5. Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many people apply to the Full-time MBA Program each year?
The program receives approximately 3,000 applications in a typical year. 2. What are the application deadlines?
There are four application deadlines for Fall 2006: Round 1: For applications that are complete and submitted by November 4, 2005, decisions will be sent beginning January 30, 2006. Round 2: For applications that are complete and submitted by December 12, 2005, decisions will be sent beginning March 20, 2006. Round 3: For applications that are complete and submitted by January 20, 2006, decisions will be sent beginning April 24, 2006. Round 4: For applications that are complete and submitted by March 10, 2006, decisions will be sent beginning May 22, 2006. Note: the GMAT and TOEFL must be taken on or before the designated deadline. Your complete online application must be submitted prior to midnight Pacific Standard Time the evening of the deadline. In addition, all supplemental materials must be postmarked on or before the deadline date. 3. Where do I send my supplemental application materials?
MBA Admissions
Haas School of Business
University of California, Berkeley
430 Student Services Bldg #1902
Berkeley, CA 94720-1902 4. What are the average GMAT scores and GPAs of admitted applicants?
Over the past 5 years admitted applicants had an average GMAT score of 700, while the range for the middle 80% was typically 650 to 750. On average admitted applicants had an undergraduate GPA of 3.5. Please keep in mind that these are only averages, and are not required to apply or to be admitted. For a profile of the current class, please visit http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/community_02.html. 5. If I have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score does the admissions committee consider? Does the Admissions Committee average the scores?
No. The admissions committee considers the highest score. 6. What are the institution codes for the GMAT and TOEFL?
The code to have GMAT and TOEFL scores sent to the full-time program is 4833. Be sure to list department code 02 in addition to institution code 4833 when ordering TOEFL scores. 7. When are my GMAT and TOEFL scores no longer valid?
For fall 2006 admission, we accept official scores from GMAT tests taken as early as Octobe 2000. For fall 2006 admission, TOEFL tests taken before June 2004 will not be accepted even if your score was previously reported to Berkeley. There are no exceptions to these dates. 8. Can I substitute the GRE for the GMAT?
No. The GMAT is required of all applicants. While we routinely receive applications from prospective students who have advanced degrees that required sitting for other high-level standardized tests, such as PhDs, JDs or MDs, the requirement to take the GMAT is never waived. 9. If I have received multiple bachelor's or master's degrees, which GPA do you consider?
The admission committee reviews your entire academic record; however, the committee focuses more heavily on your first bachelor's degree. 10. Should I apply for Round 1?
Applicants are encouraged to apply in the earliest round possible. However, we also encourage you to apply only when you are able to submit the strongest application possible. Although there is no particular preference given to applications submitted in Round 1, applications are reviewed in the order received, and it is possible that many of the offers of admission will be made from Rounds 1 and 2. 11. What about recommendations? Whom should I ask to write them?
We prefer that both letters come from a current or former employer. Select individuals with whom you have had considerable professional interaction such as your supervisor or a major client. The title or status of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities and interpersonal skills in an organizational context. For this reason, we discourage academic references. Letters of recommendation from co-workers, someone you have supervised, or personal and family friends are inappropriate and can be detrimental to the review of your application. 12. What if I just completed my undergraduate program and do not have full-time work experience?
Although not a formal requirement, virtually all of our students have two or more years of professional work experience since the completion of their bachelor's degrees. Over the past 5 years our admitted applicants had on average 5 years of post-university work experience. 13. If I have already completed MBA classes at another university may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?
We do not transfer MBA credit from other universities, so any work that you had completed at other institutions would not count toward a degree at UC Berkeley. You could potentially test out of core courses, but that is at the discretion of the faculty and would not expedite your graduation, as all of our students must complete the same number of units. 14. What is the required TOEFL score for international applicants?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered in three formats, paper and pencil, computer-based, and internet-based. If you take the paper and pencil version, your score must be at least 570 out of 677. If you take the computer-based test, you must earn a score of at least 230 out of 300. And if you take the internet-based version, you must earn a score of at least 89. For detailed information about the TOEFL please visit the TOEFL web site at http://www.toefl.org/. 15. Am I eligible to apply to the MBA program if I received a bachelor's degree from India?
Minimum academic requirements for international applicants are a 4-year bachelor's degree or a master's degree (2 years after your bachelor's degree). Recognized basic or first degrees from India include B. Engineering (in Engineering only), B.Sc in Engineering, B. Tech, B. Architecture, B. Veterinary Medicine, B. Agriculture, B. Pharmacy or a masters degree in a non-engineering field. Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Cost Works Accountants, Associate of Business Management, and Associate of Institute of Engineers are NOT acceptable as substitutes for a four-year degree. You are ineligible to be admittted with only a 3-year bachelor's degree; therefore, you would need to complete a master's degree (2 years after your bachelor's degree) in order to apply. A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) awarded by the Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow (2 years beyond bachelor's) is recognized as a basic or first degree. 16. Are there prerequisite requirements for the Haas MBA?
There are no specific prerequisite requirements for the full-time Haas MBA program. However, the admissions committee does look for certain qualities in applications received, which are described in the admissions information section web pages. The Evening & Weekend MBA does have prerequisite requirements, which are described in detail in the Evening & Weekend MBA web pages. 17. Am I eligible to apply if I already have an MBA degree from another university?
University policy prohibits the awarding of duplicate degrees. We are unable to consider your application if you have an MBA or comparable degree from an institution of higher learning. 18. Is it necessary to have an interview? When should I expect to receive an invitation to interview?
Interviews are conducted solely at the invitation of the admissions committee, and only after the initial review of your application. Therefore, we ask that you please refrain from contacting us to request an interview. Receiving an invitation should be taken as a sign of interest on the part of the admissions committee and few applicants will be admitted without an interview. Interviews are offered both with current students on campus and with alumni in cities around the world. If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified via email anywhere from 4 weeks after submitting your application up to the notification deadline. We will not begin to interview round 1 applicants until January. 19. How can I reactivate my application if I have applied previously?
If you have submitted an application to the program within the past two years, you are required to complete and submit the following portions of the application: Personal Data I and II; Test Scores; Employment section, including a current resume; Education section; and $175 application fee. In addition, you must send a current transcript for any new coursework. Be sure that your test scores meet current test date requirements. Applicants to the concurrent degree programs should contact the admissions office to determine their requirements for reactivation. Assuming that an application was complete at the time of submission, you will need to answer the short answer question 1 and essay question 1, which are new to the fall 2006 application. In addition, if you would like to be considered for a Haas Achievement Award, please answer essay question 4. Updating any other application materials is optional, although the admissions committee does note the effort that candidates put into their reapplication. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the admissions committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay to provide this information. In addition, you are encouraged to submit one or two new letters of recommendation. 20. I'm having trouble accessing the Online Application. What is the problem?
You must have a Login Account to access the Online Application and you must have your internet browser set to accept cookies. To get a Login and Password you have two options: - Complete a "Request Program Guide" form. After creating your login account, return to the Online Application opening page and click on "Apply Online". You will be sent to a site that asks for your Login and Password. Click the "register here" link and you will be sent to a site that asks you to re-enter and confirm your name and date of birth. After you enter this information you will be given a username and a password. We will also send you an email with this information. You can change your password to something more easily remembered by clicking the Password link on the Admissions menu.
- If you do not want to receive a copy of our paper Program Guide, click on Login/out on the Admissions menu. You will be sent to a site that asks you to enter and confirm your name and date of birth. Click the "register here" link. You will be asked to enter some basic information. After entering this information, you will be sent back to the site where you can re-enter and confirm your name and birth date. After you enter this information you will be given a username and password. We will also email you this information. You can change your password to something more easily remembered by clicking the "Password" link on the Admissions menu.
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