What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
In other words, what activity are you most passionate about and why does it mean so much to you?
Berkeley Haas business school puts lots of emphasis on cultural fit and getting to know its MBA admits deeply by asking them about what really matters to them. With this question too, the Haas MBA admissions team is attempting to understand who you are and what makes you - you?
When answering this MBA essay, connecting what you write to your deeper values and desires will be critical for a good essay answer. You could talk about simple activities like running, painting, dancing, or playing sports but why do those things matter to you and what aspect makes you feel alive, WHY do you do it with such passion, and feel so strongly about it is more important.
Like EVERY other MBA essay that you will ever write, use this essay also to highlight your uniqueness, and your strengths, and impactfully market your candidature. This is after all your sales pitch for MBA admissions!
How will an MBA help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals? (300 words max)
A new question this year! Till recently Haas MBA admissions team had strong focus on leadership, however, this year they want you to elaborate on your career goals.
For this MBA essay, as you describe your career aspirations, you are required to be realistic, visionary, and focused - all at the same time! You must exhibit a passion for the industry and the functional role of your choice and demonstrate, perhaps with short, relevant examples, that you have the vision, skill set, and determination to make it happen.
While your short-term goals ideally should be more "practical", a greater vision and impact in the longer-term goal would impress the admissions team and also help you differentiate from your competition.
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? (150 words max)
With increasing focus on diversity and inclusion in the corporate world and MBA classrooms, all business schools want to ensure their admitted students are adept at dealing with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
To answer this question in a rather tight word limit of 150 words - you will need to give an example where you got an exposure collaborating or leading diverse teams. Haas gives you the freedom to include examples from your life outside of work.
When writing your answer - in addition to describing your experience, also add your perspective, what you learnt and if possible your philosophy towards diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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. (Max 2 minutes.) MBA video tips
Haas MBA application requires you to submit a one-page resume along with details about your employment and academics. The typical MBA resume format consists of employment, education, and extracurricular details. MBA resume tips
In your Columbia application, you will be asked to provide one MBA letter of recommendation - from you current or previous supervisors. Like many top business schools in the US, Haas MBA application constitutes of letter of recommendation questions taken from the GMAC MBA letter of recommendation template. MBA LOR tips
As is the policy with most top business schools, Haas MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would recieve an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications. MBA interview tips
