- UCLA School of Management Program Overview
- UCLA Anderson Curriculum
- UCLA Anderson Extracurriculars
- Notable Professors and Classes at UCLA Anderson
- UCLA Anderson Statistics
- Tips for Your UCLA Anderson 2024–2025 Application Essays
- Application Requirements for UCLA Anderson
- Anderson UCLA FAQ
UCLA Anderson School of Management Program Overview
The UCLA Anderson School of Management is all about teamwork and collaboration. The school has an excellent entrepreneurship center (the Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation), and the student body exemplifies Anderson’s innovative spirit. Creative leaders who can think fearlessly and lead innovation while sharing their success are valued. However, the school is no place for egos—optimism, flexibility, passion, curiosity, analytic ability, and strategic thinking are all traits the admissions committee likes to see in applicants.
Anderson’s classes are medium sized, with 305 students in the most recent incoming class, and the school emphasizes student leadership, group projects, and community. Anderson has several centers of study, including real estate, entrepreneurship, media, entertainment, sports, and finance. The aforementioned Price Center offers fellowships, courses, and the Knapp Venture Competition for budding entrepreneurs.
Anderson touts the city of Los Angeles as providing “limitless opportunities” to its students, with myriad entertainment options, several beaches, and numerous businesses in the area. Being in LA offers students access to school-year internships, informational interviews, networking, and industry practitioners as instructors. In addition, hundreds of research centers and eight joint degree programs are available to Anderson students via the greater UCLA community. Want some college sports excitement as part of your MBA experience? UCLA holds 123 NCAA titles, and the alumni base is incredibly supportive.
Anderson is especially proud of its Parker Career Management Center. With more than half of a class typically switching both industry and function, the center provides outstanding support including Anderson Career Teams, second-year students who volunteer to assist first years through the career search process. The center’s International Coaching Program offers a similar option for international students. Admitted students have access to the Parker Center’s resources as soon as they are admitted, even before they set foot on campus.
UCLA Anderson Curriculum
Anderson follows the quarter system, with three ten-week quarters making up the first year, meaning students head into their summer internship with more classes under their belt than their peers from other schools. Core courses include such titles as “Organizational Leadership,” “Global Economics and Business Cycles,” and “Foundations of Ethical Decision Making.” The curriculum includes a focus on leadership and communication along with flexibility for up to two specializations, which are available in the following areas:
- Accounting
- Brand Management
- Consulting
- Corporate Finance
- Easton Technology Leadership
- Entertainment
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Management
- Health Care Management
- Kayne Investment Management
- Leaders in Sustainability
- Leadership Development
- Marketing Analytics
- Real Estate
- Social Impact
The capstone of the Anderson MBA program is the real-world master’s thesis, frequently fulfilled by the Applied Management Research (AMR) project in the second year. This 20-week program, now in its 60th year, involves working with a team of Anderson students on a consulting engagement for a real company. Through this experience, students can apply their classroom learning to conduct primary research to solve strategic challenges, explore new markets, or launch new products.
Beyond AMR, there are several industry-specific options for the capstone, including a coveted role managing the Student Investment Fund, founded in 1987 and worth more than $4M, for which up to 12 students are selected each year. The Business Creation Program (BCP) provides students an opportunity to start their own business while still in school with support from the Anderson Accelerator Mentors Program and access to on-campus working space via the Anderson Venture Accelerator. A select group of students can participate in the NAIOP SoCal Real Estate Challenge for their capstone.
Anderson’s Onboarding program, which introduces students to the program, takes place in the summer and includes the courses “Foundations of Inclusive Leadership,” “Financial Accounting,” and either “Foundations of Finance” or “Marketing Management.” Students also benefit from career development provided by the Parker Career Management Center. In addition, Anderson’s Onboarding Committee organizes fun activities that enable students to mingle with their classmates and second-year students.
UCLA Anderson Extracurriculars
With more than 50 student clubs, Anderson offers students endless opportunities to learn and grow both professionally and personally while having fun and getting to know their classmates. The Women’s Business Connection provides professional support and collaboration opportunities for “Anderwomen.” In addition to the obvious wine tastings, the Wine Club at Anderson partners with the Parker Career Management Center to bring in executives from top California wineries. The Tech Business Association at Anderson (AnderTech), provides career support for students through tech treks, career nights, and conferences. Not surprisingly, the Entertainment Management Association (EMA) leverages Anderson’s LA location to build industry relationships and help students develop industry knowledge. From a social perspective, Anderson Afternoons provide an opportunity for students to wind down and engage with their classmates on Thursday afternoons. Beach bonfires and trips to such cities as San Francisco and Las Vegas are among the other benefits of Anderson’s proximity to LA.
Anderson’s PULSE Conference brings together students, faculty, professionals, and business leaders in the fields of entertainment, sports, and technology. Hosted by the Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports, the event attracts more than 500 attendees annually. The March 2024 PULSE Conference featured the co-CEO of Netflix as the keynote speaker and explored such panel discussion themes as “Breakthrough Innovations in Gaming and Fandoms” and “Driving Narrative Change through Storytelling—How Hollywood Continues to Create More Inclusive Content.”
Notable Professors and Classes
Sanjay Sood
Professor Sood is an Anderson legend, having taught at the school since 2001. Sood has previously served as the faculty chairman and deputy dean of academic affairs, and today is a professor of marketing and behavioral decision making. Sood believes strongly in hands-on learning and often brings C-suite executives to the classroom. He also consistently takes his students out of the classroom to participate in projects with real companies and to visit company offices.
Olav Sorenson
Professor Olav Sorenson arrived at Anderson relatively recently, in 2020, and has already made quite a name for himself at the school. In addition to serving as a professor of strategy, Sorenson holds the positions of faculty director at the Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Joseph Jacobs chair in entrepreneurial studies. He has taught his signature “Venture Capital Strategy” course at different schools since 2005 and also teaches the new “Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation” course.
“Persuasion and Influence”
Anderson lists this course, taught by Professor Noah Goldstein, as one of the most popular electives at the school. As the name suggests, the course explores the power of persuasion and influence in the business world by examining various strategies, proposals, and products.
“Digital Marketing Strategy”
The “Digital Marketing Strategy” course is taught by the aforementioned Professor Sanjay Sood. The course is part of the Entertainment Management specialization, and Anderson states on its site that it is the only top-ranked business school to offer such a specialization. To receive the specialization, students must take two foundation classes and two related electives, for which “Digital Marketing Strategy” is an option.
UCLA Anderson Statistics
Class Profile (Class of 2026)
Class Size: 305
Average Work Experience: 5.4 years
Average GPA: 3.5
Middle 80% Undergraduate GPA Range: 3.1–3.8
Women: 43%
LGBTQ+: 8%
International Citizenship: 41%
Average GMAT: 714
80% GMAT Range: 670–750
GRE Verbal Average: 162
GRE Verbal Range: 159–169
GRE Quant Average: 165
GRE Quant Range: 157–167
GRE Average Combined Score: 327
Career Placement (Industries, Class of 2023)
- Consulting: 27%
- Technology: 25.8%
- Software: 10.5%
- General: 6.4%
- Internet Services/E-Commerce: 5.6%
- Equipment/Hardware/Networking: 1.9%
- Other: 1.5%
- Financial Services: 13.9%
- Investment Banking: 8.6%
- General (Diversified Services/Insurance): 2.2%
- Private Equity/Venture Capital: 1.9%
- Investment Management: 0.7%
- Commercial Banking: 0.4%
- Consumer Products: 9%
- Other (Includes Electronics): 3.7%
- Beverages, Food, and Household: 3%
- Apparel and Textiles: 1.9%
- Automotive: 0.4%
- Entertainment/Media: 8.2%
- Gaming: 3%
- General (Broadcast, Film, Music): 2.6%
- Digital Media: 1.9%
- Sports Management: 0.7%
- Healthcare: 6.7%
- Biotechnology/Devices/Pharma: 2.6%
- General/Providers and Services: 2.6%
- Tech/Other: 1.5%
- Real Estate: 3.7%
- General: 2.6%
- Commercial: 1.1%
- Other (including Human Resources, Law, Retail): 1.9%
- Energy, Utilities, and Alternative Energy: 1.5%
- Hospitality: 1.1%
- Government: 0.4%
- Manufacturing: 0.4%
- Transportation/Logistics Service: 0.4%
Geographic Placement (Class of 2023)
- United States: 96.6%
- Southern California: 56.6%
- Northern California: 14.2%
- Northeast: 8.6%
- West (excluding California): 5.2%
- Mid-Atlantic: 3.4%
- Midwest: 3.4%
- Southwest: 3.4%
- South: 1.9%
- International: 3.4%
- Latin America: 1.9%
- Asia: 1.1%
- Europe: 0.4%
Tips for Your UCLA Anderson 2024–2025 Application Essays
This year, Anderson has changed its prompts and given you more words with which to tell your story. Take the time to think through what is important to tell the admissions committee about your experiences as you dive in.
For the 2024–2025 application year, Anderson has three short-answer questions that are required for first-time applicants, two of which are required for reapplicants.
Short Essay Prompts
We look forward to learning about your perspectives and plans via your responses to the short essay prompts. Essays complement the answers you provide throughout the application to show us your whole profile. The best applications are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and showing clear plans for the future.
Strong essays describe the impact of your achievement and clarify its connection to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term. We look forward to learning about the specific ways your achievement helped set you up for future success.
- Why are you pursuing an MBA? (150 words)
- Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (150 words)
- At Anderson, our mission is to prepare transformative leaders by developing students to think innovatively, problem-solve, and adapt to others – all with a driven and purposeful mindset. How do you plan to achieve your goals and develop into a transformative leader during your time at UCLA Anderson? (250 words)
Optional Essay
- No preference is given in the evaluation process to those who choose to respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)
Reapplicants
Reapplicants are those who submitted a completed MBA application within the previous two years (that is, who applied for the MBA program starting in 2023 or 2024) and received a final decision. The process to reapply is streamlined:
- Create a new application.
- Indicate on the Program page of the application that you are a reapplicant.
- Reapplicants are required to answer the first two Short Essay Prompts. It is suggested, but not required, to also answer the third Short Essay Prompt, as well as the Optional Essay.
- Submit only one new recommendation (can be same recommender as previous application)
- Watch for decision notifications according to the standard release schedule.
Click here for our advice on UCLA Anderson’s essay prompts.
Application Requirements for UCLA Anderson
Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
UCLA Anderson requires all applicants to have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent if the applicant graduated outside of the United States) and to provide official academic transcripts with their application.
Resume
All Anderson applicants must submit a resume with their application, even if they have less work experience than average. The school accepts very few “early career” applicants who have obtained fewer than two years of work experience. If you have less work experience than average, concentrate on highlighting your academic and learning skills! “Jobs held prior to completing your undergraduate degree may be listed if desired, but our focus is on post-baccalaureate experience,” the Anderson website states.
Recommendations
Anderson requires two recommendation letters from first-time applicants and one from reapplicants. In business school applications, obtaining a recommendation from a direct supervisor or a manager is usually the best option. “Choose recommenders who can speak to your work performance, capabilities, and potential for graduate studies and future career success,” the Anderson website notes. If you currently do not have a direct supervisor or manager, consider past supervisors, colleagues, or clients, based on your work situation. Family members, friends, and professors are typically not suitable recommenders.
Test scores
Anderson accepts the GMAT, GRE, and EA to fulfill the test score requirement. All applicants must provide a test score, though the school does not stipulate a minimum score. For the Class of 2026, the average GMAT score was 714 and the middle 80% range was 670–750. The GRE verbal average score was 162 and the quant average was 165 (no average EA is listed in the latest class profile). International applicants are also required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score.
Anything else?
An interview and three short essays are also required of Anderson applicants. Interviews are conducted on an invitation-only basis, typically by specially trained second-year MBA students who have only reviewed the applicant’s resume beforehand—not their application. These are some of the questions that are commonly asked during Anderson interviews:
- Tell me about yourself/walk me through your resume.
- Why do you want an MBA? Why UCLA?
- What will an MBA offer you that you haven’t been able to get from your professional experiences?
- What are you short- and long-term goals?
- What is your Plan B if your goals do not materialize?
Anderson UCLA FAQ
What is UCLA Anderson best known for?
Due to its location in Los Angeles, Anderson has strong ties to the entertainment business. To this end, the school offers an entertainment career path, an Entertainment Management specialization, and access to the UCLA Center for Media, Entertainment and Sports. Anderson is also well known for sending roughly a fourth (25.8% in 2023) of its graduates to work in the technology industry. The school’s proximity to Silicon Valley allows students to easily network within the industry.
How much does tuition cost?
The cost of attendance for the Anderson full-time MBA program is $128,687 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This includes tuition for three semesters, housing and food, health insurance, and such additional fees as transportation and books.
How difficult is it to get accepted into UCLA Anderson?
As is the case with all top-ranked business schools, Anderson has a competitive acceptance rate. In 2023, the school received 2,182 applications and admitted 881 applicants. This means that approximately 40.4% of applicants received an invitation to join the program. Out of the 881 applicants who were admitted, 296 decided to enroll.
UCLA Anderson may be best known for its strengths in technology and entertainment, but do not let a school’s reputation steer you elsewhere if it doesn’t seem like a perfect match right away! Anderson graduates also accept positions in such fields as financial services, consumer products, health care, and real estate. The school’s central location in Los Angeles exposes students to a plethora of opportunities and sets them steadily on their chosen career paths.
Are you considering applying to Anderson? Whether you are looking for comprehensive MBA admissions consulting, hourly help, or perhaps interview prep, we at Stratus Admissions Counseling can help you! Sign up for a free consultation today!