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Haas MBA Recommendation Questions

The Berkeley Haas MBA recommendation questions are now available for UC Berkeley Haas School of Business applicants and their recommenders.

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 2024-2025

Section 1: Recommender Information

(Confirms submission information)

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

berkeley haas mba recommendation questions

Section 3: Haas MBA Recommendation Questions

  1. 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)
  2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Up to 500 words)
  3. 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)
  4. (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?