Riordan Programs

The admissions committee evaluates applicants’ prospects as leaders and their projected ability to succeed in, benefit from and contribute to the Riordan MBA Fellows Program. Committee members carefully consider personal and academic background information, achievements, awards and honors, employment history, letters of recommendation and college and community involvement, especially where candidates have served in leadership capacities. The admissions committee seeks to create a community of students who bring unique contributions from their diverse backgrounds and experiences and who will collectively enrich the educational experience. The Riordan MBA Fellows Program is a pre-MBA program designed for applicants looking to apply to but have not been previously enrolled in business school. 

Applicants are advised to apply for admission as early as possible. The number of admissions becomes limited by space and student mix. Late applicants run the risk of being denied. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

There is no “cookie cutter” profile for admission to the Riordan MBA Fellows Program. We do not prefer applicants according to industry or job function; however, we are specifically interested in how you have contributed to your organization, and especially in what opportunities for leadership you have taken.

Each year the Riordan Programs admit an extraordinary group of students and professionals. We have carefully designed our review process to ensure quality and fairness. Admission into the Riordan MBA Fellows Program is highly selective and based on a comprehensive review of all applicants.

An email will be sent once your application is complete. Please note it will take 2-3 weeks to process after the deadline. Please do not contact our office until you receive a status email.

Admission decisions will be sent via email, timed to correspond with the round in which you applied. Please refer to the application section of our website for specific dates.

If you’re notified you’re on the wait list it means the admissions committee has not yet reached a final decision. The committee is continuing to consider your application beyond the decision date. All wait list applicants will be notified of their acceptance by the Round 2 decision date (June 27, 2019).

Components of an application are not weighted according to a formula. All of the factors are important aspects of the application and we do a comprehensive review of the total application.

Yes. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application. Official transcripts will be requested if you are accepted into the Riordan MBA Fellows Program.

No. Please submit only one recommendation, preferably from a supervisor or manager at your current place of employment.

Yes; however, ideally, an academic recommender should know you beyond the classroom through research, internships or other interactions.

Think of another work-related source, such as a client or a manager from another department who knows your skills. Perhaps you could ask a former boss who has left the company. What we are looking for is a recommendation from someone who knows your work well, preferably from a supervisory perspective.

No. Applicants must submit their application by the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed.

Your status will be considered incomplete if you do not complete and send all parts of your application in one package by the deadline.

After Step 2 of the application process is complete a notice will be sent via email. Please note it will take 1-2 weeks to process after the deadline. Please do not contact our office until you receive a status email.

No. We will not accept any faxed or emailed copies of applications or application components, including: transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, mentee profile, resume and application fee.

No. All application packages must be sent via mail and postmarked by the Round 1 or Round 2 deadline.

The admission process and deadlines are the same for all applicants.

Interviews will be held on an “as needed” basis. Interview dates are tentatively scheduled on a rolling basis. Although not all applicants will be invited to interview, we ask that you set aside these dates in advance. Declining an invitation to interview is highly discouraged and will affect your admission into the program.

No. We will not accept or return any calls, nor respond to any emails regarding admission decisions. All applicants will be notified by email of their admission status.

Yes. If you are accepted into the Riordan MBA Fellows Program, you must commit to attend every monthly Saturday session.

Visit our web site.

You can apply during the next application period, which opens in November/December.

No. We are well aware of the depth of the investment our applicants make while participating in our selection process. Accordingly, the admissions committee reviews each candidacy with great care and thoughtful consideration. Our review process is extremely thorough, and all decisions are final. There is no process for appeal.

Each candidate is examined with an eye to individual strengths as well as a consideration of the pool as a whole and the balance we are seeking in each entering class. Our review process is exhaustive, and our decisions are made only after thoughtful deliberations. We know that being denied admission can be both unexpected and disappointing. The most difficult part for the admissions committee is not being able to admit every highly qualified and compelling candidate. Because of the quantity of applicants, feedback will not be provided to denied candidates.

Yes. If you are not offered admission to the Riordan MBA Fellows Program, you are welcome to reapply. All re-applicants are required to complete a new application, including new academic transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, resume and application fees. The admission decision will be based on the new application materials received, not on previously submitted materials. Do you have additional questions after reviewing our FAQ? Schedule a one-on-one admissions meeting. One-on-one meetings take place weekly over the phone, or in person. To make an appointment, please email Associate Director April Owens at april.owens@anderson.ucla.edu.