Chat with MBA Admissions — May 17, 2012

Is job experience mandatory to be considered for your MBA program?

While the majority of our Full-Time students have several years of work experience, we do admit a smaller percentage of undergraduates who have demonstrated (through volunteer work, internship positions or other means) their leadership, creativity, teamwork and problem solving skills. In addition, they have articulated why they are prepared for rigorous graduate business coursework at this time, and their goals post-MBA.

How many classes are part of the FlexMBA program?. Where can I find a proposed class schedule for students to follow as part of the FlexMBA program?

All three MBA programs (Full Time, FlexEvening and FlexWeekend) consist of 92 quarter units. Please visit the Rady website to see a sample schedule for FlexMBA students: http://rady.ucsd.edu/mba/flex/schedule/.

I have seen that the second most popular career path for Rady graduates is in financial services. How will a Rady MBA prepare me for this career path? What specific companies hire from Rady and what roles do your graduates take in the company?

The Rady MBA will prepare you in a number of ways. Academically, there are a number of Finance electives that you are able select as part of your curriculum (electives account for 57% of the whole curriculum) that can provide the background and knowledge necessary to become an innovative leader within that sector. Professionally, our Career Connections team provides numerous opportunities for you to network with the local business community, as well as participate in our Executive Mentorship program. You can see more about the companies who hire our MBA's here: http://www.rady.ucsd.edu/careers/docs/employment-2011.pdf.

Why is a Rady MBA the right choice for tech, and what roles do your graduates take in tech?

My answer is going to be pretty much the same. The Rady MBA is the right choice for tech mainly because of our connections to the tech community in San Diego. The local business community strongly supports the Rady School, and is a huge reason as to why the school exists in the first place. Our Assistant Dean for MBA Programs is fond of saying that not a week goes by without an introduction by someone who wants to play a role within the school - be it as a mentor, or as part of our Professional Speaker series.

I am currently finishing my first year in another MBA program. Does Rady consider transfers? Will my credits transfer to your program?

Transfer credits are considered on a case-by-case basis. You would need to submit an online application along with your transcripts. Generally only a limited number of electives would be transferrable.

Can you take online classes prior to entering the MBA program that will transfer in?

Our MBA program does not offer online classes, and any classes coming from another MBA program have to be reviewed for any sort of credit waiver. As we previously stated, a very limited number of electives are transferable. We don't really require that incoming students take preparation classes (outside of the calculus prerequisite) since the program was specifically structured for individuals without a business background. The core classes provide you with a strong foundation to move confidently into the electives.

Could you explain the admission process and requirements for international students?

The admissions requirements for international and domestic students are the same, with the exception of the TOEFL requirement. Unless you studied at a U.S. academic institution full-time for at least one year, while maintaining a "B" average or better, or you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you will need to take the TOEFL exam or the IELTS.

What details can you tell me about the Rady Venture Capital Fund?

You would enroll in "New Venture Finance" in fall quarter of your second year. Thereafter, you would take two additional classes, during which time you and your classmates will review investment opportunities with investment industry leaders, and decide whether any of those opportunities are worth pursuing.

How does a Rady MBA help me? I already have two Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and one Master’s Degree in CSE.

You would definitely be in good company. With Rady's focus on innovation and our connections to the leading industries in San Diego, we definitely have our fair share of engineers and scientists. The reason why they find the MBA to be exceedingly helpful for their career is because they have the technical knowledge, but not the leadership and management background. Essentially, they come here to learn to speak non-engineer, and to get a stronger understanding of the bigger picture. It's important to understand how the entire process works from finance to marketing in order to see beyond your niche.

What are the chances of receiving funding for the FlexMBA program?

Our FlexMBA students typically receive funding from their companies, and also are considered for fellowship funds that the Rady School deploys from the assistance of private donors. You are automatically considered for fellowship funds upon the submission of your application, and students also have the opportunity to apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA. In addition, the optional essays included in the online application provide another avenue for you to include additional information about your background that would be helpful to the fellowship committee.

I have a PhD in biophysical sciences, and I’m working in a research institution right now. However, I’m finding that my eventual career goal is to move into the business of science. Am I a good candidate for Rady?

Absolutely. We have a higher than average proportion of MBA students who come to us having already obtained advanced degrees, including PhD's, MD's and various other graduate degrees. They find that the learning in the MBA program expands their perspectives, and provides them with new "tools" to evaluate problems, promote collaboration across departments or translate research discoveries into marketplace opportunities.

Thank you for joining us today. We hope this was helpful for you, and we welcome you to contact us directly with any further questions at MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu.