We are back at the University of Rochester Simon Business School, this time with Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, Ivone Foisy, in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series.
Ivone has over 20 years of enrollment management experience. In her current role as assistant dean of enrollment management at Simon, she oversees recruitment strategy, enrollment marketing, and financial aid for full-time, part-time, and online MS and MBA programs. As Simon expands its offerings to include the DBA and certificate options, she will oversee enrollment for those programs as well. Ivone is inspired by the stories and successes of students she has met throughout her career. Her enthusiasm for higher education is fueled by a commitment to expanding access to high quality educational experiences that prepare students to meet evolving challenges.
Read on for her insight and tips on the application process, the MBA program, and her favorite part of Simon’s campus.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Ivone Foisy: Simon prepares students for leadership in business through a series of applied learning experiences. A great example is Simon Vision Consulting, a student-led organization that delivers pro-bono consulting projects. Both MBA and MS students are invited to participate and throughout the course of 8–12 weeks, they work together to craft solutions for complex business challenges. These immersive and applied experiences offer our students the opportunity to hone their skills, work directly with clients in our community, and build their résumé. Our students graduate with the necessary skills and preparation to make an impact.
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?
IF: Once students submit their application, I hope they take a deep breath! The hard part is over. Our review process for admission is holistic. Each part of the application is carefully reviewed by our staff. We know the effort and time that students invest, and we are honored that they are considering a Simon education. Once an application is reviewed, we come together as a committee to make final decisions.
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?
IF: Interviews allow both the school and the prospective student to get to know each other and assess alignment with the school culture, values, and community. We enjoy the opportunity to connect with students on a personal level. Interviews are behavioral and typically conducted by our admissions team. We offer opportunities to interview virtually or in-person at an individual visit or during one of our Simon Community Weekends. Check out our website to learn more about upcoming events.
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?
IF: We offer an optional video essay for our Full-time MBA application. Taking advantage of this opportunity adds another dimension to your application, allowing the Admissions Committee to see you interacting with a question as opposed to the static application documents such as essays, résumé, and transcripts.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
IF: Yes, apply early! The process of applying and ultimately making an enrollment decision can be a bit longer for international students. We encourage students to apply early and if possible, to also deposit early. This allows ample time for students to secure a visa to study in the US. International students are also eligible for any of our merit-based scholarships.
We welcome and encourage international students to join our intentionally small and collaborative community. International students bring a rich cultural history, global perspective, and life experiences to our class discussions, group projects, and campus life.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
IF: The Rush Rhees Library. It is one of the most recognized landmarks on campus. Its tower lights up the night sky and is a beacon on campus.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
IF: Yes! Simon now offers a full-time MS program in AI in Business. In addition, AI has been integrated across programs and our curriculum. We have also launched a new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. We will welcome our first DBA cohort in the fall of 2026.
