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For its first required application essay, the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, wants candidates to succinctly introduce themselves and then dig deep on a personal level and discuss something about which they are passionate. For the second year in a row, the school is asking for this information via video. For Haas\u2019s second required essay, applicants are asked to explain where they hope to go professionally after earning their degree and how they anticipate the Haas MBA program will help them get there. The Haas application also includes two supplemental essays. The first one invites candidates to share how their background or experiences have influenced who they are. The second is a traditional optional essay that invites applicants, if needed, to address any unclear or problem areas in their profile. Together, the essays should allow you to offer insight into who you are as an individual and who you hope to be as a future business leader, to complement the information presented in your resume, recommendations, and basic stats. Read on for our more detailed analysis of all the school\u2019s 2026\u20132027 prompts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Briefly introduce yourself, then tell us what makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Please share something about yourself that may not be evident in other parts of your application. We are looking for an authentic and introspective response that demonstrates how you will contribute to the MBA class and culture at UC Berkeley Haas.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You will be able to test your audio-visual connection before recording. Video essays should last 1-2 minutes and may not exceed 2 minutes. You have two (2) attempts to record your video essay.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We understand that video essays can make you feel like you are being put on the spot, but this is really not Haas\u2019s intention. The admissions committee simply wants a more dynamic representation of your personality than a written essay can provide. So\u2014after introducing yourself (in no more than two sentences)\u2014just deliver your response honestly, as smoothly as you can, and be yourself. Your video should also provide you the opportunity to visibly demonstrate your passion for your chosen topic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As you brainstorm for ideas, consider times when you are completely immersed in and focused on something that you enjoy. With this question, Berkeley Haas is basically asking you to discuss what puts you \u201cin the zone.\u201d If you are truly excited about something\u2014and, we would assume, therefore engage in it on a regular basis\u2014writing about it should not prove too challenging. Like all other application questions, this one has no \u201cright\u201d answer, so do not try to guess what you think the school wants to hear. Authenticity is key to your success here. Note that the prompt includes the words \u201cwhen you are doing it,\u201d so even though you might feel strongly about certain causes or values, such as animal rights or environmental matters, for this essay, you will need to discuss an activity rather than an ideology.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The school does not stipulate that your topic needs to come from a specific area of your life (e.g., professional life, community service, personal life). We appreciate that you are likely passionate about your career, but this is not automatically your best choice for a topic here, especially given that the school\u2019s second required essay offers a better opportunity to discuss your professional side. What Berkeley Haas wants to learn from your response is what gets your heart pumping and mind revving. Enthusiasm and intensity can be very inspiring and energizing and can lead to big ideas and actions. Sharing what incites such feelings in you gives the admissions committee an idea of where you might someday make an impression on the world, how you might leave your mark\u2014especially once you are equipped with all you will gain and learn during your MBA experience.<\/p>\r\n