It doesn't really matter that there are musical/artistic extracurriculars at HBS... what matters is whether or not writing your response as a poem or lyrics makes sense for YOU to do. If you are an artist, a musician, or have some major part of your life that would naturally lead you to introduce yourself in such a manner, then it could definitely work because somewhere in your response you would mention that connection. But if not, then it would probably come off as gimmicky because you have nothing about your personal or professional life to tie it back to. So the adcom would be like, "Um... why is this i-banker who volunteers at a homeless shelter and likes to run marathons writing us a song?"
Also remember that you're going to have to read it out loud to your sectionmates, who are all going to be brilliant. If you think you can pull something off that you'd be comfortable sharing with 90 other impressive people, then more power to you. But I feel like it would be a pretty rare situation in which something like this would make sense.
If it makes anyone out there feel any better, my R1 clients who were invited to interview all answered the question in a really straightforward manner. They wrote as if they were talking to their classmates and introduced themselves in a pretty logical/chronological flow -- nothing crazy or fancy.
Hope this has helped!
gadela wrote:
i'd like to solicit opinions:
for the Harvard "introduce yourself" essay, what would you say to a poetic, lyrical, or musical composition that tells your story? This wouldn't come out of left field, the application already mentions alot of other musical and artistic extracurriculars.
would it be well received with adcom? or dismissed for being gimmicky?
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I've been an admissions consultant with Stacy Blackman Consulting since 2008. I went to Harvard Business School for my MBA and Michigan Ross for my BBA. I currently host SBC's podcast, "B-Schooled," which can be found on all major podcasting apps. I have helped clients gain acceptance into all of the top programs and am a big believer in letting your voice and your personality shine through in your application materials. Best of luck!
Interested in a free 30-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Sign up here: https://stacyblackman.com/contactErika Olson | Stacy Blackman Consulting Inc | https://www.StacyBlackman.com