Applying

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

The Berkeley Haas MBA for Executives 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 apply.

Berkeley MBA for Executives Application

Applying begins by creating your Portal through our secure online application 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. After that time, 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. All communications regarding your application will go to this email address.
Reapplying to the Berkeley MBA Program

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

International Applicants

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

University Transcripts

  • Required from all institutions you have attended or are currently attending
  • 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: mbaforexecs@haas.berkeley.edu

You must submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs you have attended or are currently attending. You must also list each of these schools in the Academic History section of the application.

Do not send transcripts for seminars, ESL classes, professional development courses, computer certifications, etc.

U.S. Transcript Submission

Transcripts must arrive in a sealed envelope as issued by the school. Transcripts may be sent directly by the issuing institution or by the applicant (still sealed), together with other supplemental materials to the following address:

Berkeley MBA for Executives Program Admissions
Haas School of Business
430 Student Services Bldg. #1910
Berkeley, CA 94720-1910

Non-U.S. Transcript Submission

Please see our information for international applicants.

Resume

To review the progression and milestones of your career, we 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

As one way to evaluate potential success in the program, we require all applicants to submit official results from one of the following standardized tests:

We view all three tests equally and there are no minimum scores to apply to the program. For those not familiar with the Executive Assessment, the EA is specifically designed to evaluate the business school readiness of seasoned professionals. The assessment focuses on skills that are critical both at work and in an MBA for Executives program: higher order reasoning, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. The test is administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC).

We will accept official scores for GMAT, EA, or GRE exams taken October 2017 or later for 2022-2023 applicants. We will keep your test score reports on file for two years.

All applicants must provide self-reported scores as part of the application, in addition to ordering your official score report with our institution codes. When requesting your official results, please use the following institution codes:

  • EA institution code: N2V-PT-85
  • GMAT Institution Code: N2V-PT-85
  • GRE Institution Code: 0667

We do not offer waivers of the exam, with limited exceptions for applicants holding Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees with evidence of quantitative ability. To request a waiver, applicants must start an application, upload all academic transcripts, and send an email request to mbaforexecs@haas.berkeley.edu. We will review your request and the admissions committee will notify you within 5-7 days.

If you require more time to take an exam, please contact the admissions office to discuss your situation.

MBA Quantitative Skills Course 

The Haas MBA Quantitative Skills Course is an online course available to provide additional academic preparation to support your candidacy and to prepare you for the rigor of MBA study. If you do not have significant evidence of quantitative skills in either your academic or professional background, you may consider taking this course to further demonstrate your academic readiness. Review our Frequently Asked Questions here. After starting an application and logging in, click here to enroll.

Preparing for the Executive Assessment

Join the Haas MBA for Executives admissions team and guest, Eric Chambers of GMAC, makers of the GMAT and the Executive Assessment (EA), to learn how to prepare to take the Executive Assessment. During this discussion, you will learn about the test content, structure, and resources to help you prepare in under four weeks. He’ll also walk through practice problems from each section. You’ll leave ready to conquer the test.

English Language Proficiency Exams: TOEFL/IELTS

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.

Essays

Essays help us learn about who you are as a person and how you will fit with our community. We seek candidates from a broad range of industries, backgrounds, and cultures. 

We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your fit with our program—professionally, academically, and culturally.

While you should answer each question thoroughly, you should not exceed the specified lengths.

Essay 1

A person’s identity is shaped by many different aspects, including family, culture, personal interests, and surrounding environments. Please share a facet of your identity or story that is essential to who you are. (300 word limit)

Essay 2

As a working professional, you have developed unique skills, knowledge or experience in your career. Please summarize your primary area of professional expertise or knowledge. Highlight any aspect(s) that makes you unique or sets you apart from your peers. (150 word limit)

Letters of Recommendation

We require two letters of recommendation that address your management and leadership potential. Letters of recommendation provide the admissions committee with outside perspectives on your leadership to date and the impact you've made at work. 
  • 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 your letters of recommendation.

Interview

An interview with the Admissions Committee is required for applicants before admission to the program can be offered.

  • The interview is approximately 30 minutes long and will be with a member of the Admissions Committee.
  • During the interview you will have the opportunity to ask specific questions as well as help us better understand your career, background, and interests. 
  • For greater accessibility, you will have the opportunity to interview virtually or in person.
  • The mode of your interview will have no impact on your admissions decision.
Scheduling your Interview

For your convenience, you can choose to schedule your interview before or after you submit your application. 

You can find information about scheduling your interview in the Interview section of the application. You will need to have completed the "Personal Data" section of your application and have your current resume uploaded before you interview. Interview scheduling will be available in your application portal after you submit. 

The interview must be completed within 2 weeks of the application deadline or your decision may be delayed.

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.

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.

Application Tips

Application

Make it manageable. In just five minutes, you can create your login, input your basic information, upload your resume, or jot down some essay ideas.

Essays

There truly is no one "right" answer. We just want to get to know you better. 

Transcripts

Ask ahead. It can take schools two to three weeks to mail a transcript.

Entrance Exams

Prepare well for the GMAT, GRE, or EA. Berkeley EMBA student Manoj Thomas discusses his test prep experience in this podcast.

Letters of Recommendation

Give your recommenders enough time. As a professional courtesy, you should aim to request your letters 3-6 weeks ahead of the application deadline.

Amber Jones

Amber Jones

CFO
Human Investing
Portland, Oregon

"I am humbled to be among my EMBA classmates. They are smart, driven, and funny. They challenge, inspire, and support me. The EMBA program puts me on a bigger stage, with players from top companies in a variety of fields.