It seems straightforward to follow an application checklist and compile all your materials. But in the midst of resumes, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, many applicants start to wonder how they can make their materials stand out. While an amazing academic record or a solid resume can wow the admissions committee and signal that you’d be a good fit for the cohort, there’s a couple of other easy steps you can take to bring your application materials to the next level with a little research!
Demonstrate Program Understanding
When it comes to specialized master’s programs, the focus is in the name – specialized. Each of our programs is tailored to meet the demands of a specific field, and we want to make sure you know what you’re getting into as we review your materials. This means you want to do your research as you’re preparing everything. There are a number of ways to do this. First, review our website closely to make sure you understand the curriculum and that it’s in line with your expectations of the program. Get to know more about our Advisory Councils and see who engages with our programs. Connect with student ambassadors and ask them to share more about their experience in the program. Review employment and salary outcomes for our graduates, and if you’re not sure what a certain role does you can always look it up and read job descriptions from companies hiring for that role. This research will help you best prepare to put your best application forward, but it will also help you as you think about what you want out of a graduate degree. When the time comes to put your application together, you can touch on your research in your materials. Mention a specific class you’re excited to take, an advisory council member you’d like to learn from, or something you learned from a student ambassador or alumni that resonated with you. By showing the admissions committee that you’ve done your research and are still excited about moving forward, you’re showing them that you’ve taken solid steps to prepare for the program.
Put Yourself in the Picture
“Our MS programs are very career-focused, and we want to make sure that we are a good fit for you when it comes to helping you achieve your career goals. I always like to see an application that has clearly stated short-term or long-term career aspirations.” – Hannah Nichols, Senior Admissions Officer for MS Business Analytics
Hannah said it best – while we’re looking for well-qualified applicants, we also want to make sure that our programs are setting you up for success! As you’re working through your written essays and completing your video assessment, be specific about what you’re hoping to do following the program. You don’t need to know the exact role you’ll aim to land at a specific company, but giving a clear idea of industries and job functions that excite you helps the admissions committee determine whether our program(s) can help you achieve your goals. When you describe why you’re interested in the program you’re applying to, you should be able to make direct connections between what the program offers and what you’d like to do next.
Bonus tip: Remember when you were researching typical employment outcomes? If you saw a role or company that excited you, be sure to mention that!
Looking for More?
Recently, our Director of Admissions and an MSITM student were featured in an interview on how to ace your business school application. You can check that out and learn some additional tips here!
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out along the way – our admissions team is here to help you put your best application forward!
TexasMSBA@mccombs.utexas.edu
TexasMSF@mccombs.utexas.edu
TexasMSITM@mccombs.utexas.edu
TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu