Join us in welcoming back Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series.
Since joining UCLA Anderson in 2004, Alex has been pivotal in shaping the future of the full-time MBA program. His tenure as the assistant dean and director of MBA admissions and financial aid began in August 2012, and he has been instrumental in attracting and enrolling top talent. With a rich background in client services at Cap Gemini and 3M, Alex’s expertise spans the automotive, medical and insurance sectors. His commitment to education is evident through his innovative recruiting strategies, professional development workshops, and extensive outreach initiatives. An alumnus of UCLA Anderson, Alex also holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and Drexel University, respectively. His influence extends beyond academia as the chair of education standards for the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners, a position he’s held since his 2014 appointment by the governor of California. Alex serves the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management as a board trustee and co-chair of the Fund Development Committee, and he leads the board of Gracelight Community Health, a comprehensive FQHC offering a wide range of medical services, education and advocacy to thousands in Los Angeles communities.
Keep reading to learn Alex’s take on how to craft an authentic essay, how to approach testing, and some of his favorite aspects of the MBA program at UCLA Anderson.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Alex Lawrence: UCLA Anderson’s programming is designed to develop each student into a Transformative Leader. It’s the cornerstone of the MBA experience at Anderson. We achieve it through a curriculum that integrates leadership development into every aspect of the educational journey, both in and out of the classroom
A quick overview of how UCLA Anderson supports students to become Transformative Leaders:
- Courses and curriculum: Foundations of Inclusive Leadership, Foundations of Ethical Decision-Making, Leadership Development Specialization.
- Outside the classroom: Anderson houses nearly 50 student clubs and associations, nine industry-focused centers of excellence, and multiple case competitions and conferences that allow students to customize and strengthen their leadership development.
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?
AL: Upon receipt of an application, we assign it to a member of the admissions committee for initial evaluation. This committee member meticulously reviews the submitted materials, including letters of recommendation, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. We then craft an evaluative report, outlining the merits of the application and providing a preliminary recommendation, which may include an invitation for an interview. It’s important to note that this stage of review is thorough and equitable, with no predetermined minimum requirements for test scores, GPA or work experience.
The application then progresses to a second committee member for further scrutiny. This second evaluation mirrors the first, with the reviewer’s examining the application in its entirety and formulating an independent recommendation of whether to extend an offer of admission or not. This dual-review process ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment of each candidate’s potential.
Finally, the application, now with two sets of recommendations, is forwarded to the admissions director. The director carefully considers the insights provided by both committee members, and reviews the complete application file. Based on this collective analysis, the director renders the ultimate verdict on the applicant’s admission status. Subsequently, a review committee oversees all such decisions to ensure consistency and fairness. Applicants are notified of the final decision through their online admission portal by the specified decision release date, concluding the admission process.
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?
AL: Essays serve as a critical channel for candidates to convey their viewpoints and aspirations to the admissions panel. Exceptional essays are reflective and authentic, concisely addressing the posed questions and topics. Applicants should ensure clarity in their goals, incorporate specific details about UCLA Anderson, and thoroughly answer the prompts. Injecting essays with enthusiasm is crucial, as it allows admissions officers to gain insight into the unique character and fervor of each applicant. The enthusiasm applicants demonstrate in their essays can be a glimpse into the energy they will contribute to the class community.
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?
AL: Interview opportunities are extended exclusively by invitation. They are conducted by current MBA students in a blind format, ensuring objectivity. Each interviewer is adept at assessing key attributes such as communication abilities, concentration, logical thinking, enthusiasm and the candidate’s grasp of the prospects offered by a UCLA Anderson MBA.
CA: What is your testing policy? Do you offer exam waivers? Why or why not?
AL: UCLA Anderson’s testing policy is designed to ensure that all applicants can demonstrate their academic ability and potential. Standardized test scores are accepted as part of the application process because they provide a consistent measure of academic aptitude and readiness for the rigors of our MBA program. However, we also understand that standardized tests may not be the best indicator of potential for all candidates. Therefore, we offer applicants the opportunity to show, through their professional and academic experiences, that they possess the quantitative and analytical skills necessary to succeed in our program. This approach allows us to maintain high admission standards while also recognizing the diverse talents and backgrounds of our applicants.
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?
AL: As applicants approach the process for admission to the UCLA Anderson MBA program, we advise them to be thorough and introspective. It’s important to reflect on your experiences and how they align with your MBA goals. Be clear and concise in your essays and ensure that your resume and recommendations corroborate the narrative you’re presenting. Research the UCLA Anderson full-time MBA program diligently to understand how it can facilitate your aspirations, and articulate this understanding in your application. Last, be genuine and let your unique personality shine through, as this is what will distinguish you in a competitive pool of candidates.
CA: Tell us briefly about two popular courses at your institution.
AL: The Global Ecosystem of Sports: The objective of this course is to acquaint students with the expansive and evolving sport ecosystem. While athletes are at the heart of this ecosystem, its economic influence extends broadly. It encompasses various sectors such as teams, leagues, events, venues, both traditional and emerging media, interactive entertainment, betting, sports marketing, merchandise, youth sport involvement, health and fitness, sports technology, services and agencies. Many of these sectors and their constituent enterprises are not only substantial and highly valued independently but also economically interconnected with other sectors. The course is co-led by UCLA Anderson alumnus Andy Campion, program director of the newly established UCLA Sports Leadership and Management Program. With nearly 30 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industries, including more than 17 years in executive leadership positions at Nike Inc., Campion brings a wealth of knowledge.
Management in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: This course focuses on the enduring changes and evolving impacts artificial intelligence makes on business and society. Managers of every type (general managers, product managers, marketing managers, brand managers) will learn how to make better decisions by understanding AI’s purpose and identify relevant courses of action. The course will consider past examples of transformative change and how AI will specifically create new opportunities. We will also examine the challenges and second-order effects of AI. In this highly applied course, students will learn to think like a general manager in the age of AI. The course features extensive discussions of real companies and real data scenarios and applies them to different business problems.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admission process?
AL: UCLA Anderson is proud to introduce the UCLA Sports Leadership and Management Program, a cutting-edge initiative that prepares students for dynamic careers in the global sports industry. This program, led by industry veterans, offers specialized courses and strategic partnerships with top sports organizations, enriching our curriculum with real-world insights. During the admission process, we seek candidates who demonstrate a passion for sports business and the leadership potential to contribute to this vibrant field. We believe that the unique blend of academic rigor and industry connections provided by this program will be a game-changer for our students’ careers.
