Tips For Putting Together a Strong Application

Here are some tips to consider as you are putting together your application for the McCombs School of Business.

• The Texas MBA admissions committee carefully considers each completed application, with particular attention to personal essays, work history, post-MBA goals, undergraduate performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, honors and achievements, and test scores.
• Personal characteristics that add to the diversity of the class may also be considered, such as country of citizenship, gender, family background, multi-lingual skills, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic history.
• Strong applications convey careful research on McCombs and enthusiasm for the program.
• All of these components are considered holistically; no specific weight is assigned to any criterion and no formulas are used.

Personal Essays

Essays are a critical means of assessing an applicant’s reasons and motivation for attending the McCombs School of Business, background and goals, communication skills and presentation skills.

Work Experience

We strongly recommend that MBA applicants have a minimum of two years full-time, post-baccalaureate work experience. The admissions committee is especially interested in the quality of professional skills as evidenced in applicants’ level of responsibility, leadership, supervision and teamwork. The committee also considers the relevance of these skills both to the applicant’s intended course of study at McCombs and to the career goals as stated in the essays.

Undergraduate and Previous Graduate Experience

The McCombs School has no mandatory minimum grade point average. For admission purposes, the Graduate and International Admissions Center calculates a G.P.A. using undergraduate, upper-division (junior- and senior-level) coursework, and any graduate work already completed. McCombs does not require prior coursework in management or business administration.

Letters of Recommendation

References should come from individuals who have a superior working knowledge of the applicant, be professional in nature and should speak to the applicant’s professional work, qualities, career potential and potential to succeed in the classroom.

Service, Activities and Recognition

Public, community or military service, travel experiences, extracurricular activities, hobbies or special aptitudes, and any honors or recognition received are all important indicators of an applicant’s motivation and character.

Test Scores

GMAT

All applicants must submit official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores. The GRE cannot be substituted for the GMAT. If an applicant takes the GMAT more than once, McCombs will consider only the highest score and will not average GMAT scores. GMAT scores are valid for five years.
PLEASE NOTE: If you retake the GMAT and have already applied for the Texas MBA, please contact the McCombs admissions office at TexasMBA@mccombs.utexas.edu and request a GMAT hold on your application. The admission committee will postpone a final decision on your file until you notify us that the new official score shows up in your online application status.

McCombs’ full-time MBA GMAT code is 396-44-45.

TOEFL (for International Applicants)

Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have their scores submitted directly from ETS to UT Austin. UT Austin’s TOEFL school code is 6882. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

Applicants will only be granted an automatic TOEFL waiver if they have earned an undergraduate degree in a country whose only official language is English. Questions regarding waivers should be sent to TexasMBA@mccombs.utexas.edu.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Applicants with Limited Work Experience

Well qualified applicants with limited work experience may be considered for admission on a limited basis the McCombs Scholars program:

• McCombs Scholars
  A select number of applicants will be considered for admission into McCombs immediately after completing their undergraduate degree. These applicants must possess, among other criteria, exceptionally strong academic backgrounds, demonstrated leadership experiences and a strong potential for success in business.

Reapplications

Having applied in a previous year is not considered a negative factor in your application. We evaluate your new application on its merits, and in the context of the new applicant pool. Consider giving yourself a fresh start when you approach your reapplication. Think through and reassess the essays, addressing any weak areas in your application. Add new information that may be helpful in the admission process.

All reapplicants are required to complete a new application, new essays, a new resume and pay the application fee. Although not required, we suggest you submit new letters of recommendation. Determine if other recommenders may provide a more insightful and thorough perspective. Transcripts do not need to be resubmitted unless you have taken additional course work.

Consider submitting updated test scores if you feel they can be improved. Regardless, as long as your test scores (GMAT/ TOEFL) remain valid, you do not need to have them resent from the test centers. However, you do need to self-report them in the application. If your test scores are no longer valid you need to retake them. ETS mandates that GMAT scores are only valid for 5 years after the date the test is taken. For TOEFL scores, this period is two years. You will need to take these standardized tests again if the scores have expired or if you can improve your original score. The McCombs Admissions Committee only uses the highest submitted score in the evaluation of applications.

Texas MBA/Dual Degree Applicants

Dual degree applicants, whether or not they are currently enrolled at UT Austin, should follow application instructions for both schools. Both dual degree partner programs must admit applicants before they may be considered for admission to the dual degree. Applicants admitted to only one program may choose to pursue that particular program with departmental approval.

Campus Visits

The admissions committee strongly encourages all applicants to visit the McCombs School of Business to learn more about the school’s offerings from current students, faculty and staff.

Schedule your campus visit now.