In this edition of our MBA Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruiting & Admissions at the Texas McCombs School of Business.
Rodrigo is originally from Brazil and immigrated to the United States during high school. He earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business in 2007, and his bachelor’s degree in management from Missouri State University in 2000. Before and after his MBA, Rodrigo worked for Fortune 100 companies in internal audit and marketing within the telecom and technology industries.
One of Rodrigo’s proudest moments was becoming a U.S. citizen in 2008, the same year he joined Texas McCombs as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions and Lead Diversity Recruiter for the full-time MBA Program. He now serves as the Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions, overseeing Texas McCombs’ Full-Time, Evening, Weekend – Dallas, Weekend – Houston, and Executive MBA programs.
Rodrigo is passionate about building a collaborative and inclusive educational environment where individuals can be their authentic selves. He lives in Austin with his husband and their three dogs, and he enjoys margaritas and tacos. Rodrigo invites you to connect with him on LinkedIn here.
For a deep dive into the McCombs MBA admissions process and Rodrigo’s insights into writing your best essay and nailing your interviews, read our Q&A below.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Rodrigo Malta: The transformative $20 million Hildebrand gift from Houston philanthropist and McCombs alumna Mindy Hildebrand (BBA ’86) will revolutionize our leadership development ecosystem in ways that prospective students are just beginning to discover. This monumental investment from one of our own graduates – who understands firsthand the power of a McCombs education – has named the Hildebrand MBA program, creating full-tuition scholarships alongside enhanced leadership programming across all five of our MBA programs.
What makes this extraordinary is that Hildebrand Scholars, selected for their potential as future CEOs and founders, receive personalized leadership coaching, executive presence development, and strategic thinking workshops that create an intergenerational network designed to change the world. Combined with our leadership in AI excellence and STEM-designated pathways, this unparalleled environment develops both the technical acumen and executive presence that today’s organizations desperately need, preparing graduates to lead with purpose at the intersection of technology, business, and humanity.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
RM: After submission, all applicants complete our required video assessment within seven days – five prompts allowing 1-3 minutes each to share your story directly. Here’s what I love about this approach: it gives everyone the same shot to shine while cutting through the noise of traditional metrics. You’ll also have the opportunity for an optional virtual interview with current MBA students, focusing on behavioral questions and motivation.
Our committee conducts a holistic review across three key areas: academic aptitude, work experience and leadership potential, and motivations for choosing McCombs. The beauty of our process is that we don’t use fixed weights – instead, we’re like storytellers, weaving together all the pieces of who you are as a person and future business leader. After our review, the committee makes one of three decisions: admit, waitlist, or deny. All Full-Time MBA applicants are considered for merit-based scholarship opportunities, so admitted students learn about any scholarship awards right when they get their acceptance.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
RM: Our two 250-word essay prompts are designed to let you showcase different facets of your story – your leadership journey, your motivation for pursuing an MBA at McCombs specifically, and who you are as a person. When I’m reading essays, I’m looking for specific examples that serve as proof points for whatever you’re telling me. Depending on the prompt, that might mean sharing how you’ve collaborated with others, navigated challenges with integrity, or made an impact in your community. Think of these essays as your chance to pull back the curtain and show us the moments that truly define you.
Here’s what gets me excited when reviewing applications: reflection that connects your experiences to your MBA motivations and how McCombs fits into your personal and professional journey. Don’t just tell me what you accomplished – show me how you’ve grown, what insights you’ve gained about yourself, and how these experiences shaped where you want to go next. I want to understand your thought process and see your values in action.
Let me be straight with you about what trips up applicants: generic responses without concrete examples, exceeding word limits, and rehashing your resume. Instead, give me stories that illustrate your character and leadership potential while demonstrating genuine reflection on what you learned and why our program makes sense for your goals.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview and what is the nature of the interview? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2025-2026 admissions season?
RM: Here’s where our “Human-Centered, Future-Focused” values really come to life through two complementary components. First, all applicants complete our required video assessment – a dynamic, structured format with five prompts that enables us to experience the real you beyond test scores and transcripts while reducing bias in our evaluation process.
Second, all applicants are invited to complete an optional virtual interview with current MBA students from our Ambassador Committee. These aren’t your typical stiff interviews – they’re genuine 20–30-minute conversations focused on collaboration, motivation, and giving you the chance to ask real questions about the student experience. Our student ambassadors provide authentic insights while allowing you to demonstrate your fit with our collaborative community.
Both virtual interviews and video assessments will continue for the 2025-2026 season, ensuring accessibility regardless of location. I’m particularly excited about this dual approach because it creates multiple pathways for you to showcase different strengths. The video assessment gives us consistent evaluation criteria across all candidates, while the optional interview offers that personalized touch where current students can share insights about McCombs life and relay additional context about your candidacy back to our admissions committee.
CA: If your application features an impromptu video interview/video essay, how does it differ from the main interview? What should applicants know about this step in the process?
RM: Our required video assessment serves a different purpose than the optional peer interview. While the interview focuses on behavioral dialogue with current students about collaboration and motivation, the video assessment is a structured evaluation tool where all applicants respond to five questions covering different competencies. We have a wide variety of questions for each of the competencies, which keeps things fresh and ensures we are getting authentic responses rather than rehearsed answers.
Here’s what I hope you take away from the video assessment: you get seven full days to complete it after submitting your application, so you can prepare thoughtfully rather than feeling rushed. We’re looking for genuine responses that show us your communication skills, thought process, and personality. Honestly, don’t worry about being overly polished or formal – we want to see your natural communication style and how you think through ideas.
Together, these components create multiple pathways for you to showcase different aspects of your candidacy. The video assessment gives us consistency and fairness across every single applicant, while the optional interview offers that personal connection with our student community. Together, they reinforce what we’re all about: getting to know you as a complete person and future leader, not just a collection of stats and achievements.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
RM: International students should know that McCombs has a deep commitment to global perspectives – 29% of our current class comes from over 32 countries and varied cultural backgrounds, representing various points of view that enrich classroom discussions and learning environment. We value the unique insights and experience that international students bring to our community.
From a practical standpoint, ensure your English proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) are submitted if required, and don’t hesitate to elaborate on any academic or professional experiences that might not be immediately familiar to a U.S. admissions committee. Use your essays and video assessment to provide context about your background, your country’s business environment, or unique challenges you’ve navigated.
Take advantage of our optional interview opportunity to ask questions about student life, career services support for international students, and how our alumni network can support your career goals. Our current international students serving as interviewers can provide valuable insights about their own experiences transitioning to Austin and McCombs.
Remember that Austin’s tech ecosystem and our proximity to major business hubs throughout Texas create exceptional opportunities for international students to build networks and explore career paths in the U.S. market. Our career services team works closely with international students to navigate visa requirements and connect with employers who value global perspectives. Your international background is welcome here and it’s essential to the collaborative learning environment that defines our community.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
RM: This is a tough question because one of the aspects that differentiates the Texas McCombs MBA experience is the big, American college experience, and there are so many great spots on campus! As a student (and in my case, staff) on a vibrant college campus, you have access to museums, performing arts centers, athletic events, and more.
If I had to pick one…. I would say my favorite spot on campus is Gregory Gym. It brings back fond memories from MBA graduations, as this is where the ceremonies are held. Additionally, Gregory Gym is home to Texas Women’s Volleyball, which is great fun in the fall. The team has won national championships and includes future Olympians. It’s wonderful to see the brand in action and the passion of the Longhorn community.
