Ask a Haas Senior anything.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Posted back in May about doing I-banking at Haas, and a lot of people had questions and PMs about it. And I just glanced through the forum for the first time in a couple months, and saw a lot of inaccurate information about Haas, recruiting, etc floating around. (Ex: "I'm a 5-6 Asian guy, can I do banking?" Are you seriously asking this question?) </p>

<p>Figured I could answer questions about classes at Haas, internships, double-majoring, clubs, recruiting, whatever. Current students at Berkeley should feel more than welcome to jump in and shed light on it too.</p>

<p>Background on me: Senior at Haas, doubling with a lib-arts major. Working as an investment banking analyst after graduation.</p>

<p>Ask me anything, and I'll try to give you an brutally honest answer.</p>

2

<p>Are you in a business fraternity?</p>

3

<p>What advice would you give a freshman with intentions of applying to Haas? As far as grades and EC’s go?</p>

4

<p>Principles of Business UGBA 10 (3),
UGBA 102A Introduction to Financial Accounting, 3<br>
UGBA 103 Introduction to Finance, </p>

<p>can you take UGBA10 and UBGA 102A or 103 at the same time? or prefer to take UGBA10 first</p>

5

<p>Can’t get the “quote” button to work, so I’ll throw questions in quotation marks.</p>

<p>“Are you in a business fraternity?”</p>

<p>No, didn’t like them when I checked them out. Business fraternities are a mixed bag, in my opinion. They definitely help for recruiting/networking if you’re in a good one (ie, just DSP), but they have a poor reputation among the rest of the campus community. There’s the hazing, obviously, but also cheating scandals, attempted rigging of ASUC elections, etc. I think they have a very, very negative impact on the Haas community. </p>

<p>But if you’re interested in investment banking, I’d check out DSP, if for no other reason than the network.</p>

<p>“What advice would you give a freshman with intentions of applying to Haas? As far as grades and EC’s go?”</p>

<p>Get A’s in everything, even if it means taking easy classes you’re not quite as interested in. Get a job over the summer. Not like “pool attendant,” but an internship at a company. I interned for a government official. Get involved in the campus community; ie join a club. Doesn’t have to be business-related; could be a Christian thing if you’re into it, or a political organization, or the ASUC. The Haas admissions officers want to see that a) you’re smart; and b) you’re a leader. </p>

<p>“can you take UGBA10 and UBGA 102A or 103 at the same time? or prefer to take UGBA10 first”</p>

<p>I’d just take UGBA 10 and save the other two for after you’re admitted to Haas. The other two are classes you will be required to take your junior/senior year. Haas does not expect, nor really want you to take these early. You’ll be auto-waitlisted since you don’t have the advisor code.</p>

<p>For the record: you will NOT have a problem finishing up your Haas graduation requirements in 2 years. Half my friends are graduating early. There’s no reason to rush and take Accounting or Finance early, unless you’re just dying to get started.</p>

6

<p>I got an F in English, I got an A the second time taking it. Should I still apply to Haas, or just move on?</p>

7

<p>Also, do the ibanking jobs only go to haas students? Or do regular econ students also get recruited?</p>

8

<p>How badly does a C look to Haas in a non-prereq class?</p>

<p>How does a less than stellar GPA (3.4-3.5) look if I have a better prereq GPA (3.7ish)?</p>

<p>For some other background, I have a couple of leadership positions on on-campus organizations, a summer internship, and a copuple of jobs throughout my college career.</p>

9

<p>“I got an F in English, I got an A the second time taking it. Should I still apply to Haas, or just move on?”</p>

<p>Applying costs you nothing but maybe 20 hours writing essays over Thanksgiving break. Go for it! And if your other grades look good, they’ll probably forgive you one mishap, since you clearly cared enough to retake.</p>

<p>“Also, do the ibanking jobs only go to haas students? Or do regular econ students also get recruited?”</p>

<p>All else being equal, Haas students probably have an advantage. But your work experience is much, much more important when you’re dropping a resume. I know an econ guy who works on Morgan Stanley’s Technology banking team. Go for Haas. But if you don’t get it, you can absolutely still get a banking job IF YOU NETWORK AND GET GOOD INTERNSHIPS.</p>

<p>"How badly does a C look to Haas in a non-prereq class?</p>

<p>How does a less than stellar GPA (3.4-3.5) look if I have a better prereq GPA (3.7ish)?</p>

<p>For some other background, I have a couple of leadership positions on on-campus organizations, a summer internship, and a copuple of jobs throughout my college career."</p>

<p>They don’t care as much as if it’s in a pre-req class. Best answer I can give.</p>

<p>I think your GPA sounds around average for admitted students. </p>

<p>Your leadership and work experience sounds above average.</p>

<p>I think you’ll get in!</p>

10

<p>Are you going to be working for a bulge bracket investment bank after graduation? How did you network to get your current job offer after graduation? Do most Haas grads who work in investment banking work in the technology divisions/teams?</p>

11

<p>What kind of hazing do business fraternities do? What cheating scandals have there been that involved business fraternities?</p>

12

<p>What do you do to nail the interview. Whether it be the ABC or whatever. Is there a process for research, and then some concepts you try to follow during the interview? Anything you like to do that other may not be doing during and after the interview?</p>

13

<p>You said you world give brutally honest answers. Your response to my question was, well… soft. Should I try, yes or no?</p>

14

<p>Have you met anyone got who were accepted that applied during their junior year? </p>

<p>Still want to do Haas, but I think my chance next year would be much better/grade wise as well. As of now, I’m focused on Econ, but just want to try my luck with Haas (not getting wouldn’t be a big blow on me since I’d understand the reasons behind the decision). Just want to know since many people have said that junior applications are usually ignored/rejected on the spot unless it’s spectacular.</p>

15

<p>“Are you going to be working for a bulge bracket investment bank after graduation? How did you network to get your current job offer after graduation? Do most Haas grads who work in investment banking work in the technology divisions/teams?”</p>

<p>Yes. No, but I should have, because it would have been easier. Don’t do what I did haha. Sort of; most bulge brackets have their tech teams in San Francisco, and Haas kids in banking happen to end up doing tech because those are the positions available to us. It’s not like we’re uniquely qualified for them, if that’s what you’re asking.</p>

<p>“What kind of hazing do business fraternities do? What cheating scandals have there been that involved business fraternities?”</p>

<p>I’ve only heard this second-hand, but it’s sleep-deprivation type stuff. Need to be accompanied by a pledge brother 24 hours a day. Wait on your superiors. That sort of thing. Again, I haven’t been in a business frat. As for scandals, one guy from my year was caught sneaking in answer keys; they were considering kicking him out of Haas. Another dude went to the same final on different days and took it twice.</p>

<p>“What do you do to nail the interview. Whether it be the ABC or whatever. Is there a process for research, and then some concepts you try to follow during the interview? Anything you like to do that other may not be doing during and after the interview?”</p>

<p>Google “Breaking into Wall Street banking guide.” That’s the standard set of technical questions. So I learned em. I’d research a little about the specific group you’re interviewing for, as well. And obviously know your resume cold. There’s no trick; you don’t need to “stand out.” You want to be the most competent, and the “safest” guy they can hire. </p>

<p>“You said you world give brutally honest answers. Your response to my question was, well… soft. Should I try, yes or no?”</p>

<p>I was being honest. Go for it. There’s no reason not to. And you retook it, so they’ll look on it favorably. Seriously, Haas takes ~40-50% of applicants. It’s not like you’re applying to Harvard.</p>

<p>"Have you met anyone got who were accepted that applied during their junior year? </p>

<p>Still want to do Haas, but I think my chance next year would be much better/grade wise as well. As of now, I’m focused on Econ, but just want to try my luck with Haas (not getting wouldn’t be a big blow on me since I’d understand the reasons behind the decision). Just want to know since many people have said that junior applications are usually ignored/rejected on the spot unless it’s spectacular."</p>

<p>No, but I’m not Mr. Socialite, so I don’t think that means much. Again, there’s no harm in applying, so go for it. And again, Haas takes almost half the applicants that apply, so you have a decent shot. It’s MUCH harder for transfer students to get in (7%) than current Berkeley kids.</p>

16

<p>Question: are the girls at Haas attractive? I’m sure there’s done butter faces, but the majority?</p>

<p>Are they snobbish elitist? </p>

<p>Honest answers, please.</p>

17

<p>"Question: are the girls at Haas attractive? I’m sure there’s done butter faces, but the majority?</p>

<p>Are they snobbish elitist? </p>

<p>Honest answers, please."</p>

<p>Berkeley girls in general really ugly. Definitely hotter at UCLA, Davis, Irvine…just about everywhere honestly. (Berkeley girls feel the same way about the guys, though, I’d guess.) Haas chicks are probably better than average in terms of looks, but that’s not saying a bunch.</p>

<p>Not sure if I’d call them “snobby.” Thing is, and non-Haas majors don’t get this: getting into Haas doesn’t guarantee you a prestigious job. I think most Haas students go on to do accounting, operations consulting at places like PWC, Ernst and Young, etc. Which is pretty…normal. At least to me. Accounting is a Joe Schmo job. So there’s not a whole lot to be snobby about.</p>

18

<p>I am senior double majoring in Political Science and English. My grades are pretty good overall- a 3.9 GPA, and I’ve held several high-caliber political internships (Office of Governor Jerry Brown, Department of Justice, among others)</p>

<p>While I absolutely love politics, I’ve becoming increasingly interested in pursing a business career in the near future. I’m particularly interested in consulting.</p>

<p>I feel I’ve made a huge mistake by not majoring in Business Administration. I recently took both Econ 1 (Olney) and UGBA 10 for fun, receiving As in both courses. Looking back, I feel I could have definitely taken on the business major.</p>

<p>My main question: Is it possible for me to crack a career in business with a liberal arts degree? Do you know how I would go about doing it?</p>

<p>Thank you so much</p>

<p>(I am, however, strongly considering law school. From there, I would pursue a career as a corporate litigator)</p>

19

<p>Of course you can. continue taking courses in UGBA, like accounting and finance and put that on your resume for relevant coursework. Start getting involved in case competitions!</p>

<p>From that point on you need to intern during the semester to build up on that. Reach out to alum or see if any family friends are willing to get you in on some internships.</p>

20

<p>" I am senior double majoring in Political Science and English. My grades are pretty good overall- a 3.9 GPA, and I’ve held several high-caliber political internships (Office of Governor Jerry Brown, Department of Justice, among others)</p>

<p>While I absolutely love politics, I’ve becoming increasingly interested in pursing a business career in the near future. I’m particularly interested in consulting.</p>

<p>I feel I’ve made a huge mistake by not majoring in Business Administration. I recently took both Econ 1 (Olney) and UGBA 10 for fun, receiving As in both courses. Looking back, I feel I could have definitely taken on the business major.</p>

<p>My main question: Is it possible for me to crack a career in business with a liberal arts degree? Do you know how I would go about doing it?</p>

<p>Thank you so much</p>

<p>(I am, however, strongly considering law school. From there, I would pursue a career as a corporate litigator)"</p>

<p>Yes of course. I mean, Ivy League schools don’t have undergrad business schools (except for Wharton), and many Ivy grads end up in business. My girlfriend works in banking and she’s a lib arts major. Here’s your problem though: do you have work experience? If you don’t, you’re probably not going to get a great business job out of undergrad. The only reason the GF got the job is because she’d done finance internships. And it was a bit of an up hill battle. Because honestly, you don’t know anything. Your employer will be holding your hand teaching you accounting, corporate finance, etc. If you’re committed, here’s my suggestion: go on LinkedIn, search for UC Berkeley grads in the Bay Area, and try emailing them at <a href="mailto:john.smith@companyname.com">john.smith@companyname.com</a>, or whatever. Or call the company, that sort of thing. Try and get in touch with alumni ASAP. They’re your best resource. </p>

<p>Honestly, your GPA is good though. If you destroy the LSAT, I might just head to law school ASAP. That’s definitely easier.</p>

<p>"Of course you can. continue taking courses in UGBA, like accounting and finance and put that on your resume for relevant coursework. Start getting involved in case competitions!</p>

<p>From that point on you need to intern during the semester to build up on that. Reach out to alum or see if any family friends are willing to get you in on some internships."</p>

<p>Good advice, but he’s a senior. This is all stuff that’s a good idea as a FRESHMAN. gobears needs a job. Not an internship.</p>