Do you have questions about getting into Haas?

<p>Hi all, </p>

<p>Currently a sophomore who was accepted into Haas for Fall 2013!</p>

<p>I'm posting to help all you driven intended business students and concerned parents to answer any questions, debunk any myths, and just give you more information about the process and my application.</p>

<p>Ask questions about extracurriculars, course loads, essays, etc. I will also be studying abroad in London this summer if any study abroad questions arise (Haas encourages studying abroad).</p>

<p>I haven't officially started, but I have taken several courses at Haas and have a familiar grasp of what the 2 year program will look like socially and academically.</p>

<p>Ask away!</p>

<p>Hi CB:
Does Haas accept transfers from UCLA? If yes, it is harder for a transfer versus a Berkeley student to get accepted. S is torn between UCB and UCLA, but definitely wants to pursue Haas undergrad program.</p>

<p>Thank you for your generous and kind offer of help!</p>

<p>Congrats on your acceptance!</p>

<p>What does Haas look for in extracurricular activities?
Also, how was UGBA 10?</p>

<p>@cheekboy34 could you share what ECs you put on your app and what your essays were generally about? i understand if you dont want to be specific about your essay topics but just generally speaking. thanks!</p>

<p>Prep4Work: Here are the pre-reqs for transfers - [Prerequisites</a>, Undergraduate Program, Berkeley-Haas](<a href=“Admissions - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Admissions - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas)</p>

<p>For the most part (to my knowledge), the majority of transfer acceptances are international students. The average GPA for transfers is 3.9, and is definitely much more competitive. If they offer a business major at UCLA, I would have one piece of advice for your son: Your son should define his education, not let his education define him. This means that although it’s true having a business degree from a renowned business school will help in the job market, IF this “help” is only marginally positive, S should be content attending either, because his passion for business and skillset he gains should be sufficient in terms of propelling him to a successful career. </p>

<p>All that being said, what’s the worst case scenario if he gets rejected from Haas? Can he still attend UCLA?</p>

<p>OrangeBerry:</p>

<p>Here is an outline of the weights they put on certain aspects of your application: [Application</a> and Selection Calendar, Undergraduate Programs, Berkeley-Haas](<a href=“Important Dates - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Important Dates - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas)</p>

<p>In terms of activities, I always tell my freshmen friends this: It’s important to do things to strengthen your resume, but it’s important to enjoy those things you do. I refrained from joining the large business organizations namely because I did not want to get lost within those communities and did not only want to hold socials (which is what many of them do). I wanted to learn about business, I wanted to network, and I felt I couldn’t get that directly from those orgs (this obviously varies from person to person)</p>

<p>To answer your question more directly, they look for accomplishments, leaders, and interest in the Haas community. The last point does NOT mean you should only involve yourself in business-related activities. The other things you do outside of things pertaining to business not only gives you more perspective, it makes you more appealing to Haas. So yes, join business clubs, investment clubs, consulting clubs, etc. but also try out for acapella groups, join dance teams, do whatever makes you happy! It’ll make your college experience that much better and keep you away from the “Haas-bubble”.</p>

<p>Takeaway: Do what you love, but also pursue leadership within business orgs.</p>

<p>UGBA10: Early. Fast-paced. Competitive. It’s usually at 8 or 9 am, MWF, it’s VERY fast-paced. Lectures are typically 50-60 slides for a 50 minute class. Take notes and record lectures if you want to do well. People ARE competitive, but not cutthroat. They just want to do well, so they’ll study hard, as you should too. Always make study guides for modules, study in groups, look for previous tests, etc. I never went to office hours, never recorded lectures, didn’t talk much in section and it showed with my B+. Competition’s not my game, but if it’s yours, great! </p>

<p>Comp100: I’m always happy to share! Here’s the breakdown-</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
-Started my own company with my roommates (It eventually shutdown)
-Internship with ASUC
-2 Choirs</p>

<p>Summer:
-Research assistant at Foster School of Business (In WA, where I’m from)
-Marketing Intern for small mobile-app start up (Eventually promoted to project lead)</p>

<p>Fall of Sophomore Year (By the time the application was due)
-Working with a non-profit that sends a team to Ghana to build schools (still working with them)
-Research assistant at Haas
-Project lead (from above)
-2 Choirs</p>

<p>As you can tell, the only “business-related” activity was the company I co-founded and the marketing internship. I was super interested in becoming a professor, which was why I pursued research for a while. </p>

<p>However, my passion for business (in my opinion) shined brightest in my essays (which I believe are the reasons why I got into Haas).</p>

<p>First essay usually pertains to one of their 4 core principles:
-Confidence without attitude
-Beyond yourself
-Student always
-Question the status quo</p>

<p>I wrote about the last one, and talked about my social venture that had failed, but how much I had learned from it, and how it only fueled the fire for pursuing it in the future.</p>

<p>Second essay usually varies, my year that asked us to talk about an unethical issue.</p>

<p>I wrote about my internship with the ASUC (we advocated for lowered tuition levels for students so they could have increased opportunities for education). I talked about my passion for being able to fight for that opportunity, and how studying abroad (which I’m planning on this summer) would provide me a global perspective on the issue.</p>

<p>Hopefully I wasn’t too transparent, but I hope this helps! </p>

<p>One of the most important things I learned about the application process:</p>

<p>Haas looks for the best FIT, not the best overall candidate. This is why people with 4.0’s don’t get in. My grades weren’t terrible, but they weren’t stellar either. I was able to communicate my desire to bridge that education gap (I mentioned it in both of my essays), and how I want to utilize Haas’s education to propel me to a solution where I can make that happen. </p>

<p>Also, be a go-getter. Look for opportunities, because they will not be handed to you. I had to cold e-mail 40 professors for that research position over the summer.</p>

<p>Keep asking! :)</p>

<p>@cheekboy34 do you remember what exactly the prompt for the 4 defining principles was? thanks!</p>

<p>@cheekyboy34</p>

<p>I’m going to be joining Berkeley L&S in the fall and I was wondering what I could do right off the bat in terms of building up my resume for Haas.</p>

<p>It seems like you were pretty prolific in pursuing internships and research in your freshman year. Would you mind going into how you got these? Was it through specific clubs/orgs you joined or was it more networking and taking advantage of connections you made? The non-profit venture is especially awesome–how can an incoming freshman get involved in stuff like this?</p>

<p>Also, thanks so much for doing this. You’re the man :)</p>

<p>Yeah, it was “Pick one of the 4 principles that you feel you need the most improvement on” It was pretty tricky if you think about it, haha.</p>

<p>@sidp1995</p>

<p>The research was through cold-emailing a lot of professors at the business school, and waiting for a yes or no. The internship was found through craigslist (referred to by a friend), and the non-profit venture was started by a friend. It’s safe to say I’ve been very fortunate with my opportunities. I would utilize callisto from the get-go, looking for internships over the summer. </p>

<p>If you’re interested in research, apply for URAP. There are tons of projects to work on, and professors are always needing help. Like I said before, I didn’t join any orgs, so it was all just based on my connections. </p>

<p>ALWAYS make new friends, whenever you can. You’d be surprised how many opportunities open up because of this!</p>

<p>Is there an additional financial cost for acceptance into Haas Undergrad on top of the tuition cost for Berkeley?</p>

<p>Also, wut was your fallback plan /major if u didn’t get in?</p>

<p>What’s the best semester to take UGBA 10? Thank you so much for doing this! Total karma points for you.</p>

<p>To the above 3 posts:</p>

<p>-No extra financial cost
-Econ as backup major
-UGBA 10 in spring</p>

<p>Yeah, everything weebly said was true.</p>

<p>Some people also considered stats and political econ as back up majors</p>

<p>Is there anybody know if we can use international edition textbook (Business in Action) for UGBA10 coming fall?
I noticed that we can not use international edition for UGBA102A due to HW compatibility issue, Please confirm. Thanks.</p>

<p>what was your schedule like for both years? was there anything you would have done differently in terms of scheduling?</p>

<p>Can you please explain why we should take UGBA 10 in the spring?</p>

<p>Can someone also fill me in with the specific benefits of joining the Haas School of Business? I’m an EEP major but I do not exactly know what I want to do with my life. I have been told that if I want to go into the field of business, joining Haas would be most beneficial.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

<p>My first year consisted of all the pre-reqs and lots of breadths. Get them out of the way early. It was the same with my first semester of my second year. I wouldn’t really change anything. I had a nice, moderate load of classes, of marginally relaxing breadths, easy music classes (im a minor), and pre-reqs.</p>

<p>Mr.Pencil, it has just been a general sentiment that i’ve heard around campus, but maybe someone can elaborate. as for specific benefits, you gain access to many resources non-business students do not, which are outlined on their website. this includes case comps, networking events, professional workshops, and i hate to say it, but a boost in your reputation/credibility when you network or apply for job. But honestly, you should apply because you want to learn how to take business to the next level in today’s society, not because of the name, not because of the fame. it will prepare you decently will with a lot of business knowledge, which you won’t necessarily receive as an econ major.</p>

<p>IMO UGBA 10 is easier in spring because the overachievers (I don’t like using this term) take it in the fall. Also, Dr. Robinson is generally more upbeat during second semester, talking about his upcoming trips during spring break…</p>

<p>What is the resume format looks like? I assume you can not incldue anything before Berkeley freshman like intern and scholarship at high school.</p>

<p>Do you know any transfers from other UC’s ? I am extremeley passionate about business, i won a business competition and tried starting a company with my friends in HS(we couldnt raise capital). i am attending UCSB in the fall, but its still my goal to get into haas. I heard Haas doesnt like UC transfers?</p>