Prospective Applicants – General
Please see our most common Frequently Asked Questions. If your question is not answered below and you need further assistance, we welcome you to reach out to us at mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu.
What MBA formats are offered at UCLA Anderson?
How can I learn more about UCLA Anderson?
- Visit the MBA website
- Watch a prerecorded Information Session at your convenience
- Get answers to your questions at an Admission Q&A: Live session
- Join our students for virtual coffee chats
- Register for a class visit
- Attend a UCLA Anderson event
- Connect with students in clubs in your area
- Reach out to our Student Ambassadors
- Check out the UCLA Anderson admissions blog
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
Are application fee waivers available?
Application fee waivers are available for all U.S. military applicants, current UCLA graduate students and SIEML program participants. To request a waiver, please upload the requested documentation within your application and wait for confirmation from Admissions before submitting your application (Do not pay the fee, as we do not refund any fees paid.)
Does UCLA Anderson have any research centers?
Yes, UCLA Anderson is home to the following centers of excellence, each concerned with a unique aspect of the business world and serving students with additional resources and real-world training:
- Center for Global Management
- Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment & Sports (MEMES)
- Laurence and Lori Fink Center for Finance & Investments
- Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate
- UCLA Anderson Forecast
- Easton Technology Management Center
- Morrison Family Center for Marketing and Data Analytics
- Center for Impact
What concurrent degree programs are offered by UCLA Anderson?
- Computer Science: MBA/MSCS
- Latin American Studies: MBA/MLAS
- Law: MBA/J.D.
- Library and Information Science: MBA/MLIS
- Medicine: MBA/M.D.
- Public Health: MBA/MPH
- Public Policy: MBA/MPP
- Urban Planning: MBA/MURP
Visit Concurrent Degrees for more information.
Is it possible to work part time while enrolled in the MBA program?
The MBA program is a full-time format. Students find themselves on campus from 8:00 a.m. until late into the night during their first year. Hours that are not scheduled for class are typically used for club meetings, recruiting and homework. Although the schedule does not leave enough time to work a part-time job, academic internships are available as early as winter quarter of the first year. If you are interested in a more flexible format that allows you to work while attending classes, please explore UCLA Anderson's Fully Employed MBA and Executive MBA formats.
Do you recommend that I visit the UCLA campus?
We encourage applicants to learn about our program and community first-hand. This can be done both in person and virtually. You can find information about the full range of available options on our Events page. These events range from admission webinars, virtual chats and Q&As to in-person information sessions, campus tours and coffee chats which are part of our campus experience program. In addition to these events, you can also meet us on the road when we travel to meet with prospects at information events or to attend events hosted by partner organizations like Forte, Consortium, etc. We understand not everyone is able to travel to visit and that is why many of our student ambassadors make themselves available online to connect with aspiring MBA students.
We recommend that you start by signing up on our mailing list so we can keep you updated with relevant information about upcoming events and all things UCLA Anderson MBA.
How can I speak with an admissions advisor?
Although we do not have formal admissions advisors, you can send an email to mba.admissions@anderson.ucla.edu with your specific questions, and we will reply to you promptly. While we cannot accommodate individual counseling sessions, we encourage you to connect with our admissions representatives by attending an Admissions Q&A: Live session online. During these sessions you will also be able to ask questions directly of our Admissions Officers. We also offer Career Spotlight and Global Perspective Series where you will hear from our students and alumni as they reflect on their experiences at UCLA Anderson and the impact of the MBA in their individual career journey. Lastly, you can catch us on the road at one of the fairs, forums and conferences that we attend every year. To sign up for events and learn more, please visit our MBA Events page.
Application — General
What are the minimum requirements for admission to the UCLA Anderson MBA program?
To be considered for admission, you must hold the equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and submit a completed online application. You may also opt to submit a GMAT, GRE or EA score for consideration. Note that while these tests are not required, they may help strengthen your candidacy. International applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree may be admitted if the Admissions Committee determines that their academic profile and overall application are strong enough. The TOEFL or IELTS is also required for the majority of international applicants.
For more information, please visit our Admissions Requirements page.
When can I apply?
The application is available from August 1, 2022, through April 12, 2023, with three application rounds to choose from. Completed applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date to be evaluated in that round.
Can I defer my admission to next year?
Are there any advantages to applying early in the admissions cycle?
How do I submit my application to the MBA program, and what is the application fee?
Applications are completed and submitted online only. The application fee is $200.
Can I submit updates to my application after I have submitted it?
Can I update my mailing address after submitting my application?
Please note that our primary means of communication will always be email. Email address changes can only be made directly by applicants via the Change Email Address link at the bottom of the Status Page screen. Changes to a telephone number or mailing address may be submitted via this form.
When and how can I expect to hear back from UCLA Anderson?
You will be notified of our decision via email by the appropriate decision release date for the round in which you applied.
What does the Admissions Committee look for in an applicant?
The Admissions Committee selects a diverse community of students who will succeed in managerial leadership and bring unique contributions to enrich UCLA Anderson. The committee carefully evaluates biographical and academic background information; your quantitative and analytical skills which are often demonstrated though the GMAT/GRE/EA scores and, for most international applicants, TOEFL/IELTS score; achievements, awards and honors; employment history; letters of recommendation; essay(s); and college and community involvement, especially where you have served in leadership capacities.
strongly encouraged to use the space provided in the application to provide supportive information to the committee. We recommend highlighting your experiences that indicate your analytical and quantitative strength and readiness for the rigors of the MBA program.
Please visit our Admissions page to find out more.
Are there mathematics and computer prerequisites?
How much do things like letters of recommendation, interviews and GMAT/GRE scores matter? Do you weigh one part of the application more heavily than others?
Do you provide feedback to denied applicants?
Application — Test Scores and GPA
Will you accept the at-home test scores? If so, will they be evaluated differently than those taken at a testing center?
At-home test-taking options are now available for some exams in select regions. Please visit the testing agency's website for more information. We will accept most scores from at-home exams, and they will be evaluated in the same way as exams taken at test centers, except for the TOEFL TIP Plus Solution for China and the IELTS Indicator, which are currently under review by UCLA’s Graduate Division office. Please contact the MBA Admissions office if you have additional questions.
Is there a minimum GMAT/GRE score or GPA required for admission?
No. Many factors are considered in the decision process. Admissions decisions are made holistically, and not solely on the basis of grades and test scores. However, reviewing our average GPAs, GMAT or GRE test scores within our most recent class profile may give you a better picture of what stats make successful applicants. If your scores do not fall near our admitted ranges or you do not feel they properly reflects your ability, we recommend that you consider retaking the test.
If I take the GMAT/GRE more than once, will you average the scores or take the higher one?
Where and when is the GMAT offered?
The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is administered frequently throughout the year at approximately 400 computer-based testing locations around the world. To make testing arrangements, visit www.mba.com and please note that the GMAT code for UCLA Anderson School of Management is 2NZ-2F-24.
Can I apply without submitting a GMAT/GRE/EA?
While test scores provide an additional, relevant data point for the admissions committee to consider, a test score is not required. Applicants are given the option to apply for the Full-Time MBA program without submitting a GMAT, GRE, or EA. It is up to the applicant to decide if they want to apply with or without test scores. Please note that for some candidates without a quantitative background, a strong test score can strengthen their candidacy.
If you choose not to submit a test score, you will need to adequately demonstrate how your academic and professional experiences have properly prepared you for the rigors of the program. You must submit an essay that provides evidence of your MBA readiness to support your case of applying without a test score. We will look closely at your past accomplishments, including but not limited to:
- Undergraduate or graduate record, especially in analytical or quantitative courses
- Post-undergraduate, full-time work experience in an analytical or quantitative function
- Professional certifications, such as CPA, CFA, or international equivalent
- Performance on an expired GMAT or GRE
Candidates demonstrating multiple academic and/or professional accomplishments as listed above are more likely to be granted admission without a test score.
Who must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all applicants EXCEPT those from a select list of countries. For more information, please refer to UCLA Graduate Division Office English requirements.
Applicants who were educated in countries where English is not the primary spoken language of daily life are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, no matter the language used at their school. This includes applicants with degrees from multilingual countries such as India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Please note that work experience in English is not sufficient for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver. For more information about the TOEFL, visit www.ets.org/toefl or, for the IELTS, visit www.ielts.org.
Do you require a minimum score on the TOEFL/IELTS?
Almost all admits score over 100 on the TOEFL IBT, 610 on the TOEFL paper-based test, or 7.0 overall on the IELTS. For more information about the TOEFL, visit www.ets.org/toefl or, for the IELTS, visit www.ielts.org.
I was an undergraduate student during COVID-19 and my transcript has some Pass/No Pass grades. Will this impact me as an applicant to your MBA program?
Application — Work Experience
How many years of work experience do I need before applying?
Application — Letters of Recommendation
What if my letter of recommendation is from a professor?
I can't ask my boss for a letter of recommendation because she/he doesn't know I want to leave for graduate study. What should I do?
Is the letter of recommendation deadline the same as the application deadline?
Application — Interview
What is the interview process?
Financial Aid
Are fellowships or other financial aid available?
Fellowship support is available to exceptional admitted applicants. Last year, approximately 40 percent of the incoming class received fellowships. Second-year students also are offered fellowships based on academic performance and leadership activities in the first year. Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions also can significantly supplement student budgets, along with student loans. For more information, contact the UCLA Anderson Financial Aid office at (310) 825-2746 or 825-0629, or visit our financial aid website.
We offer a private loan through Eli Lilly Credit Union. No co-signer is required. We also have various outside aid for which you can apply. For more information, please visit our financing website.
International
How can I learn more about international applicant information?
Visit our International Applicants page.
What academic records do I need to submit with my application?
Upload a complete transcript and degree certificate or diploma in the native language of the country in which your degree was earned, as well as a certified translation in English. The degree certificate or diploma should show the exact degree received and date awarded. To facilitate our evaluation of your degree(s), you may choose to supply a credential evaluation report from World Education Services.
Are all international applicants required to take one of the approved English assessment tests?
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all applicants EXCEPT those from a select list of countries. For more information, please refer to UCLA Graduate Division Office English requirements. Please note that work experience in English is not sufficient for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver; the key factor is being educated in English. For more information about the TOEFL, visit www.ets.org/toefl or, for the IELTS, visit www.ielts.org
Does UCLA Anderson offer financial aid to international students?
Yes, we offer the following financial aid options:
- UCLA Anderson Fellowships: All admitted students are considered for fellowships based on the overall strength of their admission application. No separate application is necessary.
- Private loans: We offer a private loan through Eli Lilly Credit Union. No co-signer is required.
- We also have various outside aid for which you can apply. For more information, please visit our financing website.
Does UCLA Anderson assist with student visas?
Yes, upon admission, UCLA Anderson works with newly admitted students to obtain a visa from the U.S. government. Almost all international students get an F-1 visa. Students sponsored by an organization or firm may get a J-1 visa instead. For information regarding student visa information, please consult the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars.
Waitlisted Admissions Decision
Why are applicants waitlisted?
How does the waitlist evaluation process work?
If your application status indicates that you have been placed on our waitlist, you will remain on the waitlist until a final decision is made on your application (or until you request that your application be withdrawn). Waitlisted candidates are reconsidered for admission on a regular basis as the emerging context of the new class becomes clearer. When each application round's decisions are released, applicants on the waitlist receive a status update too. Those who are still on the waitlist when Round 3 ends in May can decide at that time if they want to stay on the waitlist during the summer, in case space opens up in the class before August.
Can I get feedback about my waitlist case?
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot give individualized feedback to waitlisted applicants. Chances of being admitted off the waitlist are difficult to predict since the number of students admitted from the waitlist varies from year to year depending on the size and strength of the application pool, the number of admits who enroll and other factors.
When should I contact the MBA Admissions office regarding my waitlist status?
Waitlisted candidates may submit updates to their application anytime by filling out the Waitlist Interest Form. We ask that you use your best judgment and discretion in submitting additional information that is relevant to your application. Some examples include (but are not limited to) updated GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scores, promotions at work and recent extracurricular accomplishments.
Before submitting additional information, please remember that every interaction we have with you can be a data point on your file, so make sure your communications are meaningful and add value to your profile. Quality of information is more important than quantity.
We thank you for your continued interest in UCLA Anderson!