Through your application essays, Berkeley Haas wants to get to know more about who you are and what drives you. Here are some thoughts to help you stand out in your Haas application. Demonstrating how you embrace or embody one of Haas\u2019s four Defining Leadership Principles \u2014 Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself \u2014 is still key, even though this is no longer presented as a specific question. The Haas admissions committee says they\u2019ll most likely dig into the principles with any applicants who are invited to interview. Through these principles, Haas makes culture a differentiator. Make sure to show that you understand this element of its MBA program, and share how you will contribute to and enrich it in all of your essays and the video.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The school\u2019s optional essay, which continues to demonstrate Haas\u2019s commitment to understanding its applicants\u2019 unique paths, allows you to articulate how the events of your life have affected you. While some schools ask about your background as part of their core application, Haas takes this to a higher level by giving you 300 words in which to share your story.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As a smaller MBA program, Haas wants to know how you will fit into and contribute to its very close-knit, collaborative, and student-driven community. Be authentic and write about who you are, not who you think Haas wants you to be. Find a comfortable spot with your beverage of choice and think about the following questions: Why do you want an MBA? Why now? And why Haas?<\/em> Use the school\u2019s application essays to share your unique answers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Table of Contents<\/p> Briefly introduce yourself, then tell us what makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Please share something about yourself that may not be evident in other parts of your application. We are looking for an authentic and introspective response that demonstrates how you will contribute to the MBA class and culture at UC Berkeley Haas.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You will be able to test your audio-visual connection before recording. Video essays should last 1-2 minutes and may not exceed 2 minutes. You have two (2) attempts to record your video essay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When thinking about how to respond to this prompt, you can start by considering what you are passionate<\/em> about and why. Also note the school\u2019s guidance on highlighting something that is not evident in other parts of your application. For example, if you have worked in education throughout your career and spend your time outside of work supporting education (which would be evident in your resume and likely your goals essay), don\u2019t make education the subject of this essay. Think about what will help you stand out in a pool of similar applicants.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Consider spending the first minute or minute and a half sharing a story in which you describe a memorable experience that illustrates what makes you feel alive. Finish the story by explicitly stating your answer so that the admissions team doesn\u2019t have to guess.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With the remaining time, explain why this passion is important to you and how this ties back into your overall story. Although your activity does not need to be directly tied to your goals, it should enhance your application and be something that you believe demonstrates who you are. You could also communicate how your story has influenced you or helped you gain perspective. Before officially recording your video, practice with someone who knows you well \u2014 and make sure they pick up on the themes you are trying to present.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What are your post-MBA career goals, and how will the resources at UC Berkeley Haas help you achieve them? How do you plan to remain adaptable as your career evolves? (300 words max)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Berkeley Haas has changed this essay prompt slightly and added a question about adaptability. The job market is tight. AI is changing the world as we know it. The admissions committee wants to know that you can alter what you plan to do and remain in pursuit of your greater professional goals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For a goals essay like this, I like to start with the end in mind. Describe what types of problems you want to be solving later in your career. Begin by explaining your personal connection to those problems, and clarify why you have chosen this path. Was it a professional experience? Are you wanting to pivot to a personal passion? The larger the change, the more in-depth your reasoning needs to be. Your long-term goals don\u2019t need to be role specific, but they should show your motivations and passion. Then, describe what might be your first post-MBA position that will allow you to take a step toward that goal, and consider offering a backup goal to show your adaptability.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Finally, identify how Haas can help you achieve your stated goals. Where do you need to grow? What resources at Haas might help you get there? And how will you get involved in or contribute to those clubs, centers, and\/or experiences to give back to the Haas community? Don\u2019t just offer a laundry list of classes and clubs; be thoughtful about the specific ones you describe, and be detailed in explaining what you<\/em> want to learn or how you<\/em> want to grow in that particular club or experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n At Berkeley Haas, we consider “distance traveled” as the contextual information that helps us understand the unique circumstances, challenges, or influences that have shaped your personal and professional journey.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We invite you to share aspects of your background, personal circumstances, or significant experiences that have meaningfully impacted who you are today and how you’ve reached this point. Please tell us how these experiences have influenced your perspectives, decisions, and aspirations, and how they contribute to the person you are becoming. (300 words max)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This section is optional.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This optional essay shows Haas\u2019s commitment to diversity of experience. The admissions team wants to know what experiences have shaped your path and what skills these experiences have taught you. Some call it \u201cgrit\u201d or \u201cresilience,\u201d but find your own way to describe it. As with the other parts of your application, be honest and genuine. In your elaboration, focus on how these experiences have influenced your life, goals, and future plans. However, you only want to answer this question if it truly applies to you. Use your best judgment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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. (300 words max)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This question needs to be addressed only if there are gaps in your employment or some other element of your candidacy for which providing some background or context would be helpful. Some other examples would be if your academic transcript has holes or bad grades scattered throughout, or if you don\u2019t feel you have the necessary quantitative caliber or sufficient experience. Avoid making this essay \u201cflowery\u201d or overly descriptive; just focus on the facts, offer your explanation(s) \u2014 not excuses \u2014 and describe any actions you have taken to mitigate the issue. There is a separate question about recommender choice, so that information does not need to be included here. This essay does not even need to be an essay at all; it should be kept concise and used judiciously.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n – If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N\/A.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n – List, in order of importance, significant community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Include the following information for each using the format below:<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/span>Required Essay #1 – Video Essay<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/span>Required Essay #2<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/span>Supplemental Information – Distance Traveled<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/span>Supplemental Information – Optional Statement\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/span>Other Information<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n