Berkeley Haas MBA Essays

Berkeley Haas stands out for its prime location in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering unparalleled access to Silicon Valley's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program excels in technology, clean energy, and venture capital, reflecting its proximity to industry leaders and disruptive startups, while emphasizing leadership, strategy, and innovation with strong offerings in entrepreneurship and finance. Consistently ranked among the top 10 global MBA programs, Haas is celebrated for its focus on innovation and sustainability.

Essay Writing Tips and Application Deadlines

2025-26 essays are yet to be announced.

Required Essays

Essay 1 What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)

EssayLever Tips:

Figure out what you want to write - What do you love to do? What do you do that you can do effortlessly?

Support what you want to say with examples.

Answer the why question.

Essay 2 The definition of successful leadership has evolved over the last decade and will continue to change. What do you need to develop to become a successful leader? (300 words max)

EssayLever Tips:

Identify the leadership traits that you would need as you progress in your career, divide these into those that you have already developed and those that you need to develop, and show how the Haas MBA will help you develop the desired traits.

Optional Essay 1: Please elaborate on any hardships or unusual life circumstances you have experienced that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (300 words maximum)

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.