The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
November 13, 2008
Chat with Berkeley MBA Admissions Team
Corinne Kang, Associate Director of Admissions
Cindy Jennings Millette, Assistant Director of Admissions
Kara Hayman, Assistant Director of Admissions
Lee, Vina, and Katie, Moderators
Lee_Moderator
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA Admissions chat. My name is Lee, and Vina, Katie and I will be moderating the chat today. Joining us will be Corinne Kang, Associate Director of Admissions, and Cindy Jennings Millette and Kara Hayman, Assistants Director of Admissions. Please send us your questions!
Kara_Berkeley
Good afternoon and thank you for your interest in the Berkeley MBA Program at the Haas School of Business. My name is Kara Hayman and I am Assistant Director of Admissions. I look forward to answering your questions.
Corinne_Berkeley
Hello and thank you for joining us today! My name is Corinne Kang and I am the Associate Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA program. I look forward to answering your questions today on the chat!
Cindy_Berkeley
Welcome! My name is Cindy Jennings Millette, and I am Assistant Director of Admissions. I'm ready to answer your questions. Go Bears!
Lee_Moderator
Hi all, this is a moderated chat. Your questions are put into a queue to be answered, do not be alarmed if we do not respond to you immediately. It is best if you send one question at a time and please do not resend your questions multiple times. They will not be answered more quickly and it may slow us down.
Karen
What makes Berkeley's MBA program unique from other MBA programs?
Cindy_Berkeley
One way that Haas is unique is the small, collaborative culture and "confident without attitude" student body. Another way that Haas stands out is through the many ways that students can participate in a number of experiential/real-world learning opportunities.
alex
as a prospective MBA interested in International Business/Management, how does Berkeley stand out?
Corinne_Berkeley
Alex - The wealth of international opportunities, as well as a diverse student body which includes almost 40% international students, contributes to the strength of our Global Management program. We have experiential learning opportunities such as the International Business Development program, study-abroad programs, as well as a certificate in Global Management!
Connie
Is there a set core curriculum, or are students free to personalize their own?
Cindy_Berkeley
Connie, The curriculum is very flexible. 40% of the curriculum is core or required classes while 60% are electives that you choose. The entire second year of the program is made up of classes that you decide - You can choose to specialize in a specific focus or take a broad range of different courses. It's really up to you.
Daryl K
Could you please discuss the real estate programs and classes that Berkeley offers, and what portion of an MBA class typically focuses on real estate?
Kara_Berkeley
Daryl, core courses comprise 40% of the curriculum and elective courses comprise 60% of the curriculum. You can choose to take elective courses within the real estate group of electives. Please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/realestate.html for more information about real estate elective courses. You can also visit http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/realestate/ for more information.
Daryl K
How competitive would you say this year is compared to the previous few years, as far as admissions and number of applications? Thanks
Corinne_Berkeley
Daryl - It's still a little early to tell as we have only received applications for one out of our four application rounds. We did see an increase in the volume of that first round, so we'll see if that trend continues through to subsequent rounds.
Kat
Are students able to customize their program to their interests?
Kara_Berkeley
Kat - Yes, the curriculum is very flexible. Core courses comprise 40% of the curriculum and elective courses comprise 60% of the curriculum. Students choose their electives based on their own interests. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/curriculum.html for more information.
Hi there. I took a GE class called Anthro 7 from a community college; it does show up on my undergrad transcript with just the credits. Will I need to send a transcript from the community college? Will I have to list the community college under schools attended? Thanks.
Katie_Moderator
Hi May, Yes you need to list the community college as an institution you attended. If the class is reflected on your transcript with the name of the class and the number of credits you do not need to send a separate transcript. However, if you took any quantitative classes you will need to send the transcript because we will want to see the grade.
Antonio Caridad
Berkeley MBA students stand out in which fields of expertise? for example, investment banking, technology, real estate, marketing, etc.?
Corinne_Berkeley
Antonio - Berkeley MBA students pursue a broad range of professional fields. The ones that you mentioned - finance, technology, real estate, and marketing - are all key strengths of the MBA program! In addition, our students have great impact in other fields such as nonprofit, CSR, and energy. Many students also pursue an entrepreneurial route during their time at Haas or directly upon graduating.
Kat
Does Haas have a focus in venture capital?
Cindy_Berkeley
We do have a number of students that focus in venture capital. We have venture capitalists that have office hours on campus to answer current student questions. VCs come to campus to judge our two business plan competitions. We have a program called New Venture Fellows - details are on our website.
silverxrain125
I am a current Urban planning grad student at Berkeley. is there a joint program for people like me? how should I apply for mba?
Lee_Moderator
We have very few concurrent programs -- a JD/MBA and a MBA/MPH, along with an MBA/MA in International and Area Studies. These are the only concurrent programs currently offered. The best thing to do would be to apply for the MBA in the final year of your current program.
Matt H.
How does Haas view multiple GMAT exam attempts? Do you average scores? Take the best scores? Do you factor in previous attempts?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Matt, You may submit as many GMAT scores as you wish, as long as they are valid. The Admissions Committee considers all scores, but puts emphasis on the highest score. No, we do not average GMAT scores.
RGajwani
Do any Fulltime MBA student continue work? (If their work allows flexible hours)
Cindy_Berkeley
The first year we strongly discourage students from working at all. You're really busy. However, during the summer there are no classes and virtually all students have a summer internship. During the second year, some students continue working part time at the company where they interned. Some students also work as Graduate Student Instructors (GSI's) instructing the undergraduate students (which is a paid position).
Aymeric
Is it possible to participate simultaneously to multiple experiential learning opportunities?
Corinne_Berkeley
Aymeric - We offer so many experiential learning opportunities at Haas so yes - it is absolutely possible to participate in more than one!! For example, one could participate in the International Business Development program, in additional to serving as a Board Fellow and taking the elective we offer on strategic CSR and Consulting Projects!
rapai
Hello! Does the Adm. Office send an email to confirm that transcripts were received by mail?
Lee_Moderator
Once your application is set up, you will receive an email letting you know either that your application is complete or that there are missing materials. We are not able to verify whether we have received any individual's documents prior to setting up the application.
Kara_Berkeley
Career services actively supports students looking to change career paths and those looking to stay within the same industry. There are many opportunities for support from career advisors and 2nd year career coaches to name a few. In addition, our account manager team specializes in building connections with recruiters in varying industries. Visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/index.html to learn more about the opportunities offered through our career center. You may also wish to contact the Haas Student Ambassador team at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu for insight from current students.
Alvaro Koechlin
Hi. If I have already taken a course really similar to one core course of the MBA program, can I get a waiver on that course and take another course instead?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Alvaro, Yes, there are opportunities to waive out of core courses and take an elective in its place.
Meghan
I am interested in focusing in social enterprise. Berkeley has the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership. How does this program differ from other MBA social enterprise programs?
Cindy_Berkeley
There are a couple of unique programs within the Center for NP and Public Leadership. One is Social Sector Solutions where students work on consulting projects with McKinsey and Berkeley Board Fellows where students sit on the board of local nonprofits. There is a selection/application process to participate in these programs (up to 100 applications) but a good number (approx 60) have participated over the years.
Carla from Brazil
Does it make any difference for the candidate to be interviewed on campus?
Corinne_Berkeley
Carla - All interviews, whether they are conducted on campus or off campus, hold equal weight in the admissions process - there is no difference. The advantage for a candidate to interview on campus is simply that she or he has the opportunity to visit the campus and learn more about the culture and community at Haas.
Arte
Hello. I'm wondering, on the application it says to write about jobs during college. Should I include jobs that weren't academic? In other words, are you simply trying to see if I could balance work and school or are you looking for professionally relevant work experience?
Lee_Moderator
Arte, please list all your work experience during college. We are trying to evaluate you as a whole person, and all your experience contributes to that.
Kara_Berkeley
IBD involves a course in the spring semester of your first year and then an applied project for 3-4 weeks in the summer between your first and second year. This is an optional program but does include a selective application process if you are interested in participating. Visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/HaasGlobal/students.htm for more detail! Several of our Haas Student Ambassadors participated in IBD this year - feel free to contact them at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu for more insight.
Jo
Hi. My undergrad transcript actually includes the classes and credits I received from my semester abroad in Spain. However, two of the four courses I took at the Barcelona university are actually listed in Spanish - "Arte Precolumbino" and "Historia de las Ideas II". Is it necessary to provide a translation for this even though it's a part of my official Boston College transcript?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Jo -- even with my rudimentary Spanish, I can tell that those are not quantitative classes. Your Boston College transcript should be sufficient.
Carla from Brazil
I have the documents from my university with an "authentication stamp". Can I mail them directly to Haas or should I send the documents back to the school (another state in my country) so that people from there can send the package to Haas?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Carla, You may send the transcripts directly to Haas.
iraz
Given the current state of the economy and given the expectations regarding its long-term impacts, do you think there will be fewer opportunities for those of us who would like to pursue a career in the non-profit sector after we finish our MBA degree?
Corinne_Berkeley
Iraz - We have not yet seen any indication of a decline in career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Our Career Center and well as our Center for Nonprofit and Public Management offer extensive resources in this area to help students who are interested in pursuing careers in related fields.
Connie
I went to UCB for my undergrad, would this decrease my chance of being accepted into Haas MBA program?
Cindy_Berkeley
No. There seems to be a rumor out there that you are at a disadvantage if you attended UCB for undergrad. This is not true. We are looking for students who have performed well in undergrad. We also look at the rigor of the institution you attended, and difficulty of your major.
JoeJames
In what fields do most Berkeley grads end up in after graduation? Are there particular industries where a majority of graduates end up? My guess is that a lot of grads end up in the technology area due to your proximity to Silicon Valley.
Kara_Berkeley
JoeJames, Our students go into many different industries with varying functions. In fact, our employment reports show the diversity of interests among the Berkeley MBA students. While there are many industries represented, the top three industries are finance, consulting, and technology. Visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/employment_
reports.html
melissa fry
Is there a difference in admissions rates in the 2nd and 3rd rounds?
Cindy_Berkeley
The admission rates for each round tend to change from year to year. We do not have a quota for how many we admit in each round -- it depends on the strength of the overall pool. Rather than strategize which round to apply in, it is best to apply when you feel that you have the strongest application possible.
Kat
What is the average level of work experience students have?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Kat, Current students have an average of 5 years of work experience, and the 80% range is 3-8 years.
KC
If we submit an application many days/weeks before the deadline is it preferred to an application submitted on the deadline date?
Lee_Moderator
KC, all applications submitted for a particular round are considered at the same time. In fact, we are usually not able to set up applications well in advance of the deadline because we are working on the applications from the prior round.
Daryl K
Is an applicant at a real disadvantage if he or she can't visit the school in person ahead of applying? Thanks
Corinne_Berkeley
Daryl - We certainly encourage applicants to learn as much as they possibly can about the different MBA programs they are considering. At Haas, we offer a visitation program that allows prospective students to sit in on a class, have lunch with current students, and attend an information session conducted by our Haas Student Ambassadors - it's a wonderful way to learn more about the culture and community at Haas! However, from an admissions standpoint, there is no disadvantage if a candidate is not able to travel to campus before applying. We understand the challenge of finding the time and finances to be able to do so.
Irene
What is the percentage of students accepted with 2 years of work experience or less?
Kara_Berkeley
Irene, The middle 80% range of work experience for our first year students is between 3 - 8 years with a median of 5 years. So, there are students with less than 3 years of work experience and those with more than 8 years. Ultimately, it's really the quality of the work experience not the quantity that we consider most in the review of your application.
SebastianDelmastro
Does the transcripts and GPA must be done by some valid University unit? or a transcript from me will just do it?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Sebastian, We need an official transcript from your University.
Federico
one of the big differences I see in the Berkeley app is the 5 rounds, why do you do it this way instead of the 3 round process?
Lee_Moderator
Federico, we offer four rounds of MBA applications. We find that this suits both our work process and our applicants.
MingMingLiu
With the downturn in economy and losses in many schools' endowments, will Haas change the available MBA slots for class of 2011 to deal with the situation? Are there any potential cut-backs that would affect the quality of education for the incoming class?
Corinne_Berkeley
MingMingLiu - We have no plans to change the number of seats in the Full-Time MBA program - we are still targeting an incoming class size of 240 students. The quality of education at Haas is of utmost importance to the Dean and to the overall community. In fact, he is looking to increase the faculty in order to continue to improve the quality of education.
SarahP
Hello. I'm a California resident. Do you have admissions quotas regarding how many students you can/must accept as California residents?
Cindy_Berkeley
No. As a small part of the entire UC campus, we do not have quotas for how many we should accept from California. Our goal is to create a diverse class of students from all across the US and internationally (40% of the class is international.)
rsc
Is there any way we can contact current students? This year especially, are there going to be any seats left for the 3rd round?
Lee_Moderator
RSC, we do not put people in contact with our current students due to privacy concerns -- unless they volunteer to be contacted through our Haas Student Ambassadors (hsa@haas.berkeley.edu). Any yes, there will be seats available for Round Three (and Round Four) applicants.
Tim
What is the career services faculty to student ratio?
Kara_Berkeley
Tim, we have around 240 students in each entering class. While I do not have a specific faculty to student ratio, visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/faculty/ for more information on our Haas faculty. For more information on our Career Services staff, visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/staff.html
rsc
My undergraduate degree was a long time (13 years) ago. Official transcripts will be hard to get...are notarized photocopies ok?
Katie_Moderator
Hi rsc, unfortunately we will need an official transcript from your university.
Tito
How varied are the resumes and work experiences of the applicants you accept? Is there room for an applicant who took a slightly different path? For instance, I'm considering heading abroad and teaching English from January to August...would something like that hurt my chances, make me a more interesting candidate, or neither?
Kara_Berkeley
Tito, Our students have a diverse set of functions and industries with many varying career paths. There isn't one set career path that's more attractive than another. Ultimately, you want to show growth and increasing responsibility over time and help us understand why you made certain career choices. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community_02.html for our current student profile.
SebastianDelmastro
Can you describe the entrepreneurship program you have and how you differentiate from others? Thank You.
Corinne_Berkeley
Sebastian - Our top-ranked entrepreneurship program offers a number of resources and opportunities that allow our students to not just learn about the theories, but to actually move forward and take action. From extensive networking sessions to fellowship opportunities, from business plan competitions to an incubator on-campus, our students are able to successfully launch their entrepreneurial ventures! You can refer to our Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for more details: http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/main/index.html
Umesh
Is the Management of Technology concentration geared towards students who have a technology background, or can a student from any background pursue the certificate? I'm particularly interested in the intersection of media and technology, but have a consulting/economics background.
Kara_Berkeley
Umesh, the MOT courses and certificate path is open to all Berkeley MBA students regardless of background. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/classprofile.html for more information.
Aymeric
What is the proportion of applicant has a Master's degree? Is the chance to be accepted relatively higher or lower with a graduate diploma?
Corinne_Berkeley
Aymeric - 23% of our latest incoming class already hold a Master's Degree. A graduate degree does not greatly impact an applicant's chances of admission because there are so many other criteria which we evaluate as part of the admissions process.
Cindy_Berkeley
There are a couple of Haas scholarships that we offer that are open to all applicants to the Berkeley MBA program. Anyone who applies is automatically considered for the merit scholarship. This scholarship covers either 50 or 100% of your tuition costs. You are told at the time of admission whether or not you receive this award. The Haas Achievement Award is for individuals who have overcome significant hardship and there is an essay question to complete for that. Again, we'll let you know at the time of admission. We also have a new program started last year called Haas Grants where internationals students are provided with a 0% loan for a given amount of money to help cover tuition costs. This requires a separate application. Instructions will be provided to admitted students. More info about financial aid is here: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/mba/finaid/InternationalMain.htm
Kat
If I don't know what I'd like to do at this point (torn between many passions) but am looking at VC and a focus in marketing, specifically consumer behavior, what do I say in my essays?
Cindy_Berkeley
Kat, I'm afraid that I really can't tell you what to say in your essays. My best piece of advice is to write down what your first response to the questions (what rings true for you) rather than try to anticipate what the admissions committee wants to hear. That way, your responses will be more genuine and unique.
Hollie
Are on-site campus visits necessary and/or favored in the application process?
Kara_Berkeley
Often visiting is the best way to really get a sense for the community but we understand that not everyone is able to visit Haas. Ultimately, we are most interested in how you have familiarized yourself with Haas and encourage you to connect with Haas through our varying connection points.
alex
as an international applicant, on top of official transcripts, would it be helpful to include a transcript reviewed by an organization like World Education Services?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Alex -- we specifically ask that you do NOT send transcripts from an evaluation service. We have evaluators skilled in interpreting transcripts from all over the world. (Also, if your school is not on a 4.0 scale, do not attempt to convert your grades to that scale.)
Kara_Berkeley
Please include all jobs you held during college in the supplemental essay question, even if they were not academic positions. Ultimately, you want to help us understand the obligations you balanced and activities you were a part of during school.
Federico
one of the big differences I see in the Berkeley app is the 5 rounds, why do you do it this way instead of the 3 round process?
Corinne_Berkeley
Federico - We offer 4 rounds (not 5) in order to space out the timing and volume of applications. That being said, however, we do encourage candidates to apply in the first three rounds if at all possible. By the 4th round, many of the seats in the class will have already been filled, making it a slightly more challenging application round.
Kara_Berkeley
Our class size of 240 students lends itself to being very collaborative. Our community is very student-driven with many opportunities to contribute to what happens here at Haas. Overall, the community is welcoming with a very supportive learning environment. The connections you make are strong which creates a solid, life-long network.
Cindy_Berkeley
It is not the quantity but the quality of your professional experience which is most important. We like applicants to have at least two years of post-university work experience. The range for the middle 80% for those that we admitted in previous years is 3 - 8 years of work experience. We really are looking for individuals that show career progression over time, and demonstrate leadership and team skills. This is evident through reviewing your letters of recommendation, resume and essays.
KC
Per Arte's question about jobs, does this include summer jobs in between school years?
Lee_Moderator
Hi KC -- we're interested in all employment, both during school and over any breaks.
Eunnie
I studied one semester in other country as an exchange program. The courses I took and the grades that I received are excluded in a transcript at my school. The transcript only shows that I participated in the exchange program. is this okay?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Eunnie, We only need a transcript from your study abroad school if you took quantitative classes there. On the application you should include it as an institution you attended, and check "transcripts not needed."
guest08
Hello - how closely does the AdCom look at undergrad overall GPA vs. undergrad major GPA?
Corinne_Berkeley
Guest08 - We will consider both, but we look more closely at the overall GPA. In evaluating the GPA, we also consider other factors such as the caliber of the undergraduate institution, the degree of difficulty of the major, any upward trend in grades, etc...
Jae hyung
Does Haas have classes especially for PR or student activities?
Cindy_Berkeley
We do have a marketing focus -- Not to mention many of our students end up working in marketing post-MBA. To find out more about specific classes/focuses in marketing you might want to contact the marketing club: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/mktclub/
Karen
I know that the application process takes into consideration all factors including undergrad GPA, GMAT score, work experience, essays, etc. However, is there one in particular that Berkeley values over others?
Kara_Berkeley
Karen, It's definitely a very holistic review process. All parts are reviewed equally - academic aptitude, professional experience, and personal qualities. If you are invited to interview, that would be the final piece of review.
Nadia
is there a mandatory graduation project. Seminar?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nadio - There is no mandatory project that all students must complete before graduating. The curriculum is very flexible and can be tailored to each individual's needs and interests!
alex
is admission offered on a rolling basis? is applying in the 4th round a bad idea?
Corinne_Berkeley
Alex - Our admissions process is not on a rolling basis; we have four rounds with distinct application and notification deadlines. As I mentioned earlier, we do encourage applicants to consider applying in one of the first 3 rounds as there are fewer seats available in the class by the 4th round.
Matt H.
I am planning to switch careers into Finance, likely Institutional Asset Mgmt. That being said, I plan to use my MBA to really decipher where I want to go with my degree and hone into where exactly in finance I want to take my career. Does my lack of "knowing exactly what I want to do" hurt my application?
Kara_Berkeley
Matt H. - You want to have clear and logical short and long term goals in your application. While you may not know exactly what you want to do, you should have a clear idea of how an MBA will help you along your projected career path.
Cindy_Berkeley
You might want to listen to the admissions podcast or review the admissions criteria webpage to learn more: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/index.html
Aymeric
If I understand correctly, the transcripts have to be mailed. Must they arrive at Berkeley before the deadline of the application round in order to be considered?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Aymeric -- the transcripts must be postmarked by the deadline date, although it might be wiser to mail them a few days in advance.
Antonio Caridad from Mexico
what are the mean verbal and quantitative scaled scores necessary to be accepted?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Antonio, the mean GMAT score for last year's entering class was 714. There is no minimum score required for acceptance, but the admissions committee does look to the GMAT to gauge your quantitative proficiency.
rsc
If I took one-off courses at UCI, is it necessary to send that those transcripts also to UCB?
Lee_Moderator
RSC, if the class you took at USC was not quantitative, it is not necessary to send the transcript. You can fill out an educational history and check "Transcript not needed".
Jonny D from Santa Monica
I saw the previous questions pertaining to Real Estate curriculum. Can you please explain some specific classes in opportunities Berkeley might have in Real estate development as well as some of the programs with the Center for Real Estate?
Corinne_Berkeley
Jonny D - Our Real Estate group offers a number of courses, seminars, and mentorship opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in Real Estate Development. You can explore the offerings on the website at: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/realestate/index.asp
Nadia
Is MBA program units based program for the two years? or it will be a fixed schedule of courses? and will it be measured by courses / subjects. if it is a units based program, how many units we have to complete for the two years?
Cindy_Berkeley
There are 21 core or required courses that you take your first year. There are 30 elective courses required. You choose any electives that you like your second year. So, there are a fixed number of 51 units to graduate but only 21 are fixed or required. Visit this page for a typical year breakdown: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/degreerequirements.html
ShrutiDoval
If my transcripts arrive after the deadline of the 2nd round, will I automatically be considered for the third round?
Lee_Moderator
ShrutiDoval, If your application is submitted for Round Two and your transcripts arrive shortly after the deadline, you will be considered with Round Two. If they are delayed for a long time, we will notify you and move your application to Round Three.
Phoenix
Will the Student Chat also be posted online?
Vina_Moderator
Yes, the student chat transcript will also be posted within a week or so.
Antonio Caridad from Mexico
I am an international student from Mexico concerned about scholarships and loans because I read an article that talked about international students finding it difficult to get loans, can you talk about this?
Kara_Berkeley
Antonio, All applicants considered for admission are also considered for the Haas Merit Scholarship. You may also be considered for the Haas Achievement Award if applicable and you choose to complete the optional essay. Our D.K. Kim Revolving Grant may also be an option for you. There is a lot of information available regarding scholarships and loans on our financial aid website: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/mba/finaid/InternationalMain.htm. I encourage you to read through the information you find here and please feel free to contact our financial aid office at finaid@haas.berkeley.edu or by phone at (510) 643-0183 with further questions.
michael
Hello, can you tell me more about the student initiated courses? How are they started? Are these courses mainly for second year students?
Corinne_Berkeley
Michael - It's actually a very simple process! A student (or group of students) who is interested in a particular area - for example, sports marketing - can create an elective around that topic. Student initiated courses are typically speaker series that bring in top executives in that field to share their experiences, learning, etc... Both first and second year students are able to enroll in these electives.
Kristin
What support services does the school provide for students with disabilities--whether it be a learning disability or a chronic illness or a more obvious physical handicap?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Kristin, the Disabled Students' Program provides for students with a wide range of disabilities. More information can be found here http://dsp.berkeley.edu/
Meghan
Does a site visit impact your viability as a candidate? I noticed there is a short answer on the application specifically around the actions one took to learn about the program. In my case, I had a trip planned and had to cancel due to business travel.
Cindy_Berkeley
The short answer is no. Although we encourage prospective students to visit the campus to learn more, we realize that traveling to Berkeley does take significant time and money, especially if you live far away. So visiting is not a criterion that we use in making an admission decision. However, we do take into account the amount of research that applicants have done prior to submitting an application to Berkeley. (Hence, the essay question that we have.) We would like to know why you are interested in attending Berkeley and what programs, activities, classes, clubs, etc. that you might be interested in exploring more.
SebastianDelmastro
The transcripts and all the application documents have to be in your admission office before deadline? It is possible to email or post them by a scanned copy in order to be in a prior round?
Lee_Moderator
Sebastian, we do not accept scanned transcripts or emailed documents. The deadline is a postal deadline for documents -- if you have them in the mail by the deadline, that will be fine.
Antonio Caridad from Mexico
what are the most important parts of the application? The GMAT scores, the undergrad gpa, the essays, the professional experience, etc.?
Corinne_Berkeley
Antonio - This is a tough question because ALL the components of the application are equally important! We evaluate each candidate very holistically, meaning we take into consideration each area without assigning specific percentage weights to them.
KC
Has the uptick in applications this year been primarily concentrated in certain industries or does it appear to be a general uptick across industry sectors?
Kara_Berkeley
KC, It's too early to tell at this point in the application process. Ultimately, if you are a strong candidate, the number of applications received from people with a similar background to yours will not be a factor.
Daryl K
I have had difficulty in finding rankings for real estate MBA programs. Is Haas's real estate elective track ranked, and if so, where does it stand among others? Thanks
Cindy_Berkeley
Real estate and other MBA program specializations are often ranked in different rankings. You might want to contact the Berkeley real estate club (BREC) to learn more specifically about real estate: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/real/index.asp
TracyW
My official transcript indicates units that were transferred over from summer courses, but does not provide the grades received. Will I still need to send a separate transcript for each school? Also, if my official transcript shows the degree that I received as well as the date it was conferred; do I still need to send a separate copy of the degree certificate?
Katie_Moderator
Tracy - If you took a quantitative course over the summer, we will need a transcript with the grade you received. If you attended a US institution and the transcript shows your degree and the date it was conferred, you do not need to send a degree certificate.
bhau
Hi Adcom. I thank you for allowing us a chance to chat with you. Now that the first round of applications have come, can you tell us approximately how much was the increase in number of applications from last year and earlier years?
Corinne_Berkeley
bhau - This is the question of the hour! We did see a slight increase in first-round applications from last year. It is too early to say how that will impact the overall admissions cycle, however, because an increase in the first round does not necessarily indicate an increase in the remaining rounds.
May
I've taken the GMAT and scored much higher in the Quant than the Verbal. What can I do to show I do indeed have strong verbal skills? I did very well in my AWA section and my grades in my English classes are strong. Is there anything else I can highlight?
Cindy_Berkeley
Sounds like you're highlighting all of the right things. Besides the GMAT, there are a lot of other factors that we consider when we evaluate applicant's verbal (or quant) skills. We look at the combination of the GMAT and GPA to evaluate academic skills. We also will look at your English writing skills in your essays. Needless to say, this is only one part of the entire application.
Kara_Berkeley
Alvaro - Yes, we assess the individual sub-scores in the math and verbal sections of your GMAT exam in addition to the overall score as part of your academic aptitude review.
California4jxT190
how do you evaluate the rigor of international undergrad schools?
Corinne_Berkeley
California - We evaluate the rigor of international undergrad programs in the same manner that we evaluate domestic undergrad programs. Given the volume of applications we receive, we are familiar enough with international institutions to be able to evaluate them!
MingMingLiu
Are international and domestic students evaluated on the same basis? If not, what are the differences? Are US Permanent Residents considered international or domestic?
Kara_Berkeley
All applicants are evaluated on the same criteria. Please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/index.htmlfor more detail.
Nadia
Any interview will be required during the admission process?
Cindy_Berkeley
Interviews are required before admission. Interviews are conducted by invitation only, and after the initial review of the application. If you are selected for an interview, you can interview on campus with a student or off campus with an alum. We have a team of alumni interviewers all across the world. Either if you come to campus, or interview off campus, your interview is given the same weight.
Olivia
How important is the age of the applicant?
Corinne_Berkeley
Olivia - Age is not considered in the admissions process. As you can see from our class profile, the age range of the class of 2010 runs from 24 - 38 years of age.
Kara_Berkeley
We review the GMAT exam along with your academic records to determine your ability to succeed in the core curriculum. The GMAT is only one piece of the review process. The middle 80% GMAT range for our current students is 670 - 760.
Kara_Berkeley
All applicants are reviewed using the same criteria. Overall, we're looking at how developed your professional experience has been, including increasing responsibility over time and leadership.
California4jxT190
New Venture Fund and other such programs have limited access based on expertise and profile of students - isn't disadvantage for students planning to switch careers?
Corinne_Berkeley
California - The selection process for the New Venture Fellows program is certainly competitive! However, students from diverse professional backgrounds can bring a lot to the team and I suspect a strong applicant who is looking to switch careers would have equal opportunity to participate in the program.
Kristin
I am interested in coursework in the Center for Responsible Business and the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership. My background is in nonprofit development. How do you suggest I differentiate myself from other candidates interested in this career path?
Corinne_Berkeley
Kristin - I think my response could apply to any candidate looking to differentiate themselves, regardless of industry background. In general though, I would suggest making sure that you present a cohesive and well-written application that articulates your career progression to date, why you are interested in pursuing an MBA, and how the Berkeley MBA will ultimately help you further your professional goals.
Anders
Hi - can you tell me a bit more about the Center for Energy & Environmental Innovation? Is there interdisciplinary coursework in association with the Energy & Resources Group? And generally speaking, can you fill me in a bit on coursework, clubs, and other resources available to student's interested sustainability/environmental issues/alternative energy?
Kara_Berkeley
Anders - The Center for Energy and Environmental Innovation is a relatively new center at Haas. I'd encourage you to connect with the center http://ceei.berkeley.edu/c1.html and also email our HSA team for more information about how they have utilized the center's resources - hsa@haas.berkeley.edu. Our Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC) will also be a good contact: http://berc.berkeley.edu/
Kara_Berkeley
Net Impact is also a great club to connect with http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/netimpact/
guest08
Hi, I have another question regarding recommendations. The application states that at least one of the recommendations comes from a current employer. I am planning to apply in Fall '09 --- since I started a new job this month, would it be suitable to have this supervisor write a recommendation, even though I would have worked less than 1 year under this supervisor?
Cindy_Berkeley
We do not require that you submit a recommendation letter from a current supervisor. All you need to do is indicate that you are not submitting a letter from a current sup and the reason why. This is certainly a valid reason. You want to be sure to choose a supervisor who knows you well, and has worked closely with you over time.
Kara_Berkeley
L.A., there are many ways to make sure your application is strong but there isn't one specific set way. Overall, we are reviewing your academic aptitude (academic records & GMAT), your professional experience, and your personal qualities. Your essays should really reflect your strengths - consider asking someone to read your essays so you can get feedback on how to improve your responses!
Cindy_Berkeley
We do not take into account the number of times that you have taken the GMAT. We consider the highest score. We do require that you submit an AWA with your GMAT score.
Aymeric
What is the most important part of the GMAT: verbal or quantitative? Or is the total score most regarded?
Cindy_Berkeley
We consider both to be important; as well as the total score. Keep in mind that the GMAT is only one part of the overall application.
Kat
When you say caliber of undergrad institution, will I be at a disadvantage because I went to a State school (SDSU) even though I graduated top of my class?
Cindy_Berkeley
The caliber of the institution that you attended is only one part of how we review your academic record. It's not going to make or break an application. Besides how well you perform (GPA), we also take into account extracurricular involvement, course load, were you working while were going to school, etc.
Kara_Berkeley
There are a lot of ways our students secure their summer internship and full-time positions. Last year, 67% of jobs came through on-campus recruitment, job postings, and networking events. 33% came through more student-led activities like connections with the alumni network, club activities, and through Centers of Excellence. The Career Center also hosts a Career Management Conference during your first semester at Haas. Visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/mba.html for more information.
mba09
What do you feel materially distinguishes Haas from other top MBA programs and in what way? What types of students, or student qualities, do you think are a good fit for the Haas program and why?
Kara_Berkeley
mba09 - There are many things that distinguish Haas from other MBA programs. Most notably, our community is very collaborative and student-driven. Our students have very diverse interests as well so there is support for a wide spectrum of industry focuses. Our Leading Through Innovation initiative is also a key defining factor. Overall, this is a great question to ask the HSA team of current students to get their insight - hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
Olivia
Hi, thanks for providing this chat. I was wondering how you look upon people who took time off during their undergrad years. Also, how important is it to have taken econ classes? I am a nonprofit applicant.
Cindy_Berkeley
Olivia, It really depends. We will want to know more about why you took time off, and what you were doing during this time. (We have had some admitted students take time off to work, start businesses, etc). It really depends. It is not a requirement to have taken econ courses but we do require that applicants have taken, at a minimum, a basic stats or calculus class in undergrad and received a B or better.
Kara_Berkeley
There is a competitive nature to some of the programs offered through the business school but there are so many ways to focus your career in varying industries. You should connect with some current students to learn the paths they have taken to pursue their career interests - hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
Corinne_Berkeley
Thank you for joining us on the chat today. We appreciate your questions and hope you found this session informative!
Cindy_Berkeley
Thanks very much for your time. I hope this was helpful!
Kara_Berkeley
Best of luck in the admissions process! Thanks for joining us today.
