We welcome back Jelena Pejic, Associate Director, Graduate Recruitment & Admissions at the Boston College Carroll School of Management to talk about MBA admissions in this Admissions Director Q&A.
In her role, Jelena manages the MBA program portfolio. With over 13 years of experience recruiting and advising graduate applicants and students, she is an international higher education professional who is motivated to meaningfully influence students at a pivotal time in their lives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston University. Jelena grew up in the former Yugoslavia and relocated to the United States in 1997.
Read our conversation below to learn more about the application process this year, how to prepare for essays and interviews, what trends Jelena is seeing in admissions, and more.
Clear Admit: What is one aspect of your MBA program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Jelena Pejic: One aspect of the BC MBA that I wish applicants knew more about is how thoughtfully faculty integrate AI throughout the curriculum. Rather than treating AI as a standalone class or topic, BC weaves AI across multiple core and elective courses so students can learn how to apply these tools in real business contexts.
Our students have the opportunity to work with machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, and large language models while using real corporate data. The BC MBA curriculum recognizes that effective AI adoption requires more than technical skills and teaches students the importance of human judgement and how to ethically use AI to solve real business challenges that they are likely to encounter in their careers. This approach prepares our graduates not just to use AI tools, but to lead organizations and adapt them strategically and responsibly.
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?
JP: Once the application is submitted, it will enter the processing stage where the admissions team reviews submitted materials for completion, making sure that we received the required letter of recommendation, full transcripts, test scores (if not waived), essays and a resume. If the application is missing any of the required documents, our team will reach out to the candidate to request the missing materials.
When the application is marked complete, it gets assigned to an initial reader, trained to evaluate applications based on our holistic review process. The reader will assess a candidate’s academic readiness, professional experience, communication skills, leadership potential, and fit for the BC MBA program.
If an applicant meets the initial criteria for further consideration, they will be recommended for an interview. Interviews are conducted by trained second-year MBA students, staff members, or on occasion, BC MBA alumni. After the interview, the application will be brought to the committee for a final review. The committee will consider each candidate’s full profile, including leadership potential, academic aptitude, and contribution to the MBA community. Decisions are typically released on a rolling basis, the latest by the notification date.
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 applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing candidates should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
JP: We are looking for authenticity, professional direction, reflection, and potential to contribute to the BC community. Specifically, we would like to understand why you’re pursuing an MBA at this particular moment in your career. Why do you think BC is the right place for you? We would like you to tell us what you will bring to the classroom and our community. We encourage you to write about your own values, goals, and contributions to societal wellbeing.
I would also like to point out some common mistakes to avoid when writing your MBA essay:
1. Reusing generic essays across multiple MBA programs, which results in a lack of specificity and connection to a particular program. We’re looking for applicants to address our specific essay prompts as well as to take the time to research our program.
2. Restating your resume without providing any depth and context to your own professional background. Think of your essay as an opportunity to focus on your motivations that led you to where you are today and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
3. Lack of program alignment, failing to connect your goals with what the BC MBA experience offers. Again, we’re looking for evidence that an applicant has researched our program and is genuinely interested in what the BC MBA has to offer.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately what percentage of applicants are invited to interview, who typically conducts interviews, and what should candidates expect in terms of interview style and format?
JP: Interviews are by invitation only and are extended to applicants whom the admissions committee would like to learn more about before making a final decision. While the percentage may vary by round, we typically interview a significant portion of applicants who demonstrate strong academic aptitude as well as professional and personal potential in their application. Interviews are designed to assess fit while giving the candidates a chance to engage meaningfully with the program and the community.
Interviews are typically conducted by trained, second-year MBA Admissions Fellows, members of the admissions committee, or alumni on occasion. Interview questions are based on a candidate’s application and include behavioral-type questions. You can expect to be asked about your career goals, past professional experiences, and reasons for pursuing an MBA at BC.
We recognize the importance of ensuring that all applicants, domestic and international, have equal opportunities to interview for the program and offer both, in person and virtual, modes of interviews.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
JP: Yes. While the core process for international candidates is the same as for domestic candidates, there are a few important items that international candidates should keep in mind:
1. Ensure that you have all of your application materials ready. This may include evaluations of international transcripts by third-party agencies such as WES. Transcript evaluations can take a lot of time. Please make sure to start that process as early as possible.
2. Make sure to submit your application by the recommended deadlines for international students. If admitted, you’ll need to begin the F-1 visa application process, which includes gathering necessary financial documentation that demonstrates the ability to finance your education in the United States. This can be another lengthy process which is why submitting your application by those deadlines is important.
CA: Conversations about MBA value often center on jobs, salaries, and ROI. What are some of the other ways students benefit from the MBA experience that may be harder to quantify upfront?
JP: Personal and professional growth is often overlooked. An MBA program pushes students to become more confident decision makers by immersing them in unfamiliar industries, complex business challenges, and exposing them to different perspectives. Here, students learn to think more strategically, communicate more effectively, and lead through ambiguity and uncertainty. These are the skills that students will tap into long after graduation.
Another valuable component of the MBA program is the network and the relationships that students build with each other, faculty, alumni, and industry partners. These are the sources of lifelong mentorship, collaboration, and support. Because so much learning happens through team projects, classroom discussions, and extracurricular activities, students develop a deeper appreciation for different leadership and problem solving styles.
I also think applicants underestimate or don’t think about just how much the program changes the way they approach advancement in technology and innovation. As mentioned earlier, BC’s MBA curriculum often evolves as it integrates new technology such as AI, across various core and elective courses. This approach helps graduates become more adaptable and better prepared to lead organizations through technological change, regardless of their chosen industry or function.
CA: Are there any trends in the applicant pool, admissions process, or MBA experience that you are particularly focused on right now?
JP: We’re noticing that applicants are applying to more MBA programs than ever before, which makes it especially important to demonstrate why the BC MBA program is the right fit. The strongest applicants take time to research the programs, connect with our community, and write essays that are specific to Boston College, rather than submitting a generic essay they could send to any school. They clearly answer the prompts, connect the goals to what BC offers, and show that they’ve done their research on the program.
The same principle applies to the interview. Strong candidates show up prepared to have thoughtful, authentic conversations rather than delivering preconceptualized and rehearsed answers. They understand their career goals, can speak to why an MBA is the right next step, and explain why they believe Boston College and our MBA program are the right fit.
We want our applicants to be intentional. A well thought out and crafted application that shows genuine interest in BC is more memorable than one that feels generic. The extra effort and finishing touches not only strengthen an application, but also help the admissions committee better understand how a candidate will contribute to and benefit from the BC MBA community.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
JP: One aspect of the BC MBA that deserves more attention is the level of personalized support students receive through their MBA experience. From the moment students enroll in the program, they start to work closely with their dedicated career advisor who takes time to understand their goals, strengths, and aspirations. Rather than a one size fits all approach, students receive individualized coaching on everything from career planning and networking to interviewing and salary negotiations.
Our alumni network is another defining strength of the program. BC alumni are known for being engaged and willing to help the BC community by offering mentorship, sharing industry insights, facilitating connections, and opening doors to new opportunities. Those relationships often begin during the MBA program, but continue well beyond students’ time at Chestnut Hill.
Together, the personalized career support and the strength of the BC alumni community create an environment where students are not navigating their career journey alone. They have a dedicated team invested in their success and lifelong network that continues to support them through their personal and professional journey.
