We welcome back Cara Sonnier, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA and M.S. Business Analytics programs at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business for the next installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series.
Since joining the Full-Time MBA program in 2012, Cara has been instrumental in shaping the admissions process, making it more accessible and streamlined for prospective students. With a passion for graduate management education, Cara believes deeply in the transformative power and significant return on investment that the Terry College programs provide. Under her leadership, the admissions team not only seeks out talented individuals but also ensures that each applicant is evaluated holistically, considering their unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations.
Keep reading for her take on what to expect from the Georgia Terry MBA admissions process this year, some of her favorite aspects of the program, and more.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Cara Sonnier: One aspect of the Georgia Full-Time MBA that I wish applicants knew more about is the comprehensive career services support that we offer. Our career services team is deeply committed to helping students achieve their professional goals through personalized coaching, extensive employer connections, and a robust network of alumni. Having small cohort sizes allows this personalized approach to be successful. This support starts from the day you decide to join our program and continues well beyond graduation, significantly enhancing the return on investment of our program. Those services plus donor support for graduate education at Terry, is what makes our program #1 for ROI!
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
CS: Once you submit your application, it undergoes a detailed review. We check for completeness, assess basic eligibility, and then the admissions committee reviews your academic history, professional experience, essays, and recommendations. Selected candidates are invited for an interview. After the interview, the committee makes final decisions, ensuring a holistic review to find the best fit for our program.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
CS: We look for authenticity, clarity, and a clear articulation of goals and motivations. Show your genuine passion for an MBA and how our program fits into your career plans. Avoid vague statements, lack of focus, and grammatical errors. Use your essay to tell your unique story and differentiate yourself from other candidates.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview (students, admissions officers, alumni) and what is the nature of the interview (resume-based, application-based, behavioral)? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2024-2025 admissions season?
CS: Our interview process is designed to be both thorough and supportive. My primary goal with each interview is just to get to know you better and provide answers to your questions. We interview about 30-40% of applicants. Admissions officers, who have reviewed your application, conduct the interviews. We focus on your background, experiences, and motivations for pursuing an MBA, aiming to understand your thinking, problem-solving skills, and potential contribution to our community. For 2024-2025, interviews will be both virtual and in-person.
CA: What is your testing policy? Do you offer exam waivers? Why or why not?
CS: We require GMAT, EA, or GRE scores but offer waivers for qualified candidates with significant professional experience, advanced degrees, or strong academic records. This ensures we consider diverse backgrounds while maintaining academic rigor.
CA: In the application data form, many schools ask for information about work experience, activities, hobbies, and much more. What advice would you give to applicants as they approach this component of the application process?
CS: Be thorough and honest. Highlight professional experiences, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and hobbies. This provides a holistic view of your background and showcases your leadership, teamwork, and personal interests. Present a well-rounded picture of yourself to demonstrate your preparation for an MBA and how you’ll contribute to our community.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or Georgia Terry admissions process?
CS: Our program stands out for its personalized approach. Small class sizes foster a close-knit community and offer plenty of one-on-one interactions with faculty and career advisors. Our strong ties to the business community and alumni network provide significant mentorship and applied learning opportunities. We are committed to making graduate education accessible and ensuring a high ROI for our students.
