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CEA’s Guide to Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (BBAY) 2024 Application Essays
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (BBAY) is a two-week program that provides students interested in a career in business the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship, leadership, critical thinking, presenting, and more.
Deadline: March 17, 2024 at 5pm PT
Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words
Since the BBAY admissions committee is asking you to cover a lot of ground, we recommend starting by writing everything that comes to mind for each of the three questions. Think about why embracing inclusivity is important to you, then move on to how inclusion and diversity help improve the performance of individuals and teams, since Questions #1 and #2 go hand-in-hand. Maybe you recently worked on a group project with peers you hadn’t had the chance to get to know before, and you all brought unique perspectives to the project that bolstered your collective success. Perhaps you built an app in an afterschool club, and welcomed a new member who taught you new coding tricks and enhanced your understanding of “teamwork makes the dream work.” Think about anecdotes or short stories you can share here to bring your story to life. Any applicant can say that inclusion is important to them and helpful in a team environment, but not every applicant is going to be able to demonstrate that sentiment with snapshots from real life.
Finally, Question #3 is as straightforward as it gets: How will BBAY help you to achieve your goals? First, you’re going to want to set aside some time to think critically about what your goals are. Is it to explore your interest in business? Are you hoping to learn more about entrepreneurship as it relates to a business idea you already have? Are you eager to expand your leadership knowledge and capabilities? Once you have your answer, explore BBAY’s website to pinpoint specific offerings that align with your interests and goals for attending.
In the end, you should have a thoughtful, organized 500-word essay that demonstrates your interest in the program and perspective on inclusivity at large and as it relates to collaboration specifically. Don’t forget to share your draft with a trusted relative or mentor to get a second opinion before submitting. Good luck! 🙂
