How important is work experience for Haas?

<p>I know that the breakdown for Haas is:
50% coursework + grades
35% essays
15% EC/Work Experience</p>

<p>But i've noticed that particularly strong work experience seems to be common among CCC Haas transfers. Can anyone comment on this? I'm mainly curious because i'm lacking in meaningful business-related WE, but i'm strong in EC's and everything else (have a 4.0, will have all but 1 prereq done by end of Fall and all done by end of Spring, tons of volunteering/somewhat business-related on-campus leadership, lots of awards, etc.).</p>

<p>Do you guys think it's worth scrambling to try to get something at this late point? Would they care if I secured something for Spring like an accounting gig?</p>

<p>Where’d you get those statistics? I’m nearly certain that your UC prompt essay does not weigh as heavily as 35%. On topic, it’s too late now to get a job/work exp. Applications are submitted @ fall and the only thing you can update is your grades @ spring. So if you did get something for spring, it wouldn’t be on your app. I doubt it would matter too much anyways if everything else on your app is solid.</p>

<p>[Application</a> and Selection Calendar, Undergraduate Program - Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley](<a href=“Admission FAQ - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Admission FAQ - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas)</p>

<p>what are your EC’s/ duration in them?</p>

<p>You look like you are a great candidate for Haas. But ask yourself, is more business related work going to help your chances at getting into a business program?</p>

<p>You’re doing what you can, but I don’t see how more business experience will hurt you. I know that wasn’t your question but I just think it’s pretty clear what they may want.</p>

<p>Hey I don’t check these forums very often anymore because I’m so busy…</p>

<p>But I got into haas as a transfer this fall and I will have to tell you work experience is extremely important. Most continuing cal students have decent business internships beginning their sophomore year at Cal. As a transfer, in order to be slightly competitive when you come to haas, you need to have had at least an internship or two. Otherwise, when recruiting season comes you are left in the dust. I am sure admissions officers know this so they will prefer transfers who have relevant work experience at ccc. Haas kids who go into finance make 100K+ a year (salary is usually $60k, bonuses are 75% of that). Therefore to get in, standards are very high. Good luck.</p>

<p>this makes me question whether i should bother applying to haas. i have ECs, but only a little such as 30 hours of volunteering and club officer roles but very little work experience and 0 business/accounting internships. Will maintaining a 4.0 gpa with my prereqs and gen eds make up for this at all?</p>

<p>@bruin</p>

<p>I concur with Investment, work experience is EXTREMELY important… not having any will hurt you.</p>

<p>I have a question that’s related to this thread (I will also be applying to Haas): </p>

<p>I am thinking of dropping my Honors English 101 class (for a W) this semester because it’s getting very difficult to balance my time with school and work. I’m interning at a financial advisory firm 25 hours/week and currently enrolled in 17 units, but I’m debating whether I should drop one course and just take it in the spring so I can focus and do well in the other classes. If I drop, I will have 14 units (11 of them are honors). I have a 4.0 thus far but there’s a very high chance I will get a B or C in this class (hard teacher + my strengths are in math/econ/etc., not english/humanities). It is a requirement for Haas but I can take it in the Spring to be eligible for admission.</p>

<p>Will this W hurt/is it worth dropping? I know Haas looks at courseload but is 14 units considered “weak” or looked down upon as opposed to 17 units? Any other thoughts/advice would be great. Thanks!</p>

<p>KMZ - Drop the class.</p>

<p>14 units, 25hr a week internship is excellent.</p>

<p>Then sould I apply to plain Econ as opposed to Haas?</p>

<p>My career plans definitely include accounting and CPA-ing possibly. given the choice between UCSB’s Econ and Accounting and Berkeley’s Econ, would it be a bad decision to go to Berkeley?</p>

<p>Dang it. i’m seriously contemplating whether i should bother taking Intro Business (Haas prereq) because the window to withdraw and resubmit TAG is closing in a couple of hours. </p>

<p>i feel like there would be no point in taking Intro Bus because my lack of ECs/work would apparently make Haas such a huuuuuuge reach. Not sure if i should take it anyway…</p>