Full-time MBA Program
The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
October 2, 2007
Europe Chat with the MBA Admissions & Students
Corinne Kang , Associate Director of Admissions
Cindy Jennings-Millette, Assistant Director of Admissions
Maiken Møller-Hansen, MBA Class of 2008
Romain Galoisy, MBA Class of 2008
Tracy Cheung, MBA Class of 2008
Lee_Moderator (Oct 2, 2007 11:54:54 AM)
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA chat – today’s chat is specially focused for prospective MBAs in Europe. My name is Lee and Jeff I will be moderating the chat today. I would like to have our guest speakers introduce themselves now.
Tracy MBA08 (Oct 2, 2007 11:56:23 AM)
Hi, my name is Tracy Cheung. I'm a 2nd year student in the full-time MBA program here at Haas, as well as one of the Haas Student Ambassadors. I have a finance background but am looking to go into the nonprofit field or alternative energy field. As a result, I've been involved with many clubs on campus related to those two sectors.
Corinne_Berkeley (Oct 2, 2007 11:56:27 AM)
Hello and thank you for joining us today! My name is Corinne Kang and I am an Associate Director of Admission for the Full-time MBA program. As one of the members of the Admissions Committee, I review applications, interview candidates, and make admissions decisions. I’ll be traveling to a few cities in Europe at the end of this month, and I look forward to meeting you in person at the MBA Fairs!
Maiken MBA08 (Oct 2, 2007 11:56:29 AM)
Hi I am Maiken. I was born and raised in Denmark, after which I moved to Berlin, Germany to study Strategic Communications at the University of Arts (UdK). After graduating I worked as a Technical Project Manager for Amazon.com first in their German office and since in their Seattle, WA, headquarters. I am now in my second year at Haas and am interested in pursuing a career in either Product Management or Corporate Strategy at a high tech or lifestyle product company. I am enrolled in the Management of Technology (MOT) Certificate program and am the Student Government VP of International Student Affairs.
Romain MBA08 (Oct 2, 2007 11:57:19 AM)
Hi! My name is Romain Galoisy and I am a second-year student. I was born and raised in France; hold a BS in European Business Technology from the University of Brighton, UK and a Master from Ecole Centrale Paris, France. I have worked for 5 years both in France and Italy for ZS Associates a management consulting firm specializing in the Pharmaceutical industry. At Haas, I am focusing on International economic development and lead the European Business club and Global Initiatives at Haas.
Jeff_Moderator (Oct 2, 2007 11:58:56 AM)
Thanks again for joining us today. We are very excited to have you join us. Please send us your questions. As this is a moderated chat, you won't see what you type immediately, but we're getting your questions.
Riccardo Bruni
Hello everyone. I'm Riccardo, from Italy. If you have to describe your experience at Haas just with one example of something you learnt, you did, you faced during your MBA, what would you say?
Romain MBA08
Hi Riccardo, if I had to describe my experience at Haas with a few words is would be a world of opportunities!
Rovsh
Question to Corinne - will you come to Moscow World MBA on 9th October?
Cindy_Berkeley
My name is Cindy Jennings Millette, Asst Director of Admissions, and I will be attending the Moscow World MBA on Oct 9th. Hope to see you there?
Lac Leman
I have been out of school for six years now. How closely will you guys look at my transcripts from college -- compared to work experience?
Corinne_Berkeley
The transcript is one component of many in the application, so we will still review your transcript, regardless of your number of years of work experience. We're especially looking at the caliber of your institution, the rigor of the major you pursued, as well as the grades you received specifically in quantitative courses. We'll also want to see a positive progression in your grades!
Gyu
Hi! I have double nationality: French and American. I am a registered to vote in LA, and have voted for the past years for local and national polls. I have studied, and am currently living and working in France. How should I apply to HAAS? Hi! I have double nationality: French and American. I am a registered to vote in LA, and have voted for the past years for local and national polls. I have studied, and am currently living and working in an international company in France. How should I apply to HAAS? Can i apply for CA resident fees? Or should I have lived one full calendar year prior to the admission?
Maiken MBA08
Hi Gyu, I was actually in the same situation! If you have dual residency it might make sense for you to apply as a US resident, as it will give you access to financing options like US federal loans. And the application forms will give you plenty of chances to point out your dual/unique background.
kelvinlam
Hi, I would like to ask how you compare yourself with Stanford who is also near the Silicon Valley. My impression is that you both are very strong in technology and business. And a lot of graduates go into tech companies. Is that true?
Tracy MBA08
While I can't make a direct comparison to Stanford, because my experience has only been at Haas, I can say that yes, we are both very strong in technology and business. Many of our students go into technology companies for both internships and full-time positions, and additionally, many students pursue a Management of Technology (or MOT) certificate while here
Corinne_Berkeley (Oct 2, 2007 11:59:33 AM)
Hi Nicolas - we do not have a minimum requirement in terms of number of years of work experience. There are many components to the application - GPA, GMAT, letters of recommendation, essays, etc... - which we review holistically when assessing the strength of an applicant's candidacy!
Corinne_Berkeley
Galych - we are always looking to build a diverse class, so international work experience is certainly valued and looked upon favorably
Vasco@Lisboa
Hi, thank you for hosting this chat. What are the major differences a European student can expect between the Berkeley teaching method and the usual types of classes we find in European Universities.
Maiken MBA08
Hi Vasco, I have found US professors to be more open to debate and interaction with the students. When I did my undergrad in Germany I called all of my Profs by their last names - here we usually address them as "Steve", "Barbara" etc and they are happy to talk/interact with you anytime.
Jeff_Moderator
Please attend one of our upcoming Berkeley MBA Info Sessions: Madrid - November 5 Milan - November 6 Frankfurt - November 8 Munich - November 12 Paris - November 14 London - November 16 Go to http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/events_01.html for more information!
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Rovsh, we would love for you and your wife to visit Haas, but unfortunately we are unable to accommodate your request for an invitation letter. We will, however be traveling throughout Europe in October and November for MBA Fairs and Berkeley Information Sessions, so please do try to attend one of those events and speak with us there to learn more about the program! You can use the link that Jeff just posted to see when we will be in each city.
Ryan
This is a question for Romain and Maiken: why did you choose to come to Haas?
Maiken MBA08
I chose Haas for a couple of reasons: the collaborative and team work student culture was important to me, as was the strong focus on curriculum in technology and social entrepreneurship. Finally the bay area is simply an unbeatable place to live!
Romain MBA08
Hi, I chose to come to Haas for the following reasons. First, I was attracted by the entrepreneurial culture of Haas and the proximity to the Silicon Valley. Secondly, Haas has a very strong Socially Responsible Business community. Lastly, Haas offers a program called International Business Development, a 6-month consulting project focusing on issues faced by developing countries.
Landry
I took the GMAT once and didn't do very well. Do you have a minimum required score?
Lee_Moderator
While we do not have a minimum score, 80% of the admitted students have scores between 650 and 760.
Maiken MBA08
Hi Gyu, i suggest you check in with the UC Berkeley residency office to review the details of your specific situation. You can find their e-mail / phone number on the UC Berkeley website.
Ville
Can you give an example of a student run initiative at Haas going on right now?
Tracy MBA08
One of the things at Haas that really stands out is how most things here are student-run and initiated. A current example of this is the PLAY conference which is the premiere digital media and entertainment conference right now. It's completely organized by students, who have gone out and raised sponsorship money, invited speakers and panelists, and marketed outside the Haas community to the greater public
Adam Lorimer
I have a Master's of Engineering from a University that, while consistently top 10 in the UK (and top for Mech Eng), would probably not be well known in the US. Would you recommend an explanation of my Univ's position as part of the application and where would this best fit?
Cindy_Berkeley
We receive applications from across the globe - some of which we may not be familiar with. This does not put your application at a disadvantage (for we look at a number of criteria in your application). We do have an optional essay question that you may use to address any specifics regarding your university if you feel this is important.
Adam Lorimer
US vs European MBA - Why did the students currently enrolled choose a US program particularly Berkeley over a European one? What do you see as the pro's and con's of the US style MBA?
Romain MBA08
I decided to attend Business School in the US, primarily to experience another academic and professional environment. Indeed, the main pro is the length of the program, as it gives you more time to explore different career paths and gain knowledge/experience in any area independent of your background. Obviously length can also be a con. Berkeley specifically has an entrepreneurial atmosphere which gives you the feeling that everything is possible.
Aspire
Computer Technology is now an integral part of business processes, yet there is no computer course on the Haas curriculum. Can I take Database administration & programming courses while on the Haas MBA?
Maiken MBA08
Yes, not at the Haas School but at one of the other UC Berkeley schools. I believe we can take up to 6 credits outside of Haas, you should be able to look that up in the info material.
Landry
Does it mean I have realistic chances if my score is higher than 650?
Lee_Moderator
The GMAT is only one of the many factors considered by the Admissions Committee. If your GMAT is not competitive, the rest of your application would have to be stronger, but a competitive GMAT does not guarantee admission.
Geoffrey
HI, I was wondering what percentage of students you invite to interview after an initial review of their application - should an interview be taken as a sign of interest or do most applicants get interviewed?
Cindy_Berkeley
An interview invitation should definitely be taken as a sign of interest. I don't have an exact number because it varies from year to year, but we usually interview about 30%of the pool.
Vasco@Lisboa
The transcripts at my undergrad college are not easy, or cheap, to obtain. Will you accept a certified copy for application?
Cindy_Berkeley
Although I understand your situation, I'm afraid that we are unable to accept a certified copy. We require all applicants to provide official transcripts signed and sealed by the university in order to accurately review your application.
Vasco@Lisboa
Question to Romain and Maiken: Was it difficult to set up in the bay area? Lived there for a year in 2003 and housing was very expensive. Is it still the case? And if so, is there housing for married couples in campus?
Maiken MBA08
Finding housing can be a challenge and prices are still fairly high - this is one of the most desirable areas of the US to live in for many reasons. However UC Berkeley does have housing for couples and families in what is called the "UC Village" and a lot of Haas students live there and are really happy with it. Otherwise I think the transition is not too bad, a lot of things tend to be easier/require less paperwork in the US than in the EU.
Ville
What are the most prominent non-economic departments at Berkeley?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Ville, if by non-economic you mean "soft-skills," the core courses provide strong fundamentals in a number of these areas such as leadership, communication, and organizational behavior. You can then supplement these courses with a number of electives.
tushar
is it possible to get employment in an i-banking or hedge fund sort of company after 2 years if one doesn’t have finance background????
Tracy MBA08
Yes, it's definitely possible to get an i-banking or hedge fund job without prior experience. In fact, many of my classmates who went into i-banking this summer for internships did not have previous experience in the industry. It does, however, require a fair amount of work and preparation during interview season.
Rovsh
Question about Lester Center to current students - could you please share your impression about Lester center.
Maiken MBA08
The Lester Center is a great resource for learning about Entrepreneurship or even to "incubate" if you already have a business idea that you want to start working on while at Haas. Their staff is very experienced (i.e. great at providing advice) and have tons of contacts to VCs etc. in the bay area. They also put on lectures on every possible topic around business planning.
Aspire
It takes some time for mails posted in Ghana to reach the US. If I submit my application online on the 5th of Nov. and post my transcripts and other materials thereafter, will you still consider me as a first round applicant?
Lee_Moderator
It is important that your materials be postmarked by the deadline date. If your materials reach us in a timely manner, you will be considered with Round One. However, if your materials do not come in for several months, your application will be considered with whichever round we are reviewing when they arrive. If the mail is really a problem, you might consider sending your materials via DHL or another courier service.
Lac Leman
What is the going rent for a decent one bedroom near Berkeley?
Tracy MBA08
I think it varies depending on how close you are to campus and how nice the apartment really is, but you should probably expect to pay at least $1,100 a month. As a reference point, I live in a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment within a 7 minute walk from campus, and I pay less than $900 a month
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Galych, international work experience is not a requirement, but rather another aspect that would help bring additional diversity to the Haas community. When we assess a candidate's work experience, we are looking more closely at the breadth and quality of the work experience, evidence of positive progression, and impact on the organization.
Rovsh
Question to current students - how many of your peers are planning to start up their own business in closest future?
Tracy MBA08
I don't have an exact number for you, but I do know that several groups of my classmates are currently starting their own businesses and have been using the "incubator" which is free office space offered by the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship
Lac Leman
Please tell me what things you guys are looking for in the reference letters... some of the questions seem like they can answered in a sentence or two; it also seems like asking for thee weaknesses is a bit much
Cindy_Berkeley
Hi Lac, We are looking for specific examples of your leadership and team skills as assessed by your supervisors. We suggest that you ask your recommenders to review past performance evaluations in order to provide these detailed examples. These examples really help us better understand your contributions to your employer and your leadership potential. The resume gives us only a glimpse of your job and responsibilities but these letters really provide us with an evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses.
Corinne_Berkeley
Nicolas - we do not assign weights to the various components of the application; instead, we consider the entire application as a whole. Therefore, one piece of the application is not seen as more important as another - they are all equally important!
Geoffrey
I have taken the GMAT twice and scored marginally lower the second time round. While my score is still within your 80% range, does Haas only look at my highest score, or will my lower score count against me?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Geoffrey, We will look at your highest GMAT score!
Ryan
Maiken, now that you've been at Haas for a year, what do you feel sets it apart from other excellent schools?
Maiken MBA08
I would still stress the collaborative environment - at Haas everyone wants to succeed, but everyone also wants their friends to succeed as well, so you can always find help with homework, interview prep etc. I also like the overall attitude of the students and faculty here; people are humble, engaged and excited to learn. I haven't been at other schools obviously. I guess I should also mention the strong alumni network - I did my summer internship in Chile and was treated like royalty the entire time there, due to the many Haas alums who were excited to see me and help me out. That is definitely a plus!
Ville
How do you arrange interviews in Europe? Centralized locations, phone or a combination of both? If there are centralized locations, what are they?
Cindy_Berkeley
Alumni interviewers conduct interviews for us throughout Europe. I can't recall all of the locations offhand, but we have alumni interviewers in all of the European cities where we will be hosting Info Sessions. We have alumni in additional cities as well.
Romain MBA08
Thank you all for attending this chat session. I have to leave for a great class that I don't want to miss! I hope that your questions were answered. Have a great evening (for those of you in Europe). Cheers!
Vasco@Lisboa
Question for Cindy: Transcripts again... The translation for my transcripts will be authenticated by the US Embassy in Lisbon but I will translate them myself. Is that a problem?
Cindy_Berkeley
You need to have your official transcripts translated by a certified official translator. A list of certified translators is available at atanet.org
Ryan
Current students, where do you hope to work after Haas?
Tracy MBA08
I'm hoping to work for an environmental nonprofit or for-profit alternative energy company post-Haas
Aspire
I intend adding the Certificate in Real Estate to the Haas MBA if admitted, do I have to pay additional fee?
Lee_Moderator
The certificate programs do not require an additional fee.
Vasco@Lisboa
How much do value the awa in the GMAT?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Vasco, when evaluating the GMAT score, we look at all the subscores - quantitative, verbal, and the AWA. There are other parts of the application that also give us a sense of your writing abilities - the essays, the TOEFL for international applicants.
Lac Leman
I would love to hear about opportunities to learn non-profit management at Haas; particularly towards working at an international organization
Tracy MBA08
We have a really strong program here in non-profit management, one that I've been actively involved in. Extracurricularly, we have an opportunity for MBA students to serve on the board of a local nonprofit organization and get involved in mini consulting projects. Academically, I've taken a nonprofit consulting class (which has a partnership with McKinsey this year) where students are placed into teams and work with McKinsey consultants to provide consulting services to a local organization. I'm also taking a class right now called Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations which is taught by the director of the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership.
Ryan
Maiken, what do you feel are the strengths of the management of technology program?
Maiken MBA08
The fact that we are so close to the industry and thus "the cutting edge" around here, meaning lots of great guest speakers. We certainly also have a couple of world class / star professors, like Henry Chesborough for example, who will integrate their current research into the curriculum and it is pretty cool to be part of that. Further I should mention all the tech activities happening outside of the MOT program - the student lead Tech Club has close ties to companies like Apple, Google, Yahoo and you will get the chance to go visit all of them.
shezza
Hello.. Is it possible to join the Berkeley Haas School with all kinds of bachelor? There are different ways to get a bachelor here in Switzerland.
Tracy MBA08
Yes, it's possible. Our students have a diversity of backgrounds...some of us had bachelors of arts, some had bachelors of science, etc. while others also have PhD's and other Master's degrees in other fields.
Adam Lorimer
How much interaction is there with the rest of the University, particularly energy research centre, (Is it the Helios centre?). Do you know of any examples of venture arising for collaboration between the business school and other departments?
Maiken MBA08
The BERC student club (you should Google it) has members from all around campus and there are multiple examples of Haas students who have met and teamed up with engineers from project work or starting businesses. The BERC club is also one of the largest within Haas, so there is a lot of focus on this topic (including classes) in general.
Lac Leman
Tracy MBA08--can you please tell me which courses you took to prepare for non-for-profit work?
Tracy MBA08
As I'd mentioned in my last response, last semester I took a course called Social Sector Solutions, which was nonprofit consulting case. My project focused on sustainability of several grantees of the San Francisco Foundation. I'm currently taking Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations. In addition, last year I took a social entrepreneurship class. I may take the fundraising class that's offered next spring.
kelvinlam
About collaborative environment, do you think students' personalities are observed in essays and interviews during the admissions process -- arrogant people won't get into Haas?
Maiken MBA08
As Jeff has already mentioned, they look at "the whole package" when you apply and personality is certainly something that will become apparent, and is considered.
Rovsh
Question about Berkeley Solutions Group (BSG) - experimental learning, in particular BSG attracts very much, but I am a bit doubted that experience in CIS countries might not be attractive enough to be included into that group. And one general question - could you please comment how many students from CIS countries graduated from HAAS within last 3 years, any trends to increase this number?
Vlad
Hi everybody! I have a clinical and research biomedical background with little to no formal corporate experience. Is Haas encouraging individuals like me in applying and are there any recommended prerequisites (e.g. accounting classes) that can enhance my profile in view of admission?
Cindy_Berkeley
Besides having an approved Bachelor's degree, the only academic prerequisite that we require is a quantitative background - a basic statistics or calculus class with a grade of B or better. Otherwise, you will be taking general business coursework in the first year of the Berkeley MBA program (i.e. accounting, finance, etc.) We have many students with degrees in science, engineering, and the humanities. In regards to work experience, we admit individuals with both traditional and non-traditional work experience. We are looking for career progression over time as well as leadership and team skills. This may be demonstrated in many different career paths - It also is important what your career goals are and how they fit in with an MBA degree.
Landry
My boss does not know about my endeavor, and I am not planning to tell him soon. However, I have been engaged in a social activity. How would you value a recommendation letter from the former president of that association?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Landry, We often have applicants who do not feel comfortable asking their current supervisor for a letter of recommendation. We certainly do not want you to jeopardize your job! We do prefer that both recommendations come from professional sources. However, if this is not possible, a recommendation from an extracurricular activity is completely appropriate as long as that recommender can comment on your professional skills and provide specific examples.
kelvinlam
Hi, what are the most popular courses or star professors besides Henry Chesborough?
Tracy MBA08
Gosh, this is a hard question because there are a lot of great professors and classes here. Professor John Morgan teaches a game theory class. I'm in a class called Information and Tech Based Marketing that's taught by Professor Florian Zettelmeyer who's great. I took an energy class last semester with Drew Isaacs who leads the Management of Technology Center...the list could be quite extensive
Polli
Is translation of transcript considered Official, if translation stamped and verified by issuing University? (which is non-English)
Lee_Moderator
A translation certified as true by the University which issued the original transcript is usually acceptable.
Rovsh
Question about Berkeley Solutions Group (BSG) - experimental learning, in particular BSG attracts very much, but I am a bit doubted that experience in CIS countries might not be attractive enough to be included into that group. And one general question - could you please comment how many students from CIS countries graduated from HAAS within last 3 years, any trends to increase this number?
Tracy MBA08
The Berkeley Solutions Group is a really unique one on campus because students get paid to take on consulting projects throughout the semester and year. Aneesh Krishna, who is a fellow Haas Student Ambassador, runs the club and if you'd like to learn more about it, please feel free to e-mail us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu. He can give you a better sense for what projects come through the pipeline. In general, they look to place people with pertinent skills into a project, and these judgments are not based on where you're from.
Rovsh
Question about Berkeley Solutions Group (BSG) - experimental learning, in particular BSG attracts very much, but I am a bit doubted that experience in CIS countries might not be attractive enough to be included into that group. And one general question - could you please comment how many students from CIS countries graduated from HAAS within last 3 years, any trends to increase this number?
Jeff_Moderator
Hi Rovsh: regarding your question about CIS countries, we don't have that statistic handy, but we have seen an increase in interest from Russia and Ukraine primarily, and some other CIS countries. We have a handful of current students from that region.
Geoffrey
If we are invited for an interview is there a specific day where the majority of applicants are interviewed, or can we choose our date. Also are interviews only available during weekdays if we intend to visit Hass for the interview
Cindy_Berkeley
Interviews are conducted by invitation only after an initial review of the application. We do not release all interview invitations at once. So it is possible that you won't receive an interview invitation until right before the notification deadline. We have current students conduct interviews on campus (M-F). We also have alumni conduct interviews across the globe at varying times. For example, for round 1 we will begin inviting applicants for an interview starting early January and continue until the notification deadline of Jan 29.
Jeff_Moderator
The Berkeley MBA Fall 2008 Program Guide is now available! To receive one go to the MBA home page and click on the link to “Request a Brochure” http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu
Lac Leman
What would you do different if you were starting B-school over again?
Maiken MBA08
Hmm tough question! I think I would try to frontload working on things like preparing my resume in the Haas format (something you will be asked to do after you get admitted and which gets quite a lot of scrutiny) and doing informational interviews with companies that sound interesting. On the flip side I would definitely worry less about getting a job in general (there are so many amazing opportunities coming through!)
Jordi
Is being a manager in your job an advantage for the admission or that doesn't matter?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Jordi, while we do look for evidence of leadership in our applicants, this does not necessarily mean managerial or supervisory experience. Depending on the industry, job function, length of time at a company, etc... we understand that not everyone will have had the opportunity to be a manager. There are many other ways to demonstrate leadership even without having been a manager! We will be looking for leadership, initiative, teamwork, and communication skills in all of our applicants
Adam Lorimer
Roughly what proportion of you time do you spend in lectures, discussion groups, group project work, individual project work etc.
Tracy MBA08
It varies based on what time of the year it is and 1st year versus 2nd year, but in general my first year probably broke down as follows: 40% academic, 40% extracurricular (clubs) and 20% social. The academic portion is a good mix of lectures; discussion groups and group work because all of our classes incorporate all of these into them. There's really not one teaching method that gets a lot more time than another
Rovsh
Berkeley city web cites gives statistics that about 5% of the city are Russian speakers. Would agree with that? How often did you come across with Russian speakers?
Jeff_Moderator
Sorry, I wouldn't know the statistics. UC Berkeley and Haas do have a strong international representation. 39% of our incoming class is international students and the entire San Francisco Bay Area is a very diverse area with many cultures, languages and some excellent food!
kelvinlam
I plan to work in Europe or Asia after MBA, how is international recruiting in Haas? Does it get the same strong support from the careers centre?
Tracy MBA08
We actually have someone in the career services office who is solely dedicated to job placement internationally. I know that most of the big investment banks and consulting firms come here with job opportunities outside the US...in fact, classmates of mine worked for BCG, Bain, Lehman, etc. in Germany, Latin America, Asia, etc.
Toby K
Some European schools have suggested that 20+ months to complete an MBA is unnecessarily long and that people are better off getting back into labor market more quickly. On the basis of your experience would you suggest that the longer programs offered by Haas and other US schools is worth the extra time?
Maiken MBA08
In my opinion that is a clear yes - the was most US programs are structured you learn all of the foundations in the first yes - but then use the second year to really deepen that understanding as well as to specialize in the areas you really care about. For me this summer's IBD project and my internship were both amazing chances to use and practice all my new first year skills in a real life scenario. At the same time it also taught me where I still have weaknesses and where I wanted to focus more in the second year and I am really excited that I get to do that before taking on the challenge of a "real" job.
Jeff_Moderator
Want to hear more from admissions and current students, see our Blogs at http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/blogs.html
Vlad
A question about reference letters: does size matter? Especially at this time of year I see my supervisor rarely enjoying a spare moment and although more than willing to help me he looked puzzled when certain templates (he is not exactly accustomed to the business format) ask for more than one page...
Cindy_Berkeley
Vlad, There are ways that you can assist your recommender with this process. We have a number of specific questions for your recommender to answer - and we aren't looking for a specified length for any of them. (We appreciate conciseness actually.) However, we are looking for specific examples to help us understand your contributions. This is where you may be able to help your recommender - Suggest that they review past performance reviews (which already contain these examples) or provide your recommender with some ideas of specific team and leadership examples that highlight your strengths.
kelvinlam
What do you do besides class and projects? Do you travel a lot outside CA?
Tracy MBA08
We mentioned previously that Haas is really student-run and that means that students are usually very busy running conferences, organizing events, and more. In addition, many of us are making career transitions so job-hunting takes a fair amount of time. Plus, we're a pretty social group so we like to go out fairly often
Lac Leman
is it possible to get a transcript of today's chat?
Lee_Moderator
A transcript of this chat should be up on our website in two to three weeks!
Ryan
Corinne, if I come to one of your local information sessions, what would I gain or lose as opposed to visiting campus.
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Ryan, Visiting the campus gives you the opportunity to sit in on a class, have lunch wtih current students, and interact with our Haas Student Ambassadors - it's really the best way to get a feel for the student experience and assess your fit with the program, culture, and community!! However, we understand that not everyone will have a chance to visit the campus. If that's the case, the local information session is probably the next best alternative! At the info sessions, you'll have a chance to speak with members of the admissions committee as well as alumni who are currently living in that city.
Jeff_Moderator
As a reminder, we would love to meet you at one of our upcoming information sessions. Pete Johnson, Director of Admissions, and Stephanie Fujii, Associate Director will be there. Madrid - November 5 Milan - November 6 Frankfurt - November 8 Munich - November 12 Paris - November 14 London - November 16 Go to http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/events_01.html for more information!
Jordi
Maybe you have told it before but I arrived late. Do you do interviews outside Berkeley? (for example Barcelona)
Lee_Moderator
Jordi, we have alumni interviewers all over the world. We will work with you, if you are invited to interview, to discover the most convenient place for you to interview.
Ville
What are the assumed pre-requisites for actual studies (not application) at Haas? Some math surely, but economics? If you lack any of the pre-requisites or aren't sure how well you remember them, what sort of alternatives are available?
Cindy_Berkeley
Ville, There are no pre-requisite business courses required to begin Haas. Since 40% of the curriculum is core or required business courses, you will be taking economic and business courses in order to obtain the MBA degree. We have many students who have not taken business courses prior to the MBA program. However, as I noted, we do ask that you have a quantitative background. Hope this helps!
kelvinlam
How is student performance judged? By exams, projects, etc.? Do you have a final grade or something like that when you graduate?
Tracy MBA08
Professors usually grade on a number of factors, including exams, papers or reports, and groups projects. One of the big factors in their grading that stands out though is participation. They want students to be actively engaged in discussions, and as a result, student participation in class often can account for between 15% and 30% of a grade.
Ryan
What do you enjoy most about attending Haas?
Maiken MBA08
Let's see - I like being challenged, I like learning and I like working with smart people. I'd say all of those requirements are more than met at Haas so that I probably what I like most. I also like the breadth of the challenges you encounter here, which are not always/only academic - last semester for example I also completed my first (mini) triathlon and took 3rd place in a Chili-cooking contest -- so there are many opportunities to learn and stretch yourself.
Ville
What is most important in a reference: position or how well they know you? While I know you'll answer the latter, is there any way you could alleviate my worry that using peer references will be worse than using supervisors (I was promoted last 6 months ago, and no my supervisor sits in a different country... he'd give a great reference, but I don't think he really knows me at all)
Cindy_Berkeley
Ville, We do want your recommendation letters to come from supervisors or individuals who oversee your work. It would not be appropriate to provide a peer reference (or academic reference). We ask that one recommendation letter come from a direct supervisor. Still, it is more important to choose someone who knows you well and works with you closely. Title is not important (i.e. don't choose the CEO if he doesn't know you well), but it is important that you choose someone who can evaluate your work performance objectively and who supervises your work.
Ville
Should significant changes in job description and responsibility be considered different jobs in the "Employment History", even if they are at one company?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Ville, Yes, promotions or other significant changes within one company should be listed separately at different jobs. This helps make these changes clear to us when we review your work experience and highlights the upward progression in your career!
Geoffrey
Do you give preference to California applicants?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Geoffrey, No, we do not give preference to California applicants.
Cindy_Berkeley
Geoffrey, It is reasonable to obtain employment in DC & NY. We have a solid alumni network on the East Coast. Two years ago the Career Center hired an Account Manager located in New York to work on developing relationships with companies on the East Coast. You can find Employment stats on the Career Services website -- The majority of the class stays in the Bay Area (it's so hard to leave!) but many move east after graduation.
Rovsh
Corinne or Cindy, comparing to HAAS rivals, why HAAS TOEFL score required minimum is so low?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Rovsh, the minimum TOEFL score requirement is set for us by the UC Berkeley campus. As you can see from our class profile online, the average TOEFL score (CBT) is 274 and the competitive 80% range is 260-287.
Rovsh
But iBT TOEFL is only 63 points.
Lee_Moderator
Rovsh, that iBT is a different scale from the CBT, and the 63 is the University minimum. Our average iBT TOEFL for admitted students to the MBA is 110.
kelvinlam
how is the chance to obtain a fellowship or grant (not loan) to reduce the tuition fee in Haas?
Cindy_Berkeley
Haas provides two scholarship opportunities - (1) The Haas Merit Scholarship - all applicants are considered for this and it is given to our top candidates. (2) The Haas Achievement Award - For applicants who have overcome a significant hardship & there is an essay question to answer for this award. Both awards cover either 50% (1 year) or 100% (2 years) of tuition. We also have a scholarship database on our website that you can review.
Polli
Does being on maternity leave at home for past year seriously worsens the chances to be admitted?
Corinne_Berkeley
Hi Polli, Having taken a year off for maternity will not affect your chances of being admitted at all. We evaluate all of our candidates based on the same criteria regardless of marital and family status. We do have a number of students each year who have young children.
Cindy_Berkeley
I'm afraid that I don't have this information offhand - but 39% of the Class of 09 is made up of international students.
Cindy_Berkeley
Thanks for chatting! Bye for now.
Corinne_Berkeley
Thanks for chatting! Look for us when we come to Europe!
