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Published: January 12, 2025
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines, January 13-17, 2025
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 Two Gets Underway! More Round 2 application deadlines for top MBA programs are scheduled for this week. Tuesday, January 14, MIT / Sloan has its Round 2 application deadline. INSEAD has its Round 3 application deadline. Wednesday, January 15, Texas / McCombs, Florida / Warrington, BYU / Marriott, UCI Merage and Toronto / Rotman have their Round 2 application deadlines. Maryland / Smith has its Round 4 application deadline. Thursday, January 16, NYU / Stern Read more
Published: December 23, 2024
Real Humans for the Holidays: Winter Snow Edition
‘Tis the holiday season and we’re bringing you a festive short series inspired by Real Humans: MBA Students, called Real Humans for the Holidays! Read what students of top MBA programs like to do during the December holidays and their advice for our readers. Click through the following pages to see what three MBA students from Berkeley Haas, UCI Merage and The Ohio State Fisher chose in a “This or That” game, too. Volodymyr (Vlad) Silchenko, Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2026 What do you like most about the December holidays? What I like most about the Read more
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: December 2, 2024
Real Humans of UCI Paul Merage School of Business MBA Class of 2026
The MBA Class of 2026 at the University of California, Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business exemplifies an impressive blend of global diversity, professional accomplishments, and personal aspirations. Forty-six students make up the new class in California. Forty percent are women and 54 percent are international students. During their undergraduate studies, the Merage students earned an average GPA of 3.43. A fifth had majored in engineering and the same in administration. Nearly 16 percent had studied information and computer science followed by roughly 13 percent earning degrees in the social sciences. Prior to matriculating, UCI Merage students Read more
Published: November 13, 2024
Round 2 MBA Application Deadlines 2024-2025
To help you stay organized, we’ve compiled all of the Round 2 MBA application deadlines (and some Round 3 ones) all in one place. You’ll find links to our corresponding Essay Topic Analysis in the “Essay Analysis” column. School Deadline Decision Essay Analysis Application Live? INSEAD (R2 August Intake) 11/5/2024 1/10/2025 Yes Yes Michigan State Broad 11/15/2024 1/31/2025 Yes Yes Minnesota Carlson 12/1/2024 2/1/2025 Yes Yes Indian School of Business Read more
Published: October 27, 2024
The Week Ahead: MBA Decisions, Deadlines & Interview Invites, October 28-November 1, 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 Continues The 2024-2025 MBA admissions season is underway. Interview invites are also rolling out, and final decisions continue for early action round candidates. Wednesday, October 30, Georgetown / McDonough is scheduled to release its Early Action round decisions. Friday, November 1, Cornell / Johnson is scheduled to release its Round 1 interview invites. UC Irvine / Merage has its Round 1 application deadline. Oxford / Saïd has its Stage 3 application deadline. Maryland / Read more
Published: September 19, 2024
Webinar: Unlock Your MBA Future: Exploring Top West Coast MBA Programs
Join us for an exclusive virtual webinar hosted by Clear Admit, where we’ll dive deep into the vibrant world of MBA programs on the West Coast! Whether you’re eyeing Silicon Valley or the scenic coastlines, this event is your gateway to discovering the unique opportunities and advantages offered by leading business schools in this dynamic region. Date: October 16th Time: 12 pm-1 pm Panel & 1 pm-1:30 pm Breakout Q&A with Individual Schools (all times Eastern) Event Highlights: Insider Insights: Hear directly from admissions officers from top West Coast MBA Read more
Published: August 29, 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. Due to COVID-19 and the related impact on testing centers and availability, 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 Read more
Published: August 22, 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: UCI Merage WUSTL Olin Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Boston College / Carroll You can also bookmark our deadlines page for reference. Recommendation Questions Let your recommenders know, the following MBA program has released their  Read more
Published: August 15, 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: ASU Carey Babson Olin CEIBS CMU Tepper Esade Florida Warrington HEC Paris Maryland Smith Minnesota Carlson The Ohio State Fisher Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: ASU Carey Babson Olin CEIBS 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: August 8, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
It’s time for 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: Rice Business UNC Kenan-Flagler Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Carnegie Mellon Tepper UCI Merage UNC Kenan-Flagler You can also bookmark our deadlines page for reference. Recommendation Questions Let your recommenders know, the following MBA 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 29, 2024
Real Humans of Amazon: Harshita Pal, UCI Merage MBA ’23, Senior Product Manager Tech
In this edition of our Real Humans: Alumni series, we meet Harshita Pal, whose fascination with the intersection of technology and business lured her from software engineering to product management. Read on to learn how the MBA program at UCI Merage and its focus on leadership for a digitally driven world guided her on the journey into a new career in the tech industry, and how an internship prepared her for an exciting opportunity at Amazon.   Harshita Pal, UCI Merage MBA ’23, Senior Product Manager Tech at Amazon Age: Read more
Published: April 24, 2024
Real Humans of PepsiCo: Beeta Shahnazari, UCI Merage MBA ’22, Associate Finance Manager
In this installment of Real Humans: Alumni, PepsiCo Associate Finance Manager, Beeta Shahnazari, shares her journey to the leading CPG firm with the help of an MBA from the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. The small class sizes and personal attention she found at UCI Merage allowed Shahnazari to step out of her comfort zone and learn more effective leadership and teamwork skills. Read on to see how her experience at UCI Merage prepared her for success at PepsiCo. Beeta Shahnazari, UCI Merage MBA ’22, Associate Finance Manager at PepsiCo Age: Read more
Published: April 8, 2024
UCI Merage MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Virtual
1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why the school? 3. What other schools are you applying to and what factors will you consider when deciding? 4. Specific feedback/criticism you got at work, how you resolved it and lessons learned. 5. A time you led collaboration/team work. 6. How will you be an authentic member of the community? 7. Do you have other companies you’re considering besides the one mentioned? Read more
Published: March 11, 2024
Real Humans of Johnson & Johnson: Sophia Fischer, UCI Merage MBA ’22, MLDP Marketing Manager
In this installment of Real Humans: Alumni, Sophia Fischer shares her story of how and why University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business became the right place for her MBA and how the program prepared her to be an MLDP marketing manager at Johnson & Johnson. For Fischer, pursuing an MBA was an investment in personal growth, one that required choosing a school that would make that same investment in her as a student and also ensure she would find a company to continue that growth. Sophia Fischer, UCI Merage MBA ’22, MLDP Marketing Manager Read more
Published: February 27, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores. The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. 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 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: January 5, 2024
Upcoming: Ask Us Anything! Live Chat with UC Irvine Merage Current MBA Students
Interested in the UC Irvine Merage MBA program? This UC Irvine Live Chat is for YOU! In this ‘Ask Me Anything’ style live chat, current Merage MBAs will answer your questions about the program. Learn how the UC Irvine Full-Time MBA program in partnership with the MBA Career Center prepares you for the internship process, landing a full-time offer and long-term career resiliency.  Bring all of your questions for this interactive chat session and, whether you are in the research phase or trying to make a final decision on which MBA program to join, we promise you Read more
Published: August 24, 2023
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we round up the essays, recommendation questions and deadlines from the week of August 21st, 2023. 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: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper UCI Merage Vanderbilt / Owen WashU / Olin Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have Read more
Published: July 27, 2023
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we round up the essays, recommendation questions and deadlines from the week of July 24th, 2023. 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: ASU Carey Cambridge / Judge Rice / Jones Yale SOM Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Read more
Published: January 26, 2023
Upcoming: Ask Us Anything! Live Chat with UC Irvine Merage Current MBA Students
Interested in the UC Irvine Merage MBA program? This UC Irvine Live Chat is for YOU! In this ‘Ask Me Anything’ style live chat, current Merage MBAs will answer your questions about the program. Learn how the UC Irvine Full-Time MBA program in partnership with the MBA Career Center prepares you for the internship process, landing a full-time offer and long-term career resiliency.  Bring all of your questions for this interactive chat session and, whether you are in the research phase or trying to make a final decision on which MBA program to join, we promise you Read more
UCI Merage
Image of UCI Merage
Class Size: 40
Women: 35%
Mean GMAT: 675
Mean GPA: 3.44
Livewire Decisionwire Interview Reports Essay Topic Analysis MBA Admissions Deadlines View Full Profile

MBA Applywire

8
January 21, 2025 2:20am ET
Applying: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, IESE, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Rochester / Simon, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Entrepreneur
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking Companies: Accenture , AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , McKinsey , Bank of America , Deutsche Bank , Goldman Sachs , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Wells Fargo Securities , Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google , Hewlett Packard , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Oracle , Uber
GRE: 314
GPA: 3
Years of Work Experience: 4
Post MBA Location: New York
7
January 20, 2025 6:40pm ET
Applying: Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: McKinsey & Company Consultant
Post-MBA Target Industry: Venture Capital, Media Companies: Other , Other
GMAT: 745
GPA: 3.93
Years of Work Experience: 3.5
Location: Los Angeles, California
11
January 20, 2025 5:53pm ET
Applying: Babson / Olin, Cornell / Johnson, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, Georgetown / McDonough, Illinois / Gies, Indiana / Kelley, Ohio State / Fisher, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Undecided, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Military
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Other Companies: Accenture , Booz Allen Hamilton
GPA: 3.8
Years of Work Experience: 20
Post MBA Location: Florida
Notes:

Currently employed full time with a small defense contractor. I’m attached to a Flight Test squadron to advise and assist the Air Force in flight operations, long range and short range testing, resources, manning, scheduling, and collaborate with outside agencies and vendors.

Looking to stay within the Aero and Defense sector.
9
January 20, 2025 11:52am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Real Estate
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Consumer Goods, Non Profit/SI, Other Companies: Deloitte , McKinsey , 3M , Coca Cola , Unilever
GRE: 328
GPA: 3.05
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: Nigeria
Post MBA Location: United States of America
Notes:

I would appreciate if given pointers as to the kind of questions to ask while attending virtual events and how to successfully gain application fee waiver. Thank you.
6
January 19, 2025 11:24am ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Michigan / Ross, U. Chicago Booth, UCLA Anderson, UT Austin / McCombs
Pre-MBA Career: Production Supervisor
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Consumer Goods Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey
GPA: 2.9
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Southern California
Post MBA Location: Midwest
Notes:

Low GPA due to having to work full time during schooling to support my family and also career change. I was originally in Engineering undergrad then switched to Finance and achieved much higher grades.

I have taken a practice GMAT and I am aiming for a ~675+ to hopefully offset GPA.

M 30, Hispanic American, First-gen, I would apply through the Consortium, also a part of the Big Brother program mentor.

3 years of credit specialist experience and 2 years of production supervisor experience, all within the same company. 5 more years of general production jobs where I had some leadership experience but nothing too notable.

I'm not absolutely locked into only attending those schools, but I know they have great placements in Consulting. How would everyone rate my chances?
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MBA LiveWire

January 21, 2025 7:15am ET
Interview Invite to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 2
Received via email January 21, 2025
GRE: 311
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Brazil
January 21, 2025 6:11am ET
Accepted to UMD / Smith
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 05, 2025
GPA: 3.35
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Nigeria
January 21, 2025 3:06am ET
Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 09, 2025
GMAT: 695
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: INDIA
January 21, 2025 3:04am ET
Interview Invite to UNC Kenan-Flagler
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 08, 2025
GMAT: 695
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: INDIA
January 20, 2025 10:58pm ET
Applied to Michigan / Ross
Round: Round 2
Received via email
GPA: 8.81/10 (3.82 WES Converted)
GRE: 326
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: India
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