Live Chat August 30, 2010, 2:05PM EST

Chat Transcript: UC-Berkeley MBA Admissions

Haas' Stephanie Fujii fields questions on application essays, job opportunities, and campus culture during a live chat event

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Stephanie Fujii (Screen Name: FujiiAtHaas), senior associate director of admissions at the University of California at Berkeley's Haas School of Business (Haas Full-Time MBA Profile), took part in a live chat event on Businessweek.com on Aug. 26. She fielded questions from the audience and Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Francesca Di Meglio (Screen Name: FrancescaBW) on everything from application essays and study-abroad options to Haas' new strategic plan. Here are edited excerpts from their conversation:

psampat: In your opinion, what makes Haas different from other top-tier MBA programs?

FujiiAtHaas: Our people, culture, and community [make us different]. Earlier this spring, our dean [Richard K. Lyons] launched our strategic plan. It outlines the type of leader we develop at Berkeley-Haas, as well as the school's defining principles: confidence without attitude, question the status quo, students always and beyond yourself. (You can find more information about these on our website.) We believe these are distinguishing factors. This fall we are launching Berkeley Innovative Leader Development (BILD), which is the connecting theme running throughout [the plan].

ssbrown: I see that the on-campus information sessions begin next week. Is that something for which we need to pre-register?

FujiiAtHaas: No, you don't need to register for the daily information sessions. We will start our class and lunch with current students programs the following week, and you only need to register online to attend a class.

psampat: I've heard from many admissions people and from other peers that one needs to differentiate oneself from the rest of the applicants. What does that mean, and how can someone go about it?

FujiiAtHaas: Everyone has a unique set of experiences. We evaluate three main areas in your application: academic preparation, professional accomplishments and leadership, and personal qualities. (We have podcasts with tips for each of these areas.) You'll want to make sure you're competitive in all areas. Those candidates who stand out are authentic, passionate, and have a clear and consistent story.

bskool11_2: I'm extremely excited that Berkeley has joined the Consortium [for Graduate Study in Management, which promotes diversity in business and awards merit-based, full-tuition fellowships to women and minority MBA candidates]. Do you have any targets for the number of applicants Haas will consider via this application process?

FujiiAtHaas: We're very excited as well! Since this is our first-year rejoining the Consortium, we have no targets (or clear expectations at this point). We hope to receive as many as possible.

psampat: Does Haas place a stronger emphasis on the quantitative section of the GMAT?

FujiiAtHaas: We are evaluating your quantitative preparation, so we're looking at your undergraduate coursework, GMAT quant subscore, and relevant work experience. If any of these areas is less competitive, we'll look more closely at the other areas.

bskool11_2: Would focusing on the health-care management certificate preclude students from pursuing any other activities at Haas, such as study abroad?

FujiiAtHaas: Not necessarily. There are a certain number of requirements that you must fulfill. Since you start taking electives your second semester, it's possible to meet those requirements even if you go abroad in the fall of your second year. This could mean that you're more constrained in terms of the electives you'll take while at Haas, though.