Berkeley Haas MBA Essays: Complete Guide for 2026 Intake
Berkeley Haas MBA Essays: Complete Guide (Video + Written Essay)
Berkeley Haas's MBA application includes a video essay and a written essay that give you the opportunity to showcase your passion, goals, and fit with Haas's innovative and collaborative culture. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down each component, provide strategic insights, and offer sample responses to help you craft compelling essays that demonstrate your potential as a Haas MBA student.
Understanding the Components
Video Essay
"Video essay: something you're passionate about"
Written Essay
"Essay on short‑ and long‑term goals and how Haas helps"
What Berkeley Haas is Looking For
1. Passion and Authenticity
Haas values candidates who are genuinely passionate about their interests and can articulate their enthusiasm authentically.
2. Innovation and Creativity
Haas emphasizes innovative thinking and creative problem-solving approaches.
3. Collaboration and Community
Show your ability to work with others and contribute to the Haas community.
4. Self-Awareness
Demonstrate understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and growth areas.
5. Fit with Haas's Culture
Show understanding of Haas's values and how you'll contribute to the community.
Strategic Approach to the Video Essay
Understanding the Purpose
The video essay is designed to assess:
- Your communication skills
- Your personality and authenticity
- Your ability to articulate passion
- Your fit with Haas's culture
Preparation Tips
1. Choose Your Passion Wisely
- Select something you're genuinely passionate about
- Choose a topic that showcases your personality
- Ensure it connects to your broader interests and goals
2. Practice Speaking Clearly
- Record yourself answering practice questions
- Focus on clear, confident delivery
- Maintain good eye contact with the camera
3. Show Authenticity
- Be genuine and natural
- Don't try to be someone you're not
- Let your personality shine through
4. Demonstrate Fit
- Show enthusiasm for Haas
- Demonstrate collaborative mindset
- Connect to Haas's values
Structure for Video Essay
Introduction (10 seconds):
- Hook with a compelling opening
- Introduce your passion
The Passion (30 seconds):
- Explain what you're passionate about
- Show why it matters to you
- Demonstrate your enthusiasm
Connection to Goals (15 seconds):
- How this passion connects to your career goals
- How it relates to your broader interests
Haas Connection (5 seconds):
- Brief connection to Haas's culture or values
Sample Video Essay Response
"I'm passionate about using technology to solve healthcare challenges, particularly the gap between healthcare innovation and patient access. This passion stems from my experience at Epic Systems, where I witnessed how electronic health records could dramatically improve patient outcomes, but also saw how limited access to capital prevented innovative solutions from reaching patients who needed them most.
This passion drives my interest in healthcare investment banking, where I can help connect innovative healthcare companies with the capital they need to bring life-saving technologies to market. I'm excited about Haas's strong healthcare connections and collaborative culture, which will help me develop the skills needed to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and patient access."
Strategic Approach to the Written Essay
Understanding the Focus
The written essay requires you to address:
- Your short-term career goals
- Your long-term career vision
- How Haas will help you achieve these goals
- Your potential contribution to Haas
Structure for Written Essay
Introduction (75 words):
- Hook with a compelling opening
- Briefly introduce your career goals
- Show understanding of Haas's role
Short-term Goals (100 words):
- Specific role, company, and industry
- Timeline for achievement
- Why these goals matter to you
Long-term Vision (100 words):
- Your 5-10 year career trajectory
- How you plan to make an impact
- Connection to your broader mission
Haas Connection (125 words):
- Specific Haas programs, courses, or opportunities
- How these align with your goals
- Connection to Haas's unique offerings
Contribution to Haas (100 words):
- How you'll contribute to the Haas community
- Specific ways you'll get involved
- Value you'll bring to fellow students
Sample Written Essay Draft
"My journey from healthcare technology to investment banking began when I discovered that the biggest barrier to healthcare innovation wasn't technology—it was capital. At Epic Systems, I implemented electronic health records for rural hospitals, witnessing how limited access to funding prevented life-saving technology from reaching patients who needed it most.
My short-term goal is to join Goldman Sachs' Healthcare Investment Banking group as a Senior Associate, focusing on biotech and digital health transactions. This role will provide the technical skills and deal experience necessary to understand complex financial structures while building relationships with key players in healthcare finance.
Long-term, I aim to lead Goldman's Healthcare Investment Banking division, driving the firm's strategy in this rapidly evolving sector. I plan to leverage this position to increase capital flow to innovative healthcare companies, ultimately improving patient outcomes through better access to funding.
Haas's Healthcare@Haas program will provide the specialized knowledge I need to understand healthcare industry dynamics and regulatory challenges. The program's focus on healthcare innovation and digital health will give me insights into emerging trends and opportunities in healthcare technology.
Additionally, Haas's location in the Bay Area provides unique access to healthcare startups and established technology companies, while the school's strong alumni network in healthcare finance will be invaluable for building relationships and identifying opportunities.
At Haas, I plan to contribute to the Healthcare Club and help organize events that bring together students interested in healthcare, technology, and finance. I want to create opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration that will benefit all students while building my own network and expertise in healthcare investment banking."
Key Tips for Success
1. Research Haas Thoroughly
- Understand specific programs and opportunities
- Know Haas's values and culture
- Connect to unique offerings like Healthcare@Haas
2. Be Authentic and Passionate
- Show genuine enthusiasm for your interests
- Demonstrate authentic personality
- Connect passions to broader goals
3. Show Innovation and Creativity
- Demonstrate creative problem-solving
- Show innovative thinking
- Connect to Haas's innovative culture
4. Prepare for Video Essay
- Practice speaking clearly and confidently
- Prepare compelling stories
- Show enthusiasm and authenticity
5. Stay Within Word Limits
- Every word counts in these concise essays
- Edit ruthlessly for clarity and impact
- Ensure smooth flow and transitions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Generic Passions
❌ "I'm passionate about business" ✅ "I'm passionate about using technology to solve healthcare challenges"
2. Vague Haas References
❌ "Haas is a great school" ✅ "Haas's Healthcare@Haas program will provide specialized knowledge"
3. Poor Video Preparation
❌ Reading from a script ✅ Speaking naturally and authentically
4. Weak Innovation Focus
❌ Generic business school approach ✅ Emphasizing innovation and creativity
5. Ignoring Collaboration
❌ Focusing only on individual achievements ✅ Emphasizing teamwork and community contribution
Final Checklist
Before submitting your application, ensure:
- [ ] Video essay shows authentic passion
- [ ] Written essay addresses goals and Haas connection
- [ ] Both components stay within limits
- [ ] Components complement rather than repeat each other
- [ ] You've shown research about Haas
- [ ] Components are authentic and specific
- [ ] You've proofread for errors
Conclusion
Berkeley Haas's application components are your opportunity to demonstrate your passion, goals, and fit with Haas's innovative culture. By crafting specific, authentic responses that show your genuine enthusiasm and potential to contribute to the Haas community, you can create compelling essays that showcase your readiness for the Haas experience.
Remember, Haas values students who are passionate, innovative, and ready to collaborate with others. Your application should reflect these qualities while telling your unique story and demonstrating your potential to thrive in Haas's collaborative and innovative environment.
Looking for more guidance on Berkeley Haas's application? Check out our guides on Haas's interview process and application timeline.