One you might wish to consider is the highly ranked UBC Sauder School of Business. Located in Vancouver, UBC Sauder is known for its innovative approach to business education and focus on sustainability.
The school ranks first in Canada by Maclean’s, and second in Canada and 35th in the world by Times Higher Education.
To help you land a spot at this top institution and stand out in the highly competitive admissions process, we have put together an application insider to help you navigate the journey applying to UBC’s MBA, Master of Business Analytics (UBC MBAN), and Master of Management (UBC MM).
We spoke with Rodrigo Porto, director of recruitment and admissions at UBC Sauder, and Tsz Huen (Beth) Bai, a current UBC MBAN student, who shared exclusive insights and practical tips.
From preparing for the interview to submitting a memorable application, here’s what you need to know to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee at UBC Sauder.
Your guide to the UBC Sauder application
1. What are the key qualities UBC Sauder looks for in candidates and how can applicants demonstrate these attributes?
Rodrigo: UBC Sauder is a world-class institution, with pillars of inclusivity, diversity of perspectives and academic excellence. We seek individuals who embody these characteristics and have a strong alignment with our school’s three ‘R’ values: Rigor, Respect, and Responsibility. In addition to those, we look for individuals who want to actively contribute to a highly engaged and collegial community and aspire to become better versions of themselves.
2. How should candidates prepare their application to the MBA?
Rodrigo: Our essay questions have been carefully curated to give our applicants the opportunity to express their opinions, experiences, and demonstrate their emotional intelligence in areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), collegiality, and teamwork, and how they aspire to be better versions of themselves after their UBC Sauder degree.
3. What do you think made your application stand out?
Beth: I focused on my personal statements. One question was around demonstrating commitment to fostering DEI in the UBC Sauder community.
My response to this question helped me stand out as I could reflect on my experiences in the Global Engagement Office at City University of Hong Kong and my experience at an edtech company.
My work at the edtech company aligned with the EDI question as their goal is to promote equity by providing students in under resourced places with an English education.
4. What are some common mistakes in applications and how can applicants avoid these?
Rodrigo: A very simple one is grammar and the name of another school in their essays. Make sure you are proof-reading and submitting essays and materials that are aligned and addressed according to the school you are submitting your application to.
Another one is to not be yourself. I often see applicants expressing themselves apparently in a manner they think we want them to be, behave and engage with us. That cannot be any further from the truth. We want you to be yourself, absolutely be professional, well-researched and prepared, but let your personality and authentic self shine.
5. What role do exam results play in the UBC Sauder admissions process?
Rodrigo: UBC Sauder is a world-class institution, and we want to ensure that everyone who joins UBC Sauder is well-equipped academically, so exams and academic transcripts and grades are important, but they are not the one thing that makes or breaks an application. We assess every application holistically and all aspects of it have equal weight and consideration.
We bring a multi-disciplinary team to assess every application to ensure we get to know you and that we are, truly, assessing your application in the most holistic and complete way.
READ: How This Canadian University Is Innovating The Business School Experience
6. What advice would you give to applicants aiming for a competitive GMAT or GRE score?
Beth: I submitted GMAT scores, as I found it a better fit for me compared to the GRE. Preparing while working full-time, I took courses to understand the task format and focus on key areas, and I spent around four months on it.
If you know you want to go to business school you can start early, so that you won't be rushed when the application deadline approaches.
7. Can you share some surprising moments while reviewing applications to UBC Sauder?
Rodrigo: The most surprising thing was when someone had their grandmother join the congratulatory offer of an admissions Zoom call. They were first-generation university students and the first to be joining a top business school for their MBA—it was remarkable and a moment I treasure to this day.
8. What's one piece of advice you'd give future applicants on how to stand out in front of the admissions committee?
Rodrigo: Don’t leave anything to chance. If you have grades that are not at the competitive level, let us know why. Connect with our team and tell us about your experiences through the many areas of your personal and professional life. I always tell applicants I meet 1:1, don’t let us assume anything. Be in control of your narrative and reach out to us, explain your situation and let us get to know you.
Beth: I think it's really important to show your personality and how UBC Sauder and the program aligns with your goals and values.
9. Can you share an insider tip about the application process at UBC Sauder that might not be widely known?
Rodrigo: At UBC Sauder we offer the opportunity to all admitted international students to receive expert support from our dedicated immigration counselor. He will advise our international students in all aspects of their study permit application to ensure the highest degree of success.
Beth: Apply in the first round. When I first applied to UBC Sauder it was in the final round, and I didn’t get in, but I think reapplying in the first round significantly increased my chances.
10. How important are professional references and cultivating relationships?
Rodrigo: With regards to the application, the most valuable referees are professional ones. Remember, this is a professional graduate program where 99% of the students are seeking a job/career/business related outcome after graduation, so I urge applicants to always submit professional supervisory references.
More broadly, references and maintaining authentic relationships are key for one’s professional life and advancement. When you join the UBC MBA, the Business Career Center has lots of resources about the art of networking and how to build solid and long-lasting professional relationships.
