UPDATE: This article was originally posted on September 6, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With its location in the heart of Silicon Valley and relentless focus on challenging the status quo, Berkeley Haas is at the top of many innovators’ list of dream schools.
However, as the number of people seeking to break into tech – and the attraction of attending an MBA in the heart of Silicon Valley – grows every year, getting admitted to Haas’ small MBA class is harder than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Berkeley Haas admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up our best tips to ensure you give your Haas application your best shot.
1. Who is Berkeley Haas looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @berkeleyhaas on Instagram)
“The Berkeley MBA Program develops innovative leaders who know how to put new ideas to work, and to do so responsibly. By leveraging the innovative energy that’s ever-present in Berkeley Haas culture and in the business ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Area, the program teaches you how to seize opportunities, challenge conventional wisdom, and act creatively.” Berkeley Haas Admissions
Every year, Haas pores over thousands of applications to hand-pick 244 students to take part in their prestigious MBA program. There is no “standard” student at Haas, yet the average admitted student does tend to have 5.6 years of work experience and either a median 730 GMAT or Q162/V161 GRE score. Diversity is also a strong point for Haas, with its Class of 2026 containing 42% women, 19% LGBTQ+, and 38% international students.
In addition, Haas highly values its defining leadership principles, which serve as the bedrock of its culture. These are:
If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Berkeley’s new admissions essay questions.
2. How should I answer Berkeley Haas essay questions
2.1. Essay 1 Tips
What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?
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.
Though this is a long-standing question, Berkeley Haas has shaken things up this year by making this a video response, rather than a written essay.
Like with all pre-recorded essays, it can be really helpful to write out a script before you record.
Before starting to write your script, consider that this question aims to get to know the person behind the CV.
First of all, it is important to pay attention to the wording of this prompt. Haas asks you what makes you feel alive when you are doing it, which implies that the best answer to this question will be an activity and will be an activity you are currently involved in. Using your Stanford “What Matters Most” here in a copy/paste format will not work, as that essay is much more based on values, and this essay asks for actions. On the other hand, if you do have an activity you’re passionate about, this essay should not be difficult to write!
When choosing your theme for this essay, we suggest focusing on one “thing” that makes you feel alive, as 2 minutes is likely not enough space to speak meaningfully about multiple examples. Furthermore, since Haas’ second essay asks you to speak about your career, we would suggest choosing something from your personal life for this essay in order to show the admissions committee more about what makes you you.
Along these lines, try to think about choosing a theme/activity that provides the admissions committee with valuable insights into your personality and background.
For example, last year, a client wrote about his passion for his volunteer work, which provides electricity to remote communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
After speaking about how he got involved and exactly what the project works to accomplish, he discussed how a quote from a member of one of the communities thanked him for giving him the chance to safely make his way home from work at night.
This quote brought a level of personal engagement with the client’s theme that went far beyond, “I am passionate about volunteering,” and, instead, took his reader right there to the Amazon to feel his passion.
For this reason, we suggest you focus on strong storytelling here (a condensed version of the STAR methodology will work very well here) and end with the result you obtained or lesson you learned. If you can think of a way to connect this passion to your time at Haas, make sure to add this.
Once you’ve written out your script, we then suggest you condense it down to bullet points to practice. This will ensure that you hit all of your key points while also remaining genuine and engaging.
Finally, be creative when you record! If you speak about baking, consider recording in the kitchen while whipping up your favorite recipe. For the passionate volunteer mentioned above, recording in the Amazon would be a memorable submission! Try to think about how to connect your theme and your surroundings to further stand out, but don’t worry if you’re only able to speak directly to the camera from your home office. You ultimately are the star.
TOP TIP: Don’t worry if you think your passion isn’t “unique” enough. Showing how this passion developed and why it’s so important in your life is much better than an essay on a very unique but unsubstantiated theme.
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2.2. Essay 2 Tips
What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from Haas help you achieve those goals?
Short-term career goals should be achievable within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (300 words max)
Berkeley Haas’ second essay changed dramatically this year, from a leadership-driven essay to one that directly asks about goals and how Haas will help you reach them.
In this essay, you have a big task. In 300 words, you need to discuss:
- Context for your goals
- Your specific-post MBA goals
- Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
- How a Haas MBA will help you reach these goals
Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other.
First of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolutely clarity about your goals.
TOP TIP: If you’re having trouble figuring out what your post-MBA goals are, we’ve prepared this post to help you decipher this essential part of the application process!
However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For this reason, we suggest starting your essay with context.
For example, a client last year initially started his essay by saying:
“I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”
While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:
“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that to have global impact, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. While at Company 1, I led a diverse global team, which showed me that clear communication is essential. I later accepted a finance position at a real estate company where I learned how new technologies can impact traditional local industries and that leaders must adapt to these trends to maintain competitiveness. Most recently, I joined Company 2 to participate in its daring globalization plan. At Company 2, I have learned how challenging it is to formulate effective global strategies to thrive in diverse markets. I have also developed management skills since becoming Financial Coordinator, learning how important establishing a culture of collaboration is to providing stability for organizations.
I now seek to take the next step to becoming a “global” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company pursuing globalization, giving me the experience to assume my long-term goal of CEO of one such company.”
Second, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA.
An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide.
Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA.
Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school.
Third, add how Haas can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to Haas because of its ranking or location in California will not cut it here.
Instead, show that you have done significant, thoughtful research into Haas’ curriculum and into how opportunities outside of the classroom can help you grow. If you have space, it’s also highly recommended that you mention how you can contribute to the community.
End with a winning conclusion statement that reinforces your personal brand and ties the whole essay together.
2.3. Optional Essay Tips
Optional Information #1 – Distance Traveled
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.
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)
The “distance traveled” prompt at Berkeley Haas is an invitation to share the personal context behind your journey. It’s not about listing achievements, but about explaining the challenges, limitations, or influences that shaped who you are today. This could include growing up in a marginalized community, facing systemic barriers, juggling responsibilities outside of school or work, or navigating cultural expectations. Haas wants to understand the road you’ve traveled, not just where you ended up.
That said, not every applicant needs to respond to this question. If your path has been relatively smooth and free of major obstacles, it’s okay to leave this essay blank. This space is designed to provide important context that the admissions team wouldn’t otherwise see, not to force a hardship narrative if it doesn’t authentically apply.
If there’s a part of your story that shaped your perspective or made your achievements harder to reach, this is the place to explain it. Focus on one or two defining circumstances, describe their impact, and reflect on how they influenced your growth. Keep your tone grounded and sincere. Even though this essay is optional, it can be a powerful way to deepen your narrative if it’s the right fit for your story.
TOP TIP: This is not the space to add stories you couldn’t fit in other stories. Be intentional here.
Optional Essay #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. (300 words max)
In the second optional essay, the focus of the question is clear: explain any relevant circumstances you feel the admissions committee must know to fairly evaluate your profile.
Do not include another essay you wrote for another school and truly consider if you need to submit this essay at all, as it will not apply to all applicants. If you do choose to write it, make sure you focus only on weak spots and also discuss what steps you have taken or took to rectify the weaknesses.
We have written extensively on the topic of optional essays here.
Looking for Berkeley Haas MBA essay examples? Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here.
2.4. Reapplicant Essay Tips
How have you improved your MBA candidacy since you last applied? (300 words maximum)
Here, make sure you clearly demonstrate how you have improved since your previous application. Also, include any relevant updates on your goals and interaction with the school, as applicable.
We have written a separate post on the topic of reapplying to business school, including insider tips and tricks to help make sure your second shot at your dream school is successful!
3. Everyone’s Talking. We Help You Get Heard.
Imagine walking into a noisy room—everyone’s trying to make their case. That’s what the MBA application landscape feels like. Thousands of qualified applicants. Countless stories. A blur of achievements. And yet, the ones who break through are those with clarity, confidence, and a compelling voice.
That’s where we come in.
At Ellin Lolis Consulting, we don’t just edit essays. We help you find your voice—the one that cuts through the noise and resonates with admissions committees. With a 98.9% success rate and years of experience helping applicants get into top programs like HBS, Wharton, and INSEAD, we know exactly how to make your story stand out.
Whether you’re just getting started or stuck in the middle of your application process, our team of expert consultants offers personalized, one-on-one guidance that transforms your raw ideas into a compelling, cohesive application.
Just ask [Client Name], who felt overwhelmed by the process but ended up at [Dream School]. “Quote.”
The room might be noisy, but your voice doesn’t have to be.
Learn more about working with us here. Let’s make your story the one that gets remembered.
4. Deadlines
Here are the deadlines for the 2025-2026 season. You can access the Berkeley Haas application here.
Berkeley Haas Round 1 Deadlines
Application Deadline: September 11, 2025
Interview Notification: Ongoing
Decisions Released: December 11, 2025
Berkeley Haas Round 2 Deadlines
Application Deadline: January 8, 2026
Interview Notification: Ongoing
Decisions Released: March 26, 2026
Berkeley Haas Round 3 Deadlines
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Interview Notification: Ongoing
Decisions Released: May 7, 2026
