Berkeley Haas School Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Here is everything you need to get into Berkeley Haas.

This guide is designed to help you make a decision about whether Berkeley is a good fit for you. In it, we give an overview of the school and its MBA program, including location, information about the MBA community, and ranking. We then give you a detailed look into the MBA course, including program offerings, extracurricular activities, and post-MBA opportunities. 

This guide also includes a wealth of resources that will strengthen your Berkeley application, including essay guidelines, interview advice, and letter of recommendation planning support.

We know this guide will be helpful for you and your MBA journey, and we wish you the best in your decision and application process! If you have any questions after reading, please feel free to contact us.

 

School and Program Overview

Location: Berkeley, California

Located on the University of Berkeley’s campus, Haas is within the Bay Area and amidst the tech ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Attending and living near Haas means that you will be surrounded by an academic environment with quick access to San Francisco’s urban opportunities.

Berkeley is a highly livable city with lots of opportunities within walking distance and a number of culinary offerings, cultural activities, and nature getaways. While Berkeley stays relatively cool all year round, it never gets as cold as it does on the East Coast schools’ campuses.

California is an expensive state to live in, and Berkeley is no exception. Off-campus apartments can cost anywhere from around $2600 to $3300 per month. Haas also provides on-campus housing options, with apartments costing anywhere from $1,500 to $2,300 per month.

Overall, Haas’s location is one full of opportunities and unique experiences, but you will have to reflect on whether a semi-urban experience in Northern California matches your needs and desires.

 

Haas’s Community

Haas is an innovative, collaboratively-minded community with an emphasis on changing the status quo. As the Haas admissions team says, “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.”

Photo courtesy of @berkeleyhaas on Instagram

Haas tends to value students who demonstrate professional creativity, academic excellence, and a key set of personal qualities. These personal qualities are as follows: an ability to challenge conventions, “confidence without attitude,” curiosity, and ethical/sustainable leadership. 

 

Class Size and Demographics

Out of thousands of applicants for the Class of 2025, 244 were admitted and accepted spots at Haas. 

41% of Haas’s Class of 2025 are women, and 14% are LGBTQ. The demographics of American students are listed in the chart below:

Photo courtesy of mba.haas.berkeley.edu 

47% of Haas’s Class of 2025 are international, hailing from 39 countries. 

In general, Haas tends to admit applicants with 5.8 years of work experience, although the range for the most recent class is 3.4-9 years. Most students came in from consulting backgrounds (24%), although a wide range of industries are represented, as illustrated in the chart below:

Photo courtesy of mba.haas.berkeley.edu 

The median GMAT score for the Class of 2025 was 733 and the median GRE was 163Q, 161V. 

 

Tuition

Currently, annual tuition at Haas is $82,059 for non-California residents and $69,814 for residents (note: the differentiation is because Berkeley is a public, state-funded university). 

With living expenses included (assuming a moderate lifestyle), that number goes up to $124,041 for a non-resident individual per year.

Photo courtesy of mba.haas.berkeley.edu

Note that Haas has a range of scholarships and other funding options available to both national and international students. 

 

Costs and Financing

Haas assists admitted students in finding loans and scholarships. Haas scholarships are available to both domestic and international students and are mostly merit-based. Many merit-based scholarships are offered upon admission and all applicants are automatically considered based on goals, academic record, leadership, values, and previous impact. Supplemental scholarships are available but require a separate application. Lastly, the Berkeley MBA Grant is awarded based on significant financial need. Learn more about Haas’s financial aid opportunities here.

For information on how to get company MBA sponsorship, see our guide or visit this page. 

To search for third-party scholarships available for MBA candidates, click here.

For US nationals seeking federal loans, visit the US government website for financial aid. For private loans, see this list to see what firms are offering the best rates.

For international students interested in loans, we recommend the following institutions: Mpower Financing, Juno, or Discover.

 

Program Length

Haas’s full-time MBA is a 21-month program. There is also an evening and weekend MBA available for students who must adapt their MBA studies to work; program length varies. Haas’s EMBA is 22 months but only takes place on Thursdays-Saturdays once a month.

 

Ranking

Across multiple sources, Haas is consistently ranked well. Financial Times has Haas at #12 globally for all MBA programs, while it is ranked in 11th place by US News.

 

Employment Information

Another important consideration to make when deciding whether any business school is right for you is the MBA’s ROI – where graduates go and how well they succeed. You want to ensure that the investment you make in your MBA, both in terms of time and money, gets you the career boost you’re aiming for!

The first key indicator of the school’s preparation and reputation is how many students receive job offers immediately after graduation (this is usually within three months). Secondly is the median base salary, which shows the value that employers see in candidates as a combination of their previous experience and skills and knowledge gained during the MBA. Employers are willing to pay candidates more when they can trust that the MBA has provided them with solid leadership skills. We provide the median base salary for all MBA graduates, but we also recommend looking at Haas’s latest employment report to see detailed post-MBA salary information for your industry.

You will also want to consider each school’s career services and any resources they offer to support your post-MBA success. Part of the investment you make towards your MBA includes ensuring that you are getting the help you need to prepare for interviews, salary negotiations, and network-building. We include information about Berkeley’s career services below.

 

Key Statistics

Of the members of the Class of 2023 who sought employment, 89.9% received an offer within three months. The top two functions that graduates pursued were technology (29.8%, median base salary of $157,100) and consulting (27.6%, median base salary of $192,000). 

Photo courtesy of haas.berkeley.edu

The median base salary for all graduates was $166,831, and the median signing bonus (which 69.4% received) was $36,777. 

96.5% of graduates received jobs in North America, 75.4% of them ending up on the West Coast. 

 

Employment Services and Resources

Haas also offers excellent career services to support students and alumni in their post-MBA journeys. Haas’s Career Management Group helps students create a customized career plan, develop their skills, and access career-related resources.

Resources and support include relationship managers to help students and alumni with their networking goals, career coaches to help frame career goals, refine job search strategy, and support in interviewing, evaluating offers, and negotiating. The group also gives students access to peer advisors and industry specialists and organizes job fairs and recruitment events.

 

Is Berkeley Haas Right for You?

Now you’ve got the basics of what Haas is all about. Before you read on to the details of Haas’s MBA program, you may be wondering if the school is really right for you and your situation.

 

Our team here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is always excited to support our clients in deciding which MBA is right for you. From mapping out your business school brand and objectives to planning your visit to your top-choice schools, we get to know you so we can offer you the best support along each step of the decision-making process.

Learn more about our all-in consulting services here!

 

Academics at Berkeley Haas

Now you’ve got the basics of what Haas is all about. Before you read on to the details of Berkeley’s MBA program, you may be wondering if the school is really right for you and your situation.

Considering the fact that you can only do one MBA, choosing where to apply is the most important decision you will make during your application process. 

Though there are many components to a successful business school application, it’s important to know what you want out of your MBA. One of the most important aspects of an MBA program is academics. After all, you’ll spend most of your time in the classroom, preparing for class, or studying for exams!

In this section, we go into depth about just what you can expect during your Berkeley Haas MBA. 

 

Curriculum

Haas’s interdisciplinary MBA curriculum is focused on preparing students for both innovation and impact. It includes core courses that enhance leadership and analytical skills, plus elective courses that allow students to adapt the program to their own interests and objectives.

The first year is spent fulfilling core courses, including Leadership Communication, Data Analytics, and Macroeconomics in the Global Economy. Then, in year two, students can begin completing both their Applied Innovation Elective (this can also be deferred to the next semester) as well as their general electives. The Applied Innovation Elective is an experiential learning opportunity and includes courses such as the Design Sprint for Corporate Innovation and the Sustainable Investment Fund.  

 

Year two is when Haas students really have the chance to customize their academic experience through more electives and major-related courses. 

For students who want to pursue a specific focus during their MBA program, they can choose one of 13 areas of emphasis: corporate and social responsibility, energy and clean technology, entrepreneurship, equity fluent leadership, finance, global management, health management, marketing, real estate, social sector leadership, sustainable and impact finance, strategy and consulting, and technology. 

 

Joint Programs

For students interested in studying at the intersection of business and other fields, there are a few dual-degree options available at Haas. The first is an MBA/MPH in public health, which prepares students to lead in a variety of health-related industries, including care delivery, insurance, biotech, consulting, pharmaceuticals, and social impact.  Next is an MBA/MEng program in which students pursue both business and engineering courses. Lastly, there is a JD/MBA program that requires three years of courses in both business and law.

There are also two options to complement your MBA after you have finished the business section of your degree: an MA in global studies and an exchange program with Columbia in which students can take advantage of both Silicon Valley and NYC. 

 

Notable Faculty

Haas has some of the biggest names in business, research, and teaching as professors. Here are just a few of them.

David Aaker is widely considered the father of modern branding. His pioneering work focused on defining brand equity and detailed ways to build and manage brands and portfolios. He teaches classes in marketing, branding, storytelling, and portfolio strategy.

Laura D’Andrea Tyson is an influential scholar of economics and public policy and an expert on trade and competitiveness who has also served as a presidential adviser. She teaches courses on topics such as the future of work, women’s leadership, and the global economy.

Jerome Engel is the director of Haas’s Entrepreneurship Program and the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He also teaches the Venture Capital and Private Equity course, which is one of the most popular at Haas.  

 

Pedagogy

Instruction style

In general, there are three primary teaching styles: case studies, experiential learning, and lectures. While Haas’s MBA combines all three, and different professors employ different methods depending on the course and its content, the emphasis at Haas is on experiential learning. This is especially true for the Applied Innovation requirement, which involves students in hands-on application of innovative ideas to businesses and organizations in the Bay Area.

Labs

Haas has a number of labs and research initiatives that allow students to pursue projects in their particular areas of interest during their MBA studies.

Two labs, the XLab and the Behavioral Lab, allow students to work alongside faculty to test new ideas related to social science and human behavior.

Photo courtesy of haas.berkeley.edu

Next, Haas’s many institutes and centers provide funding and resources for faculty, students, and industry leaders to discuss and collaborate on cutting-edge ideas in a variety of areas. For example, the Institute for Business Innovation trains students to be inventive and entrepreneurial leaders, and disseminates pioneering research on innovation and includes such initiatives as Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship and the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation. There is also the Institute for Business & Social Impact, which focuses on creating solutions to social and environmental challenges in the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors. This includes the Center for Responsible Business and the Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership. Then, there is the Energy Institute at Haas, which promotes clean technologies.

There are also a number of area-focused centers, such as the Center for Social Sector Leadership. 

 

International study programs

Berkeley Haas offers a range of global study opportunities for students to make their experience more international, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Within the classroom, there is the International Business Development course, which allows students to engage in consulting projects with for-profit and nonprofit organizations worldwide. And for those who want to deepen the global nature of their degree, they can consider the joint MA/MBA in global studies.  

There are also a number of extracurricular opportunities for global learning. The Global Network for Advanced Management is a network of top business schools across five continents that offers opportunities to explore business in fast-growing emerging nations and developed countries. There are also multiple clubs, such as the Global Social Venture Competition and the Africa Business Forum, that allow students to build their global networks and knowledge. 

Lastly, students can take part in an exchange program with one of Haas’s partner schools in Europe, Asia, or elsewhere in the US.  

 

Networking and Extracurricular Activities

The quality and extent of any business school’s community and network are key to assessing how the MBA will support your goals and objectives. While the MBA’s academic offerings are certainly one of the most important considerations, the influence and support of others connected to the school are one of the most influential aspects of getting an MBA. 

In clubs and extracurricular activities, you will meet others who can expand your perspectives, give you innovative ideas, and potentially become future business partners. When exploring each school’s extracurricular opportunities, see whether there are activities that align with your goals, values, skill gaps, or general interests.

Photo courtesy of @berkeleyhaas on Instagram

As for the school’s networks and alumni community, some programs have stronger connections than others. You will want to consider whether the school has good connections to the regions and/or industries that you are aiming for, and whether or not alumni networks exist where you are headed post-MBA. Not only will this be a chance for you to stay connected after graduation, but it can also get you lifelong career support and opportunities.

 

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

With plenty of student-led clubs and extracurricular activities available at Haas, there are many ways to refine leadership, networks, and skills during the MBA.

Photo courtesy of @berkeleyhaas on Instagram

Whether you are interested in networking with others from your region or social group (e.g. Asian-Americans@Haas, Women in Leadership), exploring your industry/background further (e.g. Young Entrepreneurs at Haas, Private Equity Club), or simply finding others with similar personal interests (e.g. Haas Beer Club, Challenge 4 Charity (C4C)), there are certainly a number of clubs that fit your profile and objectives.

 

Networking and Alumni Opportunities

In addition to experiencing Haas’s collaborative student community, MBA students and grads have access to the school’s close-knit alumni network. Haas’s alumni network has more than 40,000 members in 81 countries representing over 20,000 companies. Students have the chance to interact with alumni through the online network and in-person events held by Haas and alumni year-round. 

 

What Makes Haas Special?

Apart from being a consistently well-ranked school with an excellent reputation among employers, there are a few key aspects that make Haas unique:

• Focus on innovation and change: Haas puts an emphasis on its value for changing the status quo, and this is present throughout the school’s academics and campus life. From the cutting-edge ideas that are taught in the classroom to the wide range of experiential opportunities available, Haas students learn to create and practice disruption in order to make business and society better.
• Access to tech: Haas is well-placed within Silicon Valley, giving students unique access to the most innovative companies and startups in the world. Not surprisingly, unlike most other business schools, most graduates end up working in tech.
• International knowledge and opportunities: Haas provides a variety of opportunities for students to get involved in international perspective-building in a way that fits their academic interests and schedules. From one-off courses that touch on global topics to full-on travel, students can explore business and innovation in many pockets throughout the world.

 

Haas Resources To Get You Admitted 

Now that you know just about everything there is to know about Haas and its opportunities, you may be considering applying. Luckily, our expert team at Ellin Lolis Consulting has a wealth of Haas-specific resources to make your application stand out and succeed. We’ve compiled them below:

 

Haas Essay Analysis

Receiving around 3,000 applications per year, and with an acceptance rate of 23%, Haas is a highly selective MBA program. 

This guide, which includes tips from our expert essay editing team, will help you use your Haas admissions essays to stand out. You’ll find an analysis of who Haas is looking for, the essay questions, and what to (and not to!) do. We’ve also included sample essays. All in all, using this guide will ensure you give your Haas application your best shot.

Access the guide here.

 

Haas Interview Prep

The Haas interview is one of the most sought-after – and most difficult – interviews to land in the business school world. Luckily, we’ve created this exclusive guide to help you prepare for a Haas interview that stands out among the competition.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up not only our best tips from our interview team but have also included sample Haas interview questions.

Access the guide here.

 

Additional Haas Resources

Looking for even more resources to ensure you get into Haas?

Our MBA Resource Center is the perfect tool to start – or improve! – your Haas application. In our MBA Resource Center, you get access to:

• Dozens more successful Haas essays
• An exclusive essay brainstorming guide
• Letter of recommendation guides and templates
• Résumé templates 
• Additional resources like interview mocks and sample interview essays 

 

 

Our MBA Resource Center is the tool you need to turn an average application into an outstanding application that earns you a spot at Haas! 

 

Our clients get admitted to Haas

If your eyes are set on Haas, you may be wondering about how you’ll prepare and execute a successful application. As one of the most selective MBA programs out there, getting admitted to Haas is no easy task. Luckily, Ellin Lolis Consulting is here to offer our comprehensive expertise to you.

From brainstorming your ideas for your essays to negotiating your scholarships, our all-star team ensures that you get exactly the support and guidance you need along every step of the application process.

Don’t just take our word for it – take a look at the following testimonials from some of our clients who were admitted to Haas:

Landing a spot at Haas is no easy task. Now is the time to make sure your accomplishments truly shine. 

Ellin Lolis Consulting began with one mission: provide the best possible service to our clients and get them the best possible results. We know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but our goal is to take away as much of the stress as possible by acting as your ally in the process. 

So if you need much more than just a few comments on your essay but instead want focused help shaping how you present your life’s greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on us. 

That’s why we have a 98.9% success rate. We love digging deep into your story, finding what makes you unique, and sharing your accomplishments and why you belong at Haas, all without losing your voice.

If you want our one-of-a-kind, expert support in getting admitted to Berkeley Haas, apply to work with us and let our award-winning team help you make an unforgettable first impression on Berkeley’s admissions committee.

 

Additional MBA Resources To Help You Secure Your Spot

While preparing your MBA application, the following resources created by Ellin Lolis Consulting will help you ensure you are not just doing everything right, but developing an outstanding and competitive application.

Deciding and Planning 

• How to Decide Where to Apply to Business School
• Your Complete Timeline for MBA Application Success
• How to Create Your Business School Brand
• When Should You Start Preparing Your MBA Application?
• MBA Application Rounds: When Should You Apply?
• 3 Key Ways MBA Consultants Help You Build a Better Application Strategy

Writing your Essays and Résumé

• Your Complete Guide to Writing Winning MBA Essays
• How to Choose Your MBA Essay Stories (webinar)
• How to Write an MBA Goals Essay that Lands You an Interview
• 3 Reasons MBA Consultants Are Critical When Identifying and Telling MBA Essay Stories
• How to Use Storytelling to Write Standout MBA Essays
• How to Highlight Uniqueness in Your MBA Essays
• How to Discuss Failures and Weaknesses in Your MBA Essays
• How to Write an MBA CV

Letters of Recommendation

• How to Choose the Best Recommenders for Your Application
• How MBA Consultants Can Help you Obtain Better Letters of Recommendation
• How to Secure MBA Letters of Recommendation

MBA Interview Prep

• How to Be an Interview Rockstar and Leave a Great Impression
• The 5 Toughest MBA Interview Questions and How to Ace Them
• 5 Critical MBA Interview Mistakes Non-native English Speakers Make (And How to Stop Making Them)
• Ask These Questions During Your MBA Interview
• 3 Key Ways MBA Consultants Can Help You Prepare for Your MBA Interviews
• The 3 Most Common MBA Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Making Them) (webinar)

After Getting Accepted

• You’ve Just Been Accepted to Business School! Now What?
• MBA Application Fundamentals: What To Do After You’re Admitted

 

Get Expert Help

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to the Berkeley Haas MBA.

I know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but arming yourself with information about your top-choice programs, planning ahead, and finding your application ally can take away as much of the stress as possible in the process. 

So, whether you need help developing your Haas essays or guidance shaping how you present your greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on my amazing team and me.