The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
October 8, 2009
Chat with Current Haas MBA Students
Saumil Shah, MBA Class of 2010
Veronica Briggs, MBA Class of 2010
Vina Nguyen, Moderator
Vina_Moderator
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA Student chat. My name is Vina and I will be moderating the chat today. I would like to introduce our 2nd year MBA students: Veronica Briggs and Saumil Shah. Please send us your questions!
Saumil MBA10
Hey Everyone! My name is Saumil and I'm a second year student at Haas. I grew up in Holmdel, NJ about an hour away from New York City and later moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Go Tarheels!) for school. I studied Political Science and Business Administration when I was there. Afterwards, I moved to Atlanta, GA where I worked in Deloitte Consulting's Strategy and Operations practice, mostly in financial services. My interests at Haas are related to education, technology and entrepreneurship!
Veronica MBA10
Hi everybody! My name is Veronica Briggs and I’m a second year in our dual MBA/MPH program. Prior to Haas I got my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Pitzer College, after which I moved up to San Francisco to work at Blue Shield of California. I worked at Blue Shield for 5 years in a variety of roles, but ultimately decided to come back to school to get my dual degree. This summer I worked at a management consulting firm called ZS Associates, and hope to move into healthcare consulting or strategy long-term.
Zak
Hi all, I'm interested to hear a bit about what formative role you've been able to take in structuring your coursework. What sorts of speakers or classes have you brought to Berkeley and why did you choose them?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Zak. There are MANY opportunities to structure your classes and curriculum here. Right now I'm in the process of organizing a speaker series class related to healthcare and I am bringing 7 different industry leaders to campus throughout the semester to talk about different issues and network with students. I have also had several other opportunities to bring professionals to campus through our conferences and panels. So...LOTS of opportunities to get industry here to Haas.
Guido
Hi! Is there any way to find out the contact details of Haas alumni from my country (Germany)?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Guido. We tend not to give out contact information about our alumni since they're so busy, but I do encourage you to direct your questions to the HSAs!
PShah
Hey Haas Students Ambassadors - my question is related to employment opportunities out of Haas - have you seen a major downturn in the number of postings because of the recession? Also, how many students typically go into VC roles after graduating from Haas?
Veronica MBA10
Hi PShah. Honestly, we haven't seen a huge decline in opportunities as a result of the economic downturn, though some sectors have been hit harder than others (finance, banking, etc.). Not too many students go onto VC, but I think that's largely because of how diverse our students' interests are and our small class size
Ting
Hi, I am interested in corporate social responsibility. Can you tell me your experience in Haas regarding this interest, and the prospect of CSR in the general employment market?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Ting. Thanks for your question. Haas is a great place if you're interested in working in CSR or in the Non-Profit world in general. During the summer, several of my classmates went to work at places like eBay, Gap, Google, etc. doing CSR work. We have centers of excellence such as the Center for Responsible Business (http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/responsiblebusiness/CSRCareerResources.html) that I encourage you to look at for more details! I hope this answers your question.
Maureen S
Hi Saumil and Veronica - can you tell us why you chose Haas? From your perspective, what makes it unique?
Veronica MBA10
Maureen - I chose Haas for two primary reasons. 1) It's an excellent school and was a perfect fit for me from program, academic, and professional perspective; and 2) I just felt at home here. I felt comfortable with my fellow students. I loved the collaborative nature of campus and the community feel.
Shivam Tandon
What are key attributes Berkeley looks for in candidates?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Shivam, we try to admit a diverse class of students with strengths in many different fields. To view our admission criteria, please visit our website: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/index.html
Lydia
Hi Saumil. Since you studied Business at undergrad, do you find the first year coursework in the MBA duplicates with what you've learned?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Lydia, great question. So, I think that there are some classes (e.g., finance, statistics) that are essentially identical to those that I took during undergrad. The nice thing about Haas is that they encourage students to waive out of core classes where they have experience or expertise, and to fill those spots with electives. Some of the other classes (like MicroEcon) are taught much more from a manager's perspective and the experience is very different after having worked for several years. The conversations are just far richer.
Ted
Hi Veronica -- do you feel that the 2.5 year length of the MBA/MPH dual degree is too short?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Ted - No, I don't. I think it strikes a good balance between time and intensity. I looked at other programs that were a bit longer, but chose this one because of how well integrated it is with the School of Public Health. Additionally, throughout the program, you're always taking additional credits above what would normally be required in the straight MBA, so it's very rigorous.
Ting
Hi, I am interested in corporate social responsibility, non-profit consulting, so I’m wondering that kind of exposure Haas has in terms of this?
Veronica MBA10
CSR and non-profit work is a very large focus here at Haas. Whether it's formally through the classes in the curriculum or just informally through student clubs and networks, many students go onto work in the non-profit sector. Haas also has two centers - the Center for Responsible Business and Center for Non-profit and Public Management - that aid students with projects and networking throughout the program.
Fearle
Saumil, I noticed you partake in the Entrepreneurship Club. Can you describe some of the club's interactions, activities, or how/if it has linked into coursework at Haas?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Fearle, the entrepreneurship activities at Haas are amazing. I'll tell you about some of my experiences, but for full details, check out the Lester Center offerings (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/main/). I took the entrepreneurship core class and it was amazing. Every class, in addition to the two professors, there were several VCs, entrepreneurs, etc. that would act as mentors. First hour, lecture and theory. Second hour, case discussion. Third hour, the people who started the business (people like John Hanke from Google Earth) talk about their experiences using the same tools, models, resources, etc. Outside of classes, there's the entrepreneurs forum, mentorship hours, the incubator for start-up and the list goes on...
bedwards
I would like to know what Veronica and Saumil have liked most and liked least about their time at Haas.
Veronica MBA10
I think I've enjoyed my fellow classmates the most, honestly. There's lots of cool stuff going on around campus every day, and so many opportunities, but it's my friends and classmates that make it truly awesome. Least...hmmm...I'd say it's how busy I always feel. So much to do, not enough time. And at times feeling overwhelmed. But overall, it's been manageable and I've really enjoyed my experience so far.
Frank
Hello, could you offer some insight into the differences between applying in Round II vs Round III in terms of admit rates?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Frank, Round 2 applicants will be notified of their decision before Round 3 applicants. Therefore, some slots may be filled by round 2 before round 3 is reviewed. Historically there is not a huge difference between the candidates we admit between rounds 2 and 3.
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.
Veronica MBA10
I've appreciated the small class size and sense of community I have here. Additionally, I've enjoyed how student-driven the culture is. Students at Haas are very involved on campus. And finally, the program in my industry offered networking and job opportunities that I didn't find at other schools.
Saumil MBA10
Hi Saket, I talked a bit about entrepreneurship in general, but I should also mention that many of our courses are interdisciplinary--that is we will take them with students in the engineering program or the design school (or some other program). This is extremely helpful when trying to put together a real business and going from the planning stages to an actual prototype.
Zak
I am coming from a background at schools like Hampshire College where self-directed coursework is a critical part of the experience so I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the program. To the small class size, I couldn't help but notice the enormity of the q@haas group. My partner and I are queer and interested in ways to participate in the community at Haas as a family. I assume that certain clubs offer those possibilities. At other schools, it is not uncommon for spouses to sit in on the occasional class or be involved in some other way. Can you speak to the approach for family involvement at Haas?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Zak - yes, partners here are as much a part of the community as the students themselves. Partners can join any of our clubs or student organizations as well as participate in conference and event planning, and frequently do!
Frank
Could you share a bit about opportunities for merit fellowships? Approximately what percentage of the admitted students are granted some type of funding? What is range and average grant, if any? Thank you so much!
Vina_Moderator
Hi, good question. I suggest asking this question in the Admissions Room, since they may have a better answer. Thanks!
raghavan
Hello Vina, Saumil and Veronica ... I am Raghavan from India. I wish to know the opportunities Haas offers for a person who wants to make a career in consulting.
Saumil MBA10
Hi Raghavan, all of the major consulting firms come to recruit on campus. In addition, there are several experiential learning opportunities at Haas that allow you to polish up on your consulting skills (e.g., IBD, Social Sector Solutions, etc.) Also there's a consulting club that provides case training, networking opportunities, and the like. Thanks for your question!
Maureen S
Have either of you participated in the IBD program or other international opportunities? If so, can you please talk about your experiences?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Maureen - Yes, I participated in IBD this last spring, and had a pretty incredible experience. I was assigned to my team at the beginning of the spring semester as well as our client - an organic foods manufacturer in Zambia. We consulted remotely for the client throughout the semester and then went to Zambia for a month to work on-site. It was amazing. And I think our work had a real impact on our client and their long-term goal of profitability. It’s a great program if you're interested in getting some international experience.
Rajan
Hi, I have a question regarding recommendations. Since Haas requires two recommendations from supervisors, what is the expected format? Manager and director, or manager and former manager? Is there an advantage to one as compared to the other?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Rajan, we encourage you to submit a recommendation from your current supervisor. Generally we would like to hear from someone who knows you pretty well, although we would not recommend a peer or coworker.
Ted
Do most students live in the East Bay? Are there particular neighborhoods/areas where a lot of students live, or is it more spread out?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Ted - Yes, the majority of students (I'd say about 80%) live in or around Berkeley. Most live within 1-2 miles from campus and walk or bike to school every day. Many, however, do live further away and have a bit of a commute. SF is very popular as well - students who live there will generally BART to school. I'd recommend living as close to campus as possible, at least for your first year, when classes, study group meetings, etc. will require that you spend the majority of your day on campus.
Rafael de la Guia
Hi, I'm interested in social, venture capital, and private sector development. To what extent it is possible to tailor your MBA adding subjects from Berkeley degrees to specialize in these fields?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Rafael, you can certainly tailor the curriculum to suit you best. I would take a look at this page (http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/curriculum.html) for details on the specific course. I have a classmate who worked in social VC at Acumen this summer. I'm also part of the global social venture competition where you have the opportunity to network with experts in this space as well as run an amazing business plan competition.
matt
Hi, what functions do tech companies mainly recruit for at Haas?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Matt, it runs the gambit--marketing, strategy, operations/supply chain, CSR, etc.
Jennyfer Goune
Hi, my name is Jennyfer Goune and I would like to know about the internship opportunities provided to you during the program? Are most students placed in internships/full-time positions on the west coast? Or does it vary? Also, what is the local work environment like in Berkeley? I am currently working in Interactive Marketing in NYC and I'm looking to stay in the same industry.
Veronica MBA10
Hi Jennyfer - Internship opportunities are varied. I'd say the majority (maybe 60%) of students work in or around the bay area for their summer internship, in a wide range of industries. But many go to the east coast or other parts of the country, as well as internationally.
DW
Is crime an issue on or near campus?
Veronica MBA10
Hi DW - I haven't had any problems with crime here on campus, personally, nor have I heard of many issues. I have heard of the occasional bike nipper (pretty common on large campuses), but really nothing serious. As a single woman who lives alone, I feel very comfortable here.
Lydia
How small is the class size of a course at Haas? Is it very competitive to enroll in the courses you are interested in the semester you want?
Saumil MBA10
Lydia, there is a bidding system to get into classes at Haas. That being said, I haven't had a problem getting into any classes to date (sometimes I have to wait until second round bidding or add/drop). It's rare for a class to bid out, although it can happen.
Leo
Could I know some details about the Lester Center? Is it a place than can fund our business idea?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Leo, there are lots of ways for startups to get funding through the business plan competition, through venture lab, etc. The Lester Center does not directly fund startups as far as I know.
Breanna
Hi, thanks for your time today! I was unable to visit campus when students were in session, so I'm wondering if you could describe what the classroom setting is like? Lots of participation, primarily student-led, or professor-led, etc.?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Breanna - Our classes range according to the needs of that specific course. First off, our largest class size is 60 students, with most electives closer to the 30-40 student range. Always, I'd say they're very interactive. Some professors will use primarily case based (particularly for Strategy, Marketing, etc.) while others will be primarily lecture-based (Finance, Accounting, etc.). And still others will combine and use a blend of the styles.
Aditya
How important is volunteer work as part of the application?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Aditya, volunteer work is very important to us! It tells us a little more about yourself and there is a place in the application where you can mention your extra curricular activities.
Kevin
From a student point of view, what are you looking for in potential classmates / applicants?
Veronica MBA10
Kevin - Good question. Well...I'm personally looking for someone who can bring valuable experiences to the classroom and study group (and do so in a respectful way), but also be fun to hang out with. I think one thing that makes Haas unique is not only how diverse our student body is, but also how down-to-earth they are, friendly, and easy to get along with. I really LIKE the people I come to school with every day. I think that's pretty darn important.
Ravi
Hi, I'd like to know how the Career Services has helped the students secure jobs and internships during the recession. What additional steps did they do to help you?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Ravi, great question. What I've heard from career services is that last year, although not as good as the previous year or two, job postings were still higher than most years. We have been leaning heavily on our alumni network, as I imagine most schools have. Career services staff are focused on a few students for each industry which means you end up getting very personalized attention and job support. They are continually looking to source additional opportunities, and have done so by putting an account manager in NY for finance positions, or hiring additional resources to help with real estate placement, etc.
Mahesh
Could you please tell me about Berkley's neighborhood? Is it a friendly environment? I am an international applicant and I want to be sure that the surrounding has little crime rate.
Veronica MBA10
Mahesh - Berkeley has some great neighborhoods to live in. I'd recommend checking out the Haas website for more information, but both North Berkeley and the South Berkeley/Rockridge area are very popular, have nice homes and apartments, and are very safe. I'd personally stay away from the West Berkeley area (mainly because it's far from campus and not quite as nice).
Monica
Hi Veronica, during your IBD program experience were you able to learn about the culture in Zambia and speak to the people from there, or were you really consumed by your project and ended up working most of the 3 weeks?
Veronica MBA10
Well, you are working for most of the day (your primary role there is to support the client), but you do have opportunities to interact with the local culture. My team also went to Zambia a week early to travel (we went on safari), and I took trips on the weekends as well, one of which I did with a group of local Zambians and South Africans to a lake near the Zimbabwe border.
Rachel
As a student, are you placed into any kind of small student group that works together or study together? I know some of the other business schools do something like this.
Saumil MBA10
Hi Rachel, yes. For the fall semester you are placed into a 5 person study group. It's picked by the program office. It was amazing. I had myself (a business consultant), a Venezuelan student who worked in aerospace, an engineer from India, someone who worked in non profit from New York, and a marketer from Google
Rafael de la Guia
I'm certainly interested in organizations like Acumen. I've also noticed one of the Ambassadors (Jenny Hsieh) is actually specialized in the field and will intern at RSF Social Finance. Is there any way I can contact her directly?
Saumil MBA10
Rafael, you can reach out to hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and ask for her by name!
Wen
Thanks for your time. I had a question about "demonstrate quantitative proficiency. I majored in English instruction and didn't take any courses about accounting or calculus. Is there any other way I can show my quantitative proficiency? Can you give me some examples?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Wen, yes there certainly is! You can take an extra college level course in a quantitative field (such as calculus or statistics) post undergrad. Or, if you feel that your job exposes you a lot to quantitative skills, then you can mention that in your application as well. We are just trying to determine if your math skills will be on par with the rest of the students if you are admitted to the program, since the first year of classes will require quantitative proficiency.
Rachel
How strong is the alumni network?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Rachel - The alumni network is very strong. While we do have a relatively small class size, Berkeley, being the second oldest business school in the country, has a massive alumni network both here in the US and internationally. Additionally, because you get so close to your classmates while here, I'd say that attitude stays with you after you leave and alumni have been extremely helpful in my experience.
William2
I have two rather off-the-wall questions: do first years have time for a social life? And can one actually find parking in Berkeley?
Saumil MBA10
William, if you win the noble prize at Berkeley...you get free parking. That being said, there is parking about a 10 minute walk away if you live some 2 miles (I think) or more away. In terms of a social life, it varies. It will just depend on your priorities, how much experience you have with the material, etc. I can tell you my first year was more fun than I've ever had in my life.
Rachel
Is it possible to take courses at Berkeley outside of Haas? Have either of you done this?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Rachel, yes, students are allowed to take up to 6 units of courses outside of Haas.
matt
How easy is it to switch to both Industry and Function post Haas?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Matt, it's not easy, but a lot of people do it. You can show potential employers that you're specializing by doing a certificate, joining clubs related to your interests, or doing internships during the school year or the summer.
Rachel
Veronica -- what do you like/dislike about the public health school at Berkeley? I also want an MBA and an MPH, but am not sure if Berkeley is the best fit for the MPH so was considering pursuing my MBA at Berkeley and my MPH somewhere else.
Veronica MBA10
Hi Rachel - good question. I’d be happy to talk to you about SPH in more detail - just email the HSA's at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu, ask for me in your email, and we can set up a time to chat in person. Overall, I've enjoyed the MPH experience. The culture and student body is very different from Haas, but I think that it has rounded out my education nicely. Personally, I think getting a dual degree from a single institution makes a lot of sense, if that's what you're interested in.
Ravi
I have a question regarding Financial Aid for internationals. I've seen that Haas provides loans up to $20k/yr. Is there any new loan program to fund the entire course expense?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Ravi, international students have the option of taking out private loans with a U.S. cosigner that can cover up to the cost of attendance. Other than that, you can also apply for scholarships as well. For more information about funding, please visit the financial aid office at http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/mba/finaid/.
Fearle
What has been your best class at Berkeley thus far?
Saumil MBA10
Believe it or not, I am a huge fan of Operations. Our professor, Terry Taylor, taught many concepts through Seinfeld videos.
mateo
Hi students. Thanks for this opportunity. Can you talk about the Haas approach to leadership and specific programs that push students to find their leadership potential?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Mateo. I think that Haas tries to cultivate student leaders by encouraging them to find their own path, to approach problems creatively, and to do so with respect to their peers and community. Our newly-created Leadership Development Series offers a variety of workshops and tools to help students develop their leadership skills, no matter the industry.
jsanchez
Hello. I am Juan Sanchez from Spain. Can anyone give me more information about Haas@Work? Could you relate the experience with the client and the impact of the final results? Thanks.
Saumil MBA10
Hi Juan. I encourage you to look here for more information on all of our experiential learning opportunities (http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/experiential.html). There's some info about Haas@Work and if you have more detailed questions let me know, or email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu!
jmc
Does the Career Services department provide students with good access to summer internships at the numerous small start-up companies in the Bay Area, or are they more geared towards bigger, more developed companies?
Saumil MBA10
About 2/3 of the opportunities are in the larger organizations, but a full 1/3 of our students pursue and obtain work at smaller firms.
Fearle
Who is the most enthusiastic professor you've had? Why?
Veronica MBA10
Hmmm....good question...I really enjoyed my core Marketing professor - Rashi Glazer, as well as our core Operations professor - Terry Taylor. Both are very enthusiastic and great professors.
DW
Is there a good network setup among students commuting to Haas to share rides from other parts of the bay area, like near Sunnyvale, or do most students usually live near campus? Thanks.
Veronica MBA10
Hi DW - I'd say, in general, most students live near campus. Some do commute, and I believe have set up carpooling and ride shares on some occasions. It can be a little difficult you’re your schedule becomes busy and you don't know exactly how long or when you're going to need to be on campus. Campus is also very accessible via BART.
Mary T.
How would you describe the student culture? Is there a strong sense of community?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Mary, yes, a very strong culture. I encourage you to come on campus if you can, and meet some of us!
Amir
In your opinion, what distinguishes Berkeley from the rigidly Investment Banking / PE focused schools like Wharton, Columbia, etc? I am asking specifically for someone who wishes to pursue a career in private equity subsequent to business school?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Amir - While it may not be as rigidly I-banking focused as some other programs, we do have several opportunities available while here, within the sector. The Bear Fund is a private equity shop run here on campus by students. We have an east coast Account Manager who represents that sector and helps with recruiting efforts. But what's different, I'd say, is that you have a wide variety of additional interests here on campus to round out your experience and education.
Mahesh
I am from India and it is difficult for me to visit the campus, but that will be the ultimate experience. Any other suggestions or tips to offset this barrier?
Vina_Moderator
Hi Mahesh, we certainly understand that not all our candidates are able to visit our campus. There are many ways to learn more about Haas (such as joining this chat!) I encourage you to visit our website and take advantage of the many ways to learn more about the program, such as podcasts, message boards, brochure requests, etc.
urmilesh
How friendly is Berkeley in terms of living with your spouse? My wife would like to accompany me and I would want to know what she can expect.
Veronica MBA10
Hi Urmilesh. About 30% of students come to Haas with a spouse or significant other. Partners quickly become a part of the community through our Partners Club, as well as through involvement in any of our other student organizations. Yes, of course, they have to be flexible to how busy you are going to be, but most I think it's extremely important for you to involve them in your life in business school and integrate them into the community.
Daniela
What's the typical career path for graduates from Haas? What are the fun clubs / activities on campus that people really enjoy? Are there any interesting exchange programs or trips?
Saumil MBA10
Daniela, there's no "typical" career path. It really depends on the person's background, industry choice, experience etc. There are so many cool things--some of my favorites are consumption functions (the entire Haas community gathers for an evening of fun once a month in the courtyard), Wine Club, and dodgeball...I could go on, but it'll all depend on your interests. What I will say is that there's something for everyone (over 50 clubs.)
LC
Hi Berkeley students, I would like to ask what was/is difficult for you at Haas.
Veronica MBA10
Hi LC - I think the most difficult thing for me was adjusting to the craziness of the first semester, with the number of things going on all the time. Though I had a pretty demanding work schedule pre-MBA, school quickly becomes your entire world :) It is very rigorous and demanding, and adjusting to that can definitely be difficult.
Neha
Hi Saumil, I am interested in working for the educational opportunities of the underprivileged children and social entrepreneurship and I see that you are going to start working for the same. Could you please elaborate on opportunities at Haas in terms of internships, clubs - educational and association for nonprofit?
Saumil MBA10
Hi Neha, I think I’ve talked about non-profit at length, but there's also an education club. They're currently running a speaker series where they have leading minds at organizations across the US come and speak on several educationally related issues.
Vina_Moderator
We do not consider age as a factor in the application process. Rather than focus on age, we focus more on the years of experience you've had in a professional level. Typically we advise our students to have at least 2 years of professional experience to be considered competitive in the applicant pool.
Saumil MBA10
It may be helpful to take a look at the full course catalog on the website: (http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/fellowships/hvf.html)
Bryan Hagle
Hello Haas students! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Post-MBA I would like to work in global business strategy. Therefore, I am interested in the international programs Haas has to offer. Have you been involved in one of these programs, and if so, can you elaborate on the experience you gained, and how it will help you in your career?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Bryan - There are several opportunities for international interests while here. Our IBD program allows students to consult for an international client, students organize international career treks during school breaks, several go abroad every year for a semester exchange program, and recruiting is encouraged through our International Career Fair. We also offer a certificate program in Global Management, which allows you to focus your curriculum on international business.
Mandhir
Hi guys, I plan on taking a stats class in spring as I know that to be something I'm weak in, (strong in quant otherwise) Would you suggest taking a basic finance class also as a prep to an MBA? I have an engineering background.
Vina_Moderator
Hi Mandhir, other than taking a quantitative course to demonstrate your proficiency, I would say that it's not necessary to take a finance class. Rather, I suggest spending time to focus on the other aspects of the application, such as studying for the GMAT, working on your essays, etc.
Vina_Moderator
Hi all! Thank you for joining us. The chat will be wrapping up in a few minutes. We greatly appreciate your questions. We apologize if we didn’t get to all of them. Please check back on our website for transcripts of today’s chat and for future chat dates. The speakers will continue to address some questions already in their queue, but we will not be forwarding additional questions.
Future_MBA
Do you still find time for activities outside of school or does it completely take over?
Saumil MBA10
Absolutely. I think everyone breaks down their days different based on priorities. As someone without kids, or a girlfriend (sad I know), I feel like I have plenty of time for socializing and other work related opportunities. I will tell you it gets much better during the second year!
Drew
Hi! Are there many students with nontraditional professional backgrounds in your class?
Veronica MBA10
Hi Drew - I'd say "non-traditional" is becoming more of the norm than the exception. Haas does not specifically look for students with formal business backgrounds or undergrad majors - they want a diverse group of students, each of whom can contribute uniquely to the school environment.
mateo
What are the options for students who want an environmental venture focus?
Saumil MBA10
There is the BERC (energy) club. I recently went to visit the founder of Aurora Biofuels, who is a recent Haas alum. There's also the clean-teach to market program. Lots of opportunities! Please email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu if you want to be connected to someone in the space. Thanks.
Saurabh
What is the most surprising thing that you as a student have found out about Haas?
Saumil MBA10
How diverse the student body is, despite the small class. And, how varied peoples interested are. And, how student-driven this place is. And, how awesome the Bay Area is.
Leo
Is there a soccer team in Haas? I love soccer and really hope to have fellows to play with and become friends.
Vina_Moderator
Hi Leo, yes, there is a soccer team. For more information, and a complete list of our clubs and activities, please visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/student/index.html
Veronica MBA10
Alright guys, thank you for all your questions today. Hope it helped! If you have any other questions please feel free to email the HSA's at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu. And good luck with the application process!
Saumil MBA10
Thanks to everyone for the great questions! I hope you found some of our answers useful. Please email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu if you have follow-up questions, where hopefully we can be a bit more detailed. Best of luck!
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
