Short Essays

Essay 1
If you could change one thing you’ve done in your life, what would it be, and how would you do it differently? Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

While picking up the anecdote, you should focus on story that represents their multi-dimensional aspects. The story can then be developed in such a fashion that you can cover up for some of the apparent weaknesses in your profile and/or illustrate some of aspirations that were never actuated. It is an opportunity to give the reader a peek into your deeper self - values, principles, belief, and hence create a lasting first impression.

Essay 2
Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.

Think of what exactly are truly proudest of, where you created most significant impact on your organization, a team, or an individual. This introspection shall lead to your story. Next, frame your response as:- set up the context, mention your accomplishment, detail what exact impact your created, and finally – perhaps most importantly – the lessons your learned providing a deep insightful analysis that helps reader know more about you as person rather than just facts that will anyways be part of your CV.

Essay 3
At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe an innovative solution you have created to address a specific challenge. Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

Choose the anecdote by exploring your inventory of experiences – where you created something radically next, where you changed something in a positive and tangible way. Next, frame your response in to set up the context, mention your actions, detail what exact change your brought along with a deeper insight into why you took created the change, and finally creating a connection of your learning from this experience to your contributions to Haas.

Essay 4
What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

This is your opportunity to ooze out your passion for Berkeley MBA program. Mention about your contact points with the program very specifically – be it your school visit experience, your interaction with Alumni, chat with a current student, and any other contact points you may have. Remember this essay is to determine whether you have taken enough steps to discover the program in depth and hence, show your knowledge about the unique aspects of the program by referring to your learning from your contact points.

Long Essays

Essay 1
Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership.Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

Explore yourself and think of situations where some praised for your leadership qualities, where you were able to motivate and persuade people, where people elected you to a certain post. Such analysis shall lead to your most powerful leadership example. Note that it’s not mandatory to pick up professional stories. In-fact extracurricular / community stories, if handled well, can be more powerful since people had no formal obligation to respond you. Structure your response in START (Situation, Tasks, Action, Result, and Takeaway) framework providing a vivid detail of the situation. An extra focus on the Takeaway section is suggested, given that it’s the insightful analysis of the situation and what you learnt is what will differentiate you from a pool of equally impressive stories of other applicants.

Essay 2
What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

This is a standard goal question - The heart of your application. Given the amount of information you need to convey in this essay, it is important to structure your response well. After introducing yourself with a brief interesting lead paragraph, your may either pick up the Goals – Past experiences – Why Berkeley or Past Experiences – Goals – Why Berkeley. It is advisable to pick the former if you are looking for a career switch and the later if you are looking to complement your past experience. While detailing your goals, be as specific as possible. “I want to be CEO of XYZ Company” isn’t good enough. Next, in the career progression section pick up anecdotes that complement the theme for your goals and create a relation with your ambitions. While addressing the Why Berkeley part, it is important to showcase an in-depth analysis of the how exactly school’s resources connect your current gaps. Lastly, it is important to end on enthusiastic / interesting note that ties back to the theme you introduced in the lead paragraph to make it a tight-knitted story.