Hi GMATClub,
bb asked for me to post a quick update. Out of gratitude for the GMATClub and for BB I wanted to provide a quick post.
I am an EMBA Class of 2022 at Berkeley Haas. Our cohort delayed class start from May 2020, to August 2022 and also delayed our graduation from December 2021 to ~May 2022. We have a very strong cohort from a variety of backgrounds, but overall Big Tech heavy and generally in the SF Bay Area. Academics and time constraints have been more challenging than I expected with other commitments such as, full-time work, military reserve requirements, professional development, networking and preparing for a career pivot, and family. However, grading seems to run on a curve so there is a safety net and EMBA graduates emphasize not to focus on grades.
The Haas culture is very positive. I am still contemplating a pivot to management / strategy consulting and other options in May 2022 after graduation. The Career Management Group and alumni network are robust and willing to help. The Haas Vets Club is very strong and well connected for career pivots.
Overall, I do not have regrets in my decision and the choices I made. I think any of the EMBA programs I was applying to (Chicago Booth, UCLA Anderson, Duke Fuqua, and Michigan Ross) would have provided me great opportunities. At times I experience a sort of FOMO and start to think, "Well, if I had selected Booth then..." I have to remind myself I made the right choice for me, my family, and my professional goals.
Overall, decision-making for school is very personal with a multitude of Pro's and Con's that have to be carefully evaluated. Ranking and Poets & Quants should never be looked at in a vacuum. For anyone making the decision to go to business school, please evaluate your long-term professional goals and work backward analyzing what is required to reach those goals and different paths. Do not discount your unique personal situation. Find and target the program that fits best for your personal and professional needs. A couple of good resources to evaluate these questions include
Designing Your Life and the Ickigai Method.
https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Your-L ... 1101875321https://medium.com/thrive-global/ikigai ... 71d01992b7Feel free to reach out, especially if you are evaluating Haas EMBA and/or are a veteran!