Hi, I am currently applying for Business Analytics programs for 2018. I graduated from a public university(rank around 140, the business school ranks top 50) in the US, with GPA 3.8. I am currently doing marketing in an IT startup at LA. My most recent GMAT score is 720, 3.5 in AWA, 8 in IR. I applied to MSBA at UCLA this May (its first year) and even didn’t get an interview. Seems like they had a huge poll and they didn’t have time to give me reasons behind the rejection.
Recently I applied several schools and already got several offers: CSUF, UT Dallas, Arizona State University.
The thing is I really want to stay in LA. Because the guy I like is at here. I like the weather as well. Then I only have two choices at here either CSUF or UCLA. I just don’t feel confident for UCLA anymore. There are several admitted students who shared their experiences about UCLA MSBA applications this May. Based on their profiles, I don’t feel I am a weak applicant. But certainly, from their view, I am.
Does anyone have advice for me? Is there anything of my profile that made me a weak applicant for UCLA? Or should I focus on preparing better essays?
If you guys have any other schools in your mind, just let me know. I like UCLA and CSUF because both schools are nearby his home, I can hang out with him more often. I don’t like USC because the environment at there makes me feel it’s more like a luxury brand, not an academic institution.
Does anyone have some ideas?
You need more than an hour to get some responses in LA on a weekend.
I’ve read through a couple of your paragraphs.
My advice would be to take a course in writing since there are several English mechanical errors in your original post.
haha, Thank you, I think I should. English is not my native language. I will try to write better next time.
Oh, and I would not base my educational future and goals on where a “guy I like” is.
You are right. There are many reasons other than it: my friends, work opportunities and especially culture. I feel very comfortable around this area with everything. He makes LA an A plus for me. I am very clear about what I am gonna do with the degree, which makes me conservative about CSUF. I don’t think the program can provide me the opportunities I am looking for. The schools who can compete with UCLA programs include UW Data Science, UC Davis, UT Austin. These three schools all have tons of work opportunities, on-campus resources, and huge professional network. All of them are very competitive programs. I don’t think I am a competitive applicant for them.
Other than them, my best choice will be the University of Maryland or Arizona State University. Here, again, not only I have to leave my friends and the guy I like, but also it is possible that the culture at there may not be open as LA or west coast in general: less fun in life.
I think the location is very important for a graduate program because it will affect my professional network and my future career.