How important are essays in the Berkeley Haas MBA admissions process?

Question

Prateeksha Manral · Accepted Answer

Essays are a very important part of the Berkeley Haas MBA admissions process. They give you a chance to tell your personal story, explain your goals, and show what makes you a good fit for Haas beyond your grades and work experience. The admissions team wants to understand who you are, what you care about, and how you can contribute to the Haas community.
Berkeley Haas follows four key principles:

Question the Status Quo (thinking differently and challenging norms)
Confidence Without Attitude (being a strong leader while staying humble)
Students Always (being open to learning and growing)
Beyond Yourself (helping others and making a positive impact)

The essay prompts are designed to see how your values match with these principles. For example, one question asks, &ldquo;What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?&rdquo; This helps the admissions team learn more about your passions and what drives you. Another essay asks about your career goals and how Haas will help you achieve them, which is your chance to explain why you need an MBA from Haas specifically.
There's also an essay about your experiences with diversity, inclusion, and justice. This is important because Haas values an inclusive and welcoming community, and they want to see how you've engaged with these topics in your personal or professional life.
In addition to written essays, Haas also requires a video essay where you introduce yourself and talk about which of the four leadership principles resonates most with you, sharing a real-life example. This helps the admissions team see your personality and communication skills.
Your essays are one of the most important parts of your Haas MBA application. They allow you to present yourself as more than just numbers on a page. A strong, well-written essay can make a big difference in getting admitted, so take the time to be thoughtful and authentic in your responses.
To know more about in detailed, you can visit here: Berkeley Haas MBA Essays

Mohit C · Answer

Essays are a critical part of the Berkeley Haas MBA admissions process. While your GPA, GMAT/GRE scores, and work experience matter, essays give the admissions committee a deeper look into who you are beyond the numbers.
Haas values candidates who align with its Defining Leadership Principles&mdash;like questioning the status quo and confidence without attitude. Your essays should show how your experiences reflect these qualities. They help the school understand your story, motivations, and fit with Haas&rsquo; culture.
A strong essay can strengthen an otherwise average profile, while a weak one can hurt even a competitive applicant. Since Haas is highly selective, essays often make the difference between acceptance and rejection. So, put in the effort to make yours personal, authentic, and well-structured.