No more than two letters of recommendation are required and are strongly preferred to be from current or former supervisors. Select individuals with whom you have had considerable professional interaction. Recommendations may be submitted online or through the mail using a PDF version. Recommenders who choose to write a letter rather than use the form should remember to address the Berkeley Haas recommendation questions directly rather than submit a generic recommendation. Letters sent via mail must have the letter writer’s signature across the seal of the envelope.
Haas MBA Recommendation Questions 2023-2024
Section 1: Recommender Information
If you are a Berkeley-Haas alum, please let us know from which program and year you graduated.
Section 2: Leadership Assessment Grid
In this section, you will find 12 competencies and character traits that contribute to successful leadership. The competencies and character traits are grouped into five categories:
Achievement
Influence
People
Personal Qualities
Cognitive Abilities
For each competency, please select the one button that corresponds to the behavior that you have seen the applicant most consistently exhibit. We acknowledge that all applicants have both areas of strength and areas of development. Your candid and honest appraisal will assist in evaluation of the applicant. Please assume that each level builds upon behaviors of the previous level.
Achievement
Initiative
Results Orientation
Influence
Communication, Professional Impression, Poise & Presence
Struggles to get point across; neglects to understand audience’s input or perspective; lacks confidence and gets flustered under pressure
Works to get point across; acknowledges feedback; reframes statements when necessary to make them clearer; speaks politely; remains composed in known circumstances
Present views clearly and logically structures content for a road audience; listens and responds to feedback; prepares in advance to appear confident; leaves a positive and professional impression; responds confidently in unfamiliar situations
Structures content for senior-level meetings; maintains composure when challenged; solicits opinions and concerns, discusses them openly and adjusts communication; when in strong conflict or crisis, remains cool under pressure; channels strong emotion into positive action
Influence and Collaboration
People
Respect for Others
Team Leadership
Developing Others
Personal Qualities
Trustworthiness/ Integrity
Adaptability/ Resilience
Self Awareness
Cognitive
Strategic Orientation
Problem Solving
(Optional) Is there anything about your competency ratings on which you’d like to comment?
Based on your professional experience, how do you rate this applicant compared to her/ his peer group?
Average
Outstanding (top 5%)
Overall, I…
Do not recommend this applicant
Recommend this applicant, with reservations
Recommend this applicant
Enthusiastically recommend this applicant
Section 3: Haas MBA Recommendation Questions
Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (Up to 50 words)
How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (e.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Up to 500 words)
Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Up to 500 words)
Profile:
1) Engineering from IIT Bombay (Top engineering institution in India)
2) 8 months work experience in Japan at a battery manufacturing firm
3) over 2.5 years work experience at a Japanese management consulting firm in India within Automotive practice where I have been promoted 3 times (fast track) to currently a deputy senior consultant role with leadership experience of leading multi-national teams
4) Fluent in Japanese and 4 other languages
5) Mild community involvement (Have a band where I am the guitarist and Education outreach experience during college)
Goals
1) Short term - Auto industry consulting
2) Long term - Chief Strategy officer at Auto Industry with focus on sustainability strategy
US Army Special Forces veteran / Service Academy grad with low GPA but solid GRE. Several deployments around the world with unique experiences, including combat, cross-functional management, and forging diplomatic relations in new countries. Looking to pivot to consulting to broaden business acumen and focus on energy projects, with a long-term goal of breaking into PE Ops.
I’m 27 years old and was among the top 5 in my class during college. I am about to take the GMAT and start my admission process, aiming to apply in Round 2.
I worked as a Product Manager for a very successful LATAM startup, where I led a team to build one of the company's most important technology tools. I am passionate about solving user problems and enjoy networking.
My main concern is uncertainty about my post-MBA goals. I understand that an MBA is about the experience, meeting new people, developing skills and finding your optimal path. I believe that an MBA will help me address my concern, develop the essential skills to become a successful leader and probably pivoting in my current career.
Is this a common issue for potential MBA candidates? What's your thought on how can I assess this "issue"?
Post-MBA Target Industry:
Consulting, MF, Auto, Aerospace Companies:
AT Kearney
, Bain
, Booz Allen Hamilton
, BCG
, Deloitte
, McKinsey
, PWC
, Airbus
, BASF
, Boeing
, Daimler
, Ford
, GE
, GM
, Nissan
, Seimens
, Tesla
GMAT: 720
GPA: 9.47
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: India
Post MBA Location: USA
Notes:
Currently working in one of the top 5 brand of automobile manufacturing company, I have strong project management experience focused on manufacturing planning and manufacturing migration of products. Constantly collaborating across borders to deliver KPIs of the project. Planning to pursue an MBA to pivot to a different role in mobility industry focused on global operations strategy and/or product planning of EV industry #FutureOfMobility. Short term goal is consulting to broaden my functional knowledge base and develop a new perspective by engaging with different industry and solving diverse problems