Full-time MBA Program
The Berkeley MBA – Online Admissions Chat
October 18, 2007
Chat with Current Haas MBA Students
Adrian Durbin, MBA Class of 2008
Kathy Barris, MBA Class of 2008
Lee_Moderator
Welcome to the Berkeley MBA chat – today’s chat is specially focused for our Round One applicants. My name is Lee and I’m one of the admissions specialists at Haas. I will be moderating the chat in the “Ask Students” room today. I would like to have our guest speakers, Kathy and Adrian, introduce themselves now.
Kathy MBA08
Hi everyone! My name is Kathy Barris and I am a second year MBA student at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Prior to Haas, I worked in investment banking and investment portfolio consulting, and I am planning to make the switch to a New Product Development / Marketing role post-B-School. I look forward to chatting!
Adrian MBA08
Hi there. My name is Adrian Durbin, I'm a second year student in the MBA-MPH dual degree program. I worked in politics and PR prior to coming back to school. This summer I worked in corporate strategy for a large health services company in SF. I look forward to answering your questions!
Jenny McG
What is the environment amongst the students?
Adrian MBA08
We have a very collaborative, tight-knit community here at Haas. It's a relatively small program, which I think helps make this the case.
Liam
I am excited about Haas because of its links to the energy industry and strong management of technology program. Is anyone here involved in UCEI, the Energy and Resources Group, or outreach programs related to the energy industry? If so, could you please tell me how involved you are with outside companies who are actually making changes? Do you have any advice for the application or background footwork I could do before starting?
Kathy MBA08
Liam, Adrian and I are not pursuing opportunities in the energy industry, but lots of our classmates are! As you may well be aware, Haas is on the cutting edge in this arena, particularly regarding alternative / renewable energy issues. UC Berkeley recently received $500 million from BP to make developments in this area, so I can assure you that their are many great opportunities at Haas!
Jenny McG
If you want to apply for a dual degree (i.e. MA in International Area Studies, do you need to do it when you do the MBA application?
Lee_Moderator
It depends on the program. For the MBA/MPH, you apply concurrently. For the JD/MBA, you can apply concurrently, or apply during your first year in Law. For the MBA/MAIAS, you apply to the MBA and join the concurrent program during your first MBA year.
Kirk
Did either of you use a test prep program for the GMAT?
Kathy MBA08
Hi Kirk, The company I used to work for offered a great discount on the Kaplan GMAT courses, so I did take advantage of this opportunity!
JElliott
Thanks for your time Kathy and Adrian. My question is: given the focus on innovation and technology, how are the curriculum and the atmosphere at Haas for someone interested in more traditional business areas like corporate finance and strategy?
Adrian MBA08
Good question. The majority of students go into the more traditional MBA type positions. Financial services and consulting are almost always near the top in terms of job placements. Also, innovation is a focus for all of us, regardless of what industry you want to go into - it's not just for technology!
SLan
Hello Kathy and Adrian! What swayed you to choose Haas and since you've been there, has it lived up to your expectations?
Adrian MBA08
Hi SLan. I chose Haas after I visited campus as an admitted student. I could just tell that the atmosphere and student culture would be a good fit for me. It has definitely lived up to my expectations. I wish it weren't going by so quickly!
Jenny McG
Can you tell us what particularly stands out to you about the MBA program at Berkeley...compared with other programs.
Kathy MBA08
For me, one of the huge benefits of the Berkeley MBA program is the relatively small class size. Each MBA class is about 240 students, which helps facilitate the formation of a tight, supportive community. I can honestly say I know nearly all of my classmates personally! Opportunities for interaction with the faculty are also very plentiful!
Emily
Are either of you involved with the International Business Development Program?
Adrian MBA08
Emily, I participated in IBD last spring. I went to Ghana and worked on a project involving school feeding - providing a hot, nutritious meal to all primary school students in the country. It was an amazing experience.
Jenny McG
How global is the MBA program?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Jenny! If you're asking the question I think you're asking, we enrolled students from 37 countries last year.
Brian
Can you talk a bit about the International Business Development program? How is that incorporated in the MBA - is it a program in the MBA for which you apply?
Adrian MBA08
You apply to IBD in the fall of your first year. If you're selected for the program, you work on the project during spring semester and then go to your client site for 3 weeks in May/June. You start your internship when you get back.
luis
Kathy, I have the same background and lifestyle as you, I work in the financial area in Mexico, why did you chose Haas fro your MBA???
Kathy MBA08
Hi Luis, I also lived in Mexico for a few months, so there's even more in common! I chose Haas for a number of reasons. As mentioned before, the small class size was a very big draw for me. I also love the Bay Area and its proximity to so many cultural and outdoor activities. We're an hour from Napa Valley, 20 minutes from San Francisco and 3 hours from Lake Tahoe! There are a number of top-rated specialties at Haas (of which finance is one) so the choice was easy for me!!
Mohit
Hi Adrian, looking back over the last two years what would you say were the best and the worst things about the Berkeley MBA?
Adrian MBA08
For me, the best part of my experience has been the network of friends, colleagues, professors, etc. that I have made here. It is an incredible group of people. The biggest drawback is that we are a bit cramped for space at times - it can be hard to find a group study room, for example. Overall, though, I have very few complaints!
Emily
So, Lee is it possible for full-time MBA students to enroll in foreign language courses as well?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Emily! MBA students all have to take a certain number of electives, and it's certainly possible to use them for foreign language courses.
payzlee
What can you tell us regarding students who want to pursue a more entrepreneurial curriculum? Post B-school opportunities?
Adrian MBA08
Hi payzlee - There are a number of students who start their own businesses every year. 18 students from the class of 2007 are doing that right now. The school provides a TON of support, through the Lester Center. Check out the Lester Center's website for more info...
Kathy MBA08
The culture of Haas is incredibly collaborative and very close-knit! The students are competitive, but not at the expense each other, which is incredibly refreshing. ;-) I have found that the students support each others' goals and truly value each others' differences.
Jenny McG
Lee- thank you, yes I was asking that question...also, I was wondering about the general management curriculum...is it also global in scope?
Lee_Moderator
Global courses are included in the core as well as in the elective selections.
Sara
What is the teaching style – i.e.: case study, lecture, hands on experience - and how well do you find it flows into post-grad work?
Adrian MBA08
The teaching method is a mixture of lecture, case study and project-oriented classes. The more quantitative classes tend to have more lectures - which I thought worked really well, especially since I didn't have a finance, or accounting background. It is a really good mix.
Jenny McG
Do you have a lot of group work?
Adrian MBA08
There is a ton of group work! Every class has a significant group work element, so you get to know your study team really well.
SLan
How did the curriculum and/or environment prepare you for your summer internships?
Kathy MBA08
The core curriculum was extremely useful, as I discovered on my first day of my summer internship! I was able to use my new skills in topics such as strategy, accounting, marketing and finance (just to name a few) on the projects I worked on this summer! It was great to have this investment pay off that soon!
Sara
How likely is it to participate in the Columbia exchange program once enrolled at HAAS?
Lee_Moderator
We have exchange programs with several schools -- if you are interested in one of them, please let the Student Services people know once you are admitted.
jodi_nyc
I noticed that many graduates from Haas stay on the West coast. I'm considering moving back to the East Coast or Midwest when I graduate. Can you speak about how helpful career services has been in helping you or other 2nd years find job in these regions.
Adrian MBA08
There are plenty of opportunities to go back to the east coast. We have a full time account manager from the career services office based in NY, who focuses on the finance industry and develops relationships with firms in NY and other parts of the east coast. It requires a bit more leg work on your part, but it is VERY doable. 50% of the jobs posted with the career services office last year were for positions outside the Bay Area, in fact.
Adrian MBA08
Sara, many of the MBA-MPH students go into strategy, marketing and finance positions for health services companies, biotechs, or pharma. But many also go into consulting, work for hospitals, or VC. It really runs the gamut...
jodi_nyc
Hello, Kathy, I'm curious about the marketing program at Berkeley. I am interested in pursuing Brand management and wanted to gain your insight about the strength of the program. What makes Berkeley's marketing program stand out and what marketing classes were your favorite.
Kathy MBA08
We have a very strong program in marketing. Many students pursue opportunities with traditional CPG firms, while others go into more specialized marketing roles (i.e., product/brand management at a tech or finance firm). I myself will be doing New Product Development marketing at a financial services company upon graduation... Some of my favorite marketing classes have been the core "Marketing" class with professor Azar, "Brand Management" elective class with Professor Upshaw and "Marketing for High Tech Entrepreneurs" elective with Professor Isaacs.
Emily
Thanks, Adrian. So is IBD something you would theoretically just do once? Did you get to pick the program you were involved in?
Adrian MBA08
You can only do IBD during your first year, yes. You don't get to pick your project, but you can indicate a preference for the type of client you'd like to work for, as well as what part of the world you'd like to travel to.
Jenny McG
Regarding post-grad work...are there any MBA students that go on to get PhDs?
Lee_Moderator
Jenny, the PhD is not a "continuation" of the MBA -- one is a professional degree and the other is academic. However, some of the people in the PhD program do have prior MBAs -- but it is not a requirement or a precursor degree.
Aaron
I'm particularly interested in the fact that electives make up 60% of the curriculum. As an applicant with some atypical aspirations, the idea of customizing coursework is very appealing. Can you explain a bit about how the faculty advises students on elective course selection?
Adrian MBA08
Aaron, most students choose their electives based on their interests, but faculty members are VERY open and available to help guide us through the process. We're only here for 2 years, so it's important to choose the best courses. Fortunately, there are a lot of options regardless of what area you want to go into. We can also take classes at other schools in the UC-Berkeley system.
diana
Can you please give me specific examples of how innovation culture at Haas is experienced?
Kathy MBA08
Sure! There are many ways that innovation is brought to life at Haas. One example is a program called Haas@Work in which students go to a client firm to help them solve a business problem. Last year the company was Hotwire, and after they heard the proposals from all of the teams, one team was selected to actually help implement their suggestions!
Amritha
Do courses taken at work count? How are candidates who have taken the GMAT assessed? And how many students with 2 years of work experience or less do you typically admit?
Lee_Moderator
Amritha, the Berkeley MBA program does not grant transfer units for coursework done elsewhere -- either at work or at other Universities. All candidates are required to take the GMAT, and we strongly recommend that applicants have at least two years of post-University work experience. People without work experience are substantially less-competitive applicants.
Jenny McG
It seems that Berkeley weighs professional experience heavily? Would this be a deterrent for someone with 3-4 years non-profit work experience?
Adrian MBA08
Jenny -professional experience is one element that the admissions committee looks at. The average experience last year was 5 years, but there are many, many people with less than that. The thing that they're looking for, regardless of how much experience you have, is increasing responsibility and leadership potential.
sylviedl
What percent of each class pursues internship opportunities in San Francisco each year. Would you say it is the majority?
Adrian MBA08
Sylviedl, I don't have the specific numbers, but I'd say about half or a little more stay in the Bay Area. Most of us don't want to pack up and move for just a couple months! But if you are interested in working elsewhere, it's not a problem. There are tons of opportunities.
luis
Kathy, I love finance, but I also love and have experience in the hotel and restaurant business.. I want to go back to school for a solid business education and pursue new opportunities in that area, how recommendable is a career change???
Kathy MBA08
Many students (like me!) come to Haas to make a career change. I also wanted to gain a solid business foundation to make a transition in my career, so I think you will find this is a common experience! You also will have the opportunity to leverage the great alumni network worldwide!
Jenny McG
Are there recruiters that come from other countries? Say, Europe?
Adrian MBA08
Jenny McG - yes, there are a number of firms that recruit here for positions overseas. This includes Europe, Asia and S. America.
Runi
Any recommendation for a recent college graduate applying for the MBA program next fall?
Adrian MBA08
Runi - my advice is to make your essays as sincere as possible. Don't write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear, but rather write what you really believe. Good luck!
Liam
Do you work with the same core group for the entire program, or does your core group change class to class. Also, how is it chosen?
Adrian MBA08
Liam - you are assigned to a 5-person study team with whom you work during the first semester, but after that it changes up and you choose your study teams.
sylviedl
Can all students who would like to participate in Haas-organized international opportunities do so, or is it a competitive process?
Kathy MBA08
Some of the international opportunities are competitive (such as International Business Development) while others are elective (such as the exchange program). There are many opportunities to gain experience abroad while at Haas, so I have found that everyone who wanted to do so was able!
luis
Adrian, Can I fit the program to my entrepreneurship interests, such as Hotel or Restaurant Management?
Adrian MBA08
Luis - yes, the center for entrepreneurship supports people with a huge array of interests.
Laura2
Adrian - can you elaborate on taking classes in the other UC-Berkeley schools?
Adrian MBA08
Laura2, everyone is allowed to take 6 credits at other UC-Berkeley schools, no questions asked. If you want to take more than that, you can petition to do so. It's a great feature, because Berkeley has top-ranked programs across the board.
Kathy MBA08
The tight-knit community at Haas extends after classes as well! We have many weekly planned social activities and students often plan spontaneous trips to the local watering holes, rock-climbing walls and concert venues (just to name a few)!
Jronchen
I understand Haas is very tech oriented and strongly quantitative. What types of classes, experiences, and metrics does the admissions committee consider to evaluate the students?
Lee_Moderator
Jronchen, the Admissions Committee evaluates the entire application -- there is no one quality that they stress over everything else. In fact, each application is read by at least two evaluators.
Reming
When choosing my schools, I tried to find schools that would obviously match my needs in terms of coursework, but I also looked at regions where I would not mind living following graduation. Do you find that it is common for graduates to remain in San Francisco and do most companies in the city actively recruit Haas graduates?
Adrian MBA08
Reming - most people *choose* to stay here after graduation, partly because the Bay Area is so nice! Most of the major employers in the area recruit here, yes. But if you want to go elsewhere, it's not too hard. More than half the jobs listed with our career services office last year were outside the Bay Area.
luis
Is there someone in Mexico I can talk to and get an Interview?
Lee_Moderator
Luis, we do not put applicants in touch with alumni because of concerns for our alums' privacy. Interviews are granted only after an application has been submitted and evaluated -- they are by invitation only.
Emily
What are the career prospects for someone interested in returning to the nonprofit sector? Does Berkeley offer loan forgiveness?
Kathy MBA08
Hi Emily, I would encourage you to check out the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership at Haas - we are truly leaders in this arena. http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/nonprofit/ I believe that there is a loan forgiveness program, but I'm not 100% sure so I would not want to give you incorrect information. I encourage you to contact someone at the link above for these questions!
Jenny McG
Adrian--who did you want to have dinner with?
Adrian MBA08
Jenny - they didn't have that question when I applied. But I can tell you that WHY you want to have dinner with the person you choose is much more important than WHO you choose.
Jeff Y
I would like to learn more about socially responsible investing. The HSRI fund sounds like a fantastic hands-on opportunity. What kind of feedback have you had about this fund?
Adrian MBA08
Jeff, the fund is just getting going and I haven't heard much about it. You can send an email to hsa@haas.berkeley.edu and we can get more info for you.
sword
Hi! Are there opportunities for the second year students to apply another program to achieve another degree?
Lee_Moderator
There are several concurrent programs at Haas: MBA/MPH, JD/MBA and MBA/MA in International and Area Studies. The University of California does not allow students to enroll in multiple programs except for our established concurrent programs.
Laura2
What is the breakdown of the enrolled class from the SF area, California in general vs. the rest of the country?
Lee_Moderator
Laura, we don't break out those statistics.
Andy
hi guys, is it possible to have a part time job while studying?
Adrian MBA08
Andy, it's STRONGLY encouraged not to have a part time job during your first semester. After that, it's up to you. Most people don't do it because they're involved in so many other activities, but it's definitely possible.
tanhj
Hi I'd like to ask current students: how do you or your classmates think Berkeley help you with jobs in asset management field? I know Berkeley is very strong in tech management area, but how about asset mgt?
Kathy MBA08
If you are interested in asset management, there are many opportunities which you can pursue at Haas. We recently launched a student-run investment portfolio fund and I have heard of another fund which will hopefully be launched soon as well! I encourage you to reach out to the finance club for more information on the opportunities: http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/fc/
Jronchen
I live abroad. I was wondering IF we are invited to have an interview, do we get the option of choosing whether or not it is off-campus or on-campus? Does the on-campus interview carry more weight? Should we make arrangements to try to be come on-campus for the interview?
Lee_Moderator
Jronchen, all interviews receive the same weight. However, if you are invited to interview, it is up to you to make the arrangements with our interview coordinator.
Angelica
How many of your classmates have received financial aid?
Adrian MBA08
Angelica- 70% of students receive some sort of financial aid (scholarships and loans). Mostly loans (unfortunately!).
tanhj
does Berkeley reports student's GPA to recruiters? Could you describe a little bit about the relationships/atmosphere among Berkeley MBA students?
Adrian MBA08
tanhj - companies are not allowed to ask for GPAs if they recruit on campus. For off campus job interviews (meaning they don't physically take place at Haas), grades can be disclosed. In terms of atmosphere, it's very collaborative and tight knit. We are a close group!
Jenny McG
How long do you have after being accepted to respond?
Lee_Moderator
Jenny, it depends...if you apply in the first round and are admitted, you will have until after the first Days at Haas (in early April) to put in your deposit.
Chris L.
Chicago and New York would be incredible places to go to business school, meet new people, and enjoy the city life. How's Berkeley?
Kathy MBA08
Berkeley's proximity to San Francisco allows many students to enjoy city life just as you would in NY or Chicago. We're only about 20 minutes away, and many students choose to live in SF and commute to class. Berkeley itself is a cool college town with a variety of great restaurants, shops, cultural activities and great sports as well!
Min
I heard that pursuing non-profit careers is not that easy for MBAs, especially for international students. Could you tell me about the job searching process for students who look for opportunities at social sectors and how Haas helps the students?
Adrian MBA08
Min - we have a very strong center for non-profit and public management here. I am on an email list for job opportunities in the non-profit sector, and there are new ones just about every day. There are a number of students here who are looking to do non-profit work after graduation. We also have a board fellows program that allows students to sit on actual board of directors of a non-profit for one year.
Jenny McG
How is the environment for spouses?
Kathy MBA08
The environment for spouses/partners is great! The Haas Partners Club is an extremely active group for student partners and they organize many activities to build a community. Many of the partners are SO involved that we know them just as well as we know the students!!
sword
I'm a little confused about the definition of Achievement Award in one of the two optional essays. If I want to apply this scholarship, what kinds of achievement should I have?
Lee_Moderator
Sword, the achievement award for which the optional essay is required is about achievement in overcoming adversity -- significant economic, educational, health-related and/or other obstacles.
frankhong
Are there specific courses focused on media & entertainment management?
Kathy MBA08
I'm not sure about specific courses, but the Digital Media and Entertainment Club (DMEC) would be a great resource for those questions: http://berkeleydmec.org/dmec_blog/ DMEC is one of the most popular groups at Haas, and they put on a lot of really cool events and conferences, including the >play conference coming up on October 27. Check it out if you're in the Bay Area!!
sword
If I want a loan, do I need a co-signer? Can a loan cover the tuition and life?
Lee_Moderator
Sword, a loan will cover the tuition and fees without a co-signer. International students may need a co-signer for a loan which will cover living expenses. More information will be available on our website in early December.
abbey
Quick question, what's the max & min as far as the GMAT requirement?
Lee_Moderator
Hi Abbey! The middle 80% range for the GMAT last year was 650-760, but there is no minimum. The maximum, of course, is 800!
SoCal81
what is one of the most unique entrepreneur venturse you have seen students launch in recent years?
Kathy MBA08
Tube Mogul is a cool recent startup to come out of Haas: http://www.tubemogul.com/ From their website, they provide a single point for deploying uploads to the top video sharing sites, and powerful analytics on who, what, and how videos are being viewed.
Jenny McG
Is applying in the first round significantly different than applying in the second round?
Lee_Moderator
Jenny, the biggest difference between Round 1 and Round 2 is when you will be notified. If it's between those two rounds, take the time you need to prepare your strongest application!
egret
What's the percentage of international vs. US students?
Lee_Moderator
Last year's class was 31% international students.
Adrian MBA08
The international students (35-40% of the class) are fantastic. They bring a different perspective to class discussion of business cases, which I think is really valuable. I had two international students in my study group, in fact.
jodi_nyc
Regarding Haas@work/Hotwire, once a team was selected, how long did the team work with Hotwire to implement their suggestion and is this a semester long project?
Kathy MBA08
I believe it is a semester-long project. You can learn more at this site: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/learning.html
Jronchen
Are there any initiatives for student-led international studies? If we want to study in regions other than those outlined by the website, are there ways for students to propose new areas?
Adrian MBA08
Jronchen, it's hard to answer your question without more detail, but there are definitely opportunities to do international studies. You can work with a professor to do an independent study, or get a fellowship through an existing program, for example.
tetu
I have a question on the living expenses. How much do you expect to use a month or a year with a family of a wife and a kid?
Kathy MBA08
It totally depends on your lifestyle - what kind of housing you choose, how you spend your free time, where/what you choose to eat, child expenses, etc. - so it's not something I could really speak to.
Lyone
What have you found to be the most rewarding part of your MBA experience so far? Any surprises?
Adrian MBA08
Lyone - the most rewarding part of my experience so far has been the network of friends and colleagues that I have developed. Also, of course, my summer internship which translated into a full-time job offer.
egret
How is the relationship between Haas and the investment community, e.g. venture capitals?
Kathy MBA08
Haas has an excellent relationship with the VC community, particularly due to our proximity to Silicon Valley. Access to VC's for professional purposes (i.e., to work for them) and for funding purposes (for startup funding etc.) is very strong!
Lee_Moderator
If your question is not answered, it may be because it was answered before you joined the chat – since we have only a limited time, we try not to repeat answers. Please check our website in a couple of weeks for the transcripts of today’s chat and you may find the answers to your questions.
Jenny McG
Is there any advice that you would give us that are just applying?
Kathy MBA08
Just be yourself, and make sure that the application is the best representation of you possible!! Try not to stress out too much. And use spell check!
ColCar
I would like to know how you perceive "leading through innovation" after entering the program. I have already heard the podcast, but would like you to share your perspective on it.
Adrian MBA08
ColCar- Leading Through Innovation is a really good program. You can basically get as much out of it as you want, since most of the programs are optional. I would say that it's an initiative that really allows you to develop personally as a leader - which is critically important.
AndyMitch
Can you think of a classmate with the most unexpected/nontraditional/a-million-miles-from-finance background? What were they like? Where did they come from? Thanks!
Adrian MBA08
AndyMitch - it's hard to pick one...but we've got a navy seal, a guy who started an education nonprofit in Nicaragua, a US Senate press secretary, a cancer drug trial manager...just to name a few.
Lee_Moderator
Hi all! Thank you for joining us. The chat is now wrapping up – I will not be sending on any more questions to Adrian or Kathy. We appreciate your questions. Please check back on our website in a couple of weeks for transcripts of today’s chat. Go Bears!
Lillian
How did you both choose Haas and was it your top choice?
Kathy MBA08
Haas was my first choice as soon as I visited Berkeley. I came to visit the campus after I submitted my application and got the opportunity to sit in on a class, have lunch with current students and attend an info session. I knew at the end of the day that Haas was the right "fit" for me, and that was that!
tmino
Could you talk a bit about the entrepreneurship program? I read about the Lester Center and the entrepreneurship club. Also, were there any interesting start-ups coming from the 07 class?
Adrian MBA08
tmino - there's a company called aurora biofuels that is really cool, started last year. They use microalgae to create biodiesel. In terms of the program, you can email hsa@haas.berkeley.edu with any specific questions and we'll get back to you...
parag
How much do classes focus on cases v. lecture?
Kathy MBA08
The classes are a good mix of cases and lectures, depending on the material. Certain classes, such as statistics, finance and accounting, tend to need a little more lecture focus in order to allow students to really grasp the material. Other classes are primarily cases, such as strategy and microeconomics.
Adrian MBA08
Thanks for chatting! Good luck to all of you in the application process!
Kathy MBA08
Looks like we're out of time! Thank you to everyone for your great questions, and good luck with your applications!
Lee_Moderator
Goodbye all -- it's been good chatting with you.
