What Reviewers Look For in the MBA — Haas Essays (Career Goals + Distance Traveled)
This rubric looks for a clear post-MBA goal, a specific explanation of how Haas resources meet a need on the path to that goal, and a practical plan for adapting as your career changes. For the optional Distance Traveled essay, it looks for how your background, circumstances, or significant experiences shaped your perspective, decisions, aspirations, and the person you are becoming. It also checks that each submitted response answers its full prompt within the stated limit.
What We Check
Whether your post-MBA career goals are stated precisely enough to test and are bridged from your current or past work.
Whether the Haas resources you name are connected to a need you state on the path to your goals.
How you plan to remain adaptable as your career evolves, the third ask of Required Essay #2.
Whether your optional Distance Traveled answer, when you submit one, connects aspects of your background, personal circumstances, or significant experiences to how they have influenced your perspectives, decisions…
Mistakes We Flag
- A title instead of a goal
- Saying you want to be a leader or work at a prestigious firm does not explain the work you want to do, the problem you want to address, or who you want to serve.
- A list of Haas names with no purpose
- Courses, clubs, faculty, reputation, location, or the Haas name need to be connected to a specific need or step in your plan.
- Saying you are adaptable without a plan
- A claim that you thrive in ambiguity is not enough. Explain a change that could affect your path and the habit, capability, or behavior you would use to respond.
- Listing hardships without their impact
- For Distance Traveled, the important part is how an experience changed your perspective, decisions, or aspirations—not how many difficulties you have faced.
- Leaving out part of the prompt
- Required Essay #2 needs your goals, your use of Haas resources, and how you will adapt. A submitted Distance Traveled response should address both your experiences and their influence on who you are becoming.
How this rubric reads your essay
- Built from published reader guidance — the sources are listed below.
- Scored per section against defined criteria, not general impressions.
- Calibrated for consistent scoring, so a better draft shows up in the score.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can these essays be?
Required Essay #2 is limited to 300 words. The optional Distance Traveled essay is also limited to 300 words.
Do I need a highly specific employer or job title for my career goal?
No. A clear role or function plus an industry, problem, or group you want to serve is enough. A longer-term goal is optional.
How many Haas resources should I mention?
There is no required number. Name the resources you would actually use and explain how each connects to a need or step toward your goal.
Do I need to write the Distance Traveled essay?
No. It is optional, and leaving it empty is a complete submission. If you submit it, focus on how your background, circumstances, or significant experiences have influenced you.
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