Haas School of Business has published the MBA Application essays for 2013-14. In this article, we will cover tips and strategies to answer the MBA Application Essay questions. There are four mandatory and two optional essay questions. The fourth mandatory essay question is divided into two parts. The first three mandatory essay questions have 250-word limit each while the fourth has a total word limit of 750 words.
Essays
Q. 1) If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 word maximum)
This essay is different from the traditional essays that you see in top Business Schools. To answer this question, here are some tips:
a) The song should preferably be in English
b) There is no requirement that the song should be a well-known title.
c) Rewrite the part of the lyrics of the song that represents you
d) Provide a context about why the song is a representation of your personality
e) Remember the word limit is just 250 words or half a page.
f) If there is a history on how the song was created, mention that and connect it with your story.
Bob Dylan’s Blowin in the Wind is an example where you can interpret the song according to your personality and belief system. The song is open ended, and suggests that the solution to the world’s problems is right in front of us. We need to recognize and take the initiative to create the solution. You can pick the entire song or excerpts of it, like:
“Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky ?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry ?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind”
You can interpret the excerpt as your life philosophy - looking for the solution instead of overanalyzing the problem. Data is not the answer but interpretation of data, and creating solutions that changes the world should be the focus. You can address how you look at problem solving from a human point of view, addressing issues with empathic listening.
Q. 2) What is your most significant accomplishment? (250 word maximum)
This essay should implicitly show how your accomplishments have been through the path of Berkeley-Haas key principles: Question the Status Quo; Confidence without Attitude; Students Always; and Beyond yourself.
Focus on professional accomplishment with the essay. The accomplishment has to be measurable. To do that follow this format:
Problem: Define the problem in simple sentences - one or two lines
Action: What plans did you develop and what are the actions that you took
Support: Who supported you with planning, and implementation? Give emphasis on
teamwork.
Result: What were the measurable results that you achieved?
Be careful with the tone of the answer. Haas prefers candidates who are confident but not arrogant.
Q3) Describe a time in the last three years when you overcame a failure. What specific insight from this experience has shaped your development? (250 word maximum)
Failure as a learning tool is a concept that is widely adopted in Management communities. The reason why AdCom has asked for failure in the last three years is to emphasis on professional failure.
Failure to achieve goals can be due to:
a) Insufficient Information
b) Lack of Strategy
c) Lack of coordination
d) Lack of Effective Communication
e) Lack of Experience in Implementation
f) Internal Conflicts
g) Lack of Leadership
Whatever be the reason for your failure, your learning experience should be highlighted in the answer.
Q4)
a. What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How have your professional experiences prepared you to achieve these goals?
b. How will an MBA from Haas help you achieve these goals? (750 word maximum for 4a. and 4b.)
The fourth essay is a two-part question that asks two things: goals and how Haas will help you achieve them.
Short-term Post-MBA Goal
We have written about defining short-term post-MBA goals in the article 5 Questions to define Post MBA Goals - http://www.f1gmat.com/how-define-post-mba-goals. Have a clear idea about post-MBA preferred industry, job functions, location and the daily responsibilities of the post-MBA job.
Long-Term Post-MBA Goal
Long-term post-MBA goals are in the 10-15 years horizon. Make sure that you have an overview of where you want to be professionally, after 10 years. AdCom understands that it is tough to be precise about long-term goals. So feel free to connect short-term goals to multiple long-term paths. It would be more realistic.
Research about Haas MBA
To do your research, we have several articles summarizing Haas School of Business and its MBA program
Haas School of Business
This profile page gives you an overview about the Business School and the Full-time MBA Program
Leadership Development at Haas MBA
In this article, we have gone into details of the Berkeley Innovative Leader Development (BILD), Leadership Development Series and Experiential learning courses. You can demonstrate how Haas can develop the leadership skills required for your post-MBA career.
Entrepreneurship at Haas
In this article we have covered Brian L. Maxwell Fellows Program, Lester Center for Entrepreneurship, The UC Berkeley Startup Competition, Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC), Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum, Berkeley Skydeck Accelerator and Entrepreneurial Best Practices Series. If you are entrepreneurial applicant, mention how you would utilize the Entrepreneurial eco-system and the opportunity offered in the startup competition to translate your idea to a viable Business.
Find out where Haas Stands
Most applicants do consider competing schools before picking Haas. Ross and Tepper MBA programs are two alternatives. By reading our comparison articles (Ross vs Haas MBA & Haas vs Tepper MBA), you will get a sense of where Haas stands, and how the school will help you achieve your goals.
Optional Essays
(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)
(Optional) If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 word maximum)
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