<p>I am a CCC transfer looking to hopefully transfer into UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.</p>
<p>I've heard countless rumors of Haas only looking at 4.0 students. I know that this might not necessarily be true, but I figured that rumors don't come from nowhere, so I've been working really hard throughout community college.
Until this semester, I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA. However, during finals this semester, I got extremely sick, and had difficulty with most of my finals. Despite this, I was able to get A's in most of my classes. However, I got a B in a non-UC transferable course (1 unit class) on Student Government. (This class is a prerequisite for one to be in Student Senate at my community college.) In the history of my community college, the highest grade ever received in this class is rumored to be a B+, so I don't think I ever really had a chance at this class. I am concerned that receiving a B in a 1 unit class might have a great affect on my chances of getting in, as so many other applicants have 4.0s. </p>
<p>In addition, I was extremely sick in my microecon final exam. I was able to maintain a 94% throughout the semester, but was struck with an intense headache, greatly affecting how I did in the exam. I don't know what I got in the class yet, but I am assuming it might not be an A. (Probably an A-). How will me having an A-, or possibly a B+ in a class as important as microecon for my major affect my chances of admission? Other than these 2 classes mentioned, I've received an A in all my other classes. (All my major prereqs for Haas is completed)</p>
<p>So just to clarify: I’ve received A’s in Intro to Business, Statistics, Macro Economics, Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and English. Not sure about what I got in Micro econ. Got a B in a 1 Unit non-UC transferable class</p>
<p>That’s not true at all that they only look at 4.0s. In fact they themselves state otherwise. UCB is holistic (as is Haas). A group of nothing but 4.0s limits the diversity. Needless to say GPA needs to be very high, but they put a huge amount of emphasis on your ECs and essays. </p>
<p>I’m a fellow HAAS student, and just transferred in beginning this Fall semester. From my personal talks with other fellow transfers, most of us did have GPA’s above 3.9+ and as with this calculation, many of us did achieve a B, or two in our classes. With that being said, I think the holistic approach is the bigger factor in terms of the admissions team differentiating you from other applicants. </p>
<p>I personally had a 4.0 UC GPA, but a 3.93 Overall GPA from getting a B in a pre-calculus class in my first semester of college. With that being said, I held a position as a junior finance controller at a local firm (mentioned to them how I worked full-time while taking on a full load) and also held an investment portfolio that was beating the S&P 500 by 3 times the return in a 3 year valuation period with a large holding in volume size. Again, the important factor for me was combining these achievements and depicting the bigger picture of me and for what it will allow me to become by using the HAAS brand. </p>
<p>I really don’t think there’s much of a difference between a 3.9 something and a 4.0. From what I’ve heard from my friends at Haas, GPA is mostly just like a prerequisite for them to consider you, while activities and personal statement are what really get you in. I’m not saying GPA isn’t important–it is–but as long as you have a really high GPA, it’s not like someone with a 3.98 has a very significant advantage over someone with a 3.93. They mostly use it as a way to filter out the non-competitive candidates. That’s just what I’ve heard.</p>
Usually when 3.8+ students are denied admission it has more to do with their ecs/essays. Haas wants students who are more than just a nice gpa. They are looking for students who are going to contribute to the diversity of the campus and take advantage of everything the school has to offer.
You didn’t mention your ecs/essays but as long as those are impressive/strong you should be fine.
I’m a haas hopeful and your gpa is much higher than mine, hope to see you in the fall
@lindyk8 great point! I’ve mentioned many times to my friends (four other students in my business club are applying to haas) that the transfer acceptance rate looks really intimidating when you don’t factor in that little, yet significant, detail.
I don’t wish that feeling upon anyone to find out that you were denied admission not because you weren’t qualified, but because you didn’t complete a class
It’s interesting @teamamerica because I don’t think the requirements are all that daunting. I mean Calc is hard, and maybe economics, but there aren’t that many pre-requisites. Some of those STEMS make this line-up look like a puppy run.
Hahah @lindyk8 the classic stem - majors vs business major debate. Yeah, business majors always get pegged as soft and spoiled students who couldn’t hack it in a stem major. Personally, I love to learn, and I found calc 2 relatively interesting, but its the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
From what ive seen from friend’s books/hw calc 3 doesn’t seem enjoyable, but I found differentials to seem pretty intuitive. I’ve never really looked at linear before. From what I’ve seen physics seems interesting and fun to learn but that’s easy to say when I don’t have to study it 10-15 hrs/week. I have no interest for ochem and have tremendous respect for students who get through those types of classes with ease.
with that being said, I’ve had friends majoring in engineering struggle to maintain a low B in accounting and/or econ classes.
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