In this Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Chris Jones, the Assistant Director, Recruitment for all MBA Programs at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management.
With an extensive background in graduate recruitment and career education, Chris currently manages the entire professional MBA portfolio. Originally from the UK, he graduated from the University of Nottingham and has worked almost exclusively in the graduate recruitment and higher education field with multinational organizations like Deloitte, Sun Life Financial and currently with the University of Toronto. Chris is a keen runner, cyclist and soccer player/enthusiast.
Keep reading for his insights into the application process, the value of the Rotman MBA, and advice for prospective applicants.
Clear Admit: What is one aspect of your MBA program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Chris Jones: Unique experiential learning and global programming. MBA students may select from a wide variety of global and experiential learning opportunities to take their future employability to the next level. This includes our Global Manager Initiative; a standalone program designed in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and the Ontario government. It allows students to earn up to 3 academic credits while actively building a Canadian company’s international reach. Furthermore, students can leverage international exposure through three distinct pathways: International Exchanges: Spending a full academic term abroad at an elite partner business school. Doing Business Internationally (DBI): two-week, intensive regional immersions targeted at emerging markets. International Study Tours & Practicums: travel opportunities structured to analyze localized market risks and corporate ecosystems firsthand. These additional learning opportunities allow student to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world environments by providing hands-on experience.
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?
CJ: Once a candidate has submitted a completed application our next step is for the admissions team to review all submitted documents. We focus on 3 key components, intellectual horsepower, work experience/extra-curricular, and communication skills. Those that meet our minimum requirements will be asked to complete a video interview and several timed written answers that focus on their career goals and leadership experience. Some candidates may also be interviewed in person by the admissions team. Once complete we can then make an offer decision.
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?
CJ: Rotman has recently removed the essay from the application. We now ask candidates to complete the essay component as shorter form pieces based on several questions related to their career goals, leadership and working experience. This is done using an online tool as a time written response. They will be asked to complete this section once an application has been submitted.
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?
CJ: Interviews have also been moved online using a video tool, candidates will be asked to complete this section of the application process after submission. Only candidates that meet our minimum requirements will be asked to complete this section.
CA: If your admissions process includes any video-based components, such as video essays or recorded interview responses, what advice would you offer applicants preparing for this part of the process?
See above, almost all our interviews are via a video recording. We believe this is easy for candidates and they can complete this section in their own time. It is important that you prepare as if you would for a HR style competency-based interview. Please ensure you have a strong internet connection, professional attire and a background that does not cause any distraction for the reviewer.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
CJ: Always be aware of the time required from applying to matriculation. Apply early in the recruitment cycle. This gives you the best chance for higher scholarships and securing student accommodation. Furthermore, applying for a study permit can be time consuming. Processing times for Canada can vary from region to region, so we encourage students to apply as early as possible. Early applications to the MBA will always make the process smoother.
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?
CJ: Rotman not only provides student with solid business fundamentals which you would expect from a top business school but also weaves in self-development. Offered throughout the program and delivered by Rotman’s renowned Self-Development Lab. Students work on intensive feedback-based learning activities aimed at developing and nurturing your communicative, interactive, and interpersonal skills. This can then lead in a more advanced Leadership Development Lab for qualified students who wish to deepen and accelerate their development as leaders. The activities of the LDL are viewed by many of its alumni as the ‘single-most transformative experience’ of their time at the school.
CA: Are there any trends in the applicant pool, admissions process, or MBA experience that you are particularly focused on right now?
CJ: While always important, return on investment is a key component for applicants. As candidates evaluate our program, they want to ensure that they develop skills that employers value. As technology reshapes the workplace there is increased expectation that the MBA will deliver the essential tools for success. This leads to increased conversations around AI. Connecting it back to ROI; questions on how AI is taught and a growing interest in hands-on AI experiences, especially those tied to decision-making and strategy development, are frequently asked questions during the recruitment process. AI is embedded in Rotman’s Curriculum with many elective courses on AI topics.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
CJ: I would like to highlight Rotman’s Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), one of the world’s fastest-growing venture labs. It provides an objectives-based mentorship and commercialization framework for early-stage, massively scalable, science and technology-based companies. Rather than acting as a traditional incubator, CDL focuses on bridging the gap between technical insight and business judgement by connecting technical founders with seasoned entrepreneurs, angel investors, and world-leading scientists.
Our entrepreneurship and Innovation elective offers students practical experience working with world-class investors and entrepreneurs. The course is designed to provide students who want to pursue startup experiences with the learning and training to evaluate and build early-stage tech businesses. Rotman participants are chosen for their high potential as strategic thinkers and entrepreneurs. Working alongside their CDL partners, they develop financial models, evaluate potential markets, and fine-tune strategies for scaling.
