Ace Your UCLA Anderson MBA Interview

UCLA Anderson School of Management
Everything you need to know for your UCLA MBA Interview.

Quick Facts 

Who does Anderson/UCLA interview?

Anderson/UCLA interviews are conducted by invitation only.

Who conducts the Anderson/UCLA interview?

Interviews are conducted by a second-year student with training in evaluation metrics. Jump ahead to read more about UCLA Anderson’s interviewers.

How long is the Anderson/UCLA interview?

The interviews last around 30 minutes. Jump ahead to find out more on the interview length.

Where is the interview held?

Currently Anderson holds their interviews remotely through Zoom. Jump ahead to read more on the interview location.

What is the format?

To prevent interviewer bias Anderson conducts blind interviews. The interviewer will have seen the applicants resume but not their application. Jump ahead to learn more about the format.

Deadlines and Decision Schedule 

The Anderson admissions committee sends interview invitations on a rolling basis up to the decision date.

Video Essays

Anderson/UCLA does not ask for a video essay.

Detailed Overview

Drawing from Menlo Coaching’s extensive client database of first-hand interview reports, this section offers the most up-to-date information on Anderson/UCLA’s interview process.

Interviewer profile

All of our clients had their interview with a second-year student. The interviews were described as laid-back and conversational. In some cases the interviewers were eager to share their own experiences at Anderson, which added to the informal tone. One client reported that their interviewer recommended specific classes and trips at the end of the interview. Another client told us that their interviewer was more direct than other people he had talked to at Anderson, but this seems to be the exception. 

Several of our clients reported that all the questions posed to them had been directly addressed by our coaching and thus they were able to answer them with ease. No one had any unexpected questions and the interviewers appear willing to give the applicant time to formulate their answers. One interviewer made the effort to relate the questions to her own experiences in the program. 

Applicants can expect standard questions regarding their workplace and professional experiences. Furthermore, many of the interview questions concern UCLA Anderson itself. Interviewers want to know why the applicant wishes to attend their program, what clubs/activities they are interested in, what resources they are particularly interested in, etc. Applicants should have well-articulated reasons as to why they wish to attend Anderson as opposed to another school. 

Length

According to our clients, Anderson interviews last for exactly 30 minutes. Applicants should be concise and not dwell too long on a single answer. 

Location

Anderson interviews will be conducted in person or via Zoom per the candidate’s preference. According to UCLA Anderson, both formats will be considered equally, and as such, applicants should choose the format in which they will feel most comfortable.

Some candidates find it easier to develop a rapport in person, but others might feel more comfortable in a familiar location. If you choose to conduct the interview virtually, make sure that you have a high-speed wired Internet connection, good lighting, and that you point your computer camera at eye level.

Format

The UCLA Anderson interview has a straightforward question-and-answer format. There may be anywhere from 6 to 12 questions. Aside from the introductory first questions, the remainder are fairly specific and concern either professional or academic topics. 

Only around half of the interviews ended with the interviewer asking if the applicant had any questions for them. A client mentioned that there is a list of required questions and a list of suggested questions that the interviewer draws from. We have also received several reports of technical issues for the UCLA Anderson interview, mostly connectivity issues, but the interviewers were apologetic and understanding and applicants did not think these technical problems were a major problem.  

UCLA Anderson MBA Interview Sample Questions

This section lists a number of possible Anderson/UCLA questions. Like the details in the section above, these questions are sourced from Menlo Coaching’s client database of first-hand interview reports.

You can use the questions below to conduct mock interviews that mimic an actual conversation. For best results, however, consider seeking expert help via Menlo Coaching’s interview prep service.

The Anderson/UCLA interview, sample questions

  1. Walk me Through Your Resume 
  2. Why an MBA? Why Anderson/UCLA? Why Now? 
  3. What Clubs Do You Want to Get Involved In? What Other Ways Will You Get Involved in the Anderson/UCLA Community?
  4. How Will the Anderson/UCLA Network Help You? How Will You Contribute to It?  
  5. Tell Me More About How Anderson/UCLA Will Help You Achieve Your Career Goals? 
  6. What Are Your Short and Long Term Goals?
  7. Tell Me About a Time You Worked in a Diverse Team
  8. How Do You Deal With Conflicts With Teammates? 
  9. What is Your Backup Plan if You Don’t Get an MBA?
  10. What is a Weakness of Yours and How Can You Work on that at Anderson/UCLA? 
  11. Questions for the Interviewer

If you’re looking for guidance on how to answer questions like these with confidence, you can find detailed breakdowns for MBA interview questions here.