Why has Haas put their Defining Principles right at the top of their application? The simple reason is that you have to hit all four principles throughout your application. This means you should make an effort to adhere to all four of these principles. In your MBA application, you should touch on all of these to varying degrees. It also entails placing them in the center of your application. The admissions committee should be able to see that these ideas are reflected in your background, goals, and why you want to go to Haas.
The four key principles are:
“Our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your alignment with our principles.”
Here’s Why Defining Berkeley Haas' Four "Key Principles" is so Important.
Essay #1:
What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words max)
The key to answering this essay question is to make sure you address two points. To begin, you must demonstrate an authentic passion of some kind. Second, you can use this essay to lay a solid foundation for your long-term goals. Long-term goals are about tracing a swooping arc back to your most devoted interests. Here's where we get more specific: Essay #1 Suggestions for Haas: "What Makes You Feel Alive?"
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)
The question's premise, as well as its reference to the previous ten years, is subtle but significant. Haas simply says that people want leaders who are flexible, have a growth mindset, and welcome everyone. Successful leaders in the current climate are used to making their way through a sea of uncertainty and are willing to change with the times.
It's a reflection essay, and you only have 300 words to express yourself. You'll want to talk about how you wish to improve your leadership profile with clarity and authenticity. When thinking about leadership, approach it with humility. Is there anything you could have pushed yourself to finish more effectively if you had something else under your belt? Or a situation in which you believe your impact could have been significantly greater if you had different resources? Something more experienced or that you'd obtain in a relational situation, rather than something transactional? If you think of the MBA as a big learning lab, what could you want to learn over the next few years to set yourself up for success? How do you transmit a nuanced grasp of what it takes to be a successful leader in this manner?
Optional Essays:
Optional Information #1: We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements: [6 multiple choice questions]…
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 max)
In Optional Essay 1, Haas tries to find out about the less obvious things that have affected your life, opportunities, behavior, and character. This includes the problems you had to solve to get where you are today, even if you don't think they are special or interesting. Socioeconomic restrictions, for example, can fill in parts of your application that help paint a bigger picture. Haas seems to know that there are a lot of people who want to go to business school and wants to help the admissions committee decide by allowing you to paint a full picture of who you are and your life. We advise that the first question should not be considered optional. However, you shouldn't answer the second question unless you have something completely unique to say that hasn't already been said.