MBA Insider: Admissions Q&A November 30, 2008, 3:21PM EST

Brigham Young Admissions Q&A

The admissions director of the Marriott School talks about what it takes to get into the MBA program and the special role religion plays at the school

Yvette Anderson
Brigham Young University

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Brigham Young University's Marriott School has a double emphasis: Its top-notch education and the teachings of Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints. Subsidized by the Church, the types of students who fit into this school, according to Yvette Anderson, the MBA Programs Admission Coordinator, are the ones who really buy into the spiritual emphasis and mission of the school—and that includes the fact that it is "stone-cold sober."

In fact, candidates who aren't Mormon might have a hard time fitting into the school, or at least they will have to explain themselves to the admissions committee. Once there, professors are nurturing and classes are small. In addition, the school offers a strong network for students' spouses and families.

The school still is academically rigorous despite its special religious emphasis, as it climbed to No. 22 in <BusinessWeek's 2008 Best B-Schools ranking. Of 397 applicants, 224 were admitted. Students just use their academics to give back to their communities, keeping the teachings of the Church near.

Anderson spoke with BusinessWeek's Alysa Teichman about Marriott's admissions process and school mission. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Are there any major changes to the application process this year?

No, we haven't made any major changes. We found our application gathers pretty much all of the information that we need from a prospective student.

Are you seeing more applications now than in recent years?

No, not at this point. However, I have received a number of phone calls from prospective applicants who have been laid off and are considering hanging out for two years in school. Applications compared with the previous year are steady at this point. We may see something as we get farther into the admissions cycle—actually, I expect we might based on conversations I've had on the phone, but at this point they're remaining steady.

So what effect is the economy having?

We did see a shift in the number who enrolled; our class filled quite early. We reached our enrollment before our last Fall '08 deadline. What came as a big surprise was two weeks before orientation, the number dropped from 165 to 149. Some of them paid enrollment deposits but could not sell their homes. They have deferred their admissions. Hopefully their situation will change, and we'll be able to pull them into the Fall '09 class. That was one factor, coupled with a few who did not want to let go of their job.

What's the most unusual or difficult essay question on your application, and what's your advice to students on how to answer it?

I guess our most unusual essay question has to do with the fact that we are a private university with religious orientation. The question has to go along with the goals of our MBA program, which include melding spiritual and secular truth in study and students' willingness to share their education with people of the world. This is a little different from many other schools. It challenges students to think differently in terms of their earning potential and what they will give back.

What do students tell you is the hardest part of the admissions process at your school, and how do you help them deal with it?

The application is pretty straightforward. I think some of them see the work experience component as a bit of a hurdle. What we try to do is help them understand how gaining that post-undergraduate work experience will benefit them in both interacting with case study teams and in job placement. Recruiters pretty much demand post-graduation job experience, but some students want to come in right after their undergraduate studies to streamline their education.

Do students apply in rounds, and are there any benefits to being in an earlier round?

They do. If we have someone on the bubble with their GMAT score, that gives them the opportunity to strengthen their application by studying again for the GMAT.