UCB MFE UCB MFE Admission Results Discussion

[VaibhavChauhan]

My Status - (Hold)
Does it mean "Waitlisted"?

 

[Michaelbevan]

Vaibhav. Hold is different from Waitlisted. Btw when was your status changed to Hold?

 

[VaibhavChauhan]

@Michaelbevan, I checked it today, it is hold.

As you said, hold is different from Waitlisted. Are you sure?? If yes, then what does *hold* mean?

@Andy, can you please comment on this?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Vaibhav
I wish I know the answer for your question. I don't and a lot of applicants seem confused about this as well. I see lot of complains about the way UCB MFE handles their Hold/Waitlist applicants in recent years. The common rant seems to be that the process is designed to make sure UCB has the most flexibility in filling their 60 seats while applicants have to take CFA/pre-program courses and still get the shorter end of the deal.

Whether that's true, I don't know. A representative of the UCB MFE program posted on GD trying to explain this. I would do as she suggested and contact them directly.

First of all, students who are in the waitlist or hold status should contact us directly with questions. Each applicant's situation is unique, and we do want to engage in a dialogue with our applicants. When we ask students in the waitlist or hold status to take courses, read texts, or retake exams, we do this so that the student will be prepared in the event a spot does become available. The Berkeley MFE program is very intensive, and we want to make sure that anyone who joins the program is ready from the first day they are here. We also know from experience and from speaking to candidates on our waitlist that many candidates plan on applying for a future term if they are not admitted this year. If a candidate takes the courses one year, is not admitted, but then is admitted in the following year, the candidate is welcome to retake the courses for free as a refresher.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not ask the waitlisted candidates to take the pre program courses simply to make money. I am not sure where one of the posters got the information that the money goes only to our program, but that statement is false.

In addition, we did not remove the video requirement from the application because we were unhappy with the quality of the 2010 class. We found the process of collecting the videos to be cumbersome, especially since there exists technology (such as skype) that allows us to engage in video chats with candidates in real time.

Two final points: We notify all waitlisted students that there is no guarantee of admission if they complete the steps we ask them to complete. Second, we notify all waitlisted candidates that we keep admissions open until the start of the program in March and that candidates could be notified of a change in status at any time before March.

Again, we want to underscore that concerned applicants should contact the admissions office with questions. This is the best way to obtain information on your status.

 

[VaibhavChauhan]

Thanks a lot Andy for your nice response.

I'll get in touch with those guys.

 

[Michaelbevan]

Hi All,

I just wanted to know what is the realistic chance of getting admitted into the program after being put on "Hold" status. I have also been asked to undertake preprogram courses in stats/Maths/C++. I am more than happy to take those but just wanted to ensure if it is a step in the right direction as its a lot of effort in terms of time and money. I would really appreciate any advice from alumni or their current student in this regard.

Thanks

 

[kmisha]

I am neither a student nor an alumni but it sounds like this "Hold" might mean a conditional acceptance as opposed to a Waitlist? Just an idea...

 

[Michaelbevan]

I am neither a student nor an alumni but it sounds like this "Hold" might mean a conditional acceptance as opposed to a Waitlist? Just an idea...

I thought being a Waitlisted candidate gets you a better chance of getting in.

 

[kmisha]

I guess it is how you look at it. Being Waitlisted - nothing is in your hands. Being conditionally accepted - it is up to you to do well in the courses required for your admission for you to get in.

 

[Kittu]

Sorry to say, a "HOLD" is UCBs way of saying reject(well almost). The idea behind hold, according to them, is that they keep your file for consideration later on. They go on to offer admits to some students and also draw up an unranked WL towards R3/R4. Most of the guys who get late admits(towards Feb) are the ones who move off the WL to Admit. They keep the HOLD as the last buffer, in case the WL empties without UCB filling out their class. Sadly, this rarely happens. Most of the times, people are left stranded on WLs.
I would say, it will be a good idea to make sure all your other applications are sent out in time.

 

[oldfishdk]

Hi All,

I just wanted to know what is the realistic chance of getting admitted into the program after being put on "Hold" status. I have also been asked to undertake preprogram courses in stats/Maths/C++. I am more than happy to take those but just wanted to ensure if it is a step in the right direction as its a lot of effort in terms of time and money. I would really appreciate any advice from alumni or their current student in this regard.

Thanks

You might find this message useful. It is from the global derivatives and answered by someone from Haas.
http://www.global-derivatives.com/forum/index.php?topic=7409.msg45192#msg45192

 

[Michaelbevan]

Thanks oldfishdk/Kittu. This was helpful.

 

[asjankit]

Hello,
Has anybody received interview invites for Round 2 application in HAAS.

 

[teroc]

I am still waiting.

 

[sgupt]

Me too waiting

 

[SagaG]

Just got mine 5 minutes ago...not too happy with myself
Now we wait...
45minutes over the phone, tech questions (finance, stats, brain teaser)

 

[sgupt]

atleast you got the interview..when did u apply (date)?

 

[SagaG]

February the 10th

 

[Andy Nguyen]

atleast you got the interview..when did u apply (date)?

You can get the detailed answer from the Tracker for many other applicants as well.
While you are there, be kind to add your timelines of all the programs you applied.
Cheers

 

[Moumou]

Just got mine 5 minutes ago...not too happy with myself
Now we wait...
45minutes over the phone, tech questions (finance, stats, brain teaser)

Was the interviewer a current student with the same background as you?