Academics
The Haas School of Business at the University of California—Berkeley is a “top school for academics and recruitment opportunities,” especially “on the West Coast.” Students here note that the MBA program is “outstanding on all levels: professionally, academically, and socially.” Thanks to an environment that encourages student involvement and input, most here “feel like they have a real role in shaping their own academic experiences.” As one student explains, there are “a million ways to get involved and really make a difference. Experiential learning opportunities everywhere you turn.” Things “move fast here” thanks to the structure of the courses, but students find themselves supported by “fantastic” and “accessible” professors who “sincerely care” about these future entrepreneurs. “We learn from professors who not only are recognized as top academics in their respective fields, but also professionals who shape the direction of the industry,” explains one student. Additionally, Haas’ administration “seems to have a singular focus on improving the experience for students.” According to students, “They go to great lengths to take in, process, and change the program per student recommendations.”
Students praise the “small, intimate program” for being exactly that: “small” and “intimate.” “We only have 240 students per class (at least officially...sometimes one or two more get added),” says one student. This “tight-knit” environment creates a distinctly “collaborative culture” that forges lasting connections (which come in handy after graduation). The “caliber of students, faculty, administration, and career services staff” are all “top-notch,” which provides a solid base for development. “Haas excels at entrepreneurship (not just social entrepreneurship),” explains one student. “Its heavy involvement and leadership in the Berkeley Energy Resources Collaborative (BERC) provides great opportunities in alternative/green energy entrepreneurship.” The school also offers a “health care and international business focus.” Another key component of the program is its “close ties” and proximity “to Silicon Valley.” Students also single out their “excellent” dean, Richard Lyons, for praise. As one student says, “He’s an energetic, reputable professor who spent time in the real world on Wall Street.”
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