Haas Transfer Advice

Transfer Students UC Transfers
21

<p>see if you can fit in a volunteer position on a day you don't have class (maybe a fri). i did 4hrs/wk at the uc davis med center for about 1.5yrs (but its better late than never). also, start planning your essays...you don't have to write them yet, but at least have in mind what you are going to talk about. summer experiences (work, ECs, etc) provide excellent topics. this year, the first essay was:</p>

<p>What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement. </p>

<p>if you have a great summer experience related to business, it would work perfectly here.</p>

<p>the second was:</p>

<p>Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?</p>

<p>you've got to sell yourself to haas....why should they choose you? what makes you great; how have you grown/learned from your experiences.</p>

<p>if you pass round 1, you will be asked to fill-out a supplementary application and do this:</p>

<p>All applicants are required to answer either question A or B. Questions A and B are given equal weight in the review process. In addition to content, essays are evaluated for writing ability, skill in organizing and presenting thoughts, and the relevance of your answers to the questions posed. </p>

<p>A. At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Using examples that you have not already addressed in your UC application, how have you demonstrated these qualities academically, in your personal life, or through leadership activities? </p>

<p>B. Our business school is a diverse environment. How will your experiences contribute to this? During your years of study at Haas, you will be part of a diverse multicultural, multiethnic community within both the Business School and the larger university. What rewards and challenges do you anticipate in this environment, and how do you expect this experience to prepare you for a culturally diverse business world?</p>

<p>the essays weigh in heavily on the admission decision....i think about 35% or so. i think my solid essays set me apart and got me in.</p>

<p>btw, sorry for the long post....hope it helps though</p>

22

<p>Not at all, the post was actually real helpful; it's my first time taking a look at the essay questions.</p>

<p>I don't have it specifically planned out but I plan to join one club (possibly two if time permits) and be in there for the long-term so I can slowly move into a high position. I'll also plan on volunteering in one place during the school year on the days I don't go to class, again, for the long-term so I can show some continuity and persistence as opposed to jumping around and doing a little in a lot of different places. And as for internships, I'll look for one every summer that relates to business. </p>

<p>Does this seem like a solid list of ECs/work experience? Any suggestions?</p>

23

<p>what lobo said was pretty darn right.
some stuff i would like to add is
"if you have a great summer experience related to business, it would work perfectly here."</p>

<p>but hook or by crook u better get that business related summer experience, seriously</p>

<p>and when u prepare ur essays please do not start preparing mock essays on this year's prompt.
this year's prompt was like an ugly duckling, over the past few years the prompt has been business related, not really focusing on u personally or socially but more on how you think and relate to current events</p>

<p>this year's essay had its toughness in its own ways, but mayB u guys should start reading a little about the business world atleast once a week online or smth</p>

<p>getting into the high position is not really something awesome. its about what you do in that position and how much you contribute to the club that makes you stand out. there were many keypositions in my biz club and they all got rejected. i was a
"member". living proof is hard to deny. oh they had better stats than me too... every last one of them</p>

24

<p>Is it even possible to get a business related internship the summer before you start CC? What's the best way to find one? Seems like a long shot to me.</p>

<p>And by getting into a high position, that's sort of what I meant. I mean obviously the higher guys are some of the most active and worked their way there so you know they've contributed quite a lot in one way or another.</p>

25

<p>business related experience in the summer could be like... going to a car show... u watch them how they display booths, how they market stuff.. an exhibition...
things u learn from these conventions...
u learn a lot of things everyday but u don't really realize it.</p>

<p>electronics exhibitions can work as well... u just have to know how to tie the different varieties of these events to business. its all around u... u just have to know how to tie them together</p>

26

<p>guardianangel's comment makes sense....i would try something more hands on though, but it's not like haas expects you to be running a fortune 500 company before entering...you're up against a bunch of 19/20yr olds....i mean how much experience can you get by that age? find a niche...if you do web design, get some people to pay you for a few sites. i'm not saying to setup a lemonade stand or something during the summer...haha...but there must be something business-related that you can do. see if you have a local small business assoc that has positions open...anything...my point is don't waste your last summer to shine...also, don't forget that your high school EC's still count and are asked for on your application.</p>

27

<p>Do high school ECs weigh heavily at all? I really don't have anything worth mentioning... also would it look bad at all if I took the CHSPE and bailed on my senior year to go to CC?</p>

28

<p>i'm not sure how much weight hs ec's hold, but you could always call haas' undergrad dept and ask....i was extremely active in hs, but not so much in cc....so i guess it depends on your individual case....it doesn't hurt to add those hs ec's though</p>

29

<p>Is it even worth mentioning if it's not really anything good though? I mean I played baseball for a few years and helped found the school chess club (which was revived) but that quickly died out due to not enough members being active.</p>

<p>I'd really like to start CC with a clean slate even if that means giving up any ECs that might've been worth mentioning in high school.</p>

30

<p>why not mention both hs and cc? if you have to choose between the two because you lack space on the application, go with the cc stuff i guess. but the way i look at it, the more the merrier. baseball and chess club are worth mentioning (i think).</p>

31

<p>Do you know if taking the CHSPE and leaving my senior year to go to CC would hurt my chances at all or put me at a disadvantage? I'm probably nit-picking as I've seen tons of people here who got in to Cal by going the same route but Haas is so selective that I feel that any little thing can hurt my chance of getting admitted.</p>

<p>And do I have to have a certain amount of units in CC to join any club? I'd really like to join a club my first Fall semester.</p>

32

<p>i'm unfamiliar with the chspe (we didn't have it at my school)....there is a section on the application for you to discuss such issues....i'd advise explaning why you tested out early because i'm sure the admission committee will notice. i don't think you need any minimum amount of units to join clubs, but i guess that would vary by cc. i would take a decent course load during all semesters because ucb does look at your course load (see: Undergraduate</a> Program - Admissions - Haas School of Business)</p>

<p>as for that spot that i mentioned above, the section reads:</p>

<p>Use this space to clarify or expand on other information as directed earlier in the application (e.g., to list additional names, explain citizenship/visa issues, discuss reasons for applying to EOP, etc.) or to tell us anything else you want us to know about you or your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application.</p>

33

<p>Ah, is that section where you explain such things require an essay type answer? I'm a little confused about the application process... I've heard of the personal statements section so is that where it falls under? Or is that the same thing as the essay questions that you mentioned earlier?</p>

<p>Also is it better to have a consistent course load or to gradually raise it? I plan on taking four courses in the Fall/Spring, two for the summer, and one in the winter. Is five courses in the Fall/Spring along with active participation in a club and doing some volunteering on days I don't go to class reasonable or is it kinda overload?</p>

34

<p>that section that i mentioned is not one of the essays....its just a short section to explain things that are applicable....you are limited to about 5 sentences or so there....not everyone needs to answer, but it's there if you need it....in my case, i took some cc classes while a sophomore in hs (over the summer 03) and then i entered the same cc in fall 06 (after graduating hs). i used the space to explain why a gap appeared in my schoolyears at the cc</p>

<p>the course load depends on you...mine fluctuated....its not alway the number of classes....it could be the number of units that matter....or the difficulty of the classes. you could have three 5 unit classes (calc or a science course) and be maxed out....i did about 16 units per semester and 6 over the summers...one semester i took 21, but i wouldn't advise that. you can transfer up to 70 units i believe....considering the price of a unit at ucb vs price at a cc, you might as well get at least 70 in, but not at the expense of your gpa!</p>

<p>are you on a quarter system at your cc? i'm was on a semester system, so it may be different for you.</p>

35

<p>I'm not exactly sure as I haven't enrolled full-time yet. I'll probably end up taking the CHSPE next month and enroll for the Fall semester (as well as the Summer). </p>

<p>There's also this W that I got in Business Statistics at the end of my sophomore year last year. I did not intend on becoming a business major then nor did I plan on going to CC; I just took the class out of curiosity but I later dropped the class because of time restraints (had to take a summer SAT prep course). Will they see this negatively at all? I always heard that one or two W's won't hurt your chance of admission but it does fall under stats which is a prereq. I do however plan on taking stats later anyway.</p>

36

<p>wow i took a nap and the convo went so far?</p>

<p>ok about ECs every UC adviser would tell u that if its HS EC it would carry little weight
if the EC was during ur CC... cool... if ur CC was from ur HS all the way thru CC till u transfer that would be the best.</p>

<p>well being late is better than never... but it'll be impressive if u show that u've been constantly interested at something, rather than giving up.</p>

<p>it doesn't really have to be business related, u can show that u have other hobbies outside the business realm.</p>

37

<p>When exactly is a "late" time to start? Like the summer before you send in your app?</p>

38

<p>late would be sophmore year... latest would be right b4 u send in ur application... atleast there is SOMETHING there u know rather than u have it blank...
lets say u start in october... so from october til april 30th thats about 6 months thats not THAT bad</p>

39

<p>When do you send in your app? Isn't it like late November?</p>

40

<p>yes, late november</p>