The UC Irvine Merage MBA: Why Now Is the Time to Apply
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Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern
Location: Online
Interested in starting your MBA this fall? Watch the recording and connect with the Merage admissions team to learn whether seats are still available.
Key Takeaways from the Event
In this Clear Admit webinar, Lindsay Haberman, Associate Director of MBA Recruitment and Admission at the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, shared why there is still time for qualified candidates to apply to the Merage Full-Time MBA program and begin this fall.
A major theme of the conversation was timing. Because the Merage MBA operates on a semester system, orientation begins after Labor Day and classes start later in September, giving applicants more runway than many MBA programs. Lindsay explained that Merage still has a limited number of seats available and can move quickly with candidates who are ready to apply.
The application process can also be expedited at this stage of the cycle. Applicants should be prepared to submit core materials such as a resume, transcripts, written essay, and video essay. Letters of recommendation may be completed later in the process, and interviews can happen quickly after submission.
Lindsay also highlighted several strengths of the Merage MBA, including its Southern California location, strong alumni presence across California, and career opportunities in areas such as technology, biotech, healthcare, medtech, real estate finance, consumer products, marketing, and brand management. The program’s smaller class size was presented as a major advantage, offering students close access to faculty, classmates, career advisors, and alumni.
Career support was another key focus. Merage begins working with students before classes start, helping them prepare for internship recruiting, networking, national diversity recruitment conferences, company treks, mock interviews, resume reviews, and offer negotiation. Lindsay emphasized that the Career Center’s highly personalized approach is one of the program’s major differentiators.
The conversation also addressed how AI is shaping the MBA experience. Lindsay shared that AI is now being discussed across the curriculum, from marketing and finance to healthcare and operations, and that students are gaining hands-on exposure through case studies, consulting projects, and faculty-led classroom work.
For candidates wondering whether they are a fit, Lindsay described successful Merage MBA students as engaged, community-minded, flexible, coachable, motivated, and willing to be “scrappy” in their career search. The program is especially well suited for applicants who want to take full advantage of the MBA experience through clubs, networking, case competitions, career events, and close collaboration with classmates and advisors.
The event also covered scholarships and affordability. Lindsay noted that scholarship funding is still available for qualified full-time MBA candidates, with awards currently available up to $50,000. She also discussed other ways students may manage costs, including graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, and graduate housing options.
For international applicants, Lindsay explained that applying now may still be possible, but visa timing could be a challenge depending on each candidate’s situation and country-specific appointment availability. International candidates already in the United States may have a more straightforward path, but interested applicants should connect with the Merage admissions team as soon as possible.
Overall, the session made clear that candidates who are serious about starting an MBA this fall should act quickly. The Merage admissions team is still open to conversations with prospective applicants and can help candidates understand whether applying now makes sense for their goals, timeline, and profile.
Reserve your spot
If UC Irvine Merage is on your radar, or if you are still evaluating MBA options for this year, indicate your interest via the form below:
