Get an insider’s perspective of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management MBA program with Betsy Ryan, MS, Senior Associate Director of Admissions for MBA & MS Programs in this Admissions Director Q&A.
Betsy has been a member of the Carlson School of Management MBA & MS team since 2016. Before holding her current role, she worked closely with CSOM MBA students as an academic advisor. She holds an MS degree in Counseling and has 15 years of experience in higher education, with a particular focus on adult and graduate student services.
Keep reading for her take on the Carlson admissions process, preparing for the in-person and video interviews, and her favorite aspects of life on campus.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Betsy Ryan: One of the standout advantages of the Carlson MBA program is our location in the heart of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul—a vibrant, diverse, and economically powerful region. The metro region boasts an exceptional concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, fast-growing startups, and mission-driven nonprofits, giving our students direct access to a wide range of industries including healthcare, finance, consumer goods, technology, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
Being deeply embedded in this ecosystem means our students don’t just study business, they experience it firsthand. Through networking events, guest lectures, and hands-on projects with real clients in our Carlson Enterprise program, students engage directly with industry leaders.
Our Midwest location should not be overlooked; it’s a strategic advantage that shapes the entire Carlson MBA experience from the classroom to the internship to post-degree careers!
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?
BR: We consider an application complete and ready for review once all required materials are submitted. We recommend applicants give themselves a few extra days before the deadline to ensure timely receipt of items, like letters of recommendation, official test scores, and English language proficiency reports.
Another reason to start early is our test waiver review process, which allows some applicants to qualify for a GMAT or GRE waiver. Starting your application well before the deadline gives you time to explore this option.
Once we receive the full application and supporting documents, we conduct an initial review to determine whether to invite the candidate for a live interview. The live interview helps us assess the applicant’s ability to clearly articulate their background, goals, and how the Carlson MBA aligns with their aspirations.
After the interview, the application moves to a formal review by our admissions committee. Many candidates are surprised by the number of high-level stakeholders involved in this process. We use a holistic review approach, which means no single factor influences the outcome. Every application is carefully evaluated before a final decision is made: admit, waitlist, or deny.
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?
BR: We place a high value on the personal essay because it reveals what applicants truly care about and how much effort they’re willing to invest in achieving their goals.
A trend we’ve noticed recently is that some candidates speak in very broad terms about why they’re interested in the Carlson MBA, such as highlighting our strong alumni network, excellent faculty, or impressive career outcomes. While these are all strengths we’re proud of, they’re also common to many top MBA programs, and such responses can feel surface-level and insincere.
The most compelling essays go deeper. They draw thoughtful, specific connections between the applicant’s goals and the unique features of the Carlson School: whether it’s our Enterprise program, our strong ties to the Twin Cities business community, or the innovative work coming out of our institutes and faculty research.
Show us that you’ve done your research, reflected on how you will leverage our features to achieve your goals, and more importantly, that you see Carlson School not just as a great MBA, but the best MBA for you.
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?
BR: Historically, we’ve interviewed just under 90% of all completed applications. These interviews are conducted by trained staff, faculty, and graduate assistants, and follow a mix of informational and behavioral formats. We assess candidates not only on the content of their responses but also on their communication skills.
While video interviews remain the preferred format for most applicants, we also continue to provide a limited number of in-person, on-campus interviews for those who want to take advantage of that opportunity. We encourage all candidates to select the style of interview in which they believe they will be most confident and comfortable.
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?
BR: Firstly, we advise candidates to carefully follow the directions within the application and don’t move through this step too hastily. Give yourself enough time to read the instructions to understand how the recording of the impromptu video essay will be captured.
Unlike the live interview, we use this step to assess how applicants think on their feet, communicate under light pressure, and express themselves authentically without extensive preparation. It gives us a glimpse into your personality, presence, and ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely in real time. You’ll have two full minutes to respond, which is plenty of time to give an impactful response to the prompt without rushing or having to leave out crucial details.
Don’t panic if you feel you’ve made a misstep while the recording is live, just pause, breathe, and recalibrate. Additionally, don’t stress out if you weren’t totally pleased with your final results, as we use a holistic review, and this is just one of many points of evaluation.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
BR: We would advise all international students looking to take advantage of a STEM-designated degree to apply to the Management Science MBA over the Full-Time MBA program at the Carlson School. You must select this at the time of application.
The core MBA experience is the same between these two degrees and the students share all the same coursework and program features. However, the Management Science MBA adds a layer of quantitative rigor and a STEM designation through a few extra degree requirements, which can be especially beneficial for international students and those pursuing data-intensive roles.
When starting your application, be sure to select Management Science MBA as your degree of choice if you want this benefit to apply to the 36-month OPT extension.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
BR: It’s hard to beat the fact that just steps from our building lies the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. This is a federally protected natural corridor that winds through the heart of the Twin Cities: from Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis, past the University of Minnesota campus, and on toward Saint Paul and beyond.
No matter the season (and yes, we experience all four in full), you’ll find breathtaking views, vibrant foliage, and plenty of outdoor activities to engage in along the riverbanks. Whether it’s a peaceful walk, a scenic bike ride, or catching a glimpse of the University’s crew teams practicing on the water, the river adds a unique and energizing element to the Carlson MBA experience.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or Carlson admissions process?
BR: One of my favorite things about our student community is their deep commitment to using their talents and expertise to make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
Carlson 4 Community aka C4C, founded in 2005 by Full-Time MBA students, embodies this spirit. It brings together students from across Carlson’s graduate programs, along with alumni and faculty, to support local causes and strengthen ties with the Twin Cities community.
As the leading student organization promoting volunteerism and community engagement, C4C offers numerous opportunities for students to give back. Its signature event, the Carlson MBA Charity Auction, is a beloved annual tradition that raises funds for a local nonprofit selected by the student body. It’s a powerful example of how Carlson students come together to lead with purpose and create positive change.
