The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
November 25, 2008
Chat with Berkeley MBA Admissions Team
Stephanie Fujii, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Cindy Jennings Millette, Assistant Director of Admissions
Kara Hayman, Assistant Director of Admissions
Jeff Cowgill, Operations Manager
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 Stephanie Fujii, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Cindy Jennings Millette and Kara Hayman, Assistant Directors of Admissions, and Jeff Cowgill, Admissions Operations Manager. Please send us your questions!
Cindy_Berkeley
Hello. My name is Cindy Jennings Millette, Assistant Director of Admissions, and I'm ready to answer your questions. Go Bears!
Jeff_Berkeley
Welcome everyone! I'm the Operations Manager and have been at Berkeley for almost 3 years. Looking forward to your questions!
Kara_Berkeley
Good morning. My name is Kara Hayman and I am Assistant Director of Admissions. I am looking forward to answering your questions.
Stephanie_Berkeley
Welcome! My name is Stephanie Fujii and I'm the Senior Associate Director of Admissions. We're so excited that you're able to join us today and look forward to your questions.
Yong
my career goal is a product manager in hi tech. is there any special program or curriculum offered by HAAS to facilitate my goal?
Cindy_Berkeley
Hi, You might be interested in our Management of Technology (MOT) program. You can find further details here:http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/specialties_01.html
wolfpok
Hello, Can you talk about opportunities Haas offers for making a career transition from the semiconductors to clean tech? Are there specific certificate programs or clubs that I could look at? Thanks.
Cindy_Berkeley
There is a club you might be interested in: Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative. See more info here: BERC: http://berc.berkeley.edu/
DerekS
Where were the GMAT scores averaging in the first round?
Lee_Moderator
Derek, we don't even try to think about that sort of statistic until the admissions cycle is over!
Ankur
How strong is the alumni network of HAAS in Asian countries like India and China?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Ankur, our network is strong in Asia. We are a smaller program so we don't have a large quantity of alums, but something you will hear over and over again about Haas is the tight-knit community that is formed here and extends to the alumni network. Our alumni around the world are very invested in our program and are very responsive when it comes to helping our students and each other.
Ella
Hi, I have a question about the courses. I knew from the website that the MBA students can choose the elective courses from other departments. Is it possible that a MBA student choose some quantitative courses which may be from MFE?
Cindy_Berkeley
The problem with the MFE program is that the program is offered in a different calendar year so it is hard to coordinate taking the MFE courses.
sarah
I will take Toefl on Dec.6. Is it ok for Round 2?
Lee_Moderator
Yes -- you simply will have to report the score to us as soon as you receive it. Any test taken before the deadline of December 9 is acceptable.
mbandel
Is there a difference in admissions between being Hispanic or Native American? In other words, does everybody go to the same pool upon submitting an application?
Kara_Berkeley
mbandel - All applicants are reviewed in the same pool.
susan
Hi everyone, I am really interested in CSR, social enterprise, international development. How serious does Berkeley take these issues?
Cindy_Berkeley
Very seriously. We have a Center for Responsible Business which is top notch. We also have a program called the International Business Development program where students travel (usually to developing countries) to work on a global international consulting project. Over 50% of our students take part in one CSR related project - even if this is not their specific career focus. These are important issues to the Haas community.
Liz
Do mailed transcripts have to arrive before the deadline? Or is there a grace period?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Liz, mailed transcripts should be postmarked on or before the deadline.
Sulaksan
Are you expecting more applicants in round 2 than in round 1?
Cindy_Berkeley
This is impossible for us to say, I'm afraid. I imagine similar numbers, but I could be wrong.
ortaplt
Roughly how many joint JD/MBA students are there at Berkeley?
Cindy_Berkeley
1 in the Class of 2009.
Deepti
I will be taking GMAT in Feb., so can I still apply for Round 2?
Lee_Moderator
Deepti, all tests must be completed by the December 9 deadline for Round Two. In fact, February is even after our Round Three deadline
In the current state of bad economy, I understand it will be more difficult to get scholarships/loans as well making MBA a riskier choice. Can you give some perspective on how will the economy affect the international prospective students?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi Ankur, that is a good question, but a tough one as well. It is a little early to see how the economy is truly going to affect applicants and admitted students to our program. Our numbers are up a little, but not that much. As for scholarships, we are working hard to ensure funding and expect to distribute the same if not more money in scholarship awards this year. Regarding loans, we are working with officials in the state and the university system as well as private lending institutions to come up with better options. Loans, particularly for international students, maybe a little more challenging to secure, but they will still be there. There are loans that require co-signers for example. All of this is very much in flux, yet at the forefront of our efforts and we expect to have options and good support in place when we start admitting students in January.
Avisek
Hi Lee, Who can recommend me? Can a person with whom I used to work with a year back recommend me?
Lee_Moderator
Avisek, anyone who is familiar with your work in a supervisory capacity can write a recommendation. While we like to see a letter from your current supervisor, we realize that it is not always possible.
bschool_dunk
Given the current state of the economy what is the Career Management center in Haas specifically doing to adjust to the economy
Stephanie_Berkeley
bschool_dunk, this isn't the first time we've seen an economic downturn. Our career services organization learned from the last downturn and has invested a lot of time and effort into strengthening our ties with the companies that recruit at Haas. As a result, we still had an increase in the number of full-time and summer internship opportunities for our students last Spring. Our account managers are in close contact with all of our recruiters. One other thing to note is that our students traditionally have a wide range of interests -- so our career services organization has understood that they must provide a broad range of tools and resources to help all of our students succeed in reaching the diverse types of organizations they are all interested in. For more information, I would recommend connecting with our current students to hear how their career searches are going.
Yong
What is the minimum score for toefl?
Lee_Moderator
Yong, the minimum score acceptable by the University for the iBT is 68 -- but the average iBT score for people admitted to the program last year was 113.
Yong
Haas accepts few Chinese students, is there any plan to enlarge the enrollment number from China?
Jeff_Berkeley
Young, we are looking to increase interest in our program in China and it looks like we have more people from there applying and making inquiries this year. As far as enrollment we have no quotas and look strictly at the quality of applicants in determining our offers.
TM
I am fascinated with Haas in terms of accessibility to real life experience. Since Haas is located in Bay area, there are many entrepreneurial entities in which I would like to acquire experience during the term as well as summer vacation. However, some schools discourage students to work during the term because classes are rigorous. I would like to know whether Haas will encourage me to accumulate my experience even during the terms? Certainly I understand you offer students with experimental learning outside class rooms as well as in the class rooms.
Kara_Berkeley
TM - There are many opportunities to pursue experiential learning opportunities while you are a student in the MBA program. Your involvement in coursework, extracurriculars, club activities, case competitions, etc. is very time consuming and it would be very difficult to work during this time, particularly in your first year. Some students choose to pursue graduate teaching positions while in school or other paid positions. Your summer internship will also be good exposure to developing skills.
mahler
Hello Cindy, my first introductory question is if it is really true that Haas weighs on GPA more than any other MBA schools weigh. I am worrying my GPA very close to 3.0 would be a critical factor in my application package.
Cindy_Berkeley
No. We take all factors into consideration when reviewing an application -- and there is not one criterion that is more important than another. Every application is read by at minimum 2 people. Usually we look at a combination of your GPA and GMAT to evaluate academic proficiency.
laura
When will be the latest time to take TOEFL if I want to catch the 2nd round deadline? Can I report the score after the deadline if I cannot get it by then?
Lee_Moderator
laura -- The latest date to test would be the deadline day, December 9. You can report the score as soon as you receive it.
Sem
I'm having my undergraduate college send my transcript, is there a way to confirm that it has been received?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Sem, due to the large volume of mail we receive we cannot individually confirm whether we have received your documents. However, when we set up your application file we will email you if there is anything missing.
Shannon
Hello! What are you looking for from "career changers" to demonstrate in admissions essays? I come from a public policy background-Alaska Legislature.
Cindy_Berkeley
For career changers, specifically, we look at the long essay question regarding your career goals very closely. Not only are we looking for reasons why you are thinking of making this change, but realistically, how are you going to make this transition. How does your previous work experience relate to your long-term focus? What skills are transferable?
Eric
I'm planning to retake test on Dec. 4th but if score is not good, can I submit prior test score?
Lee_Moderator
Eric, we consider your highest GMAT and your most recent TOEFL.
Fish
Thanks, Jeff, for hosting this chat session. How does the GMAT's AWA score factor into admissions?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi Fish, it is just another piece of information for review to help give us a more complete picture of you as an applicant and your skills. Aside from well-written English, we look to see that you can arrange and present arguments logically and succinctly. As we take a holistic approach to review, the AWA is not really more or less important than any other piece.
anna
Hi, I come from a human resource background? How would that be judged?
Kara_Berkeley
Anna - All applicant professional experience is evaluated in terms of the depth and breadth of experience, growth over time, increasing responsibility, and leadership. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, industries, and functions. Several of our students have come from HR backgrounds so it's possible your experience could be competitive.
lindsay
I have listened to your podcasts which have said that being traditional business field isn't necessary, but how unlikely is it that someone who may have developed "business skills" in a non-related field be admitted without much business experience at all?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Lindsay, we are looking at the quality and richness of the experience you've had regardless of the background you are coming from. This means we're interested in how you've impacted your organization in each of your roles, how much you've progressed over time, how much leadership experience you've had -- and how all of your previous experiences fit with your future goals. If the experiences and skills you've acquired over the course of your career mean that you can contribute meaningfully to our program and that you have the foundation necessary to achieve your career goals, then we would consider this aspect of your application to be competitive. But remember, this is only one of the areas of your application that we evaluate for admission.
KP2009
What about GMAT scores? Do you need an official copy before the deadline or self-reporting on the application is sufficient?
Katie_Moderator
Hi, Self-reporting on the application is sufficient.
Lee_Moderator
KP2009, we review your application with self-reported scores and verify them later in the admission process. We ask you to report your official scores as soon as possible so that lack of the official scores does not cause delay later in the process.
HaasHopeful
I had a question about Recommendation Letter... to give the right kind of guideline to my recommenders... is there a suggested length per question?
Kara_Berkeley
HaasHopeful - there isn't a suggested length per question. Ultimately, we are looking for specific examples and details within the recommendation letter. The length is not what matters; it's the quality of the response and examples.
Alhanie
I have a question regarding the essays for applications. Can I assume that a topic I discuss in one essay will available to the reader of another essay? Or should I, for example, describe my work in each related essay questions?
Cindy_Berkeley
Every application is read by 2 people - and we read the entire application. Each reader writes a narrative review of your application profile. We do not divide up essays among readers, so you can be sure that each reader does a thorough review of your application file from beginning to end.
sadiqthegreat
How much do academics matter when I am looking for a social entrepreneurship MBA
Kara_Berkeley
sadiqthegreat - We evaluate all applicants, regardless of focus, on academic aptitude. The MBA curriculum is very rigorous so we look at both your academic records and GMAT performance to determine your potential for success within the core curriculum.
nu
I wonder if I can send my application before I get the GMAT score or not?
Lee_Moderator
Nu, you will receive your GMAT score when exiting the test site. Since you must take the test by the round deadline, you will have your score available to report on the application.
HaasHopeful
I had a question about Recommendation Letters (looking to give the right guidelines to my recommenders). Given the specific questions from Haas, is there suggested length per question? For example, the first question may only take a few sentences vs. the 3 strengths could take 1 page... thanks :)
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi HaasHopeful, there is no recommended length to answers. As long as the questions are answered well and help showcase you and your skills succinctly that should be fine. Overly long responses that do not address the question will not help as much.
Mslice
Hi Stephanie, if we are invited to the "Super Saturday" for round one, do you know what weekend that would be?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi Mslice, Super Saturday 1 will likely occur in mid-January.
Mike Pooley
Hi, I have a question to the Admissions Committee. I am planning to submit my application by the end of this week. Next Thursday, I am leaving Canada to travel for 7 months. Should I be selected for an interview, what is the best way to accommodate that?
Cindy_Berkeley
Mike, We send interview invitations via email. These invitations are sent on a rolling basis. If you are invited for an interview, you will have the option to either come to campus to interview with a current student, or you can schedule an interview with one of our alumni who are located across the world. We have alumni interviewers in Canada.
meeshy
How to we know you have received our mailed transcripts?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Meeshy, you will receive an email from us to confirm your application file has moved on to review (which means all your materials have been received). When we set up your file, we will contact you if any documents are missing.
Sheila
What are some organizations/fields that graduates interested in non-profit have entered?
Cindy_Berkeley
Two that have been heavily recruiting this fall are: FSG, Education Pioneer
lindsay
What kind of relationships do you have with non-profits?
Kara_Berkeley
lindsay - Haas has a Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership which is the source for our connection with nonprofit organizations. The Center offers students hands-on field work opportunities that connect students with hundreds of nonprofit leaders and organizations. Please visit http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/nonprofit/index.asp for more detail on how the Center connects students with nonprofit organizations both in and outside the classroom.
sarah
How can I know if my official transcript arrives at Haas?
Lee_Moderator
Sarah, when your application is set up, we will let you know if anything is missing. Unfortunately, we are not able to confirm receipt of any individual's documents before their file is set up -- we are just not staffed for that.
Ella
Is everything submitted on online? Or I need to mail the transcripts?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Ella, transcripts must be received by mail.
TL
Thanks for hosting this session. My question regards the Waiver section - my references are planning on sending their letters electronically because they do not live in the same country. Do I still need to have my signature on the Recommendation PDF before submitting it to Haas as part of my application? Since I did not mail them the PDF with my signature, I only sent them the link.
Lee_Moderator
TL, there is a box in the waiver section that you can check to waive your right to see recommendations. If that box is checked, it serves as an electronic "signature".
Avisek
Hi Lee , I have another question ... I work in an NGO which has been set up by a few friends .. How can I give information about my work in the NGO if I want someone from our institution to recommend...as nobody supervises me and we work together
Lee_Moderator
Avisek, it might be preferable in that case to have a client write your recommendation.
Ankit Parikh
Hi, could you please go over what type of feedback employers give you in regards to Haas alum? What are their main strengths? What are their main weaknesses?
Stephanie_Berkeley
The main themes we hear from recruiters is that they appreciate we are a general management program yet have top-ranked specialties that our students can gain exposure to; they like that our students are independent and innovative thinkers -- they approach business issues and challenges creatively, from a different perspective; and they like our students' confidence without attitude. Our students understand how to be strong team players and are immediately successful because of this. I would encourage you to look at some of the rankings out there that look at feedback from corporate recruiters to learn more about what recruiters are saying.
Krishna
for supplement #1, I would like to touch upon a some experiences not asked in the essay questions....is it okay to elaborate my extra curriculars rather than 'list' them?
Kara_Berkeley
Krishna - you are welcome to include information about the nature of your involvement and a description about the type of organization. Please include any pertinent examples of experiences or involvement in other essay responses.
lindsay
Do letters of rec have to be received or postmarked by the deadline?
Lee_Moderator
Lindsay, it is preferable for letters to be sent by the deadline, but we do understand that they will sometimes be sent a bit later.
Shawn
if I receive an interview invitation, Can I choose a way of interview?
Jeff_Berkeley
When applicants are invited to interview they are invited to go online and schedule an interview. Most interviews are matched with our global team of alumni interviewers. If there are schedule challenges, our interview coordinator helps to resolve them.
Deepti
Well I have studied in Canada for an year and I am studying in ITU as well so can you waive off my toelf score ?
Lee_Moderator
Deepti, if you have a full year of full-time academic work at an English-speaking school in Canada, you can waive the TOEFL.
Kara_Berkeley
Reapplicants are only required to complete essays that are new to the fall 2009 application. We also encourage you to use the optional essay to highlight what has changed since your previous application. You are welcome to update all essays and send additional recommendations if you'd like. Keep in mind that the committee does notice the amount of effort put into reapplications.
JeffC
With regard to the application's "Employment" data form, how should the response to the Responsibilities/Key Accomplishments question differ from the work experience bullets on your resume? Are you looking for more of a description/explanation?
Cindy_Berkeley
Jeff, The bullet points can be similar or even identical to the ones you provided on your resume. The reason why we ask you to submit both a resume and complete the Employment History section is because the content or organization of a resume can be different (i.e. chronological, function) - but we are able to ask for all of the specific data in the Empl History section (like salary info, reasons for leaving position, etc.)
Luca
Hi...I have 4 years work experience as entrepreneur...never worked in a multinational company...how does this could effect my application?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Luca, we don't have a preference for any particular background, but we are asking the same types of questions to gauge the richness of the work experience you've had. Have you had increasing levels of responsibility? Opportunities for leadership? Breadth of experience? How do your experiences so far fit with your future career goals? We have podcast that you may want to check out on our website where we talk about how we evaluate work experience (as well as the other areas of our application).
Liza with a Z
How can our recommenders submit their letters electronically?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Liza, when you fill out the recommender information on the online application, please include an email address for them. Our system will send them a link with login information, and they can complete and submit the recommendation online.
Disa-Indonesia
Regarding the rec letter, do we need to answer it by each questions or just put it all in one essay?
Lee_Moderator
Disa, while we prefer that the recommenders answer the questions we ask, they may also paste a letter into the application.
bschool_dunk
How much has been the application spike in round 1 this year
Stephanie_Berkeley
bschool_dunk, we have had an increase in our round 1 applications, but it is still too early to tell since we still have three more rounds. Overall, we do expect an increase in our applications, but perhaps we're seeing more of a shift of people applying early -- meaning that it's still too hard to predict what the magnitude of the increase will be.
Liza with a Z
Hello! In terms of taking a class to prove quant sufficiency, does it matter where the class is taken? ie Berk. Extension vs. City College SF; online vs. traditional?
Kara_Berkeley
Liza - where and how you take the course is not the major focus, although we do consider the rigor of the institution.
rnaah
do u have to receive my transcripts before round r2 deadline to consider me?
Katie_Moderator
Hi rnaah, please have your transcripts postmarked on or before the deadline date.
mba_student
Hey Lee, can one send a self reported transcript and back it up with an official one when selected for admissions?
Lee_Moderator
We are not able to accept self-reported transcripts for review.
Stephanie_Berkeley
Ella, this is a question that you need to think about in terms of what you need to make the transition in your career. What experiences and skills have you acquired that make you a good candidate for these career goals? We have a number of courses and extracurricular activities in finance -- I would recommend connecting with current students who are pursuing these careers to learn more.
Kara_Berkeley
Juliana, examples of innovation can be so many different things. It's not easy to say what is a good example or bad example without more context. What's more important is how you explain the situation and your involvement in the process.
mbandel
How important is the GMAT score, when considering a candidate for admission? Would a denial of admission be given due to the GMAT score?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi mbandel, certainly the GMAT is important. Yet we do not usually deny solely on the basis of a GMAT score. A good range GMAT score, our 80% average is 670-760, can make an applicant more competitive, but it doesn't guarantee an offer. Strong work, leadership and life experience, answers to essay questions, etc. can all provide additional strength to an application. Because we look an entire application as a whole and do not base admission or denial on any one part, strengths and weaknesses can be addressed in many different ways.
Cindy_Berkeley
If you apply for Round 2, we will not take into consideration any new GMAT score taken after the deadline. We will only consider the GMAT you took on or before the deadline (12/9). However, if you submit your app in Round 2, get a better score after that deadline, you can move your application to the next round (i.e. round 3) in order for us to consider your new score (but it must be taken before the deadline for round 3) You must submit this change to us in writing - Please refer to the application instructions under GMAT for further instructions.
wolfpok
I received my bachelors degree in India and live in the US currently. I plan to send notarized copies of transcripts instead of sealed transcripts from my university in India. Is that acceptable? Thanks.
Lee_Moderator
Wolfpok, while we are able to accept copies of transcripts for review when it is very difficult to obtain originals, we must have copies attested by the school in order to make an offer of admission. We therefore prefer to start the review process with attested copies whenever possible, so that the process will not be delayed later.
Rubi
If GMAT is taken more than once, which score do you consider?
Vina_Moderator
Rubi, we consider the highest GMAT score that is valid.
R2Applicant
If due to medical reasons a registered recommender can no longer write a recommendation, what is the process for registering a different recommender?
Cindy_Berkeley
Please call our office, and we can remove your previous recommender from you record so you can enter in a new recommender.
Simon
Hi Everyone, and thanks for arranging this Berkeley. Coming from Britain, I completed undergraduate studies at the LSE in London. The British grading system is quite different to the American system where grades tend to be quite high. Technically speaking all grades in the UK are out of 100; however, what we class as a "First class honor' is actually attained at 70. At least at the LSE for example, anything over 70 is an exceptional mark, and for essay subjects especially I have rarely heard of anyone achieving over 80. I am sure the committee is well briefed on the British grading system but want to just check this so not to waste time talking about my grades in my essays. Thanks!
Kara_Berkeley
Simon - Yes, we are very familiar with grading systems so you do not need to try to explain your grading system in your application.
mba_student
Hi Lee, do you accept a self reported transcript with the application, can one send an official transcript on getting accepted?
Lee_Moderator
No, we are not able to accept self-reported transcripts at all.
Kaps
I am an applicant from India. I missed R1 deadline because I came to know about TOEFL requirement just 3 days before deadline and could not get the test date. There is no waiver for TOEFL for Indian candidates, right?
Lee_Moderator
Kaps, applicants educated in India are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
Chuck Doppelt
Hi, is there any advantage/disadvantage to applicants who received an undergraduate degree at Cal and specifically an undergrad minor from Haas (other than the obvious great education!)
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi Chuck, no there is no advantage given to Cal or Haas undergrads. While we love them, we are looking more to what you mention -- people who excel academically. People who do so at an institution known for academic rigor is great to see, but again this is only one part of an application.
tink
Hi, could you please tell me a little bit more about leadership through innovation program at Haas, why does it make Haas distinguished from other schools? thx...
Cindy_Berkeley
You might want to listen to this podcast by the Dean referring to Leading Through Innovation: chat_admin_11_25_08. More details about LTI are also here: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/innovation.html
David Lin
I would like to change my career to corp. finance after MBA. Would you discourage students/applicants from entering finance given current crisis?
Stephanie_Berkeley
David, we wouldn't discourage anyone! The question that you need to think about is how you will make the transition to corporate finance -- what in your background can you draw upon to make this switch and what will you take advantage of in an MBA program to help build on that foundation?
Leah
Hi, I have a question about transcripts. I completed a one semester study abroad program and took two summer classes at a university different from the one that granted my degree. All of these classes are listed on my transcript from my home university. Do I still need to submit transcripts from the other US university where I took 2 classes, and from the international university where I studied abroad?
Lee_Moderator
Leah, if the class names, units and grades are reported on your home school transcript, you are not required to send the transfer unit transcripts. If the classes that you transferred were not quantitative classes, you are not required to send transcripts.
Sharan T
Hi, I have a question about Recommendation Letters. I understand that Haas suggests that Recommendations Letters are sent from the recommenders Business Email address. My ex-supervisor is currently between jobs, and only has a personal email address. Will this weaken my application?
Jeff_Berkeley
No, it will not necessarily weaken an application. Let us know in your application why this is the case, but much more important are the recommender's evaluation and answers to the questions.
Rakesh
Hi Cindy, I understand that Haas is top notch in Technology. I would like to know how good the school in Media Management is.
Cindy_Berkeley
One of our most popular clubs is the Digital Media and Entertainment Club (DMEC): http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/dmec/index.htm. Each year they host a fantastic industry conference called the >Play conference. They have more info about this on their website.
Kara_Berkeley
students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations are an important part of Haas' diversity. We hold a variety of diversity workshops in the fall, include The Berkeley MBA LGBT Workshop http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/events.html). Q@Haas is also a very active Haas club: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/q/
Shasa
If you take the GMAT again after the deadline and it arrives before file is reviewed, will that score be considered? Thanks.
Jeff_Berkeley
As long as the test is taken by the deadline the file will be reviewed in that round.
Aine
Hi, Will the transcipt from this chat be posted on your website? Thanks
Katie_Moderator
Hi Aine, the chat transcript will be posted on our site in a few weeks, so please check back.
Pradeep Suthram
Hello. I've taken the GMAT once and would like to take it again to get an improved score. Can I apply with my current score for the R2 deadline and send in my scores after December 9th, 2008?
Lee_Moderator
Pradeep, If you choose to retake the GMAT after the application deadline for the round in which you applied, we will only consider your new score if you request in writing that your application be considered in a later round. This written request must be made at least one week prior to the notification deadline for the round in which you originally applied, and you should include a copy of your preliminary score report with the new scores. For example, if you applied by November 4 for Round One consideration and would like us to consider an improved GMAT score from a test taken as late as our Round Three application deadline, January 30, you must request no later than January 21 (e.g., one week prior to our Round One notification deadline of January 28) that your application be moved from Round One to Round Three. Please note that we will not move your application from one round to another simply because you plan to retake the GMAT; rather, you must have a new GMAT score in hand at the time you make your request. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee that we will consider the results of tests taken after our final application deadline of March 11.
cpjones
What percentage of the total admitted class comes from the different rounds?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi cpjones, we do not publish that number. The biggest reason is that it changes so much each year. We do not have quotas and so we do not plan to necessarily fill X number of slots by X date. It depends strongly on the quality of the applicants submitted for the particular round.
Abhijeet
Whom should I contact to arrange an on campus visit?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Abhijeet, please visit our website for information about campus visits http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/visit.html
mbaole
Is an official transcript required at time of application? Also is there any way to submit it electronically? If not, does the official have to be sent by the institution or can I send it if I have one?
Lee_Moderator
mbaole, we require official transcripts and are not able to accept electronic transcripts at this time. If you have a copy of your transcript sealed by your school, you may send it.
Tushar
Hi Stephanie, enjoyed listening to your podcasts, some amazing pointers in there. Given your location in the Bay Area, I take it you would have a number of applicants from the IT sector based around the bay. Does that necessarily make it more formidable for someone from the Indian IT sector to get in? Are we bucketed together, in a sense?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Tushar, if you've listened to our podcast then you know we are looking at many different aspects of a person's experience and background to evaluate their fit with our program. Yes, we're looking at the quality of work experience, but we're also looking at academic preparation, outside interests, career goals, etc. We have yet to see two identical candidates! I would focus on how your experiences will allow you to contribute to our program, how they will allow to achieve your career goals and why you think our program is a good fit with your background and interests. Tell us about your passions! This is what makes people stand out -- when they share who they are and what they're interested in.
Tushar
Are the GMAT scores bucking the trend this year, with the economic conditions the way they are? Essentially, has your middle 80% changed since last year?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi Tushar, it is too early for us to see. We haven't run those numbers yet with only Round 1 having been submitted. We are also not yet seeing much of a change yet in our application trends based on the current economic conditions. It may be too early to see.
Gianna
I'm interested in studying entrepreneurship. What gives Berkeley entrepreneurship program an edge over other grad programs that specialize in entrepreneurship?
Kara_Berkeley
Gianna - Haas' Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is one of the major resources for supporting entrepreneurship at Haas. Our Berkeley Business plan competition, entrepreneurship electives, Haas Entrepreneur Association, and business incubator are just a few examples of initiatives that come from the Lester Center. I encourage you to connect with current students in entrepreneurship to learn more (hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/ea/) and to contact the center directly (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/main/index.html) for more information.
mbandel
Good morning, If I transferred from a Venezuelan Institution and only have one set of original and translated copies, can I mail a certified and notarized copy, along with my Official transcripts of the US institution I graduated from?
Lee_Moderator
mabndel, you should contact your school in Venezuela for an official copy of your transcript. A notarized copy is not the same and will not be acceptable to our Graduate Division if we wish to admit you.
Alhanie
I took the GMAT twice and chose not to report the scores for one of the tests...to enter that into the application, should I just enter scores of '0'?
Lee_Moderator
Alhanie, just report the scores you wish us to consider.
Alhanie
If we took a summer school course at Berkeley, do I need to request those transcripts to be sent or will Haas have access to it?
Katie_Moderator
Hi Alhanie, you will need to contact the registrar's office to have the transcript sent to us.
David Lin
Since Haas is near silicon valley, will I be put at a disadvantage in the application process if I plan to enter industry, say, finance, other that tech?
Cindy_Berkeley
Our goal is to admit a diverse pool of students from all industries, functions, locations, etc. It would be really boring if everyone was only interested in technology, and I can guarantee you that that isn't the case at Haas. We have students from all different industries, and our diverse student body is very evident to recruiters that come to recruit at Haas. You might want to review our student profile which lists selected industry experience: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/classprofile.html
anna
My graduate institute has sent my transcript with the GPA for both years and a final aggregate GPA. However, they have only printed the second year electives. Can I get a copy of my first year electives notarized by the embassy here and send it across?
Lee_Moderator
Anna, you may wish to have your school send a corrected document.
NB
I want to understand how Haas looks at applications for a Career Switch. I am currently working on Technology sector but want to move into Hospitality. I have some good plans for the future but have not got any formal experience in this sector. Would it impact my application??
Kara_Berkeley
NB - It's important to clearly explain why you are interested in switching careers in addition to explaining what you know about/what exposure you've had to that future career. Overall, your career goals should be logical and realistic. About 50% of our students are interested in changing careers so it's very common.
Lee_Moderator
Usha, a transcript lists the courses you took, the units or hours for each of them, and the grades you received. A degree certificate gives the name of the degree you received and the date of conferral.
Shruti Doval
Does the transcript need to be sealed by the university? My transcripts are attested by the university but they are not in an envelope with university seal.
Lee_Moderator
Shruti, we understand that some schools do not provide sealed envelopes with their documents.
NB
Hi, My supervisor changed his job a week back and now I have a new supervisor. Do I need to explain in the essays why I am taking recommendation from my old supervisor?
Jeff_Berkeley
As this will be from a very recent recommendation further explanation is probably not necessary, unless you feel it explains something we would not be able to understand from the recommendation.
Stephanie_Berkeley
Ankur, the current economic situation has certainly made it more difficult -- for example, programs have recently seen their no US co-signer loans go away. However we are still fully funded for our scholarship programs (Merit, Achievement, Maxwell, CJ White) which are open to all students. We also launched a Haas Grant program last year which we plan to continue. This program considers students who are unable to receive US federal government loans. We are also talking with financial institutions about the possibility of bringing back "no co-signer" loans, but it is too early to tell what will happen. We will be communicating with our students as we make progress on this issue.
Kara_Berkeley
Jehan, it's important to submit your application when you feel it is most competitive. We encourage you to wait to submit your application until that time, even if it means waiting to a later round. GMAT exams need to be taken by the deadline for the round you're applying. If you retake the exam after submission, you can request to move your application to the round where the GMAT score is valid in - see the application instructions for specific guidelines and a more detailed explanation of this process.
upmanyu
Hi. I have an undergrad from India, master's from US and I currently work in the US. I had requested my University in India to send out official transcript and degree. They just responded confirming the dispatch of the official transcript. However, there is no provision of sending an official degree. Per a chat transcript people with such an issue should send an attested copy of the degree. Is it OK if I send the University attested copy in Feb (when I travel to India)? Alternatively, can I get a copy attested in the US by someone (notary?). Please advice. Thanks
Lee_Moderator
upmanyu, the correct procedure in this case would be to send a copy of the degree certificate with an attached note explaining the situation. You will be instructed as to when to send the attested copy, but should obtain it as soon as possible.
Park
Hi. I am pursuing a career in public sectors. I love the innovative atmosphere at Berkeley, but my potential employers, mostly government agencies or international organizations are located in east coast. About what percent of recent graduates find their jobs outside California? Does Haas career center have connections with the organizations in the east as many as the schools in the region do?
Cindy_Berkeley
A lot of our graduates stay in California -- because it's such a great place to live and there are so many job opportunities for MBAs. We also have a number of students that head to the East Coast for jobs. We have an account manager from the Career Center who is located in New York in order to help foster relationships with companies and organizations on the East Coast. Our alumni network on the East Coast is very active -- and another way that students who want to move back East after school - are able to find opportunities there.
PPZ
I'm postulating to a Scholarship and they are asking me the program, fees, teachers, etc of your MBA but I can't find that information in your website, and the one that is downloadable is too heavy to attach. Thank you.
Kara_Berkeley
PPZ - Our financial aid website should be helpful to you: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/mba/finaid/. Please contact our financial aid office if you are in need of additional information about our fee structure.
Luke
I have several signed and sealed transcripts from my university. Is it ok to send them from my address or do they need to be sent from the university directly?
Lee_Moderator
Luke, as long as the transcripts are sealed, they can come from you.
chia
I did a study abroad program through UC - and the courses show up on my UC transcript, is that fine, or do I still need to get it through the host university of study abroad?
Lee_Moderator
Chia, as long as the classes and grades show on your UC transcript, that will be fine.
Bean
Does it hurt an application if you have been laid off? Does admissions prefer employed to unemployed people?
Cindy_Berkeley
It doesn't hurt your application especially since this is something outside of your control - and we'll probably see more of these applications this year, I'm sure. However, we do want to know what you've been doing since you've been laid off, so it is a good idea to make sure you cover any gaps in work experience in your essays.
iris
How can I get a transcript of this chat?
Lee_Moderator
Iris, transcripts of this chat will be posted on our website in a couple of weeks.
Deepti
If I am studying in ITU in an MBA program in Sunnyvale, will you consider my scores from ITU as well
Kara_Berkeley
Deepti - Any graduate level coursework is also considered in review of your academic performance. Please submit transcripts for any coursework you've taken. Note that we do not accept transfer credits into the MBA program. Please also note that the university prohibits awarding of duplicate degrees - if you have already received an MBA from another university, you are not eligible for admission into the Berkeley MBA program.
PPZ
Hi. Again me. All the information you ask for in your apply forms must be in English or I can send recommendations, resumes, etc in Spanish?
Katie_Moderator
Hi PPZ, all documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official translation. It is acceptable for your recommenders to write in Spanish, and then have the recommendation translated to English by an official translator.
Luca
hi....does the transcripts coming from different metric system of score have to be translate in the American's one (A,A-, B, etc.) or we just need to translate the title of exams taken leaving the original score?
Lee_Moderator
Luca, please do not try to translate other grading systems to the US 4.0 scale. We have readers trained to evaluate many different grading systems.
ironmangg
With regards to funding, on average what percentage of the cost for an MBA (including, tuition, living, etc) do students need to have out of their own pocket, and what percent can be obtained through loans, scholarships, etc.
Jeff_Berkeley
Ironmangg, this is hard to say because each student makes specific choices based on their situation. Some chose not to take out loans for the full tuition and living expenses, others do. There is a breakdown of costs and additional information on the website here: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/mba/finaid/FTCosts.htm , and you can contact our Financial Aid office here to ask specific questions: finaid@haas.berkeley.edu.
Rubi
Do you accept application from a candidate whose academic records are not strong but who have quality experience with managerial & leadership capability?
Cindy_Berkeley
Yes. Every application is reviewed looking at all different areas. It is true that some applicants may be extremely strong in work experience and leadership capacity while maybe having a lower GPA. We also are looking at the GMAT score to see that the individual is able to demonstrate academic proficiency another way -- outside of GPA. You might want to listen to our podcast which covers admissions criteria: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/podcasts.html
Luke
Hi. Thanks for your time today. I'm interested in a career change towards marketing. Obviously, a large part of the learning process is interaction with peers interested in the same field and industry. I'm concerned that the recent economic downturn has pushed many finance industry people towards business school and that this may sway the diversity of the class of 2009. Is this a valid concern that the admissions committee considers as well?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Luke, we are always concerned about enrolling as diverse a class as possible. With only 240 students, it is important that we bring in people with many different backgrounds in terms of industry, function, geography, etc. This will not change given the recent economic downturn.
beat_the_matrix
Hi again. The application instructions say "Graduates of non-US institutions must also provide one official degree certificate in the original language, along with a certified English translation." I have the official transcripts from my university in India and they issue only one official degree certificate. Do you mean an attested copy of the same?
Lee_Moderator
beat_the_matrix, your school should be happy to provide an attested copy of your degree certificate. That's what we require.
Kevin
Thanks for having this chat. It's very convenient. I'm an architect making the shift from architecture to real estate investment and development and I'm curious if the real estate program at Haas offers courses/opportunities/programs in green building technology as I feel this is a very important topic to exploit.
Kara_Berkeley
Kevin, please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/realestate.html for more information on the types of coursework offered within the real estate focus. You are also welcome to contact the Haas Real Estate Group for more information: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/realestate/MBA/mbainfo.asp. Our HSA team can connect you with current students studying real estate: hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
JulieB
Does the Berkeley MBA program offer students the chance to study abroad for a semester?
Kara_Berkeley
JulieB - Yes, MBA students can study abroad during fall semester of their second year. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/global.html for more information.
pranav
hi...when is the transcript needed or not needed??
Lee_Moderator
Pranav, we require an official transcript for any school from which you obtained a degree. However, if you have a few transfer credits that are non-quantitative from another school, or you have transfer credits where the course and grade are listed on the transcript of your degree-issuing school, a transcript is not required.
susan
I am a recent grad. I will have a letter from my current supervisor and then considering my thesis advisor since he was in a supervisory role. I do have another supervisor, but she was from about 4 years back and I'm concerned that it is not recent enough. Should I choose the academic or the other supervisor?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Susan, we use the letters of recommendation to gauge your professional accomplishments so you want to select recommenders who can speak to your professional accomplishments. I would be concerned that a role that you held 4 years back might be a bit dated, unless it fits with your career goals. Look at the questions that we ask and think about the professional roles you want highlighted and who would be the best person to provide detailed insights into your accomplishments in these roles.
Kara_Berkeley
The best way to connect with current students is to contact our Haas Student Ambassador team at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
Jeff_Berkeley
We strive to have diverse classes. That will include people from a variety of industries and experience. We have people from more traditional finance and consulting backgrounds certainly, but we also have a strong contingent of people coming from non-profit, government and other backgrounds. I don't know if the emphasis on this has increased, though, that type of diverstiy within the small class size (240 students) has long been a hallmark of our program.
Cindy_Berkeley
Our Partners Club is an excellent resource for helping partners relocate to Berkeley: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/partnersclub/ We do have the Berkeley International Office on campus which helps with VISA issues. http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/siss.html
beat_the_matrix
Thanks Lee. I actually was thinking of submitting original transcrpt in a sealed envelope along with a copy of degree certificate attested by a legal notary in my city. That will do right? Thanks..
Lee_Moderator
That will do unless we wish to admit you, at which time an attested copy of the degree certificate will be required.
Rubi
What percentage of students gets employment offer by their graduation time through Berkeley?
Cindy_Berkeley
For the Class of 2008 95% of students received a job offer 3 months after graduation.
Rob58
I have a question about recommendations: I work at a consulting firm. If one of my recommenders is my manager, can the other one be from my client?
Cindy_Berkeley
Yes
ortaplt
what kind of crossover does haas have between public/non-profit leadership and entrepeneurship? is there any true coursework in social entrepeneurship available?
Kara_Berkeley
ortaplt - there are a lot of ways to get involved in social entrepreneurship at Haas. Our Net Impact Club and Global Social Venture Competition are just two ways. There are also many courses that support interests in social entrepreneurship. Please visit the Lester Center for more information: http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/interestedsocial.asp
Jeff_Berkeley
Applicant interest in round 4 for us has been falling over the last few years and people are tending submit in earlier rounds. Our round dates are primarily determined by our resources and ability to review and admit students as promptly as we can as well as where the market is.
andy
Do you offer interviews in Israel?
Jeff_Berkeley
Yes, we do have interviewers in Israel and the region.
Jeff_Berkeley
Notification for round 2 is scheduled for March 18, 2009.
pranav
...how do we submit the official transcripts of our school?? is it submitted online or through post?
Lee_Moderator
pranav, transcripts must come to us through the post. We do not accept on-line transcripts.
ortaplt
are admissions decisions for joint JD/MBA applicants given concurrently or on each school's own admissions timeline?
Jeff_Berkeley
On each schools timeline.
Krishna
hi all...my undergrad scores are not good...but i took a masters and was the topper & recieved a book prize.....and my gmat score is 670....do i have a chance based on my acads?
Kara_Berkeley
Krishna - All elements of your academic profile are considered when determining your aptitude and ability to succeed within the curriculum. Overall, academics is just one piece of the entire review process and we are looking at many things to determine your competitiveness in relation to the pool. Our current student profile will give you a good idea of where you fall in relation to our first year student statistics: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/classprofile.html
Cindy_Berkeley
Whether you interview on campus with a current student, or off-campus with an alum, your interview is considered the same. They both are considered equally.
Kara_Berkeley
We do not have plans to increase the class size. It will stay at 240 per class.
Isabelle
Can you speak in more detail regarding the short term international seminars that are held during the semester breaks? Do many students participate? Where are they located? What are they focused on?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Isabelle, there are organized study trips over our winter and spring breaks. Typicaly they involve meeting with companies/alums in the different areas. There are also student-organized trips that may not necessarily be for credit. In the past we've had trips to China, Japan, Israel, Brazil, India, to name a few. Connect with our current students to learn more!
Jeff_Berkeley
The application volume is up slightly, but it is a little too early to know how the overall year is going to look. We have been seeing a trend of more people applying in the first two rounds and so some of the increase is undoubtedly due to that.
NY.candidate2009
i have 530 gmat , but math and econ masters, and non-profit experience...what are the chances, and i have lots of international experience
Kara_Berkeley
Academic aptitude is just one element of our review process. You should consider how your statistics compare to our current first year students: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/classprofile.html. Your GMAT score falls below the middle 80% range and, while the GMAT isn't the only factor, you should consider trying to improve that score to make your application as competitive as possible.
Sharan T
one of my recommenders is currently between jobs, and only has access to a Personal Email account, not a business one as recommened by the Haas website. Will her recommendation be accepted? Is there any way I can assure the Haas Recommendation staff that she is genuine?
Cindy_Berkeley
Yes, we will accept the recommendation if it comes from a personal email address. We know that this happens ever so often, so I would not be too concerned. You might want to note the reason why your recommender is using this address in your application somewhere - or ask your recommender to address this.
Avisek
Does Haas interview in India ?
Cindy_Berkeley
Yes
Pedro_Klien
My transcript is in Portugues; should I submit an official translation?
Lee_Moderator
Pedro, an official translation is required for any transcript not issued in English.
Rubi
What qualifications make an applicant as a good fit for Berkeley?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Rubi, we look at academic ability, professional accomplishments and personal qualities. For more information, listen to our podcast on application tips (you can find this on our website).
Yash
Hi, I don't see my questions answered. Should I resubmit them. Thanks again.
Lee_Moderator
This is a moderated chat. Your questions are put into a queue to be answered and due to high volume we will not be able to respond to you immediately. Please do not resend your questions multiple times. They will not be answered quicker and it may slow us down.
Berkeleyhopeful
Will there be any financial aid or loans available to international students?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Berkeleyhopeful, yes we will continue to offer Haas Merit and Haas Achievement awards. We still have loans available for int'l students, although we no longer have no co-signer loans -- at this point.
Sharan T
I understand that Berkeley will be present at the MBA fair in Mumbai, India on the 1st of Dec. Is is possible to set up an 'Informational Interview'?
Lee_Moderator
Sharan, please make it a point to speak to our representative. However, we are not able to offer informational interviews at MBA Fairs due to the high number of people wishing to get information on the Berkeley MBA.
Rubi
How much do you weigh against extracurricular activities and community services? Do you accept the application from a candidate who is not highly involved in extracurricular activities and community services?
Jeff_Berkeley
Extracurricular activities are good because they allow us to see additional experience of an applicant. Such activities are also a big part of the Haas experience. We tend to say that 50% of the value of Haas is found outside of the classroom. Learning how to balance that work-life activity is a key part of success as a student and showing that balance as an applicant provides us with more information.
Minal
Hi, about recommendation letters, does it matter to the admissions committee whether the right to review the recommendation letter is waived or not?
Kara_Berkeley
Minal - No, this does not matter to the admissions committee and is not considered in our review process.
Yash
Regarding Short Answer 1, will it be viewed more favorably if it talks about a personal issue? Or talking about work related matters is equally ok? Thanks
Stephanie_Berkeley
Yash, we really leave this up to you to decide . We don't specify that answers have to be personal or professional in nature so that you can choose which experiences you want to share with the Admissions Committee.
Avisek
What will happen if one of my recommenders do not get enough time to answer the questions properly ?
Lee_Moderator
Avisek, if one of your recommenders send his letter in a few days past the deadline, that will not be a problem. Your application will be incomplete until the letter arrives.
Kara_Berkeley
All applicants are encouraged to have at least a statistics or calculus course at the college level to show quantitative proficiency.
Cindy_Berkeley
We do have students who are self-employed or come from small businesses. My advice is just to be sure that you take the extra time to provide us with the detailed information that we need in order to evaluate your work experience. Since it is a company that we may not know, you may want to spend more time in the application giving us details about the company and your role there. For all applicants we are looking at career progression as well as team skills.
NB
Hi, There are some extra -curriculars which I did in college like participating as coordinator in Cultural Festivals, Technical Festivals and Performance Arts Festival. Is it a good idea to mention them with other 3 major extracurriculars or will a list of 6 or 7 make it too cluttered?
Kara_Berkeley
NB - please list all of your extra-curriculuar involvements.
Ella
I have been an exchange student in France. But I have only one original transcript. It's so difficult for me to request the school to send transcript. . Could I sent the copied transcript? I will bring the original on in the interview.
Lee_Moderator
Ella, please send a copy with your application and explain the circumstances on an attached note.
Stephanie_Berkeley
I don't know if I can say that there is one thing common amongst applicants. I would listen to our podcast on application tips --we share some of the common mistakes people make in each of the areas of our application.
Berkeleyhopeful
How many applicants will be interviewed/accepted per round?
Jeff_Berkeley
I believe that overall we typically interview about 30-35% of the overall application pool. We do not provide breakdowns of the invitations and admission offers per round; they do change based on the strength of applications in that round.
daniela
do you give special considerations to international students in terms of the gmat score.. or are we required to be in the same range they say in the podcast 650-750
Cindy_Berkeley
All applicants are considered the same -- and are reviewed in comparison to the overall pool.
pranav
....okay I assume that if I am a R2 applicant...the official transcripts duly attested by the institution should reach UCB Haas by 09 Dec 2008 by post.....please confirm !!
Vina_Moderator
pranav—yes, transcripts should be post marked by the deadline of whichever round you're applying.
Rubi
How much attention is given towards women in business?
Kara_Berkeley
Rubi - We have a very active Women in Leadership club at Haas. Please visit http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/wil/ for more information.
davidtroya
are international students expected to score as high as english speakers on the gmat?
Jeff_Berkeley
We do not have a different set of standards for domestic and international applicants.
Cindy_Berkeley
For international applicants, we do take English as Second Language into account when reviewing the VP section of the GMAT. We also will look at the TOEFL and consider English fluency in the essays and interview.
hk
Can I submit my sealed official transcript directly at the admissions when I visit campus?
Vina_Moderator
Yes, if you're in the area, you can certainly drop off your sealed transcript at our office.
Jeff_Berkeley
We do not consider residency when reviewing applications.
anna
Hi.. what is the break up for the students admitted? As I mentioned in my earlier question, I am an HR Professional and scared that my profession might work as a disadvantage in a pool of finance and IT applicants
Kara_Berkeley
Anna - Our current student profile will give you more information on the previous industries and functions of our current students: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/classprofile.html. You may also wish to review our employment reports for more information: www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/employment_reports.html. Our HSA team can connect you with current students with an HR background so you can get their insight, too: hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
Avisek
How long a GMAT score is valid ?
Vina_Moderator
for the Fall 2009 application, GMAT scores cannot be older than Oct 2003.
Joy
The application asks a question about what measures I have taken to explore the Haas program. I live on the east coast and have not been able to visit, will that be seen negatively?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Joy, we certainly recognize that it is a long distance and we don't expect that you would be able to visit. But we've held information sessions in certain cities along the East Coast, we've held chats, we have student blogs, etc. There are other ways to learn about our program to understand if it's a good fit for you -- this is what we're interested in hearing more about.
beat_the_matrix
One last question from my side - Can an applicant hope to get interivewed at a topMBA event ( Mumbai, 2nd Dec)?
Lee_Moderator
beat_the_matrix, we are not able to conduct interviews at MBA Fairs, and we do not issue an invitation to interview until after the review of an application has been completed.
susan
How do you view recent graduate applicants? Do you encourage or discourage them?
Kara_Berkeley
Susan - we strongly encourage all applicants to have at least two years of full-time post-undergraduate work experience to be competitive.
R2Applicant
If a registered recommender is changed to a different recommender (such as due to medical reasons), should that be explained in an optional essay?
Jeff_Berkeley
In order to change the recommender you will have to interract with our office and doing so will provide us with the explanation we need.
Avisek
Is submitting an old GMAT score discouraged ?
Lee_Moderator
Avisek, GMAT scores are only valid for five years. Tests must have been after October 1, 2003 -- but any test after that date is acceptable.
NB
The goals question specifically ask for 'past proffessional experience'. Can we not include any academic or personal experience relating to my future goals?
Stephanie_Berkeley
NB, certainly you can include this information if you feel it fits.
Brian
I know that you receive a lot of applications from various backgrouds. Would I most likely be competing with other applicants within the same industry as me?
Kara_Berkeley
Brian - All applicants are reviewed in the same way and consideration is given to the most competitive candidates in the pool, regardless of industry. You should be sure to distinguish yourself from other applicants who may come from the same industry.
davidtroya
Hello Stephanie, Applicants whose first language is not english have a disadvantage on the gmat test. Is that taken into consideration by admissions?
Stephanie_Berkeley
davidtroya, we do recognize this, but it's also important that our students have a certain level of English proficiency as our program is conducted entirely in English.
SarahP
Hi Kara, Cindy, Stephanie, and Jeff. I was an undergraduate social science major and fulfilled my GE quantitative requirements based on Advanced Placement exams in high school (Statistics and Calculus). I have a decent quantitative GMAT percentile. Should that be sufficient to fulfill the expected levels of quantitative work?
Lee_Moderator
SarahP, explain your situation in the question about quantitative ability. If you are not sure of your quant skills, you may wish to enroll in a calculus course or a statistics course at a community college.
Kara_Berkeley
There are day care options offered through the University but not specifically through Haas. We do, however, have a Kids@Haas program offered through our Partner's Club - visit http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/partnersclub/kids.htm for more information. Also, visit http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/childcare/starting.html for more information about options offered through the university.
Rob58
Is it okay for a recommendation to come from a client? I work in consulting. Thanks
Stephanie_Berkeley
Rob58, yes this is fine.
LZ
How heavily do you weigh the analytical writing score?
Kara_Berkeley
LZ - It's just one area of evaluation in your entire GMAT score.
Ella
Is it possible that you can give me the contact info about the student who pursue the career as the fund manager? Then I can learn more about the transition.
Kara_Berkeley
Ella - please email our HSA team for that connection - hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
Cindy_Berkeley
We would like one of your letters to be from a current supervisor -- and if you are unable to provide one from a current supervisor please let us know why. It is perfectly fine to have a second recommender from a previous supervisor. What's most important is choosing a recommender who has worked with you really closely and is able to describe your career progression, leadership and team skills, as well as evaluate your senior leadership potential. We also love detailed examples - so for a previous supervisor 5 years ago be sure you let them know what you're doing now (provide a current resume) and suggest that they review your past performance evaluations to jog their memory of these examples.
Disa-Indonesia
I've read that Haas will host a business centre conference at Singapore next Monday. Can I also find one of the admission team there?
Stephanie_Berkeley
Disa-Indonesia, we actually just held an information session in Singapore this past weekend. Unfortunately, our admissions committe member is now traveling to Thailand.
Kara_Berkeley
International applicants have the same chance in any round. Since there are so many details to attend to if you are admitted to the program, it's best to apply in the earliest round possible.
Krishna
hi...i worked for a startup company after graduation without pay...do i include it as full time employment or internship?
Cindy_Berkeley
It would work in either area -- Since it is after graduation, you might want to include this in the FT employoment area.
anna
Is there some kind of weightage break up for acads, work experience, extra currcular activities
Stephanie_Berkeley
anna, it is truly a holistic review -- for more information listen to our podcast on application tips where we talk about how we evaluate each area of the application
LZ
I currently work in and am interested in the Medical Devices / Pharma / Biotech field. If I am not applying to the joint MBA/MPH program, would that weaken my application?
Jeff_Berkeley
Hi LZ, not at all. We have a number of applicants that are looking to change their career focus for example. People choose to get an MBA for a variety of reasons. Most important is being able to articulate your goals and how the Bekeley MBA fits into them.
Cindy_Berkeley
Yes - We consider the rigor of the school and your major when reviewing your academics.
Pedro_Klien
Do I have to explain why I failed in a particular discipline during undergrad?
Kara_Berkeley
Pedro_Klien - Yes, it's best to address those types of things so the committee is not left wondering what happened at that time.
laura
Do you think that it's necessary for me to explain any career switch in my career path in one of the essays? Or explain an not ideal score in GMAT if I have not chance to take one more time?
Kara_Berkeley
Laura - yes, it's best to explain why you made certain career decisions. If you think your GMAT score is not indicative of your strengths and there are other elements of your academic record that would suggest otherwise, you may consider highlighting those.
Kara_Berkeley
What's most important is how closely your recommender know you. The title of the recommender does not matter.
amanasson
Is the self-employed status put one at a disadvantage?
Kara_Berkeley
amanasson - a self-employed status does not put you at a disadvantage.
Kara_Berkeley
Minimum academic requirements are a 4-year bachelor's degree. If you hold at least a bacherlor's degree, you are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to have at least 2 years of full-time post-undergraduate professional work experience prior to applying to the program.
Vina_Moderator
Hi all! Thank you for joining us. The chat is wrapping up and shutting down. We appreciate your questions and we apologize if we didn't get to all of them. Please check back on our website within the next couple weeks for a transcript of today's chat and information on future chat dates. Go Bears!
