berkeley essay application

Supplemental Essay Prompts

Freshman admissions.

The Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) program seeks inquisitive, self-motivated students with a passion for finding and solving big problems.

The following essay question is designed to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help us get to know you. It gives you the opportunity to provide unique information about yourself, your interests, and your reasons for applying to the program. In addition to content, essays are evaluated for writing and critical thinking ability, skill in organizing and presenting thoughts, and the relevance of your answer to the question posed. Your response is limited to 350 words.

Required Essay: (350 words maximum)

Your supplemental essays must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on December 15, 2023 .

Describe how the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program in Engineering and Business at UC Berkeley will help you to achieve your goals. Share with us the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). What unique experiences from your world motivated you to apply to our program?

Video Essay Invitation

Some applicants may receive a request to record a video essay. Video essay requests are by invitation only and will be requested starting in November. Videos must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on January 12, 2024 . Check your email for an invitation and if requested, be sure to submit your video essay by the deadline.

The questions are:

How have you contributed to and bolstered the communities you are a part of? (Communities can = school, extracurriculars, family, etc.)
How will your admittance into the program catapult your educational journey or complement your career plans?
What has been your biggest failure and how did you respond?

Continuing Student Admissions

The following essay questions were created to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help us get to know you. They’re framed within the context of The Haas School of Business’s four Defining Leadership Principles and the College of Engineering’s mission and vision, and give you the opportunity to provide unique information about yourself and your interests. These essays are the principal means we have of gaining insight about you and your reasons for applying to the Berkeley M.E.T. Program. In addition to content, essays are evaluated for critical thinking and writing ability, skill in organizing and presenting thoughts, and the relevance of your answers to the questions posed.

All applicants are required to answer question A and to choose either topic B or C. The Admission Committee does not have a preference for either question B or C. They’re given equal weight in the review process. Essay D is optional.

Required Essay A: (500 words maximum) Describe your post-undergraduate goals. Why is the Berkeley M.E.T. Program essential in helping you achieve these goals?

Tip: We understand that both Haas and the College of Engineering (COE) have world-renowned reputations and faculty, strong alumni networks, and that majors have priority access to business and COE courses. Aside from these factors, why do you feel that studying both COE and Business is a necessary step in pursuit of your immediate post-undergraduate goals? You’re not required to include a detailed post-undergraduate plan, but you should address how the program will help you achieve your goals broadly.

Choose either Essay B or C: (500 words maximum)

Essay B: Describe a time when something important to you did not work out as planned. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the situation?

Tip : If you applied to M.E.T. as a freshman, this is an opportunity for you to share with us what has been enhanced since then.

Essay C: If admitted to Berkeley M.E.T., how would you help develop a sense of belonging for classmates from diverse communities? What challenges do you anticipate, and how will you respond to them?

Optional Essay D: (250 words maximum) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application?

Tip: Use this essay to explain academic issues, grade disputes or personal/family/medical circumstances you want the admission committee to be aware of. Currently, there are unique circumstances impacting applicants to Berkeley M.E.T. You may also use this essay to discuss how you’ve been impacted by matters such as the pandemic, social unrest, and/or natural disasters.

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University of California, Berkeley | UC Berkeley’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short responses.

Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Berkeley mfe blog, how to prepare for the video essay.

By The Berkeley MFE Program | Jun 22, 2022 | Applying , STEM , Data Science , MFE , quant finance , graduate studies , video essay

It is important that we are able to hear and see you. Before you start recording, make sure you are in a quiet space with good lighting. In orde r to minimize distractions, please have a neutral background that isn’t busy with objects or bright colors.

You want to make sure you are in a well lit room. If possible, we recommend recording during the day with natural light. If your space has a window directly behind you, ensure that the shades or curtains are closed.

Check the quality of the device you are recording on. Make sure that your face is fully in frame and visible, and that your audio is clear. You will have an opportunity to do a test before you begin the recording, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

You have two attempts to record your video, so make sure beforehand that you are in an area with stable Internet connection. Since you will record the video essay directly in the application portal. We encourage you to check your internet speed and that your video will upload properly at the end of your recording. You can use an online speed test to check your speed.

We all know that the first impression is usually the most important. The video essay may be the only time the admissions committee will see and hear you, so take the time to ensure you are well dressed and groomed.

The essay question(s) will not be available beforehand. While you will not be able to prepare in advance, we recommend preparing yourself mentally: take deep breaths, go out for a walk, hydrate, etc. Do what you need to get in the right mind set. When you are ready and completed the video and audio check, the question(s) will appear on screen when you hit “Ready.” We have designed the question(s) to be answered it on the spot and you will have a few seconds to read the prompt before the recording begins.

You only have two minutes to answer the prompt. Make sure to pay attention to the time and start wrapping up before time runs out. Once you completed the recording, take a few minutes to review your response. Utilize the second attempt if needed. If you decide to record your response using the second att empt, we strongly advise that you do not read your answer or look it up on the internet. Use your own words, be yourself and talk to us as if you were sitting across from us during an interview. This is not a pass or fail exercise. We want to hear from you, your opinion, and what you have to say on this subject.

We hope these tips will help you feel more confident and ready for the video portion. If you have not already done so, we encourage you review the application tips . If you still have questions or need additional guidance, here are ways to connect or learn more: sign-up for an information session or join the weekly Q&A session via zoom on Tuesdays from 3-4 PM PT/Wednesday from 9-10 AM PT.

About The Author

The Berkeley Master of Financial Engineering Program, a STEM designated degree, provides you with the knowledge and skills to prepare you for a career in the finance/fintech industry.

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Our students demonstrate professional achievement, academic aptitude, and leadership potential and come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.

The Evening & Weekend Berkeley MBA admissions team takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications, seeking to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, qualifications, and experiences.

All interested candidates are encouraged to start an application .

The Berkeley MBA Application

The first step is creating your Application Portal through our secure online system. Your Portal will be your guide through the admissions process from the time you begin your application through the time you submit your enrollment deposit.

You will complete the application, upload all required documents, monitor the status of your application, and receive your application decision through your Portal.
You may enter, update, and save information in your application any time until you’ve submitted your application.
Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the date of the application deadline.
Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make changes to your application, but be sure to monitor your Portal for updates on your application status.
We will send you a confirmation email upon receipt of your application and supplemental materials.
Be sure to remember the email address you use to create your account, you will need to use this address for all communications regarding your application.

Reapplying to the Berkeley MBA Program

If you've previously applied to any Berkeley MBA program, including the Evening & Weekend MBA Program, you still need to create a new application. See our information for Reapplicants .

If you received your undergraduate degree outside of the United States and/or are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, see our information for International Applicants .

University Transcripts

We require copies from all institutions you have attended or are currently attending. However, we only require official or original transcripts from the institution where you were awarded your bachelor's degree.
Must arrive in a sealed envelope as issued by the school
If the institution provides official electronic transcripts, they can be emailed directly from the institution to: [email protected].

You must upload to your application copies of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs you have attended or are currently attending since graduating high school/secondary school. You must also list each of these schools in the Academic History section of the application.

You can also learn more about how to provide transcripts and about the academic performance review process .

Employment & Resume

To review the progression and milestones of your career, we ask that you provide us details of each of your professional roles since you have finished your undergraduate studies. Please break out each of your positions separately and provide dates and details for each position. We also ask that you upload a current resume through the online application. We prefer chronological resumes no longer than 2 pages, in PDF format. Learn more about how we review your professional experience.

Standardized Tests & Quantitative Readiness

All applicants are required to take the GMAT, GRE, or EA* exam. We will accept official scores for GMAT, GRE, or EA exams taken as early as October 2018 for 2024 applicants. These scores must also be verifiable with the testing agency. The testing agencies keep the scores for five years from the date the test was taken so you must submit your official scores to us directly from the testing agency prior to them expiring.

Berkeley Haas keeps test score reports on file for two years, and there is no minimum acceptable score. Learn more about how we review your test score .

* Executive Assessment (EA) is an additional exam option that we accept for applicants with 6 or more years of work experience.

Applicants with a PhD with evidence of strong quantitative skills or an advanced medical degree, as listed below, may request an exemption from submitting standardized test scores:

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

To request a waiver, applicants must start an application, upload all academic transcripts, and send an email request to [email protected] . We will review your request and the admissions committee will notify you within 5-7 days via email whether the request is approved.

The Haas Quantitative Readiness Course (QRC)

Bolster your application and prepare for mba coursework.

The optional QRC provides a no-cost option for demonstrating academic readiness and prepares you for the rigors of MBA coursework. The virtual course is self-paced and includes online support from an instructor.

Who should take the course?

The QRC is for MBA applicants who have limited experience using quantitative skills in their academic or professional background and would like to provide more evidence of academic readiness to support their MBA candidacy. It also benefits incoming students who would like to brush up on and/or enhance their quantitative skills in preparation for their MBA.

Note: If you are taking UCB Extension Math for Management, you do not need to take this course.

QRC Course Format and Cost

The course videos and instructor access are offered free of charge. You may complete the course or portions of the course by watching the videos at your own pace with online support from the professor.
The course is divided into 7 modules:
Math Fundamentals for Business Part I
Math Fundamentals For Business Part II
Statistics Part I
Statistics Part II
Finance Part I
Finance Part II
Microeconomics
Each module is intended to take about one week to complete; however, it is possible to go slower or more quickly depending on your experience with the topics and how much time you invest each week. You may also accelerate through the first two modules by testing out of them.

To Enroll in the Course

Applicants must start an application
Select the ‘Essay’ tab where you can indicate you are interested in the QRC course and complete the request to enroll.
If you have already submitted your application, you may use this link to log into your portal and complete the request to enroll.

We’re looking for honest, thoughtful responses that help us get to know you; there truly is no one “right” answer to our essay questions. While you should answer each question thoroughly, you should not exceed the specified lengths.

Essay 1 - Personal Story

To help admissions get to know you please share something about yourself that may not be evident in other parts of your application. Examples might include information about your family, culture, hobbies, and lived experiences. Please avoid professional topics. (300 word limit)

Essay 2 - Professional Statement

Please summarize your primary area of professional expertise or knowledge. What do you do, and what are you known for? (150 words)

Learn more about what we look for in your essays .

Letters of Recommendation

It is recommended, but not required, that one letter be from your current direct supervisor.
The letters will be submitted through our online system.

Learn more about what we look for in Letters of Recommendation.

Video Interview

Our video interview allows us to get to know you beyond your written application. The video format provides the opportunity to ensure each candidate receives a similar interview experience, which aids us in reducing unconscious bias. Applicants will complete two short video questions. One question will be based on your desire to attend Haas and the other will give us a chance to get to know you better. For each question, you will have 1-2 minutes of response time. After you receive the link you have SEVEN days to complete the video interview. This due date may be after the application deadline depending when you submit your application and that is acceptable as the video interview has a unique and separate deadline which will be shown in the email that includes the link to the video interview platform.

Learn more about our video interview process and review our Frequently Asked Questions .

Non-Refundable Application Fee

A $200 non-refundable application fee is required and payable by credit card within the online application.

Fee waivers are available for:

Nonprofit / Public Service Employees. Employees of nonprofit and public service are eligible for a fee waiver.
U.S. military service members. U.S military service members (active, veteran, or honorably discharged). Please include documentation of service or certificate of eligibility. (Do not submit a copy of your military ID.)
Participants in the Summer Institute for Emerging Managers & Leaders (SIEML) program.
Citizenship in a country on the African Continent.
Currently unemployed due to a lay off which occurred after June 1, 2023.

You will apply for a fee waiver within the application. Requests for a fee waiver must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the application deadline for which you are applying.

English Language Proficiency Requirement (If applicable)

Applicants who received their degrees in countries other than the U.S., UK, Australia, English-speaking Canada, or Singapore are required to take the TOEFL exam or the IELTS exam.

Tests taken before June 2022 will not be accepted.

Review our International Applicants website for information on ordering these scores

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic coursework with grades of “B” or better in residence at a recognized US institution at your time of application. You must submit an official transcript from the US institution.

The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:

Courses in English as a Second Language
Courses conducted in a language other than English
Courses that will be completed after you apply
Courses of a non-degree or non-academic nature
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Freshman requirements

Subject requirement (A-G)
GPA requirement
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UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

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Transfer requirements

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You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.
Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary.

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider: If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

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Applying for Graduate Admission

Applying to uc berkeley.

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! We value and welcome students from a diverse set of backgrounds, nations, cultures, and experiences. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible to apply if you have an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) at an accredited institution or will have completed it prior to matriculating at Berkeley.

We recommend that applicants have a satisfactory average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale. Undergraduate research, training and/or work experience can be helpful.

Application Process

The 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Application is now open. Please check your program of interest’s application deadline , and submit by 8:59 p.m. PST.

Reminder: Applicants may apply to only one degree program or one concurrent degree program per application term. UC Berkeley does not offer ad hoc joint degree programs or cotutelle agreements with other universities.

Schools with Separate Applications: Haas Business , Berkeley Law , Optometry OD , Public Health On-Campus MPH , Information Data Science MIDS, and Cyber Security MICS applicants should apply through their respective schools.

Read About the Steps to Apply

Getting started? Read "Steps to Apply" for requirements, a suggested timeline, and application deadlines.

Notice of Availability:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of California, Berkeley publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes current security policies plus crime and fire statistics for the previous three calendar years. The body of the report also contains contact information for various campus and community resources related to crime prevention and survivor assistance. A digital copy of the report can be accessed via the link below, or paper copies are available free of charge at 1 Sproul Hall.

UC Berkeley Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

Have questions? Read our Admissions FAQ page or contact the Graduate Admissions Office.

Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Looking to ace your Berkeley Haas MBA application essays? Our comprehensive guide provides an overview of the essay prompts, valuable tips, and real examples to help you craft compelling and impactful responses.

Posted March 1, 2024

Featuring Andy P. and Geri T.

Applying to Top MBA Programs as a Consultant

Wednesday, april 24.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA program is highly regarded for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on leadership development. As part of the application process, prospective students are required to submit several essays that provide insights into their experiences, goals, and values. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look at the UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays, providing an overview of the application process, offering expert tips for each essay prompt, and providing examples from successful applicants.

UC Berkeley Haas Application and the Role of Essays

Before diving into the essay prompts, it is important to understand the significance of the essays in the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application. While your academic and professional backgrounds are essential components of your application, the essays allow you to showcase your unique personality, aspirations, and fit with the Haas program. The admissions committee wants to gain a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your resume and test scores. Therefore, investing time and effort into crafting compelling essays is crucial to stand out from the competition.

When it comes to the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application, the essays are more than just a requirement. They serve as a platform for you to express your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a way that cannot be captured by your academic records or work history alone. Through the essays, you have the opportunity to paint a vivid picture of your journey , highlighting the defining moments that have shaped your personal and professional growth.

One of the key aspects that the admissions committee looks for in the essays is authenticity. They want to see the real you, not a polished version that you think they want to see. This means being honest, vulnerable, and genuine in your writing. Don't be afraid to share your failures, setbacks, and challenges, as they can often be the most powerful sources of personal growth and resilience.

Another important element to consider when writing your essays is the alignment between your goals and the Haas program . The admissions committee wants to see that you have done your research and understand how Haas can help you achieve your aspirations. This requires a deep dive into the program's curriculum, faculty, clubs, and resources. By demonstrating a clear connection between your goals and what Haas has to offer, you show the admissions committee that you are not only a good fit for the program but also have a well-thought-out plan for your future.

Furthermore, the essays provide an opportunity for you to showcase your leadership potential and ability to make an impact . Haas values individuals who are not only driven to succeed personally but also have a desire to contribute to the greater good. Whether it's through your professional experiences, community involvement, or extracurricular activities, highlight instances where you have taken initiative, influenced others, and created positive change.

Lastly, don't underestimate the power of storytelling in your essays. Instead of simply listing your achievements or qualifications, use anecdotes and narratives to bring your experiences to life. This will not only make your essays more engaging but also allow the admissions committee to connect with you on a deeper level.

In conclusion, the essays play a crucial role in the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application. They provide an opportunity for you to showcase your unique qualities, demonstrate your fit with the program, and highlight your leadership potential. By investing time and effort into crafting compelling essays that are authentic, goal-aligned, impactful, and well-told, you can increase your chances of standing out from the competition and securing a spot at UC Berkeley Haas.

UC Berkeley Haas Essay Prompts (2023-2024)

Prompt 1: Tell us a six-word story that reflects a memorable experience in your life-to-date.
Prompt 2: Share a time when you questioned an established practice or thought within an organization and how your perspective changed as a result.
Prompt 3: Describe a situation where you had to work with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience?
Prompt 4: Describe a leadership experience and how you created a positive impact.
Prompt 5: Briefly describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Explain why you view it as such.

Each of these essay prompts presents a unique opportunity for you to demonstrate your abilities, values, and personal growth. It is crucial to approach each prompt thoughtfully and tailor your response to showcase your fit with the Haas MBA program. Let's delve into expert tips for each essay prompt to help you craft compelling essays.

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List of Expert Tips for Each Haas Essay Prompt

Essay prompt 1: tell us a six-word story that reflects a memorable experience in your life-to-date.

1. Be concise and impactful: With only six words, every word counts. Craft a story that leaves a lasting impression and conveys a significant aspect of your life.

2. Reflect on personal growth: Choose a story that showcases personal growth or transformation. Highlight how this experience has shaped your values or perspectives.

3. Show authenticity: Use this opportunity to reveal your authentic self. Be genuine and avoid generic or cliché stories.

Essay Prompt 2: Share a time when you questioned an established practice or thought within an organization and how your perspective changed as a result

1. Choose a relevant example: Select a situation that demonstrates your critical thinking skills and willingness to challenge the status quo.

2. Highlight your adaptability and openness to learning: Describe how your perspective evolved and what you learned from this experience.

3. Connect with Haas values: Emphasize how your new perspective aligns with the innovative and inclusive culture fostered by the Haas MBA program.

Essay Prompt 3: Describe a situation where you had to work with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience?

1. Highlight collaboration and teamwork: Narrate a story that showcases your ability to work effectively in a team and achieve shared goals.

2. Show self-awareness: Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses in a teamwork setting and discuss how you have grown as a team player.

3. Discuss your learnings: Clearly articulate the valuable lessons you gained from this experience and how they will contribute to your success in the Haas MBA program.

Essay Prompt 4: Describe a leadership experience and how you created a positive impact

1. Define leadership in your context: Start by defining what leadership means to you and how you have embodied it in a specific situation.

2. Highlight your ability to influence: Describe how you inspired and motivated others to achieve a common goal.

3. Show the positive impact: Quantify and emphasize the positive outcomes of your leadership actions. Discuss how you left a lasting impact on individuals or organizations.

Essay Prompt 5: Briefly describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Explain why you view it as such

1. Choose your most impactful achievement: Select an accomplishment that showcases your skills, resilience, and impact within a professional setting.

2. Provide context: Clearly explain the significance of the accomplishment and the challenges you overcame to achieve it.

3. Reflect on personal growth and skill development: Discuss how this achievement has shaped your professional journey and why it holds great value to you.

UC Berkeley Haas Essay Examples From Success Admits — With Analysis

While understanding the tips and strategies is essential, studying real-life examples of successful Haas MBA essays can provide valuable insights. At Success Admits, we have compiled a collection of UC Berkeley Haas essay examples with detailed analysis. These examples will help you understand how successful applicants approached the essay prompts and how they effectively communicated their stories.

UC Berkeley Haas Essay FAQs

1. How long should each essay be? As per Haas guidelines, each essay should be limited to a maximum of 350 words. It is important to be concise and impactful within this word limit.

2. Should I answer all the essay prompts? While it is not mandatory to answer all the prompts, it is generally recommended to provide responses to as many prompts as possible to give the admissions committee a broader understanding of your experiences and abilities.

3. Can I reuse essays from other MBA applications? While you can draw inspiration from previous essays, it is crucial to tailor your responses specifically for the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application. This ensures that your essays align with Haas's values and mission.

By following these tips, studying successful examples, and devoting sufficient time for reflection and revision, you can craft compelling UC Berkeley Haas MBA essays that enhance your chances of admission. Good luck with your application!

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18 UC Berkeley Essay Examples that Worked (2023)

If you want to get into the University of California, Berkeley in 2022, you need to write strong Personal Insight Question essays.

In this article I've gathered 18 of the best University of California essays that worked in recent years for you to learn from and get inspired.

What is UC Berkeley's Acceptance Rate?

UC Berkeley is one of the top public universities and therefore highly competitive to get admitted into.

This past year 112,854 students applied to Berkeley and only 16,412 got accepted. Which gives UC Berkeley an overall admit rate of 14.5%.

And as of 2022, the University of California no longer uses your SAT and ACT when deciding which students to admit.

UC Berkeley Acceptance Scattergram

This means that your Personal Insight Questions are even more important to stand out in the admissions process. That is, your essays are more heavily weighed.

If you're trying to get accepted to UC Berkeley, here are 18 of the best examples of Personal Insight Questions that got into Berkeley.

What are the UC Personal Insight Question Prompts for 2022-23?

The Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) are a set of eight questions asked by the UC application, of which students must answer four of those questions in 350 words or less.

Here are the Personal Insight Question prompts for this year:

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

18 UC Berkeley Personal Insight Question Examples

Here are the 18 best Berkeley essays that worked for each Personal Insight Question prompt #1-8.

If you're also applying to UCLA, check out more unique UCLA essays from admitted students.

UC Berkeley Example Essay #1

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UC PIQ #1: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. (350 words max)

From an early age I became a translator for my mother anytime we went out in public. This experience forced me to have conversations with adults from a young age. It made me become a great communicator, while helping my parents overcome their language barrier.

Being a communicator has allowed me to lead. When I joined my school’s National Honor Society I was given the opportunity to lead. Applying the skills I used from being my mother’s translator I was able to do what no one else could, make the calls and start the club’s most successful event to date an annual Food Drive at a local Albertson’s, which collects over one ton of food every November. Also developing events like an egg hunt at the local elementary school, a goods drive for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and stabilizing a volunteer partnership with a local park. I have been able to grow as a leader, who actively communicates and brings parties together, planning events and having them run smoothly with minor issues. For instance, last year there was an issue with the homeless shelter not picking up the food for the food drive. In a spur of the moment solution I managed for club member’s parents to collectively deliver the food. My ability to communicate benefited me allowing me to find a solution to an unanticipated problem.

Throughout the four years I have been in journalism I have led; mentoring younger writers and improving the way the paper operates. Staying after hours, skyping with writers about their articles all helped establish my role as a leader, who is always supporting his team. I have done this while writing over 100 articles, editing tons of pages, and managing deadlines. I learned that while being a leader requires effort, it is the passion like I have for journalism that motivates me to lead in my community.

Being a leader so far in my life has taught me that I need to communicate, be passionate, and pass on my knowledge helping cultivate future leaders, who can expand and supersede my work.

UC PIQ #2: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. (350 words max)

Video games have cultivated my creative thought process. When I was a toddler I invented a game I would play with my brothers. It was nothing along the lines of Hide-and-Seek or Tag, but rather, it was meant to mimic a role-playing video game. It was called "Guy" and came with its own story, leveling system, and narrative story. While seemingly impossible to translate the mechanics of a video game into real life, the "Guy" trilogy provided hundreds of hours of fun to pass hot summer days and escape the harsh reality of our parents arguing and eventual divorce.

This thought process translated into my educational career. have always thought of a tough class or test as a video game. This mostly due to my excessive amounts of video games I played as a child through middle school (especially 7th grade). Each year comes bigger and "stronger" challenges, bigger and stronger bosses to defeat. My senior year will have me face the most powerful boss yet; full AP course load on top of heavy club involvement and community college classes.

Many thought of this "secret boss" as an impossible challenge; something that could never be beaten. No one from my school has ever attempted to take on such a challenge, let alone defeat it. That is probably what excites me about it. In a game, messing around with lower level enemies is fun for a while, but gets boring when it is too easy. The thought of a challenge so great and difficult makes the victory even more rewarding. Stormy skies, heavy rain, and epic boss battle music; I'll take that over a peaceful village any day. In the future, I seek to use this thinking to drive research. I think of abstract physics concepts like secret door and levels that need to be proven true or just a myth in the game. One day, I can make my own discovery of a secret "cheat code' that can help everyone who plays a little game called life.

UC PIQ #3: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (350 words max)

I’ve always hated the feeling of clammy hands, the needless overflow of adrenaline rushing through my veins, and the piercing eyes that can see through my façade—the eyes that judge me. I felt like this debilitating anxiety that I suffered through was something I could not avoid when doing the thing I was most afraid of—public speaking. I still felt every sweat droplet run down my skin before each speech, and this anguish never completely dissipated. Fortunately, I learned to moderate my fear in high school when I decided to join the speech and debate program. My anxiety has slowly faded in intensity as I’ve gained certitude and poise with every tournament, and every chance I’m given to speak on behalf of others; this talent has allowed me to be a voice for the voiceless.

Out of all the national tournaments that I’ve competed in, the MLK invitational holds a distinct place in my heart. It was my first invitational tournament in which I competed exclusively in Lincoln Douglas debate. I only had two weeks to prepare myself since it was finals week, while my competitors had upwards of two months to prepare. I was fortunate to break into the final round, as my years of experience helped me to articulate and explain my few arguments more effectively, while also refuting my opponent’s.

I realized that the extent of one’s knowledge is useless if it cannot be made known in a way that is clear to others. I learned that preparation is necessary, but one can be so focused on what they are going to say that they don’t hear the arguments presented. I kept an open and ready mind for various claims and strategies which left me free to adapt to the opponent’s argumentative style each round. This ability to think on my feet has served me well in countless debates, speeches, and presentations. I continuously use these skills to become a better and more active listener in my daily interactions as well.

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My greatest skill is my ability to remember things really well, whether they be minute details or important information that should not be forgotten. Over time, I’ve had a knack for remembering details most people would not even bother to remember, such as old test scores, atomic masses, and other details involving numbers. My friends have always marveled at my ability to remember all these numbers. When I was in chemistry class, we used the periodic table so much that I soon began to remember the atomic mass of the more common elements, and even the molecular mass of common compounds like glucose or water. One of my best friends, who is undoubtedly the smartest person in our class, even finds it crazy that I can remember all these numbers and always tells me that my memory of numbers is amazing. I also used my memory to learn and remember how to solve the Rubik's cube, which amazes my friends, as they find it to be complex with many different, possible combinations.

This skill that I have developed, however, isn’t completely under my control, as sometimes I just remember random and irrelevant facts without really trying to do so. I recall one weekend when my eight-year-old cousin was attempting to memorize the digits of pi: I remembered them along with him, learning up to forty digits in just one day. The skill is seemingly natural and not something I have worked hard to develop, as I may be able to use my memory to my advantage, or it can be a disadvantage. It helps when I have multiple tests in one day, or a test with many questions where I have to remember a lot of information, such as finals. Sometimes, however, it is a disadvantage when I remember information during a test that is not relevant to the topic, such as random dates, names, or song lyrics, to name a few. This skill is very important to nonetheless, as it has assisted me all throughout my life in many tests and challenges involving memory.

UC PIQ #4: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. (350 words max)

At 10:30 pm on a hot, summer, Wednesday night, you would expect my friends and me to be having the time of our lives and going out on crazy high school adventures— but instead, we were actually stuck in a chemistry laboratory trying to map out the Lewis structure of sulfuric acid.

Over the summer of my sophomore year, my friends and I enrolled into ‘Introduction to Chemistry’, an evening course at our local community college. As a six-week summer course, I spent two hours in lecture, two hours in the laboratory, and another two hours studying on my own for four days a week for six weeks. It was evident that I struggled with adjusting to the pace of college when I received 19% on a quiz. I felt left behind, exhausted, and overall pathetic. No matter how many hours I spent studying, I couldn’t keep up. But instead of giving up, I picked up certain strategies like reading the material the night before, rewriting my notes, and joining a study group; eventually working my way up to a B.

At the end of that summer, I learned so much more than just chemistry. On top of having the raw experience of what college is like, my chemistry experience taught me that it is okay to fail. I discovered that failure is an essential part of learning. Coming to this realization inspired me to take more college courses and rigorous courses in high school. I transformed into a hungry learner, eager to fail, learn, and improve. By seizing the opportunity to take this course, I pushed myself beyond my limits. This experience and realization changed how I wanted to pursue the rest of high school, college, and life in general.

I walked into my first day of the chemistry class expecting to walk out with an A; but thankfully, I didn’t. Instead, I walked out of that class with a taste of the college experience and a principle that I now live by-- that it is okay to fail, as long as you get back up.

The relationship I cultivated with my school's college center, by simply being inquisitive, has been most significant. Over my years in high school the college center became my 2nd home, where I learned about extra opportunities and triumphed with help from counselors.

For instance, with help from my school’s college center I applied and was accepted as an LAUSD Superintendent Summer Scholar this past summer. The program selected 15 juniors out of over 450 applicants to work in one of 15 departments, and I was chosen to work for the communications department, which received over 70 applications – making me 1 of 70. Interning for LAUSD at their 29 floor high rise was very eye-opening and exposed me to working in communications alongside seasoned professionals. The opportunity gave me the chance to meet the Superintendent and school board members, who are politically in charge of my education. As part of the communications department I learned how the district operates a network of over 1,300 schools and saw how the 2nd largest school district shares info with stakeholders through universal press releases, phone calls, and the district homepage.

I wrote several articles for the district publication and worked with public information officers who taught me the principles of professionalism and how to communicate to over 1 million people. Recently, I was called from the district to become a part of their Media Advisory Council working alongside district heads, representing the students of LAUSD.

Working for LAUSD furthered my passion to pursue careers in both communication and education. I have always had a desire to be a journalist and the internship assured me of that. I want to write stories bringing student issues from areas like mine to light. Being exposed to the movers and shakers that control education in Los Angeles has heavily motivated me to become an educator and at some point become a school board member influencing the education students like me receive.

Support from the college center has spawned opportunities like a life-changing internship and set me on course for a future full of opportunity.

“Give me liberty, or give me death!”, I proudly exclaimed, finishing up a speech during my first Individual Event competition for Speech and Debate, also known as Forensics Workshop. Public speaking was always one of my shortcomings. During countless in-class presentations, I suffered from stage-fright and anxiety, and my voice always turned nervous and silent. I saw Speech and Debate as a solution to this barrier that hindered my ability to teach and learn. With excessive practice, I passed the tryout and found myself in the zero-period class. All of my teammates, however, joined because they loved chattering and arguing. I had the opposite reason: I despised public speaking.

I was definitely one of the least competitive members of the team, probably because I didn’t take the tournaments very seriously and mainly worried about being a better speaker for the future. Throughout the daily class, I engaged in impromptu competitions, speech interpretations, spontaneous arguments, etc... Throughout my two years on the team, my communication, reciting, writing, and arguing skills overall improved through participation in events such as Impromptu, Original Oratory, Oratorical Interpretation, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Congress. I even achieved a Certificate of Excellence in my first competition for Oratorical Interpretation -- where we had to recite a historical or current speech -- for Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death.”

I decided to quit Speech and Debate because I felt as if it has completed its purpose. After this educational experience, my communications skilled soared, so I could perform better in school, especially on essays and presentations. Leaving this activity after two years gave me more time to focus on other activities, and apply communications skills to them. In fact, I even did better in interviews (which is how I got into the Torrance Youth Development Program) and even obtained leadership positions in clubs such as Math Club and Science Olympiad Through my two years in Speech and Debate, I believe I became a much better thinker, speaker, and leader. Taking advantage of this opportunity boosted my self-esteem and overall made high school a better experience.

UC PIQ #5: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? (350 words max)

Although many would say that hardships are the greatest hindrance on a person, my hardships are my greatest assets. The hardships I have overcome are what push and drive me forward. If I had not gone through the failures of my 7th grade year I may have been satisfied as a B or C student. It is easy for us to use our hardships as excuses for not doing work, however, this is a mistake that many people make.

Through my struggles and failure, I have realized an important truth: I am not special. The world will continue to go on and expect me to contribute no matter what I have gone through. Everyone endures some type of obstacle in their life; what makes people different is how they handle them. Some sit around and cry "boo-hoo" waiting for people to feel sorry for them. Others actually take action to improve their situation.

Through hard work, I have been able to outperform my peers, yet I know there is still room for improvement. The thought of actual geniuses in top universities excited me; I long to learn from them and eventually surpass them, or perhaps enter a never ending race for knowledge with them. I used to live an hour away from school. I would have to wake up and be dropped off at a donut shop at 4 in the morning and then walk to school at 6:30 am. After school, I would have to walk to the public library and stay for as long as it was open then wait outside and get picked up around 9:30 pm. I am reluctant to retell this story; not because I am ashamed, but because it is not important. It doesn't matter what hardships I have endured, they do not determine who I am. What matters is what I have done.

At the start of high school, I saw nothing but success. From grades to extracurricular activities, everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, as my sophomore year progressed, this wave of success was soon swamped by a wave of disillusionment. I struggled to perform in Calculus and as a Vice-President, but instead of looking for a solution, I looked for excuses. Ultimately, when I was forced to face my two F’s and my lost elections, the world came crashing down. The vision I had meticulously planned out for the future seemed to shatter before my eyes. My self-confidence plummeted to an all-time low. I thought my life was over.

However, my response to this failure was what would ultimately determine the direction my life would take. In the end, I made the right choice: instead of continuing to blind myself with a false narrative that cast all the blame off my own shoulders, I admitted to my own shortcomings and used this experience as a lesson to grow from.

In doing so, I learned to focus on the aspects of my life that I was truly passionate about instead of spreading myself too thin. I learned to face challenges head-on instead cowering at the first sign of difficulty, even if it meant asking others for help. I learned to accept and utilize my own differences to create my own unique leadership style. Most importantly, rather than letting this mistake define me, I ignited a sense of determination that would guide me back on the right path no matter how many obstacles I encounter.

Looking back, this tragic mistake was a double-edged sword. While it definitely leaves a stain on my record, it is also likely that I wouldn’t have been able to find the same success a year later without the lessons I gained from this experience. At the end of the day, while I still grimace every time I contemplate my sophomore year, I understand now that this mistake is what has allowed me to develop into the person I am today.

Throughout my childhood, I grew up in a nine-person household where the channels of our TV never left the Filipino drama station and the air always smelled of Filipino food. But the moment I left home, I would go to a typical suburban elementary school as an average American kid at the playground. I grew up in a unique position which I both love and hate: being a second-generation Filipino American.

I love being a second-generation immigrant. I have the best of both worlds. But I also hate it. It chains me to this ongoing struggle of living under the high expectations of immigrant parents. How could I hate the part of me that I loved the most?

Growing up, I lived under the constant academic stress that my parents placed on me. Their expectations were through the roof, demanding that I only bring home A’s on my report card. My entire academic career was based on my parent’s expectations. Their eyes beat down on every test score I received. I loved them so much, but I could only handle so much. The stress ate me alive, but I silently continued to work hard.

Living under this stress is the biggest ongoing challenge of my life thus far. Until last year, I never understood why my parents expected so much from me. Finally being old enough to understand my parent’s point of view, I realize that they set these high expectations in the hopes that one day, all of the pain and struggles it took to get to America will pay off. Since then, I’ve overcome the high expectations of my parents by converting their pressure into a fireball of ambition and motivation, deeply ingrained in my mentality.

This intense desire to succeed in America as a second-generation immigrant is something that has and always will fuel my academic drive. As the first person in my family to go to college in America, I’ve made it my life aspiration to succeed in academics in the honor of my family-- a decision made by me.

UC PIQ #6: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. (350 words max)

Understanding the past helps us make better choices in today’s society. History provides us with the views of people and politics, the ethnic origin of people, and much more. At the base of all history, there is an intensive culmination of research which hopes to address or bring light to a story.

My passion for history began while digging deep into own family’s story, researching the history of Latin America, and the origins of the city I was raised in.

For example, when I first saw my favorite show Avatar The Last Airbender, I spent hours researching the mythology of the show which in the process made me learn about the philosophy of China: daoism, Confucius, and the mandate of heaven. Anything can be put within a historical framework to understand the context; every decision, tv show, and law has a history and that is exactly what I love. History forces us to take into account the voices of the past before we can attempt to plan for the future.

History has helped me become a more effective writer for the school paper. It has made me think like a attorney, revisiting old cases, and writing up a winning argument in a mock trial. Thinking like a historian has helped me make sense of the current political climate and motivated me to help start Students For Liberty, at my school’s campus where political ideologies are shared respectfully.

Learning, about history drives my inquisitive nature — I demonstrated this desire by volunteering at a local museum to learn more about the origins of my community in Carson. Ultimately, learning about the Dominguez family who established the Harbor Area of LA.

In terms of academics and performance, I have passed both of my history AP exams in World and U.S. history — being the 2nd person in my school’s history to do so. Studying history in highschool has nurtured my love for social science, which I hope to continue in college and throughout my life.

Ever since I was little, I have possessed a unique fascination for nature and the way it interacts with itself. As I sat in the prickly seats of old tour buses and the bilingual tour guide has silenced himself for the dozens of passengers that have closed their curtains and fallen into deep slumber, I would keep my eyes glued to the window, waiting to catch a glimpse of wild animals and admiring the beautiful scenery that mother nature had pieced together. At Outdoor Science Camp, while most of my friends were fixated on socializing and games, I was obsessed with finding every organism in the book. Nothing else caught my attention quite like ecology.

As high school dragged on and the relentless responsibilities, assignments, and tests washed away the thrill of learning, ecology was one interest that withstood the turmoil. At the end of a draining day, I would always enjoy relaxing to articles detailing newly discovered species or relationships between species.

This past summer, I was able to further this interest when a unique opportunity to volunteer abroad caught my eye. Flying over to the beautiful tropical shorelines of the Dominican Republic, I was able to dive into the frontlines of the battle against climate change, dwindling populations, and habitat destruction brought about by mankind, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

While everyone was obviously ecstatic about snorkeling in the crystal blue waters, only I was able to retain that same excitement about trekking through knee thick mud and mosquito infested forests to replant mangrove trees. While tracking animal populations, my heart leaped at the sight of every new species that swam right in front of my eyes. Even when it came to the dirty work of building structures to rebuild coral and picking up trash along the beach, I always found myself leading the pack, eager to start and do the most.

From this experience, I realized that pursuing the field of ecology was what I could picture myself doing far into the future, and this was how I was going to impact the world.

UC PIQ #7: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (350 words max)

Originally I saw volunteer work as a nuisance. I felt that it was an unnecessary "requirement" for college. I felt that someone decided to do volunteer work while in high school and now it has become the norm and is essentially required for college. Once I began to get involved, however, I found a true appreciation for the work I was doing.

I loved helping people and, as always, wanted to challenge myself. I worked at the Bellflower Volunteer center and tutored kids every day available, as well as helping out with large special events put on by the city. I then joined Key Club and made it my mission to attend every single event no matter what; even going to the lengths to walk for 4 hours starting at 5 in the morning (it was still dark outside) for a 2-hour beach clean up. I then became Service Event Coordinator and also made it my mission to have an event every week, while attending all of them, while still working at the Volunteer Center. I also started a tutoring program in math at my school as I really enjoy helping my peers academically.

It always warmed my heart to see fellow ninjas( our division mascot) at events I had planned, friends and neighbors at Bellflower events, and CSF members at tutoring.I am always willing to help people with anything. If someone needs my help I will stop whatever I am doing to help in any way that I can. Lending a helping hand is an important part of our society; however, a helping hand cannot do anything if the other hand does not reach for it as well. We need to be able to help ourselves first before others can help us. I tried to create a community where I could help people, but also people could help themselves so that there is no reason for anyone to not be able to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Throughout my childhood, the phrases “get good grades” and “make money” constantly harassed my every waking moment. Life seemed pointless, a never-ending cycle of trying to make more money to create artificial happiness. However, through partaking in my middle school’s ASB, I discovered my love for helping others, and I realized that I wanted to make my life about changing the world and leaving behind a better future for the generations to come.

In an attempt to live up to this philosophy, I have performed hundreds of hours of community service. From volunteering at a senior home to distributing food to the homeless, there is no doubt that I have made a substantial impact on those around me.

Despite all this, my most significant contributions are the ones that take place every day and are often undocumented. Picking up trash, staying long after my job is complete to help other groups, or even saying, “Thank you. Have a nice day,” to anyone who has provided a service for me are just a few examples. While they seem insignificant, these small actions add up.

However, above all, my biggest contribution is building meaningful connections with the people around me and making sure they realize how special and important they are to me and everyone else. In nurturing those who are less experienced, assisting those who are struggling with their emotions or their studies, and inspiring those who have untapped potential, I am not merely applying a band-aid on a wound, but elevating a whole community around me to tackle and prevent ailments the next decades will bring.

Years from now, I will likely have forgotten about my modest academic achievements. However, the memories of seeing someone I had mentored blossom into a strong leader and the smiles and laughter of someone I’ve helped battle through depression will forever be ingrained in my mind.

Serving food at school carnivals, embellishing the local marsh, tutoring students after school, and discharging patients at my local hospital were some of the ways I actively supported my city. However, a distinct way of being engaged in my community involved being selected for the Youth Development Program last summer. This organization works with the Torrance Refinery and selects thirty out of hundreds of applicants. The first week of this program involved activities that trained students for college and eventually their careers by making them adept in communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. For the next four weeks, students were assigned a specific job around the City of Torrance and Torrance Unified School District (TUSD).

I was placed in the TUSD Information Technology Department, along with six other students, and we essentially helped deal with technology-based issues around the district. Even though my professional desire incorporates biology and chemistry, I had a compelling interest and math and technology. I gave back to my community by utilizing the technological skills I gained at work. My colleagues and I traveled daily to several schools around the district and assisted in technological advancements: testing network ports and preparing schools for newer phones, imaging and updating new laptops and desktops, and arranging and setting up new computer labs and Chrome book carts.

Today, many people globally use technological and visual aids to assist their education. My summer job also allowed me to make a difference in the education of others. With the faster internet, newer telephones and computers, teachers could instruct more efficiently and students can be educated more effectively, thus improving their academic performance in the future. This program helped me a lot by boosting my teamwork and leadership skills, which will be extremely valuable as I will be pursuing many president/vice-president positions in my senior year. However, this program has allowed me to make a stronger impact on other people rather than myself; I feel delighted that my work in summer will be beneficial to twenty-thousand students across Torrance.

UC PIQ #8: Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? (350 words max)

In 2011, I started at a newly built school spanning sixth to twelfth grade. The school’s inception was not the greatest with gang culture and issues plaguing the school and nearby community. From this moment I knew wanted to make a change, improving the school and local community.

For example, two years ago a bicyclist was crushed by a container truck across the street from my school, several peers of mine and I advocated for a bike lane to get installed on the street to protect cyclists from the busy traffic. I worked day and night for three weeks using my connection with the city’s public works director to meet with city officials and make a change. I looked for solutions and ways to improve my community and lead the charge to better our street. When we met with city officials they agreed and ultimately approved our bike lane proposal. This civic action started with a group of three concerned high school students, in which I helped facilitate the conversations resulting into a bike lane project, that will be built the summer of 2018 after I graduate high school. Ultimately helping solve an issue in my community.

Using my influence as part of the Associated Student Body I advocated for a new medical academy on my school’s campus to address the growing interest in medicine and health careers of many students at my school. While I am not personally interested in a health related field, I recognized that many students at my school did and teachers agreed. I came in as an intermediary, who because of my position in ASB was also a member of my School’s Shared Leadership Council (SLC), through these means I motivated other ASB officers to support the academy’s inception and after a grueling amount of meetings in which we went through logistics the academy was approved for the benefit of students.

I am a student who will attend a UC pursuing my passions in journalism, education, and history; while being an involved student making the campus a better place than when I first arrived.

Rather than relying on pure intellect, I choose to excel through continual self-improvement, my ability to overpower obstacles, and an unrelenting force of determination. There are thousands of students smarter than me, students with better test scores, students with more volunteer hours, and quite possibly, a more socially acceptable sense of humor. I can assert, however, that my determination and ambition is hard to match.

I am willing to look in the face of the impossible without fear; in fact, the only emotion flowing through my body would be excitement. There are thousands of intelligent students, however many are unable or are unwilling to utilize their full potential. Although not a genius, I have shown my ability to improve drastically in capability over time.

At some point in my middle school career I was not technically supposed to still be enrolled because my grades were too low; now I'm on track to be valedictorian of my class. I am willing to do whatever it takes to meet my goal; if there were a service event across the country I would be willing to walk the entire way; if I could take a million AP's I would. I understand that it is a big jump to go from Bellflower High School to a UC in terms of academic difficulty; however, that is part of the excitement. I am not afraid of failure, it does nothing but make me stronger. Am I capable of making a jump of such a magnitude? It is not my judgment to make; I am only here to try.

The spin-the-wheel slows down and eventually stops at ‘try again next time’. That is, until I secretly push it one slot over to ‘princess tiara’. As the child hurries away to the next carnival game with the tiara in her hair, her mom turns back at me with a warm smile and mouths the words “thank you”. Seeing genuine happiness in the people of my community while volunteering at events such as my school carnival always remind me why I love my community so much.

I hold a lot of pride in how I’ve become a prominent figure in my community. From volunteering at festivals for my local elementary school to becoming employed by the City of American Canyon Parks and Recreation Department, I relish being in the hub of the community. I love our annual Fourth of July parades and Easter egg hunts, where I am stopped every 15 minutes to catch up with the crazy kids I worked with at summer camp or even just with the staff I’ve met from school. Growing up and connecting with such a diverse community is and will always be a large part of who I am. From kindergarten up until my senior year of high school, both my small community and I as an individual have grown immensely. By volunteering at local events, connecting with the people of my community, and finally getting employed by my city, I know that I have contributed to the successful growth of my community.

Although I really love my community here in the small town of American Canyon, I cannot help but think of the other great communities that I can potentially be a part of as well. I believe that by going to the University of California, I will be able to thrive in the liveliness of the communities that the campuses are well-known for. A major contribution I believe that I can bring to the University of California is integrating, being involved in, and building the school’s community so that both I and the school can grow together for each other.

What can you learn from these UC Berkeley essays?

If you want to get into UC Berkeley in 2022, you need to write great essays that help make you stand out. From these 18 Berkeley essays that worked, here are some takeaways:

Use specific examples of places and events (name them) ( #8 , #17 )
Tell a story ( #6 , #18 , #7 )
Demonstrate your background, identity, or culture ( #3 , #15 , #4 )

If you enjoyed these UC Berkeley essays, you'll also like reading our top UCLA essays that worked. They answer the same PIQ prompts, but quite differently.

Applying to other public universities? Check out these awesome University of Michigan essays.

Let me know, which UC Berkeley essay was your favorite and why?

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Our online application for students beginning May 2024 is now available. Applications are submitted through the Graduate Division using the Summer 2024 Application. Submitted applications will not be considered until letters of recommendation are received. Please inform your recommenders of the application deadline you seek to meet, so they can provide the letters in a timely manner.

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* The last day to submit an application will be April 1, 2024. We encourage you to apply sooner. After the Round 2 deadline, all decisions will be on a rolling basis.

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The MPA online application is designed so that you can enter and update your information at any time before you submit your application. For the Intended Program of Study section, please select Summer 2024 as the Admit Term. When searching for our program, you will select Public Affairs MPA from the list of options. Please note that applicants may only apply to one degree program per admissions cycle.

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You must hold or expect to hold prior to the beginning of classes a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. school accredited by one of the AACRAO regional accrediting agencies. International applicants of recognized academic institutions outside the United States must hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.Required Records: Upload unofficial transcripts with the application for the departmental initial review. Unofficial transcripts must include at a minimum the name of the institution, your full name, and a chronological listing of all classes and grades. If your academic records do not include official evidence of the award of your degree, you must also submit additional documents that verify the degree conferral, such as a diploma or degree certificate

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Our essay questions were created to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help to get to know you. The admissions committee is interested in learning how your professional or other experiences and achievements equip and motivate you to enroll in the Berkeley MPA. We are especially interested in understanding both your experience in leading, innovating with, inspiring, or managing other people, and your capacity to take full advantage of an intensive, fast-paced degree program.

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Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the culture of GSPP. We are all shaped by where we come from, our individual experiences and learnings. Please share with us your personal story, what life experiences have shaped your perspectives and explain how your unique and diverse view would contribute to the classroom and the Goldman community.

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Please share with the Admissions Committee what policy and/or public service issue(s) you are passionate about. What is your motivation to make a positive change in the world? How have these interests shaped your short- and long-term career goals? How will the Berkeley MPA enable you to build on your prior professional experience and achieve your goals?

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The two required letters of recommendation provide the admissions committee with third party, qualitative accounts of your potential for leadership and management. We require two letters of recommendation. However, you may submit up to three if you like. The online application will prompt you for three letters of recommendation. If you are only submitting the required two, just enter your own name into the third space.

We strongly prefer that letters of recommendation come from a current direct supervisor, former direct supervisor, or other individuals with whom you have had significant professional interaction. Please select individuals who know you well and who will take the time to write thorough and thoughtful letters on your behalf. The title of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities. We have found the most helpful letters to be recent, relevant, and written specifically for this application. We discourage letters of recommendation from subordinates, family, friends, or professors.

When completing the online application, you will enter the email address of your recommender and click the appropriate box to have the recommender upload their letter. You are responsible for ensuring that both required recommendations are submitted prior to the application deadline. Please be aware that if you are applying on an early deadline, you will need to inform your recommenders that you need the letter by that deadline date.

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Applicants do have the option of uploading a writing sample to their application packet.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants who have completed a basic degree in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to institutions from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries, most European countries, and countries in Africa in which English is not the official language. For more detail on the English Language Proficiency requirement and possible exemptions, please visit the Graduation Admissions website.

College Application Checklist

Find the right college for you., junior summer: ─do before applying to college checklist.

Set up a professional-sounding email address.
Create a balanced list of reach, match, and safety colleges.
Go to the application website.
Note the regular application deadline.
Note the early application deadline.

Junior Year: Take Tests and Other Exams for Admission

Find out if an admission test is required.
Take an admission test, if required.
Take other required or recommended tests (e.g., AP Exams, IB exams).
Send admission test scores, if required, with your application.
Send other test scores.
Retest by summer of junior year or fall of senior year.

Early Senior Year: Get Letters and Essay Ready.

Request recommendation letters. Provide a résumé for reference.
Send thank-you notes to recommendation writers.
Start the essay drafting and revision process 2 months prior to the application deadline.
Draft initial essay.
Proofread essay for spelling and grammar.
Have 2 people read your essay.
Revise your essay.
Proofread your revision.

Fall of Senior Year: Make a Campus Visit. Apply for Financial Aid.

Interview at the college campus, if required.
Submit FAFSA® if eligible.
Submit CSS PROFILE if needed.
Make a note of the priority financial aid deadline.
Make a note of the regular financial aid deadline.
Submit college aid form if needed.
Submit a state aid form if needed.
Check the college's financial aid website to see if you need to submit any additional institution forms.

Submit the Application. Pay Fees by Deadlines.

Complete college application.
Save copies of your application and application materials.
Pay application fee. Submit an application fee waiver if eligible.
Submit application.
Request high school transcript to be sent.
Request midyear grade report to be sent.
Confirm receipt of application materials by checking your application status online.
Send additional material if needed.
Tell your school counselor that you applied.
Receive letter from admissions office.

Senior Spring: Make Your Selections.

Apply for housing and meal plans, if applicable.
Receive financial aid award letter.
Accept financial aid offer.
Notify whichever colleges you’re not planning to attend.

What things do you need to provide in the college application process?

When applying to college, you’ll need to provide information regarding personal details, your academic background, your extracurricular activities, and achievements you want to highlight. You’ll also need to submit standardized test scores and letters of recommendation, if required. Along with that, you’ll want to submit any required essays, making sure they highlight your aspirations and your personality. You can even strengthen your application by including additional information about yourself and a résumé.

Most colleges will require an application fee. If you require financial assistance to cover this fee, ask your school counselor about application fee waivers.

What are five things you need to know about college application process?

When navigating college admissions requirements, consider these five points:

Go through each college's admissions requirements, including transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendations.
Pay close attention to submission deadlines to ensure you deliver all required documents on time.
Familiarize yourself with the admissions criteria, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal attributes.
Check out the available financial aid options, such as scholarships and grants. Follow the designated application timelines.
Visit the colleges you're interested in. Take advantage of any interview opportunities to express your interest and gain valuable insights into the institutions.

Is the admissions process the same for all colleges?

The admissions process can differ between institutions. Colleges you apply to may ask for standardized test scores and recommendation letters. Or they may have more specific requirements. Before you even begin an application, you’ll need to review the admissions guidelines of each college you plan to apply to and personalize your application to their needs.

How important are extracurricular activities in the college admissions process?

Participating in extracurricular activities can significantly influence the college admissions process. Colleges seek students who aren’t only academically accomplished but also have a diverse range of interests and a demonstrated dedication to their passions. Being actively involved in clubs, sports, community service, and leadership roles can positively impact your application and highlight your potential contributions to the college community.

Are interviews required for college admission? How should I prepare for them?

Colleges may require interviews as part of their admissions process, or they may not require them. You’ll want to verify the specific requirements of each college. If a college recommends an interview or it’s mandatory, make sure to prepare yourself thoroughly. Practice answering common interview questions, research the college, and think about how to express your objectives and interests effectively. Interviews offer a chance to present yourself in a more personal and engaging way, so take advantage of this opportunity.

Statement from Dean Erwin Chemerinsky (4/10/24)

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I write this with profound sadness. Since becoming a dean, my wife and I have invited the first-year students to our home for dinner. We were asked this year by the presidents of the third year class to have the graduating students over for dinner, because they began in Fall 2021 when COVID prevented us from having dinners for them. We were delighted to oblige and designated three nights – April 9, 10, 11 – that graduating students could choose among. I never imagined that something we do to help our community would become ugly and divisive.

The week before the dinners, there was an awful poster on social media and bulletin boards in the law school building of a caricature of me holding a bloody knife and fork, with the words in large letters: “No dinner with Zionist Chem while Gaza starves.” I never thought I would see such blatant antisemitism, with an image that invokes the horrible antisemitic trope of blood libel and that attacks me for no apparent reason other than I am Jewish. Although many complained to me about the posters and how it offended them, I felt that though deeply offensive, they were speech protected by the First Amendment. But I was upset that those in our community had to see this disturbing, antisemitic poster around the law school.

The students responsible for this had the leaders of our student government tell me that if we did not cancel the dinners, they would protest at them. I was sad to hear this, but made clear that we would not be intimidated and that the dinners would go forward for those who wanted to attend. I said that I assumed that any protest would not be disruptive.

On April 9, about 60 students came to our home for the dinner. All had registered in advance. All came into our backyard and were seated at tables for dinner. While guests were eating, a woman, who led the group responsible for the posters, stood up with a microphone that she had brought, stood on the top step in the yard, and began a speech, including about the plight of the Palestinians. My wife and I immediately approached her and asked her to stop and leave. The woman continued. When she continued her speech, there was an attempt to take away her microphone. Repeatedly, we said to her, that you are a guest in our home, please stop and leave. Our home is not a forum for free speech. Indeed, even if this were held in the law school building, there would be no First Amendment right to disrupt the event. About 10 students were with her and ultimately left as a group.

The dinner, which was meant to celebrate graduating students, was obviously disrupted and disturbed. I am enormously sad that we have students who are so rude as to come into my home, in my backyard, and use this social occasion for their political agenda.

The dinners went forward on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday night, about 15 people came to our home and stood on the street in front of it, and then on the path directly next to our backyard. They chanted (some chants were quite offensive) and yelled and banged drums to make noise to disturb the dinner. The dinner continued.

I have spent my career staunchly defending freedom of speech. I have spent my years as a dean trying hard to create a warm, inclusive community. I am deeply saddened by these events and take solace that it is just a small number of our students who would behave in such a clearly inappropriate manner.

Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law University of California, Berkeley School of Law

Updated April 13, 2024

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Guest Essay

Elite College Admissions Have Turned Students Into Brands

An illustration of a doll in a box attired in a country-western outfit and surrounded by musical accessories and a laptop. The doll wears a distressed expression and is pushing against the front of the box, which is emblazoned with the words “Environmentally Conscious Musician” and “Awesome Applicant.” The backdrop is a range of pink with three twinkling lights surrounding the box.

By Sarah Bernstein

Ms. Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist in Brooklyn.

“I just can’t think of anything,” my student said.

After 10 years of teaching college essay writing, I was familiar with this reply. For some reason, when you’re asked to recount an important experience from your life, it is common to forget everything that has ever happened to you. It’s a long-form version of the anxiety that takes hold at a corporate retreat when you’re invited to say “one interesting thing about yourself,” and you suddenly believe that you are the most boring person in the entire world. Once during a version of this icebreaker, a man volunteered that he had only one kidney, and I remember feeling incredibly jealous of him.

I tried to jog this student’s memory. What about his love of music? Or his experience learning English? Or that time on a summer camping trip when he and his friends had nearly drowned? “I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “That all seems kind of cliché.”

Applying to college has always been about standing out. When I teach college essay workshops and coach applicants one on one, I see my role as helping students to capture their voice and their way of processing the world, things that are, by definition, unique to each individual. Still, many of my students (and their parents) worry that as getting into college becomes increasingly competitive, this won’t be enough to set them apart.

Their anxiety is understandable. On Thursday, in a tradition known as “Ivy Day,” all eight Ivy League schools released their regular admission decisions. Top colleges often issue statements about how impressive (and competitive) their applicant pools were this cycle. The intention is to flatter accepted students and assuage rejected ones, but for those who have not yet applied to college, these statements reinforce the fear that there is an ever-expanding cohort of applicants with straight A’s and perfect SATs and harrowing camping trip stories all competing with one another for a vanishingly small number of spots.

This scarcity has led to a boom in the college consulting industry, now estimated to be a $2.9 billion business. In recent years, many of these advisers and companies have begun to promote the idea of personal branding — a way for teenagers to distinguish themselves by becoming as clear and memorable as a good tagline.

While this approach often leads to a strong application, students who brand themselves too early or too definitively risk missing out on the kind of exploration that will prepare them for adult life.

Like a corporate brand, the personal brand is meant to distill everything you stand for (honesty, integrity, high quality, low prices) into a cohesive identity that can be grasped at a glance. On its website, a college prep and advising company called Dallas Admissions explains the benefits of branding this way: “Each person is complex, yet admissions officers only have a small amount of time to spend learning about each prospective student. The smart student boils down key aspects of himself or herself into their personal ‘brand’ and sells that to the college admissions officer.”

Identifying the key aspects of yourself may seem like a lifelong project, but unfortunately, college applicants don’t have that kind of time. Online, there are dozens of lesson plans and seminars promising to walk students through the process of branding themselves in five to 10 easy steps. The majority begin with questions I would have found panic-inducing as a teenager, such as, “What is the story you want people to tell about you when you’re not in the room?”

Where I hoped others would describe me as “normal” or, in my wildest dreams, “cool,” today’s teenagers are expected to leave this exercise with labels like, Committed Athlete and Compassionate Leader or Environmentally Conscious Musician. Once students have a draft of their ideal self, they’re offered instructions for manifesting it (or at least, the appearance of it) in person and online. These range from common-sense tips (not posting illegal activity on social media) to more drastic recommendations (getting different friends).

It’s not just that these courses cut corners on self-discovery; it’s that they get the process backward. A personal brand is effective only if you can support it with action, so instead of finding their passion and values through experience, students are encouraged to select a passion as early as possible and then rack up the experience to substantiate it. Many college consultants suggest beginning to align your activities with your college ambitions by ninth grade, while the National Institute of Certified College Planners recommends students “talk with parents, guardians, and/or an academic adviser to create a clear plan for your education and career-related goals” in junior high.

The idea of a group of middle schoolers soberly mapping out their careers is both comical and depressing, but when I read student essays today, I can see that this advice is getting through. Over the past few years, I have been struck by how many high school seniors already have defined career goals as well as a C.V. of relevant extracurriculars to go with them. This widens the gap between wealthy students and those who lack the resources to secure a fancy research gig or start their own small business. (A shocking number of college applicants claim to have started a small business.) It also puts pressure on all students to define themselves at a moment when they are anxious to fit in and yet changing all the time.

In the world of branding, a word that appears again and again is “consistency.” If you are Charmin, that makes sense. People opening a roll of toilet paper do not want to be surprised. If you are a teenage human being, however, that is an unreasonable expectation. Changing one’s interests, opinions and presentation is a natural part of adolescence and an instructive one. I find that my students with scattershot résumés are often the most confident. They’re not afraid to push back against suggestions that ring false and will insist on revising their essay until it actually “feels like me.” On the other hand, many of my most accomplished students are so quick to accept feedback that I am wary of offering it, lest I become one more adult trying to shape them into an admission-worthy ideal.

I understand that for parents, prioritizing exploration can feel like a risky bet. Self-insight is hard to quantify and to communicate in a college application. When it comes to building a life, however, this kind of knowledge has more value than any accolade, and it cannot be generated through a brainstorming exercise in a six-step personal branding course online. To equip kids for the world, we need to provide them not just with opportunities for achievement, but with opportunities to fail, to learn, to wander and to change their minds.

In some ways, the college essay is a microcosm of modern adolescence. Depending on how you look at it, it’s either a forum for self-discovery or a high-stakes test you need to ace. I try to assure my students that it is the former. I tell them that it’s a chance to take stock of everything you’ve experienced and learned over the past 18 years and everything you have to offer as a result.

That can be a profound process. But to embark on it, students have to believe that colleges really want to see the person behind the brand. And they have to have the chance to know who that person is.

Sarah Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist.

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IMAGES

How to Get Accepted by UC Berkeley and UCLA (Admissions Essays Explained)
2022-2023 Berkeley Haas Essay Examples & Analysis
George Berkeley. Essay VII Thoughts On Public Schools And Universities
006 Essay Example Berkeley Application Uc Transfer Examples M ~ Thatsnotus
006 Essay Example Berkeley Application Uc Transfer Examples M ~ Thatsnotus
the UC Berkeley application materials here

VIDEO

🎓 College Overview: UC Berkeley 🏫
How I Got Into Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, USC, Rice, WashU, Northeastern, UC San Diego and more!
UC Berkeley Econ Major Day in the Life
Webinar Teaser from Andrea Van Niekerk, Former Admissions Officer, Brown University
Berkeley MBA with a 100k Scholarship
Accepted into Harvard Kennedy School, UC Berkeley Goldman, and Cornell Johnson MBA

COMMENTS

Supplemental Essay Prompts
Required Essay: (350 words maximum) Your supplemental essays must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on December 15, 2023. Describe how the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program in Engineering and Business at UC Berkeley will help you to achieve your goals. Share with us the world you come from (for example, your family, school ...
Admissions Essays
We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your alignment with our principles. Below are the required essays, supplemental essays, and optional essays for the Fall 2023-2024 application cycle. Required Essay #1. Required Essay #2.
UC Berkeley Essay Prompts 2023-2024
For the 2023-2024 UC Berkeley essays, it's essential to make sure that the structure aligns with the prompt's requirements and effectively showcases the applicant's strengths, experiences, and fit for the university. 2. Content Depth and Relevance Analysis: Dive deep into the content of each section.
University of California, Berkeley
Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words.
How to Prepare for the Video Essay
A webcam and microphone are required for this section. Since the video essay is a little different from the standard application requirements, here are some tips to help you prepare.1. Setting. It is important that we are able to hear and see you. Before you start recording, make sure you are in a quiet space with good lighting.
Essays
Required Essay #1 - Personal Story. To help admissions get to know you please share something about yourself that may not be evident in other parts of your application. Examples might include information about your family, culture, hobbies, and lived experiences. Please avoid professional topics. (300 word limit)
Crafting Your Berkeley Application Essay: A ...
The Berkeley application essay, like many college essays, is an opportunity for you to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores. The topics you choose should be deeply personal and reflective of your experiences, growth, and aspirations. Here are some recommended topics:
Application Process
The Berkeley MBA Application. The first step is creating your Application Portal through our secure online system. Your Portal will be your guide through the admissions process from the time you begin your application through the time you submit your enrollment deposit. You will complete the application, upload all required documents, monitor ...
Everything You Need to Know About the Berkeley Haas Video Essay
Eric Askins, Executive Director of full-time MBA admissions at UC Berkeley Haas, describes exactly what the video essay is assessing and how applicants shoul...
Personal insight questions
Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have ...
Applying for Graduate Admission
Application Process. The 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Application is now open. Please check your program of interest's application deadline, and submit by 8:59 p.m. PST. Reminder: Applicants may apply to only one degree program or one concurrent degree program per application term.
Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA program is highly regarded for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on leadership development. As part of the application process, prospective students are required to submit several essays that provide insights into their experiences, goals, and values.
18 UC Berkeley Essay Examples that Worked (2023)
Prompt #1: Leadership Experience. UC Berkeley Example Essay #1. Prompt #2: Creative Side. UC Berkeley Example Essay #2. Prompt #3: Greatest Talent or Skill. UC Berkeley Example Essay #3: Clammy Hands. UC Berkeley Example Essay #4: Memory. Prompt #4: Educational Opportunity or Barrier.
Apply to the MPA
The admissions committee is interested in learning how your professional or other experiences and achievements equip and motivate you to enroll in the Berkeley MPA. We are especially interested in understanding both your experience in leading, innovating with, inspiring, or managing other people, and your capacity to take full advantage of an ...
Application Process
Our application process varies depending on which pathway you choose. Select an option below to learn more about which pathways are available to you and how to apply. ... Click to view pathways for continuing UC Berkeley students. I'm a transfer student. Click to view pathways for transfer students. Admissions Application Process High School ...
Apply Now
Summer 2024 Application. Complete 2024 Online Application. Essay Essays must be written by the student. Applicants are required to: Write an essay in English* (1 page, single spaced, 12-point font and insert header including Last Name, First Name in the upper right corner) that responds to the following: *A Defining Principles of BerkeleyHaas is "Beyond Yourself".
Colleges Rates and Requirements
Application Essay. For colleges that require it, the application essay can be a very important part of your application and is your pitch to the university. ... Berkeley's yield rate for 2022 was just 40% while the yield rate for Yale was a whopping 83%. As students apply to greater numbers of colleges and have more options, yield rates ...
College Application Checklist
Early Senior Year: Get Letters and Essay Ready. Request recommendation letters. Provide a résumé for reference. Send thank-you notes to recommendation writers. Start the essay drafting and revision process 2 months prior to the application deadline. Draft initial essay. Proofread essay for spelling and grammar. Have 2 people read your essay.
Statement from Dean Erwin Chemerinsky (4/10/24)
I write this with profound sadness. Since becoming a dean, my wife and I have invited the first-year students to our home for dinner. We were asked this year by the presidents of the third year class to have the graduating students over for dinner, because they began in Fall 2021 when COVID prevented us from having dinners for them.
UCLA, UC Berkeley acceptance rates for every CA community college
Similar to freshman admissions, UCLA and Berkeley are the hardest UCs to get into for transfer applicants.The transfer acceptance rate for community college students is 30% at Berkeley and UCLA ...
Elite College Admissions Have Turned Students Into Brands
Ms. Bernstein is a playwright, a writing coach and an essayist in Brooklyn. "I just can't think of anything," my student said. After 10 years of teaching college essay writing, I was ...
Weekly Summer Reservations
Weekly Summer Reservations For the first time, International House is now offering summer weekly bookings for everyone! This is a great opportunity whether you are: planning a short-term visit need a little more time in Berkeley after the school year ends would like to have some time after graduation to explore job opportunities or wind down and enjoy the Bay Area experience I-House before ...