2019-2020 Berkeley / Haas MBA Essay Questions

Required Essay #1

What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

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 max)

Optional Essays

The admissions team takes a holistic approach to application review and seeks to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, qualifications, and experiences. We will consider achievements in the context of the opportunities available to a candidate. Some applicants may have faced hardships or unusual life circumstances, and we will consider the maturity, perseverance, and thoughtfulness with which they have responded to and/or overcome them.

Optional Information #1

We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements:

1. What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

Did not complete high school

High school diploma or equivalency (GED) Associate's degree (junior college) or vocational degree/license

Bachelor's degree (BA, BS)

Master's degree (MA, MS)

Doctorate or professional degree (MD, JD, DDS)

2. What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

Unemployed

Homemaker

Laborer

Skilled worker

Professional

3. If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate:

Raised by a single parent

Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)

Raised in a multi-generational home

Raised in foster care

4. What was the primary language spoken in your childhood home?

5. If you have you ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate:

Child

Spouse

Sibling

Parent

Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)

Other

6. Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (300 words maximum)

Optional Information #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.

Supplemental Information

If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.

List, in order of importance, significant community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Include the following information for each using the format below:

Name of organization or activity

Nature of organization or activity

Size of organization

Dates of involvement

Offices held

Average number of hours spent per month

List full-time and part-time jobs held during undergraduate or graduate studies indicating the employer, job title, employment dates, location, and the number of hours worked per week for each position held prior to the completion of your degree.

If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. If not, please enter N/A (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission).