The Berkeley MBA - Online Admissions Chat
March 8, 2011
Chat with the Berkeley MBA Admissions Team
Corinne Kang, Associate Director of Admissions
Erin Kellerhals, Associate Director of Admissions
Lee Forgue, Admissions Specialist
Vina Ryan, Moderator
Vina_Moderator
Hi all, and welcome to the Berkeley MBA Applicant Chat. My name is Vina and I will be moderating the chat today. Joining us will be Corinne Kang and Erin Kellerhals--Associate Directors of Admissions, and Lee Forgue--Admissions Specialist. Please send us your questions!
Lee_Berkeley
Hi! I'm Lee Forgue, one of the Admission Specialists -- I'll be answering most of your questions about the application process today.
Erin_Berkeley
Welcome to the chat! I'm Erin Kellerhals, Associate Director.
Corinne_Berkeley
Thanks for joining us! I'm Corinne Kang, Associate Director of Admissions. What questions do you have for us today?
Lee_Berkeley
I will be answering most of the questions about the application process.
Vina_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.
John
What is the ideal format for organizing responses to the supplemental questions of the admissions essays?
Corinne_Berkeley
John - there isn't a required format, but many people list their activities out by organization, title/position held, dates involved, weekly/monthly time commitment, and description of activities.
Nell
Hello! In the application under Essays, Section I, Question 4, how detailed should my description of my gaps between employment be? Should the response be more of a list or should it explain my duties of my part-time work and internships at that time?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Nell-Please explain your gaps in full-time work. If you had a series of part-time jobs or internships, you may list those, but you need only go into enough detail to explain the job or internship.
Philipp
Hi, thanks a lot for hosting this event! I have two questions: Firstly, one of my recommenders is currently ill and she will not have access to her company email until the application deadline. Is it possible to change her email address in the online application? Secondly, if selected for an interview, I would probably not be in my home country at the time as I will be on business travel. How can I indicate that in my application?
Lee_Berkeley
Hi Philipp. You cannot change any recommender information once it has been entered, but we can -- send the name of the recommender, the original email, and the new email to mbaadm@haas.berkeley.edu and we will make the change. You may wish to ask your recommender to mention why she is using a personal rather than a business email address. As for interviews, you will be able to schedule an interview, if you are invited, anywhere in the world that we have interviewers available.
nceci
When may we expect an answer for the round of Mar 16?
Lee_Berkeley
nceci, the notification date for Round 4 is May 26.
Matt
What are the financial aid options at Haas?
Corinne_Berkeley
Matt - we have a number of financial aid options! Every applicant is routinely considered for the Haas Merit Scholarship. There are also additional scholarship opportunities that admitted students may apply for including the Haas Achievement Award, the Maxwell Fellowship, the Berkeley MBA Grant... All of these financial aid opportunities are listed in greater detail on our financial aid website: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/index.html
Glenn
Is there a way to verify if your GMAT scores have been received?
Lee_Berkeley
Glenn, we review all files with self-reported scores and verify the scores later in the application process. If, at that time, we find that we have not received your official scores, we would ask you to check with Pearson.
Andy Bohlin
How heavily weighted is the GMAT?
Corinne_Berkeley
Andy - we don't assign specific weights to any one component of the application as we evaluate candidates; we're evaluating each candidate holistically. The GMAT is just as important as any other aspect of the application.
NGreene
for this round of applications, when would we hear if we get in or not?
Lee_Berkeley
NGreene, the notification date for this round is May 26.
Mark
Hi! I'm working on wrapping up my Round 4 application and wanted to know how much I will be disadvantaged by applying in the last round. What kinds of applicants find success in terms of gaining acceptance at this late stage?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Mark--the admissions team still admits applicants in Round 4--we simply don't have that many spaces left in the last round, hence the disadvantage. There is an advantage, however, in that Round 4 is typically our smallest round. The number of applicants admitted in Round 4 changes every year depending on the pool, but the quality of applicant is no different from any other round.
nceci
will interview invitation be sent out around May 26 too? or maybe earlier?
Lee_Berkeley
nceci, interview invitations will be sent as soon as the Admissions Committee determines that they wish to interview someone, and may be issued up to the notification date of May 26. The date an interview invitation is issued is not significant, since the files are read in no significant order.
Ashley
Hi and thanks for hosting the chat today! In terms of the career goals, how much time do you look for us to spend addressing our past experience and how it qualifies us for the program vs our goals and how we expect the Haas MBA to get us there?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Ashley--the career goals essay is used to assess how you view your career to date, how a Haas MBA fits into your future goals. You should spend whatever time necessary to communicate this--there is a word limit on the application, so perhaps use this as a guide.
Nathan Jokel
Hello. In considering a round 4 application vs waiting until next year to apply, are there disadvantages to a round 4 application in the financial aid and housing processes?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nathan - There is no disadvantage in terms of the housing process because most of our students don't secure housing until June or July. As for scholarship opportunities, we have awarded scholarships in R4. However, since we don't allot money by round, there is the chance that there wouldn't be scholarship funds available by R4. I think it's more about when you're ready to apply for and attend an MBA program as it relates to your personal and professional growth.
Fernando Lopez
My first question is with regards to the undergraduate GPA calculation. I attended a two year college before transferring to a four year school to finish my undergraduate studies. When I calculate my cumulative GPA do I take into account only the classes that the 4 year school accepted as transfer credits? or should I include all my classes/credits from the 2 year school as well as the credits/classes that I took to complete my undergraduate degree?
Lee_Berkeley
Fernando, when you are figuring your cumulative GPA, you should include all classes taken, not just the ones accepted for transfer.
loukas
Can we apply to 2 different MBA programs within Berkeley? I am interested in the Berkeley-Columbia Exchange program as well as the Full time MBA...How does these programs work?
Lee_Berkeley
loukas, University policy allows application to only one program at Berkeley. You will have to choose which program you wish to apply for.
Nell
Hello again, under the employment section of the application do you want to hear about different accomplishments than are listed on our resume?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Nell--if you have not covered certain accomplishments on your resume, yes, please use this space to do so.
Nupur
How does recruiting in the fall differ for those interested in non-profit as opposed to the formal recruiting for finance, marketing, etc.?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nupur - For full-time positions, fall recruiting is more heavily weighted towards the "traditional" fields such as finance, consulting, marketing, etc... Non-profits typically don't have a formal recruiting process, so those opportunities come in throughout the year, with more jobs opening up in the spring.
Nell
In Section I, Question 3 of the application regarding jobs held during undergraduate studies, should I include summer jobs and internships held between years at my school?
Lee_Berkeley
Nell, you should include summer jobs and internships in that section.
Care
I have very few years of experience, will that put me at a disadvantage?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Care--most of our students have 3-8 years of work experience on average. That being said, it is more about quality of experience, rather than quantity in years. Depending on what you have done, you may have had more qualifying years than you think.
Belsunce
How many applications are you usually receiving per year and how many application are you admitting?
Corinne_Berkeley
Belsunce - last year, we received a little over 3,600 applications. Our selectivity over the past few years has ranged from 12 - 15%
Mark
Is there an opportunity to submit an online link (for example, to a portfolio) in the application?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Mark--yes, you may submit a link if you wish to share that with us.
Andy Bohlin
How important is it to get a recommendation from your current employer if you've only worked there for less than a year?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Andy--you should always ask supervisors who know you well. If you feel the time at your current employer is not enough for your employer to assess your work, perhaps you should ask a former supervisor. Make sure you let us know why you are not asking your current supervisor, though.
nceci
Hi again, my file was pushed to R4 because i want my updated GMAT (retook on Feb 21st) to be considered. Does that mean no one has ever read my application yet? Thank you!
Lee_Berkeley
nceci, the review of Round 4 applications has not been started yet.
ERL
What's the interview process like? For the EWMBA program which I didn't end up applying to, I was given the opportunity to interview before I submitted my completed application. Is the full time program similar or different?
Corinne_Berkeley
ERL - our interview process is different from the EWMBA program. All of our interviews are done by invitation only, and interview invitations are extended after an application has been reviewed by at least two readers. Another difference is that our interviews are typically conducted by current students or alums (vs. staff).
Nell
If I had a full-time unpaid internship following graduation from my undergraduate school, do I list this in the "gaps in employment" section in the essays, or list it as full-time employment? Thank you!
Lee_Berkeley
Nell, you may list an unpaid internship in either place -- I personally would list it with the "gaps" question.
Belsunce
What are you expecting in terms of experience? Is 3 years in a financial company usually enough, even when the candidate is 'young' (22 years old) ?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Belsunce--Our students have an average of 3-8 years of work experience. We don't consider the age of our applicants, as circumstances can put our applicants at many different ages. Primarily we are assessing how well-prepared you are for an MBA and hence it is the nature and quality of your work experience that matters most--not necessarily the years of work experience.
Nathan Jokel
Do you receive many applications from applicants that already have a master's degree (other than an MBA), and how is such a previous degree viewed in evaluating an applicant?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nathan - Looking at our current first-year class, 11% of our students have other master's degrees. Additional master's degrees provide another point of reference as we assess your academic background; they're not viewed negatively or positively.
LST
What percent of the class has been filled at this point?
Corinne_Berkeley
LST - that's a tough number to nail down at this time because we're still waiting to hear responses from R1 and R2 candidates who have been offered admission.
loukas
For the letter of rec, are there other ways to submit them other than email? Some of my formal employers do not like to submit it via email but by postal mail
Lee_Berkeley
loukas, there are directions for submitting letters of recommendation via post in our application, at https://apply.haas.berkeley.edu/Recommendations and at https://apply.haas.berkeley.edu/Content/PDF/MBA_LOR_Fall2011.pdf
Raj
Is the eligibility for the Haas merit scholarships and other scholarships significantly reduced for Round 4 applicants?
Corinne_Berkeley
Raj - No, I wouldn't say that eligibility is significantly reduced. We do still see very strong applicants come through in R4 every year. As I mentioned in a previous response, however, we don't allot specific amounts of funding per round. That means there's a chance that we will have awarded all of our available funds by the time we get to R4.
Kevin
Although Berkeley is a top choice of mine, due to family considerations, I have waited to submit an application until Round 4. However, 3 colleagues from my company and specific office in DC have already been accepted to Haas in earlier rounds. Will this affect my chances of gaining admittance this year?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Kevin--Round 4 is our smallest round, which works to your advantage. It is also our final round, which means we have fewer spaces available. That being said, we still offer admission to applicants in Round 4--the number of how many varies each year depending on the pool. We would not necessarily compare you to your colleagues as you are all separate and individual applicants with different backgrounds and goals.
tn
I am a re-applicant and am re-writing my main essay about my career goals. Is it perceived negatively if my career goals have changed? Do you consider my essay from the previous application as well?
Corinne_Berkeley
tn - yes, we will consider your essay from your previous application in review your application this year. It's fine if your career goals change, but I'd encourage you to clearly address why they've changed.
Ashley
Sure, I took a couple of classes that were either 1 or 4 credit hours rather than the standard 3. The cumulative GPA is weighted such that a 1 credit class in which I earned an A impacts my GPA less than a 4 credit class in which I earned an A-
Lee_Berkeley
Ashley, to calculate the GPA, follow the directions in the application instructions. You will figure the number of credits for which you received each grade, multiply that by the number of points, and then divide the total GP by the total number of credits. This gives the GPA.
Raj
Hi - After I left my previous job, I have been working on an entrepreneurial venture with no cash pay and only equity based compensation. Will it be viewed negatively in terms of work experience that I have been working on a more entrepreneurial venture for equity compensation?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Raj--We assess all parts of your application relative to your circumstance so no, this would not be viewed negatively.
Nell
Is it necessary to explain why I am applying in Round 4 in the optional essay section?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Nell--No, unless you feel there is some specific reason you wish to share.
Nell
I took a month long "Design Management" course one summer which did not count toward a degree of any kind. Should I submit the transcript from the class or is that not something you want to see?
Lee_Berkeley
Nell, you do not need to submit a transcript for this, but list it in your educational history and mark it "no transcript needed" -- if you are asked for a transcript when your file is set up, tell the person who contacts you that the class was non-quantitative.
ERL
My current supervisor is writing a letter of recommendation for me. I've also asked my previous supervisor at another company to write a letter. Though she was my direct supervisor, we haven't worked together for 3.5 years. I'm guessing what matters most is how well the reference knows me, but are more current references preferable?
Corinne_Berkeley
ERL - it sounds like you're already getting a letter from a current supervisor who can speak about your recent accomplishments. Including your pervious supervisor's perspective is also valuable as long as she can provide details about your work at that company.
NGreene
Erin, what things can we do to learn more about the MBA program, given the approaching deadline, such as any info sessions, class visits, meeting with admissions, to learn more about the school?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi NGreene--there are many great ways to learn more. I highly recommend the website as a great source of information--there is a lot there!! I also highly recommend visiting a class, having lunch with students and attending a student-run information session. Getting to know the students and understanding what it is like to attend class are invaluable ways to get to know us.
vina naik
If one of my recommenders does not submit his recommendation by the deadline, will my application be void? Or will it still be evaluated with one recommendation?
Lee_Berkeley
vina naik, if your recommender gets the letter in shortly after the deadline, the delay will probably not even slow your review. If we do not have the letter when we complete the review of files, you will remain incomplete and will not be reviewed, but we will notify you before that happens.
Nell
In the employment section of the application where it asks for Annual Sales, is it okay to leave that blank if I do not specifically sell something in my position and my company does not conduct sales? Is there some other figure you want indicated there?
Lee_Berkeley
Nell, if your company does not engage in sales, you may leave that field blank.
Raj
Hi - thanks for the session. On the application, why do you ask what other institutions we are applying to? Is this question optional? And should we include the institution here if we have already been denied by that school in a previous application round?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Raj--we ask this question to understand more about you. If you would like to share where you have previously applied, you needn't share that you have been denied there.
loukas
Hi again, in terms of GPA -- will only the GPA from our major to be considered or do you consider the total undergrad GPA? If you have taken more classes at a community college after graduating...do they fall into your overall GPA?
Lee_Berkeley
loukas, we consider your overall GPA and your GPA after your first two years. Any coursework taken after your degree was conferred is not part of your GPA.
Andy Bohlin
I heard from a friend who is currently in the MBA program about the experiential learning classes - can you speak more about these classes?
Corinne_Berkeley
Andy - yes, experiential learning opportunities are a big part of our curriculum. We think it's extremely important to be able to "live" the concepts that you are learning in the classroom and put them to the test is a real life scenario rather than simply reading about cases. There are a number of different opportunities to choose from - some of the most popular include International Business Development (IBD), Haas@Work, Social Sector Solutions, and Cleantech to Market. There's a lot more detail on our website, and I would also encourage you to reach out to our Haas Student Ambassadors to chat with them about their personal experiences! http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/experiential.html
Belsunce
Do you think that being only 22, having almost 3 years of relevant experience within a global company in financial projects, and graduated already would be enough to consider the application? In other terms, it is pretty difficult for a European student who already has 3 years of relevant experience but is only 22 to know whether he has a real chance to get in or not?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Belsunce--We do not consider age in assessing you and your application. We see candidates from many different backgrounds and circumstances, and hence a wide variety of ages. We assess the depth and breadth of your work experience, the quality of your experience, and exposure, but not your age.
Nell
Thank you Lee- in regard to sales in employment section, if I worked for a nonprofit that was membership based, do you to see the amount of money brought in through membership sales?
Lee_Berkeley
Nell, that is a form of sales, so it would be appropriate to put that in the sales box...
NGreene
Also, who reviews the short answer responses? Committee? Alumni? Thank you!
Erin_Berkeley
Hi NGreene--The admissions committee reviews all parts of your application. Alumni and students who interview for us only see your resume.
vina naik
Could you give us a rough estimate of the no. of applicants in Round 4 last year?
Corinne_Berkeley
vina - R4 is usually our smallest round, but we typically don't disclose the number applications we receive by round.
tn
If I have two recommenders already, but would like to provide an additional recommendation that I believe to be important, could I submit that? If so, should this be emailed to the admissions office and what info needs to be included to make sure that it will be attached to my application?
Lee_Berkeley
tn, we ask that applicants limit their recommendations to two for the application. If you are placed on the waitlist, you may add additional recommenders.
ERL
How many applicants do you typically admit in a year? How many have been admitted in R1 and R2?
Corinne_Berkeley
ERL - last year, we made 422 offers of admission to an applicant pool of 3,626. As I just mentioned to vina, we typically don't disclose the number of applicants/admits by round.
NGreene
Thank you, for the short answer responses, in Q5, it asks to list courses to demonstrate quant ability. Are these courses considered relevent? UC Davis - Principles of Microeconomics UC Davis - Elementary Statistics UC Davis - Pre-Calculus UC Davis - Short Calculus (three classes)
Corinne_Berkeley
NGreene - yes!
Erin_Berkeley
Hi LST--Our strongest candidates possess the academic aptitude to succeed in our rigorous program, strong breadth and depth of work experience, and demonstrate our four defining principles--question the status quo, confidence without attitude, student always, beyond yourself.
John
In the academic institutions section of the application, should we list academic institutions where we obtain non-graduate professional certificates? If not, can we submit the transcripts? Or should we do both?
Lee_Berkeley
John, it depends on what these certificates are. If they are professional certifications such as are common in the computer industry, they are not appropriately listed in the education section. However, if they include a substantial academic component, they can be listed as education. If you have a specific question about whether something should be listed as education, send the question to mbaadm@haas.berkeley.edu.
Andy Bohlin
What else can I do to show that I am solely interested in Haas and not planning to apply elsewhere?
Corinne_Berkeley
Andy - you can feel free to mention it in your essays!
ERL
How are re-applicants looked at differently? How is the original application referenced?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi ERL—Re-applicants are reviewed similarly to other applicants, however we are particularly interested in progress since the last application. This is why we ask re-applicants to specifically address what has changed and how they have developed since last applying. If the original application is less than two years old, we refer back to it to gauge said changes and development.
Andy Bohlin
In the accomplishment short answer, should this be tied to work or personal achievement?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Andy--Please refer to both professional and personal achievements as they pertain to your application.
Raj
The design and innovation strategy club (DISC) does not seem to be listed in the application. Is there a reason for this? How do I indicate interest in this club in the application?
Corinne_Berkeley
Raj - DISC is just one example of how dynamic the Haas community is! I don't believe DISC was a formal club when our application went live, which is why it's probably not listed. You can feel free to mention your interest in the club in your essays.
Fernando Lopez
When reviewing a candidates application are the rankings of the school and undergraduate program considered during the application review?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Fernando--We consider the rigor of your undergraduate degree and institution, but not any ranking.
tn
What is the policy as far as confidentiality of the information in the essays? In order to talk about some of my work experiences, its necessary to refer to some things that is internal to my company. Though some detail is necessary to tell my story, I wouldn’t want to risk that this info is shared beyond the application.
Corinne_Berkeley
tn - the information in your application is treated as confidential, and we take this very seriously. Only members of the Admissions Committee and admissions operations staff have access to your application; not even your interviewer (they only see your resume).
nceci
It seems there is an emphasis on quant skill, would applicants from Art and Humanities background be negatively viewed? Or do you look at GMAT quant score as a reference too?
Lee_Berkeley
nceci, applicants with less quant in their academic background can show their quant skills in other ways -- one of the best ways is by having a good GMAT quant score. You can also reference any use of quant in your employment.
NGreene
If we get admittance into a different MBA school, but want UCB as our first choice, is there any process to get early decision?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi NGreene--There isn't any process for early decision. You can expect your decision by notification day and unfortunately we can't accommodate other schools' deadlines.
Andy Bohlin
What are the living accommodations for married couples?
Corinne_Berkeley
Andy - some of our married couples, especially those with children, live in University Village. It's not on-campus housing, but all amenities are included and it's a nice community. The majority of our students (married and single) find housing in nearby neighborhoods using Craigslist.
Shubhra
Hi, I'm a Round 3 applicant. What is the admission process and when may I expect to hear from AdCom?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Shubhra--The notification date for Round 3 is April 21.
ERL
Does Haas have loan forgiveness programs for graduates pursuing non-profit work?
Corinne_Berkeley
ERL - yes! Haas has a very generous LRAP program (Loan Repayment Assistance Program). It gives our students the flexibility to pursue careers in non-profit while providing some relief from the burden of loans. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/lrap.html
lisamhampton
What would be a good GMAT quant sore?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Lisa--A raw score of 45 and up is solid.
Fernando Lopez
On the languages section you indicate that the candidate should list all languages spoken proficiently. Can I list a language which I speak well but my writing/grammar might be limited? Or must I only list languages for which I am proficient in speech, writing, reading, grammar?
Lee_Berkeley
Fernando, list any language you feel might be an asset to you in a business context.
Andy Bohlin
Would highlighting myself as a CFA candidate help offset a slightly weaker GMAT score in terms of quantitative efficiency?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Andy--Yes, this is a good way to offset the GMAT.
Nathan Jokel
Is there a word limit for responses in "Section I: Supplementary Questions?"
Lee_Berkeley
Nathan, the only questions that have limits are those with listed limits. However, we ask that you be as brief as you can when you completely answer a question -- keep in mind that the Admissions Committee is reading many applications!
tn
What are typically the best days of the week to visit Haas? Since I work during the weeks, I’m probably choosing between a Friday and a Monday, maybe Thursday. Is one of those better than the others to visit?
Lee_Berkeley
tn, if you wish to visit a class, any other day of the week is better than Friday, since there are no class visits on Friday. Between Monday and Thursday, I would select based on what class visits were offered and how those fit my interests.
Fernando Lopez
How do you determine the rigor of an undergraduate degree?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Fernando--The rigor of an undergraduate degree is determined by the difficulty of the coursework. We also take into account other factors such as extracurricular involvement or part- or full-time work.
Fernando Lopez
Is there a page limit for our resumes?
Lee_Berkeley
Fernando, most resumes submitted are one-page -- some run two pages and very few run longer than that.
mccaskip
Can you provide more detail about the 'Areas of Emphasis' that is new to the curriculum, specifically what the requirements are to complete an 'Area of Emphasis' and whether students are able to focus on multiple areas?
Corinne_Berkeley
mccaskip - Areas of Emphasis allow our students to focus their studies on a specific topic that also helps them reach their career goals. Students are absolutely able to focus on multiple areas - that's the beauty of having a flexible, general management curriculum! There aren't any specific requirements to fulfill an area of emphasis, but if you take a look at our website, you can get a sense of the different opportunities and resources available under each one. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/areasofemphasis.html
Andy Bohlin
Should I list geographic change w/ same employer & same position (NYC to Boston) as two separate jobs?
Lee_Berkeley
Andy, we ask that you list each employer only once and give details of your employment with a company within a single record.
Shubhra
What is a good GMAT verbal score? My quant score is high, but not the verbal score.
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Shubhra--as you are a Round 3 applicant, I wouldn't worry about your GMAT score as it is set. We do tend to see strong verbal raw scores around 45 as well.
Nicole
What is the work load like in the full-time MBA program? Is there any room for employment during the program?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nicole - I won't lie - it's intense! We discourage employment during the first year, but during the second year, some students continue the work that they were doing during their summer internships, or they take on positions as Graduate Student Instructors (GSI). I definitely encourage you to reach out to Haas Student Ambassadors to hear directly from them! http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/hsateam.html
ERL
Is there a way to pursue a MA in education concurrently with an MBA?
Lee_Berkeley
ERL, we do not offer a concurrent program with the School of Education, and formal concurrent programs are the only way to pursue another degree at Berkeley while in the MBA program. (The concurrent programs we offer are a JD/MBA, an MBA.MPH, and an MBA/Masters in International and Area Studies.)
Taylor
How do you consider applicants with post-graduate degrees? For example, does the undergraduate CGPA factor in less if an applicant has completed a Master's degree?
Corinne_Berkeley
Taylor - Because an undergraduate degree is an application requirement, we do weigh this more heavily than a post-graduate degree. We will certainly take a Master's degree into consideration as we evaluate a candidate's academic background, but it will not replace the undergraduate degree.
vina naik
As Shubra mentioned, I have good quant score in GMAT, but my verbal is low-31. Also I am a round 4 applicant. Will this be a huge dent in my application?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Vina--this is not a huge dent. We assess many aspects of your application and you may address a low verbal score with strong writing skills, strong grades in coursework and any other supporting evidence of your strong verbal abilities.
Raj
Hi again - I have heard of students applying for California residency by their second year of school, which enables them to pay lower tuition. Is this true?
Corinne_Berkeley
Raj - yes. It's a great way to get the lower tuition for your 2nd year!
Andy Bohlin
Where should study abroad experience be mentioned, if at all?
Lee_Berkeley
Andy, please list your study abroad as a separate educational record. If it is included in the records sent by your degree-granting institution, you do not need to supply a separate transcript.
Nathan Jokel
Do you publish class profile information for graduating classes, such as employers of graduating students?
Corinne_Berkeley
Nathan - yes. Detailed employment reports are available online! http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/careers/employmentreports.html
tn
If I have submitted my GMAT scores as part of my application last year, I do not need to submit them again through mba.com - is that correct?
Lee_Berkeley
tn, if you have already had your official scores sent to the FT MBA program at Haas, you do not have to send them again.
Matt
How can one apply to be a Graduate Student Instructor? Also, what are the duties of a Graduate Student Instructor?
Erin_Berkeley
Hi Matt--Yes, there is an application process for those students who wish to become GSIs. The duties vary depending on the course.
Corinne_Berkeley
Ashley - The applications that really stand out to me are the ones where I feel like I've really gotten to know the candidate through the application. They've taken the time to reflect on their accomplishments and are able to clearly articulate their career goals as well as why they need an MBA from Haas at this point in their career in order to achieve them. They've also demonstrated an understanding of the distinctive culture at Haas and how they will contribute to it.
ERL
Thanks for the employment reports. Is there a listing of non-profit organizations that graduates work for?
Corinne_Berkeley
ERL - I don't know if there's a list readily available, but you can contact our Career Center and ask. Or you might also reach out to our student clubs in the field that interests you!
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!
Erin_Berkeley
Thank you all for your questions! Good luck!
Corinne_Berkeley
Thanks for joining us and for your questions. Best of luck!
Lee_Berkeley
Goodbye everyone -- it was great chatting with you. Thanks for all your questions!
