What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
What are you passionate about? Are you passionate about creating innovative products? Or, do you adore to solve critical challenges of your clients? For instance, if you are passionate about public speaking, you will certainly feel energetic while giving a fiery speech on issues that are closer to your heart. If you are a global warming hawk, you will feel passionate to spread awareness about climate change and its impact on our civilization. You will be highly motivated to give speeches, write blogs on environmental issues, and network with policy makers in order to make sustainable business a top priority of global corporations. So, let Berkeley admissions team know your true calling.
Moreover, you have to explain the reasons behind your passion. Berkeley Haas would want to know what makes you feel so strongly about climate change, innovative products or something else. What’s your story? Pour all your creative juice in this essay. Articulate all aspects of the story.
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. (300 words maximum)
The Four Defining Leadership Principles of Berkeley Haas are:
Reflect on your leadership style and abilities. What are some of your strengths? In which areas do you need to improve? Do you plan to disrupt your industry; hence, you need cutting-edge knowledge on innovation? Or, you aspire to sharpen your personality and soft skills so as to become an influential leader in the social sectors? Or, you aspire to launch your entrepreneurial venture; therefore, you plan to acquire knowledge on strategy and marketing? Berkeley wants to understand what’s the next frontier you need to conquer in order to become a better leader.
The Haas MBA program will offer you a basket of resources. Network with current student, alumni and admissions officers in order to understand specific aspects of the program. Don’t just browse the website before attempting this essay.
We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements.
Berkeley Haas is committed to understand each applicant in order to create a diverse classroom. Answer these short answer questions with utmost honesty. Thereafter, elaborate in #6. Alternately, throw some light on your “hardships or unusual circumstances” that may assist Berkeley Haas to understand your background more clearly.
For instance, your father might have lost his job due to which your family faced lots of financial hardships. This difficult scenario might have taught you eye-opening lessons on frugality and shaped you who you are today. Or, maybe your parents might have separated during your childhood and you had to pull your own weight in order to get proper education and career. Or, maybe you have to care for your ailing wife for a long time and hence you have to take care of your kids all the while managing a busy schedule in office. Or you might be a US military veteran who was in active duty in Iraq and experienced the horrors of war. Think about the areas of your life that asked the most of your determination and perseverance to face challenges head-on. How have those life changing experiences shaped your personality and offered you crucial lessons.
However, keep one thing in mind. Provide enough information for the admissions committee to understand your hardship or unusual circumstances. But do not try to earn their sympathy. Don’t write a pity essay or appear that you want admissions officer to sympathise you for all the hardship you have faced in your life.
Your essay should depict you as a victor not as a vanquished. Facing enormous challenges and winning over them can strengthen a person. You might have faced something difficult, even tragic, but you have overcome all of that and are stronger as a result. Challenges have not broken you; it has only emboldened your spirit. You will face future challenges with steel in your spine. The reader’s reaction? Admiration, not pity.
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.
Please review my tips on optional application essays in the following blog posts:
If you would like professional guidance with your Haas MBA application, please consider our MBA Essay Support or our MBA Application Packages, which include advising, editing essays, interview coaching, a resume edit and reco edit for the Haas SOM application.
Class Profile: Click here
Deadlines: Click here
Click here to review my clients’ feedbacks, including video testimonials!
Politicians have speech writers. Journalists use news editors. Famous writers and columnists have an army of professional editors. Don’t you think you also need to have one?