NOT LIVE: Berkeley MBA

Round 1 Interviews for Fall 2010

2009-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Interviews for the Berkeley Full-time MBA Program are by invitation only, and candidates are selected for interviews after at least two members of the Admissions Committee have reviewed the application. For Round 1, invitations began going out in mid-November, and will continue to be sent until close to the Round 1 response date.

If you applied in Round 1 and have not yet received an invitation to interview, please be patient--there are likely to be many more invitations in the next two weeks. There is no fixed quota of applicants who will be interviewed in each round--it is simply a function of which applicants the Admissions Committee feels are strongest. Additionally, all candidates who are offered a place on the waitlist will be offered an opportunity to interview as well.

Still More About Interviews!

2009-01-15T22:19:00.000-08:00

"What percentage of your applicants will be invited to interview?" "Of the applicants who interview, what percentage will be admitted?" As the Round 1 applications continue, I've heard a lot of speculation about the process.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no fixed percentage of applicants who are interviewed, and chances of admission for those who do interview are based on the strength of the entire application package and the interview. In the past few years, between 25% and 30% of all applicants have been selected to interview--but keep in mind that this percentage has varied each year. It's simply a reflection of the strength of the candidates in a specific round.

Although it's a positive sign to be invited to interview, it doesn't mean you'll get an offer--but it does mean that the Admissions Committee saw enough strengths in your application to be seriously considering your candidacy, so it's always a good sign!

If you are invited to interview, be sure to listen to the Interview tips podcast, which you can find at http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/haas/podcast/audio/haas_mba_interview_tips1.mp3.

Round 1 and Round 2 Interviews

2009-01-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009 to everyone!

We've had many questions the past few days about interview invitations, and I know there are many anxious Round 1 and Round 2 candidates.

We are continuing to send interview invitations for Round 1 candidates throughout the next two weeks, as we have noted in earlier communications. Additionally, candidates who are notified of waitlist status on January 28 will have the opportunity to schedule an interview after that date.

Round 2 interview invitations will begin going out toward the end of the month.

Round 1 Interviews

2008-12-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Now that we're well into Round 1, it's a good time to explain how the interview process works. We get many questions about the interview process, and it causes a lot of stress for many applicants. Fortunately, it's really a straightforward process, designed to give applicants the opportunity to share more about themselves, their experience, and their career goals.

Interviews for the Berkeley Full-time MBA Program are by invitation only, and invitations are sent after the Admissions Committee has completed its initial review of the application. The Committee takes great pride in reading and evaluating applications for admission, and every single application, regardless of GPA, GMAT, or number of years of work experience, is read by a minimum of two readers. In many instances, an application is read by three readers, and sometimes four. Invitations are sent on a rolling basis, and will continue to go out until shortly before the response date. The timing of the application interview is in no way a reflection of the strength or weakness of a particular application.

Round 1 applicants who are currently living outside the US will be invited to interview with an alumni interviewer; applicants within the US who live outside California will be invited to a Saturday interview day in late January; and applicants residing in California will have the opportunity to interview on campus with a student interviewer.

Each interview has the same weight, whether it takes place in Sao Paulo, London, or Berkeley, and each interviewer goes through the same training program. Once the interview has been completed, the interviewer provides a written assessment to the Admissions Committee which becomes part of the application file. Finally, the entire file is discussed by the Admissions Committee before a decision is released.

Round 1 interview invitations will begin going out the week of December 8th and will continue until the Round 1 notification date or January 28, 2009. For tips on how to prepare for an interview, listen to our interview podcast.

Thanksgiving Week

2008-11-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

The Berkeley MBA Admissions Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27th and November 28th, for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Classes will be in session on Wednesday, November 26th and we will have our regular information session and class visits on that day.

Interviews

2007-11-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

We're frequently asked about how the interview process works for the Berkeley Full-time MBA Program. Since there is significant diversity in how MBA programs interview, let me explain the Berkeley Full-time MBA Process.

Interviews are by invitation only, and invitations are issued by e-mail after an application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. We do not offer admission without an in-person interview except in the very rare case of individuals who are located in very remote locations. Although there is no fixed percentage of the pool that we interview, we typically invite 25-30% of our applicants to interview. An interview invitation could be sent as early as four weeks after the application deadline or as late as a few days before the response date. Timing of the invitation is not significant. An invitation is always a good sign, and means that we are seriously considering the application. Because at least two members of the admissions staff read each application submitted before we invite a candidate to interview, it takes a bit longer for the invitations to go out.

In Rounds 1 and 2, we have "Super Saturday" interviews on campus for invited applicants who are living in the US, with a preference for those outside California, for whom traveling to campus for an interview may be more difficult. During the Super Saturday event, we have the interview and other activities designed to help candidates to learn more about the program, including a student life panel, and alumni panel, and other informational events. U.S. candidates who are unable to attend Super Saturday have the option of an alumni interview.

We're often asked about who conducts the interviews. We have a network of trained alumni interviewers covering 90 cities around the world, and we select and train a small group of current students each year to conduct our on-campus interviews. It is unusual that a member of the Admissions Committee would be the interviewer, which only occurs when a student or alumni interviewer is not available.

We will begin sending interview invitations on December 3rd, and will continue to issue invitations until shortly before the response date. Additionally, any applicant who is offered a place on the wait list is automatically invited to interview. For more details about how to prepare for an interview, please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/ and click on "Admissions Podcasts", and you can listen to Stephanie Fujii, senior associate director of MBA Admissions, who discusses our process.

TOEFL or IELTS?

2007-09-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

I've had a number of questions this year from applicants who need to meet our English language proficiency requirement and are curious about the relevant tests. We accept results of either the TOEFL or the IELTS for admission purposes.

Although many applicants are familiar with the TOEFL, which is offered in many countries, we have been contacted by students who have had difficulty obtaining a test appointment for the TOEFL. For applicants who are unable to get a suitable test appointment, the IELTS may be a good alternative.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is offered in 350 test centers in 120 countries around the world. For purposes of admission, we accept IELTS scores with a minimum band score of 7.0.

For additional information about the IELTS, please visit www.ielts.org.

Fall 2008 Application Process Begins

2007-08-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

The fall 2008 application for the Berkeley Full-time MBA Program is live, and the process begins! If you're thinking about applying, be sure to visit the online application early and give yourself plenty of time to meet all of the application requirements in time for the deadlines, the first of which is on November 5th.

If you visit our podcast page, there is a detailed segment providing tips on how to present a strong application, as well as additional information about financial aid, career services, and some of the well-known academic specializations within the Berkeley MBA program. Additional segments will be added throughout the year.

Our online calendar lists events around the world at which you can speak with a member of the admissions staff as well as local alumni. In addition to participating in many MBA fairs, we will be holding Berkeley MBA Information Sessions around the world, from Boston to Rio de Janeiro, and I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to speak with us in person.

We look forward to meeting you!

A Video Introduction to Haas

2007-02-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't seen it, there's a fun video on YouTube which was filmed as an introduction for the PBS CEO Exchange earlier this year, a discussion between two prominent CEOs that is filmed for television. This particular episode featured Intel's CEO Paul Otellini (Berkeley MBA '74) , Symantec's CEO John Thomson, and CNN's Jeff Greenfield. As as result, the video has a bit of a technology slant, but it's a fun intro to the Berkeley MBA hosted by current student Seth Familian. Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndo6txrP52c!

Round One Decisions to be Released on January 29

2007-01-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

The Admissions Committee has been extremely pleased with the quality of applications that we’re seeing, and we are on schedule to release Round One decisions on Monday, January 29. Round One applicants who have not yet received an invitation to interview should not give up hope! If you are offered a place on our waitlist, you will be able to interview at your earliest convenience. Please note that waitlisted applicants are still being very seriously considered for admission; the Admissions Committee simply needs more time to consider these applications before making a final decision. Waitlisted applicants will be given instructions on ways in which they can improve their applications, and they will also be invited to an online chat with the Admissions Committtee, specifically designed to answer questions and offer advice about the waitlist process.

Super Saturday a Smashing Success!

2007-01-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, 100 Round One applicants came to campus to participate in a day-long series of activities and events, including an interview for admission. Participants’ energy was sky-high, and everyone really seemed to enjoy interacting with current students, alumni, and (of course) fellow applicants. Again and again, prospective students commented on how amazed they were by the diversity of backgrounds represented, and many said that this event made it clear that Haas is their first choice for business school. Another Super Saturday will be held for select Round Two applicants on Saturday, March 10, and we will begin extending interview invitations to Round Two applicants next week.

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Full-time MBA Admissions Office will close for the winter break tomorrow at 4:00 pm and will re-open at 9:00 am on January 2nd. We will not be able to respond to voicemail or e-mail messages during the break; however, we look forward to serving you when we return to campus in January. Our daily on-campus information sessions resume the week of January 22nd, and our class visitation program and lunches with current MBA students will be available beginning February 5th. If you wish to schedule a visit, detailed information is available at http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/visitation.html.

Best wishes for a very happy holiday and new year!

Round 1 Interview Invitations Start to Go Out!

2006-12-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

Last week, we extended a handful of interview invitations to Round 1 applicants. We will continue to send out Round 1 interview invitations on a rolling basis through most of January. Since we review applications within each round in random order, there is no significance to the date on which you may receive an interview invitation. Round 1 applicants from the United States will be invited to interview on campus during our "Super Saturday" event on January 20th . Applicants living outside the US will have the opportunity to interview with an alumni interviewer in their country of residence. Round 2 applicants will receive interview invitations beginning in February, shortly after we release our Round 1 decisions, and Round 2 "Super Saturday" will be held on March 10. We're very pleased with the quality of applicants that we're seeing thus far, and we expect to interview many of them!

English Language Proficiency

2006-12-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

We've recently received many questions about the English proficiency requirement for applicants who are not native speakers of English, especially since the new internet-based version of the TOEFL has now been introduced in most countries. We accept both the TOEFL and the IELTS examination as evidence of English language proficiency, and applicants who have completed at least one year of full-time academic study (not including ESL courses) in an accredited university in the US , UK, Australia, or English-speaking Canada are not required to provide TOEFL or IELTS courses. The TOEFL is not waived for countries in which the official language is not English (including India, Pakistan, and Israel) even though the language of instruction sin some universitieis in these countries may be English.

The TOEFL or IELTS examination must have been taken within the past two years to be valid, and Berkeley uses June 1st to determine the validity. In other words, examinations taken before June 1, 2005 cannot be considered for fall 2007 admission. If you need to take the TOEFL or IELTS, it is important to plan in advance. Since the introduction of the new internet-based TOEFL, fewer test dates are offered, and applicants have reported having to wait two months or more to get a testing date for the TOEFL. The test date of the exam you are using for application purposes must be on or before the application deadline of the round for which you are applying. Students who took an official computer-based TOEFL or paper and pencil TOEFL within the two year window do not need to take the examination again.

Finally, please note that although Berkeley sets minimum score requirements for graduate students, most students admitted to the MBA program has scores well above the minimum requirement. On the computer-based exam, the minimum score requirement was 230/300; the average TOEFL for applicants admitted to the Berkeley MBA program was 278 for the fall 2007 admission. Because so few students have submitted internet-based TOEFL scores, it is not possible for us to predict averages at this point, even though the minimum score requirement for consideration for the MBA program is 68 /120.

Berkeley MBA in Europe and Latin America

2006-11-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

Don't miss our Berkeley MBA Information Sessions in Europe and Latin America! We will be in Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, London, Paris, Mexico City, Lima, Santiago, Beunos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro during the month of November as we finish our scheduled outreach events for the fall. These events start on November 6th, so visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/events_01.html soon to register.

At each event, Admissions Committee members will discuss the Berkeley MBA program, including career services and financial aid, and provide tips on how to present a strong application. Local alumni will also be present to discuss their experiences and how they've used the MBA to advance professionally. This is a great opportunity to ask your questions about the application process or about specific aspects of the MBA program.

We hope to see you on the road, and best wishes with your applications!

Do I Need to Write the Optional Essay?

2006-10-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

Pete and I just finished our Berkeley MBA Information Sessions in Chicago, New York, Washington, and Boston, and we had a number of questions about the optional essay. For those of you wondering whether or not you should write the optional essay, the decision is a highly personal one. The optional essay should be used if—and only if—you feel that you have something more to tell us after you have completed your other essays and short-answer questions. For example, if you feel that you have not adequately conveyed your professional accomplishments and personal qualities elsewhere in the application, the optional essay can be used to share more about yourself with the Admissions Committee. The optional essay can also be used if you wish to offer an explanation for any perceived shortcoming in your application. However, if you believe that the rest of your application has allowed you the opportunity to tell us your story, you needn’t feel compelled to write the optional essay. Many applicants choose not to write the optional essay, which is completely fine. In fact, it's better not to write the essay than to use it to reiterate information you have already provided.

In Which Round Should I Apply?

2006-10-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Common questions that I often get from prospective students include "Do I have to apply in Round 1 to get an offer of admission?" "When should I submit my application to have the best chances?"

I recommend that you apply as early as possible, provided that you are submitting the best application possible. In other words, if you need more time to revise your essays or retake the GMAT, you should definitely take that time and apply in a later round.

We do not reserve a set number of places in the class for each application round. Although the number of offers we make in each round varies from year to year, chances of admission are about the same in Round 1 and Round 2. You can even feel comfortable applying in Round 3, as many applicants will receive offers in this round. By the time we reach Round 4, however, there are usually only a few places remaining in the class, and chances of admission may be significantly diminished.

Also note that your chances of receiving a scholarship are much better if you apply in an earlier round. Most of our Haas Merit Scholarships and Haas Achievement Awards are given to applicants who apply in Rounds 1 and 2, although we may have some scholarship money left to award to Round 3 applicants. It is rare that a Round 4 applicant will receive scholarship money, as we have usually awarded our entire scholarship budget before we begin reading Round 4 applications.

Whether you apply in Round 1 or Round 4, providing a complete and honest picture of your academic preparation, professional and personal goals, experience, and achievements will give you the best chances of success in the application process.

West Coast Info Sessions are a Success

2006-09-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

Over the last week, we have conducted Berkeley MBA Information Sessions in Seattle, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and we couldn’t have been happier with the turnout. Not only were the events extremely well attended, but our guests were very engaged and asked lots of excellent questions. Many have already begun working on our application for admission, and they seemed to appreciate the opportunity to interact with current students, alumni, and Berkeley MBA admissions and career services staff. One guest wrote, "I've attended other MBA open houses, but this one felt more down-to-earth. The event made me really want to apply to Haas." Week after next, we’ll be offering our session in Chicago, New York, DC, and Boston. If you haven’t already registered to attend, please do so at http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/events_01.html.

2007 Program Guides On the Way!

2006-09-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

While most of you have probably gathered a lot of information from our web site or from speaking with one of us at an MBA Fair or information session, it's still nice to have something you can hold in your hands. Our 2007 Full-time MBA Program Guides are being sent next week. The program guide has information about all aspects of the MBA program, as well as profiles of students, alumni, and faculty. If you have registered on our inquiry system or for an event this year, you will receive one automatically. If you have not registered, please visit https://ssl.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/inquiry/ to enter your contact information and request a brochure.

Want to prepare the best application possible?

2006-09-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

When we’re speaking with students at outreach events, we often get questions like “What is Berkeley looking for in MBA applications?” or “What kinds of applicants do you admit?” If you are able to attend one of our information sessions, we will address these questions, but you don’t have to wait—you can get application advice in the comfort of your home, office…or even at the gym or while running! Download our MBA Admissions podcast, and hear application tips directly from me. Even if you don’t have an iPod or other mp3 player, you can simply listen to the podcast directly on your computer. The application podcast, as well as our fantastic MBA program video, can be found on our website at http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/. Look for the links in the blue box on the right side of your screen. Other podcasts include information about financing your MBA and MBA career services, and new podcasts will be added later this fall. Enjoy!

On the road again.....

2006-09-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

After an eventful summer of goal-setting and action-planning, the Full-time MBA Admissions Committee is very excited to be traveling the world to meet with prospective applicants. Our staff will offer 23 information sessions in North America, Europe and Latin America, and we will participate in MBA Fairs in 43 cities around the world. This week, we are at MBA Fairs in Lima, Bogota, Caracas, Tokyo, Seoul, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. For a complete schedule of our outreach events, please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/events.html. Our admissions staff are accompanied by local MBA alumni at fairs and information sessions, so this is a great opportunity for you to find out how the Berkeley MBA program has changed the lives of our graduates. All of us on staff have been looking forward to travel season, and we are eager to meet with you face-to-face and answer your questions. Please be sure to introduce yourself when you see us!