Data is at the forefront of many business-driven decisions today, and in order to leverage its benefit, corporations must hire capable individuals who are able to interpret and maximize data’s potential. The demand for business analysts has grown tremendously, with industry jobs such as operation research analysts projected to increase 23% in the next decade—nearly five times faster than the average growth predicted for all occupations—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Master’s degree programs in business analytics are a popular path for candidates, as indicated by the nearly 10% year-over-year enrollment growth among schools in Fortune’s ranking of the best online master’s in business analytics (MSBA) programs. And Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, the No. 1 online MSBA program, saw enrollment spike 64% between the 2020–2021 and 2021-2022 academic years.
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The popularity of Tepper’s program may boil down to the school’s reputation, along with the format of the online MSBA and the post-graduation results for students. The program can be completed in about 20 months and is only available as a part-time option. Instructors hold weekly live class sessions, and the programadditionally features three optional on-campus events throughout the degree program. The program has a strong return on investment, as well: In 2021, 84% of students who graduated secured a promotion or new position within three months of graduating, says Kevin Dietrick, director of the MSBA program at Carnegie Mellon University.
Students hoping to join the ranks of Tepper’s top-tier program must be strong, well-rounded applicants. In the 2021-2022 academic year, students accepted to the MSBA program had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.49 and an average of 7.6 years of work experience. Tepper’s overall acceptance rate was 66%. Texas A&M University and University of Texas at Dallas, Fortune’s No. 2 and No. 3 schools on the best online MSBA ranking, had an acceptance rate of 81% and 52% respectively.
So how do you articulate to the admissions team that you’re a unique and qualified individual who’ll contribute to Tepper’s culture positively? What follows are 6 tips for making an impression and getting into Tepper.
1. Consider if Tepper is right for you
Tepper’s part-time program usually attracts candidates who are strong multi-taskers. Students take two classes about every seven weeks, Dietrick says, and each course is designed to require about 10 hours of extra time outside of the classroom each week. Therefore,multitasking is absolutely key.
“That ability to juggle multiple balls in the air at one time is really important,” Dietrick says. “That sort of begets this idea that there is a level of work ethic that needs to be ingrained within students when they get into the program, as well.”
It’s also important to consider your career goals when applying. If you’re looking only for the technical side of a master’s in business analytics, then Carnegie Mellon may not be the best fit, says Kari Calvario, the director of master’s admissions at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. “If you just want to be a number cruncher, this probably isn’t the program for you, because our program is going to gear you towards being able to communicate.”
2. Envision yourself at Tepper
Tepper’s application is designed to filter in individuals who are supportive classmates and dedicated students, Calvario says.
“There is a specific type of student that is successful at Tepper,” Calvario says. “They’re collaborative, they want to be a team player, they want to help their classmates succeed as much as they want to personally and professionally succeed.”
Although the program is rigorous, Dietrick says that Tepper offers a support system that makes juggling school, work, and family obligations more feasible.
“It’s super important that candidates consider that you’re not going through the program alone. You’re going through with a cohort of others who are going through the same thing as you and there’s also a full program staff here on the other side,” he says.
3. Demonstrate your critical thinking
The candidate pool at Tepper is competitive and smart, Dietrick says, which is why you will need to stand out. Focus on demonstrating your critical thinking and creative skills to admissions instead of worrying too much about your application components.
“What I want to see and what we look at in the application is how have you, or how do you, exhibit your creative and critical thinking skills in your undergrad institution and your work, if you’re currently working? Or even outside of those areas, how do you show that?” Dietrick shares.
These skills are going to be important as the field progresses and can propel you further, Dietrick says. “I think more and more as we get into the future, [the field] is going to require that creative and critical thinking skill set that I’m really looking for in the application.”
4. Consider your experiences
Be sure to highlight all of your unique work and educational experiences—such as any initiative you’ve taken to improve your analytics skills—because your undergraduate degree alone may not telegraph that you’re a good fit for the program.
“Tepper is an analytical program,” Calvario says. “It doesn’t mean that it’s only a one size fits all or you have to be from this set of undergraduate majors. What the admissions committee is going to look for is aptitude—what has a candidate done from a technical nature? Maybe it’s from their work, maybe it’s a certification.”
But don’t stress if you lack technical experience. Though this knowledge doesn’t hurt, it’s not a necessity prior to enrolling in the program. “We’re looking for aptitude,” Calvario says. “We’re looking for the ability to be successful academically in the program, and that can come in lots of different ways.”
5. Don’t be afraid to share supplemental info
Applications can feel overwhelming and be an intimidating process. While it’s good to think of your application as a highlight reel, Dietrick says it’s okay to show the real version of yourself, too.
“Don’t be afraid of submitting supplementary material. If you had that one bad grade in college or if there’s a one-year gap on your resume, I’d rather know the whole story and be able to make a decision based on that,” Dietrick says.
Sharing some extra info can also help fill in the gaps that traditional applications can sometimes leave behind—and ensure that the admissions team doesn’t have to play a guessing game about your qualifications, Dietrick says.
6. Think holistically about your application
Applications are an unavoidable component of every master’s degree program, and all of the information is useful to admissions teams. That’s why it’s important to think about how the various elements of your application tell a story about your eligibility and interest in pursuing a business analytics degree.
“Think about your application as a holistic one. Every part of that application matters,” Dietrick says. “We’re not just going to sit down and take a look at the statistics. We look at everything because we’re trying to really pull people into this program who want to drive impact.”
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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