POLITICS AND BAKED POTATOES: APPLYING TO THE MBA PROGRAM

We had an MBA social the other evening and one of the conversation topics was the amount of preparation required just to apply to our MBA program. One student remarked, “I thought it was just an extension of my undergraduate work – you know, fill out a quick application on Friday, enroll in a few classes on Monday, buy some books on Tuesday and after a few semesters of this, get awarded the MBA degree. Was I ever wrong!”

I had a professor who liked to always say, “The further you go in education, the more political it becomes.” At the time he was preaching this, I was an undergraduate student and had no idea what he was talking about. I was precisely like the student above – about as political as a baked potato. But I learned rather quickly that any graduate program typically has a precise set of rules, procedures, and required documents that must be submitted to be considered for admittance. I thought it might be useful to briefly review the process of applying to our MBA program and the rationale behind certain requirements.

STEP 1 is to complete and submit an online application at www.applytexas.org.

                Purpose: This essentially initiates the application process for you.

STEP 2 is to submit the following documents:

(1)    official transcript(s) from the Institution(s) where you earned your Bachelor’s degree and any Advanced degree(s) [if applicable]. These transcripts must be received directly from the degree granting institution(s);

(2)    official GMAT score report; and

(3)    official TOEFL score report if you graduated from a foreign university.

to:

UHD Office of Admissions-Graduate Admissions

One Main Street

Suite 325

Houston, TX  77002

STEP 3 is to submit three documents in .pdf file format to gradadmissions@uhd.edu.

(1)    Current resume reflecting a minimum of three (3) years of post-baccalaureate professional work experience.

Rationale: This experience requirement is important for several reasons. First, it turns out that the most important attribute to students in MBA programs is not the professors, not the perceived quality of the school, not the curriculum, but rather the quality of the students in the program. One of the key components of student quality is (you’ll never guess) – business experience. Second (and this goes along with the first reason), the MBA is an applied degree, i.e., while there is a theoretical foundation, maximum benefit accrues to someone with an experience base (i.e., management experience). And lastly, for those who think that the argument “No other MBA programs have experience requirements,” holds water, I would challenge you to find any quality MBA program without an experience requirement;

(2)    Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional (not academic) references.

Rationale: This is to further substantiate the “experience” factor;

(3)    Personal statement of 250 words or less about why you are pursuing an MBA degree (This is optional but recommended).

Rationale: To get a brief feel for your writing style as well as some insight into your motivational make-up.

When all of the above items have been received by UHD, your file moves from the Application Process to the Admission Consideration Process.  Your completed file is forwarded to the MBA Admissions Committee for full review and determination of eligibility. Decision regarding admission follows.

When my wife was proofreading this blog for me, she asked in her mock serious tone whether now that I was a Dean, did that mean I was a baked potato with sour cream, butter, bacon bits, and chives?

Some questions don’t even merit a response….