The purpose of the Haas Thrive Fellows program is to educate, prepare, and motivate Latinx/Hispanic individuals to apply and succeed at a top business school, and support their career advancement. Aligned with the UC Berkeley Latinx-Thriving Initiative, Haas Thrive Fellows encompasses our commitment to increase the Latinx/Hispanic population within the graduate management community. Participants in Haas Thrive Fellows program will expand their network and build their leadership skills. Participants will have the opportunity to experience the unique culture of Berkeley Haas.
Program Overview
Funded by Berkeley Haas alumni, the Haas Thrive Fellows program is a free MBA access program. Participants will attend monthly, Saturday, in-person sessions hosted by Berkeley Haas which will include various activities and services from September through June. The program is designed to be a one-year program with an opportunity for additional engagement with Berkeley Haas over time.
The program will offer:
- Curriculum on
- graduate business admissions
- seeking financial aid for graduate studies
- GMAT or GRE preparation
- Building a personal brand
- Networking skills
- Exploring career options and opportunities
- Culturally relevant programming addressing the unique needs of Latinx/Hispanics in management and leadership in the US
- Guest speakers from the corporate community
- Graduate-level discussions and case studies led by faculty
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals and the Haas community
Program benefits include:
- Free GMAT or GRE test preparation
- Free GMAT or GRE test sitting
- Network and connection to the Haas community
- Application fee waiver for Haas graduate programs
Any applicants who meet the following criteria are invited to apply:
- Graduate of a four-year university and have completed up to two years of work experience
- OR if considering attending a part-time MBA program and have up to 4 years of work experience
- OR a current senior enrolled at a four-year university (students attending an HSI are strongly encouraged to apply)
- U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented.
- We accept applications from all majors—you just need to be interested in attending a graduate business program.
- While we do not have a minimum GPA requirement, we encourage applications from students with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Thrive Fellows program is open to anyone. Our Thrive Fellows alumni community includes people who do not identify as Latinx or Hispanic.
While our goal is to be hyperlocal, we often admit candidates from outside the immediate area. Accepting your offer means making a commitment to attend the monthly on campus events.
The schedule will be available when we make admissions offers to the program. We have to plan around a lot of other events like football games and conferences hosted by Haas, so we cannot offer early views of the schedule.
Application Materials
A copy of your transcripts from each college or university that you have attended is required to initially review your application.
We are interested in the progression and milestones of your journey. Please upload a current resume through the online application. PDF format is preferred.
We strongly prefer that Thrive candidates provide a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to both their leadership and contributions to the community. Your recommender can be a professor, employer, supervisor in organization service, or mentor.
There are two required essays in the application:
- How would participating in this program help propel you toward your career goals? (300 word maximum)
- One of our goals at Berkeley Haas is to develop leaders who value diversity and to create an inclusive environment in which people from different ethnicities, genders, lived experiences, and national origins feel welcomed and supported.
Can you please describe any experience or exposure you have in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, or belonging whether through community organizations, personal, or in the workplace? (300 word maximum)
As part of the University of California public university system, we value the impact our program can have in increasing social and economic mobility. As such, please help us understand the context of your opportunities and achievements. You may answer part, all, or none of the questions as they relate to your background.
This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.
Important Dates
Application Opens
May 1, 2024
Application Deadline
July 31, 2024
Decision Release
August 15, 2024
