world to welcome the spring season and is a time for families to reunite and honor ancestors.

In China, it is commonly known as Chinese New Year, or chunjie (春节) meaning “Spring Festival.” The festival is the longest holiday of the year beginning on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ending on the first full moon. We talked to a few of our current MBA students from the McCombs China Business Association to learn how they celebrate the new year.

dragon dance - a picture from Sujian

“First, Chinese New Year is for family,” says MBA student Sujian Luo. “We get together with parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and relatives. And through this, we maintain and even create deeper bonds with each other. In the past year, we received help from people at work, in life, or somewhere else. This is the time to express sincere appreciation to them. Last but not least, it’s a time for every individual to take a pause, reflect, and prepare for a new sail.”

Sujian Luo headshot

Sujian Luo
 Texas McCombs MBA ’21

Sujian Luo was born and grew up in Sichuan Province in the southwest part of China. He remembers playing with fireworks when was younger during celebrations.

He learned about McCombs from his girlfriend who graduated from the program in 2019. He is currently the Case Competition VP of Operations Fellows and a member of the McCombs Ambassador Committee (MAC), China Business Association, and the Tech Club.

“Geographically, Sichuan’s location is similar to that of Texas in the United States. My hometown is a small city called Mianzhu. It has a long history and it can be dated back to the time of Three Kingdoms, more than 1000 years ago. My family has been living in Mianzhu since my great grandparents.

When I was young, the most impressive activity was playing fireworks with friends. These fireworks are not the same as those for shows and displays, they are fireworks played by hands. We used them to create different patterns in the dark.”

Traditions and Customs

Chinese New Year traditions include putting up red and gold decorations, eating reunion dinner with family on New Year’s Eve, popping firecrackers and fireworks,  and giving red envelopes.

“The Chinese New Year traditions and procedures all have significant meaning, from the New Year’s greetings we share with each other to the food we eat, and I am proud that these festivities are still very much a part of my life,” says Nicole Fung. “For the most part a lot of what we take part in helps to bring prosperity, luck, and longevity for the upcoming year.”

 

nicole fung headshot

Nicole Fung
Texas McCombs MBA ’22

Nicole Fung was born and raised in Hong Kong. Her father was born in Shanghai, and her mother was born in Hong Kong. Her ancestors are from the Guangdong province which lives along the Pearl River Delta.

Nicole chose McCombs because of her interest in tech, the growing city, and the McCombs network.

 

“When I was younger I celebrated New Year’s Eve with my family for our annual “reunion dinner”,  typically feasting for hours over a nice hearty home cooked Chinese meal together. Then we would spend New Year’s Day visiting my parents’ elder siblings and grandparents’ home to wish them happy new year, a Chinese tradition called “bai nian”.

A picture of Nicole Fung and her family.

Nicole’s family

“My mother loves decorating our home with Chinese New Year flora (lucky bamboo, orchids, narcissus), Chinese couplets written in beautiful calligraphy, and kumquats,” says Nicole. “Every year our living room always has a CNY candy box that is filled with sweets, Chinese seeds and nuts to signify togetherness.”

During the New Year celebration, Nicole prepares dumplings.

“I would love to disclose my recipe for homemade dumplings, but honestly I always go with the flow and my gut. Definitely get pre-made dumpling skins to save a lot of prep time! Traditional fillings include ground pork and cabbage, and tofu, carrot, mushroom, and cabbage for a vegetarian option.  For the filling’s marinade I use plenty of soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and a little Chinese vinegar.”
Fey Sheng headshot

Fay Sheng
Texas McCombs MBA ’21

Fay Sheng grew up in a mid-sized city in East China where her parents were born.  She celebrates with her family by eating fish on the eve of Chinese New Year and saving part of it. After dinner, they watch China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala.

Fay chose McCombs for the culture and growing city. She is also a member of Texas McCombs Labs.

 

“The reason [we eat fish on Chinese New Year] is that in Chinese, fish sounds like “surplus” and we always like to have a surplus at the end of the year,” she says. “And if we manage to save something at the end of this year, then we can make more in the next year.”

“Chinese New Year is a time for families to reunite and for people to celebrate and appreciate the achievement in the past one year and also look forward into the coming year.”

Fey's niece writing couplets

Fay’s niece writing couplets.

In preparation for the celebration, she would get a haircut, clean the house, shop for new clothes, and hang up traditional red decorations such as Fu, couplets, and paper-cut art.

“When we hang up Fu, we sometimes hang it upside down because “upside-down Fú” sounds nearly identical to the phrase ‘Good luck arrives.'”

The Year of the Ox 

This is the Year of the Ox in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Nicole shares the story behind how the 12 animals in the zodiac came to be.

“The zodiac is a core part of Chinese New Year,” says Nicole. “There are a total of twelve animals in the zodiac and each New Year celebrates an animal from the roster. 2021 is the Year of the Ox. The fable behind the zodiac is the Jade Emperor, a Chinese deity, wanted twelve animals to serve has his guards. The animals on earth were asked to race to the Heavenly Gates to win their place beside the emperor. Met with a river with a swift current, the Rat had trouble crossing and jumped on the ox’s back for a safe ride. The Rat was cunning and jumped off the ox at the last moment to reach the Jade Emperor and won the race, consequently the ox placed second. The ordering of the zodiac is as follows according to their place in the race: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and finally the pig.”

Sujian says the Ox is important in ancient Chinese agricultural society.

“It’s a symbol of wealth. And in modern society, Chinese people often use Ox as an adjective, for example, if a student gets 100/100 points in a difficult example, we’ll say: ”you’re so Ox(你真牛)”—like, you are so great.”

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!

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

Texas McCombs Wins National Black MBA Association Case Competition

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

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

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

The Team

Christopher Williams Headshot

Christopher Williams, MBA ’21

Sean Stallings Headshot

Sean Stallings, MBA ’21

Tyrone Smith Headshot

Tyrone Smith, MBA ’21

Ingrid Zagzebski headshot

Ingrid Zagzebski, MBA ’22

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Competition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A First Place Victory

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

screenshot of Christopher William's linkedin post announcing their win

 

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

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

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

Advice For Future MBAs

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

Get ready early.

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

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

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

Be meticulous and say on task.

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

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

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

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

Banner announcing STEM Certification

Full-Time MBA Program Receives STEM Certification

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

Top-Ranked Programs Emphasize Quantitative Management and Analytics

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

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

– Tina Mabley, Assistant Dean for Full-Time MBA

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

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

Management Science & Quantitative Methods degree code:

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

Financial Mathematics degree code:

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

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

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

– Interim Dean Lillian Mills

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

Student Spotlight: Daniel
Hinkson, MBA at Houston Class of 2021

November 11, 2020 / / Comments Off on Student Spotlight: Daniel
Hinkson, MBA at Houston Class of 2021

For Daniel Hinkson, a veteran MBA at Houston student, a degree from Texas McCombs is a way to transform his military experience into a successful career in business.

From the Army to the Business World

Photo of Daniel Hinkson

“Following my transition out of the Army, I realized my peers in the corporate sector had significant business experiences and knowledge I lacked. Conversely, the knowledge and experiences I had in the Army were vast and invaluable, but I felt a needed to close the business knowledge gap.”

After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 2012 Daniel commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the Army. He got married and then moved six times in six years, including two tours in Afghanistan. His career is most notably highlighted by his time serving as an Army Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Now, Daniel has transitioned out of the Army and works as a Project Engineer for Enerflex Ltd. 

“The military exposes leaders to a vast number of different personalities and backgrounds. It is the ultimate melting pot of societies coming together to be greater than themselves. The McCombs School of Business strives for this same type of diverse unification in support of greater purpose, even to change the world.”

Balancing Work, Life and Family

The biggest advantage of the Working Professional MBA program for Daniel has been the alternating weekend class format that allows him to prioritize family time with his wife and two young children.

Daniel with his wife and kids outside of the McCombs School of Business building in Austin Texas.

Daniel with his wife and children on campus at UT Austin .

“Like many looking to advance their careers through an MBA, I was not ready to pursue a full-time education. The MBA at Houston program offered me the greatest flexibility while still providing an interesting and challenging curriculum. The every-other-weekend format also allowed for decompression time that I could dedicate to my family.”

Daniel’s “Why McCombs?”

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How to Have a Successful MBA Interview

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

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

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

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

Interviews Are Invitation Only 

Currently, all interviews are being conducted virtually.

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

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

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

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

An Un-Biased Approach  

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

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

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

Top Tips

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

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

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

Student Spotlight: Elsa Wright, MBA at Houston Class of 2021

September 3, 2020 / / 1 Comment

When Texas McCombs MBA at Houston student, Elsa Wright, has a goal, she meets it. While working in the waste management and sustainability industry in Houston, Texas, her goal was senior leadership at her company. Like many professional women, Elsa wondered if she would be able to achieve all her career goals alongside her personal goal of having a family. Below, Elsa shares how she navigated these goals & priorities, overcame her struggle with imposter syndrome, and eventually enrolled in the MBA program. Juggling graduate degree work, motherhood, and marriage in the midst of a pandemic has definitely been a challenge, but Elsa has shown that determination and belief in oneself will ultimately lead you to success.

PHOTO: Elsa's Headshot. She has short brown hair and is wearing a red dress shirt with a black blazer.

Elsa Wright, Texas McCombs MBA ’21

Getting Her MBA

Elsa was eager to gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to move into a leadership role in her career and knew an MBA from Texas McCombs could get her there. As a minority woman and mother, Elsa faced the realities of the world head-on.

“With recent events in the news, a lot of people have become more aware of the struggles that minorities face every day — struggles that stem into career growth,” she says. “I struggled with the idea that I had to achieve a master’s degree to be on the same playing field as many of my white male counterparts who hadn’t. Intelligence could be equally distributed among our society, but opportunities are not always.”

Elsa says she has struggled with imposter syndrome her entire life and her biggest piece of advice to anyone, especially women and mothers, considering an MBA is: “Just do it!”

“I have personally spent more time considering the idea and deciding to make the leap than I have spent actually getting my MBA,” Elsa says. “I felt that maybe I wasn’t ready, that I should wait for my son to get older, or that an MBA is just too competitive and I might not get in.”

Impostor syndrome— the false belief that others have overestimated your capabilities or that you’re not good enough— disproportionately affects women more than men — especially women of color. One of the direct factors contributing to impostor syndrome is the lack of women in organizational leadership, according to a 2019 Lean In study. The business world, including the realm of business education, has made strides in recent years, but there is still much work to be done toward equity and gender parity.

When narrowing down her prospective MBA schools, Texas McCombs appealed to her because of the prestige, atmosphere, and flexibility it offered.

PHOTO: Elsa standing in front of the University of Texas tower.

Elsa Wright standing in front of the UT tower at sunset.

“As I researched MBA programs, I found that Texas McCombs was the highest ranked in Texas. I attended the info sessions, and instantly felt what I like to call ‘the warm and fuzzy feeling.’ I felt welcomed with open arms, and could feel such a forward-thinking attitude that I could not resist being a part of.”

“The Working Professional program understands and respects that, as a working professional, we’re undergoing a journey,” she says. “The program didn’t require a specialization, but instead teaches you how to speak all languages of business, which allows me to explore where my career may take me instead of fixating on a specific career path.”

The moment she stepped on campus, Elsa knew that Texas McCombs would be her home for the next two years.

“I’ll never forget, it was our very first day of Austin Intensives and Assistant Dean, Joe Stephens, spoke in front of the entire Working Professional class of ’21: He said:

‘For those of you that may suffer from imposter syndrome and feel like you don’t belong here or deserve to be here, I am here to tell you that you do belong, and you do deserve it. We chose you because you have something to offer this program.’

To this day, those words resonate inside me and push me forward to make a difference.”

Pivoting to Online Learning

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