Chat with Admissions: January 22, 2008

Can you please explain what type of relationships does Rady have with local VC firms and what type of exposure does the Rady MBA program offer to the VC world?

A number of the San Diego venture firms are involved with us—senior members of these firms have been speakers in our Professional Seminar or in our New Venture Finance elective; some have been involved as mentors or as advisors to students in their Lab to Market projects. Several of our alumni are now involved in VC and have been great sources of advice to students interested in this area.

What are the available class schedules for Full-Time MBA students?

Most classes for Full-Time students are scheduled during the day (8am—5pm) Monday through Thursday. A few classes are scheduled on Fridays or Saturdays, or are scheduled in early evening—this allows us to bring in some great instructors from industry and allows us to offer additional electives open to both Full-Time and FlexMBA students.

Is it common for Rady to take in students that work full time?

Our FlexMBA is designed for working professionals—the two scheduled formats, Evening and Weekend, are intended to enable working professionals to complete the Rady MBA program and maintain their full-time employment. We do not recommend that students enrolled in the Full-Time MBA program work, especially during the first few quarters.

Do you have relationships with broker dealers, hedge funds, or the like?

We have relationships with a wide variety of financial firms in the San Diego area—hedge funds, VC, and private equity firms are among the mix. Brokerage firms are always interested, but we see relatively few students interested in careers as brokers.

What type of relationships does Rady have with specialized financial institutions (ex. investment banking firms focusing on the biotech/pharma sector)?

Again, we have a broad range of relationships with financial firms in the San Diego area, which is where the large majority of our students are interested in working after graduation. We also see a growing set of relationships with firms in the Bay Area. Clearly, firms with a strong interest in the biotech sector are highly likely to have a presence here.

What’s one advantage and one disadvantage in being a new program?

I think our real advantages are about the innovative nature of our educational program—"new" may be one part of why we are approaching MBA education differently, but it’s the nature of the education you’ll want to look at in deciding whether Rady is right for you.

I am currently working in the US under H1B. What’s the criteria for the submission of TOEFL? I have already taken the general IELTS, can this be a substitute for the TOEFL?

We do accept both the IELTS and the TOEFL. Please submit your IELTS score directly to Rady MBA Admissions Office.

I’m very interested in pursuing my MBA through Rady’s FlexMBA program but I’m concerned that I don’t fit the FlexMBA class profile (I’m 26 with 4years of industry experience) and that this might adversely affect my chances of gaining admission to the Flex program. Can you comment on how you approach applicants like me during admissions? Is preference given to applicants that match the current profile?

We don’t have a specific profile in mind for either the FlexMBA or Full-Time MBA program, and we admit a broad range of people in each. What we’ll want to understand is why the FlexMBA is the right program for you and how you will contribute to the learning of your classmates. If you are towards the lower end of the experience range for Flex, you’ll want to help us see how you will add value to the educational experience: it’s fairly easy to understand how you will gain from being in a class with people at more senior levels of responsibility and with deeper work experience—but how will they gain from your presence? What will make them glad you’re a member of the class?

There are several application deadlines. Are they all for Fall 2008?

Yes, all the deadlines posted are for admission in fall 2008. We review applications on a rolling basis, not in ‘rounds’, which means we evaluate applications as they are received. Our deadlines serve more as "target guidelines" to assist you in the application planning process. You may submit at any time during the application period, whether it is before or after a deadline. Application deadlines for both our Full Time and FlexMBA programs can be found at: http://rady.ucsd.edu/mba/admissions/apply/deadlines/.

How much exposure would we have to math? In terms of percentage, what would you say is more time consuming--the math or the management?

I don’t think I can give a percentage to this. Certainly, we think that quantitative skills are critical to good business decision-making. If you want to make decisions based on data and analysis, not just on "gut", you have to understand the numbers and be able to work with them. The core curriculum is designed to ensure everyone has the fundamentals for effective business decision-making. After that, you have a good bit of choice in how quantitative a curriculum you choose. If you’re interested in things like hedge funds—that was an earlier questions of yours, right?—then you should expect to want/need to take additional coursework in finance, with a heavy quantitative emphasis. If the math isn’t of interest, you may want consider another career route.

I am particularly interested in activities like start-up, business merger, acquisition and related regulations etc. What program or courses will cover these?

Our fundamental interest is in innovation and how innovation reaches the marketplace. This may be entrepreneurial—or may be intrapreneurial. Our capstone project sequence, which is called Lab to Market, really focuses on this. In addition, there are related elective courses in things like New Venture Finance, Business Law, etc, which add to your portfolio of learning.

I am foreign student. Besides a transcript of my grades, does Rady need a copy of my diploma?

We require official transcripts from each college and university attended. If you have foreign transcripts, then we will require you to submit an English translation. Your certificate of degree (diploma) is also required. A copy can be submitted with your application for admission consideration, if you have only one original available and your university does not issue additional official copies.

Since a huge advantage to any MBA program is the alumni network, how does Rady, as the new kid on the block, compensate for this?

We’re not feeling any need to "compensate": we’re finding huge interest from our business community here in San Diego—their interest is a good part of why the school was founded and we see their interest played out in a willingness to be involved as mentors, advisors, speakers, etc. And our career center, MBA Career Connections, is getting lots of interest from employers, both locally and beyond San Diego—we see lots of company interest in our innovation focus. Our own alumni are very highly involved, and we see a lot of interest from UCSD alumni more broadly.

Do you admit a student who received an MBA 10 years ago at a different school and now would like to renew/catch up with the new market development?

UCSD regulations say that a student cannot be admitted to study a second time for the same degree. You might want to look at our non-degree Executive Education courses as a way to "refresh" your knowledge.

When does the next school session begin? Which date is the deadline for application material?

Our next classes are being admitted for fall quarter, which begins in September. Deadlines differ, depending on whether you are interested in the Full-Time or FlexMBA program—they are all posted on our external website. Although there are four deadlines for each program, they are all for fall 2008 admission. We admit on a rolling basis, so please view the deadlines as target guidelines for the admission process, not as “rounds”.

Will I have the opportunity to work on real cases from outside while getting my MBA degree?

Yes, absolutely—there will be a number of opportunities to do this: in your Lab to Market project, in some electives, in an Independent Study.

Is the GMAT a requirement for the FlexWeekend and FlexEvening MBA programs?

Yes, the GMAT is required for any of our MBA programs. However, a waiver may be granted to those applicants who have an MD degree or a PhD degree conferred in a technical, quantitative or scientific field.

I just graduated last June, so I don’t have work experience. Is it possible to attend Rady—what is your minimum work experience requirement?

We do not have a minimum requirement for work experience, and each of our in-coming Full-Time MBA classes has included a small number of individuals coming directly from undergrad. We will want to understand why going directly on for an MBA makes sense for you, given your goals and your experiences to date. And we will want to know what kind of team or organizational experiences you’ve had (in extracurricular activities, in class projects, in internships or volunteer work).

I have my official transcripts in English, but unfortunately I have only one copy. As I live in San Diego, can I bring the original in for you to see and then leave you a copy of the transcripts to use? It is really hard for me to get an original transcript.

If you are unable to request official transcripts from your university, you may submit an unofficial copy of your transcripts directly to us by mail. The unofficial copy will be used to evaluate your application and for an admission decision. If admitted, you would be required to bring your official transcripts to us for copying and verification. The best situation is for you to request an official copy from your university to have on file at UCSD, but we are aware that some universities only issue one ‘original/official’ document that you need to keep.

My biggest concern is time. I have full-time job, am married with one child—do you think I could still have time to finish your MBA?

Our FlexMBA students have, almost without exception, made this work. It’s important for those around you to be supportive—to believe that there’s value and to work with you. The first quarter is the hardest, as you make the adjustment to being back in school and as you figure out what will "give"—but it absolutely does work, and the value gained, students tell us, is very high. As one of our students noted, there never will be a "right time" when doing serious graduate work and juggling work and life will be simple—so it’s about being clear that you want the education and that your work and home support systems are in place.

Do you have a class enrollment size in mind for the Full-Time program; you mentioned admitting as long as there is space available?

We have a maximum size for our in-coming cohort of about 70 (that’s based on chairs in our case classroom). We expect to bring in a group of 60-65, depending on our applicant pool: we’re more interested in having a great group that will learn well together than in filling every seat.

As part of the course, does Rady have any international trips?

We’re just starting to look at School-organized trips—but we’ve had several student-organized trips already. We expect to continue to have a mix of School- and student-organized trips.

Any chances of financial aid during the FlexMBA program?

UCSD’s Financial Aid Office works with Flex and FT MBA students. Educational loans are available for FlexMBAs, and a fairly large percentage have some loan funding. We do not, however, have any fellowship funding for the FlexMBA program.

Regarding the IELTS, I have already done the general training module which also tests on listening, reading, writing and speaking. Can I submit this instead of the academic training module?

Please send an email directly to MBAAdmissions@ucsd.edu about this, so that we can confirm with UCSD’s Office of Graduate Studies. They review all the files of those we recommend for admission, and we would want to make sure we’re giving you the right information.

I graduated from the National University of Singapore in Singapore. However, I graduated with a Bachelor of Computing with Merit and it is only a three years degree as Singapore is using the British System where we take the A level. Is this sufficient for entry into the FlexMBA?

Please email MBAAdmissions@ucsd.edu directly regarding this—UCSD does not typically accept 3-year degrees, but there are specific exceptions they have outlined. This is another question where we should check for you before responding.

I’m an international student. I took the TOEFL (ibt) last week, and I haven’t received the scores yet. Beside the on-line application form, do I need to send all the materials to your office before the deadline? (I can’t fill out any information in the test-score blank.) When is the deadline for all materials?

You may submit your application even though you are waiting for missing pieces such as transcripts, letters of recommendations or test score reports. Don’t wait to submit if you have your online application complete -- we’ll create a file and do a preliminary review as we wait for the missing pieces to arrive to our office. We review applications and admit on a rolling basis so you can submit your application at any time during the application deadline period.

What is your favorite thing about Rady?

We are having tremendous fun! A phrase that has come up each year with our new classes, as we talk about what they want their class and the school to be like is: "serious fun." That’s fun that is challenging, feels a little risky, pushes you beyond your current skills and current state of mind—that is exhilarating, exciting. Students are partners in creating their education—and they are doing some really interesting things to make a culture that stays vibrant and flexible and innovative.

Is the enrollment size 50-60 counted as both FT MBA and FlexMBA Fall admission?

There will be a cohort of about 60 entering the FT program, another cohort of the same size for FlexWeekend, and another cohort for FlexEvening.

I have graduated with a BS in IT from National University in San Diego in June 2003 and I have over 10 years work experience. Would the GMAT be the first thing I do for the application?

You’ll want to start preparing for the GMAT as soon as possible so you can invest time in preparing for it and scheduling it. Check out www.mba.com -- this site gives very useful information about GMAT exam. Also take a look at the application now. You can create an account, browse through the application and begin working on the different sections in prep of submitting it, even before you have the GMAT completed and all the pieces in hand. We also have admission events throughout the year. If you are in the area, we encourage you to attend an information session. Our schedule of events is at: http://rady.ucsd.edu/mba/admissions/events/.

What is the most important personality for a student who wants to go to Rady?

A real interest in innovation and a willingness to stretch: we aren’t a good fit for someone who wants a clearly defined pathway to a traditional career. We’re a great place for someone interested in growing and developing, interested in working in innovative, fast-changing environments and in helping companies be and remain innovative. If you want to have a real, serious impact in a changing world—here’s a good place to learn and grow.

is it true that the TOEFL is not required for foreigners who have been working in the USA over 5 years?

The TOEFL is required for international applicants whose undergraduate instruction was not in English. However, if you are an international applicant and you have studied in the United States for 1 academic year, then you would not be required to take the TOEFL. Also, there are some exceptions depending on the country of instruction, so you’ll want to contact MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu directly to find out if you are required to take the TOEFL.

Is there any course or case work in real estate development/finance/etc?

We have a strong faculty in finance—and real estate is not a core interest or strength. We have had students do independent study in this area, but we don’t see it as an area where we will develop a significant program.

If I go to work for few years, but at the same time I apply Rady MBA, could I extend one more year of Rady MBA?

If you’re asking about deferring admission in order to continue working, we consider this on a case by case basis.

I work for a family company; therefore my immediate supervisor is my father. Is this recommendation helpful for your decision process?

Is there someone else who could provide a recommendation? A supplier or client? Typically, a member of your own family will have some (perfectly understandable) bias about you that makes it complicated for that person to provide a disinterested, highly informative recommendation. Your father may be an exception to this, of course.