The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
November 13, 2008
Chat with Current Haas MBA Students
Matt Holman, MBA Class of 2009
Craig Klemp, MBA Class of 2009
Shobha Kazinka, Moderator
Shobha_Moderator
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA Student chat. My name is Shobha and I will be moderating the chat today. I would like to introduce Matt Holman, a 2nd year MBA student, and Craig Klemp, a 2nd year MBA student. Please send us your questions!
Craig MBA09
Hi everyone - please see my bio below: Craig grew up in various cities on the East Coast, Midwest and South and attended the University of Virginia where he majored in business and minored in government. He spent the four years prior to Haas in Washington, DC, first in a finance leadership rotational program at Lockheed Martin and then at a venture capital firm focused on homeland security investments. He chose Haas based on its extraordinary students and culture, its small class size, the intersection of general management, entrepreneurship and technology, and of course the Bay Area. In addition to being a Haas Student Ambassador, Craig is actively involved in the Haas Venture Fellows program, Haas Consulting Club and Entrepreneurs Association, Wine Club and Berkeley Board Fellows program. Outside of school, Craig enjoys skiing, golf, tennis, international travel, exploring Northern California and closely following the Washington Redskins. This summer he worked at L.E.K. Consulting in their San Francisco office.
Matt MBA09
Hi everyone - my bio is below as well: I grew up on the Oregon Coast in a small town called Florence. I moved to Los Angeles for college and did my undergraduate degree in Business Administration (emphasis in Finance) at the University of Southern California. After completing my degree I moved up to San Francisco where I spent four years as a financial consultant with Triage Consulting Group, a small healthcare consulting firm. I worked mainly on managed care reimbursement issues for hospitals in this position. I started looking into graduate school because I wanted to transition into a more strategic role within the healthcare industry, and I wanted to deepen my knowledge in business fundamentals and broaden my perspective within the healthcare industry. I chose Berkeley largely due to the opportunity to pursue a joint degree program and earn both an MBA and MPH (Master of Public Health), allowing me to gain depth in both areas. Haas particularly appealed to me because of the collaborative culture, strength of curriculum, and location in the Bay Area. At Haas I am involved as an HSA, co-chair of the Haas Business of Healthcare Conference, VP of Membership for Redwoods@Haas, and a member of Net Impact, the Entrepreneurs Association, and the Haas Wine Club.
Shobha_Moderator
Hi all, this is a moderated chat. Your questions are put into a queue to be answered, do not be alarmed if we do not respond to you immediately. We are eager to help you with your MBA decision, so please ask away!
AlexKim
Is anyone here involved in technology management program? If so, what was your background before Haas MBA, and how has it developed you over time at Haas MBA? Also, how was your internship experience?
Craig MBA09
Hi Alex, while neither Matt nor I are pursuing technology management I can comment on the many relevant resources at Haas. The Management of Technology certificate program offers a wide variety of classes and extracurricular if you want to pursue a career in the field. See the following link for further info: http://mot.berkeley.edu/. In addition, our Career Services Office has close relations with most of the top Technology firms in the area; in fact the Career Services Account Manager in Technology came out of the industry and often pulls on his extensive rolodex of contacts to help place students.
Julia
I see that you both mentioned choosing Haas because of the culture. Can you speak more about what the culture is like now that you are students at the school- specifically, what do you love about it and are there any elements of the culture that you did not expect?
Matt MBA09
What drew me to Haas is that the program fosters a culture of collaboration rather than head-to-head competition. Much of the curriculum is based upon group project work, and students even work as "teams" when preparing to interview for jobs. I think what really surprised me most about the culture is just how extensively student driven the program is. This could be a little unsettling for same perhaps, but students are expected to roll up their sleeves and lead clubs, plan conferences, and take charge from day 1.
AlexKim
What's the environment like in the classroom among classmates? How did you draw a line between competitiveness and collaborative learning at Haas MBA?
Matt MBA09
I would describe the environment as very energetic but collegial. Most of the core courses involve a large degree of class participation, but hogging time in a discussion is very much discouraged. The great thing about business school is that your classmates bring a wealth of experience into the classroom with them, and I was surprised at how willing the professors are to stand back and let a lot of the learning come from student interactions rather than lecture material.
Jared_Knote
I'm just joining from the other room, where I asked this question and was redirected to you. First, thanks for hosting this. I have two classroom related questions 1) How do your classes link to one another? and 2) Could you please give some texture to your relationship with professors? Their commitment to teach vs. research/business? To what extent do you benefit from their network or those availing their network to you as you build your own network through classmates, alumni, work? Thank you!
Craig MBA09
Hi Jared. 1) The various functional areas at Haas (e.g. Finance, Marketing, and Economics) work closely together to form a cohesive course offering in the core curriculum. They offer a diverse mix of teaching methods as well as industry case examples to get their points across. 2) See my above comment on my favorite teaching professor. Many of the faculty performs top-notch research, but when they are teaching in a given semester they are purely focused on working with students. We have been lucky to have top faculty work with us on a very personal basis. In addition, Haas offers a number of adjunct professors from various industries that only teach.
grant_Haas
not from the Bay area how easy or difficult was the adjustment currently live in small <50,000 pop. city
Craig MBA09
Hi Grant. I would not consider my hometown of DC to be small, but it certainly has a very different culture than San Francisco so perhaps I can help. The transition to the Bay Area has been easy for me, because no matter your interest, you will find something to love about the area. From restaurants to cultural events to the outdoors, there are many ways to fill up your three-day weekends outside of school. Berkeley has a smaller feel to it, and most Haas students choose to live in Berkeley to allow for an easy commute.
Phoenix
Hello. I need tips on GMAT preparation. For someone who's been out of school for more than 8 years, how much time do I need to prepare for the GMAT test? Is KAPLAN classroom ($1449) a good review class?
Matt MBA09
Hi Phoenix - I used Princeton Review for my GMAT prep, and I was very satisfied. I know classmates who used KAPLAN and others who were also very happy. I don't know that any one is any better than another but they definitely help you focus on what is important to be successful on the test. I took about 4 months to prepare, and I was 4 years out of school. Everyone is different. I would say if you are soft on the quantitative side then go on the longer side in terms of prep!
do you have phd program?
Shobha_Moderator
The PhD program is separate from the MBA. You can find out more information about the Haas PhD in Business Administration at http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Phd/
AlexKim
I am sure that the backgrounds of you classmates are as diverse as they can get. For instance, there will be a wide range of years of work experience and different majors for undergrad. How difficult was it for you to find a common ground with your classmates? How does Haas MBA help you address such issues?
Craig MBA09
Hi Alex, you are indeed correct--Haas has a very diverse community, whether it's nationality, gender or professional background/interests. However, it's also a very tight-knit community and you really get to know your classmates on a personal level with ease. Haas facilitates this interaction by organizing the fall classes into cohorts of 60 students and study groups of 5 students. You work exclusively with these smaller groups throughout the fall semester so you really get to know your classmates on a professional and personal level.
catchan
Hi there. I have a strong interest in getting into the field of corporate social responsibility, but unfortunately I have no experience in it whatsoever. Have you met anyone in your class who fits in this category? Will I be able to contact these people? Is this field well supported in Haas, in terms of learning and helping me shape my career path, finding recruiters for summer intern etc?
Matt MBA09
Hi catchan - Haas is certainly strong in the field of corporate social responsibility. I don't think that you need to have functional experience in the field to be successful, although it is certainly helpful if you have engaged in CSR projects to have some background. I am not specifically focused in this area, but I would be happy to connect you with a few current students if you send an email to the HSA team (hsa@haas.berkeley.edu). You should also check out the Center for Responsible Business homepage at: www.haas.berkeley.edu/responsiblebusiness/
TracyW
There are so many great groups, clubs, projects and competitions to be a part of at Haas. How many groups do you think it's possible to be an active part of while managing to keep up with the school curriculum?
Matt MBA09
Hi TracyW - I think it is common for incoming students to over commit a bit when they come in, and then focus themselves in a few "core" clubs once they determine their own personal bandwidth. I have been very active in about 3 organizations where I am in leadership roles, and I am a "casual member" in several others. It is completely acceptable to be a less involved member in some groups than others; in fact it is a great way to learn about new industries and topics while you are in school.
AlexKim
I know that your class work will take most of your day. How do you find room to participate in clubs and EC activities? Is there a golf club? If not, how difficult do you think it is for me to make one?
Craig MBA09
While academics take up much of the 1st year fall semester, subsequent semesters lighten up enough to allow students to take leadership positions in various clubs and conferences. We also vote annually on a grade non-disclosure policy, which can incentivize students to also focus on areas outside of the classroom. We do not currently have a golf club, but many of us frequently take advantage of the student discounts at nearby Tilden: http://www.tildenparkgc.americangolf.com/. In addition, students are encouraged to start new clubs if they have an interest, so if you decide to attend, you should by all means start it up!
TracyW
Would you say that most of your classes are based more on lectures, case studies or group projects?
Matt MBA09
Tracy - Haas is not a dedicated "case method" or "theory driven" program, but rather professors are allowed to choose the teaching methods that best convey the material. In general this works out to about 40% cases, 40% lecture, and 20% project work, although some classes are almost entirely case-taught (marketing, organizational behavior), others lecture (statistics), and some are purely project-focused (Social Sector Solutions and many other electives).
TracyW
Haas has such a wide range of clubs and organizations to choose from. I am particularly interested in the Berkeley Net Impact Club, the Education Leadership Club, and Young Entrepreneurs at Haas. Do you have experience with any of those clubs?
Matt MBA09
Tracy - I'm a "casual" member of Net Impact, but neither Craig nor I are involved in the Ed Leadership Club or YEAH. I would be happy to direct your questions about those clubs to current students who are involved if you email our team at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu though!
May
Hi there. I am visiting campus this coming Monday. I will have lunch, attend the info session and class. I am interested in meeting current students who are interested in CSR or are in the Net Impact club. The Haas Ambassadors mentioned there is no guarantee for matching me up with such students. What do you recommend that I do to find current students who have similar interests as me? What else can I do to become more familiar with Haas's culture?
Craig MBA09
Try contacting the HSA account one more time (hsa@haas.berkeley.edu) to see if a specific meeting is possible given that your visit is fast approaching. Honestly, between the three visitation programs, you will likely meet a current student with similar interests and will definitely get a good sense of the Haas culture.
Julia
Craig, can you comment on your experience with Board Fellows?
Craig MBA09
Hi Julia, I started with the Berkeley Board Fellows this fall and joined the board of the SF Chamber Orchestra. The BBF leadership team matched us given my interest in the arts and the organization's interest in a student with the financial skills. I have already attended one board meeting and will likely work on a project over the course of the year to improve their fundraising and financial reporting capabilities. I'm also excited to attend the SFCO's upcoming concert series.
Kat
What opportunities do students have to meet with Profs. outside of class for additional assistance? Does Haas have a "doors are always open" mentality?
Matt MBA09
Hi Kat - Haas does have an "open door" mentality, although that does have some limits (professors are very busy people, after all!) Since Haas is a small program there is a very high level of interaction between students and professors. It is very common for professors to engage students on independent study consulting and research projects, help students in their career search by connecting them with colleagues and friends, and even to mingle socially at consumption functions and fundraiser events. This is definitely one of the benefits of a smaller program that I think defines the unique culture at Haas.
AlexKim
I'm sure you get this question all the time. What makes Haas MBA unique?
Craig MBA09
The Haas MBA is unique for a number of reasons. The students have remarkably impressive backgrounds but do not exhibit the arrogance that one may expect. Haas also has a very strong general management program but great specific strengths in finance, marketing, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, energy and CSR/non-profit. Finally, Haas is incredibly student-driven and of course has great access to all of the professional and cultural offerings of the Bay Area.
Irene
How is Haas curriculum suited for a Consulting career?
Craig MBA09
Hi Irene - I'm pursuing strategy consulting and can comment on this topic. First and foremost, Haas has a strong general management curriculum that really grounds everyone in business fundamentals. Second, Haas students are widely regarded to have great leadership, teamwork and collaboration skills, traits highly valued by consulting firms. Finally, the Haas Career Services office does a great job of preparing students for consulting interviews, from resume and cover letter workshops to extensive case interview practice sessions from industry professionals.
AlexKim
If there is one thing you would like to change about Haas MBA program, what would it be? (I understand that the answer can vary from person to person.)
Matt MBA09
One of my biggest disappointments last year was core Leadership class, which I had really looking forward to. Our class had very high expectations and expected a very interactive experience with opportunities to reflect on our leadership styles and take steps to improve our abilities. When the class didn't measure up many of us voiced our concerns to the Haas program office. The interesting thing is that they reacted by delaying the course for this year's incoming first year class until Spring so that they could gather input from our class and redesign it entirely. I think this goes to show that no program is without its imperfections, but what I love about Haas is that it is highly student driven, which means there is no disappointment you can't change.
TracyW
With classes, group projects and extracurricular to juggle, how long would you say your typical day was as an MBA student?
Matt MBA09
As a first year MBA student you can definitely expect to put in some long days. Time management is incredibly important. Since we do a lot of work in study groups and teams, it can often be difficult to juggle schedules. A typical day for me was to get up at 7AM, prep cases for 2 hours, classes on campus during the day, interspersed with company presentations, club meetings, and project group meetings, attempt to run or go to the gym (still important!), evening meetings or speakers, and generally ended my day by 9PM or so. It is highly variable though - there were definitely some very late nights. The time consumption is mainly because there is so much you WANT to do rather than what you HAVE to do, which is key.
Shobha_Moderator
As a reminder, our next round deadline is coming up December 9.
AlexKim
What negatives and positives have you observed from the non-disclosure grade policy?
Craig MBA09
I personally don't see any negatives since most of us are personally motivated to succeed in classes. The upside is that encourages students to work less competitively and more collaboratively, take classes outside of their comfort zone, and get involved with leadership, extracurricular and social activities outside of the classroom.
AlexKim
How important was the school visit in your decision to attend Haas MBA?
Matt MBA09
Visiting Haas was extremely important for me, and I highly recommend that everyone visit if they are able to. Visiting a class and having lunch with students is a far better way to get a handle on the true culture and "fit" factor than you can possibly get by checking out the website or brochures. When I came to Haas I found that it was as advertised - smart students who were engaging but not arrogant, interesting classes, it just "felt" right. So I'm a big fan of the visit!
Shobha_Moderator
Transcripts of this chat will be available on our website within 2-3 weeks. Please be sure to check back!
Alexx
Hello. Regarding the GMAT test preparation, is the classroom course the best ad fastest way to prepare for the GMAT test?
Craig MBA09
Personally, I view the largest benefit of the prep classes to be that they force you to buckle down and concentrate on studying. I was confident that I could self-motivate to take the test so I stuck to the self-guided books to avoid the costs. That said, in a time crunch the classroom courses could be beneficial.
Melissa
Have any of you been a member of the Berkeley Board Fellows or one of the other Nonprofit experiential learning programs? What has your experience been like in these programs?
Craig MBA09
Hi Melissa - please see the above discussion regarding my Berkeley Board Fellows experience.
TracyW
What has been the most memorable experience during the program for you so far?
Matt MBA09
There have been an incredible amount of memorable moments considering I've only been here for 14 months now. I think one of the earliest signs that showed me I'd chosen wisely was after our first set of finals (Fall A) ended last October. We walked out of the classroom to find that the second year students had set up champagne, food, and massage tables for us. We were then taken out for a "night on the town". It just showed to me that this is a place where we work our butts off, but at the end of the day we take care of each other also.
Shobha_Moderator
Hi all. We will stop forwarding questions in a few minutes. Please ask any last-minute questions you may have, and thank you all for coming!
AlexKim
Are you expected to be prepared in basic business fundamentals before starting your first semester? Does Haas have a program to help those who lack behind others in such fundamentals?
Craig MBA09
I believe the Admissions process screens for a basic level of quantitative skills, but many incoming students enter with non-business backgrounds. In those instances, I highly recommend attending "Math Camp" two weeks prior to orientation. This course allows you to brush up on quantitative skills, get into the student mindset again, and get to know your classmates two weeks sooner!
ShrutiDoval
When is the next chat scheduled?
Shobha_Moderator
Shruti, the next chat is scheduled for November 25 at 9 AM, Pacific Time.
Karen
What do you feel is the most valuable lesson you have learned so far?
Craig MBA09
Two words: time management. I thought that I had mastered this skill prior to school, but as Matt alluded to earlier, you are usually busy during the school day. You often have to juggle classes, career presentations, group meetings, club meetings and social events. The better you can prioritize and manage your time the more you will get out of your experience.
Kristin
I've been in the other chat room, so I apologize if you already answered this question. How many students stay in California upon graduating from Berkeley? Is the local economy and high cost of living a challenge?
Matt MBA09
Hi Kristin - that is definitely a common question. Although our incoming students come from all over the country (and the world), the majority do tend to stay in the Bay Area. This is definitely not for lack of opportunity (over half of our job postings come from the east coast). Students often get out here and like the lifestyle and want to stay. I've definitely not met any students who have ever gotten "stuck" on the west coast for lack of opportunities. The economy on the west coast is holding up better than east for now, and jobs for the graduating class are coming through at a solid rate. No one really knows what the coming months will bring though! The cost of living is definitely higher in the Bay Area than many places (other than New York and LA), but salaries tend to be higher also. Most people don't struggle too much with it, since Haas has a relatively low tuition compared to peer schools.
AlexKim
I was referring to classes that typical business major students would learn during undergrad such as accounting and finance. I have engineering background, so I don't think I will have problems with quantitative skills.
Craig MBA09
Accounting and Finance are covered in Math Camp, so you will learn a basic level of proficiency if you attend.
Kristin
How many students do you know or have heard of who were accepted in R3 or R4? Again, apologize if you already answered.
Matt MBA09
Round 3 actually is often the largest of all rounds for Haas, and many students are accepted from this round. The only round you should avoid is round 4, since most offers have been made by this point.
Federico
Any favorite professors?
Matt MBA09
Hi Federico - I actually really enjoyed many of our core professors. Terry Taylor in Operations, Rashi Glazer in Marketing, and Steven Tadelis in Microeconomics were a few of my favorites at the core level.
Daryl K
What are some highlights of living in the Berkeley community? I have never been to that part of California before? Thanks.
Matt MBA09
Berkeley's greatest asset is definitely its proximity to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and everything else in the Bay Area. The region is a vibrant place to live, making Berkeley a fun place to go to graduate school. The proximity makes it easy to get executives from San Francisco, entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, or venture capitalists from Sand Hill Road to come speak at the school - a huge benefit. Living within a few hours of Napa Valley, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite isn't bad either...
Kat
What is student life like outside of class? Do people socialize or just go to class and go home?
Matt MBA09
Hi Kat - There is a very active social life at Haas. Most students are from outside the Bay Area, so almost every weekend there is an excursion of students going exploring somewhere. There are also many "leisure" clubs that students bond over, from sports (Tennis, Rugby) to just plain fun (Wine, Culinary Club). We structure our social lives as rigorously as we do our academic studies!
Shobha_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.
Craig MBA09
Thanks to everyone for your insightful questions. Best of luck with the application process!
Shobha_Moderator
The chat is now wrapping up and shutting down. We appreciate your questions. Please check back on our website in a couple weeks for transcripts of today's chat. Go Bears!
