In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Coni Zingarelli, the executive director of recruiting, admissions and student financial services at Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University (Rice Business).
Previously, Coni served in roles with Temple University’s Fox School of Business and University of California Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. She is passionate about helping students find the right graduate program to further their personal and professional aspirations. Coni spent the first 12 years of her career in the hospitality industry working in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. She earned her MBA from UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business and her B.A. from Penn State University.
See our conversation below for Coni’s advice on the Rice Business admissions process, including crafting your essay, preparing for the interview, and some highlights of the MBA program.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Coni Zingarelli: The access that applicants will have as part of our program. As a Rice Business student, you have access to pursue any activity that will support your career growth to reach your professional goals. Students have access to career resources from the moment a student deposits, leadership opportunities with the student professional organizations, coaching, hands-on experience in the Action Learning Project Class, weekly networking during our “Partio” events with various community supporters from alumni to the dean’s office. Of course, our location in Houston, the nation’s most diverse city, provides unparalleled access to major industries such as healthcare and oil and gas and incredible cultural experiences.
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?
CZ: Once an applicant hits “submit,” a multi-stage review process begins. Once the application is verified as complete, the admissions committee conducts an in-depth review, and candidates may be invited to participate in both a virtual and live interview process. These interviews provide critical information for the review process. Finally, the admissions committee reviews the application package holistically and makes a final decision after assessing the application among the cohort collectively.
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?
CZ: The essay portion of our application is an opportunity for candidates to showcase their individuality beyond their professional and academic background. When reading essays, we aim to understand who the applicant is and why they are interested in pursuing an MBA at Rice Business.
The most common mistake is using the name of another school in the essay. Make sure you have someone proofread your statements before you hit “submit.” And, as you sit down to craft your essay, the most important thing is to be authentic. We want to get to know the candidate and read essays that are unique and memorable that help bring the application to life.
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?
CZ: Our interview process is by invitation only. Because of the number of applications we receive and the number of spaces we have in the class, we are unable to interview every candidate who applies. Receiving an invitation to interview is a good sign, as it means you are continuing to move on in the review process. The interviews are mainly conducted by our current student ambassadors and serve as an opportunity to evaluate the candidate’s readiness for an MBA and fit with Rice’s culture. It also gives candidates a chance to ask questions and engage in dialogue with current students. Interviews are mainly conducted virtually, but an in-person option is available if an applicant is able to come to campus in person.
CA: What is your testing policy? Do you offer exam waivers? Why or why not?
CZ: Currently, we require applicants to take the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment for admission to the Full-Time MBA program, although there is a waiver process for those who can demonstrate their quantitative abilities in other ways. We recognize that test scores are not the only indicator of a candidate’s abilities, but they do provide evidence of quantitative skills and commitment. Additionally, test scores are considered when awarding scholarships and are often requested by employers in industries such as consulting and investment banking. Rice Business views test-taking as an efficient way for candidates to showcase their strengths and demonstrate their readiness for the rigorous program and business world.
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?
CZ: We require a professional resume or CV as part of our application process so applicants can and should showcase their professional achievements in that section. We also have a section on “extracurricular involvement” where applicants can highlight their top 4 accomplishments, whether they are personal, academic or extracurricular. My advice would be to include items in this section that enhance your application and are not included in another section of your application already.
CA: Tell us briefly about two popular courses at your institution.
CZ: Electives are easily the most popular courses at Rice Business, and with more than 100 to choose from, it’s hard to pick just two. Students’ favorites differ based on their personal interests and career goals, and the options allow them to truly customize the program. Two of the top electives that come to mind are Enterprise Acquisition and Power and Influence in Organizations.
Enterprise Acquisition, Professor Al Danto
This class enables students to gain real hands-on experience. Students learn the process of acquiring an existing business or starting a search fund. They develop selection criteria, network to connect with sellers, conduct preliminary due diligence, perform a business valuation, develop potential deal structures and can move forward on any potential opportunities on their own after graduation. There is a check-in class every other week to present updates and receive feedback from faculty, students and alumni mentors.
Power and Influence in Organizations, Professor Jonathon Miles
A manager’s primary purpose is to use power to influence subordinates and create an effective organization. This course will teach students how to build power, how to influence people, and the proper use of power in the modern organization through lecture, discussion and experiential activities.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
CZ: Yes, our diverse, inclusive and tight-knit culture. We strive to create an environment where all students can thrive and achieve their goals. The program has eight student-led associations dedicated to empowering and enabling diverse and minority business students. These associations provide opportunities for networking, professional development and community building.
To learn more about these associations, interested applicants can visit https://business.rice.edu/diversity-associations.
