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SMU Cox MBA News

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Published: December 19, 2024
GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation Analysis for MBA Applicants and Recommenders
Applying to business school entails a great deal of work for prospective students – and almost as much effort for the people writing their letters of recommendation. An effective MBA recommendation provides rich information about the candidate’s strengths, key accomplishments, and leadership abilities. It’s also important that a recommendation fully address every question that is asked by the admissions committee. So, when an applicant is targeting six schools that ask different questions across their recommendation forms, this can translate to a great deal of time and effort for already-busy recommenders. To alleviate some of this pressure, Read more
Published: December 12, 2024
A Guide to Test Waivers: Should You Request a Waiver for Submitting a GMAT or GRE Score?
It is no secret that standardized tests are not the part of the MBA application process that applicants most cherish. Some applicants simply aren’t good at standardized testing; others feel they do not have the time to invest in studying properly. With competition for applicants continuing to rise among schools, test waivers became a more prevalent option in b-school admissions. Whether you’re hesitant or excited about the GMAT or GRE, what are valid reasons to request a test waiver? Even if you have a valid reason, does it make sense to request a test waiver? In this piece, we take Read more
Published: November 17, 2024
The Week Ahead: MBA Admissions Decisions, November 18-22, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 1 Decisions  The 2024-2025 MBA admissions season is now underway. Interview invites continue to roll out, and a few final decisions are continuing to be released. Monday, November 18, IESE is scheduled to release its Round 1 decisions. Friday, November 22, SMU / Cox, Georgia Tech / Scheller and Imperial College are scheduled to release their Round 1 decisions. Have you had any MBA admissions interviews? Share your interview reports with fellow applicants Read more
Published: November 14, 2024
Real Humans of SMU Cox School of Business MBA Class of 2026
The SMU Cox School of Business stands out as a dynamic hub for aspiring professionals seeking to advance their careers through a well-rounded MBA experience. Located in Dallas, Texas, SMU Cox offers students an enriching educational journey, bolstered by a supportive community, a powerful alumni network, and a strong connection to the local business landscape. In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we hear directly from new members of the SMU Cox community. But, first, let’s take a look at the class profile for the MBA Class of 2026. Eighty-five students matriculated to be part of Read more
Published: September 29, 2024
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Interview Invites, September 30-October 4, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Busy Week for Round 1 Deadlines, First Interview Invites of the Season The 2024-2025 MBA admissions season is now underway. Monday, September 30, MIT / Sloan has its Round 1 application deadline. HBS is set to release Round 1 interview invitations, waitlist and early release notifications at noon EST. Tuesday, October 1, Duke / Fuqua, UCLA / Anderson, CMU / Tepper, USC / Marshall, Washington / Foster, Maryland / Smith, SMU / Cox  and Minnesota / Read more
Published: August 29, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
We’re back with another Weekly Refresh, in which we list this week’s admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Boston College / Carroll Florida Warrington Georgia Tech Scheller Rochester Simon Toronto / Rotman USC Marshall Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Georgia Tech Scheller Rochester Simon SMU Cox Read more
Published: August 27, 2024
MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE Requirements in 2024
Pursuing an MBA without the GMAT or GRE has become more accessible in recent years as many business schools have lifted this requirement from their admissions process. For many prospective students, avoiding the stress and cost associated with standardized testing is a major advantage. Below is a list of reputable MBA programs that do not require GMAT or GRE scores, making them ideal for candidates who excel in other areas of their application, such as professional experience and academic achievements. Quick List of MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE: Babson College – F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business Georgia Tech Read more
Published: August 14, 2024
MBA Degrees & Majors with a STEM Designation
The past few years have seen a surge in business schools that run MBA programs with a STEM designation. MBAs, that is, that are now classified as a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree. The new STEM MBA designation is promising students a multitude of new opportunities – but what is it, really? Read on to find out what a STEM MBA is, which schools offer it, and what this all might mean for you.  What Is a STEM MBA? The structure of a STEM MBA is relatively simple. The foundational knowledge and core concepts of Read more
Published: July 9, 2024
GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation Analysis for MBA Applicants and Recommenders
Applying to business school entails a great deal of work for prospective students – and almost as much effort for the people writing their letters of recommendation. An effective MBA recommendation provides rich information about the candidate’s strengths, key accomplishments, and leadership abilities. It’s also important that a recommendation fully address every question that is asked by the admissions committee. So, when an applicant is targeting six schools that ask different questions across their recommendation forms, this can translate to a great deal of time and effort for already-busy recommenders. To alleviate some of this pressure, Read more
Published: May 27, 2024
SMU Cox MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
1. Introduce yourself. 2. Why SMU and why MBA? 3. Post graduation plans? 4. Back-up post graduation plans? 5. What’s one of the most difficult things about your job? 6. How you’ve dealt with feedback from a senior you didn’t agree with? 7. A time a project didn’t go to plan and you failed. 8. How you would manage your time [at school]? 9. Day in the life of you at work (tasks etc). 10. How would you contribute to the Cox community? 11. How you would work in a Read more
Published: March 24, 2024
SMU Cox MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Career Management / Zoom
Interview was conducted via Zoom and it was very conversational. I had an issue with my internet and with the browser sound settings, so it took me 2/3 minutes to reset everything again and I was nervous that it might leave a bad impression (in my defense, I use Zoom and nothing like that ever happened before). I finally got an admit with a scholarship for the 1 yr program, so I would say they were pragmatic about it. Interview Qs: 1. Please introduce yourself. 2. Follow up Q from the answer I gave for (1) and on Read more
Published: February 27, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. Review the average GMAT scores for your b-schools in the U.S. below. Median scores and ranges presented as Read more
Published: February 14, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: International Student Statistics
International students statistics can showcase an element of diversity at leading business schools. In the chart below, see the percentage of international students at U.S. business schools. U.S. Business School % International Arizona State University W.P. School of Business 39% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 53% Columbia Business School 47% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 42% Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business 33% Duke University Fuqua School of Business 47% Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University 33% Emory University Goizueta School of Business 49% Georgetown University McDonough School of Read more
Published: February 12, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of Women MBA Students
Over the past decade, the percentage of women MBA students has been on the rise across leading business schools. USC Marshall was the first leading business school to achieve gender parity while others have achieved or continue to strive for that benchmark. The Forté Foundation has also consistently reported that women are either gaining or holding their ground on b-school campuses–and, most recently, reported record highs. Look at the chart below to see the percentage of female MBA students at leading business schools around the Read more
Published: February 5, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.
In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more
Published: January 31, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Class Size of Top U.S. MBA Programs
Business schools come in all shapes and sizes and the class size of top MBA programs can be a factor in considering fit. From networking to a tight-knit culture to campus opportunities, class size can reveal much about an MBA program. No matter which program you choose, the top MBA programs strive to ensure relationship building during full-time b-school life. Some larger programs, such as Harvard Business School and CBS, mainly break the student body down into cohorts/sections/clusters of dozens of students. Other U.S. business schools, like Wharton, also have Learning Teams, groups of 5-6 students who Read more
Published: November 12, 2023
SMU Cox MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Virtual
The interview was straightforward: Why SMU? Why MBA? Challenges you faced? The conflict you faced? Fun question: What country will you travel to for the international exp visit? Walk through resume. Felt like he had a set of questions and based on my answers he would ask the follow-up question. Pretty simple no need to worry. Do some research about the school beforehand. Read more
Published: July 19, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Debbie Macedonia & Jessica Lunce of SMU Cox
Get deeper insights into MBA admissions at the SMU Cox School of Business in this Admissions Director Q&A with two leaders from their full-time MBA admissions team, Debbie Macedonia and Jessica Lunce. Debbie is the Assistant Dean of Full-Time MBA and MS Admissions at SMU Cox. She started her career working in financial reporting with Cambridge Associates and quickly found parallel professional interests in recruiting, mentoring, and training. In her career in higher education, Debbie has held various roles across marketing, student services, and admissions with the College of Charleston, Carnegie Mellon Read more
Published: June 15, 2023
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we’re catching up with essay tips and deadlines for schools that have released info thus far for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Columbia Business School Harvard Business School Stanford GSB Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled Read more
Published: January 26, 2023
MBA Real Humans: Students – LIVE Webinar Winter 2023
The Clear Admit Real Humans: Students Series spotlights current students of the top MBA programs. Each of the student share their current MBA experiences and what they did after they were accepted to the MBA programs. Join us at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, February 22nd to learn about: 1. How do you pick a school? 2. How do you prepare? 3. How do you leave your place of employment? 4. Should you seek a pre-MBA internship? All of this and more! Register below to join this session – we hope to see you there! Read more
Published: January 23, 2023
SMU Cox MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom
1. Why did you choose your undergrad major and school? 2. Walk me through how you ended up at your current role. 3. What’s one of the most difficult things about your job? 4. When did you decide to get an MBA? Why? 5. What are your post-MBA goals? Will you continue in the same industry? What’s your backup plan? 6. Why Cox? 7. How will you contribute to the Cox community outside of the classroom? 8. How will you measure at your graduation ceremony if your time was successful? 9. Tell Read more
Published: January 12, 2023
Episode 267: What’s the Secret Behind Record-Breaking Career Placements at SMU COX?
The SMU Cox School of Business MBA Class of 2022 found record-breaking success this year, thanks to an innovative approach to employment at the business school. With special guests, Judi Umali-Rajkumar and Jason Rife, this podcast episode explores the symbiotic relationship between career services and admissions that propels MBA graduates’ success. Jason Rife, Sr. Asst. Dean, Career Mgmt Center and Graduate Admissions, & Judi Umali-Rajkumar, Director, Career Programs, Full-time MBA & MBA Direct Judi is the Director of Career Programs for the Full-time MBA & MBA Direct students at SMU Cox.  She is a collaborative, people-centered, career consultant and Read more
Published: January 4, 2023
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.
In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more
Published: October 31, 2022
Real Humans of SMU Cox’s MBA Class of 2024
For this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new members of the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business Class of 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Fifty-three students matriculated there in the fall of 2022. Forty-three percent are women and 32 percent are international. U.S. minority students represent 23 percent of the class. During their undergraduate years, the SMU Cox students averaged a 3.37 GPA. When it came time to take the GMAT, they averaged a score of 682. For those who took the GRE, their average Quant score landed Read more
Published: August 4, 2022
Admissions Director Q&A: Gail Saegert & Jessica Lunce of SMU Cox
Learn about the SMU Cox School of Business in this Admissions Director Q&A with two associate directors of full-time MBA admissions from the program, Gail Saegert and Jessica Lunce. Gail Saegert (L) and Jessica Lunce (R), Associate Directors, Full-Time MBA Admissions at SMU Cox Gail graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and worked in insurance and edtech before discovering her passion of working with business school students. She started her higher education career at London Business School, before moving on to Michigan Ross and SMU Cox. She has Read more
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CLASS SIZE: 85
FEMALE: 46%
MEAN GMAT: 712
MEAN GPA: 3.56
Livewire Decisionwire Interview Reports Essay Topic Analysis MBA Admissions Deadlines View Full Profile

MBA Applywire

8
December 20, 2024 5:17pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Healthcare
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Bain , BCG
GRE: 332
GPA: 3.5
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Florida
Post MBA Location: Consulting
Notes:

25F, lgbtq, 3 years as a registered nurse. also have started working for an early stage VC in the past several months.
2
December 19, 2024 4:44pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Insurance
Post-MBA Target Industry: Entrepreneurship
GRE: 318
GPA: 3.59
Years of Work Experience: 3.5
Location: Georgia
Post MBA Location: Southeast
Notes:

Looking to launch a tech startup post MBA, without any background in tech. Come from a quant heavy background and undergraduate coursework. I regularly attended admissions events, in person and online at my schools. I hope that focusing energy on my few top schools and spending a lot of time on essays will help me overcome the less than average test score (164 quant 154 verbal) and GPA.

Serial entrepreneur with a history of profitable small businesses. Was promoted twice in 3.5 years. Involved in many extracurricular activities in and outside of work. My background is very centered around financial services/insurance, is this a red flag for a pivot to Tech Entrepreneurship?

Transferred between two state schools in the southeast. School I graduated from is a top 25 undergrad business program. Obtained a few professionals designations post grad.
3
December 18, 2024 11:38am ET
Applying: Michigan / Ross, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Vanderbilt / Owen
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Held various positions in Finance and Accounting in a healthcare institution
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Other Companies: BCG , Deloitte , Other
GPA: 3.0
Years of Work Experience: 11
Location: International
Notes:

I am passionate about healthcare enhancing patient quality care. So exploring in that field is what I would love. Got a 72k scholarship from Vandy and named Forte Fellow. UNC 50k. I'm having a hard time deciding though my heart is leaning towards Owen
3
December 18, 2024 10:23am ET
Applying: Arizona State / W.P. Carey, Indiana / Kelley, Ohio State / Fisher
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Facility management
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting
GRE: 309
GPA: 2.8
Years of Work Experience: 3
Notes:

Graduate GPA -3.869
4
December 18, 2024 2:57am ET
Applying: IESE, INSEAD, MIT Sloan, U. Chicago Booth
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Engineering
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Undecided Companies: Amazon
GMAT: 690
GPA: 3.26
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: Chile
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MBA LiveWire

December 21, 2024 8:37am ET
Accepted to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 11, 2024
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
December 21, 2024 2:38am ET
Waitlisted at Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 10, 2024
GPA: 3.27
GMAT: 760
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: CA
December 20, 2024 11:16pm ET
Accepted to Babson / Olin
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 17, 2024
GPA: 3.9
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: South Asia
December 20, 2024 7:50pm ET
Accepted to Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 10, 2024
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: India
Note:

$100k scholarship
December 20, 2024 3:21pm ET
Accepted to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email December 20, 2024
GPA: 4.0
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

100% scholarship
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