haas mba essay sample

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Essays help us learn about who you are as a person and how you will add to our community. We seek candidates from a broad range of industries, backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences.

Our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles - Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your alignment with our principles. 

Below are the required essays, supplemental essays, and optional essays for the Fall 2023-2024 application cycle. 

Required Essay #1

What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

How will an MBA help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals? (300 words max)

Required Essay #3 - Video

Required Essay #4 - Short Answer

Optional Essays

The admissions team takes a holistic approach to application review and seeks to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, qualifications, and experiences. We will consider achievements in the context of the opportunities available to a candidate. Some applicants may have faced hardships or unusual life circumstances, and we will consider the maturity, perseverance, and thoughtfulness with which they have responded to and/or overcome them.

Optional Information #1

We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements.

Optional Information #2 

Supplemental Information

• If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.
• Name of organization or activity
• Nature of organization or activity
• Size of organization
• Dates of involvement
• Offices held
• Average number of hours spent per month
• List full-time and part-time jobs held during undergraduate or graduate studies indicating the employer, job title, employment dates, location, and the number of hours worked per week for each position held prior to the completion of your degree.
• If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. If not, please enter N/A. (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission.)

Video: Extracurricular Supplement Tips

Senior Associate Director of Full-time Admissions, Cindy Jennings Millette, shares how we look at, and evaluate, extracurricular and community involvement.

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How to Get into Haas School of Business: Berkeley Haas Essay Tips and Examples

June 6, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

Berkeley Haas 2023–2024 Essay Tips

Required essay #1: what makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why (300 words maximum).

Perhaps you are familiar with the psychological concept of “flow,” which is a mental state people enter when they are completely immersed in and focused on something they enjoy and are enthusiastic about—it is also described as being “in the zone.” With this question, Berkeley Haas is basically asking you to discuss what puts you in the zone. If you are truly excited about something—and, we would assume, therefore engage in it on a regular basis—writing about it should not prove too challenging. Like all other application questions, this one has no “right” answer, so do not try to guess what you think the school wants to hear. Authenticity is key to your success here. Note that the prompt includes the words “when you are doing it,” so although you may feel strongly about certain causes or values, such as animal rights or environmental matters, for this essay, you will need to discuss an activity rather than an ideology.  

The school does not stipulate that your topic needs to come from a specific area of your life (e.g., professional life, community service, personal life). We appreciate that you are likely passionate about your career, but this is not automatically your best choice for a topic here, especially given that the school’s second required essay offers a better opportunity to discuss your professional side. What Berkeley Haas wants to learn from this essay is what gets your heart pumping and mind revving. Enthusiasm and intensity can be very inspiring and energizing and can lead to big ideas and actions. Sharing what incites such feelings in you gives the admissions committee an idea of where you might someday make an impression on the world, how you might leave your mark—especially once you are equipped with all you will gain and learn during your MBA experience.

That said, do not worry if the thing you feel so fervently about might initially seem commonplace to someone else. For example, perhaps you feel passionate about basketball. Because this is an interest anyone could share and enjoy, you might have concerns that it could sound pedestrian or unremarkable—and for many, this is a completely unremarkable pastime and one they should not write about. If, however, you can show that you have engaged with basketball in a way that takes the activity well beyond being a commonplace hobby and that it is something you connect with on a deep level and in various ways (perhaps having played for many years, you now coach youth teams from underprivileged neighborhoods in your community), then it most definitely becomes an acceptable discussion topic. In such a case, basketball could be used to reveal intensity, dedication, commitment to yourself and others, growth, longevity, and/or resilience. Of course, we are offering basketball here just for illustration purposes. We imagine you likely feel the flow when engaging in a completely different activity or even in disparate activities that are unified by a single behavior, such as when you are creating something or perhaps motivating others. The options are very much endless.

Once you have identified the passion you wish to discuss, avoid simply telling the admissions committee about it and instead illustrate how it manifests in your life. For example, rather than starting your essay by stating, “I have been watching and playing basketball since I was a child,” you need to create a more vivid impression of your dedication and involvement, such as “From playing with my brothers after school to varsity ball in college to now coaching a youth league in my community, I can hardly remember a time when basketball wasn’t an integral part of my life.” Or consider a more narrative approach, such as, “Dripping with sweat, I thrust my right arm up and knocked the basketball away, just as the buzzer sounded.” Once you have set the scene and presented the object of your fervor, you must then explain why you connect with it so strongly or so well. Perhaps it gives you a sense of peace or purpose, or it makes you feel connected with others in a meaningful way, or it allows you to challenge yourself mentally or physically. A successful essay response will not only paint a clear picture of your passion but also highlight the elements of your personality that make it significant to you.

Required Essay #2: How will an MBA help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals? (300 words max)

With this rather no-nonsense query about your motivation to earn an MBA and expectations as to where you will go with it professionally after graduation, Haas simply wants you to spell out what you have in mind as you approach this phase of your life and career. With just 300 words, focus on presenting your answer as directly and thoroughly as possible. Keep in mind that the rest of your application needs to provide evidence that your stated goals align with your existing skills and interests, especially once they have been augmented by an MBA education. This will show that your professed objectives are achievable and thereby lend credibility to your statement. Also take care to present your goals in such a way that the transition from your short-term objective to your long-term aspiration makes sense. Although the school does not explicitly ask you to discuss your past experiences here or why its program in particular is the best one for you, succinctly touching on both of these points would be advisable and important to both providing context for your stated goals and demonstrating your fit with and need for a Haas MBA specifically.

This straightforward question basically constitutes the core of a typical personal statement essay. And because personal statements are similar from one application to the next, we created our mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , which helps applicants write this style of essay for any school. This publication is available free of charge and provides both detailed guidance and illustrative sample essays. Be sure to download your copy today.

Required Essay #3: (Video) The Berkeley MBA program develops leaders who embody our four Defining Leadership Principles . Briefly introduce yourself to the admissions committee, explain which leadership principle resonates most with you, and tell us how you have exemplified the principle in your personal or professional life. (Not to exceed 2 minutes.)

Start by taking a deep breath. We understand that video essays can make you feel like you are being put on the spot, but Haas is really not trying to stress you out. The admissions committee simply wants a more dynamic representation of your personality than a written essay can provide. So just deliver your response honestly, as smoothly as you can (despite any nervousness you might be feeling), and be yourself. 

If you have not done so already, you should of course start by familiarizing yourself with the four Defining Leadership Principles so you can determine which one you connect with most and should therefore speak on in your video: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. This question offers you incredible flexibility and is essentially an opportunity for you to share a strong relevant story from your past—one that relates directly to one of the four key principles. First you must “introduce yourself to the admissions committee,” and given that this part is about a topic you know very well (you!), the only real challenge will be keeping this portion succinct. (Remember that your entire video can be no longer than two minutes!) After that, launch right into your story. Absolutely avoid beginning your anecdote with a statement like “The key principle I have displayed is [fill in the blank].” Instead, let your actions speak for themselves and naturally reveal the connection with one of Haas’s four key tenets. If that connection is not clear on its own, you need to keep refining your story until it is. In a little under two minutes, you can absolutely convey a clear narrative with a distinct beginning, middle, and end that shows the admissions committee your strengths, rather than simply stating that you possess certain characteristics. Do not use any part of your video to pitch your candidacy, detail your career goals, or express your admiration for the program. 

Remember to bring energy and enthusiasm to your submission. You are trying to connect with the admissions committee as well as communicate information, so a little charisma is welcome.

Required Essay #4 (Short Answer): Can you please describe any experience or exposure you have in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging whether through community organizations, personal, or in the workplace? (300 words max)

Without question, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are on many people’s (and companies’) minds these days, and Haas is certainly not the only top MBA program asking its applicants to discuss these topics. Some schools are asking candidates to discuss a time when they cultivated a more diverse community or encountered a challenge related to DEI or had their world view altered by a DEI-related experience, but Haas’s prompt leaves things a bit more open-ended: “ any experience or exposure” (emphasis ours). Given that this is a required essay—albeit a short one—this leeway will likely be helpful to candidates who might have less exposure to such issues or environments.

You can draw from any area of your life (professional, personal, community/volunteer), so truly reflect on the entirety of your background for possible stories for this essay. Consider your role in the different situations. Were you a leader of a diverse team? A participant or member of a diverse group? An observer? The object of someone else’s focus? Next, consider both your actions and the effect the experience had on you. Did you learn a valuable takeaway or change your mind about an issue, person, or group? Did you change someone else’s perspective? Were you inspired to act in some way—or to maybe cease acting in some way? Did you have to (or choose to) speak up or confront someone, and if so, why? 

You do not need to have led a revolution or camped out for days in protest to craft a compelling, effective response to this question (though such stories would understandably make an impression). Authenticity, honesty, and sincerity are all key here. Speak genuinely and directly about your personal experience in the DEI/justice/belonging space and share its import for you and the effect it has had on you, so the Haas admissions committee can understand your level of  familiarity and engagement with these meaningful issues.

Optional Essays: The admissions team takes a holistic approach to application review and seeks to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, qualifications, and experiences. We will consider achievements in the context of the opportunities available to a candidate. Some applicants may have faced hardships or unusual life circumstances, and we will consider the maturity, perseverance, and thoughtfulness with which they have responded to and/or overcome them.

Optional information #1: we invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements..

1. What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)? 

• Did not complete high school
• High school diploma or equivalency (GED), associate’s degree (junior college), or vocational degree/license
• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS)
• Master’s degree (MA, MS)
• Doctorate or professional degree (MD, JD, DDS)

2. What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

• Skilled worker
• Professional

3. If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate.

• Raised by a single parent
• Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)
• Raised in a multi-generational home
• Raised in foster care

4. What was the primary language spoken in your childhood home?

5. If you have ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate.

• Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)

6. Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (300 words maximum)

Optional Information #2: This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.

Although Berkeley Haas’s first optional essay prompt is somewhat elaborate, it is not necessarily all that complicated, and we imagine it will offer some applicants an easy way of highlighting particular elements of their background without having to try to fit them into a different essay. The school clearly wants direct information and basic explanation(s) from this option, so simply answer the questions and succinctly provide any necessary clarifications using the allocated word count. The second optional essay prompt asks applicants to focus specifically on information they deem most “relevant,” and the lack of a word limit means candidates can fully explain whatever they feel the admissions committee truly must know to be able to evaluate them fully and fairly, though the note about using bullet points implies that succinctness would be appreciated. This is not , however, a blank-slate invitation to dump every bit of remaining information about yourself that you feel the school is lacking. Also, avoid the temptation to simply reuse a strong essay you wrote for another program here or to offer a few anecdotes you were unable to incorporate into your other Berkeley Haas essays. Be judicious in your use of this opportunity, and submit an optional essay only if you truly believe a key element of your story or profile is needed for the school to have a complete and accurate understanding of you as a candidate. Consider downloading your free copy of our  mbaMission Optional Essays Guide , in which we offer detailed advice on when and how to take advantage of the optional essay (including multiple sample essays) to help you mitigate any problem areas in your profile. 

The Next Step: Mastering Your Berkeley Haas Interview

Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. And to help you develop this high level of preparation, we offer our  free Interview Guides ! Download your free copy of the  Berkeley Haas School of Business Interview Guide  today.

To learn more about the essays for other top business schools, visit our MBA Essay Tips and Examples Resources Page .

2023-2024 Berkeley-Haas Business School Essays MBA Essay Tips

Tags: Berkeley Haas business school essay MBA application essays optional essay

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2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

• Anderson School of Management
• Cambridge Judge Business School
• Chicago Booth School of Business
• Columbia Business School
• Cox School of Business
• Darden School of Business
• Esade Business School
• Fisher College of Business
• Foster School of Business
• Fuqua School of Business
• Goizueta Business School
• Haas School of Business
• Harvard Business School
• HKUST Business School
• IE Business School
• IESE Business School
• International Institute for Management Development
• Ivey Business School
• Johnson Graduate School of Management
• Kellogg School of Management
• Kenan-Flagler Business School
• London Business School
• Marshall School of Business
• McCombs School of Business
• McDonough School of Business
• Mendoza College of Business
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• Questrom School of Business
• Ross School of Business
• Rotman School of Management
• Saïd Business School
• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• Stern School of Business
• Tepper School of Business
• The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
• The Wharton School
• Tuck School of Business
• Villanova School of Business
• Yale School of Management
• Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management Essay Analysis, 2023–2024

Click here for the 2022–2023 MBA Essay Tips

MBA Program Updates

• Berkeley-Haas
• Boston University (Questrom)
• Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
• Columbia University (Columbia Business School)
• Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
• Cornell University (Johnson)
• Dartmouth College (Tuck)
• Duke University (Fuqua)
• Emory University (Goizueta)
• George Washington University (GWSB)
• Georgetown University (McDonough)
• Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
• Indian School of Business
• Indiana University (Kelley)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
• New York University (Stern)
• Northwestern University (Kellogg)
• Notre Dame (Mendoza)
• Ohio State University (Fisher College)
• Oxford University (Saïd Business School)
• Penn State Smeal College of Business
• Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business)
• Stanford University (Stanford Graduate School of Business)
• University of California Los Angeles (Anderson)
• University of Cambridge (Judge)
• University of Chicago (Booth)
• University of London (London Business School)
• University of Michigan (Ross)
• University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
• University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
• University of Southern California (Marshall)
• University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)
• University of Virginia (Darden)
• Vanderbilt University (Owen)
• Yale University (School of Management)

2023-2024 Berkeley Haas MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Sep 11, 2023

• Who is Berkeley Haas looking for?
• How should I answer Berkeley Haas essay questions?
• Get into the Berkeley Haas MBA
• Haas Application Deadlines

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on September 6, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

With its location in the heart of Silicon Valley and relentless focus on challenging the status quo, Berkeley Haas is at the top of many innovators’ list of dream schools. 

However, as the number of people seeking to break into tech – and the attraction of attending an MBA in the heart of Silicon Valley – grows every year, getting admitted to Haas’ small MBA class is harder than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Berkeley Haas admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to Berkeley Haas MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Haas application your best shot.

1. Who is Berkeley Haas looking for?

(Photo courtesy of @berkeleyhaas on Instagram)

“The Berkeley MBA Program develops innovative leaders who know how to put new ideas to work, and to do so responsibly. By leveraging the innovative energy that’s ever-present in Berkeley Haas culture and in the business ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Area, the program teaches you how to seize opportunities, challenge conventional wisdom, and act creatively.” Berkeley Haas Admissions 

Every year, Haas pores over thousands of applications to hand pick less than 300 students to take part in their prestigious MBA program. There is no “standard” student at Haas, yet the average admitted student does tend to have 5.6 years of work experience and either a median 730 GMAT or Q163/V162 GRE score . Diversity is also a strong point for Haas, with its Class of 2024 containing 46% women, 14% LGBTQ+, 16% US minorities, and 41% international students. 

In addition, Haas also looks for candidates who possess the following traits:

Haas’s defining leadership principles are as follows:

In addition, Haas is extremely dedicated to diversity and inclusion and has numerous resources on campus to ensure that diverse students not only find their way at Haas but that they also have all the tools and support they need to reach their personal and professional goals. 

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Berkeley’s new admissions essay questions.

2. How should I answer Berkeley Haas essay questions

2.1. essay 1 tips.

Required Essay #1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum) 

Before starting to write your essays, we suggest you take the time to watch the videos with essay tips prepared by the Haas staff, as the videos give great insight into how to best answer the questions. 

Retained from last year, this question seeks to get to know the person behind the CV. 

First of all, it is important to pay attention to the wording of this essay. Haas asks you what makes you feel alive when you are doing it , which implies that the best answer to this question will be an activity and will be an activity you are currently involved in . Using your Stanford “What Matters Most” here in a copy/paste format will not work, as that essay is much more based on values, and this essay asks for actions. On the other hand, if you do have an activity you’re passionate about, this essay should not be difficult to write! 

When choosing your theme for this essay, we suggest focusing on one “thing” that makes you feel alive, as 300 words is likely not enough room to write meaningfully about multiple examples. Furthermore, since Haas’ second essay asks you for a professional example, we would suggest choosing something from your personal life for this essay in order to show the admissions committee more about what makes you you .

Along these lines, try to think about choosing a theme/activity that provides the admissions committee with valuable insights into your personality and background. 

For example, last year, a client wrote a short essay for Michigan Ross on the topic of “making a difference” that discussed his passion for his volunteer work providing electricity to remote communities in the Brazilian Amazon. 

After speaking about how he got involved and exactly what the project works to accomplish, he discussed how a quote from a member of one of the communities thanked him for giving him the chance to safely make his way home from work at night. 

This quote brought a level of personal engagement with the client’s theme that went far beyond, “I am passionate about volunteering,” and, instead, took his reader right there to the Amazon to feel his passion. 

For this reason, we suggest you focus on strong storytelling here (a condensed version of the STAR methodology will work very well here) and end with the result you obtained or lesson you learned. If you can think of a way to connect this passion to your time at Haas, make sure to add this. 

TOP TIP : Don’t worry if you think your passion isn’t “unique” enough. Showing how this passion developed and why it’s so important in your life is much better than an essay on a very unique but unsubstantiated theme. 

2.2. Essay 2 Tips

Required Essay #2: How will an MBA help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals? (300 words max)

Berkeley Haas’ second essay changed dramatically this year, from a leadership-driven essay to one that directly asks about goals and how Haas will help you reach them. 

In this essay, you have a big task. In 300 words , you need to discuss:

• Context for your goals
• Your specific-post MBA goals
• Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
• How a Haas MBA will help you reach these goals

Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other. 

First of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolutely clarity about your goals. 

TOP TIP : If you’re having trouble figuring out what your post-MBA goals are, we’ve prepared this post to help you decipher this essential part of the application process! 

However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For this reason, we suggest starting your essay with context. 

For example, a client last year initially started his essay by saying: 

“I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”

While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:

“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that to have global impact, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. While at Company 1, I led a diverse global team, which showed me that clear communication is essential. I later accepted a finance position at a real estate company where I learned how new technologies can impact traditional local industries and that leaders must adapt to these trends to maintain competitiveness. Most recently, I joined Company 2 to participate in its daring globalization plan. At Company 2, I have learned how challenging it is to formulate effective global strategies to thrive in diverse markets. I have also developed management skills since becoming Financial Coordinator, learning how important establishing a culture of collaboration is to providing stability for organizations.

I now seek to take the next step to becoming a “global” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company pursuing globalization, giving me the experience to assume my long-term goal of CEO of one such company.”

Second, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA. 

An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide. 

Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA. 

Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school. 

Third, add how Haas can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to Haas because of its ranking or location in California will not cut it here. 

Instead, show that you have done significant, thoughtful research into Haas’ curriculum and into how opportunities outside of the classroom can help you grow. If you have space, it’s also highly recommended that you mention how you can contribute to the community. 

End with a winning conclusion statement that reinforces your personal brand and ties the whole essay together. 

Need more guidance?

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of Berkeley Haas essays that worked to get our clients admitted to help you plan out a winning Berkeley Haas essay. Our center also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join ! 

2.3. Essay 3 Tips

Required Essay #3: (Video) The Berkeley MBA program develops leaders who embody our four Defining Leadership Principles . Briefly introduce yourself to the admissions committee, explain which leadership principle resonates most with you, and tell us how you have exemplified the principle in your personal or professional life. (Not to exceed 2 minutes.)

Joining the ranks of numerous other schools, Haas has introduced a video essay question for the first time this year. 

Considering the short amount of time you have to make an impression on Haas, your goal with this essay is to introduce yourself to your classmates, and the best introductions usually contain a killer story. 

To start brainstorming which topics you might want to include.

Since you’ll have Essay 1 to share a unique side of your life (personal or professional) and will have Essay 2 to talk about your career, anything is fair game here. As such, consider what else you are telling the admissions committee throughout your application and what else you could share that would add value to their picture of who you are and what you bring to the class . 

So think about what makes you YOU beyond what the school has already learned about you in your CV, letters of recommendation, and other essays. 

However, given the prompt and the short time limit, we suggest that you choose one story for your video. 

Once you’ve settled on the perfect example, figure out how to connect it with one of Haas’ four principles. Though your story might connect to numerous of the values, choose one . 

In the essay itself, you want to make this connection clear. As such, if you choose “Beyond Yourself,” make sure your story directly relates to an experience where you, “take the longer view in our decisions and actions. This often means putting the collective good above [your] own interests. ”

When it comes to structuring the video, I would suggest that you start out stating which of the 4 principles you most identify with, then launch into the exemplifying STAR story . At the end of the video, if you have space, I would suggest dedicating a few words to how you will continue to embody this value at Haas in some manner (perhaps contributing to a club or within the larger community). 

TOP TIP : Write out your script before recording. This allows you to make sure that your ideas flow well and that your example is being told effectively. 

No matter where you record, check your sound quality and lighting to make sure you will be easy to see and hear. 

Finally, we suggest you write a script and practice recording yourself several times to get just the right take. Usually, clients are able to comfortably fit about 320 words of content into 2 minutes. After recording yourself a few times, you may want to send a few options to friends, family, or trusted advisors to get their take on which clip to send. The most important thing is to show Haas your winning personality and why you fit in with their school’s culture! 

Make sure your video submission does not exceed the 2:00 limit.

2.4. Diversity Short Answer Tips

One of our goals at Berkeley Haas is to develop leaders who value diversity and to create an inclusive environment in which people from different ethnicities, genders, lived experiences, and national origins feel welcomed and supported. 

Can you please describe any experience or exposure you have in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion, whether through community organizations, personal, or in the workplace? (300 words max)

At Haas, diversity is a core value . This means that at Berkeley Haas, you’ll constantly interact with people who think and act differently than you do. 

Succeeding in such an environment requires a great deal of adaptability and flexibility, as well as a willingness to learn from those who are different. This type of environment, however, is not for everyone, which is why Haas seeks to gauge how you respond to diversity in this essay.

We suggest you start by considering the brand you are presenting to Haas and examine which examples about diversity you can share that will add value to the stories you told in the rest of your application. Then, make sure you narrow this list down to your single best story. In a 150-word essay , you won’t have time to fully explore multiple examples, so limit yourself to one killer story. 

T OP TIP: For short essays especially, using a tight STAR-format example is key!

2.5. Optional Essay Tips

Supplemental Information about Recommender Choice

If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.

In some cases, it’s not always possible to ask your current supervisor for a letter of recommendation, and that’s just fine! 

For example, many of our clients who work in investment banking fear they may receive a low bonus or even lose their jobs if they share their MBA plans with their current employer. 

Or perhaps you’ve recently started a new job and haven’t had the chance to build rapport or a strong list of achievements with your new supervisor. 

These are all valid reasons for choosing alternative references. If you do find yourself in one of these situations, make sure you write this essay and that you keep it short and sweet. 

I recommend starting out with sharing the reason why you aren’t able to ask your supervisor for a recommendation. This doesn’t need to be a STAR-format story or a long, complex discussion of your relationship. A sentence or two should do here. 

Then, I suggest you decide a bit of space to discussing why you chose the recommenders you did and what they bring to the table. For example, “I chose Carolyn Hobbs for my recommendation, as she managed me for 3 years until my promotion this May. I feel she can provide a complete picture of my strengths, weaknesses, and development as a professional.”

With both aspects included, the essay is ready.

TOP TIP : Keep the essay to under 100 words if you can. If you need more space to explain, consider if the information you’re adding is strictly relevant. 

Optional Information #1

We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements.

What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)? 

• Did not complete high school
• High school diploma or equivalency (GED)
• Associate’s degree (junior college) or vocational degree/license
• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS)
• Master’s degree (MA, MS)
• Doctorate or professional degree (MD, JD, DDS)

What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

• Skilled worker
• Professional

If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate.

• Raised by a single parent
• Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)
• Raised in a multi-generational home
• Raised in foster care
• What was the primary language spoken in your childhood home?

If you have ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate.

• Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)

Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact.

(300 words maximum)

Optional Essay #2

This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.

Although the first optional essay seems quite extensive, the bullet format actually makes it quite straightforward for you to highlight important personal factors that have influenced your personal and professional journey.

Haas makes it clear that they want clear, direct information, so make sure you simply answer the questions and provide any additional clarifying information in the first 300-word section. If you don’t have any extenuating circumstances of note, feel free to leave the essay blank. 

In the second optional essay, you’re not given a word count, but the focus of the question is clear: explain any relevant circumstances you feel the admissions committee must know to fairly evaluate your profile. 

Do not include another essay you wrote for another school and truly consider if you need to submit this essay at all, as it will not apply to all applicants. If you do choose to write it, make sure you focus only on weak spots and also discuss what steps you have taken or took to rectify the weaknesses. 

We have written extensively on the topic of optional essays here . 

Looking for Berkeley Haas essay examples? Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here .

3. Get into the Berkeley Haas MBA program

Are you almost finished with your application but are still worried your essay is not quite perfect enough to send? 

At Ellin Lolis Consulting, our goal is to add more value to your application than you ever thought possible by giving you the tools and positioning you need to write outstanding essays that help you gain admission to a top MBA program. 

In the words of our client Kelsey, who was admitted to Berkeley Haas:

“There comes a point in the application process when the feedback that peers and mentors have given just isn’t enough to ensure that the essays are perfect and polished. It was at that point in my process that I contacted Ellin for her editing services. 

I was so impressed with Ellin’s eye for detail and her ability to help me refine my points without losing my voice in the essays. Elle understands the specific characteristics that each top MBA program is looking for. As a result, her feedback was excellent and gave me the confidence I needed to finalize and submit my applications the next day. 

I would recommend Ellin’s service to anyone applying to competitive MBA programs. She provides individualized attention and an understanding of the process that is unparalleled in the market.”

If you’re struggling to put your core values into words, or aren’t sure you’ve really nailed the brief for Berkeley Haas, let our award-winning editors use their expert storytelling abilities to help you transform your essay from average to attention-grabbing and land a Haas interview. 

After all, you don’t get into a prestigious business school without standing out!

4. Haas Deadlines

Here are the deadlines for the 2023-2024 season. You can access the Berkeley Haas application here .

Ellin Lolis MBA Resource Center

Application Resources To Help You Get Accepted

98.9% Success Rate

With our expertise and 98.9% success rate in placing our consulting clients in at least one of their target schools, we can add more value to your application than you ever thought possible.

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Homepage > MBA Admissions > UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays 2022-2023 – Examples, Analysis and tips

UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays 2022-2023 – Examples, Analysis and tips

Posted by Atul Sharma | Jan 25, 2023 | Business Schools , MBA Admissions , MBA Application Process

UC Berkeley Haas School of  Business  has retained the essay format from the last cycle for the 2022-2023 application season. Instead of the four essay questions in earlier cycles (3 required and 1 optional), the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business application now consists of 2 required essays and a series of optional short answer questions.   You are going to find the following types of essays in your UC Berkeley Haas MBA application:

• Two required essays focused on your passion and leadership skills
• A series of supplemental questions (optional) that are targeted toward your background, life circumstances, jobs, and academics
• And one optional essay toward the end to help you convey additional information

In this article, we are going to analyze the UC Berkeley HAAS MBA essays, and provide you helpful tips on how to create an effective MBA application

Here is an outline of this article:

e-GMAT tips for UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay #1

Sample uc berkeley haas mba essay #1, e-gmat tips for uc berkeley haas mba essay #2, sample uc berkeley haas mba essay #2, common mistakes to avoid in your uc berkeley haas mba optional essays, mba application deadlines uc berkeley haas, uc berkeley haas mba essay #1.

“What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?” (Word limit: 300)

Through this essay, the admission committee is looking to understand the influences that have shaped your decisions, and what motivates you. The admission committee goes through over 2000 applications every year, and the essays help them in selecting candidates who will add value to the MBA classroom as well as be successful in their post-MBA career goals. 

Here are some tips for you on how to answer this UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay question:

Think beyond academics

The main motive behind this essay question is to convey what you are passionate about. The admission committee at UC Berkeley wants to make sure that besides having excellent academics and a professional career, you can also be a valuable addition to their community.

You can talk about the community work that you have been extensively involved in, or, you can write about a sport that has always been a significant part of your life. There are no right or wrong responses to this essay question. But it shouldn’t look like you have written about something just for the sake of the essay. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and how it makes you feel while you are involved in it.

Support your response with examples/anecdotes

The UC Berkeley Haas admission committee has to go through a large number of applications to fill their relatively small MBA class. Your answers to the UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays have a sleek chance of being unique. A lot of applicants may come up with essay responses similar to you, may it be some kind of community work, sports, arts, etc. To make a strong point for yourself, you need to support your response with an anecdote that demonstrates your involvement in whatever it is you are writing about.

Examples from your life can help you connect with your reader. The examples will help the admission committee imagine the kind of contribution they can expect from you at the UC Berkeley Haas community.

‘Why’ is as important as ‘What’

It’s great that you could think of something that ignites passion in you when you are doing it, and you could also demonstrate examples from your life about them. But your response won’t have the expected influence on your reader unless you can justify why you feel the fire while doing whatever it is.

The ‘why’ part of this MBA essay can help you reveal your inborn talents and skills. Does the community work you do make you feel more at peace? Do you play the sport because you feel the immense adrenaline rush while playing it? Are you good at managing teams to accomplish complex tasks for the community work? There has to be something that drives you to be so passionate about it. You need to figure out what motivates you and the driving force behind your actions.

Here is an example of essay #1 from the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application.

Note : This sample is brief in nature and is just meant to give you an idea of how to develop an essay for your own application.

“I believe traveling is something that makes me feel the most alive. I have traveled to four Asian countries in the last four years. My first stint with traveling started when I was eighteen. Even when I lived in a small town in the suburbs of Odisha, India, I believed the world has far more to offer to me than I can imagine. I would spend my leisure hours reading books written by solo travelers and watching travel video blogs.

During my under-graduation, I started taking up freelance writing jobs. Also, I worked part-time at Subway to gather some funds for my travel. I did not want to burden my parents with my passion and took the matter in my own hands. With the little money I could save, I would travel to the nearby states in India. I have been to 18 Indian States. I would use my skills in written English to take up volunteer work to reduce my expenses.

In 2014, when I was in a distant village in Himachal Pradesh called Mana, I was helping an NGO called Save the Children. The NGO helps spread awareness on how one can have a better future through education. I taught primary level English language to the village kids. Since it was new for them, they would quickly get bored. I came up with an idea to reward them with a game of frisbee if they could stick with me through the lesson. It worked, and the kids loved the game. From the next day onwards, the kids came for the lessons in full attendance. I was there for 12 days, and I believe those were some of the best days of my life.

Just recently, I was going through Save the Children’s Facebook page, and I found out that the game of frisbee has become a routine for the kids in the village. I am glad I could make a little difference in the world. Right now, I have goose-bumps while I write this essay.”

UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay #2

“ At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact.

Tell us how a Berkeley Haas MBA would enhance your leadership profile, incorporating specific examples.” (Word limit – 300)

The first UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay was directed towards one aspect of your character, passion. The second required UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay shifts the focus towards another important aspect of your personality and leadership skills. This essay gives you a chance to highlight how have you used the leadership quality in you to make an impact in any situation. If you analyze the second part of the essay prompt carefully, you will notice that UC Berkeley Haas is on a lookout for students who are aware of the social issues. If you have ever actively worked towards breaking barriers in the society or have been vocal about prevalent social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, conservation of natural resources, equal rights for all races, etc., your application is in for a brownie point.

Let’s further analyze this essay topic along with some tips from e-GMAT on how to impress the admission committee through this essay:

Let your leadership skills take the front row seat

‘ power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact .’ This line of the essay prompt speaks volumes about what the admission committee is trying to seek from your response. You may have used your leadership skills to lead your team through complex situations at your job, or you may have been the voice of the less-confident ones outside work. Think of the times when your leadership characteristics were at the display, and how you would want to take them further with the help of the opportunities UC Berkeley Haas MBA has to offer. Reflect on your abilities and strength and highlight how you are going to use the resources during your MBA at Berkeley Haas to hone them further.

Highlight your career-goals

This essay question is closely related to your short-term and long-term career goals. Think about how you want your shape up your career, and how are you going to use your leadership virtue to get there. Berkeley has a lot of resources to offer to you to hone your leadership skills. Research on the clubs, alumni groups, and networks that can be of great use to you to improve your abilities. You can sight examples and highlight the leadership roles within the clubs or groups that you are excited about.

Here is an example of essay #2 from the Berkeley Haas MBA application.

After working for 5 years in an MNC as a Supply manager, I decided to quit and pursue a start-up to improve the efficiency in the transportation management section of the Supply chain industry. I started with a small team of five to develop an integrated software that could make the complete transportation and warehouse management system more automated than current systems. After a couple of months, one of my colleagues from my previous job, Samuel, decided to join me in my quest. I could not pay him the salary he received from our former employer, but he assured me that he is joining because he believed in my idea.

A couple of months into the job, I found out that Samuel was not as motivated towards our goal as everyone else in the team. He was a little too laid back and had to be constantly pushed to complete projects in time. He would do the minimum necessary and was not willing to put in any extra effort.

I had a tough decision at hand to either fire him and lose a talented and experienced employee, who could be a great resource for our company, or try to push and bring out the best in him. I went with the latter option. To encourage him to work mutually towards our goal, I enhanced our company’s bonus program. I made it a point in front of the whole team that as soon as the company started making some revenue, they would be the first ones to benefit from it.

The strategy worked. Not only did Samuel start to put in the extra effort, but the other employees also upped their game too. The product was ready in the next six months, and it was through Samuel’s network that we got a chance to showcase our product in front of a crowd of SCM experts in a supply chain conference held at New Delhi, India.

I believe, with the opportunities at UC Berkeley Haas, I would be able to hone my leadership skills further to be able to manage larger teams. I have a dream that my idea for the automated transportation management system reaches a larger supply chain network. And, with international exposure through the UC Berkeley Haas network combined with my polished leadership skills through its MBA program, I can work towards achieving this dream more efficiently.”

UC Berkeley Haas MBA optional essays

Besides the two required essays, the UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay section has a series of optional essay-type questions that you may choose to answer. The optional essays can help you convey a broader picture of your character, experiences, opportunity, and background. Have a look at the optional essays asked in the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application:

• If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.
• Name of organization or activity
• Nature of organization or activity
• Size of organization
• Dates of involvement
• Offices Held
• The average number of hours spent per month

If not applicable, enter N/A.

• List full-time and part-time jobs held during undergraduate or graduate studies indicating the employer, job title, employment dates, location, and the number of hours worked per week for each position held prior to the completion of your degree. If not applicable, enter N/A.
• If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A. (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission).
• This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include an explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.

You can look at these essay questions from two perspectives. First, you can either answer only those questions that suit your circumstances, such as if you have not provided a letter of recommendation with your UC Berkeley Haas MBA application, or you were ever placed on probation or were suspended due to disciplinary reasons. Or, you can choose to answer the questions to give the admission committee a better understanding of your backgrounds, such as an achievement that you could not convey through any other part of your application or details about the part-time jobs you have held during your school or college years.

Answering optional questions irrelevant to your situation

While you may want to give deeper insights about your background to the admission committee through your optional essays, you must avoid attempting the optional essay questions that are irrelevant to your situation. For example, if you were not extensively involved in any part-time job or were involved in one for a very short period, you should refrain from attempting the optional essay question related to a part-time job. Because it is anyway not going to add any value to your application.

Repeating your accomplishments

The optional essay question towards the end of the UC Berkeley Haas MBA essay section is an opportunity for you to convey something qualitative about you that could not be done through other parts of your application. However, if you repeat any experience or achievements that have already been highlighted through your letter of recommendation, or any other essay, it may backfire on your part. The admission committee has to go through more than 2000 applications in a single phase. It may ridicule them go through the same content over again.

That was all about different types of UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays.

Here are a bunch of other articles related to UC Berkeley Haas MBA that can be helpful to you:

• What is a good GMAT score for UC Berkeley Haas School of Business?
• UC Berkeley Haas MBA Class Profile, employment report, and notable alumni

You can also take help from the following article for your UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays:

• Five types of MBA essays
• Overcoming low GMAT score through essays
• Importance of MBA Essays in Business School applications

Do you aspire to get into the UC Berkeley Haas MBA Program? A 740+ GMAT score can significantly improve your chances of admission. Kickstart your GMAT preparation by  Signing up for our Free Trial ! For any queries, write to us at  [email protected] . We are the  most reviewed GMAT prep company on gmatclub  with more than 2100 reviews.

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Haas MBA Essay Examples in

Haas essay examples can be a great starting point to find inspiration in writing your own MBA admissions essays for Berkeley Haas. The Haas School of Business at the University of Berkeley is one of the best MBA programs in the world and home to one of the best part-time MBA programs . Competition is fierce, so every part of your application needs to be stellar, including your Haas essays. In this blog, we’ll look at the Haas business school essay requirements, how to write a great Haas MBA essay and some Haas essay examples.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 7 min read

How to write an mba personal statement for haas school of business.

Haas uses your MBA admission essays to learn more about your candidacy and see how well you fit with the Haas School of Business Culture. Haas takes a holistic review of your application, so the admissions committee considers all the personal and professional experiences, achievements and opportunities you share in your application when deciding on admissions decisions. Haas also examines how you fit with the school’s core values, which are:

• Question the Status Quo
• Confidence Without Attitude
• Students Always
• Beyond Yourself

Berkeley Haas is at the top of MBA rankings , and the requirements for the Haas essays are specific. Your MBA personal statement is an opportunity to strengthen your application by standing out and diversifying yourself in a pool of competitive applicants, so acing the Haas essays is important. You should not be restating accomplishments from your MBA resume or relisting your best MBA extracurriculars for these essays. It’s important to dig deep, address the prompts head-on, and demonstrate maturity, personal growth and passion for your industry and career.

Wherever possible, demonstrate how you align with Haas’s 4 core values and how you will contribute as a student of the program. If you have unique career goals that will disrupt the status quo of your industry, talk about it in your essay. If you are eager to advance yourself in your chosen career field by studying the latest innovations in business, make this a focus in your essay.

The Haas admissions essays also have a very short word count limit, so every word counts!

If you’re not sure where to start with drafting your essay for Haas, you can look into an MBA essay writing service for feedback on your writing, or have an MBA admission consulting service review your application with you.

MBA requirements often include admissions essays or an MBA personal statement. There are 2 required admissions essays for the Haas MBA program and 2 optional “essays” or supplemental information.

The required MBA essay topics center on Haas’s core values, and are deeply personal, self-reflective questions. The MBA essay questions for Haas are:

• What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
• What kind of leader do you aspire to be, and why? (300 words max)

The format for these required essays is short essay, with an introduction, body paragraph and conclusion. They should be double-spaced and no longer than 300 words. The word limit is a bit more restrictive than most MBA programs, so it is absolutely crucial to revise your essay for maximum impact. You need to get straight to the point, address the prompt and cut out any unnecessary details. Writing an essay in under 300 words is tricky, but it can create an opportunity to stand out.

For the Haas MBA essays, your answer can be more personal, focus more on your professional accomplishments, or both. There is no guidance on the content of your essay, so it will be up to you to decide what experiences and accomplishments best answer the essay prompts. Take the time to reflect on the essay questions and take notes on which life experiences you have answer them best.

Check Out Our Podcast for More Free & Useful Content ","buttonText":"go to podcast","buttonColor":"#ff6600","bannerUnderText":null,"belowButtonText1":null,"belowButtonText2":null,"trustpilot":false}' :url='"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/ca\/podcast\/bemo-admissions-experts-podcast\/id1642349082"' code='bannerpodcast' background-color='#000000' button-color='#ff6600' banner-image=''> Here are some brainstorming questions you can ask yourself to get started for Haas essay #1:

Here are some brainstorming questions you can ask yourself to get started for haas essay #2:.

Once you’ve written down some answers to these questions in bullet or point form, try condensing your answer down into a single point or main idea. You won’t have a lot of room for details, so try to pick one answer for each essay. Once you have the central idea of your essay, draft an outline with an introduction paragraph, a body paragraph and a conclusion. Once you’ve written a draft, work on cutting it down to fit within the word count by eliminating unnecessary details or words. Aim for no more than 500 words in your first draft, so it is easier to cut down to a lean 300 words or less.

Want some tips for writing an MBA personal statement?

Haas Optional Essays

The Haas optional essays or supplemental essays are a little more vague, and do not have a strict word count limit or formatting requirements. You can certainly write a short essay, but you can also use bullet points to provide additional information in this section. The “optional essay” prompts for Haas are:

• We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements.
• This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.

Use this section as an opportunity to add something to your application to help distinguish you from other applicants. For instance, in response to the first prompt you might submit an MBA diversity essay . The second prompt gives you an opening to explain gaps in your MBA resume or explain a low GPA in your MBA application. If you want to know how to apply to an MBA while unemployed , you can use this section to provide context around your unemployed status and how earning a Haas MBA will help your career.

While the optional essays can be an aid to your application in specific circumstances, they are not required to be filled out. Use this section strategically and focus on acing the required Haas essays first.

Below are some MBA personal statement examples for Haas School of Business. These are written in response to the Haas MBA required essay prompts:

Haas Essay Example #1

Prompt: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words max)

Rock climbing has been my hobby for over a decade, and it is one of the things that has challenged me, fueled me and changed my perspective the most. Rock climbing requires focus, commitment, problem-solving and adaptability. It demands a great deal of physical strength, flexibility and endurance, as well as mental toughness and focus. To make an ascent, you need to be fully present in your body and mind, and 100% dialed into what you are doing every step of the climb.

Rock climbing is something that has made me hyper-aware of my own mental and physical state and the challenges I face on the wall, but it’s also something that has given me unparalleled rewards. Climbing gives you a sense of peace that is meditative. Your world shrinks to you and the rock wall in front of you. Every breath, every heartbeat and bit of effort counts towards your goal. When you reach the peak, there’s something fulfilling about standing up, exhaling and taking in the view at the top. Compared to the climb, which can take hours, not to mention the weeks or even months of preparation, the reward is a few minutes of drinking in the sights. But the reward of that view is worth it every single time.

That moment at the peak is something you would never be able to take in with your own eyes if you hadn’t put in the work and completed the climb. Even if you have to abandon your climb and try again, or find a new way up the wall, you can always come back and face the challenge. And I’ve found there’s nothing quite like knowing you finished something extraordinary and realized the reward at the end was actually small compared to the reward of the journey. (300 words).

Preparing for an interview at Haas School of Business? Here are the MBA interview question types you need to know

Haas Essay Example #2

Prompt: What kind of leader do you aspire to be, and why? (300 words max)

I aspire to be the kind of leader who doesn’t leave their team behind, who takes responsibility and leads by example. I believe this is the kind of leadership that is most effective and inspirational, and I am fortunate to know someone who embodies this kind of leadership to inspire me.

My friend, Tom Watson, owns his own business. He began as a startup founder, and over the years has grown his team from one to over 150 employees. Tom believes every victory the company has seen is a shared victory for the team. He makes it a point to regularly ask for input from his team members and listen to their points of view. He knows every birthday, the names of every employee’s kids, and he doesn’t miss an opportunity to offer constructive criticism or praise when needed. As a result, Tom’s team not only enjoys high morale, but a happier and more positive workplace. Whenever I visit Tom’s offices, I am blown away by the collaborative spirit at work. Despite some setbacks in Tom’s business, he and his team have managed to come through each one stronger than before.

I have often asked Tom for advice, and by far his favorite piece of advice on leadership is to care. He cares about his business, he cares about his team which makes the business possible. As someone who has worked on many different teams with leaders of different management styles, I can see that Tom’s leadership style does make a difference, both in the business, for the employees and for Tom himself. If my goal is to be the best leader I can be, I know it must start with being the kind of leader I’d want to follow. (290 words).

Your Haas MBA essay is written in short-essay format, in response to 2 prompts. The Haas essays should provide the admissions committee with some insight into who you are and what drives you in a personal and professional sense.

The word count limit for Haas MBA is 300 words.

The four core values of Haas School of Business are: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always and Beyond Yourself.

The MBA program at Berkeley Haas is one of the top MBA programs in the US and the world. It ranks in the top 10 worldwide and the top 5 in the US among business schools.

Getting your MBA at Haas is definitely worth it. It is considered one of the best business schools in the world and is known for its quality education in business. 

MBA acceptance rates in the US are competitive, and the Haas School of Business has one of the most competitive acceptance rates in the country. The school is considered very selective among business schools. 

The MBA essay questions for Haas School of Business are similar to MBA interview questions in that they are quite personal and require some serious thought and reflection. The first essay question asks what makes you feel most alive and why, and the second essay question asks what kind of leader you want to be. These can be examined from a personal point of view or a professional point of view. 

Haas Business School uses a holistic review of all its applicants. The admissions committee wants to see that you are a good fit for Haas and that the program can give you something no other program can. The admissions committee also wants to see that you demonstrate the school’s core values in your personal and professional life. If you’re not sure how to choose the right MBA program for you, research the school thoroughly first to see what opportunities it can provide you.

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Everything You Need To Know About The Haas Essays

Introduction.

The Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley is one of the most competitive business schools in the United States. Thousands of candidates apply every year, but less than 400 are chosen to take part in their MBA program. 

While these small classes mean that you have the opportunity to join a close-knit community that values collaboration and forming genuine bonds, it also means that you have to make sure that you stand out from the crowd in your application.

The best way to separate yourself from the competition is through your Haas essay questions. This article will help you understand what to expect from the questions and help you write an amazing MBA essay .

Purpose of the Haas Essays

Essays are an important part of the Haas School of Business admission process. The way you answer the Haas essays helps the admissions committee gauge how compatible you are with the culture and values of the institution. 

The mission at Haas School of Business is to help cultivate leaders who will revolutionize the way the world does business. Therefore, the admissions committee is looking for individuals who show great capability for both academic and non-academic success once admitted into their MBA program. 

Illustrating your embodiment of the four Berkeley Haas Defining Leadership Principles within your Haas essays is a great way to show the admissions committee that you have what it takes to excel in their program. The four leadership principles are as follows:  

Question the Status Quo

Haas School of Business is considered the epicenter of innovation and values progress made by challenging conventions, backing bold ideas, and taking intelligent risks. This also means being open to accepting and learning from your failures; not all innovative and creative ideas will succeed. This principle is all about embracing experimentation and exploration. Candidates who are admitted to the program demonstrate within their essays and throughout their application that they are curious, willing to set their own paths, and are passionate about voicing their opinions. 

Confidence Without Attitude

The confidence to take risks and make decisions is always grounded in thorough evidence and analysis. While confidence is an important quality of a good leader, showing humility, and a willingness to learn and listen are just as important. Trust, collaboration, inclusion, and always being open to learning are key to embodying this defining principle. 

Students Always

The Haas School of Business values and encourages curiosity and lifelong learning, which will help foster personal and intellectual growth long after graduating from their MBA program. Being willing to be a student always means listening and observing, asking questions, and ultimately becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Candidates admitted into Haas can convey that they are not perfect and that there is always more to learn. 

Beyond Yourself

Haas shapes the business world by embodying and encouraging ethical, responsible leadership, which includes putting the collective good above their own interests.

Successful applicants to Haas’ MBA program think beyond their personal goals and achievements; they reflect and discuss instances where their contributions had a ripple effect on the lives of those around them. Students at Haas make a social impact in their communities and the world. 

Above all, your answers to the Haas essays help paint a complete picture of who you are and what you want to accomplish. The admissions committee wants to approve candidates who are well-versed in each aspect of their lives.

What are the Haas Essays?

Though questions are subject to change each year, the Haas essays typically follow a similar format and theme. Applicants are required to submit responses for two required essays, several optional essay questions. 

Two Required Essays

The two Haas essays, both of which have a limit of 300 words, are defined by the four key principles. While the first question will require a more profound level of self-reflection and sincerity, as it is more personal and creative, the second question is more pointed. 

The second question focuses on leadership. Like the first question, the second is also reflective, inviting you to articulate your opinions and values about leadership within the context of who you are and what you hope to accomplish. These two questions will help the admissions committee determine whether or not you would be a good fit in the program.

Optional Essays 

The admissions committee holistically reviews applications and therefore wants to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, background, and experiences. Haas is particularly interested in uncovering those invisible influences, which have instrumental impacts on candidates’ opportunities and decisions. 

Potential information that you may provide here includes any socioeconomic barriers that you  faced, times in your life where you’ve had to change course because of your circumstances, or situations that have required you to be incredibly resilient to overcome. How have these experiences impacted you and pushed you to succeed? 

Supplementary Information

Lastly, Haas allows candidates to provide any relevant information that could not be addressed anywhere else in their application. Haas provides several topics that you can talk about in this section, including: 

• An explanation if you have not received a letter of recommendation from your supervisor 
• Any significant extracurricular activities or community and professional organizations that you have been involved in during or after university
• Details about any jobs that you have had during your undergraduate or graduate studies
• An explanation if you have been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university,

When writing this section of the Haas essays, don’t feel pressured to give your answers in paragraph form; bullet points are encouraged where appropriate. 

Top Tips for Crafting the Haas Essays

Even if you’re confident in your writing ability, the 300-word limit for the two required essays gives you only a small window to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

To ensure you put your best foot forward in your Haas essays, you need to make sure you thoroughly prepare before you start writing, be brief and to the point, and make sure to revise your essay so it aligns with the culture and values of Haas. It’s best to start preparing for your Haas essays as early as you can. 

Do Your Research 

Before you start writing your responses for the Haas essays, you have to do your research. Take the time to learn all that you can about Berkeley Haas; learn about the MBA program that you’ll apply for, the various opportunities that they have available, their reputation, culture, and expectations. 

In this article, we have alluded to the importance of a few of the institution’s values , especially when reviewing Haas essays, such as the defining principles of leadership, community, and collaboration.

Understanding all that you can about Haas will help you determine the best experiences and examples to draw on to show that you would make a great addition to the Haas MBA program. 

Reflect on Your Experiences, Accomplishments, and Background

The next step in writing your responses to the Haas essays is to brainstorm and identify key points, examples, and experiences that you can use. This is where all of the research that you’ve done can come in handy: think about how you want to represent yourself in your answers and which experiences of yours align with the expectations and core values of Berkeley Haas. 

Whatever experiences you choose to highlight in your Haas essays, make sure that you tell the story of who you are. When doing this, be as specific as you can and opt to ‘show not tell’ wherever possible.

Stay away from broad generalizations or dramatic embellishments; focus on using specific, real-life details as proof of your initiative, intelligence, and bold leadership. 

Don’t Overthink Your Responses

While you want to make sure you spend time preparing for your essay and doing research, you don’t want to overthink the Haas essays. Though they may be thought-provoking, the questions are not designed to trick you—there is no hidden meaning or one “right” answer. 

The best way to respond to the essays is with honesty and authenticity; be your true and genuine self. Don’t worry about answering the questions in a way that you think the admissions committee would like best.

Remind yourself that the committee wants to learn more about who you are, your experiences, your background and most importantly, your opinion. 

As Berkley Haas’ four defining leadership principles suggest, you must be bold enough to be yourself within these responses—this means not being afraid to show personality and vulnerability. Once you’ve written your response, make sure to review what you’ve written or even show it to a close friend or family member to ensure it truly reflects who you are . 

Two Examples of Haas Essays

Now that we discussed what to expect when writing your Haas essays, let’s look at a few sample questions and potential responses.

Sample Question 1 with Response

What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?

Sample Introduction:

Having lived all my life with people culturally different from me, I have come to value the fellowship of humans over all other fellowships. Over time, I have realized that nothing excites and invigorates me more than the idea of connecting with diverse people, understanding their backgrounds, relating to their challenges, and working out creative ways to develop win-win solutions.

Sample Body Paragraph:

As an undergraduate student, my knack for developing interpersonal relationships landed me a role as the North-East campaign head for the progressive [Name] student party. Traditionally, the party had tried to appeal to [Country] students in the US by organizing town halls one month before the elections. Leading a team of seventeen volunteers, I instead decided to organize a listening tour across five states on the East Coast. I soon realized that the party was not able to empathize with its incoming electorate. After 100+ one-on-one interviews with voters with diverse backgrounds, I was able to draft coherent messaging that led to the progressive party winning 95% of the votes.

Sample Conclusion:

Over the last five years, my passion for connecting with diverse people has evolved into a responsibility, fueled by a belief that inclusiveness is the only way forward for society. Several experiences have reinforced this belief – right from organizing monthly social justice talks as a volunteer project leader for [Name], an NGO in [Country] to leading extremely sensitive privatization conversations with 40+ governmental agencies as a [Name] consultant drafting a privatization strategy for the State of [Country].

Today, I am more excited than ever to connect with peers at UC Berkeley, develop meaningful relationships, and fulfill my promise of promoting inclusive growth in organizations, communities, and societies writ large.

Sample Question 2 with Response

Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact.

I am extremely passionate about building genuine connections with diverse people. It is an interest that has played a role in shaping my professional ambition of helping build a new-age, inclusive, and privatization-driven [Country] economy. Although it might seem a bit odd, I believe events before my birth played a major role in shaping this facet of my personality.

Nearly two years before my birth, [Country] invaded my motherland, [Country]. My family narrowly survived the intense bombing and shelling. However, this experience had a deep impact on them. They were both highly educated, well-travelled, and appreciative of different opinions. Yet, here they were, seeing first-hand the [Country] being torn apart by the rise of ultra-conservatism and backward thinking. It was at that moment they decided that the children they raise would be taught acceptance, multiculturalism, and empathy. Eventually, their focus on helping me and my siblings value these traits became a defining facet of my childhood.

I was fortunate to be born to parents who saw hope even when people around them were seeing despair and focused on promoting openness and inclusion at a time when [Country] was getting increasingly more conservative. As I have come to appreciate my good fortune, I have become increasingly passionate about playing my part in spreading acceptance and inclusion and building a world that I would be proud to leave for future generations.

1. When are the application deadlines? 

Haas offers three application deadlines : Round 1 on Sept. 24 (with a decision by Dec. 17), Round 2 on Jan. 14 (with a decision by Mar. 25), and Round 3 on Apr. 5 (with a decision by May 13). You should apply as soon as you can, ideally in Round 1 or Round 2 .

However, if you feel like you need more time to strengthen your application, to retake the GMAT for a better score, or to improve your MBA profile ,feel free to do so. 

2. What is Haas’ minimum requirement for the GMAT or GRE?

While there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score , the Haas class profile shows that the average GMAT score is 727, while the average GRE Verbal and Quant scores are 161. The admissions committee will particularly look at your performance in the quantitative section, as it speaks to your quantitative proficiency.

3. How many people apply to the full-time MBA program every year?

Typically, the average number of applicants is around 3,700 each year. This number has been as low as 2,800 and as high as 4,500 in recent years. Out of those thousands of applicants, only 331 got admitted to the most recent class of Haas’ MBA program. 

4. How important are the Haas essays in the application process?

There isn’t one aspect of the application process that is more important than the other; the admissions committee reviews applications holistically. However, determining candidates’ fit within Haas’ culture and how candidates align with the school’s four defining principles are the most important elements that the admissions committee looks for.

5. How can I learn more about Haas?

If you want to learn more about Haas, consider going through the Berkeley MBA Blog and the Berkeley Haas Newsroom . You can also attend upcoming admissions events , watch webinars that have been recorded, or even connect with other students . You should also look into the different part-time, full-time, and executive MBA programs Haas offers.

6. What MBA formats does Berkeley Haas offer?

Depending on your availability, Haas offers three different MBA programs : a traditional, full-time MBA program , a 2.5—3 year Evening & Weekend MBA , and a 22 month MBA for Executives . 

Conclusion 

While it can be an intimidating part of your MBA application, your Haas essays are a great way to show the admissions committee who you are and what you have to offer. Your responses to these essay questions will help you illustrate how you align with the values and culture of Berkeley Haas. 

Before writing your Haas essays, remember to always do your research and spend some time reflecting and planning your response. If you keep these tips in mind as you’re writing your essays, as well as the four defining leadership principles, you’ll be that much closer to submitting a strong application. 

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