When I got my acceptance to UC Berkeley’s UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, I thought I was “ready.” I’d worked full-time at Steakhouse while making the Dean’s List at De Anza College, all while running a personal finance project during the height of COVID-19.
How hard could Haas be, right?
Cut to my first week: I walked in with an outdated resume that still had my old steakhouse at the top, a fresh imposter syndrome subscription, and the humbling realization of what it feels like to enter a room where everyone seems to speak a language you don’t yet know. Phrases like “OCI” and “quant analysis” flew around like casual small talk, while I simultaneously nodded without a clue in mind. That first week reminded me just how steep the jump is from community college to a Top 5 undergrad business school, and how quickly you need to adjust.
Well, here’s my guide to the things I wish I’d known before setting foot onto the high-speed train that is Haas.
1. Survival Starts With Pre-Core
As a transfer, no one really prepares you for navigating the Haas ecosystem. Yes, you receive welcome grins and orientation presentations, but what about the actual survival guide? Finding a way to navigate a new environment without being entangled is something you learn by threading the needle.
We worked on finance problems on Excel, case study prep, and communication workshops, all of which gave me a strong head start. More than that, though, Pre-Core provided me with friends. I showed up to my first day of classes already knowing names, faces, and where the best study spots were. That confidence made the chaos feel manageable.
Of course, even with that boost, I quickly learned that everyone is smart and everyone is also anxious. Students used terms like “case study” and “valuation” like they were ordering coffee in my first business lecture. Meanwhile, I kept up by frantically searching terms on Google. Eventually, I came to understand that the majority of us were winging it, just like me— which made me feel a lot less alone.
Henry with his Cohort at Haas Base Camp. Go Iris! (From: Henry Pham)
2. Treat Financial Aid Like a Part-Time Job
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not taking financial aid and scholarships seriously from day one. I didn’t know what to ask for or when to apply, and I left with a nearly $5,000 bill just from Pre-Core alone, and over $10,000 for the first semester.
Once I figured it out, things changed drastically. I learned to check for mid-year scholarships, email the financial aid office early, and even negotiate when my circumstances shifted. While difficult, reaching out became my lifeline. That reduced my costs by thousands.
Here’s my recommendation: for the first month, treat your scholarship search like a part-time job. Set aside some time each week, keep track of due dates, and don’t be scared to ask questions. Receiving the reward could make the difference between barely making ends meet and having the time and energy to devote to your studies.
3. Office Hours Are Free Therapy (and Tutoring)
I used to think office hours were just for clarifying assignments. Now, realize that they are the most underappreciated kind of therapy available on campus. I walked in with a straightforward project question, and one professor spent thirty minutes helping me deal with imposter syndrome. She informed me that “learning the language is half of the business.” The realization that you already know the game is the other half.” I admittedly remembered that for a lot longer than anything on the curriculum.
I also developed the practice of working on my assignments in silence during business hours. I could hear other students’ queries since I was in the room, and they frequently helped me understand things I wasn’t even aware I was having trouble with. It was like having a study group and one-on-one coaching together.
4. Haas Has Its Own Language
Henry’s first time visiting Haas (From: Henry Pham)
The hidden curriculum at Haas is its language. Acronyms and jargon fly everywhere—OCI, FTMBA, FT offer. Whether you’re in the flagship Undergraduate Business Program (UGBA), the global-focused GMP, the engineering-meets-business M.E.T. program, or the life sciences hybrid LSBE, you’re expected to keep up.
I initially felt like an outsider and simply pretended to understand exactly what they were talking about. After that, I began creating my own glossary. It sounds small, but it changed everything. Suddenly, I could join conversations instead of faking it. That tiny act turned alienation into agency.
5. Being a Transfer Is a Superpower
For a long time, I thought being a transfer student put me behind. And unfortunately, being branded as a transfer may put one behind in the perspective of clubs and continuing students. In reality, it gave me grit, adaptability, and perspective. I learned discipline at community college, adaptability by switching majors, and time management from working full-time. Those lessons aren’t erased at Haas; they’re celebrated.
As a cohort leader, I witnessed how my narrative gave other transfers a sense of belonging. I came to the realization that having the “perfect” path is not important. It all comes down to believing that you belong and having the ingenuity to make it your own.
The grind is real, the acronyms are confusing, and yes, the coffee/boba is very overpriced. But you’re here for a reason. And once you embrace that, the rest falls into place.
Henry Pham didn’t take the “traditional” path to UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, but he’ll take late-night study grinds, leftover Chipotle bowls, and transfer student hustle any day. As a full-time employee, first-generation student, and champion of personal finance, he is here to transform real-life challenges into actionable plans. If there’s one thing he’s learned? Grit beats clout, and it’s not the perfect path that gets you there, but the unwavering conviction that you belong.
© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.
