Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many people apply to the Full-time MBA Program each year?
2. What are the application deadlines?
3. Where do I send my supplemental application materials?
4. What are the average GMAT scores and GPAs of admitted applicants?
5. If I have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score does the admissions committee consider?
6. What are the institution codes for the GMAT and TOEFL?
7. When are my GMAT and TOEFL scores no longer valid?
8. Can I substitute the GRE for the GMAT?
9. If I have received multiple bachelor's or master's degrees, which GPA do you consider?
10. Should I apply for Round 1?
11. What about recommendations? Whom should I ask to write them?
12. What if I just completed my undergraduate program and do not have full-time work experience?
13. If I have already completed MBA classes at another university may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?
14. What is the required TOEFL score for international applicants?
15. Am I eligible to apply to the MBA program if I received a bachelor's degree from India?
16. Are there prerequisite requirements for the Haas MBA?
17. Am I eligible to apply if I already have an MBA degree from another university?
18. Is it necessary to have an interview? When should I expect to receive an invitation to interview?
19. How can I reactivate my application if I have applied previously?
20. I'm having trouble accessing the Online Application. What is the problem?
21. Berkeley MBA program FAQ's
22. My questions are not answered here.

1. How many people apply to the Full-time MBA Program each year?
The program receives approximately 3,000 applications in a typical year. In recent years, we have received as many as 4,500 applications and as few as 2,200 applications. On average, we receive approximately 3,200 applications a year.

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2. What are the application deadlines?
There are four application deadlines for Fall 2007:

Round 1: For applications that are complete and submitted by November 6, 2006, decisions will be sent on January 29, 2007.

Round 2: For applications that are complete and submitted by December 11, 2006, decisions will be sent on March 19, 2007.

Round 3: For applications that are complete and submitted by January 31, 2007, decisions will be sent on April 30, 2007.

Round 4: For applications that are complete and submitted by March 12, 2007, decisions will be sent on May 14, 2007.

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

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3. Where do I send my supplemental application materials?
Full-time MBA Admissions
Haas School of Business
University of California, Berkeley
430 Student Services Bldg #1902
Berkeley, CA 94720-1902

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4. What are the average GMAT scores and GPAs of admitted applicants?
Over the past 5 years admitted applicants had an average GMAT score of 700, while the range for the middle 80% was typically 650 to 750. On average admitted applicants had an undergraduate GPA of 3.5. The middle 80% GPA range was typically between 3.16 and 3.84. There is no minimum cutoff for either GMAT or GPA. For a profile of the current class, please visit community_02.html.

5. If I have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score does the admissions committee consider? Does the Admissions Committee average the scores?
No. The admissions committee considers the highest score.

6. What are the institution codes for the GMAT and TOEFL?
The code to have GMAT scores sent to the Full-time program is N2VPT47. The code to have TOEFL scores sent to the full-time program is 4833. Be sure to list department code 02 as well when ordering TOEFL scores.

7. When are my GMAT and TOEFL scores no longer valid?
For fall 2007 admission, we accept official scores from GMAT tests taken as early as October 2001. For fall 2007 admission, the TOEFL exam must be taken no earlier than June 2005. There are no exceptions to these dates.

8. Can I substitute the GRE for the GMAT?
No. The GMAT is required of all applicants. While we routinely receive applications from prospective students who have advanced degrees that required sitting for other high-level standardized tests, such as PhDs, JDs or MDs, the requirement to take the GMAT is never waived.

9. If I have received multiple bachelor's or master's degrees, which GPA do you consider?
The admission committee reviews your entire academic record; however, the committee focuses more heavily on your first bachelor's degree.

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10. In which Round should I apply? How important is it to apply in Round One?

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. Do note, however, that we make most of our offers of admission from Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Only a small number of Round 4 applicants are offered admission each year.

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11. What about recommendations? Whom should I ask to write them?
We prefer that both letters come from a current or former employer. 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 letter writers 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.

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12. What if I just completed my undergraduate program and do not have full-time work experience?
Although not a formal requirement, virtually all of our students have two or more years of professional work experience following the completion of their bachelor's degrees. For the fall 2006 entering class, the middle 80% worked between 3 - 8 years by the start of classes.

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13. If I have already completed MBA classes at another university may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?
We do not transfer MBA credit from other universities, so any work that you had completed at other institutions will not count toward a degree at UC Berkeley. You may waive out of core courses at the discretion of the faculty, but you must replace the waived course with another class.

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14. What is the required TOEFL score for international applicants?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered in three formats, paper and pencil, computer-based, and internet-based. If you take the paper and pencil version, your score must be at least 570 out of 677. If you take the computer-based test, you must earn a score of at least 230 out of 300. And if you take the internet-based version, you must earn a score of at least 68. For detailed information about the TOEFL please visit the TOEFL web site at http://www.toefl.org/.

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15. Am I eligible to apply to the MBA program if I received a bachelor's degree from India?
Minimum academic requirements for international applicants are a 4-year bachelor's degree or a master's degree (2 years after your bachelor's degree). 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). 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.

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. You are ineligible to be admitted with only a 3-year bachelor's degree; therefore, you would need to complete a master's degree (2 years after your bachelor's degree) or other acceptable degree in order to apply.

If your degree is not listed above and you are interested in applying to the Berkeley MBA program, I suggest that you complete an application. 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.

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16. Are there prerequisite requirements for the Haas MBA?
There are no specific prerequisite requirements for the Full-time Haas MBA Program. However, the admissions committee does look for evidence of quantitative proficiency in all applicants. We strongly recommend that all applicants complete, at a minimum, a college-level mathematics or statistics course. The Evening & Weekend MBA does have prerequisite requirements, which are described in detail in the Evening & Weekend MBA web pages.

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17. Am I eligible to apply if I already have an MBA degree from another university?
University policy prohibits the awarding of duplicate degrees. We are unable to consider your application if you have an MBA or comparable degree from an institution of higher learning.

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18. Is it necessary to have an interview? When should I expect to receive an invitation to interview?
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 and few applicants will be admitted without an interview. Interviews are offered both with current students on campus and with alumni in cities around the world. If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified via email anywhere from 4 weeks after submitting your application up to the notification deadline. We will not begin to interview Round 1 applicants until January.

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19. How can I reactivate my application if I have applied previously?
If you have submitted an application to the program within the past two years, you are required to complete and submit the following portions of the application: Personal Data I and II; Test Scores; Employment section, including a current resume; Education section; and $175 application fee. In addition, you must send a current transcript for any new coursework. Be sure that your test scores meet current test date requirements. Applicants to the concurrent degree programs should contact the admissions office to determine their requirements for reactivation. Assuming that an application was complete at the time of submission, you will need to answer the supplemental question 5 and short answer 3, which are new to the fall 2007 application. In addition, if you would like to be considered for a Haas Achievement Award, please answer optional essay question #2. Updating any other application materials is optional, although the admissions committee does note the effort that candidates put into their reapplication. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the admissions committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay to provide this information. In addition, you are encouraged to submit one or two new letters of recommendation.

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20. I'm having trouble accessing the Online Application. What is the problem?
You must have a Login Account to access the Online Application and you must have your internet browser set to accept cookies. To get a Login and Password you have two options:

1. Complete a "Request Program Guide" form. After creating your login account, return to the Online Application opening page and click on "Apply Online". You will be sent to a site that asks for your Login and Password. Click the "register here" link and you will be sent to a site that asks you to re-enter and confirm your name and date of birth. After you enter this information you will be given a username and a password. We will also send you an email with this information. You can change your password to something more easily remembered by clicking the Password link on the Admissions menu.
   
2. If you do not want to receive a copy of our paper Program Guide, click on Login/out on the Admissions menu. You will be sent to a site that asks you to enter and confirm your name and date of birth. Click the "register here" link. You will be asked to enter some basic information. After entering this information, you will be sent back to the site where you can re-enter and confirm your name and birth date. After you enter this information you will be given a username and password. We will also email you this information. You can change your password to something more easily remembered by clicking the "Password" link on the Admissions menu.

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My questions are not answered here.
If your questions are not answered in our Program Guide or application, please feel free to contact us Monday through Friday at 510-642-1405 between 9am - 4pm.

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