UC Berkeley Haas MBA Essays for the Class of 2026
Are you interested in the full-time MBA program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business? Then let the brainstorming begin! Here are the updated Haas MBA essays and deadlines for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
UC Berkeley Haas MBA Essays
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 maximum)
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.)
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)
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
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.
Supplemental Information
If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.
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:
-
- 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.
***
For more information on applying, please visit the Haas School admissions website. If you need guidance on your Haas MBA essays and application or wish to discuss your business school plans, don’t hesitate to reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the AdCom expertise on our consulting team:
