UC Berkeley MBA Admission Counselors

A Guide to the Berkeley MBA Admissions Process - Essays, Interviews & Deadlines

About UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Berkeley’s Haas School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the world, priding itself on questioning the status quo since 1898. It has a diverse student body with almost a third of its class being international students. The school has a multitude of international research opportunities and has a deep commitment to contributing to a better world. There is an undeniable entrepreneurial spirit at the Haas School of Business with access to cutting-edge technology as well as Silicon Valley. Berkeley Haas has an exceptionally strong network of over 40,000 alumni, boasting names like Walter Haas (former president of Levi Strauss & Co.), Michael Blumenthal (Former Secretary of the Treasury), and Margo Alexander (former CEO of UBS).

Collectively, the alumni represent over 20,000 companies. Some are even Nobel Prize winners and recipients of the National Medal of Science. So what is the UC Berkeley business school admissions team looking for in their applicants?

UC Berkeley MBA Admissions Counselor

What is Haas School of Business Looking For?

UC Berkeley’s goal is to develop future leaders who are passionate, curious, and committed to their areas of interest. Their campus is a hub of innovation and exploration, producing graduates that are holders of cutting-edge patents, founders of startup ventures, and influencers making a social impact. This is what drives the UC Berkeley MBA Admissions team when building their classes each year. They are looking at professional achievement, academic aptitude, and leadership potential. Berkeley wants potential students who will make valuable contributions in class, ensuring lively instruction and informed discussion.

The UC Berkeley business school admissions committee looks for applicants that take initiative and bring diverse perspectives to complement the experiential learning experience. They want leaders that are ethical and innovative, creating positive change in their communities. This needs to be demonstrated in the UC Berkeley MBA application.

UC Berkeley MBA Admission Requirements

The Berkeley Haas MBA Admission Rate is around 11%. According to their website, on average the school has 3,700 applications submitted and a class size of around 331 students. So what is UC Berkeley looking for in their applicants? Take a look at the most current statistics:

  • Average GMAT score: 727
  • Average GRE score: 161 Verbal, 161 Quant
  • Average Undergrad GPA: 3.65
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Average work experience: 5.3 years

Students come from many different industries including Consulting, Financial Services, Technology, Health/Pharma/Bio-Tech, Government/Nonprofit, Energy, and Entertainment just to name a few. There are over 37 countries represented and 39% of the most recent class is female.

UC Berkeley (Haas) MBA Application

Potential students are evaluated on their application as a whole. Let’s take a look at some important parts of the application:

1. GMAT/GRE Scores

You must submit recent scores for either the GMAT or the GRE. The school has no preference as to which test you take. Again, the average GMAT score for UC Berkeley is 727 and the average GRE score is a 161 Verbal and 161 Quant. Of course, there is a wide range of acceptable scores but the admissions committee is especially focused on the quantitative section of both the GMAT and the GRE.

2. Video Statement

The essay portion of the application is a way for the admissions committee to get to know you. There are no right or wrong answers here. The UC Berkeley business school admissions committee encourages you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions while considering your future. Berkeley’s essay questions are as follows:

  • What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?
  • What do you need to develop to become a successful leader?

UC Berkeley also has optional essays that allow you to showcase your abilities more completely as well as a supplemental information section.

3. Interview

Interviews are by invitation only and are required for admission. Interviewers consist of current students or alumni and MBA admissions officers. During the interview, expect to have a meaningful discussion about your experiences. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about the program and decide if the program is right for you. The interviewer will be looking for the following:

  • Do you have leadership potential?
  • How do you overcome adversity?
  • What are you passionate about?
  • What impact will you have on your classmates?

4.  Recommendations

UC Berkeley MBA Admissions committee members are looking for solid reference letters from individuals with whom you have had considerable professional interaction. They need to be able to provide specific examples of your work, talents, and interpersonal skills.

5. Career Progression

Showcase your professional experiences and important projects that have propelled your career. Resumes should illustrate characteristics of driven, hard-working, focused individuals. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership potential and social awareness.

Solomon Admissions provides guidance on the entire UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Admissions process. When you are applying to such a competitive b-school, it is imperative that you differentiate yourself from the thousands of other applicants. Solomon admissions consultants can help! See our acceptance rates here:

Check Out the Top MBA Acceptance Rates

For more information about the UC Berkeley (Haas) Business School application process, reach out to us via any of the contact options below.