Full-time MBA Program
The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
January 24, 2008
Chat with Current Haas MBA Students
Michael Badalov , MBA Class of 2008
Kathryn Snow, MBA Class of 2009
Kara_Moderator
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA Admissions Chat! We will be starting shortly. This will be a moderated chat with your questions set into a queue for our guest speakers. Please click on the ROOMS tab on the right to enter either the Ask Admissions or the Ask Students room to start chatting.
Kara_Moderator
I would like to introduce Michael Badalov and Kathryn Snow, both current students.
Michael MBA08
Good morning everyone, welcome to the chat! My name is Mike - I am a second year MBA student in the program. Feel free to start with your questions.
kathryn mba09
Hi everyone! My name is Kathryn Snow and I am a first year MBA student here at Haas. I went to UC Berkeley as an undergrad where I majored in Anthropology and minored in Business. After graduating, I went to work for E&J Gallo Winery in their Management Development Program in the Bay Area and most recently in Los Angeles. I decided to pursue an MBA at Haas to expand on my business education and open up new career opportunities. The talented and diverse students and the particularly collaborative learning environment made Haas the ideal choice for me (proximity to the wine country didn’t hurt either!). This summer, I hope to intern in brand management or corporate strategy in the Bay Area. My current activities at Haas include serving as VP of Diversity for the Women in Leadership organization, VP of Events for the Wine Club, and active involvement in the Marketing Club and the General Management & Strategy Club.
Steven
I'm coming from education and am looking to develop schools in Central and Latin America. What does Haas have to support a career like this?
Michael MBA08
Hello Steven - There are various opportunities for careers and experience in education. From the education club to the Haas education case competition (http://theberkeleymba.blogspot.com/2007/03/haas-education-case-competition.html) involvement opportunities already exist. If there is something that you would like to do that's not a part of the program yet, chances are some of your classmates would be interested as well.
David
Can you tell me about the >Play Media Competition?
Michael MBA08
Hi David - play is the digital media and entertainment club's (DMEC) premier event. This year, it was sponsored by HP and consisted of numerous guest speakers, product demos and a case competition.
matthew
HI Michael - can you briefly explain the process of determining a field of concentration once at Berkeley?
Michael MBA08
Hello Matthew - Certificates are available in five distinct areas (http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/academics/degree/certificate-programs.html). You don’t have to declare what you are going to pursue ahead of time. About half of the class graduates with one certificate.
Elise
Could you describe a typical day in your first or second year?
kathryn mba09
Hi Elise, while this is no typical day, in general, as a first year, I have classes Monday through Thursday and optional discussions on Fridays. In the fall, I had a 9-11 and 2-4 core class each day. In between classes I attended company presentations, met with my study group to prep cases, and met with the various clubs I am involved in. A couple of evenings a week I usually spent time at a Haas related career or club event of a social event like BOW (bar of the week).
nick@ca
Hello, I don't have much full-time work experience but I have had some great international experience from my fluency in Chinese and now my study of Japanese. This has given me some good perspective on how things work, especially in the developing market but not much in the area of how I can apply myself in the workplace. If I apply for 2009 do you think I have much to gain from Haas in determining how I can bring my ideas and match them to career opportunities or do you suggest that I start in the workplace for a few years before applying?
Michael MBA08
Hello Nick - On average, Haas students are 29/30 years old and have 5/6 years' worth of professional experience. It’s up to you, ultimately, to make the call on whether your experience level is enough to contribute and learn the most that you can in an MBA program.
melonpark
Hi Michael! This is Wonhee, 3rd round applicant from Korea. I want to ask you, do you have variety of sports and leisure clubs there?
Michael MBA08
Hey Wonhee - Good question! There are nearly 50 student clubs on campus, varying from professional (banking and consulting) to cultural (women in leadership and pacific-rim club) to sports (rugby, soccer, ultimate Frisbee). The challenge is making sure to have enough time to participate!
matthew
kathryn - how specific were you in your application re: your employment goals upon completing your degree?
kathryn mba09
Hi matthew, I was pretty specific. I cited the job I wanted to get coming out of the program (brand manger) and the industry (consumer products) and listed a few potential companies and then I set a longer term goal for 5+ years out describing where I wanted to be (senior/general management), and most importantly, I described how the Haas MBA would allow me to achieve these goals.
Thomas
I have heard that with the small school size and people living off campus, Haas doesn't have the tight-knit feel of some of the other b-schools. Might you be able to address that?
kathryn mba09
Thomas, Haas is incredibly tight-knit! The smaller school size helps us get to know each and every person in our class (and the majority of those the year ahead and behind). The vast majority of my first-year class live in Berkeley and spends a ton of time together on campus and at social events.
lk
How and when are interviews for Round 3 conducted?
Kara_Moderator
Hello lk - Interviews invitations start going out about 4-6 weeks after the deadline for the round you are applying. They will continue to be sent out on a rolling basis all the way up to the notification deadline for the round. Interviews can be both on and off-campus.
DavidMC
Could you talk about how Haas interfaces with the rest of Berkeley, both in terms of the other schools within the university--the ease of taking classes, doing joint projects, hosting speakers, etc--and simply in terms of student interaction. Does Haas have a fairly separate student crowd? If you have something to say about the environmental school and/or the Energy and Resources Group, I'd be especially appreciative.
Michael MBA08
Hello DavidMC - good questions! Classes are always available at UC's other programs (at the grad level, more than 95% are rated in the top 10 globally) and taking them is easy, as long as they work with your Haas schedule, which takes priority. Certificate programs like Management of Technology (MOT) puts engineering, business and information students together in the classroom setting. The Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC) also cross-lists with the Haas School for courses. Hope this helps!
David
Can you let me know more about the >Play Case Competition and other experiential learning chances in consulting?
Michael MBA08
David - Other experiential learning opportunities can consist of case competitions, hands-on classes (like international business development - IBD), student-initiated speaker series and finally, independent studies which many of my classmates are pursuing right now.
HB
Hi, I am interested to know more about "experiential learning", what does it mean? Is it different from case based teaching methods seen in a lot of b-schools? Thanks.
kathryn mba09
HB, we absolutely have case-based teaching methods for many classes here at Haas. The experiential learning is in addition to it. Some examples are the IBD (international business development) program where students study international business in the classroom and also do consulting projects for a foreign company/non-profit, then actually travel to that country to implement or further consult during the first 3 weeks of our summer break.
Mark
This might be the second time I have asked this question, the first time I was disconnected. How would you describe the culture at Haas? Do student wear business casual clothes to class? Do the students mingle outside of the classroom?
Michael MBA08
The culture here is one of collaboration and cooperation. I can’t say that the dress code is set or has any specific guidelines. Keep in mind that this is California and that we are at Berkeley - so folks tend to be a bit more laid back. However, when it comes to interviews and/or company presentations, it is definitely business formal.
Matt
Berkeley has a reputation for political involvement. Have either of you taken coursework that ties business in with politics, and what was the experience like?
Michael MBA08
Hello Matt -- Good question! I am currently taking a Business and Public Policy course with one of the lecturers in the school of public policy. It’s interesting to get a non-business (strategy, marketing, finance) perspective on business decisions that the c-level folks make. Definitely informative!
Matt
Is it possible to disclose whether most admitted students are ultimately interviewed?
Kara_Moderator
Hi Matt - It would be rare for someone to be admitted to the program without having gone through an interview.
Bill
Hi guys! How common is it for students to have startup experience?
Michael MBA08
Hello Bill - a good amount of folks come in with startup experience and currently, 18 of our classmates are in the startup process. Good question!
Elise
Kathryn, What sort of activities does the Women in Leadership group hold? Are there alumni, or women from the business community with experience, involved?
kathryn mba09
WIL (women in leadership) holds networking events with alum, the WIL Conference (coming up in March!), receptions for prospective students in the fall, retreats, and this spring for the first time a student run speaker series focusing on issues of work/life balance.
chirag
Hi there! Is there someone from the MBA/MPH program here?
Kara_Moderator
Hello Chirag - Mike and Kathryn are not MBA/MPH students. We do have MBA/MPH students who would be happy to answer your questions - please email hsa@haas.berkeley.edu for more information. Thank you.
TN
About how many clubs do students actively participate in during a semester? There are a lot of interesting clubs and I'm curious how you tend to juggle your participation in their activities.
Michael MBA08
TN, that's one of the hardest things - prioritization. On average, folks take leadership roles in one or two clubs and play peripheral roles in about the same. It’s key to strike a fine balance between leadership, academics, networking and personal issues.
lk
my GMAT score is in the mid 600's. I am planning to take it again in March. Any advice on whether I should apply in round 3 vs. round 4?
Kara_Moderator
Applicants are encouraged to apply in the earliest round when they feel their applications are the most competitive. You'll want to be sure your application is the strongest it can be at the time of submission.
Ajax
Hi, I wanted to know what were your expectations when you joined Berkeley and do you see any areas where you felt Berkeley was short of those expectations?
kathryn mba09
Ajax, to be totally honest my expectations for the Haas MBA program have been met and for the most part exceeded! Although a 3 year MBA program would be nice :).
Liana
I have a question for students - I'm on the east coast but am planning on visiting campus this winter. Other than the usual class visit/info session is there something else I should try to do while on campus? Set up a meeting with a professor?
Michael MBA08
Liana -- we would recommend that you definitely come and visit us. The best way to learn about an MBA program and what it’s REALLY like is to have as many interactions as possible with the students, faculty and staff. Do the class visit; do the lunch with current students and the daily information session. I would also encourage you to tour the campus and Berkeley to get a good feel of what this place is really about.
Michael MBA08
Folks - I apologize for not having mentioned this earlier, but my bio is located here (top of the page) http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/hsateam.html -- feel free to ask me questions about Chicago, consulting, retail/CPG and my overall experience while at Haas.
Thomas
I am an entrepreneur, and I'm wondering how I might be able to connect with Haas grads who have pursued a similar career path?
Michael MBA08
Thomas - go ahead and email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and we can hook you up with a classmate that is pursuing a startup activity right now.
Farnaz Erfan
Hi, what is the distribution of your acceptance in the 3 rounds, how many are left for the 3rd round?
Kara_Moderator
We do not have specific distributions between rounds. Numbers of offers of admission vary each year and depend on the competitiveness of the applicant pool each year.
Elise
Mike or Kathryn - How close are the students in your class? Do you feel that people are more collaborative, or competitive? Do you feel you will be friends for life with them, or acquaintances ultimately?
kathryn mba09
Elise, one of the most important factors for me in deciding on Haas was the collaborative environment here. People certainly want to do well and succeed, but NEVER at the expense of one of their classmates. We also have grade non-disclosure for on campus recruiting which helps make minor differences in grades less important for recruiting.
Gtsien
Hi Michael - Can you tell us a little bit about the professors, and their abilities as instructors? How accessible are they? And have you been able to develop relationships with them?
Michael MBA08
Hi Gtsien -- The professors are extremely accessible and respond very well to feedback (both formal and informal). Focusing on career advice, I have been able to form solid relationships with a few professors (and administrators) and regularly will seek them out for advice. Hope this helps!
HB
Hi Kathryn, thanks for the answer about experiential learning. I have a follow up to that. You mentioned the summer IBD project. I'm interested in taking part in the IBD program but was wondering how to do that in the summer (between 1st and 2nd year) and do an internship as well?
kathryn mba09
HB, IBD doesn't interfere with summer internships. We finish mid May and most internships don't get started until June (also, career services work with companies to make sure they are aware of and can accommodate students participating in the program).
EH
Can you talk about the flexibility available in terms of tailoring your education by focusing in one area but sampling from other concentrations? For example I plan to pursue a marketing focus, but want to sample from the CSR and Real Estate tracks.
Michael MBA08
EH - good question. In fact, most folks do just as you describe....have one focus area and then experiment with a variety of classes in the "stretch" category.
Katie F
What are the first 3-5 adjectives that come to mind when describing your friends and colleagues at Haas?
Michael MBA08
Katie F - sounds like an interview question :) -- I would say driven, dedicated, friendly, passionate and unpretentious. Thanks!
EB
Is it common for Haas graduates to find jobs in the executive ranks upon graduation?
Michael MBA08
EB - depends what you mean by executive ranks. Folks usually go in as mid to high level managers but some do assume c-level positions in startup firms.
Magda
Is there anything that you don't like about Berkeley?
Michael MBA08
Not really - it is a bit far from Chicago, where my entire family lives - other than that, its absolutely fabulous!
EH
Good morning -- my question is whether you know many full-time students who work part time or even on small contracting projects while going through the Haas program?
kathryn mba09
EH, while I do know some of my classmates who have stayed with their former employers on a contract basis, it is highly recommended that students not work during the fall of first year in particular (it really is THAT BUSY!) that being said their are some contract projects that students have found through the Berkeley Solutions Group and Consulting Club and worked on with a group during the first year.
Matt
I have my letters from a supervisor and coworker, but I also have a great letter from a notable business professor with whom I took several classes and got to know. Do you think the Admissions office would appreciate the insight of this extra letter?
Kara_Moderator
Academic references are discouraged as the committee is interested in hearing from people you have worked with in a professional capacity. Please do not send additional supplemental material aside from what is required as part of the application.
saurster
Is there any of the moderators who can elaborate on the MOT program, is getting into the certification program really competitive?
kathryn mba09
saurster, with the MOT (and I believe all of the certificate programs) you just need to complete the requirements to get the certificate (and I have never heard of anyone not being able to get the classes to meet the requirements).
EB
What kind of activities fill up the day for a full-time student? I'm trying to get a feel between the evening and full-time programs.
Michael MBA08
EB - the main thing to consider is your own time commitment and the implications that pursuing an MBA would have on your job, should you do it on a part time basis. Both Kathryn and I are full-time students, so we cannot speak to the EWMBA program - however, for me, I wanted to have the complete experience, without having to sacrifice my nights and weekends. In this respect, it made the most sense to pursue a full-time program.
ho_ty
Hi, do you guys think Haas is specialized in startup and Technology? What types of careers do you think an MBA student will most likely have after he/she graduated from Haas MBA?
Michael MBA08
ho_ty - We send about 25% of our class into the technology field, with jobs ranging from product and brand managers to operations and supply chain specialists. The nice thing about the Bay Area is that there are a lot of industries within close proximity to the school.
MaryK
Hi Michael! Have you partnered with a student a year ahead of you in the MBA program to form a mentor-mentee relationship formally or informally? If so, what advice have you been given about starting the Berkeley MBA program - for example, what are the best things to do during the first three weeks, events not to be missed, etc.?
Michael MBA08
hello MaryK - yes, there is a formal Mentor program, should you be accepted to Haas. You will be paired with a second year who has similar experiences that you do and they are an invaluable resource to have going through both the adjustment/acclimatization period as well as after school. In fact, my mentor (now graduated) is helping me to secure an interview with the firm where he works. As far as stuff not to miss - I would recommend getting here early and doing the "Math and Communications" summer modules. Good way to have a "soft landing."
lacy
what is the class atmosphere like? Does it depend on the Prof? (i.e. laid back, pretty down to business, casual?)
kathryn mba09
lacy, great question, and yes it does depend on the professor as well as the other students in your cohort. I have enjoyed the fact that there has been variety in the class atmosphere as opposed to the same thing in every class.
Sam I
I would like to pursue Entrepreneurship and Real Estate. Would you recommend a combination, or focus on one?
Michael MBA08
Sam I - most folks usually do just one, but there are no rules against doing multiple certificates if you feel that they would benefit you in the long run.
nick@ca
Is it acceptable to submit a recommendation letter in a language other than English?
Kara_Moderator
It is acceptable to obtain the recommendation in the native language of the author. The original letter and an English translation completed by a professional translator should be provided.
PatrickL2
Are there any specific classes or experiences that you'd say are particularly relevant for someone pursuing a career in software entrepreneurship?
Michael MBA08
PatrickL2 - The management of technology (MOT) program would be a good place to start looking but for example, Opportunity Recognition is a good class that explains how new tech businesses get founded, funded and brought to market.
John P
Why did you choose Haas? What other schools did you consider and what made Haas a better choice?
kathryn mba09
John P, ultimately I chose Haas because I was incredibly impressed with the students I met throughout the application process, and the fact that I knew I could count on a cooperative and collaborative learning environment.
reza
Don't know if this question has already been asked, but what is the best way to contact current students willing to recount their experiences outside of this chat?
Kara_Moderator
Hi reza - our Haas Student Ambassador team is a great resource for more insight from current students. Please contact them at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu.
mba5321
How common is it for American Haas MBA students to take career opportunities abroad after graduation?
Michael MBA08
Hi! While not "common," some of our classmates do pursue international employment opportunities. For example, a number of grads from the class of 2007 went to Asia to work in the Financial Services sector.
saurster
do you guys socialize outside the school environs on a regular basis?
kathryn mba09
saurster, absolutely! We have standing Tuesday and Thursday night social events as well as monthly consumption functions in the Haas courtyard, and too many club sponsored and alumni social events to count! The hardest part is figuring out how to balance school, career prep, social, and outside obligations.
Thomas
This may be a strange question, but are your classes fun? I've visited a number of b-schools, and I found a HUGE difference in how engaging the professors were. My class visit to Haas left me a little concerned, so I am wondering if my experience was just b/c it was a finance class or what.
Michael MBA08
Hi Thomas - class experiences will vary depending on what type of class you sit in. Depending on the material, the point in the semester or the general make-up of the class, some will definitely lend themselves more to the discussion type atmosphere and some will be more lecture-based. If you have other follow-on questions, feel free to email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu
RishiM
Hi , I am a Round 3 applicant from India. Recently I read Professor Brad Shaw’s “case against teamwork”, which indicates that individualistic groups are more creative than groups emphasizing on teamwork. Haas emphasizes both on innovation and teamwork, as students at Hass, do you think both aspects are achievable at Haas without a compromise on either?
Michael MBA08
Hi RishiM - good question. Haas definitely emphasizes/encourages teamwork, while at the same time operating under the Leading Through Innovation (LTI) umbrella. The two are definitely NOT mutually exclusive and we work a lot in and around making sure that teams function better than individuals can. In fact, pretty much every course at Haas has a project/team based component to it.
mun
I am interested in internship opportunities for management consulting firms. What companies of management consulting firms do Haas students especially have internship opportunities?
Michael MBA08
mun - all of the top management consulting firms come to campus and heavily recruit for both their summer as well as full-time hire programs.
Juan2472
Hello! I am looking into the Real Estate Program at Haas. What advantages does Haas have in this area?
Michael MBA08
Juan2472 - the Real Estate certification that Haas offers is very well-recognized in the industry and the program itself is one of the top in the country.
justdoit
What are the entrepreneurship courses Haas offers?
Kara_Moderator
Hello - our curriculum outline is a good resource for identifying available classes: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/curriculum.html
Peace
Hi, I'm interested in the certificate of health management (not MPH). Is it tough to pursue an MBA with certificate? Your courses look focused more on biotech than pharmaceutical companies. Is there anything unique of the courses in Haas that fit to the current trend of convergence of bio-pharmaceutical companies? Is my question too specific?
kathryn mba09
Peace, with the certificate programs you basically "declare" your intent during your second year. As long as you complete the requirements, you graduate with the certificate! Regarding the second part of your question, if you shoot an email to hsa@haas.berkeley.edu, we will get back to you with an answer.
Katie F
Has anyone to your knowledge completed course work or done a joint degree with the Rhetoric program?
Kara_Moderator
Katie F - you can take elective courses outside of the Haas School in many graduate programs across campus. Unfortunately, we do not offer a joint degree program in Rhetoric.
saurster
Kathryn and Michael, I know this is your first year at Haas, do you guys get time to have fun or are you constantly studying and /or involved at school?
kathryn mba09
saurster, there is definitely time to have fun! For many of us, the time spent between social, school, and career approaches a pretty even split.
Nelsh
There was a recent WSJ article about Berkeley's graduate school programs (specifically economics and science) collaborating on new interdisciplinary approaches to clean energy issues. What options are there in the MBA program to develop a customized clean energy market-based curriculum utilizing all of Berkeley's resources? Thank you!
Michael MBA08
Hello Nelsh - please email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and we will get you in touch with folks that are active in the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC).
mun
After graduation, how are you planning to utilize the network of alumni, particularly in the High-tech field?
Michael MBA08
Mun - the network, given its size is very responsive to inquiries and alumni always like helping other alumni, when possible.
Sam I
Good morning. This question is for those focusing on entrepreneurship. What made you choose Berkeley over other schools?
kathryn mba09
Sam, while my focus is not on entrepreneurship, many of my classmates are interested in starting companies. The Lester Center is an amazing resource with incredible access to the VC community. From last years graduating class, I believe 18 students started companies.
Juan2472
I am very interested in contacting a Haas Alum in my area. Where might I be able to find the contact information of an alum from Puerto Rico?
Michael MBA08
Juan - we usually limit the interaction with alums for students that are admitted to the program, in order to be fully respectful of their time. If you have specific questions, please email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and we will do our best to try and help.
Freddie
What opportunities do students get in the first year of MBA to take courses in their field of interest (Real Estate in my case)? How can I build my resume to apply for internships in the first year itself given I am switching careers?
Michael MBA08
Freddie - the structure of the curriculum is such that you take 100% core classes in the fall and 50% core classes in the spring, allowing you to explore areas outside of your previous field of expertise.
swetecc
Hi! Could you please tell me more about social enterprises that Haas students may have started abroad? I'd like to join one, or start one myself upon graduation. Has this been done?
Michael MBA08
swetecc - The International Business Development (IBD) program is a great opportunity for this. Check out http://www.ashesi.org/ this was founded by a Haas grad, as a follow-up to the work he did at IBD.
Srujani Pagidipati
Hi! I was looking at the electives offered under Health Management. They seem a bit sparse compared to others (i.e., Real Estate). Do you know anyone doing the certificate? If so, how do they feel about the availability of electives?
Michael MBA08
A lot of classes are cross-listed with the School of Public Health. If you have further questions on specific course offerings, please email us at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and we can connect you with a student who's pursuing this certificate.
PatrickL2
My short term goals are in the software industry, but longer term I'd like to get involved in local politics and/or teaching. In what ways do you think Haas can help with those longer term goals? Are there programs that cover areas such as interacting with governments or education?
Michael MBA08
PatrickL2 - A lot of what you ask has to do with networking and making the right connections with your classmates that are going into those industries. Another important factor to consider is that we have lifetime access to the Career Services Office and they are wonderful at what they do. Check out the blog from the Haas Education Case competition, it was pretty neat: http://theberkeleymba.blogspot.com/2007/03/haas-education-case-competition.html
Michael MBA08
Everyone, thanks for your time and we hope that you found the chat useful. If Kathryn and I could be of any more help, please let us know. Best of luck to you in your application process!
kathryn mba09
Thank you all for participating today! If there are any other questions I can answer or clarify, please email the Haas Student Ambassadors. Thanks again!
Kara_Moderator
Thank you for joining us. We appreciate you questions. Go Bears!
