Breakdown of Haas MBA Admissions Essays

Haas Essay Analysis

I’m Anne
Admissions Consultant with Stacy Blackman Consulting since 2006
BA in English Literature from Vanderbilt
Post College Career in Advertising
MBA from Kellogg
Worked in Product Management for Intuit
Directed marketing for internet startups

What Matters Most to Haas?
Question the Status Quo: high impact leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, vision, initiative, creativity
Confidence without Attitude: collaborative team player, respect for others
Student Always: self awareness, intellectual vitality
Beyond Yourself: community oriented, integrity, global awareness

You Have to Show, Not Tell
The essays are your vehicle to show the admissions committee that you possess some of these desired qualities.

Essay 1 – What are you most passionate about? Why? (250 word maximum)
Keep a pencil by your bed
250 words = keep it simple and to the point
“What” does not matter as much as “Why”
Support answer with concrete examples
It does not have to be about saving the world: music, freedom, language, personal connections

Essay 2 – Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Describe the accomplishment using STAR
Be sure to tell why it is significant/meaningful
Scale of the accomplishment not as important as why

Essay 3 – At Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — question the status quo; confidence without attitude; students always; and beyond yourself. Give an example of when you have demonstrated one of these principles. (250 words maximum)
Be specific in linking to one of these principles
Consider all settings: professional, personal, extra-curricular
Demonstrate fit with Haas

Essay 4 – There are many ways to learn about our program, what steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA? (250-word maximum)
Go beyond the basics such as website and info session
Be sure to do your homework in many ways: speak with students, speak with alums, speak with club leaders, tour the school, research professors, sit in on a class

Essay 5 – Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
As you discuss your leadership experience, consider Haas’ key principles
Consider every setting; many early career applicants will not have leadership examples from work
Remember to include other players – leadership cannot be a solo act

Essay 6 – What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? How will an MBA from Berkeley help you achieve these specific career goals? (1000 word maximum)
Explain how business school fits as a bridge between points A and C
If you are switching careers, make sure you draw on skills from prior career, include source of inspiration
Be very specific about Haas; make sure you cannot substitute name of another program

Essay 7 – (Optional) Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Not required but important
Opportunity to explain: gaps in experience, low GPA, choice of recommenders
OR highlight another aspect of your story

Q & A
If I did not answer your questions today
you can also contact us to schedule a
free consultation:
www.StacyBlackman.com/contact

Stacy Blackman Consulting
www.StacyBlackman.com
www.StacyBlackman.com/blog
www.StacyBlackman.com/essay-guides
10% discount
enter promo code TREAT10

Breakdown of Haas MBA Admissions Essays

by Beat The GMAT

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

2 Embeds 882

Statistics

Breakdown of Haas MBA Admissions Essays Presentation Transcript

http://www.beatthegmat.com	881
http://www.google.com	1