Frequently Asked Questions

The Full-Time Berkeley MBA program is a two year full-time degree program. The Berkeley MBA curriculum is anchored by twelve required core courses which students complete in the first year. The core courses, which make up about 40% of a typical student's course of study, are deliberately designed to build upon one another and provide a common foundation for all the students in the program. Elective courses comprise 60% of the Berkeley MBA curriculum, meaning that students begin to customize their own course of study very early in the program. Students take classes Monday through Thursday. Fridays are usually spent attending discussion sessions, career services workshops and other curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The main difference between the programs is the profile of the students. The full-time students generally have about 5 years of work experience, Evening & Weekend students generally have about 7 years of work experience, and Berkeley Executive MBA students generally have about 12 years of work experience.

Besides looking carefully over the website, we recommend reaching out to current students. We also participate in and periodically sponsor events for potential students.

If you would like to speak with current students, please contact the Haas Student Ambassadors (HSAs). Contact information and bios can be found on the HSA page. We do not share private alumni or student contact information. However, we do provide several opportunities for prospective applicants to meet both alumni and students. For example, our information sessions bring together members of the Admissions Committee and alumni, who will share information about the program and answer your questions. If you are invited to interview, your interview will be conducted by an alum or current student. If you are offered admission, you will have many opportunities to connect with current students and alums.

Approximately 70% of Haas students receive some form of financial assistance, including scholarships, loans, and/or assistantships.Over $13 million in scholarship funding is awarded each year, providing gift aid to over 50% of full-time MBA students.

All applicants will be considered for merit-based awards and do not require any action. Merit-based awards will be determined based on the overall strength of the admissions application, professional goals, educational achievement, intended concentration, leadership skills, and embodiment of the Haas Defining Leadership Principles. Please note that meeting the stated criteria does not mean you’re guaranteed funds; rather, it means you are eligible for consideration.

Students interested in applying for available supplemental scholarships are encouraged to complete their supplemental scholarship application in the same round for which they are applying for admission. Please note that funding is limited, and funding strategies are subject to change annually. If scholarship funding is a major factor in your decision-making process, we recommend that students apply sooner rather than later in the admission cycle to ensure that they are considered for all available scholarship opportunities.

The University of California, Berkeley participates in the Federal Loan Program, which allows students enrolled at least half-time (6 units) to borrow money directly from the federal government at a fixed interest rate (6.8% for Direct Loans; 7.9% for the Grad PLUS Loan).

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed each year that a student intends to borrow a Federal Loan. The loans must be paid back beginning six months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment. The standard repayment term for these loans is 10 years.

Students often borrow funds through a private loan instead of Federal Loans if they can secure a much lower rate with zero fees. The choice of which type of loan to use rests with each student. While it is often recommended that students utilize the federal loan programs first, we understand that based on individual circumstances, a private loan may be more appealing to some students. The Haas Financial Aid Office encourages students to compare the benefits of the different loan types.

For more information, please visit the Financial Aid website. If you still have questions, you may contact the Financial Aid Office directly.

Berkeley Haas awards scholarships to both domestic and international students.

UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business has secured a loan program for International Students that does not require a co-signer. The lender was selected based on their ability to make loans at reasonable rates for students who are ineligible for federal loans and those with no access to a credit-worthy U.S. co-signer. The loans for this loan program are not made by UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business but is made by the lender below.

We have partnered with a credit union to provide a no-cosigner option by assuming some of the risk on your behalf. For more information see the International Student Loans section of the Financial Aid website.

Due to the rigorous nature of the MBA curriculum, students in the Full-time MBA program are not able to work off-campus during their first year. In some cases, second-year students have worked up to 10 hours per week, usually by continuing to work for the company where they held their summer internship. More common is the opportunity for second-year students to serve as graduate student instructors (GSIs). Nearly 30% of our Full-Time MBA students serve in this role, which partially reduces their rate of tuition and also provides them with a small monthly stipend.

All applicants will be considered for merit-based awards and do not require any action. Merit-based awards will be determined based on the overall strength of the admissions application, professional goals, educational achievement, intended concentration, leadership skills, and embodiment of the Haas Defining Leadership Principles.

Students interested in being considered for supplemental scholarship opportunities should are encouraged to apply in the same round for which they are applying for admission.

To apply for Federal Loans, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).You can complete the FAFSA any time after October 1st for the upcoming academic year in which you will begin your MBA program. We encourage admitted students to apply for Federal Loans by July 15th. This allows time to complete any supplemental steps in time for the fall semester.

For private loans, you may begin the process as early as May directly with the lender of your choice. We encourage you to complete the private loan application process by July 15th to ensure funds are processed in time for the fall semester.

When filling out the FAFSA, use UC Berkeley Federal Code 001312.

When requesting certification for private loans, use Haas' branch code: 001312-75.

The program receives approximately 3,700 applications in a typical year. In recent years, we have received as many as 4,500 applications and as few as 2,800 applications.

Each year, the Berkeley MBA program admits people from a wide variety of backgrounds. When making offers of admission, the Admissions Committee does not follow quotas. The number of people admitted from a certain country, industry, educational background, etc., each year depends on the number of people who apply, and the strength of the applicant pool.

There are three Application Deadlines, which can be found on the main admissions page.  

Note: The GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL must be taken on or before the designated deadline. Your complete online application must be submitted prior to 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on the deadline date. In addition, all supplemental materials must be postmarked on or before the deadline date.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, provided that you do not sacrifice the quality of your application to do so. If you find that you need more time to revise your essays or retake the GMAT, for example, you should definitely take the extra time to do so.

We are unable to evaluate a candidate's competitiveness or determine eligibility in advance of submitting a formal application. Each applicant's professional experience is reviewed along with academic aptitude, GMAT/GRE examination results, TOEFL examination results (if applicable), and letters of recommendation. Generally speaking, most of the current MBA students have two or more years of full-time professional experience following the completion of their undergraduate degree.

Our class profile will serve as a good first point of evaluating your qualifications in relation to our current students.  The profile includes statistics related to test results, years of work experience, industry interests, etc. Our website outlines the Guidelines and Criteria for applying to the Berkeley Full-time MBA program. This outline will provide explanations of what the Admissions Committee is looking for in each applicant.

Applicants with a four-year bachelors degree from an Indian school are eligible for consideration. Applicants with a three-year Indian bachelor's degree who also hold a master's or other advanced degree are eligible for consideration. Applicants with a three-year Indian bachelors degree and no additional degree may apply, but are at a significant competitive disadvantage when compared to applicants with similar backgrounds and eligible education.

Recognized 4-year basic or first degrees from India include: B. Tech., B. Eng., B. Eng. (Hons), B. Sc. in Engineering, B. Pharmacy, and BSc. in Agriculture and Forestry.

Other recognized basic or first degrees from India include: B.D.S. (4-5 years); B. Arch. (5 years); B. VSc. (5 years); LL.B. (5 years integrated course or 2-3 years following a bachelor’s degree); B. Tech. and the M. Tech. (5 year dual degree program awarded by the Indian Institute of Technology); Bachelor’s of Medicine Bachelor’s of Surgery (M.B.B.S); and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) awarded by the International Management Institute of New Delhi (2 years full-time or 3 years part-time).

Recognized second degrees from India: A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) awarded by the Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad (IIM), Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore (IIMI), or Lucknow (2 years beyond bachelor's degree) is a recognized second degree. A PGDM in Industrial Engineering awarded by the National Productivity Council (2 years beyond bachelor's degree with first class) is also recognized as a second degree.

Unaccepted first degrees: A Postgraduate Diploma in business technology awarded by the Centre for International Management (16 mos) is an UNACCEPTABLE first degree.  Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Associate of Institute of Cost Works Accountants, Associate of Business Management, and Associate of Institute of Engineers are NOT acceptable as substitutes for a four-year degree.

Eligibility with regard to the degrees equivalent to a US bachelor's degree cannot be determined in advance of filing an application. The Graduate Division reserves the right to review the official academic records of all applicants whose undergraduate degrees were earned outside the US to determine whether the academic credentials presented for a foreign institution are comparable to the US bachelor's degree.

University policy prohibits awarding of duplicate degrees. If you have an MBA or comparable degree from an institute of higher education, your application will be ineligible for consideration.

The quality of an MBA program is immeasurably enhanced by the real-world business experience that students bring to the classroom. Most of our students have two or more years of full-time professional work experience following the completion of their undergrad degree. The average years of post-university work experience is 5 years. 

More important than quantity, however, is the quality of that experience. When reviewing applications, we are particularly interested in the progression and milestones of your career, as well as your supervisor's assessment of your value as an employee and potential as a leader. 

We admit candidates with solid professional experience who come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds. Our class profile provides a list of previous industries prior to beginning the Berkeley MBA program. Preference is not given to a particular field or fields.

Although not a formal requirement, virtually all of our students have two or more years of professional work experience since the completion of their bachelor's degrees. The average years of post-university work experience for those admitted is just over 5 years. The middle 80% range of years of work experience is between 3-8 years. Therefore, applicants without any substantial work experience would not be as competitive. We recommend current undergraduates to consider Accelerated Access for a conditional admission opportunity.

The Admissions Committee does review and consider pre-university work experience in the review of each application; but very often pre-university work experience does not demonstrate the level of progression and milestones (such as promotions and increased responsibility) that are evident in post-university experience.

Please document pre-university work experience on your application in the Supplemental Information section (list full-time and part-time jobs held during undergraduate or graduate studies, indicating the employer, job title, employment dates, location, and the number of hours worked per week for each position held prior to the completion of your degree). Your work experience prior to pursuing your undergraduate degree should not be counted in the post-university employment section of the application.

The Admissions Committee takes everything into consideration when reviewing applications. While we realize graduate education can provide worthwhile experience, it does not necessarily carry as much weight as full-time professional work experience.

While there is no minimum acceptable GMAT or GRE score, see last year's class profile for average test scores. We are especially interested in your performance on the quantitative section as an indication of your mathematics proficiency. Please note that the Analytical Writing component is required for both the GMAT and GRE.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered in three formats, internet-based, paper and pencil, and computer-based. If you take the internet-based version, you must earn a score of at least 90. If you take the paper and pencil version, your score must be at least 570 out of 677. And if you take the computer-based test, you must earn a score of at least 230 out of 300. For detailed information about the TOEFL please visit the TOEFL website at http://www.toefl.org/ While TOEFL is preferred, you can submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) designed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and administered by the British Council worldwide. To register for the IELTS, consult the IELTS website at http://www.ielts.org/, or contact the office of the test center where you plan to take the test. You may also write the British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB, U.K. or email the Council. You are responsible for providing us with an official Test Report Form (TRF) of your IELTS. Remember to order the TRF when you register to take the test. Your most recent overall BAND score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale

Although we do not have a minimum requirement, a GPA of B (3.0) or better is generally the standard for serious consideration. Our class profile provides more information about test scores, years of work experience, average GPA, backgrounds, and industry interests for current Berkeley MBA students.

The admission committee reviews your entire academic record; however, the committee focuses more heavily on your first bachelor's degree.

If your institution does not use a 4.0 grading scale, please do not calculate your GPA. Please enter your GPA as is and indicate the grading scale being used. If you were educated outside of the US, complete the appropriate information in the application.

Please do not attempt to convert your grades to a US scale.

We do not accept transfer credits from other universities into the MBA program. You may waive out of core courses at the discretion of the faculty, but you must replace the waived course with another class.

Quantitative proficiency is assessed by looking at whether applicants have taken calculus, statistics, and/or any upper-level math courses during their undergraduate education. The Admissions Committee will also look at your GMAT or GRE score, and the quantitative nature of your work (if any) to determine your level of quantitative proficiency. The curriculum at Haas includes courses that have a qualitative focus and others that are more analytical and quantitative. All applicants should have completed, at a minimum, a college-level mathematics or statistics course. Haas faculty who teach quantitative courses will assume you have mastered the basic material. Therefore, although there are no official course requirements, the Admissions Committee looks carefully at quantitative proficiency when making its admissions decisions.

Applications to the Full-time MBA and Evening & Weekend MBA programs are processed separately - the programs are independent of one another. Applicants may only apply to one program per admissions cycle as outlined by our Graduate Division requirements.

This depends on the dual degree program to which you apply. To find more information about the MBA/MPH, MBA/MEng, or JD/MBA, please visit our Concurrent Degree Applicants page, and check out contact information for each program below.

Any student who seeks admission to the MBA program will need to complete a new admissions application, regardless of whether or not they are currently enrolled or completed a degree program at UC Berkeley.

Once your application has been submitted, you may not make changes or adjustments to the content. The Admissions Committee asks that you do not send additional material other than what is requested as part of the application.  However, you may provide an update if you have a change in your employment status or position, if you completed a quantitative course and are providing the grade, or if your contact information has changed.  Please send an email to mbaadm@haas.berkeley.edu with the updated information.

The Admissions Committee strongly discourages sending any application material other than what is requested. Only applicants placed on the waitlist are given the option of submitting additional materials at that time.

Please refrain from contacting the admissions office to verify that we have received your official transcripts or test scores. You will receive an email once your application has been initially reviewed for completeness, approximately 3 - 6 weeks from the deadline for which you applied. If anything is missing, we will send you an email outlining the missing documents needed for review.

You must provide one official transcript (or academic record) issued by the university for each institution you have attended.

For initial review, you may provide a copy of each official document. If you are recommended for admission, you must immediately submit all required official academic documents issued by your institution.

All applicants must provide transcripts with:

• The name of the degree and date of conferral.
• The name of every class you have taken toward the completion of the degree.
• The number of credits received per class.
• The grade obtained for each course.

International applicants must also provide:

• An official degree certificate issued by the university, if the name of the degree and the date of conferral are not listed on the transcript.
• A certified English translation of the official transcript, if the original transcript is not in English.
• A certified English translation of the official degree certificate, if the original degree certificate is not in English.

Please Note: If you have attended school abroad, either as part of an exchange program administered by your school or on your own, or if you have transferred units from another institution to your degree-granting institution, please make sure your degree-granting institution's transcript meets all of the above requirements for those classes. Otherwise, request official transcripts directly from the institution where each class was taken.

A transcript is considered official if:

• It arrives in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution.
• It includes the name of the degree and the date of conferral. If you have an international degree and your transcript does not include the name of the degree and the date of conferral, you must submit an official degree certificate to fulfill this requirement.
• It includes the course names, credits, and/or grades received.
• It is sent Electronically via a secure third-party transcript vendors. Some examples: eTranscript California, Parchment Exchange, eSCRIP-SAFE, and National Student Clearinghouse. 

A transcript is considered unofficial if: 

• It arrives in an opened/unsealed envelope or without an envelope from the issuing institution.
• It was sent by the applicant without an envelope sealed by the issuing institution.
• It is a photocopy or scan of an original transcript.
• It was sent via email attachment.
• It does not include the name of the degree and the date of conferral and there is no degree certificate included.
• It does not include the course names, credits, and/or grades received.

Please note: We will not accept printouts of online grade reports in place of transcripts. If you submit a scan or photocopy of your transcript for review, it must be a copy of the official transcript.

We prefer that you upload copies of your official transcripts or degree certificates with your online application. If you are recommended for admission, you will be required or instructed on how to submit official transcripts and degree certificates.

Please do NOT email electronic versions of academic records to us. They will not be accepted. Your academic documents contain confidential information and sending them via email could expose you to risk. The Haas School of Business is not responsible for academic records that are emailed to us.

Online: See the application instructions for more information. PDFs of academic records may be uploaded via the application for each educational institution you list in the education section. We only accept PDF format for upload and ask that you determine the document will be legible and can print on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Please scan BOTH sides of your transcripts. You may withdraw and re-upload your documents as often as you like, but due to security concerns you will not be able to preview your uploaded document. Please do not contact the admissions office to confirm that the upload was successful. If your documents are not legible or there were any problems during the upload, we will contact you as we prepare and set up your file for review.

By Mail: 
Full-Time MBA Admissions 
Haas School of Business 
University of California, Berkeley
430 Student Services Bldg #1902 
Berkeley, CA 94720-1902

Transcripts are required for:

• Any quantitative transfer courses that do not appear on the transcript from your degree-granting institution.

Transcripts are NOT required for:

• Non-quantitative transfer courses.
• Courses taken during high school.

Official records are original documents issued by the institution that bear the original stamp or embossed seal of the issuing institution and the stamped or signed signature of the appropriate authorizing official.

For initial review: Copies of official academic records (including photocopies) will be accepted for review purposes. You may submit scans of your transcripts via the online application or mail the copies in as part of your Supplemental Materials.

For admission: If you are recommended for admission, you will be required to immediately submit official academic records issued by the school. If it will take more than 2-3 weeks to receive official, certified documents, you should request them now as any delay in our receipt of your documents could jeopardize your review and timely admissions decision.

Official international transcripts may be brought in by hand. When you arrive on campus in August you will hand deliver your official documents to the Graduate Division office on campus:

Admissions Office of the Graduate Division
318 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-5900

If your institution only provides one set of documents at the time of graduation, you must provide official photocopies that have been certified or attested as “true” by the registrar of the university, the principal of the constituent college, the controller of examinations, the head of the student’s department, or the Fulbright Commission. To be acceptable as “true” the photocopies must be signed in ink by one of the officials listed above.

All academic records must be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations prepared by the issuing institution. Specially prepared English versions are not acceptable in place of documents issued in the original language. If translations are not available from the institution itself, they may be prepared by government or official translators. Translators must state that the translation is a complete and exact word-for-word translation of the original. In particular, be sure that the translator or institution does not "interpret" grading scales on our behalf by attempting to convert your institution's or country's system into the US 4.0 scale.

If recommended for admission we will require an official transcript and degree certificate issued by your University. We require that you send academic documents in both the original language and in English. We accept an official English translation by a university official or by a certified ATA translator.

You can utilize the following websites to search for and reach out to a certified ATA translator:

1. ATA homepage: http://www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories/
2. ATA website for searching for certified translators in a certain country: http://atanet.org/onlinedirectories/individuals_tabs.php#tabs-2

*Only individual translators can be certified by ATA. Documents prepared by translation companies with ATA membership DO NOT suffice. Documents prepared by a certified ATA translator should show the ATA-Certified Translator Seal

Generally, notarized copies (public or government) are acceptable. If you have a question about providing a notarized copy, you should contact the Admissions Office by email at mbaadm@haas.berkeley.edu.

The Graduate Division requires all applicants who received their degrees from countries in which the official language is not English to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement is education-based, and we are unable to make an exception.

Not all universities where instruction is conducted in English are considered sufficient to waive the TOEFL requirement. Please review the English Language Proficiency Requirement for more information.

All exams (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL) must be taken on or before the application deadline for the round in which you apply. Please self-report your scores on the application, and request to have your official scores sent to us.

You may also seek to improve your GMAT or GRE score after you submit your application. We will consider updated scores as long as they are received no later than two (2) weeks prior to the notification deadline for the round in which you applied. Learn more about reporting dates.

GMAT code: N2VPT47 
GRE code: 0574
TOEFL institution code 4833, department 02
IELTS: Send IELTS electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required. Our address for IELTS identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. Please do not mail any score reports.

You may cut and paste formatted text into the Berkeley Haas application. However, please note that the format of your responses may change. This happens because different web browsers and word processing applications all behave a little differently and interact adversely at times with our online application. Please consider these best practices:

• Type directly. When possible, type a response directly into the application and format using the online tools.
• Strip formatting before pasting. Do not copy and paste directly from a word processor (i.e. Word 2010, Outlook 2010) into the online application. First, copy and paste the response into Notepad (PC) or Textedit (mac) and from there into the Berkeley Haas application. Your formatting will be removed but your text will all be preserved in the proper order. Rebuild your formatting, adding bullets, bold, etc., using the application tools.
• Review your answers. After you finalize and save your response, be sure to review your answers.
• No pictures or other media. Please do not paste pictures or other non-text media into your answers. They may cause problems in our reviewing your application.

Essay responses should reflect your own ideas and experiences, be independently written, and reflect your writing style. You may receive advice on content and editing, including the use of generative artificial intelligence software to assist with readability, but content and final written text must be your own.

We prefer that both letters come from a current or former employer, but we also understand not all applicants have the same options for letters of recommendation. Select individuals with whom you have had considerable professional interaction such as your supervisor or a major client. The title or status of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your recommenders have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities and interpersonal skills in an organizational context. For this reason, we discourage academic references. Letters of recommendation from co-workers, someone you have supervised, or personal and family friends are inappropriate and can be detrimental to the review of your application.

It is up to you to determine who would be the best person to write your letter of recommendation. You may want to consider major clients, a former supervisor, or the Director/Leader of an extracurricular group or volunteer organization in which you're involved. Select individuals who have had the opportunity to observe you in a supervisory capacity and who can attest to your professional qualities, leadership abilities and/or potential, and skills in an organizational context.

As long as you have submitted your application and paid the application fee by the deadline, it is acceptable for your recommender to submit the letter of recommendation a few days after the deadline date. Please keep in mind that without two letters of recommendation, your application will be considered incomplete and cannot be reviewed until both letters have been received. You can check the status of your recommender's submission by logging into your online application.

While we prefer that recommendations are submitted electronically via the online application, you may ask your recommender to complete a paper recommendation form. All paper recommendations must arrive in a sealed envelope with the letter writer's signature across the envelope seal.

Please mail official letters of recommendation to: 
Full-Time MBA Admissions 
Haas School of Business 
University of California, Berkeley
430 Student Services Bldg #1902 
Berkeley, CA 94720-1902

It is acceptable to obtain the recommendation in the native language of the author. The original letter and an English translation completed by an ATA (American Translators Association) certified translator must be provided through the mail with the letter writer’s signature across the seal of the envelope.

Unsubmitted Applications. If you are still working on your application, you can manually change your recommender by logging into your online application:

• Go to the Recommendation section of your application.
• Select Edit and Exclude the recommender you wish to remove.
• After excluding your original recommender, you will have the option to add your new recommender's information.

Submitted Applications. If you have already submitted your online application and would like to change your recommender, please email the admissions office directly at mbaadm@haas.berkeley.edu. We are open Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT. Please note: If your recommender has already completed and sent in their form, we are not able to delete it.

Interviews are conducted solely at the invitation of the admissions committee, and only after the initial review of your application. Therefore, we ask that you please refrain from contacting us to request an interview. Receiving an invitation should be taken as a sign of interest on the part of the admissions committee.  Interviews are offered through prerecorded video, and remotely with a current student or alumni.

Interview invitations are extended 4 weeks after the application deadline, and continue on a rolling basis until the deadline for your round. You will be notified by email if you are invited to interview.

There is no difference between the review of pre-recorded and live interviews. All interviews are reviewed equally, and the same interview form is completed to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, who gives equal consideration to all formats.

Interview invitations will be sent to the email you provided on your application. You may complete a pre-recorded interview at your earliest convenience, or register for a scheduled live interview. For live interviews, the schedule is offered based on our student and alumni interviewer availability.

We communicate with applicants through email.  Admissions decisions will be released on the notification deadline for each round. You will receive an email from our office at that time, instructing you to check your online application status. Current application deadlines can be found on the main Admissions page of our website.

Our Admissions Committee takes great pride in reading and evaluating applications for admission. Every single application, regardless of GPA, test scores, or number of years of work experience, is read by a minimum of two readers. In many instances, an application is read by three readers, and sometimes four. As a result, it does take some time before we extend our interview invitations. Interview invitations are extended approximately 4-6 weeks after the deadline date, and continue until the notification deadline. Please be patient as you await word from us.

Unfortunately we are not able to expedite admissions decisions for applicants. We understand that many applicants apply to several schools, and the varying deadlines often conflict. However, it is our policy to release all decisions for each round on the same day. You will be notified of your admissions decision on the notification date of the round in which you applied. Current application deadlines can be found on the main Admissions page of our website.

All admission decisions are final, and there is no appeal process.

Deferrals are very uncommon for the Full-time Berkeley MBA Program.  In extreme circumstances, they may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.

To accept a place on the waitlist, please indicate your interest via your online application portal as soon as possible. If we do not receive a response from you by the deadline stated in the email, your application will be withdrawn.

Candidates must also have a completed interview on file to be further considered for admission. Those who have not yet had an interview will be able to submit a video interview via your online application portal.

The number of candidates on the waitlist fluctuates depending on timing within the admissions cycle. While we anticipate admitting some waitlisted candidates, the applicant pool and yield on offers of admission varies each year. Therefore, we cannot predict exactly how many candidates will be placed on the waitlist or how many applicants will be offered admission based on previous years.

We will review the waitlist periodically throughout the admissions cycle and provide updates regarding admission status on an ongoing basis between late February and early August. During this time, we may make offers of admission from the waitlist, release candidates from the waitlist, or reconfirm candidates' interest in remaining on the waitlist. As we will be reviewing the waitlist on a rolling basis, please be sure to submit any updated information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when evaluating your candidacy in a timely manner.

All final admissions decisions will be communicated by August. We strongly discourage applicants from calling or emailing frequently to inquire about their status on the waitlist.

No, we do not rank our waitlist. We periodically review all waitlisted candidates but waitlisted candidates are not placed in a ranked order.

The Admissions Committee is not able to provide individual feedback regarding the specific area(s) to address while you are on the waitlist. We value candidates who are able to self-assess areas of growth in the application process. Focus on substantive, meaningful improvements that you feel will make you a stronger candidate or provide information not already presented in your application.

Below are general suggestions of common areas to address to help enhance your candidacy; not every suggestion will be relevant to each candidate.

1. Interview. Candidates must have a completed interview on file to be further considered for admission. Those who have not yet had an interview will be able to submit a video interview via your online application portal. Each candidate may only interview once during a given application cycle.
2. Test scores. If your GMAT or TOEFL scores fall below our averages, you may wish to retake the test and forward an unofficial score (followed by your official score) to the admissions office. Please email your scores to decision@haas.berkeley.edu.
3. Quantitative ability. If you feel you have not sufficiently demonstrated quantitative ability through your undergraduate and graduate level coursework and/or your quantitative subscore on the GMAT or GRE, you may wish to enroll in a statistics or calculus course at a local college, retake the GMAT or GRE, or do both.
4. Letters of recommendation. You may provide up to two additional letters of recommendation for your file, if the letter(s) will add information that was not provided in the original letters submitted.
   
   To submit a new recommendation, please email or mail us a hard copy of your new recommendation form. 
5. Personal statement. You may submit a new statement to update the Admissions Committee on any significant changes in your professional or personal life since your application was submitted that will add value to your candidacy.  Relevant updates may include a promotion, change in employment, updated test score, enrollment or completion of a quantitative course, etc.  You may also submit a personal statement if you wish to clarify your career goals or, particularly for those intending to switch careers, provide further detail on steps you have taken to prepare for your career transition.

No. We are not able to conduct an expedited review of your application.

In recognition of the time typically required to secure a visa and relocate from abroad, we plan to provide a final admission for all international candidates on the waitlist by July. Our program and international office is readily available to support students through the matriculation process.

You may submit updates via email or mail to the admissions office.  When possible, updates sent via email are preferred. Please consolidate your updates into as few communications as possible. We will confirm via email when any updates have been made to your file.

Email: decision@haas.berkeley.edu

Mailing Address:
Full-Time MBA Admissions 
Haas School of Business
University of California, Berkeley
430 Student Services Bldg. #1902 
Berkeley, CA 94720-1902

Since we will be reviewing the waitlist on a rolling basis, please be sure to submit any updated information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when evaluating your candidacy in a timely manner.

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, a member of the admissions team may contact you regarding your application. We strongly discourage applicants from calling or emailing frequently to provide updates or to inquire about their status on the waitlist.

Candidates who are admitted from the waitlist are eligible for Berkeley Haas scholarships based on the remaining scholarships.  For more information about scholarships and other financial aid opportunities, please refer to our Financial Aid website or contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@haas.berkeley.edu.

A campus visit is not required, but we welcome you to visit Berkeley Haas to continue learning about our program while you are on the waitlist.

Please notify us immediately if you no longer wish to remain on our waitlist — you may email us at decision@haas.berkeley.edu or indicate your decision via your online application portal.

Please see our Consortium webpage for more details about upcoming deadlines.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, provided that you do not sacrifice the quality of your application to do so. If you find that you need more time to revise your essays or to retake the GMAT, for example, you should definitely take the extra time to do so.

If you apply in Round 1, we will review your application earlier, so you may receive an interview invitation and/or admission earlier. The Consortium determines the application deadlines so that you can plan accordingly for submitting your Consortium application to all member schools for which you wish to apply.

No. We do not provide test fee waivers to Consortium applicants.

The GMAT or GRE must be taken on or before The Consortium application deadline for the round in which you apply. Updated scores can be emailed to us up to two weeks before our notification deadline.

Both Berkeley Haas and The Consortium keep application materials from the previous two application cycles. If you applied more than two years ago, you are required to submit an entirely new application. Reapplicants who applied in the last two years must submit a new application that includes all required data forms and essays, an updated résumé, one mission support recommendation, and the application fee. You may re-use the following items: GMAT or GRE score if not expired, professional recommendations, and transcripts.

As a reapplicant to Berkeley Haas, we strongly recommend that you use the optional essay (on the Berkeley Supplemental Application) to outline how you have improved your candidacy since your last application. The Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. We also recommend that you provide updated professional recommendations which may highlight your most current professional achievements, as well as speak to how you have enhanced your candidacy since you last applied. If you have taken the GMAT/GRE and TOEFL again, ask to have the new official scores sent to The Consortium and note your new score on the Test Score section of the application.

No. If you are denied admission to the Full-time Berkeley MBA program after applying through the Consortium, you are not eligible to apply to the Full-time program within the same academic cycle.

Once the Admissions Committee has reviewed your Consortium application, you may be invited to interview. Receiving an invitation should be taken as a sign of interest on the part of the Admissions Committee. Interviews are offered through prerecorded video, and remotely with a current student or alumni. Interview invitations generally start going out four weeks after the application deadline, and continue to go out on a rolling basis up until the notification deadline. You will be notified by email if you are invited to interview.

Yes, you are eligible (and encouraged!) to apply for any of our MBA Scholarships. You can find information on our scholarships and other details to finance your MBA on our Financial Aid website.

MBA/MPH: You may apply to the MBA/MPH program through The Consortium. You should choose the MBA/MPH option when completing the Berkeley Haas section of The Consortium application. Applicants to the MBA/MPH program are required to submit an additional statement of purpose. Please note that for fellowship recipients this only covers the first two years of the two-and-a-half year MBA program.

MBA/MEng: You may apply to the MBA/MEng program through The Consortium. You should choose the MBA/MEng option when completing the Berkeley Haas supplemental section of The Consortium application. Applicants to the MBA/MEng program are required to submit an additional statement of purpose.

JD/MBA: The JD/MBA concurrent degree applicants are not eligible to apply to the JD/MBA program through The Consortium. To apply for the JD/MBA concurrent degree, please apply directly through the Berkeley Haas application.

Whether a Consortium Fellowship recipient or Consortium Member, you must remain in good academic standing (i.e., 3.0 GPA or higher) while a student at Berkeley Haas.

Deferrals are very uncommon for the Berkeley MBA Program. In extreme circumstances, they may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. Deferral of a Consortium Fellowship is also reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and university policy, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Inquiries may be directed as follows: 
Sex discrimination and sexual harassment:
Nancy Chu, Title IX Compliance Officer, 510-643-7985. 
Disability discrimination and access: 
Ed Rogers, A.D.A./504 Compliance Officer, 510-643-5116 
(voice) or 510-642-3172 (TTY). 
Other inquiries may be directed to the Academic Compliance Office, 200 California Hall, #1500, 510-642-2795

Notice of Availability:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of California, Berkeley publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes current campus security policies plus crime and fire statistics for the previous three calendar years. It also contains contact information for various campus and community resources related to crime prevention, reporting resources, and survivor assistance.

You may use the link below to access a digital copy of the current report. Paper copies of the current report are available free of charge and may be requested by emailing clery@berkeley.edu. 

UC Berkeley Annual Security and Fire Safety Report