Update: This article was originally posted on August 3, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Haas is one of the best places to prepare for a career focused on disruption and changemaking solutions. Considering that Haas offers one of the best-ranked MBAs out there, earning a spot at this school requires you to really stand out among the competition.
In this guide, we will go through how to get into Haas. While many applicants think that simply marketing themselves well is enough to gain admission, successful applicants are the ones who understand a) who Haas is looking for, b) how Haas’s MBA program, community, and opportunities fit their profile and goals, and c) how to prepare a Haas-specific essay and interview. Read on for our expert advice on how to master these three things.
1. Understand who Haas is 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 less than 300 students to take part in their prestigious MBA program. There is no “standard” student at Haas, yet the Class of 2026 has an average 5.66 years of work experience and either a median 660 GMAT Focus or median 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 also looks for candidates who possess the following traits:
Haas’s defining leadership principles are as follows:
In addition, Haas is extremely dedicated to diversity and inclusion and has numerous resources on campus to ensure that diverse students not only find their way at Haas but that they also have all the tools and support they need to reach their personal and professional goals.
So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of Haas’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with questioning the status quo, humble leadership, curiosity, and service to others.
2. Know Haas’s program and how you can use it
The second thing you must do to get into Haas is to know the MBA program and how it applies to your career goals. If you want to get into Haas, you really need to show the admissions committee why it’s a good fit for you (and why you’re a good fit for the community too)!
While you will have to do your own research to find the specifics of what aligns specifically with your goals and profile, below we are highlighting some of the main aspects of Haas’s MBA program so you can be informed about what makes it unique in comparison to other business schools.
Haas’s 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.
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 and the Applied Innovation Elective, which is an experiential learning opportunity and includes courses such as the Design Sprint for Corporate Innovation and the Sustainable Investment Fund. Additionally, students can specialize in one of 11 areas of emphasis, many of which are focused on innovative topics like corporate and social responsibility, energy and clean technology, and entrepreneurship.
Access to tech opportunities
Haas is well-placed within Silicon Valley, giving students unique access to the most innovative companies and startups in the world. For example, the Applied Innovation requirement involves students in the hands-on application of innovative ideas to businesses and organizations in the Bay Area. Not surprisingly, unlike most other business schools, most graduates end up working in tech, especially in firms located in Silicon Valley.
Global perspectives
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.
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.
Show Berkeley Haas Why You Belong
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3. Prepare a winning application
Last but certainly not least is knowing how to write an outstanding essay and prepare for a successful interview. Below are our top tips on succeeding at both of these key aspects of your Haas application!
Write an outstanding essay
Your admissions essays are one of the most critical components of your Berkeley Haas application. They’re your chance to share your unique perspective, demonstrate your values, and show how you align with the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. These essays aren’t just about recounting experiences. They’re about weaving a narrative that highlights who you are at your core and the impact you aim to create.
According to the Berkeley Haas’ admissions team, “Essays help us learn about who you are as a person and how you will add to our community. We seek candidates from a broad range of industries, backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences.”
That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to navigating Berkeley Haas’ MBA essay questions, complete with actionable advice and examples.
Remember that authenticity, reflection, and clarity are your most powerful tools as you approach this section of your application.
Prepare a winning interview
Once you’ve submitted your application, you will wait for your invitation to interview. Once you receive this, congratulations! Landing an interview with Haas is an exceptional achievement.
Haas interviews are conducted by alumni and last around 30 minutes. The interview is designed to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the Haas program, and if you fit well with the program’s famous defining principles. The Haas interview is blind, meaning the alumni interviewer will only have access to your CV.
Our clients who have interviewed live with Haas alumni in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly. For some clients, questions also included their perceptions of the modern business landscape, as well as questions about risk and thinking outside the box. Other clients reported their interview was strictly about their CVs, so make sure you’re ready for anything when you interview with Haas.
For more on how to respond to these questions, see our post on Berkeley’s interview.
If you are not interested in the traditional interview format, Haas has also piloted a brand new option for candidates to record their interviews via video.
If you choose to complete the video option, here’s what you can expect:
- You will have to answer 5 questions in total
- For each question, you have 45 seconds to think and 3 minutes to answer.
- You don’t have to speak for the full 3 minutes. You can end your answer early if needed.
- Questions 1, 2 and 5 (please see below) are fixed. Questions 3 and 4 are somewhat random but center around teamwork, humility, and taking risks. In recent months, however, most candidates are getting very similar questions for 3 and 4.
We also suggest you check out this post, in which Haas provides more information on this new interview format.
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