In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we hear from Ivone Foisy, Assistant Dean of Enrollment at the University of Rochester Simon Business School.
Ivone is a seasoned enrollment management professional with over 20 years of experience. She began her career in Boston where she worked at several undergraduate offices of admission including Stonehill College and Boston College. Most recently, Ivone led a graduate admissions team at Emory University. Ivone is committed to ensuring that all students are prepared to make a transformational and meaningful impact in an ever-changing business landscape. Ivone earned her BA and MA in communications and public relations at Suffolk University, in Boston, MA.
Keep reading to get Ivone’s insights into admissions, how to approach your essays and interviews, and the benefits of Simon’s MBA program.
Clear Admit: What is one aspect of your MBA program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Ivone Foisy: Beyond rigorous preparation, our program provides students with the opportunity to apply enduring skills and responsive solutions through extensive experiential learning opportunities. From access to entrepreneurs in residence through our Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to Simon Vision Consulting—a student-led, pro bono organization—our MBA program ensures that students graduate ready to make a transformational 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: 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?
IF: Essays are a key component to a candidate’s application. They can help address why a student is interested in pursuing a particular program, highlight specific career goals, and explain how their background will make them successful at the institution. A very common question we have been receiving lately is around the use of AI tools to help write essays. While we discourage the use of AI to write essays, we also understand it can be helpful in overcoming writers block or help with grammar and punctuation. If you do use AI as an aid, be sure to infuse the essay with your own voice. AI will never be able to tell your unique story like you can!
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?
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 annual signature events. Check out our website to learn more about upcoming events.
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?
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. We highly recommend making use of the video essay—and remember to be yourself!
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 close-knit, collaborative community. International students bring rich cultural history and global perspective to our class discussions, group projects, and campus life.
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?
IF: The MBA program at Simon is small by design. Our goal is to provide a personalized experience that is tailored to help each student achieve their goal. Expert faculty take the time to know students by name and the Benet Career Management Center includes industry professionals who know and understand the skills students need to acquire and demonstrate to prospective employers.
Experiential learning also looks unique in a smaller community. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, challenge themselves in new ways, and think about business differently through club roles, international immersions, and case competitions.
CA: Are there any trends in the applicant pool, admissions process, or MBA experience that you are particularly focused on right now?
IF: AI continues to be an important consideration for many prospective students—both its use in the admissions process as well as in how AI tools and analytics are emphasized in our programs. Simon faculty are leading the way in these areas and bringing that expertise to the classroom. In addition, MBA programs continue to draw candidates from all over the world and are an ideal environment to learn about the global business landscape.
We are excited to announce a new AI in Business Online Graduate Certificate, which is enrolling for fall study right now, as well as our DBA program that just enrolled its inaugural cohort.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
IF: At Simon, we are committed to your academic, social, and professional development. We prepare analytical and adaptive problem-solvers to move people, ideas, and industries forward. Simon’s blend of real-world experiences and results-driven coursework ensure students graduate ready to make an impact. Our small, personalized community is designed to support students every step of their educational journey. This begins with the admissions process where our dedicated counselors are ready to demystify the application process, help you define your story, and submit the best application possible.
We hope the next chapter of your story will be written at Simon!
