At the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, we often are asked what makes an outstanding applicant. Like many schools, we consider the whole application; there is not one particular factor on which we base our decision. We are interested in students who want to partner with and have a substantial impact on the direction of the school. Because of the collaborative nature of our program, each student counts, and it is nearly impossible to be anonymous. We empower our students to take risks, to grow as leaders, and to develop their team skills. It is always important to demonstrate through your application that you are bright, motivated, and are interested in making a contribution to the classroom as well as the extracurricular activities in which our students are involved.

So how can you stand out from the hundreds of applications? Take advantage of the resources that are offered: Visit the program, meet with an admissions officer, speak with current students. If you do your homework on the program, beyond just looking at the rankings and the website, you should have a good idea of how you will fit in. Once you have done that, take the time to tell us about yourself and what you can bring to the program as well as what you want to get out of it.